Configuration Guidance

]Happily, another newbie.

Have been traveling all summer, during which I found DS.  Since that time, I have devoted a bunch of time thinking about my dream machine.  Reading recent Configuration Discussions, I read rab8219’s words with interest and my situation is similar with a little bit less budget allowance…..

          Kelly helped me with a few pointed questions. Now, here’s what I’ve come up with. Can’t tell you guys how much I’d appreciate any input you’d like to offer.  The current tab runs $3116 with plans for a new Samsung 245T S-PAV. as the much needed monitor.  Here’s the machine I’m hoping DS will create:

:
Chassis: Cooler Master HAF 932
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Interior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Power Supply: 1000W Corsair HX (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83GHz (1333MHz FSB) (12MB Cache)
Motherboard: nVidia 790i Ultra Core 2 Quad (nForce 790i Ultra SLI) (DDR3 Only)
System Memory: 8GB DDR3 1333MHz OCZ (High-Performance)
Card Reader: - No Thanks
Hard Drive 1: 500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA)
 Optical Drive 1: DVD-ROM/CD-ROM (DVD Reader 16x / CD Reader 40x)
Optical Drive 2: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x)
Wireless Access: D-Link Wireless-G 108Mbps (Supports 802.11g/b)
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280 1GB (Includes PhysX Technology)
 Sound Card: Razer Barracuda AC-1 (Recommended)
Extreme Cooling: Air Cooled Stage 3 WindTunnel (Copper Heatpipe Heatsink & Additional Case Fans)
Internal Lighting: Blizzard Internal Lighting (Blue Edition) (Cold Cathode Tubes)
 Boost Processor: Yes, Overclock the processor as much as possible with complete stability
 Windows OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) (For Enthusiasts)
Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based)
 Keyboard: Razer Lycosa Gaming Keyboard
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Gaming Mouse (High-Speed Gaming Grade)

            Am concerned with heat dissipation.  Liquid cooling is beyond my means. I have hopes that the Stage 3 cooling that I have chosen won’t introduce objectionable fan noise. The future location of the machine will be in Yuma, Arizona  in an 8x10 closet-sized, (air conditioned when necessary) room.

          Leave for home next week.  So, will place the order such that build time will take place while I’m traveling.  It should arrive shortly after I arrive.  Only my first child was met with such anticipation!

LOL!  Thank You! I guess the big surprise was the change of RAM back to 4GB. But with the other changes you made perhaps it was necessary to stay within cost boundaries.  The planned monitor of a Samsung 245T is a 24" with 1950x1200 res. so your point of two GTX260's is well taken. Interesting too is your overclocking memory timing, thus adding cooling fan/s in lieu of Stage 3. Clifford's comments fit in with your as well.  Wow. overclocking a 3Ghz Quad ought to REALLY give me a CPU powerhouse!  I'm going to go with your ticket.  Thank you so very much.........Russ

Would sure lilke to grab this beast, but might have to phase it in gradually.  I have followed your lastest suggestion and opted for a lesser CPU and liquid cooling for it. Clifford strongly supported liquid cooling as well. I remember reading in the past about weighting of CPU's vs Video Cards: In the absense of being able to have both being strong, it is better to have a weaker CPU and a strong video card, rather than vice versa.  Can't tell you how neat it has been to go over this with you. Plan to set things rolling mid-week next with ticket #190665. I also found it informative to see you -DST4ME- change my hard drive to a 10K Raptor at the price of reducing the HD capacity.  That's where experience that I don't have really pays off.  Thanks again you guys......