Need some help

[Raptor911]

Hello everyone, just joined the forums after trolling around here for 2 days taking a look at everything. I want to build a desktop computer myself and this being my first time, would like to ask people's opinions and beg for help . I already looked through the new build guide but thought I might be able to get some more specialized help to build the computer for me.

Basically, here is what it comes down to for what I am looking for.
1) My main uses for the computer are mostly to run programs such as photoshop CS3, Dreamweaver, Soundbooth, InDesign, etc. etc.
2) Secondary uses are for games, though I would like a graphic card that can run them well, I am not looking to build a gaming pc.
3) I am looking to keep the total cost of the computer hardware between the $1000-$1300 range, preferably closer to $1100.
4) I wouldn't mind being pointed in the direction of items that will allow me to very safely overclock my computer to gain some performance (though I don't have the foggiest clue as to how to actually overclock)
5) I am looking for decent quality parts and will pay a bit more for them, as I dont want my internals breaking down on me.
6) Quieter is better in my case
7) Some things I am defenitely looking for in the comp
a) 4GB or RAM (more if I can afford it)
b) 1.5 TB of Hard drive space (the amount of drives does not matter, I would think I need 3 500GB drives)
c) Ability to dual-monitor well.
d) Wireless card
Also, I wouldn't mind getting feedback on wireless mice and keyboards.

To all that can give me detailed help (links to sites I can buy items would be great) I am forever in your debt. Please don't think that I am a lazy person not willing to do the work myself, but after going and looking at the different processors and motherboards I just absolutely don't know what is even remotely right for me. Once again thanks for any help in advance.-Raptor911

 

[ssc456]

right my friend seems like a trip to newegg ill grab a rough build for ya and post in a min

ok here goes,

Motherboard - ASUS P5K-E Wireless - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131196

RAM - OCZ Reaper 4Gb 1066Mhz - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227289

Hardrive X3 - Western Digital 500Gb 16Mb Cache - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

PSU - Rosewill 600 Watt with 2 12V rails - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182032

DVDRW - Samsung DVDRW - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151153

Case - should be entirely upto you

Processor - Intel Q6600 OEM - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115018

Fan Heatsink - Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

Graphics Card - ATI 3850 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121219

n thats bout it, that is a rough build members will change parts as im no expert

 

[Raptor911]

Thank you for your help, it is most appreciated and I really liked some of those prices!

 

[worshipme]

4) I wouldn't mind being pointed in the direction of items that will allow me to very safely overclock my computer to gain some performance (though I don't have the foggiest clue as to how to actually overclock)

I was about to recommend the Phenom 9850 when I saw this part. Overclocking a Phenom is much more complex and challenging than an Intel CPU, so like ssc456 said, you'd be better off with the Q6600, or the Q9450 if you can squeeze it into your budget. You'll get about 10% better performance due to the slightly higher clock speed and larger cache.

a) 4GB or RAM (more if I can afford it)

If you're going for a mild overclock. 400x8 will be achievable on the Q6600 or Q9450 simply by changing the FSB and multiplier. And since the FSB will be running at no more than 400, there is no point in 1066 RAM as the extra bandwidth will be bottlenecked by the FSB, so some 800MHz RAM will be more than enough: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161183

b) 1.5 TB of Hard drive space (the amount of drives does not matter, I would think I need 3 500GB drives)

I would go for two 750GB drives which gives you the possibility of doing RAID, preferably the Samsung Spinpoint F1 drives. They are the fastest 7200RPM HDDs available: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152100

2) Secondary uses are for games, though I would like a graphic card that can run them well, I am not looking to build a gaming pc.

c) Ability to dual-monitor well.

The HD 3850 ssc suggested would be perfect for your needs.

6) Quieter is better in my case

A good case for keeping noise levels down is the Antec P180, it also features adjustable fans with low, medium and high settings: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129154

 

[ssc456]

ok first off where u bin worship aint seen u in a while....

second i do agree with worshipme bout the hardrives and RAM but the case .........

it is no doubt a very very good case antec are 1 of 3 top case makers, but im a man that likes to save money on cases and would rather buy a fan controller to put in a 5.25" bay that pay $130 for a case, dont get me wrong i no the benifits of a good case, good materials good heat conductiviy etc but take my way of thinking about things.

e.g £90 for a decent case or, £30 for a case and £60 on decent quiet fans and fan controllers possible spend bit extra on CPU fan and heatsink etc.

anyways its a long debate its entirely upto individual users.

 

[Raptor911]

Once again thanks alot for all the input. Ive finally figured out how to narrow my options and before seeing this post by worshipme, I am going to go with those two 750GB hard drives. Also, everything you said about the overclocking just went right over my head, looking to build a good pc without overclocking at first, but want parts that should I even delve into it, can handle it.

As far as I have decided on cases, it seems that certain cases fit certain motherboards (at least thats what I understood). So I am thinking about basically selecting all the parts I need for my pc, make a post stating all the items I want to buy, ask you guys if anything is missing, and more importantly if everything is compatible and then what case would be best for my setup.

Usually me neighbor (good friend of mine, works on computer networks as his fulltime job) usually builds my computers but he is the type of person who will just give me a good computer given a budget but won't really care about what processor, motherboard, etc. is in it and will go to the length that if I tell him I want 4GB of RAM he will just put 2GB in and says that more than you really need. Thus, I want to build this computer by myself, and being my first time and even my first time even learning about the differencs between two processors, motherboards, even hard drives, etc.

Again, thanks for any and help that you guys are giving me, you have no idea how much I appreciate it.

 

[ace777]

nm

 

[ssc456]

^^^ ummmm are you taking the piss out of his neighbour ????

n e was as far as cases go, there are 2 main types of motherboard ATX and Micro ATX or shortened to MATX

and the general rule is if a case says it can fit a MATX board then it will ONLY fit a MATX board if a case says it fits ATX motherboards then it will 98% of the time take MATX and ATX motherboards, so best bet is to get a case that takes ATX.

)on a side note there are other forms of motherboards like ITX etc but ATX and MATX are most common