Help with my new computer

[taylorwilsdon]

I'm building a new computer to be used with OSX86.

I got in on the "slickdeal" on the OCZ SLI-Ready Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 PC2-6400 Desktop Memory for $45 shipped after rebate and picked up a open-box Gigabyte GA-EP31-DS3L LGA 775 motherboard for $50+$8 shipping, I think. In all, it was $140 shipped minus a $35 mail in rebate, I've spent $105 thus far.

This will be connected to one or two 23" Apple Cinema Displays (already have 1) but I don't really play games so the graphics card doesn't have to be a powerhouse, just OSX compatible (I think 99% of G92s are).

I was thinking of the Antec BP550 Plus 550W for $60 shipped as the power supply, because I definitely want a modular PSU. I'll take suggestions in a similar price range for this.

Motherboard: Already bought (Gigabyte P31 DS3L).

Memory: Already bought 8GB OCZ Sli-Ready Edition.

Processor: Whatever the newest Core 2 Duo is... maybe a Core 2 Quad, I'm not really sure if its worth it. $150 or so range, used or new.

Case: I'm going to pick up a used Lian Li case from craigslist/here.

Video: nVidia 8600 or 8800, probably. Something in the $100 range, preferably less.

Hard Drive: I've got a bunch but I'll pick up a few more for storage. I have a large DVD collection that I want to rip and organize. I also have about 200gb of photos, which is partially what the rig is for.

Optical: I've got a couple lying around.

What am I forgetting? Suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Dangman]

Don't get the BP550. It's a low-grade PSU. Wouldn't trust it with any system. I recommend getting this non-modular but significantly better quality PSU for the same price:
Antec Earthwatts 500W PSU - $55

Anyway, it would help us immensely if you told us what exactly you're planning to do with this PC. Heavy Multi-tasking? Video rendering? etc

Graphics card wise, since you're not gaming, all you need is this OSX86 compatible 8400GS for $30:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127367

 

[taylorwilsdon]

Well, I would very much like a modular PSU. I *hate* having extra cables so I swore the next computer I built would be modular. I'm willing to spend more on the PSU if needed.

Intent would be good, wouldn't it Its going to be photo editing using Aperture, Bridge, Photoshop, RPP (Raw Photo Processor) and then general use (Firefox, Adium, Mail, iTunes, VLC, Word, lots of movies).

 

[Dangman]

Well, I would very much like a modular PSU. I *hate* having extra cables so I swore the next computer I built would be modular. I'm willing to spend more on the PSU if needed.

Intent would be good, wouldn't it Its going to be photo editing using Aperture, Bridge, Photoshop, RPP (Raw Photo Processor) and then general use (Firefox, Adium, Mail, iTunes, VLC, Word, lots of movies).

Then spend the extra money for a quad-core CPU then:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 CPU - $190

This is the cheapest modular PSU that I can recommend in good conscience:
Corsair 520HX 520W Modular PSU - $105

 

[taylorwilsdon]

Thanks for the input. I know its a sin to scrimp on PSU so I'll take a look at the corsair models. As far as quad core goes, I'm not sold yet because I've heard it doesn't improve performance a whole lot.

 

[E4g1e]

I'm building a new computer to be used with OSX86.

{snip}
Motherboard: Already bought (Gigabyte P31 DS3L).

Memory: Already bought 8GB OCZ Sli-Ready Edition.
{snip}

What am I forgetting? Suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Unfortunately, you will not be able to use all 8GB of memory on that P31 motherboard. In fact, your system likely won't even POST at all with all four memory slots filled with double-sided memory modules. You see, the P31 chipset supports a maximum of only four banks of memory total (and just one double-sided stick of memory already makes up two banks of memory). And if you plan to fill up all four memory slots on that motherboard, all four memory modules must be single-sided only! (Only a few 1GB sticks of memory are available in single-sided versions, whereas every single 2GB stick of memory is double-sided.) As a result, the maximum supported amount of memory on that P31 motherboard is only 4GB. If you want to run 8GB, you will need a higher-end chipset than the P31, such as the new P45 or the older P35 chipsets.

 

[HardwareGuru]

Yep, good point

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Motherboard/Products_Spec.aspx?ProductID=2615

Unfortunately, you will not be able to use all 8GB of memory on that P31 motherboard. In fact, your system likely won't even POST at all with all four memory slots filled with double-sided memory modules. You see, the P31 chipset supports a maximum of only four banks of memory total (and just one double-sided stick of memory already makes up two banks of memory). And if you plan to fill up all four memory slots on that motherboard, all four memory modules must be single-sided only! (Only a few 1GB sticks of memory are available in single-sided versions, whereas every single 2GB stick of memory is double-sided.) As a result, the maximum supported amount of memory on that P31 motherboard is only 4GB. If you want to run 8GB, you will need a higher-end chipset than the P31, such as the new P45 or the older P35 chipsets.

 

[taylorwilsdon]

Well ain't that a bitch. I guess I'll have to return it and pick up the P35 version. Serves me right for trying to save money. Thanks for the heads up, I would have gone crazy trying to figure out why it didn't work.