New Build For Growing Needs

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ChatChai

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Joined
Jan 20, 2007
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Ok over the years my gaming time has decreased dramatically because my work load has increased. I guess that is good in today's economy. Though I have a computer now I would like to build a new computer if feasable or rebuild based on what I have. My current needs have changed and I would like to dedicated a system strictly for:

Graphic/Web Design (Adobe Suite)
Photo Editing (Lightroom)
Video Editing (Premiere Pro)

The above was listed by importance. My current computer I mainly used for gaming, when I did, and all my general surfing and media storage for my ps3. If possible I would like to stay under $750 for the hardware alone. I know Ubuntu would offer another alternative that may save me money, I don't have the time to learn a new suite of software alternatives.

I've been told to have a separate RAID setup just for video editing to maximize speed. I've also been told, but am not completely sure of how to do, that separating some processes for the Adobe Suite into another drive also speeds it up.

Any help anyone can provide would be appreciated. Right now I'm guessing a Q6600 / 4GB or ram to start. See current system in my signature if you think that rebuilding my system would be a better alternative to stay under budget. Ultimately as mentioned I would prefer to separate my work computer and personal.
 
Upgrade suggestions

- 975 supports Q6600 already, so that is just a CPU swap. $190
- buy two 2 x 2 Gigs DDR2 800 kits. (RAM is dirt cheap for $80 for 8 Gigs)
- 2 x WD 640 Gigs Hard Drives for your editing (WD6401AALS) in Raid 0 (your motherboard already support this)
- Aftermarket Heatsink for overclocking the Q6600 to 3 Ghz... XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler for $37

Which comes to $397 before shipping from Newegg

p.s. If you are not using vista 64 bit... Add $100 for Vista home premium 64bit.
 
lt_shiro said:
Upgrade suggestions

- 975 supports Q6600 already, so that is just a CPU swap. $190
- buy two 2 x 2 Gigs DDR2 800 kits. (RAM is dirt cheap for $80 for 8 Gigs)
- 2 x WD 640 Gigs Hard Drives for your editing (WD6401AALS) in Raid 0 (your motherboard already support this)
- Aftermarket Heatsink for overclocking the Q6600 to 3 Ghz... XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler for $37

Which comes to $397 before shipping from Newegg

p.s. If you are not using vista 64 bit... Add $100 for Vista home premium 64bit.
Click to expand...

Awesome and well under my budget. I think I'll even be able to take the parts I'm taking out into some of the extra parts I have and still part up a decent internet browsing computer.

For my needs is it still necessary or add a great of enough benefit to OC? Only reason I ask becuase that is uncharted territory for me and I really don't want to mess up anything. I'm using XP Pro so yes I will have to switch but will Vista Ultimate be ok instead of Home Premium? Or is it too much fluff for what I'm doing? I have an Ultimate CD already that I never used, that is why I'm asking.
 
once it is 64bit version... 32 bit can't use all 8 Gigs of ram. Overclocking will help in lowering encoding times but is not needed.
 
lt_shiro said:
once it is 64bit version... 32 bit can't use all 8 Gigs of ram. Overclocking will help in lowering encoding times but is not needed.
Click to expand...

Understood but Ultimate 64bit would be ok? Not too much fluff? I'll put it together and see how far I can read up on OC. Also I'm guessin since you made no mention the video card I currently have would be good enough or necessary?
 
ChatChai said:
Understood but Ultimate 64bit would be ok? Not too much fluff? I'll put it together and see how far I can read up on OC. Also I'm guessin since you made no mention the video card I currently have would be good enough or necessary?
Click to expand...

If you already have a legit copy of Vista Ultimate on hand, and if you're allowed/capable of installing the 64bit version, then yes Vista Ultimate is ok.

Your video card is good enough for Graphic, Photo and video editing. However if the 8800GTS no longer allows you to play games at settings YOU want, than get a new video card. The GTX260 or HD4870 1GB are good choices. Speaking of which, which GTS do you have? The 320MB, 640MB or 512MB?
 
Onless you are gaming, I don't see any reason to upgrade... 8800 GTS supports CUDA but I think only Photoshop is only image software that supports it right now.

Right now I am still using a 9600 GT, I am gaming on 32" 720p TV. So their is no need to upgrade just yet.
 
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core - With the money savings is it worth to go Yorkfield if possible?
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit - I just selected the first one with the best rating on Newegg. Does it matter which one I pick even if I OC?
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - Opted for the Black because of the higher Cache for video editing.

I haven't purchased the above yet but would like comments if possible. Thanks again for your help and anybody else that jumps in.
 
Danny Bui said:
If you already have a legit copy of Vista Ultimate on hand, and if you're allowed/capable of installing the 64bit version, then yes Vista Ultimate is ok.

Your video card is good enough for Graphic, Photo and video editing. However if the 8800GTS no longer allows you to play games at settings YOU want, than get a new video card. The GTX260 or HD4870 1GB are good choices. Speaking of which, which GTS do you have? The 320MB, 640MB or 512MB?
Click to expand...


Ok good to hear. Don't want to fork over another copy of Vista. Games are limited if non existent at the moment so that is getting kicked to the curb. Just 2 computers now, one for work for this build and left over parts for internet browsing and office. Was thinking of moving the 8800GTS to the internet build if new build didnt' need it or could be upgraded but I remember how much these things cost so getting a new one will put me way out of budget. I'll just use the built in video or a cheaper video card for my personal.

Oh and I have the 640MB GTS.
 
The parts that you plan on buying are good. If you aren't a demanding gamer, you could keep the 640MB 8800GTS in your system to save some money.
 
tiraides said:
The parts that you plan on buying are good. If you aren't a demanding gamer, you could keep the 640MB 8800GTS in your system to save some money.
Click to expand...

I'm looking for a new monitor since saving some money on these upgrades and went to check the max resolution on the card then I noticed that Vista is not listed as being supported.

EVGA 640MB 8800GTS

Can I not use this with Vista?
 
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