I'm considering a high end computer build. I'd like to keep cost under $2000.00. It's been a while since my last build and technology has changed. I'm not familiar with the new video cards. my current is a AGP. I'm keeping my current rig and do not plan on using any components from it. Everything will be new. I put together a rig from ewiz. The only item I'm set on is the I7 975 CPU. Everything else can change. The one shown below is a combo package. I have a dongle for a parellel port that has an embedded license. Are parellel ports still available on MB's? I also need as many rear usb ports as possible. Can you help critique this for a high end low cost effecient system? I stll need a OS. I guess I'll bite the bullet and go with Vista Ultimate 64 bit. I run AUTOCAD, do some AVI conversions to DVD and mess with photography. No gaming or overclocking. Look forward to your suggestions and recommendations on were to buy for best price. Thanks in advance.
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I know you said your set on it, but the 975 is a waste of money.
What is the 500GB Seagate for? If its for storage you should step it up to a 1TB at least, if not a 2TB. Not just for the space, but the transfer rate on the bigger drives is better and thus the drive is faster. If your not overclocking then the Zalman is purely for show which is also a waste. You could get a similar cooler for alot less money.
I would say get a GeForce GTS 250 1GB for your video card. It should be $150 or less and provides a good balance between a nice 2D card and a gaming card. You CAN game with this card, but its not like a high end gaming card.
High end machines do NOT have parallel ports anymore. You should first and foremost call whatever software vendor is still using that crap and find out if they at least have a USB version. If not, then you will need either a PCI Card with a Parallel port or a USB to Parallel converter.
Didn't we cover this many times over? Information in all the previous posts should be sufficient to get you going.
CPU comparison here:http://www.anandtech.com/bench/default.aspx?b=2
Here is a link to get you started on video cards: http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3588 I recommend ATI4870.
You are overpaying for the DVD writer, so I suspect you are overpaying for everything else. The 500 GB is also far from your best bang for the buck and why exactly do you need 300GB Raptor?
LordB said:Whatever you do don't buy from whatever site you got this build from... they are way overpriced. Your cpu for $300 cheaper: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115212&... Go back and re-read his post. Its a CPU, RAM AND Mobo combo. The stupid thing is that even on eWiz, seperately the parts come to 1411. The "combo" is only $21 cheaper which you can accomplish by simply chosing the OEM proc instead of the Retail (since the OP wants a Zalman anyway, no biggie)
As for OPs question about what to buy, I would look at the Combo with the same Mobo and the i7 950 processor for $845. Add the RAM back in for $86 and your just over $900 which means your saving $450 and your CPU goes from 3.33 to 3.06 so you will barely notice the "slowness".
Casper42 said:LordB said:Whatever you do don't buy from whatever site you got this build from... they are way overpriced. Your cpu for $300 cheaper: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115212&... Go back and re-read his post. Its a CPU, RAM AND Mobo combo. The stupid thing is that even on eWiz, seperately the parts come to 1411. The "combo" is only $21 cheaper which you can accomplish by simply chosing the OEM proc instead of the Retail (since the OP wants a Zalman anyway, no biggie)
As for OPs question about what to buy, I would look at the Combo with the same Mobo and the i7 950 processor for $845. Add the RAM back in for $86 and your just over $900 which means your saving $450 and your CPU goes from 3.33 to 3.06 so you will barely notice the "slowness".
Or save another $300 or so with a 920 and have that money for future processor upgrades that will be considerably faster instead of paying 120% premium right now for 10% gain
I have always built my own for the last decade or so, but this last time I ended up buying from IBUYPOWER.COM. I priced all the components I wanted at Newegg ( i7 920 with 6 Megs of good RAM, etc ) and found that having it built was actually a few bucks cheaper. I did pay an extra $20 to have them run the cables professionally and there was a nice coupon on the weekend I bought it, but it is at least worth a look before you buy, so check them out. I would order it without any operating system ( as I did ) and then load the free RC of Windows 7 64 bit that microsoft is offering now. That is good until next March and it runs beautifully. You should aslo consider ordering the upgrade Win 7 that is available for the next week or so for $50. ( You will need a Win XP or Vista disk to use this upgrade ) Good Luck. BTW, I agree completely that the high end i7 is not going to be worth the extra money.
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