All purpose build

[Derfnofred]

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
I flat out need a modern computer for in general use. Not too game crazy so a ~ $100 gfx card will do, use photoshop quite a bit (but I shoot a 5D, so not as taxing on the system as newer cameras), surf the net, and occasionally locally run matlab code for analysis for school. Oh, and as a music box (digital crossovers to a home-built actively driven system). So, general, competent use.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Gunning for <1000, all said and done w/ tax and shipping
3) Where do you live?
I can get some of my parts in Portland, OR over the break, and the rest will have to go to San Diego, CA
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
*The whole shooting match. Right now I have an ancient laptop that I cannot wait to unbuntu.

So:
Case, power supply, graphics card, sound card (thinking auzentech forte), mobo, processor fan, processor, memory, hdd, dvd/cd/etc, 802.11g card. Oh, keyboard (thesis more than game worthy) and mouse. And whatever else I've forgotten as well.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
I have external HDD for backup purposes.
6) Will you be overclocking?
Marginally, if at all. Generally conservative build that tries to maximize bang for buck.
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
I own a HP LP2475W, so 1920x1200
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Starting ASAP, but not really in any hurry, so I can bargain hunt a plenty.
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
Firewire would be nice, as my external can run off it. USB3 for future compatibility? I tend to use computers well past their prime.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
No, but I'm a student so I will be taking advantage of Microsoft's windows 7 deal.


I'd prefer a quieter system than not... so a good, future proof, quiet case and peripherals would be nice. Not militant about that, though. Just something that is not noticeable when music is playing at a moderate-to-low level.

My friend works at Intel and can help me with the processor. But let's budget for 1000, ignore the discount and then I can buy software with the difference. No ssds though ;-(

I was thinking:
Auzentech X-fi Forte
i7-870
? mobo
8gb ram
? hdd (don't think the budget will give room for an ssd, nor am I that much of a power user)
? gfx card
Antec Solo/Coolermaster Sileo 500 or the like something similar looking (conservative, no side panel, quiet)

? PSU

Anyhow, hope that gives the broader brush. I'll try and answer any questions along the way. I've been out of the building business for ages, which means I don't know hardware like I used to, but the building process is no biggie.

If a off the shelf system is better for me, do tell.

 

[Dangman]

$240 - Intel Xeon X3440 CPU
$105 - Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2 Intel P55 mATX Motherboard
$93 - G.Skill Ripjaw Series F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL 2 x 2GB DDR3 1600 RAM
$100 - XFX 9800GT 512MB PCI-E Video Card
$75 - Western Digital WD6401AALS 640GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$28 - LG GH22NS50 DVD Burner
$75 - Antec Earthwatts 650W PSU
$30 - Windows 7 College deal
---------
Total: $746 plus tax and shipping.

That leaves you roughly ~$250 for a sound card, case, keyboard and mouse. More than likely not enough for 8GB of RAM unless you ditch the sound card.

 

[engiNURD]

If your audio out is digital to your sound system, then no need for a soundcard. Even if its analog, I'd suggest trying the onboard HD Audio first, before dropping money on a soundcard.

 

[InternationalHat]

If your audio out is digital to your sound system, then no need for a soundcard. Even if its analog, I'd suggest trying the onboard HD Audio first, before dropping money on a soundcard.

If he's using it as a crossover, he'll need at least 4 discrete analog outputs (2 stereo). 1 L/R for woofer, 1 L/R for tweeter. Digital out won't work. He'll also need 4 channels of amplification.

M-audio delta 44 or something? You probably CAN do this with a 5.1 type card like you were suggesting, but it'd be a pain with audiomulch and stuff.

 

[Derfnofred]

Yeah, the soundcard is a pretty high priority and I do need analog out. In the far-term I'd love to get a pro-level mixing card or the like to do 8 full channels of amplification, but we'll see. I'm buying the amplification as we speak as well.

Thanks for the heads up all.