New Build -i7 system (Please check)

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CharlesSA

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Hi MyBB forumites

I will be building a new computer system which is long overdue. After doing a lot of reading here and elsewhere, I have identified what I think may be a great system for my requirements.

The system will be heavily used for digital photo processing (RAW to Tiff conversions) where the single images files are as large as 75MB each. Photoshop CS4 and Lightroom 2 are the main image editors used. CS4 can use GPL, but does not require a state of the art GPU card for the feature. My old Nvidia 6600 runs the CS4 GPL feature just fine:) LR2 is know to work on multiple cores. After reading through some test results regarding photo conversions, the i7 processor is up to 15 seconds faster per batch conversion of 20 or so images over a Quad Core. That is why the i7 is my processor of choice as it will significantly help free up time in my post processing workflow.

I also want the system to be capable of playing the odd PC game such as Far Cry 2, Crysis etc. The game quality does not have to be top notch - middle quality game play settings will do just fine. I am not a hard core gamer, but enjoy the odd play now and again.

Lastly, The system drive will be installed across a raid 0 array using two hdd's to improve speed. Then I intend installing one internal 1TB drive to store my data and photos, and connect a second 1TB hdd to a external e-sata port so that I can make backups of the internal 1TB disk. I will use a image program to make a image of the system drive.

That should give you a good idea of my requirements...below are the specs I think might work:

  1. i7 920 Processor -R2848.00
  2. MSI x58 Pro-E Motherboard -R1999.00
  3. JetRam DDR3-1333 2GB (3 modules for 6GB) - Is this RAM o.k. ? - R288 each = R864.00 total
  4. GPU - Force3D HD 4670 - R920.00
  5. Samsung DVD Writer - R239.00
  6. 2x 320GB Seagate HDD's for system Raid 0 - R454 each = R 908.00 total
  7. 2x Samsung 1TB HDD's (one internal one external via e-sata) = R783.66 each =R1567.32 total
  8. HUNTKEY H402 Chassis (need to go cheap cheap) - R318.40
  9. HUNTKEY APFC 700W PSU (Need 536w according to calculator) - R659.00
  10. Vista Business 64bit with Win 7 Upgrade option) - R1520.00

Total Cost = R11842.72

I would have prefered to come down more in price within R10000.00 to R11000.00 but I think this is the best I will be able to do?

Any suggestions, recommendations?

Thanks, and I look forward to your professional feedback!
 
where the heck do you get a 1TB Samsung HDD for R783?

jetram is cheap ram... kingston is also cheap but better AFAIK - but jetram should do..... :)

guys, whats better a 4850 or a 4670 ?
HD 4850 512MB GDDR3 PCI-E DUAL DVI-I / TVO LITE R 1,049 excl. R 1,195 incl.
 
Keeper said:
where the heck do you get a 1TB Samsung HDD for R783?

jetram is cheap ram... kingston is also cheap but better AFAIK - but jetram should do..... :)

guys, whats better a 4850 or a 4670 ?
HD 4850 512MB GDDR3 PCI-E DUAL DVI-I / TVO LITE R 1,049 excl. R 1,195 incl.
Click to expand...

Of course the 4850 is better but it doesn't look like the OP is keen on spending more cash TBH. The 1TB samsungs were from kalahari's latest special AFAIK.
 
You guys are quick! :)

Yes, the 1TB drives are from Kalahari's special. The 4670 will do fine with Far Cry and Crysis not so?? Just for use on mid level quality settings?

Is the case/chassis ok for now as well as the PSU? I really cannot go higher in price than what it is already.

Thanks
 
Not so sure that 4670 is a good option considering the 4850 is better and only slightly more expensive.
 
OP, if you are willing, why not install the Win7 RC and use that for now - would save you R1500 which would bring down your total to R10,300 ?

no point in buying Vista now, and upgrading AGAIN when Win7 arrives. Just use the RC for a few months. and yeah, it's 100% Legal.

Don't see a point of buying vista at this point in time, I really don't.
 
JetRam is the same as value RAM (Kingston, Corsair, etc.) except made by Transcend, and it's all the same.

700watt PSU is overkill. Also, what calculator did you use 'cause 550+watts is also overkill. :p

Go for a Cooler Master Extreme Power 460watt. Good quality PSUs, and 460watt is more than enough power.

Have a look at the Cooler Master Elite cases, great quality & looks at around R350.
 
Corsair is value RAM ? did not know that heheh
 
Why not RAID0 the system disk and RAID1 the 1TB, instead of having a removable disk (unless you want to have a off site backup). This way you will not have to manually backup and will always have a copy. Also, you could put your scratch disk on the RAID1 (the 1TB should be faster disks than the 320).
 
I would seriously consider spending more for a quality power supply. Ask yourself why do all Proper Power supply brands charge about R1500 for 700W. Its simple, they don't compromise on the quality of the components

Look at a Corsair TX750 or HX750 if you want modular cables. Gets you a 5 year warranty on the PSU and you know that even if the PSU goes, its not going to take half the PC along with it.
 
@ PostmanPot - I used this link to calculate PSU requirements: http://www.antec.outervision.com/index.jsp

I may want to over clock the i7, will run 4 HDD's, a Optical drive, a GPU unit as above with the option of installing a second in the options open), eventually run 6x dimms. The online calculator puts me way over 460watts - so I reckon I should rathe get a higher wattage PSU?

@ Keeper - good point, but I do not know where I can get Win 7 RC, certainly cannot download it. Secondly, how much will Win 7 cost on its own in comparison to the option of buying Vista with the upgrade feature?

Thanks very much for the feedback so far gentlemen, really appreciate it!
 
Sapphiron said:
I would seriously consider spending more for a quality power supply. Ask yourself why do all Proper Power supply brands charge about R1500 for 700W. Its simple, they don't compromise on the quality of the components

Look at a Corsair TX750 or HX750 if you want modular cables. Gets you a 5 year warranty on the PSU and you know that even if the PSU goes, its not going to take half the PC along with it.
Click to expand...

Agreed, but your suggestions are overkill.
 
CharlesSA said:
@ PostmanPot - I used this link to calculate PSU requirements: http://www.antec.outervision.com/index.jsp

I may want to over clock the i7, will run 4 HDD's, a Optical drive, a GPU unit as above with the option of installing a second in the options open), eventually run 6x dimms. The online calculator puts me way over 460watts - so I reckon I should rathe get a higher wattage PSU?
Click to expand...

That is definitely inaccurate. I've always found http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine to be the best. A quick calculation gave 260watts needed as the result.

A branded 460watt PSU will be more than enough, even with 2 x 4670s. :D
 
CharlesSA said:
@ Keeper - good point, but I do not know where I can get Win 7 RC, certainly cannot download it. Secondly, how much will Win 7 cost on its own in comparison to the option of buying Vista with the upgrade feature?
Click to expand...

I think there was an article on mybb that it might be cheaper than vista itself :)

didn't read it though - anyone know where it is?

Anyway - using Win7 RC enables you to:
1) Avoid vista, and use Win7 now
2) Get your price down to R10,000 for now, without sacrificing any hardware.
3) Purchase Win7, instead of Vista + Win7 Upgrade.
4) did I mention you get to avoid Vista?
 
Oreomitch said:
I thing the i7 cpu is overkill and would rather invest in Raptor drives and a good backup solution.
Click to expand...

Nah...afaik the 1TB sammies perform VERY well compared to the raptors if not better:)

And the idea for using win7 RC instead of vista seems like a good idea to me. Also don't know whether we will be getting the option to upgrade from vista to win 7 here in SA.

@Keeper: yes it was reported to possibly be marginally cheaper...or at least the lower end versions.

@OP : the money you save on buying vista now could be very well spent on a better PSU and the 4850 which is marginally more expensive than the card you mentioned.
 
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Zenbaas said:
Nah...afaik the 1TB sammies perform VERY well compared to the raptors if not better:)

And the idea for using win7 RC instead of vista seems like a good idea to me. Also don't know whether we will be getting the option to upgrade from vista to win 7 here in SA.

@Keeper: yes it was reported to possibly be marginally cheaper...or at least the lower end versions.
Click to expand...

I am not sure where you heard a samsung 1tb is as fast as a raptor but thats a straight up lie, maybe it can compare with read/write but there is no ways samsung can run your pc as fast as a raptor.
 
killadoob said:
I am not sure where you heard a samsung 1tb is as fast as a raptor but thats a straight up lie, maybe it can compare with read/write but there is no ways samsung can run your pc as fast as a raptor.
Click to expand...

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/storage/2008/12/09/samsung-spinpoint-f1-1tb/6
Results Analysis
It's pretty clear from our results that the Samsung Spinpoint F1 1TB is a pretty phenomenal performer so far as mechanical drives go, comfortably outperforming last generation's fastest consumer hard drive, the Western Digital 150GB Raptor, in every test and resoundingly thrashing the competing quad 250GB platter Seagate 1TB drive.
Click to expand...
 
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i think you should go with a 4850..no use buying an i7 rig & not getting a good gpu! also get win 7 RC..its awesome..will save you R1500! get a branded 500w PSU just to be safe in case you want to OC! i currently have an i7 rig..it overclocks so easily..which is awesome..im getting 3.4GHz @ 1.024v with stock intel cooler..temps max out with prime 95 running for an hour to 59-62'C! which is not 1 bit bad!

*edit*
when buying the cpu make sure its the D0 stepping!
 
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