New PC

[cleersf]

This is my first computer building experience, and I am interested in going high end. I like your suggestions, but I'm still too new to see why not mentioning a type of case is obvious. Would you mind elaborating on this if I were to go with these items. Thanks.

[RickyTick]

Welcome to the Forums Cleersf.

To be honest, we're past due to revise our recommended builds. I'll get to work updating everything over the next couple of days.

As far as a case goes, we are all more than happy to make suggestions on cases, but since they are so subjective, we tend to leave them to the builders likes and dislikes. However I can certainly understand how shopping for a case can be a overwhelming experience.

Tell us more about what you want to use this computer for, and how much money you expect to spend. That will help us make better suggestions to better fit your needs.

[cleersf]

I enjoy dinking around with modeling software (rendering is painfully slow) and Photoshop. I game a bit, but none of my computers can handle any of the high end games, so I've never tried them out. I would like to be able to play them. My train of thought is 'more is better', because I don't like to be limited, especially graphically..but I am right now. I don't want to run into a situation where I can't run something for at least a while. I have a 27" LCD HDTV screen for TV that I might like to double as my monitor, or possible get a 24" LCD monitor. I also prefer to run a 64-bit OS. I want to keep the total between $800-1000.

[The Wise Monkey]

Moved these to keep the recommended build thread clear.

I would recommend checking out the new Core i7 860 as a starting point. :)

[chunkylover53]

Hey Wise & Ricky, been a while!!! :D

I check back now and then just to read the posts, but haven't wanted to jump in. Been keeping up to date on the technology and getting ready for (yet another) new build though, and the last couple of posts seemed like a good time to jump back.

It's going to be an i7 860 build with the Gigabyte UD4P, so I'll post my experience on those two items when I'm done. I'm waiting on a clip from Zalman so I can use my 9700NT on the 1156 mobo. It just showed up on the Zalman site, but can't find it at newegg or online yet.

Speaking of cases being subjective, that's so right. I have been searching forever for the right case. I didn't want something too flashy, but I didn't want a plain rectangle either. I went with this one for my new build. VERY EXCITED!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119194

[The Wise Monkey]

Hey chunky, hows life treating you? Oh, and not too flashy? Its like a giant disco ball... :P

[chunkylover53]

Life's treating me OK. Been busy at work. Disco ball, I like that. :p

I was trying to shoot for something between this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146018

and this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129018

I was thinking Cosmos 1000 for the longest time, but the storm sniper is almost 3" shorter. Plus I can turn the LED's off and on and right from the control panel. It can be rock n roll by day, and disco inferno by night!:D

[RickyTick]

Hey Chunky. Nice to have you back.

Seems like everyone is talking about the HAF932 and to a lesser extent the HAF922. They look really cool to me, but I haven't seen one up close and personal.

[cleersf]

I've been referencing the recommendations for a high end build list and this is what I found at Newegg. Being my first list, there is probably some non-compatible items. I also wouldn't mind making some compromises to lower the price...one that wouldn't effect the speed and power much. But I don't know what they are. Some items I haven't picked out yet. I'll work on them after these main ones are figured out. Thanks for any suggestions.

EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 :Item#:N82E16814130475

GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD5 LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard :Item#:N82E16813128402

Intel Core i7 860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor :Item#:N82E16819115214

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V :Item#:N82E16817139006

G.SKILL 4GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL6S-4GBMQ :Item#:N82E16820231181

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM :Item#:N82E16822136319

[chunkylover53]

Hey Ricky, good to be back.

cleersf: The memory you chose is DDR2, and you need DDR3 for that board. Haven't used this, but Tech Report seems to be using this memory in all of their P55 testbeds, so I'd be comfortable recommending it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148262

Good report here:
http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/17571/4

You can shave cost off the graphics card too, but that all depends on how much you'll use it for pc games. I'm not a hardcore gamer, so I can get away with a much less expensive graphics card.

[cleersf]

Thanks for the suggestions chunky.