A build for my girlfriend

Z

Zerphed

n00b
Joined
Apr 3, 2008
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21
Hey,

Last time I was asking for your help for a build for myself, but this time I really need to nail it because this one is going for my girlfriend. The use is going to be mainly photoshopping, perhaps some 3D design, but it should also be suited for random gaming on 22" - 24" display. The budget is under 1000 euros, and we already have a DVD drive and we'll build the case ourself. So here goes:

PSU: Thermaltake ToughPower 750W
Motherboard: ASUS P5Q Deluxe
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400, 3.0GhZ
RAM: 4GB Dual Kit G.Skill DDR2-800 F2-6400CL4D-4GBPK 4-4-4-12
Graphics card: ASUS Ati Radeon HD 4870 512MB
HDD: Samsung 500GB Spinpoint T166, 3.5", SATAII/300, 16MB, 7200RPM

All comments are appriciated, these parts are all together 870€ so well within our budget. Thanks already in advance.
 
Get a 640GB Western Digital HDD instead, it's faster, cooler, and quieter.
 
You won't notice a difference between CL4 and CL5, unless you're running benchmarks (and even then, the difference is negligible), so don't pay a huge price premium for lower latency.

The Toughpower 750W is way overkill. All she'd need is a Corsair 520W or similar. So, unless there's a super good deal on the Toughpower, I'd downgrade the PSU.

If you don't need all the features of the Deluxe, drop down to the E or Pro P5Q model instead. IMO, you don't get much for the price premium on the deluxe compared to the E.

I agree with hdc014, get the WD6400AAKS or any Samsung F1 series drive instead. They use higher density platters, which makes for much faster transfer speeds.
 
Meaning western digital caviar series or something else? Also the samsung hdd's are labeled Spinpoint F1 series, so.. Also the toughpower is there because she might decide to take advantage of her crossfire x later in the future.
 
Zerphed said:
Hey,

Last time I was asking for your help for a build for myself, but this time I really need to nail it because this one is going for my girlfriend. The use is going to be mainly photoshopping, perhaps some 3D design, but it should also be suited for random gaming on 22" - 24" display. The budget is under 1000 euros, and we already have a DVD drive and we'll build the case ourself. So here goes:

PSU: Thermaltake ToughPower 750W
Motherboard: ASUS P5Q Deluxe
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400, 3.0GhZ
RAM: 4GB Dual Kit G.Skill DDR2-800 F2-6400CL4D-4GBPK 4-4-4-12
Graphics card: ASUS Ati Radeon HD 4870 512MB
HDD: Samsung 500GB Spinpoint T166, 3.5", SATAII/300, 16MB, 7200RPM

All comments are appriciated, these parts are all together 870€ so well within our budget. Thanks already in advance.
Click to expand...

Looks pretty good, though I would go for an HX620 instead of the Toughpower (depending on price, and presuming that the TT that you have chosen isn't the modular model). A quad core might be a good idea as well, with both apps and games now moving on to support quads. Finally, a Samsung Spinpoint F1 is a good choice, the 750GB model is great value, being only a small bit more than the WD6400AAKS, while being nearly as fast.
 
Go with a 4850 if it's not a dedicated gaming box. Too much power draw from the 4870 IMO and it won't help in Photoshop or 3d design apps.
 
yeah if she doesn't game a huge amount save your money and get a 4850 and invest it into a quad core.
 
I agree with fantomau, save yourself some cash and get the Corsair 750W instead unless you want modularity.

Zerphed said:
Meaning western digital caviar series or something else? Also the samsung hdd's are labeled Spinpoint F1 series, so.. Also the toughpower is there because she might decide to take advantage of her crossfire x later in the future.
Click to expand...

No, meaning only that WD6400AAKS model, lol. Its the only model guaranteed to give you the 320GB platters from WD. The 320GB model may or may not have it, since WD decided to mix the new revision into the old stock. :mad:

That Samsung you listed looks like a T166 series drive...

Zerphed said:
HDD: Samsung 500GB Spinpoint T166, 3.5", SATAII/300, 16MB, 7200RPM
Click to expand...

... but you didn't list the model #. If the model number is HD501LJ, then its not an F1 series. If the model number is HD502IJ (HD501IJ has only 8MB cache), then it is an F1 drive and you're good to go. ;)
 
F1 is HD502, not 501. Keep in mind the F1 320GB (out), 640GB (not out AFAIK) and 1TB drives are faster than the 250, 500 and 750 because the latter 3 either use less dense platters or they do not use the entire platter (I've heard both of those said), and they do benchmark slower. That is not to say that they are slow drives, though, and they will probably be just fine.
 
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