QUAD PROCESSOR plus..... what else??

[Dana Joan]

Hi, everybody:

I'm buying components for my computer tech to put together a new computer for me - probably my last one! (I'm a NON-technical grandma!!)

I am going to buy the Intel QUAD processor - and the D975XBX2 Intel motherboard (I think this mobo will support the QUAD processor??)

Need opinions regarding: power supply, graphics card, RAM and hard drives (SATA) to buy so that everything will fit together and be compatible!!

Come on - you experts - give me some ideas! Brand names and/or web sites would be especially appreciated!!

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Budget?

 

[Dana Joan]

Budget? Pretty much whatever I want to spend. I firmly believe you get what you pay for - that's why I'm going with the QUAD processor!

But, perhaps more important, is quality. I want products that are reliable - and give me what I pay for!!

With a $978.00 processor and a $219.00 MOBO - why skimp on the rest of the components?

By the way, Newegg reviews only give this mobo a 70% rating - is there a better one for the QUAD processor?

Thanks for your question........

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Okay, with the budget established, now comes the next most important question--what are you going to be using the computer for?

EDIT: This matters, for the instance of gaming, attention is paid more to video cards, while if you are doing stuff with video, more attention is leaned towards storage.

 

[Dana Joan]

Oooops! Sorry! I should have known to include that.

I DO NOT game - only Free Cell and Solitare

I do run several programs at one time, and I maintain a medical malpractice database over the Internet (Citrix server). I use primarily Dragon NaturallySpeaking dictation software to dictate chart reviews, A LOT of MS Outlook e-mail, internet research.

Dragon needs lots of cache, a fast processor, and 2-4 GB of RAM.

That's about it. I would like a graphics card that will work under Vista - although I do not have any plans to go there for a year or so.

Did I forget anything?

 

[jpeyton]

You must be somewhat 'technical' if you're going to assemble, troubleshoot and support a quad-core PC.

 

[silverpig]

A quad-core for email, internet, freecell and dragon naturally speaking? Wow.

Dragon naturally speaking is sold with those MDG computer of the day specials on late night informercials. It seems to run fine on 1.5 GHz celerons with 512 MB of RAM.

 

[jim1976]

Originally posted by: silverpig
A quad-core for email, internet, freecell and dragon naturally speaking? Wow.

Dragon naturally speaking is sold with those MDG computer of the day specials on late night informercials. It seems to run fine on 1.5 GHz celerons with 512 MB of RAM.

I was thinking the exact same thing.. So much money to throw out of the window w/o a serious purpose..

Only 3D professionals can take serious advantage of Quad Core ATM..

 

[Xellos2099]

Hell, it take a 3d professional to even take advantage of core 2 duo.

 

[eggrolls]

you're getting a quad-core for everyday tasks and i'm using a sempron for gaming.... hmm

 

[sjandrewbsme]

Originally posted by: eggrolls
you're getting a quad-core for everyday tasks and i'm using a sempron for gaming.... hmm

HAHA

 

[Eomer of Aldburg]

Originally posted by: eggrolls
you're getting a quad-core for everyday tasks and i'm using a sempron for gaming.... hmm

haha ye old AMD 3000+ socket 754 and a 8800GTS 640 over here...... a little bottlenecking! but not bad at all playing at 1920 x 1080 AA and AF on

 

[stogez]

Originally posted by: eggrolls
you're getting a quad-core for everyday tasks and i'm using a sempron for gaming.... hmm

LOL
Its not her fault you don't have money to burn

OP, you will probably be using this computer for 25% of its potential. Get a nice C2D E6600 build with 2GB RAM and upgrade when you feel you have to. You could probably upgrade in a year or two and still spend less for both comps than a Quad core build right now.

 

[Dana Joan]

You must be somewhat 'technical' if you're going to assemble, troubleshoot and support a quad-core PC.

Not me! I buy the components - and my computer guru builds it for me. Whenever there's a problem - he gets a call from me. He's on my payroll! :laugh:

Dragon naturally speaking is sold with those MDG computer of the day specials on late night informercials. It seems to run fine on 1.5 GHz celerons with 512 MB of RAM.

I use Dragon NaturallySpeaking Medical Solutions (sells for ~ $890.00) and I get 99% accuracy!! TRUST ME - it doesn't give you 99% accuracy on 512 MG RAM - no matter what the box says!! I had 2 GB in my computer that just got fried!!

Just to set the record straight: I am a female, 71-years-old, and still work full time maintaining a medical malpractice database over the internet. I LIKE a FAST computer!! I can not travel (disabilities), do not go out that much, don't do crafty, little thingies, and my computer is my hobby.

Since it's MY MONEY, and I can afford it, why shouldn't I have a QUAD core processor-based computer??

NOW - can any of you envious people tell me what kind of power supply I should get for this QUAD core computer that I don't need (to listen to you all) - and what graphics card should I consider (since I don't game, I don't need the top-of-the-line graphics card - but I do want something that will support Vista when I decide to switch to it in a year or so.)

Since everyone seems to think highly of the Striker - I am thinking I'll get that rather than the Intel motherboard. Anyone agree?? Disagree?? Why??

Also - can any of you give me any other ideas of components I will need? I have a list of RAM from the Intel web site. What does anyone recommend for hard drives (want SATA RAID 1 system).

Thanks for ANY REAL help you can give me!!

 

[Tegeril]

Good luck with your quad core build. I've never understood why people feel like entering a thread like this to suggest lesser hardware. If someone wants the best, I don't see why they should save some money and not get the best if they have the cash and want the power.

I mean, what else are you going to do with the money? Count it?

 

[Rubycon]

I would NOT get the striker. Stick with a 975X based board.

 

[Dana Joan]

Tegeril wrote:

Good luck with your quad core build. I've never understood why people feel like entering a thread like this to suggest lesser hardware. If someone wants the best, I don't see why they should save some money and not get the best if they have the cash and want the power.

I mean, what else are you going to do with the money? Count it?

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

 

[Dana Joan]

Ms Dawn wrote:

I would NOT get the striker. Stick with a 975X based board.

Is the "975X" the same as the D975XBX2 (Intel) board? If so - that's what I was originally going to get. Do you say this because it would be more compatible - both mobo and processor being Intel?

 

[Rubycon]

The compatibility between the processor and board is not the issue as much as other peripherals and their required drivers.

Go with the Intel 975X based board, decent memory such as Corsair, Crucial, Gskill, etc. An ATi x1600 will work nicely for display. If you intend to use 2560x1600 on a 30" TFT you will need a dual link DVI card. The X1950 pro / 7950GT will work well here. For power the Corsair 620W made by Seasonic is more than enough, quiet and reliable.

 

[jpeyton]

Thanks for explaining your situation Dana. Here is a list of the exact components I would get if I were in your situation, with an explanation why:

Intel QX6700 Kentsfield 2.66GHz Retail $970 - The best quad-core out there; slightly more expensive than the Q6600, but worth it.

Tuniq Tower $65 - The best heatsink/fan combo period. Much quieter than the stock CPU heatsink/fan.

Gigabyte DS3 P965 Retail $123 - Proven P965 chipset, solid-state capacitors, runs cool.

4xWintec 1GB DDR2 667 - $258 - Good inexpensive memory. You can pick other value RAM if you desire; Wintec is as good as any.

2xWestern Digital SE16 500GB $280 - Fast, quiet, pair them up in RAID 1.

Lite-On 20X CD/DVD Burner W/ LightScribe $35 - Fast, fairly quiet.

HIS Radeon X1600PRO Silence $73 - Silent, more than enough for solitaire and Vista Aero Glass.

Corsair HX620 PSU $155 - Dead silent, extremely well reviewed, solid and built-to-last.

Antec P180B ATX Case $100 - Made for quiet computing; good thermal separation of components; sleek black styling.

Total: $2059 Plus Shipping/Tax

I know this will be a point of controversy, but I don't see any reason to pick a 975 based motherboard over a solid 965 based motherboard. Performance difference is nil, power consumption is less on a 965 motherboard, and quad-cores run perfectly on 965 motherboards.

Same with the RAM. Value RAM is fine; no need to pay twice as much for performance memory.

Are you going to run your system at stock speeds (I assume so because it's a work computer)?

 

[bendixG15]

heres aa the stuff
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=27&threadid=2014721&enterthread=y

 

[vailr]

The DS3 board only provides raid via the JMicron controller.
A better choice would be a board with Intel raid, such as:
GIGABYTE GA965PDQ6 Rev 3.3 LGA775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=CA4830922
Has external SATA connectors for data backup.
For video, the entry-level DX10 cards costing under $200 from ATI should be out within 2 months or so.
I'd suggest a substitute ~$60 video card until those are out.

 

[Dana Joan]

Go with the Intel 975X based board, decent memory such as Corsair, Crucial, Gskill, etc. An ATi x1600 will work nicely for display. If you intend to use 2560x1600 on a 30" TFT you will need a dual link DVI card. The X1950 pro / 7950GT will work well here. For power the Corsair 620W made by Seasonic is more than enough, quiet and reliable.

Sorry!! But I'm not technologically-oriented enough to understand half of what you have said.

My signature says it all........

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Thanks for explaining your situation Dana. Here is a list of the exact components I would get if I were in your situation, with an explanation why:

Intel QX6700 Kentsfield 2.66GHz Retail $970 - The best quad-core out there; slightly more expensive than the Q6600, but worth it.

Tuniq Tower $65 - The best heatsink/fan combo period. Much quieter than the stock CPU heatsink/fan.

Gigabyte DS3 P965 Retail $123 - Proven P965 chipset, solid-state capacitors, runs cool.

4xWintec 1GB DDR2 667 - $258 - Good inexpensive memory. You can pick other value RAM if you desire; Wintec is as good as any.

2xWestern Digital SE16 500GB $280 - Fast, quiet, pair them up in RAID 1.

Lite-On 20X CD/DVD Burner W/ LightScribe $35 - Fast, fairly quiet.

HIS Radeon X1600PRO Silence $73 - Silent, more than enough for solitaire and Vista Aero Glass.

Corsair HX620 PSU $155 - Dead silent, extremely well reviewed, solid and built-to-last.

Antec P180B ATX Case $100 - Made for quiet computing; good thermal separation of components; sleek black styling.

Total: $2059 Plus Shipping/Tax

I know this will be a point of controversy, but I don't see any reason to pick a 975 based motherboard over a solid 965 based motherboard. Performance difference is nil, power consumption is less on a 965 motherboard, and quad-cores run perfectly on 965 motherboards.

Same with the RAM. Value RAM is fine; no need to pay twice as much for performance memory.

Are you going to run your system at stock speeds (I assume so because it's a work computer)?

I second this system. He beat me to it.

Edit:mabe a high def. burner?

 

[Dana Joan]

jpeyton wrote:

Thanks for explaining your situation Dana. Here is a list of the exact components I would get if I were in your situation, with an explanation why:

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! This is exactly what I needed! Since I have a case (pretty big one) and a DVD burner, I can eliminate those two items from the list.

I prefer to go with a 2GB RAM stick, then I can expand in the future. Will 2GB 4xWintec RAM work? N82E16820161677; 2 GB RAM

Would also prefer 10,000 rpm in hard drives; can you suggest any? Looks like WD only comes in 150 GB; Is this a SATA drive? (Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM)

The reviews on the items you have mentioned seem to be excellent. They sound like good components!

Thanks again! You sound like an expert - and I deeply appreciate your assistance!!

EDIT:

I forgot to answer your comments/questions:

I know this will be a point of controversy, but I don't see any reason to pick a 975 based motherboard over a solid 965 based motherboard. Performance difference is nil, power consumption is less on a 965 motherboard, and quad-cores run perfectly on 965 motherboards.

Same with the RAM. Value RAM is fine; no need to pay twice as much for performance memory.

Are you going to run your system at stock speeds (I assume so because it's a work computer)?

WHAT is the difference, if any, between the 965 and the 975 boards?? $50.00 + or - is meaningless when I'm spending this much. Are there ANY advantages of the 975 over the 965 - or is it just a newer model of the same board so they can charge more?

Glad to hear your comments on RAM. It's also something easily replaced if it fails in the future.

Will NOT be overclocking, stock speeds, yes.....so I don't have ANY problems!

The 3.2 GHz/P4/300 GB Maxtor RAID/2 GB RAM system that I had got fried. I never turn off my computer (it backs up at night), but I went away for a month, and turned it off. When I got back home and turned it back on, it booted once - and showed the network not connected. So - I figured I'd reboot to fix it. Wouldn't reboot. My computer tech found the mobo, and both hard drives toasted. I might add that this computer has been plugged into a UPS - and is the only thing plugged into that UPS (I have several). He was unable to tell me what happened!! (It was an MSI motherboard.) The whole system was about 1 1/2 years old.

Needless to say - I DON'T want this to happen again!! But - since I don't know what happened, I don't know how to prevent it. That's another reason why I want top-quality parts for this new baby!!