New top end build

[thedocta45]

This is a computer for my boss basically he wants me to build him a top of the line system. How much actual use he will get out of it is in question, but he asked for it so here goes.

1) What will you be doing with this PC?
Gaming, Photoshop and video encoding.
2) What's your budget?
Trying to keep it under 3,000 US
3) Where do you live?
Chicago, IL
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget?
Everything but the monitor and peripherals.
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing?
None
6) Will you be overclocking?
I doubt it but there is a possibility.
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
1080p tv of some sort.
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
1-2 months from now
9) What features do you need in a motherboard?
He wants SLI, and I talked him into getting an SSD drive to boot the OS.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
He will be using windows 7 64 bit of some kind.

So far here is what I have come up with

Processor: Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz
Motherboard: ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
RAM:CORSAIR DOMINATOR-GT 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
Video card: (2) BFG Tech BFGEGTX2851024OCFUBE GeForce GTX 285 1GB
Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W
SSD Drive: Transcend TS16GSSD25S-S 2.5" 16GB SATA SLC Internal Solid State Drive
Hard drive: Western Digital Caviar Green WD15EADS 1.5TB

So basically this seems like a real nice set up, I haven't really been paying too much attention to what is what these days for top of the line. If anyone sees somewhere I can cut some costs but not performance let me know, the more flashy it looks the better.

I think the PSU will be enough but im not sure, also looking for a nice case to go with the system, as well as a CPU heat-sink that will fit with the dominator ram, was considering the XMS ram as i have some in another system and it works well.

I'll be adding cd/dvd and other later to the build as he is considering bluray so I'm holding off on it. He will be downloading a lot from news groups so more hd may be added.

Any considerations would be greatly appreciated. Also I imagine the more I save the more I will get to build it.

 

[Modder man]

at this point i would suggest ati rather then nvidia for your graphics, possibly a 5850 or 5870

 

[defaultluser]

You're going to feel really constrained by that 16GB SSD drive. You can barely fit a couple of games on that, let-alone a Windows 7 64 installation. And trust me, you won't notice any difference between SLC and MLC on a desktop, so why pay a premium?

Step-up to a Vertex 60GB or Intel 80GB.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...7394&cm_re=vertex_60gb-_-20-227-394-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...67016&cm_re=intel_80gb-_-20-167-016-_-Product

Of course, I guess I should expect that you like wasting money, seeing as how you're paying the same price for two GTX 285s that you could pay for two 5870s:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ..._re=hd_5870_video_card-_-14-150-443-_-Product

With XFX in the game, there's no-longer a reason to skip on ATI.

 

[tiraides]

Keep the processor and power supply and go with the following instead:

Motherboard - Asus P6T SE
Memory - G.Skill 3x2GB DDR3 1600 (make sure that you get the 1.5V kit)
CPU Cooler - Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus (only if overclocking is a serious option)
SSD - Intel X25-M G2 80GB SSD
HDD - Samsung F3 1TB HDD
Video card - XFX Radeon HD 5870 (Or an HD 5770 if your boss isn't a gamer)

If you (or your boss) plan on buying an OEM Blu-ray drive, you'll need to buy HD playback software separately. If you don't have a copy of Windows 7 on hand, get the 64-bit version of Windows 7 Home Premium.

 

[caw2007]

The only change I would make would be to recommend the Corsair H50 for the CPU heatsink. It works well, is quiet, and is compact.

 

[Dangman]

I concur with all of the changes recommended by Tiraides

 

[stephen0983]

I'd suggest two Radeon 5850s, save yourself a little money. They benchmark really well:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-own-pc,2503.html
I concur that SSD is too small for Windows, 60GB seems more on the money, 80GB and you may be able to fit a frequently used app or two on there as well.
I agree the H50 is a great cooler, but if only get it if you want to OC.
Good luck

 

[engiNURD]

I agree with Danny. Ditch that Transcend SSD. What case does he want? TJ10? 800D? Level10?