What's Your Computer Build?

[BottomBracket]

I know that there are people here who build their own computers, and I am curious as to what your rigs are. Please share your specs so that others who are planning to build can have some ideas on what to get.

Oh, and to Mac users, I understand that your computers are excellent and I agree. Let's just not turn this thread into another PC-Mac battleground. This is for PC users only, OK? Thanks!

I'll start it off:

Computer Name: Serenity
CPU: Intel Q6600
CPU Cooler: Xigmatec S-1283 Rifle
Motherboard: DFI Lanparty DK X-48T2RS
GPU: Visiontek HD Radeon HD 4870 (plan to get another card for Crossfire)
Memory: 8 GB Ram (4 x 2 GB OCZ)
Hard Drive: Maxtor 160 GB Sata II (for OS and programs)
Maxtor 320 GB Sata II (for scratch disc, storage)
WD 400 GB Sata II (Storage)
WD 640 GB Sata II (still have to install this)
Power Supply: Antec BP550 Plus 550 watts, modular
OS: Vista Home 64 bit
Case: CoolerMaster 690, with additional Yate Loon fans
Display: Samsung Syncmaster 216BW
Speakers: Logitech Z-2300
I/O Devices: Logitech G15 Keyboard, Logitech G5 mouse, Wacom Graphire Tablet
Photo Related Software: Photoshop CS, Rawshooter Essentials(free), Faststone Viewer (free)

This set up is overkill for photo editing and is geared towards gaming. Most of the parts were bought on sale over a 4 month period. I will probably be getting another hard drive or 2 this coming Black Friday, and if there are great deals I might build another PC. I have 5 external USB HD's that I use to archive photos, and my next one will be an eSata one.

[Sfordphoto]

Computer: Dark Phoenix
CPU: E4300 @ 2.7 GHz (stock is 1.8GHz ;))
CPU cooler: Scythe Ninja rev B
Motherboard: Abit P35-E
GPU: eVGA 8800GTS 640MB @ 690/2000 (stock is 500/1600)
Memory: 4x1GB Crucial Ballistix 4-4-4-12
Hard drive: All Seagate: 80GB, 250GB, 2x500GB
Power Suppy: Antec Truepower Trio 650W
OS: XP 32 bit
Case: Antec P180B v1.1, 4x nonstock 120mm fans on speed controller
Display: Dell 3007WFP-HC 30 incher
Sound: Logitech Z-2300 2.1 speakers, Sound Blaster Audigy 2ZS sound card
I/O devices: Logitech G15 keyboard (original), Logitech G5 mouse (original)
Photo related: Photoshop CS3

http://lh3.ggpht.com/chiewjen/SOGwh5i2_aI/AAAAAAAACmo/ab9ILwI0k4o/s640/IMG_6582dwnsz.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/chiewjen/SOGqLnHWasI/AAAAAAAACmg/XQCVs0WqNFg/s640/IMG_6638dwnsz.JPG
As you can see, just for kicks I wired up some LEDs inside :). Pretty pointless since I don't have a window.

I built this in summer of 2007. It was the first computer I built (I have since built one for my parents, that is faster, sadly enough). I am going to wait on Nehalem (core i7) to come out and DDR3 to come down in price before I do another build...so likely next year.

[darksparkz]

Computer Name: sp4rkz
CPU: Intel Q6600
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme
Motherboard: Intel DG965WH
GPU: eVGA 8800GTS 512MB
Memory: 2x2GB OCZ Platinum
Hard Drive:
WD 160 GB Raptor X (for OS and programs)
Seagate 320 GB Sata II (for storage)
Power Supply: Corsair HX550
OS: Vista Home Premium 32-bit
Case: Antec P180 w/ all Yate Loon fans
Display: Samsung Syncmaster 226NW
Speakers: Klipsch Promedia 2.1
I/O Devices: Logitech Wave Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
Photo Related Software: Adobe Photoshop CS3, Adobe Illustrator CS3, Adobe Lightroom 1.4

Thats for desktop stuff, architectural autocad work as well as photo editing too. Next upgrade would probably be to 64-bit with more ram and a faster cpu with an Apple 23" Cinema Display

I've got a MBP for mobile uses too.

[Motley]

MB: EVGA 780i_SLI / CPU: Intel E8400 @ 4.05GHz 1.36v
Mem: 2x2GB GSkill PC2-8000 2.1v @ 1132MHz
Vid: EVGA 8800 GTS (621/1280/2000)
Cooling: ZALMAN | CNPS 9700NT
HD: WD 10k 150GB Raptor / WD 2x 320GB
Dell UltraSharp 2405FPW 24" LCD
Case:Antec 900 modded
PSU: Tt Toughpower 700W-SLi
Windows Vista x64 / Logitech G7/G15

Since this is a photo site, here is a pic of the machine...
https://publish.comcast.net/rpath/Xlvf6_3aSXbhMri3vr0Y2ObOrjsNbij3-WEfuK6S1I3wLGAZ3giiIUUO3BfWKGoyEO6VBivFdsFb-4SBJVUNGFdcYlnePoB3rfZDrqs0buY/

[Bobster]

Computer Name: Godzilla

CPU: Intel E6850 3GHz

CPU Cooler: Stock Cooler

Motherboard: Gigabyte 965-DS4 rev3.3

GPU: Geforce 8600GT

Memory: 8GB RAM (2x 4GB (2x2GB) Corsair TwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC2-6400 (800))

Hard Drives:
4x Maxtor 160GB SATA II (RAID 10 - Partitioned OS, Page, Swap, Apps, Photos, Work)
Seagate 500GB SATA II (Client Storage) in Hot swap caddy
Seagate 250GB SATA II (Client Storage)
2x WD 250GB PATA (in Icy Box Firewire External Drives)
2x Maxtor 250GB PATA (in Icy Box Firewire External Drives)
Optical Drives: 2x Sony 18x DVD ±W/RW

Power Supply: 560W Silverstone ST56F Strider

Case: SilverStone TJ05S (Black)

Displays: HP LP2475 | Formac Raven 2010 (Black)

Speakers: Creative SoundWorks 5.1 Surround

I/O Devices:
Microsoft 4000 Keyboard
Logitech MX Revolution
A4 Wacom Intuos II
Epson 4490 Scanner
Epson Photo1400 Printer
SanDisk Firewire CF Card Reader
IcyBox 3.5" Bay Multi Card USB2 Card ReaderOther: UPS

OS: Vista 64

Photo Related Software:
Photoshop CS4
CaptureOne V4.6.2
DIM
Pixort

http://www.pbase.com/bob_hall/image/109949752.jpg

[BottomBracket]

Awesome, I am glad we have some PC builders here. Great photo Motley, I should take a photo of my rig and post it here. Nice cable management by the way.

Looks like my ATI rig is outnumbered by Nvidia 3:1!

[Moppie]

My system is positivly basic and almost out dated, but it was built to be simple and reliable and built on a budget.


Computer Name: PSEC
CPU: Intel Q6600
CPU Cooler: OEM Intel, hey it works.
Motherboard: Intel Dragon Tail (keep it simple, also very stable).
GPU: XFX 8800GT 512MB, factory over clocked.
Memory: 4 x 1GB Apacer PC6400
Hard Drive: 1x Seagate 80GB (OS, utility software)
2 x WD 500GB (photos)
1 x Seagate 320GB (games, and general crap, swap disk)
1 x External Seagate 500GB in an eSATA enclosure
1 x Extenral Seagate 250GB in an eSATA enclosure
Power Supply: Gigabyte 800W
OS: Vista Business 32bit (with XP Pro on dual boot).
Case: CoolerMaster 690
Display: 1 x Dell Trinitron 19inch and 1 x no brand 19inch (both CRTs)
Speakers: Late 80s stereo
I/O Devices: Microsoft Office Keyboard, Logitech G9 mouse
Photo Related Software: Photoshop CS3, Lightroom 1


It was built towards the end of '07, and ended up going way over budget, but the result has been factastic.
Very fast, very stable and very reliable.
The G9 is an awsome mouse to, especialy for precision photoshop work and the ablity to customise buttons and give them software specific funtions and use macros.

I plan to upgrade once the LGA775 socket gets discontinued, buy the fastest quadcore I can at the time, load up with 16GB of RAM and a 64bit OS and it should keep be going for another couple of years until I can do another complete rebuild.

[Colorblinded]

Computer name: Monolith (when you see the case design it makes sense)
CPU: Intel Q9450
Cooler: Noctua U12F
Mobo: Asus P5K Pro
GPU: nVidia 7950GT (I don't game much and it's done what little gaming I needed so far!) with a Zalman cooler, I forget which
RAM: 4x2gb Corsair DDR2 800 RAM
Hard drives:1x WD 7200RPM 160GB single platter OS drive
Seagate 400GB data drive
2x400GB WD in RAID 1 for photos
removable 400GB which i keep away from my home for more photo backups
2x320GB external enclosure for additional backups and other stuff
Optical: 2x NEC Optiarc 18x DVD RW drives
PSU:Corsair 520HX 520 watt PSU
OS: Vista Ultimate SP1 64 bit
Case: Lian-Li PC-V1100 B Plus II
Display: Dell 2007W and 2005W 20" widescreen LCDs
Speakers: Audioengine A2
IO: Microsoft natural keyboard, Wacom Intuos3 6x11
Photo related: Capture One 4, PS CS3, Sandisk Extreme IV Firewire 800 card reader, ColorVision Spyder 2

Other: my aging but still perfectly functional APC UPS

The system was upgraded from a dual core E6600 with 4GB RAM to this current configuration in June when the price on dual cores were at a point I was happy with. I figure I'll get bored in 2-3 years and upgrade if need or want hasn't driven me to do so sooner (hopefully it won't!)

New laptop is a Thinkpad T400 which I got a few weeks ago.

[Michael_Lambert]

Case
Cooler Master HAF 932 Full Tower ATX Case

Power Supply
Corsair HX Series CMPSU-620HX 620W ATX Triple Power Supply 120MM Fan 12V 50A Continuous 24PIN ATX Modular

Mother board - Asus P5N-D

CPU - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Processor BX80562Q6600 - 2.40GHz, 8MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB, Kentsfield, Quad-Core, Retail, Socket 775

Memory - Corsair XMS2 QUAD2X4096-6400C5DHX Matched Pairs 4GB Kit (4x1GB) PC6400 DDR2-800 CL 5-5-5-15 240-pin Dual Channel DHX Memory

Video card - 2 x BFG Navidia 8500GT 512 meg running in SLR

Hard Drives-

- Running RAID 0 - 2 x Western Digital VelociRaptor (WD1500HLFS) 150GB SATA 10000RPM 16MB Cache
- 1 x Western Digital Caviar Black (WD1001FALS) 1000GB SATAII 7200RPM 32MB Cache

External Hardrives

- 2 x Seagate FreeAgent Pro 750GB ( storage mirroing them for storage)
- 1 x Seagate FreeAgent Pro 750GB ( Used to store the ISO Images of both my OS hardrive and my Storage drive ) kept at my office backing up the ISO files weekly.

I/O Devices

- Lite On DH-401S Blu-Ray ROM SATA
- LG G-H20L-S10 /Black SATA LightScribe DVD-Writer 20xDVD+R/-R 8xDVD+RW/6x DVD-RW 12xDVD+/-R9 Dual Layer 48xCD-R 32xCD-RW

Monitor

-LG W2242TQ-BF, 22" Widescreen LCD, 2ms (G to G), 8000:1
- Datacolor Spyder3 Elite

Software
( Found this to be the hardest, as no one seemed to stock what i wanted )

- Windows Vista Ultimate 64Bit.
- Microsoft Home office 2007
- Adobe Photoshop CS3 ( Only because i bought the 1d Mark III )
- Adobe Lightroom 2.0

[TheReal7]

Here is mine:

http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/743/67959.JPG

At least that is what it feels like some days LOL.

[Motley]

Here is mine:


At least that is what it feels like some days LOL.

Awesome! LOL'd

[Sfordphoto]

Awesome, I am glad we have some PC builders here. Great photo Motley, I should take a photo of my rig and post it here. Nice cable management by the way.

Looks like my ATI rig is outnumbered by Nvidia 3:1!

hehe. most of my recent cards have been nvidia (6600GT, 7800GT, 8800GTS) but if I were to buy right now, it'd prob be the ATi 4850. Not sure what the GPU scene looks like right now...it's changing every week practically :D

here are some comparisons of parts...

video cards, past and present
http://lh6.ggpht.com/chiewjen/SOG0Us6GdHI/AAAAAAAACmw/3zqi1A4Aupo/s640/IMG_7093dwnsz.JPG

2005FPW 20" Ultrasharp left, 3007WFP-HC 30" Ultrasharp right
http://lh4.ggpht.com/chiewjen/SOG0Ut08l7I/AAAAAAAACm4/JrfnRzdUtX4/s720/IMG_6826dwnsz.JPG

[equetefue]

System Informations - SPAWN

CPU: E6600 @ 3.6ghz
Motherboard: Asus Maximus Formula
Graphics Card: EVGA 8800 GTS 640mhz
Memory: Mushkin EM2's 8gb total
Hard Drive: 2x150gb Raptors- RAID 0 + Server
Optical Drive: 2x Samsung Lightdrives
Power Supply: OCZ Gamersxtreme 600W
Display: Samsung 226BW
Case: Modded Thermaltake Armor
Sound Card: X-Fi XtremeGamer
Speakers: Monsoon Flat Panels
Mouse: Logitech Mx-518
Mouse pad: Wacom Tablet
Keyboard: Logitech G15
Operating System: Windows Vista Ultimate x64 +Windows XP Pro x32
CoolingCPU: D-Tek Fuzion Waterblock, MCR-220 Radiator, EK250 Reservoir
Temps: 25c @ idle /44c @ load
Case Fans : 2x90mm, 1x120mm Delta Fan (82CFM), 250mm Side fan
Other: Dtek Pro-mount and 2x Delta 82cfm Radiator fans

SpeedsCPU
Stock: 2.4ghz
Overclocked: 3.60ghz
Memory
Stock: DDR800 @400mhz
Memory - Timings
Stock: 5-5-5-18 2T
Graphics Card - Core
Stock: 500
Overclocked: 513
Graphics Card - Memory
Stock: 640
Overclocked: 792
Benchmarks3DMark05: 18,447
3DMark06: 10,643
AquaMark3: 184,933
Super Pi: 13.844 Sec
Other:CyberPower 1285Watt UPS

http://s152588970.onlinehome.us/PiCs/Computers/SPAWN/St%20Augustine%20%20Easter%202007%20002%20(Large). jpg

[Sfordphoto]

System Informations - SPAWN

CPU: E6600 @ 3.6ghz
Motherboard: Asus Maximus Formula
Graphics Card: EVGA 8800 GTS 640mhz
Memory: Mushkin EM2's 8gb total
Hard Drive: 2x150gb Raptors- RAID 0 + Server
Optical Drive: 2x Samsung Lightdrives
Power Supply: OCZ Gamersxtreme 600W
Display: Samsung 226BW
Case: Modded Thermaltake Armor
Sound Card: X-Fi XtremeGamer
Speakers: Monsoon Flat Panels
Mouse: Logitech Mx-518
Mouse pad: Wacom Tablet
Keyboard: Logitech G15
Operating System: Windows Vista Ultimate x64 +Windows XP Pro x32
CoolingCPU: D-Tek Fuzion Waterblock, MCR-220 Radiator, EK250 Reservoir
Temps: 25c @ idle /44c @ load
Case Fans : 2x90mm, 1x120mm Delta Fan (82CFM), 250mm Side fan
Other: Dtek Pro-mount and 2x Delta 82cfm Radiator fans

SpeedsCPU
Stock: 2.4ghz
Overclocked: 3.60ghz
Memory
Stock: DDR800 @400mhz
Memory - Timings
Stock: 5-5-5-18 2T
Graphics Card - Core
Stock: 500
Overclocked: 513
Graphics Card - Memory
Stock: 640
Overclocked: 792
Benchmarks3DMark05: 18,447
3DMark06: 10,643
AquaMark3: 184,933
Super Pi: 13.844 Sec
Other:CyberPower 1285Watt UPS


youre a big fan of those stickers :D

[Motley]

Some nice sytems here. Looks like I have the highest OC at 4.05Ghz ha!

Nvidia just released the 280GTX, but ya ATI has comparible cards too right now, which is surprising, they are usually 6 months behind, but ever since AMD took over... they've been on the bandwagon again.

[Colorblinded]

Usually 6 months behind? Not at all, it's a cyclical thing. ATI and nVidia have leapfrogged each other from time to time. Even AMD and Intel processors have.

[BottomBracket]

Thanks for sharing your builds! I am sure there are more out there.

As of now, ATI is king. The 4800 series really took Nvidia by surprise, with excellent performance at a low price point. Nvidia will no doubt act soon. These wars are good for us :)

[Faolan]

System Name: Workstation 1
Processor: Athlon X2 5600+
Mainboard: GA M57-SLI based mobo
RAM: 4Gb (8Gb shortly)
Graphics: X1950 Pro 256Mb
Sound/Speakers: Onboard/Acoustic Energy Aego M (best speakers I've ever used!)
Primary drive: 74Gb Raptor
Storage: 4x 1Tb WD green power drives.
Case: Antec Solo with a Earthwatts 500w PSU
Display: Dell 17" display and a HP LG2475 on order to replace CRT
OS: Win XP / Win Vista 64 dual boot

System was built for photo-editing rather than raw speed or gaming. Components was chosen for power consumption/price. The storage drives are in a SATA backplane to make them hot swappable and for additional cooling.

System Name: Workstation 2
Processor/Mainboard: Being replaced.
RAM: was 16Gb.
Gfx card: was onboard/PCI.
Sound/Speakers: Onboard/none.
Hard drives: 2 x SCSI 320 73Gb drives, 1 SCSI 320 36Gb drive (scratch)
Tape backup: Sony 20/40Gb DAT drive.
Controller: Adaptec 29320 to SCSI backplane.
Display: 2x 17in CRT.
Case: OEM, PSU blew taking mobo out.
OS: Windows 2003 server / Win XP pro dual boot

An old HP Opteron server that was used for various tasks. Looking into various options to repair/replace system. Most of the core server parts have been sold.

Both systems have Wacom Intuous 3 tablets attached.

Back up: Netgear ReadyNAS NV+ with 2Tb - Looking at the new ReadyNAS Pro series to upgrade.

2x Antec Veris MX-1 drive enclosures. Used to 'hot' swap back up drives. Curently I'm using 120Gb drives as 'tapes' for off-site storage.

Power: 2 x APC SmartUPS 1000 and 1x SmartUPS 400

Other bits and bobs but that's the two key systems both work on a full 1Gb/e LAN for sharing/speed.

[MaxxuM]

4-Core Custom Build - Mainly due to work requirements+Games
Windows 7 64-Bit/Vista 64-bit (testing)
8Gb DDR2 RAM
Dual ATI Radeon 4850s
2Tb Internal Storage 2Tb External Backup

Video Production 2008 Mac Pro
Dual 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon processors
16GB DDR2 ECC fully-buffered DIMM
ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT with 256MB
4Tb Internal Storage & 1Tb External (shared with MacBook Pro)
16x double-layer SuperDrive
Dual 22" Monitors (one on switch with MacBook Pro)

MacBook Pro 15" - Photography & On location Video
2.5Ghz Intel Core2Duo
4Gb RAM
320Gb HD

HP Laptop 14.5" - Daughters
2Ghz Turion X2 Dual Core
2Gb RAM (just upgraded)
200Gb HD (just upgraded)


Can you tell I work in the tech field lol... :)

I upgrade about every 3-6 months depending on how irritated I get at the speed of rendering :)

Edit: Also assortment of power cleaners, UPSes and so on.... and a video surveillance and alarm system that I can monitor from my iPhone :P

Edit: Updated - 11/19/2009

[Nightcrawler]

I built both my desktop and server. The desktop is a little dated and could use an update, but I would rather wait until I need it so that I can spend my money on glass.

Desktop -

Computer Name: Lightning
CPU: Intel E6600 overclocked to 3.2GHz
CPU Cooler: Zalman 9500
Motherboard: Asus P5B Deluxe
GPU: PNY 9800GTX and EVGA 7900GS
Memory: 2GB Ram (2 x 1GB Patriot)
Hard Drive: Seagate 400GB
Power Supply: Corsair HX620
OS: XP Pro
Case: Antec 900
Displays 1 and 2: 20" Acer AL2051W
Display 3: Epson Home Cinema 720
Speakers: Connected to my 6.1 surround through coaxial digital
I/O Devices: Regular old keyboard and mouse
Photo Related Software: Photoshop CS3

Server -

Computer Name: Jupiter
CPU: Intel E2140
CPU Cooler: Stock
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-965GM-S2
GPU: Integrated
Memory: 2GB Ram (2 x 1GB GeIL)
Hard Drive: 5 - 500GB Western Digital in RAID-5 for 2TB of storage
Power Supply: Antec TP 650
OS: Ubuntu 8.04 Server
Case: XION Hydraulic
Has nothing connected to it except for power and LAN and it is sitting in a closet.

[Yohan Pamudji]

Recently upgraded some of the main bits in mine--CPU, motherboard, RAM--to bring the system up to speed. All the rest are holdovers from the previous frankenstein build (bits and pieces acquired over a 2-year span or so).

CPU: Intel Q6600 @ 2.4GHz (still trying to get stable on stock, so no overclocking yet)
CPU Cooler: Scythe Ninja Plus Rev. B
Motherboard: ASUS P5Q Deluxe
GPU: ECS 8800GT with Accelero S1 cooler (fanless--completely silent!)
Memory: 4GB (2 x 2GB) G.Skill DDR2-1000/PC2-8000
Hard Drives: Western Digital 320GB (OS), Seagate 750GB (photos), Seagate 1TB (media and backups), and lots of backup drives in external enclosures
Power Supply: Corsair TX-750W
OS: Vista Ultimate 32-bit
Case: Antec P182 with various Scythe fans and a fan controller
Display: Planar PX2611W 26", Dell 2001FP 20"
Speakers: Swan PC speakers
I/O Devices: Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 (best keyboard ever), Logitech MX618 mouse, Wacom Intuos2 tablet, Func Industries Archetype 1030 mousepad (best mousepad ever)
Photo Related Software: Lightroom 2, Photoshop CS2, Design Collection including InDesign 2 (supposed to be great for designing albums, if I could ever be bothered to learn it)
Display Calibrator: Spyder2Pro (need to get one that does wide gamut for the Planar though)

Before this I was on an AMD Athlon64 X2 4600+ dual core, and the Q6600 smokes it in Lightroom. With the same catalog and hard drive it was taking 7-8 seconds to generate 1:1 previews when zooming in, and now it only takes about 2 seconds. Importing and exporting are lightning fast as well. For my use, 4 slower cores was the right choice over 2 faster cores of the E8400 at the same-ish price.

[tim]

Before this I was on an AMD Athlon64 X2 4600+ dual core, and the Q6600 smokes it in Lightroom. With the same catalog and hard drive it was taking 7-8 seconds to generate 1:1 previews when zooming in, and now it only takes about 2 seconds. Importing and exporting are lightning fast as well. For my use, 4 slower cores was the right choice over 2 faster cores of the E8400 at the same-ish price.

Good to know, thanks. I have the X2 4800+ and I was wondering if the quad cores would be much faster. I'll get the quad 9xxx some time, or an 8 core if they come out any time soon, which should absolutely smoke my current system.

I have to process 25,000 photos this summer.

[jjaenagle]

This is fun!


Computer Name: Piece of crap
CPU: pentiumD 805 (yea i know... i got it when it first came out thinking it could work in my old mobo... didnt so i ended up getting a new system!)
CPU Cooler: Vigor Gaming Thermo-Electric cooler 92mm fan (keeps my card under 40 degrees load with my cpu overclocked at 3.6 each :))
Motherboard: XFX 650i ultra atx socket 775
GPU: MSI 8600 gts OC'ed edition... oc'd some more
Memory: 2 gigs g.skill ram 1gb dual channel
Hard Drive: western digital 320, wd 74.5 raptor, wd 200 gig
Power Supply: corsair 520, modular
OS: Vista ultimate x86
Case: beaten down something... i forget what it is
Display: a 13 inch flat panel given to me by my dad lol... im so poor!
Speakers: creative 2.1 system
I/O Devices: rosewill Wired Keyboard, Logitech G5 mouse
Photo Related Software: adobe master collection... the one that came with my canon xsi, and corel suite

[Yohan Pamudji]

Good to know, thanks. I have the X2 4800+ and I was wondering if the quad cores would be much faster. I'll get the quad 9xxx some time, or an 8 core if they come out any time soon, which should absolutely smoke my current system.

I have to process 25,000 photos this summer.

Do you use Lightroom? I didn't use Lightroom v1 with this quad so can't comment on v1, but v2 at least makes good use of all 4 cores. So if you use Lightroom 2 I'm confident quad will be better than dual at any pricepoint. I went with the Q6600 over one of the newer Q9xxx models mainly because of BIOS compatibility concerns, i.e., I wasn't sure if the motherboard would ship with a BIOS that would be able to boot with one of the newer quads, and don't have a cheap Socket 775 CPU lying around to upgrade BIOS with if not. Plus I figured I'd try the Q6600 and if it wasn't fast enough I'd just sell it after using it to upgrade the BIOS and get a Q9550, but I'm satisfied with the Q6600 so I saved a few bucks. My thinking is that with Nehalem so close it's not really worth it to sink too much money into an LG 775 system that won't be upgradeable. Might as well get the best bang for the buck quad I could, and save some money for the inevitable Nehalem upgrade.

[tim]

I use Bridge, and yeah i'm waiting for Nehalem, but I don't think 8 core will be out in time for me.

[Pekka]

I have two desktop PC's, one is for Photoshop and games, other is a low power silent PC for browsing and keeping POTN status visible, that is also the PC which I take with me on the road if needed.

Computer A (main workhorse and game PC)
CPU: Intel Quad 9450 @ 3Ghz
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme
Motherboard: ASUS Rampage
GPU: BFG Geforce 9800GX2 1GB
Memory: 8 GB Ram (Mushkin PC1066 low latency)
Hard Drives: internally 2 Samsung F1's, 1.5TB, externally insane amount (12 bare IDE/SATA disks of 80-300GB plugged to USB IDE board when needed, 4 Coolermaster X-Craft enclosures with 250-750GB SATA disks, 2 500GB Lacie's, 5 250GB Lacies, two Antec MX-1 enclosures (very good!) with 750GB Samsung F1 SATA disks)
DVD-RW: Samsung Writemaster (SATA)
Power Supply: Corsair HX620W (modular)
Fans: all Noctua (4x12")
Fan controller: Zalman ZM-MFC2 (total watt consumption display too)
OS: Vista Home Premium 64 bit
Case: Antec P180
Display: Eizo S2410W 24"
Speakers: none
Phones: Sennheiser HD650 or HD600
I/O Devices: Logitech Wireless Keyboard (slim), Logitech MX518 mouse


Computer B (silent low power PC)
CPU: Intel Core 2 E6600
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U12
Motherboard: ASUS P5W DH Deluxe
GPU: Nvidia Geforce 8500 GT SILENT
Memory: 4 GB Ram (Corsair PC800 low latency)
Hard Drives: Couple of internal, 600GB
DVD-RW: none
Power Supply: Corsair HX520W (modular)
Fans: Noctua (2x12" @ 800rpm)
OS: Vista Home Premium 32 bit
Case: Antec Sonata
Display: 2 x Eizo L768 19"
Speakers: none
I/O Devices: Logitech Wireless Keyboard (slim), Logitech MX518 mouse

And lots of other stuff, calibrator, Wacom etc.

[Zepher]

Mobo : ASUS P5Q Pro
Processor : Intel E8400 3,0Ghz Core2Duo
RAM : 4GB G.Skill DDR2 800
Graphics : eVGA 9800GT 512MB
Drives : 4.15TB spanned across 10 drives, no RAID.
2x 19" Widescreen LG LCD Monitors.

http://www.transamws6.com/pics/pc/2008/new-c2d.jpg

http://www.transamws6.com/pics/pc/2008/cube-case.jpg

[cfcRebel]

System: Custom build
Processor: AMD Athlon64 3000+ 1.8GHz Venice
Mainboard: ASUS A8N-SLi Deluxe
RAM: 4Gb DDR 400mHz dual channel
Graphics: 256mb GeForce 7300GS
Sound/Speakers: Onboard/Harman Kardon
OS: Win XP / Vista 64 dual boot
Primary drive: 120Gb WD IDE for WinXP Pro, 500Gb SG SATA for Vista64
Storage: 200Gb WD IDE, 1Tb WD SATA.

As you can see, i have the lowest end CPU for AMD socket 939. For those who just upgraded to quadcore and have a Athlon64 dualcore CPU (for socket 939) to spare, I'll be happy to buy it from you :). PM me.

[tim]

As you can see, i have the lowest end CPU for AMD socket 939. For those who just upgraded to quadcore and have a Athlon64 dualcore CPU (for socket 939) to spare, I'll be happy to buy it from you :). PM me.

I upgraded from single core 3200+ to dual core 4800 and it made a MASSIVE difference, it more than doubled the speed. For you it'd do even more. Probably best to keep an eye on ebay.

[jjaenagle]

As you can see, i have the lowest end CPU for AMD socket 939. For those who just upgraded to quadcore and have a Athlon64 dualcore CPU (for socket 939) to spare, I'll be happy to buy it from you . PM me.


If you checked newegg.com you can get some amazing deals! Im sure some of their high end dual core processors are in the low $100's

[tim]

If you checked newegg.com you can get some amazing deals! Im sure some of their high end dual core processors are in the low $100's

But then they'd need a new motherboard, RAM, graphics card, etc. A 2nd hand socket dual core 939 chip would be hugely faster than the current chip (although still slow compared with modern chips) and shouldn't be expensive.

[jjaenagle]

ahh, yea i guess so.

im not into amd stuff and realized that most are am2 now.

[Lukipooh]

Can I join?

My new build
Mobo: MSI K9A2 CF-F V2
CPU: AMD Phenom 9850 Black Edition (stock fan)
RAM: Corsair XMS2 2x2GB (adding another 2x2GB soon)
Video: MSI R3650 512MB
HDD: Western Digital 500GB Internal + Western Digital My Book 500GB External
Optical Drive: Lite-On LH20A1L-05
Case: Lian-Li PC 65B
PS: Thermaltake 750W
OS: Windows Vista Home Premium x64
Monitor: Viewsonic 2226w
Speakers: Altec Lansing
Keyboard & Mouse: Logitech S510

My dinosaur (donated to sister)
Mobo: Epox 8K9A
CPU: AMD Athlon XP2700
RAM: Kingmax 2x500MB DDR 333
Fan: Thermaltake Volcano
Video: Sapphire Radeon 9600 PRO 256MB
HDD: Maxtor 40GB
Optical Drives: Lite-On DVD + Lite-On SHM 165 H6S
Case: Chieftec
PS: Antec Smart Blue 350W
OS: Windows XP SP3
Monitor: Viewsonic VX1935

[ekie]

Main Computer
CPU: Intel Q6600 2.4ghz (OC to 3ghz)
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake SI-120
Motherboard: Gigabyte P965-DS3
GPU: ASUS Radeon 4850 + Diamond Radeom X1550 PCI (for 3rd LCD)
Memory: 6GB Ram (2x2GB OCZ Reapers / 2x1GB GSKILL) @825mhz
Hard Drive: 160gb SATA II (OS / Programs)
160gb SATA II (Programs / Downloads)
500gb SATA II (Picturs)
Power Supply: OCZ GamerXtrem 700w
OS: Vista Ultimate 64-bit
Case: Some Antec case
Display: 3x Dell 20.1" Ultrasharp Widescreen LCD
Speakers: Creative 2.1
I/O Devices: Microsoft Entertainment 700 Wireless Keyboard, Logitech mouse, X-Rite iDisplay 2 Calibrator, Canon MP970 All-In-One, etc ..
Photo Related Software: Photoshop, Lightroom 2, etc ..

File Storage Server PC
CPU: Intel E4300
CPU Cooler: Stock HSF
Motherboard: Gigabyte Micro-ATX (dont remember model)
GPU: Onboard Intel Graphics
Memory: 2gb (2x1gb Super Talent)
Hard Drive: WD Raptor 160gb (OS / Programs)
1TB Western Digital (Music, Movies, Downloads)
Power Supply: Antec Neo-HE series
OS: Windows Server 2008 64-bit
Case: Antech Nine Hundred
Display: Shared Dell 20.1" Ultrasharp Widescreen (remote desktop into mostly)
Speakers: N/A
I/O Devices: Wireless Keyboard and Mouse (but remote desktop used)
Photo Related Software: N/A

[rickdog]

Computers
Labtop 1-- AsusF8SnC1-T9500-3gbRam-320gbHD-Geforce9500M-Kutuntu 8.10
Custom Desktop 1 -- E6420-4gbRam-320gb+500gbHD-Geforce7600gt-22"AcerWS-Kubuntu 8.04
Custom Desktop 2 -- E4400(OC'd to 2.5gHz)-2gbRam-320gb+500gbHD-Geforce6600-26"VisioLCDHDTV-Kubuntu 8.04
Old Laptop -- ToshibaA45-S150-P4 2.4ghz-2gbRam-160gbHD-Xubuntu 8.10

Software
Orgainizers - Picasa, digiKam
Editors & Raw - The Gimp! Lightzone, Krita, Cinepaint, RawTherapee
Album/Batch - Jalbum, KPhotoalbum, Phatch

What can I say, stable, secure, fast, powerful, flexible, extendable, dependable, Linux!

Late.

[CyberDyneSystems]

She's a little old by todays standards, but still self aware so I have to speak kindly of her.

Computer Name: SKYNET (of course)
CPU: One Pair of AMD Opteron 275 Dual Core 2.2GHZ
http://www.gamepc.com/images/labs/rev-opteron275-front.jpg



CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS
http://www.endpcnoise.com/e/images/CNPS9500_AM2.jpg
Motherboard: Supermicro, the H8DCe (click pic for larger image)
http://www.plonter.co.il/graphics/product_images/full/H8DCE.gif (http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggImage/productimage/13-182-081-04.jpg)
Yes, that is 8 SATA ports (on two controllers with raid) and 8 dimm slots. With AMD's NUMA Ememory archtecture, each CPU can be assigned it's own unshared bank of four DIMMS.. for a total of 16GB max (8x 2GB dimms)
GPU: Just and Air cooled Asus Nvidia something or other...
Memory: 8 of these; (a total of 8 1GB sticks ECC Corsair memory)
http://www.pcper.com/images/reviews/307/corsairmemory.jpg
Hard Drives:
One Pair WD 400GB mirrored as WinXP64 Boot volume and "other" Data (partitioned)
Four WD 500GB Se-16 in RAID 10 for 1 Terabyte of Mirrored Striped Data Storage (photos only)
One 74GB WD Raptor for scratch disk and WinXP32 boot drive.
3Qty External 500GB Seagate FreeAgent.
Cavalry 1TB RAID1 external E-Sata
Gigabyte I-Ram RAM Drive Loaded with 4GB SDRAM
http://www.pcper.com/images/news/gb_iram.jpg
this serves as my primary PSCS scratch disk!RAM Fast HD swaps! :)
Optical Drive:A Lite On 16X DVD-RW Dual layer.
http://www.cpusolutions.com/mm8004744CPU/Images/LITESATADVDRW.jpg
Case: and it's all stuffed into the "CM Stacker" by Cooler Master. (click pic for more details)
http://www.bit-tech.net/content_images/2007/03/cm_stacker_mod_by_snakez_and_ediejo/page1-2.jpg (http://www.tomshardware.com/2004/06/16/cooler_master/)
Display: SONy FW900 24" CRT (Yep, that;s a CRT BABY!!!)

[jjaenagle]

lol... wow that is pretty old, but im sure it still blows mine out of the water!

computers is a whole nother hobby that i donw have enough money to get into now

[pendulum15]

Mine atm is
q6600@3.2ghz or something up there
3gb ram (will upgrade to 8 soon enough:D)
8800GTS 512mb
P35-ds3p
some corsair PSU that came in a fancy felt bag thing (actually the cheapest 'proper' one I could find :D)
Antec P182
That big ass zalman thing that CDS also has
2x 500GB harddrives, with one external 500gb, and a 320gb portable one
(will probably add another internal 500gb when I upgrade the ram)
All about to be running (upgrading/installing now) mac OS X 10.5.5 with munky's efi partition method.....
Oh, and a dell 30" screen+19" samsung LCD

Oh, and an MBP 2.5Ghz C2D 15" with 2GB of ram (will upgrade to four at the same time as when I CBF upgrading everything else :D)

[jjaenagle]

thats pretty decent... you should setup your 500 gig hdd in a raid

[Trique Daddi]

CPU: INTEL QUAD CORE Q9550 2.8
CPU Cooler: THERMALTAKE MaxOrb GAMING CPU FAN
Motherboard: EVGA NFORCE 780I 775 MOTHERBOARD
GPU: EVGA NVDIA GTX 260 896MB PCI-E
Memory: 4x2GB G.Skill DDR2 800
Hard Drive 1: WD RAPTOR 150GB 10,000 RPM SATAII
Hard Drive2:500 GB SATA II 3.0 GB 16MB 7200RPM
Power Supply: Coolermaster 1,000W SLI Ready
OS: Vista Ultimate 64-bit
Case: Apevia Telestar Jr. Mid-tower
Speakers: LOGITECH X540 5.1 Surround Sound Seakers
CD/DVD Drives: BLACK SAMSUNG 20X DVDRW
BLACK SONY 20X DVDRW
Card Reader: 12-IN-ONE INTERNAL CARD READER

I bought this one after configuring it myself and plan to build my own next time I need to upgrade. I am having to troubleshoot a few glicthes anyway so why not create them yourself from the begining. The system is running very smooth though. It is fun after waiting to finally get a new system. I will add a monitor after the first of the year once I settle on one. I am using a 19" CRT that has been very accurate with color.

Trique Daddi

[golemite]

Built this last year:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 3.0ghz 1333fsb
EVGA 680i SLI motherboard
4GB Crucial Ballistix 4-4-4-12 PC6400 DDR2
Antec NeoPower 500W
EVGA 8800GTX
WD Raptor X 150gb 15K
CoolerMaster Stacker 832
Dell 2005FPW 20" LCD

But now I just use my Mac Pro ;)

[OdiN1701]

Computer Name: Thor
CPU: Intel Q6600 2.4GHz Quad-Core (Clocked to 3.2GHz)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme
Motherboard: Asus P5K Deluxe
GPU: eVGA 8600GTS 256MB
Memory: 8GB RAM
Hard Drives:
Main:
150GB Western Digital Raptor
Other:
2 x 500GB Western Digital (RAID 1) - Data
2 x 320GB Western Digital (RAID 1 External) - Backup
1 x 250GB Western Digital External - MP3/Various Crap Power Supply: Antec 550W Modular
OS: Vista Ulimate x64
Case: Antec P180 w/ Scythe FDB Motor Fans
Display: 1 x Dell 30" LCD, 1 x Dell 20" LCD
Speakers: Klipsch Pro 5.1 Surround
I/O Devices: Microsoft Wireless Keyboard, Logitech G5 mouse, Wacom Intuos Tablet
Photo Related Software: Photoshop CS3, Lightroom 2.1

[CanonGlass3]

Computer Name: Radeon-D [Dell Dimension E310]
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 HT 521 (2.80ghz)
CPU Cooler: Heat Sink
Motherboard: Dell Mobo
GPU: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 128MB
Memory: 2GB DDR2-533
Hard Drive: 160GB SATA2 7,200 RPM Western Digital Cavalier
250GB SATA2 7,200RPM Seagate FreeAgent
Power Supply: Dell 230W
OS: Windows XP Professional SP2
Case: Dell Dimension E310
[B]Display: Dell E176FP [17" LCD]
Speakers: Dell A215 Speakers
I/O Devices: Microsoft Digital Media Pro Keyboard, Dell Optical Mouse, Kingston 7USB Hub, HP Photosmart D7560 , CoolMAX SATA/IDE to USB Converter
Photo Related Software: Paint.Net 3.36, GIMP 2.6

Computer Name:Neotonic [HP Pavilion Dv9500t CTO Laptop]
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 (1.86Ghz, 800mhz FBS)
CPU Cooler: Ummm?
Motherboard: Quantas 30C laptop?
GPU: nVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS 1GB Shared / 512MB Deticated
Memory: 2GB Dual Channel DDR2-667mhz RAM
Hard Drive: Fujitsu 160GB 5,400RPM SATA
Power Supply: dunno
OS: Windows Vista Home Premium 32-Bit, Kubuntu 8.10
Case: HP Pavilion dv9500t CTO
Display: 17" HD Widescreen
Speakers: Altec Lansing HD Speakers
I/O Devices: nothing really...
Photo Related Software: Photoshop CS3 Extended, Paint.Net

[jdizzle]

Here's my build. :)
Case-Cooler Master HAF 932.( awesome case made for good airflow)
CPU-Intel i7 extreme 3.2 @ 4.34 ( gonna OC this with liquid cooling using Danger Den and Swiftech parts. I'll probably go with a dual rad).:)
Mobo- Asus Rampage Extreme II( awesome mobo!) It was either this or the EVGA X58.
RAM- 6 Gb of Corsair Dominator @ 1600 Mhz
PSU- Corsair 1000 W modular PSU
Video Cards- Dual EVGA GTX 295 in SLI
Sound Card- Creative Labs X-fi Fatality
Primary HD- 1 150Gb Velociraptor ( No RAID configs here. Always have problems with it)
2nd HD- 1 500 WD
OS- WIndows Vista Ultimate 64 bit

Monitors- ASUS 24 incher @ 2ms for gaming and HP LP2475 for editing.

[Excavator]

I'll join too.
I build a new one every year - this is for 2009:
Lian Li PC-V2100B
Enermax Galaxy 1000watt PSU
Gigabyte GA-EX5b-Extreme
Intel Core i7 965 3.2GHz Extreme Edition
CoolerMaster V8
6GB OCZ DDR3 1600MHz
booting off 2 80GB Intel X25-M SSDs in RAID0
storage is 2 150GB Western Digital Raptors in RAID1
more storage WD SATAII 250GB w/16meg cache
Plextor 716A SATA DLDVD Burner
LiteOn BlueRay/DVD Rom
nVidia 9600GT w/512MB GDDR3 running dual ACER 24" AL2416W widescreens
DTV/DSL Internet connection at 10 meg per/sec down and 768K per/sec up

[kansascityshuffle]

I want in! We shouldn't let this thread die...surely people are continuing to build. I just built mine last week, and I'm still tweaking some things.

-Q6600 overclocked to 3.41GHz
-Cooler Master 690 Case
-Sapphire HD 3870
-Samsung CD/DVD RW Drive
-Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro
-8 GB Corsair DDR2 800 RAM
-(2x) Western Digital 640GB HDs
-PC Power and Cooling 500w Silencer Power Supply
-Vista Premium 64-bit

DISPLAY...Dell 2209wa 22" e-IPS monitor. Just released.
-Spyder 3 Pro Calibration

I really enjoyed building and clocking my rig. Now I just need to take some pictures so I can start using it's speed!

[Zepher]

This is my current Setup:

Computer Name: HAL-9000
CPU: Intel Q6600 @ 3.006Ghz
CPU Cooler: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro
Motherboard: Asus P5Q Pro
GPU: eVGA GTX 260 SSC 896MB
Memory: 4 GB Ram (2x2 G.Skill DDR-1066)
Hard Drives:
WD RE 250gig (for OS and programs)
Seagate 1.5TB (storage, game installs)
Seagate 400GB (storage)
Seagate 320GB (storage)
WD 250GB (storage)
WD 500GB (storage)
WD 250BG (storage)
WD 250GB (storage)
Externals
WD 500GB My Book (storage)
WD 500GB My Book (storage)
WD 500GB My Book (storage)

Power Supply: Antec TP-III 650Watt
OS: Windows XP Pro SP3
Case: Yeoung Yang YY-0221 Cube Server Case
Display: LG 20" W2052TQ, LG 19" W1952TQ
Speakers: Alesis M1 Active MK2 Studio Monitors
I/O Devices: Logitech G15 Keyboard V.2, Logitech MX1000 mouse, Nostromo N52 Speed Pad
Photo Related Software: Photoshop CS3/4

[lens pirate]

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p83/45government/Brag1.jpg
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p83/45government/Brag2.jpg
My Rig: Intel I7 920(oc'd 3.8ghz)
, Asus Rampage Ext2,
12 Gig dominator DDR3,
Coolmaster V8 CPU Cooler,
LG Blueray-DVD RW,
2x SLI EVGA Superclocked editions GTX 280, ( Oc'd 8 percent)
2x Seagate 1TB Drives,
XFI SB Audio,
Thermaltake 1200 watt PS,
Lian Li A70 case,
Dlink NAS 4 Bay(4x 1TB drives)
Promise NAS 2 Bay( 2x 500Gig)
HP LP 2475W Monitor.
Dell Ultrasharp 20in,
Spyder3 pro Calibration device
Antec external estata/usb drive with 1Tb drive inside.
I have comcast cable for a ISP and get about 13 mb up and 2.4 mb down. I use a APC 1400XL smartUPS.

After a long battle to get it running right ( bad Power supply and a long story) I have to say I am thrilled with this box. I can process even huge 25 mb Camera RAW photos in a blink of the eye. Batch processes on large numbers of big photos take a tenth of the time it used to on my last PC. The HP LP2475 is fantastic after I calibrated it with my SpyderPro3. I would rate this PC as near perfect for photo editing at my level.

[KevinJ]

Nothing too special but I'm bored and wanted to show you guys what's under the hood.

Rebranded Li-Li full tower case
ASUS P5Q-Pro motherboard
Intel e8400 at stock speeds.
2x2GB G.skill DDR2-800
eVGA 9600gt with dual slot cooler at stock speeds
Seagate 500GB for media
Hitachi 250GB for active torrents/OS/Programs
Creative X-fi xtremegamer

Peripherals:

Klipsch subwoofer+Insignia Bookshelf speakers
Sennheiser HD555 headphones
2x19" Westinghouse monitors
Saitek Eclipse keyboard
Logitech mx518 mouse

[vroom_skies]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/vroom_skies/Computers%20/Computer.jpg

There is a quick shot.
Up until a few weeks ago it was comprised of:
- X2 3800
- 7800GT
- 2 gigs
- Velo 150 Gig
- XFI Plat
- Z-5500
- Senn 595's
- 24" FPD2485W

etc etc, the best part is the keyboard:
Enermax Aurora

However, this was until it died a few weeks ago lol. I have no funds to get it back up and running so there it sits.

Bob

O, forgot to introduce you to my IBM/ Lenovo T61:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/vroom_skies/Computers%20/b.jpg

[Montdj]

Custom Built
Intel E8400
Asus Striker Extreme 2 790i
4gb Gskill DDR3 PC1600
Creative Xfi Titanium
EVGA 9800GX2
2x Raptor 150 Raid 0
2x Seagate 250 Raid 0
BluRay DVD Drive
Liteon DVD Burner
Cooler Master CMStacker Case
Cooler Master 1000 Watt psu
Vista Ultmate
Samsung 2493hm 24" Monitor

Sorry just a quick pic but it is with the 17-40L
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u311/montdj/IMG_0261.jpg

[ChasP505]

http://www.chasfrady.com/myphotos/misc/_MG_3459_web.jpg


Antec 300 case
Antec 650 watt Power Supply
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P motherboard
Intel Q6600 (not overclocked)
2x WD Caviar Black 500GB HDs
2x WD External USB HDs
EVGA 9500GT w/ 1GB Memory
4GB Corsair DDR2 800 RAM
Windows XP Pro
Adobe Design Standard CS3
HP Photosmart Pro B8350 Printer
Epson Perfection 2480 Scanner
Dell 2209WA 22" LCD
Lipton Iced Tea

[DEMO]

.

Parts:
Intel Core i7 920
EVGA 1366 58X
EVGA GeForce GTX285
G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB
Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB x 2
LG 22X DVD rewriter X 2
CoolerMaster 932 HAF case
Corsair TX 750W power supply
Rosewill Card reader
Microsoft Vista Home Premium [64-bit]
Adobe CS4 Extended


[b]Pictures:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3292437982_b069d3ed08.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/3292243838_dd6b0c4b28.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/3292242354_6db8fe788b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3438/3292241444_f46ca6f5b4.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3621/3292240318_eac62402eb.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3462/3291415945_3c3f3612e0.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3609/3292236752_b11d74dc94.jpg

[tag141]

Doing my bit to try and drag the economy out of recession...

Parts:
Intel i7 965
Gigabyte EX58 extreme
Gigabyte NVidia GTX285
Corsair 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1866 (PC15000)
Western Digital Velociraptor 10K rpm
Thermaltake RS100 case
Gigabyte Odin GT800W power supply
Windows 7 64bit (for now, otherwise Vista64)

http://tph1.orcon.net.nz/9652.jpg

http://tph1.orcon.net.nz/9651.jpg

http://tph1.orcon.net.nz/965.jpg

Need more HDD and a tidy up but I have only just finished putting it together (and it didn't explode!!!!)

[In2Photos]

Currently building my new rig as I type (Vista 64 is loading).

Computer Name: Photo PC
CPU: Intel i7 920
CPU Cooler: Xigmatec S-1283V Dark Knight
Motherboard: MSI X58 Pro
GPU: ASUS EAH3450/DI/256M Radeon HD 3450 (I skimped here)
Memory: 6 GB Ram (3 x 2 GB OCZ)
Hard Drive: WD Black 640GB SATA II(OS, DATA, and Photos, separate partitions)
WD 500 GB Sata II (backup)
Power Supply: Corsair 650tx 650 watts
OS: Vista Home Premium64 bit
Case: CoolerMaster 590, with two additional Xigmatek 120mm fans
Display: Dell 2209WA
Speakers: Logitech
I/O Devices: Microsoft 4000 Keyboard & G5 mouse
Photo Related Software: Photoshop CS2, Lightroom 2

Here are some pics:

Monster Xigmatek cooler.
http://www.pbase.com/madawson/image/109691718/original.jpg

All wired up.
http://www.pbase.com/madawson/image/109691727/original.jpg

Ready for work.
http://www.pbase.com/madawson/image/109691729/original.jpg

I'll add some later with the monitor and desk area once I clean it up.

[In2Photos]

.

Parts:
Intel Core i7 920
EVGA 1366 58X
EVGA GeForce GTX285
G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB
Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB x 2
LG 22X DVD rewriter
CoolerMaster 932 HAF case
Corsair TX 750W power supply
Microsoft Vista Home Premium [64-bit]
Adobe CS4 Extended


[B]Pictures:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3292437982_b069d3ed08.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/3292243838_dd6b0c4b28.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/3292242354_6db8fe788b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3438/3292241444_f46ca6f5b4.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3621/3292240318_eac62402eb.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3462/3291415945_3c3f3612e0.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3609/3292236752_b11d74dc94.jpg

That is a sweet case! I'm glad I didn't see that before I built mine. I would have had trouble not dropping the extra $100 on it! :lol:

[chrisa]

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n147/chrisa62401/IMG_9398.jpg?t=1236462205

[smcclelland]

Still need to do some cable management but will take care of that after I get the new video card installed and swap my old IDE DVD drive for a proper SATA one :)

Computer Name: HAL3000
CPU: Intel i7 920 @ 3.6ghz
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Ultra 120 Extreme
Motherboard: EVGA X58
GPU: EVGA GTX 260 Core 216 (Quadro CX enroute)
Memory: 12 GB Ram (6 x 2gb G.Skill DDR3-1600)
Hard Drive: 4 x WD 640gb Caviar Blue (RAID10)
Power Supply: Enermax Galaxy 1000w Modular PSU
OS: Vista Home 64 bit/Windows 7 Beta/Fedora Core 9
Case: CoolerMaster Cosmos S Black Edition w/ Xigmatek XLF1253 fans
Display: Samsung Syncmaster 245B
Speakers: None
I/O Devices: Logitech G15 Keyboard, Microsoft Habu mouse, Wacom Graphire Tablet
Photo Related Software: CS4 Premium, Lightroom 2 64-bit

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3535/3295772127_d0be43e0ef_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3309/3295768589_81e64a34f5_b.jpg

[jdizzle]

That is a sweet case! I'm glad I didn't see that before I built mine. I would have had trouble not dropping the extra $100 on it! :lol:
It's an excellent case Mike. It may not be an attractive case but, it's great for airflow. :)

[In2Photos]

Computer Name: Photo PC
CPU: Intel i7 920
CPU Cooler: Xigmatec S-1283V Dark Knight
Motherboard: MSI X58 Pro
GPU: ASUS EAH3450/DI/256M Radeon HD 3450 (I skimped here)
Memory: 6 GB Ram (3 x 2 GB OCZ)
Hard Drive: WD Black 640GB SATA II(OS, DATA, and Photos, separate partitions)
WD 500 GB Sata II (backup)
Power Supply: Corsair 650tx 650 watts
OS: Vista Home Premium64 bit
Case: CoolerMaster 590, with two additional Xigmatek 120mm fans
Display: Dell 2209WA
Speakers: Logitech
I/O Devices: Microsoft 4000 Keyboard & G5 mouse
Photo Related Software: Photoshop CS2, Lightroom 2

I'll add some later with the monitor and desk area once I clean it up.
Here are the pics.

http://www.pbase.com/madawson/image/110127691/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/madawson/image/110127692/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/madawson/image/110127898/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/madawson/image/110127693/original.jpg

[kansascityshuffle]

Very, very nice Mike! I like the little cove you have there!

[Colorblinded]

Computer name: Monolith (when you see the case design it makes sense)
CPU: Intel Q9450
Cooler: Noctua U12F
Mobo: Asus P5K Pro
GPU: nVidia 7950GT (I don't game much and it's done what little gaming I needed so far!) with a Zalman cooler, I forget which
RAM: 4x2gb Corsair DDR2 800 RAM
Hard drives:1x WD 7200RPM 160GB single platter OS drive
Seagate 400GB data drive
2x400GB WD in RAID 1 for photos
removable 400GB which i keep away from my home for more photo backups
2x320GB external enclosure for additional backups and other stuff
Optical: 2x NEC Optiarc 18x DVD RW drives
PSU:Corsair 520HX 520 watt PSU
OS: Vista Ultimate SP1 64 bit
Case: Lian-Li PC-V1100 B Plus II
Display: Dell 2007W and 2005W 20" widescreen LCDs
Speakers: Audioengine A2
IO: Microsoft natural keyboard, Wacom Intuos3 6x11
Photo related: Capture One 4, PS CS3, Sandisk Extreme IV Firewire 800 card reader, ColorVision Spyder 2

Other: my aging but still perfectly functional APC UPS

The system was upgraded from a dual core E6600 with 4GB RAM to this current configuration in June when the price on dual cores were at a point I was happy with. I figure I'll get bored in 2-3 years and upgrade if need or want hasn't driven me to do so sooner (hopefully it won't!)

New laptop is a Thinkpad T400 which I got a few weeks ago.

new bits: updating my video card today (should arrive this afternoon)

EVGA GTX 260 Core 216 55nm Superclocked

[In2Photos]

Very, very nice Mike! I like the little cove you have there!
Thanks!

[waynedsargent]

Building mine as we speak as well!

Linkworld mid tower (with handle on top)
Gigabyte GA_MA770-UD3
AMD Phenom 9650 2.3mhz Quad
Corsair 4gb DDR2 Dual channel
MSI Radeon hd 4650
2 Samsung dvd burner
2 500gb sata in raid event pics
1 250gb sata programs
1 esata 1tb backup external
1 250gb
No name yet.

Oh and XP Pro 32 bit none of that vista crap!

[dliveleyphotography]

Computer Name: HAF_BAMF
CPU: Intel i7 920
CPU Cooler: Stock but changing it out next week for something better to OC the i7
Motherboard: EVGA 1366 x58
GPU: EVGA GTX 260 Superclocked Edition
Memory: Corsair Dominator 6GB DDR 3 1600 Triple Channel
Hard Drive: WD Cavair Black 640GB x 3
Power Supply: Corsair 650tx 650 watts
CD/DVD: Samsung DVD-/+RW with Lightscribe x 2
Card Reader: Rosewill 52-in-1
OS: Windows 7 64 bit
Case: CoolerMaster HAF932
Display: Viewsonic 19" vx910
Speakers: Logitech THX Surround Sound w/ 10" Sub
I/O Devices: Old HP Media Center Keyboard and Microsoft Intellimouse 3.0
Photo Related Software: Photoshop CS3, Lightroom 2, Photomatrix 3

Haven't tweaked anything and its already running incredibly fast. Completed retouch artiest PS test in 18 sec. I'll report back the time after some overclocking and tweaking. Had it up and running for about a week now and have only ran into problems with windows 7 not seeing some USB devices, other then that everything is pretty stable.

Pics (most taken as I was building so most are just snap shots, I'll get better ones when new CPU cooler and cold cathodes come in):

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn207/muddytaco3/IMG_2646-1.jpg

Forgot HDD's in main pic:
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn207/muddytaco3/IMG_2588.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn207/muddytaco3/IMG_2628-1.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn207/muddytaco3/IMG_2631-1.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn207/muddytaco3/IMG_2656-1.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn207/muddytaco3/IMG_2659-1.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn207/muddytaco3/desktop.jpg

[Colorblinded]

new bits: updating my video card today (should arrive this afternoon)

EVGA GTX 260 Core 216 55nm Superclocked
Just got this and installed it this afternoon... very nice! At idle the cooler is in fact very quiet, no different from my old big Zalman cooler on my previous video card that this replaced. It is huge though, cramming it in my case was an adventure. Downside is the price came down a chunk since I bought it two days ago :lol:

Oh well, that's technology.

[Tsmith]

Customized Antec Super LanBoy Case. Added a 92mm SilneX for a side intake fan.
MSI P6N SLI Platinum main board
Intel Core 2 Dou E6700 at 3.33 GHz
Zalman CNPS9500 AT CPU Cooler (CPU stays around 30~32°C)
4 GB Corsair XMS 6400 C4 RAM
Corsair HX520 PSU
Creative X-Fi Extreme Gamer SFX
ATI - HIS HD 4870 1GB GPU
Lite On drives

Running OEM Vista Home Premium x64

I put this rig together 2 years ago and have upgraded the Graphics and Sound Cards recently. Its been rock solid running with a 25% overclock.

[Yohan Pamudji]

Wow, there are some real computer nerds on here :D And I mean that as a compliment. I'm drooling over all the i7 setups, but I've promised myself to not upgrade again until something breaks or the Q6600 can't handle post processing work efficiently anymore. No 5DII for me I guess :)

[Colorblinded]

The i7s definitely look nice, but I figure I'll be good for a couple more generations with my Q9450. Next upgrade means new RAM tech and everything else so it'll be a fairly complete gutting of my computer.

[Tsmith]

The i7s definitely look nice, but I figure I'll be good for a couple more generations with my Q9450. Next upgrade means new RAM tech and everything else so it'll be a fairly complete gutting of my computer.

I've actually thought about picking up an EVGA 790i board along with a Q9650 (next price drop) and a new Corsair 850 PSU and RAM.

[YP5 Toronto]

Computer name: Haven
CPU: Intel i7 920 @ 4.0Ghz, 1600mhz QPI
Cooler: Koolance 350, Swiftech 655, MCR220 Rad, 4 x Scythe S-Flex Push Pull
Mobo: Asus P6T Deluxe V2
GPU: BFG nVidia 280 x2 SLI
RAM: 3x2gb OCZ 1600 Platinum 7-7-7-24
Hard drives: 2 x 74GB Raps Raid 0 - OS drive
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1 TB x 2 in Raid 1
Optical: 2 x Sony 18x DVD RW drives
PSU: Enermax Revolution 85+ 850W Power Supply (80+ Silver Certified)
OS: Vista Ultimate SP1 64 bit
Case: Coolermaster Cosmos S
Display: HP LP3065 30" Wide 2560 x 1600
Display: Dell 2005FPW - Inverted Portrait
Speakers: Logitech G51 Surround Sound Speaker System
IO: Logitech G15, MX518
Photo related: PS LR, Sandisk Extreme IV Firewire 800 card reader, ColorVision Spyder 2 Pro

Other: Ear Force HPA2 - Multi-speaker 5.1 ch Surround Sound Amplified


EDIT: Just installed a 2nd BFG 280, got to love craigslist

[In2Photos]

The i7s definitely look nice, but I figure I'll be good for a couple more generations with my Q9450. Next upgrade means new RAM tech and everything else so it'll be a fairly complete gutting of my computer.
I wouldn't have an i7 if I were upgrading from a Q9450 either! But in my case I was going from an AMD 3000+ (that is a single core 1.9GHz in case nobody knew! ;) ).

[Yohan Pamudji]

I wouldn't have an i7 if I were upgrading from a Q9450 either! But in my case I was going from an AMD 3000+ (that is a single core 1.9GHz in case nobody knew! ;) ).

Yikes, you held out a lot longer than me. My recent upgrade was from an X2 4600+ (dual-core) to Q6600 (quad). And I thought I held out a long time :shock:

[tommyqh]

sub

[pendulum15]

The i7s definitely look nice, but I figure I'll be good for a couple more generations with my Q9450. Next upgrade means new RAM tech and everything else so it'll be a fairly complete gutting of my computer.

Hey, I'm still happy with my Q6600 machine.... :p
I will wait until it can't run photoshop properly or I break it.....

[Colorblinded]

I'll wait until I notice it feeling slow when I'm trying to work. :)

My previous system just wasn't quite there (dual core E6600 @ 3ghz and 4GB ram). My current config seems to nail my needs on the head, no issues with it. The laptop I got in the fall is a lot like the previous desktop config I had, but it's still good for the most part all things considered, after all it's a 14" laptop!

[R33E8]

Asus P6T deluxe motherboard
i7 920
9gb DDR 3 Ram
1Tb
1.5 Tb
150gb WD raptor
Nvidia Quadro FX1700
Viewsonic 20.1 inch screen
Coolermaster 690 case

I still find it too slow for my needs... :(
I've already maxed out 9gb of ram on more than one occasion.. I'm waiting for the 12gb kits to become more available so I can jump up to 24gb ram..

[mb7]

How do you get 9gb ram, it seems any that could be configured would be slow. I don't see how you could take advantage of triple channel memory with 9gb....

Asus P6T deluxe motherboard
i7 920
9gb DDR 3 Ram
1Tb
1.5 Tb
150gb WD raptor
Nvidia Quadro FX1700
Viewsonic 20.1 inch screen
Coolermaster 690 case

I still find it too slow for my needs... :(
I've already maxed out 9gb of ram on more than one occasion.. I'm waiting for the 12gb kits to become more available so I can jump up to 24gb ram..

[YP5 Toronto]

How do you get 9gb ram, it seems any that could be configured would be slow. I don't see how you could take advantage of triple channel memory with 9gb....

agreed..what timings and at what speed are you running the memory?

[philmar]

Computer name: Haven
CPU: Intel i7 920 @ 4.0Ghz, 1600mhz QPI
Cooler: Koolance 350, Swiftech 655, MCR220 Rad, 4 x Scythe S-Flex Push Pull
Mobo: Asus P6T Deluxe V2
GPU: BFG nVidia 280 x2 SLI
RAM: 3x2gb OCZ 1600 Platinum 7-7-7-24
Hard drives: 2 x 74GB Raps Raid 0 - OS drive
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1 TB x 2 in Raid 1
Optical: 2 x Sony 18x DVD RW drives
PSU: Enermax Revolution 85+ 850W Power Supply (80+ Silver Certified)
OS: Vista Ultimate SP1 64 bit


Just curious, where would you have your PS scratch disk located on? and the windows page filie?

[YP5 Toronto]

Just curious, where would you have your PS scratch disk located on? and the windows page filie?

I did not include it, but I have a 80GB 7200 2.5" SATA (notebook sized) drive that is my dedicated page file disk.

I currently only use LR 2.2 and do not use PS ...yet.

I will be reorganizing the entire HD setup once the OCZ Vertex SSD get into stock here in Canada.

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Here is my rig, a year old and self built.

350785

CPU: Core 2 Duo E4500
Motherboard: Gigabyte 945GCMX-S2 motherboard
RAM: 2x1 GB 667mhz Transcend DDR2 RAM
Main HDD: 160GB Hitachi SATA II HDD
Backup HDD: 80GB Segate IDE HDD
PSU: Navtech 500w
Cabinet: Zebronics Bijli
Monitor: 17" LG 700E CRT
keyboard: Logitech Multimedia
Mouse: Logitech PS2 Mouse
Speakers: Creative Inspire 2500 (2.1)
UPS: Luminous 600VA

[shazza]

Lots of nice rigs in this thread.

Here's my latest ... i7 920, EVGAX58, EVGA GTX 285 Tri-SLI, Corsair HX1000W. Built for gaming, but obviously works for everything else I need:


http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/492328270_jHqKE-M.jpg



http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/486629830_NDR4s-M.jpg



http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/492350518_xhAa7-M.jpg



http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/492134853_aEuYk-M.jpg



http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/492351589_hFaiC-M.jpg

[YP5 Toronto]

sweet *****.....

[smcclelland]

^^ I swear I saw that case build up on another forum... XtremeSystems was it? I just remember the ridiculous amounts of fans and thinking to myself that at full speed that thing could probably generate enough thrust to take off ;)

[In2Photos]

Holy crap! Does anybody else think that PC looks like something out of the MacIntosh line (That is home audio, not Apple Mac ;)). The front of the case anyway, not the rest of it, LOL.

[Yohan Pamudji]

I hope you have a closet for that thing. Or earplugs. Beautiful cabling work though, and love the Vault Boy bobblehead.

[shazza]

lol ... great comments.

Yes ... the worklog for this build is at Xtreme Systems. I posted it here just for fun, as I've actually been trying to read up and learn how I can get some better pics of it.


It has 11 fans ... and, you'd be quite surprised at how quiet it is. I run the fans at low speeds ~800 RPMs, and it is quieter than most desktop systems. Each loop (CPU, GPUs, and NB/Mosfets) is on its own radiator, so it's quite easy to run quiet and still have good temperature control. But, when I turn them full on, they do generate some lift:
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/491996978_Zj8a5-S.jpg


My RGB color scheme was an experiment, and I wanted something bright and cheerful that the grandkids would like. My next build will be more mature, and in a traditional case :)

[smcclelland]

My next build will be more mature, and in a traditional case :)

My vote goes to building a rig that's completely submerged in non-conductive coolant ;) That seems traditional heh.

[pendulum15]

My vote goes to building a rig that's completely submerged in non-conductive coolant ;) That seems traditional heh.

Has anyone ever done that? that would be crazy looking!

But yeah, pretty epic computer there shazza :p

[shazza]

My vote goes to building a rig that's completely submerged in non-conductive coolant ;) That seems traditional heh.

It has been done before, I think I recall in article in CPU mag or somewhere.

And, since some/most/all of you think my RGB computer is a bit too wild :p , here's my day-to-day "mature" rig:


i7 920, ASUS P6T Deluxe, 3x2GB G.Skill, 2 x 750GB HD, Corsair HX1000W PUS, EVGA GTX 260 x 2, Noctua HSF, Lian Li PC-A20 case:


http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/452358675_s3FY2-S.jpg http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/452446728_8pRE4-S.jpg

[masterwillems]

My gaming pc and standard issue rig:

Computer Name: Jeroen-PC
CPU: Intel Q6700
CPU Cooler: Stock
Motherboard: Gigabyte EP35-DS3R
GPU: Nvidia XfX Geforce 8800GT 512mb (G92 core)
Memory: 6 GB Ram (2 x 2, 2x 1 GB)
Hard Drive: 1 TB Hitachi
320GB WD
(500GB WD external for backup)
Power Supply: Corsair 650watt
OS: Vista ultimate 64 bit
Case: CoolerMaster Centurion 5
Display: IIyama Prolite E438S (17")
Speakers: Logitech Z-200
I/O Devices: Logitech multimedia Keyboard, Logitech G5 mouse.
Photo Related Software: Photoshop CS 3

[nwa2]

I done my first self build a couple of years ago. Very pleased with the results. My main motivation was that if I built it I could fix it and upgrade it if necessary. This paid off as after about a year the MoBo and power supply I originally installed failed. Took the opportunity to install a second HDD (just runs as a continuous back up) and installed a graphics card (not really necessary for the uses I put it to - digital photo editing + surfing).

Another key motivation was that the PC lives in our familly room and I wanted a very quiet case. The acoutics on the Sontana are very low. Whereas the HP retail PC I use in my home office is reliable but noisey.

Computer Name: Neil's-PC
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300, Socket 775, 1.86 GHz, 1066MHz FSB, Allendale Core, 2MB Cache
CPU Cooler: Stock
Motherboard: ASUS P5K-VM AiLifestyle Socket 775 iG33 onboard VGA 8 channel Audio mATX motherboard
Graphics: NVIDIAGeforce 8600GT 256mb
Memory: 4 GB Ram (4 x 1 GB) Corsair
Hard Drive:
Hitachi Deskstar T7K500 NCQ 320GB SATA-II 16MB Cache
Samsung SpinPoint HD501LJ 500GB SATAII Hard Drive 16MB Cache
Power Supply: Coolermaster RealPower 520W Modular PSU - SLI Ready
OS: XP
Case: Antec Sonata II Piano Black Quiet Case
Display: PC / TV flat screen, nothing special
Speakers: I use my Line 6 Spider III electric guitar amp - because I can :)
I/O Devices: Wirelss keyboard and mouse
Photo Related Software: Photoshop CS 2 + Lightroom

[Dapip]

This build was done all by me...last year and already i want to upgrade it,but for now its running well..starting the project as a simple pc but then i needed more out of it....and started to customising it more..but the motherboard sucks...

Computer Name: Aurora 3D
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300, Socket 775, 1.86 GHz, 1066MHz FSB, Allendale Core, 2MB Cache
CPU Cooler: Stock
Motherboard: ASUS P5B-VM
Graphics: XFX 8800GT 512mb Nvidia Zalmann gpu cooler
Memory: 2GB Ram (2x1GB Sticks) Crucial Ballistix Tracer DDR 2 800 PC6400
Hard Drive: Samsung 250Gb Sata II,Seagate 320GB Sata II,MAxtor 300GB IDE
Power Supply:(Cant remember)
OS: XP SP3 (fully customised)
Case: Gigabyte Aurora 3D
Display: Viewsonic 17inch
Speakers: Edifier 2.1
I/O Devices: Aopen Mouse,Pakard Bell keyboard the colour sucks
Photo Related Software: Photoshop CS 3,CS4 + Lightroom (new version),photmatix.....
MODS:Mods: UV Green Sleeve Sata Cables,Round Red IDE Cables,Usb Extension,Cable routing,Sound Proof Foam(really helps with the silent running of the pc)

enjoy the pics below...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/3057332349_a6d117af5b.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3164/3057332353_e7e23274a3.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3169/3057332365_cd5e87f518.jpg?v=0

[enilm]

It has been done before, I think I recall in article in CPU mag or somewhere.

And, since some/most/all of you think my RGB computer is a bit too wild :p , here's my day-to-day "mature" rig:


i7 920, ASUS P6T Deluxe, 3x2GB G.Skill, 2 x 750GB HD, Corsair HX1000W PUS, EVGA GTX 260 x 2, Noctua HSF, Lian Li PC-A20 case:


http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/452358675_s3FY2-S.jpg http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/452446728_8pRE4-S.jpg
Now that is one of the cleanest builds I've ever seen. Got any more pictures?

[pendulum15]

Now that is one of the cleanest builds I've ever seen. Got any more pictures?

+1 that is amazing....

[shazza]

Thank you, enilm and pendulum15. The case was very easy to work with - it only took a few hours of cable management to tidy it up.

Didn't take many pics ... was a little hesitant to post more, cause I was afraid I ran everyone off with my RGB water cooled rig :)


http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/452358675_s3FY2-M.jpg http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/452358800_4jFMM-M.jpg



http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/452358253_kczX2-S.jpg http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/452358322_c892a-S.jpg


and, a larger version of the innards:
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/452446728_8pRE4-L.jpg

[In2Photos]

Thank you, enilm and pendulum15. The case was very easy to work with - it only took a few hours of cable management to tidy it up.

Didn't take many pics ... was a little hesitant to post more, cause I was afraid I ran everyone off with my RGB water cooled rig :)


and, a larger version of the innards:

Nonsense! Only gear heads check out this thread anyway so we love to see pics of others builds!

[squashed]

Excellent stuff gearheads.. Shazzu, that watercooled rig rocks !

[Default501x]

Computer Name: Small City
CPU: Lapped Q6600 g0 @ 3.6ghz (400*9) 1.43v on load
CPU Cooler: TRUE w 75cfm TT 120mm
Motherboard: EVGA 780i
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX295 @ 720/1552/1150
Memory: 2x2GB OCZ Reaper DDR2 800 @ 1066 4-4-4-12
Hard Drive: 2xWDRaptor 74 RAID0
WD 300
Hitatchi 1TB
3xWD 1TB
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling 750w (60a on +12v)
OS: Vista Ultimate x64/ OSX 10.5.2
Case: CoolerMaster Cosmos S w/windowed side panel
Display: Dual Westinghouse L24NM 24" 1080p LCDs
Sound Card: Razer Barracuda AC-1
Speakers: Klipsch Surround sound with a H/K Receiver
I/O Devices: Logitech G15v2 Keyboard, Razer Diamondback Mouse, Sennheiser HD 515 headphones
Photo Related Software: CS4 Master Collection , Photomatix Pro, Lightroom 2

i love my computer, blazing fast. the 2 monitors is totally worth it btw.

[JimL]

HP 286-16 with Turbo turned on
256k memory
20 meg harddrive
2400 baud modem
3 1/2 floppy

Top of the line. Oh, wait. That was 25 years ago. Sorry, I just had a little flash back there.

[sti jaguar]

Case: Coolermaster Cosmos S
CPU: Core i7 920
CPU Cooler: CPU COOL TT|SPINQ CL-P0466 RT
Powersupply: PSU COOLMAX|CUG-950B 950W RT
Hard drive: 2x HD 1T|WD 7K 32M SATA2 WD1001FALS
Memory: 12 GB OCZ DDR3 1600LV6GK R
Motherboard: MB ASUS P6T 1366 X58 RTL
Video card: VGA MSI N295GTX-M2D1792

http://img.hexus.net/v2/internationalevents/cebit2008/MD/cosmoss/1.jpg

http://www.thg.ru/technews/images/thermaltake_spinq_cooler-270808.jpg

[shazza]

Nice case, sti jaguar - any pics with everything installed?

[Default501x]

i have the same case, i LOVE IT

[R33E8]

agreed..what timings and at what speed are you running the memory?

How do you get 9gb ram, it seems any that could be configured would be slow. I don't see how you could take advantage of triple channel memory with 9gb....

I have a 3gb kit and a 6gb kit.. I got the 3gb kit because I originally thought I was going to go 32bit because the driver for my soundcard wasn't available for 64bit systems... After I bought it the driver came out so I decided to go 64bit and get the 6 more GB..

I'm thinking about just going full 12GB now with 2 6GB kits.. I'll just buy the 24GB set later on..

In other news.. I'm also about to order 4 or 5 64GB solid state's for a nice fast raid setup.. :p

[bs6851]

CPU: Intel Q9650 @ 4.38GHz
CPU Cooler: TRUE Black 2X150cfm
Motherboard: EVGA 790i SLI FTW
GPU: EVGA GTX260
Memory: Corsair TW3X4G1800C8DF (2X2GB)
Hard Drive: WD VelociRaptor 300GB
Power Supply: Thermaltake 750w ToughPower (modular)
OS: Vista Ultimate 64 bit
Case: Thermaltake Armor+ MX
Display: Samsung SyncMaster T220
Photo Related Software: Photoshop CS4

http://valid.canardpc.com/cache/banner/463809.png (http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=463809)

[Franko515]

CPU: Intel Q9650 @ 4.38GHz
CPU Cooler: TRUE Black 2X150cfm
Motherboard: EVGA 790i SLI FTW
GPU: EVGA GTX260
Memory: Corsair TW3X4G1800C8DF (2X2GB)
Hard Drive: WD VelociRaptor 300GB
Power Supply: Thermaltake 750w ToughPower (modular)
OS: Vista Ultimate 64 bit
Case: Thermaltake Armor+ MX
Display: Samsung SyncMaster T220
Photo Related Software: Photoshop CS4

http://valid.canardpc.com/cache/banner/463809.png (http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=463809)

Working on a build now with the same case. You got any shots to post of it?

[bs6851]

Working on a build now with the same case. You got any shots to post of it?

Are you looking for shots of just the case or of the finished product? I have some snapshots of the finished product but no qaulity images I'm just getting started in photography and havent really developed the skills to get those yet, but thats why I'm here. If you want to see those just let me know and I'll post them. The case is a little tight. You can fit everything in it just takes more work, such as my gtx 260 I had to remove the HD cage to get it in. I wouldn't suggest it for water unless you ok with doing some modding and have ext rads.

[enilm]

I got two sets of Mushkins 4gb (2x2gb) making it a total of 8gb. But for some reason my computer kept on crashing with 8gb. I left all the settings in the bios to default. I only found out that it was the 8gb because if I take out one of the sticks and leave it with 6gb it doesn't crash anymore. I have it hooked up to eVGA x58 motherboard.

Here's the memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146777

[In2Photos]

I got two sets of Mushkins 4gb (2x2gb) making it a total of 8gb. But for some reason my computer kept on crashing with 8gb. I left all the settings in the bios to default. I only found out that it was the 8gb because if I take out one of the sticks and leave it with 6gb it doesn't crash anymore. I have it hooked up to eVGA x58 motherboard.

Here's the memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146777
The x58 mobos support triple channel RAM which should be used in threes. Why would you get two sets of two sticks?

[enilm]

The x58 mobos support triple channel RAM which should be used in threes. Why would you get two sets of two sticks?
Cause I'm stupid?

I guess I wanted 8gb but newgg didn't have them in 8gb. So I decided to buy two sets of 4gb. I guess this is the reason why I see most people only having 6gb sets. I should have done that instead. Either way I'm fine with 6gb.

But now am I allowed to run the 6gb at the same as what the 4gb are rated for? The 4gb are suppose to go at 1600 7-7-6-18. I would assume that if I add the extra 2gb I wouldn't be able to run them at those speeds and timing.

[YP5 Toronto]

I got two sets of Mushkins 4gb (2x2gb) making it a total of 8gb. But for some reason my computer kept on crashing with 8gb. I left all the settings in the bios to default. I only found out that it was the 8gb because if I take out one of the sticks and leave it with 6gb it doesn't crash anymore. I have it hooked up to eVGA x58 motherboard.

Here's the memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146777

as noted In2, wrong memory.

The real issue is that you are using "regular" voltage DDR3 memory and not low voltage memory.

You are not reaching the 1600 7-7-6-18 because the motherboard is defaulting to voltages lower than 1.35. at that voltage the memoty is not going to be able to run at the rated speed. DO NOT increase your voltage pass 1.35. Try going into your bios and manually setting the voltage to 1.35 and also manually set the timings and see if it will boot. I doubt it though.

I would see if you can return it and buy memory that is actually designed for your setup.

[enilm]

as noted In2, wrong memory.

The real issue is that you are using "regular" voltage DDR3 memory and not low voltage memory.

You are not reaching the 1600 7-7-6-18 because the motherboard is defaulting to voltages lower than 1.35. at that voltage the memoty is not going to be able to run at the rated speed. DO NOT increase your voltage pass 1.35. Try going into your bios and manually setting the voltage to 1.35 and also manually set the timings and see if it will boot. I doubt it though.

I would see if you can return it and buy memory that is actually designed for your setup.
So should I just sell them and get these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226030

I threw away the package it came in so I don't think I can return. Is it going to be a noticeable difference going to a 6gb at 7-8-7-20? I'm already getting about 15 seconds on the photoshop benchmark test.

[Franko515]

Are you looking for shots of just the case or of the finished product? I have some snapshots of the finished product but no qaulity images I'm just getting started in photography and havent really developed the skills to get those yet, but thats why I'm here. If you want to see those just let me know and I'll post them. The case is a little tight. You can fit everything in it just takes more work, such as my gtx 260 I had to remove the HD cage to get it in. I wouldn't suggest it for water unless you ok with doing some modding and have ext rads.

Yes pics of the completed build. Inside and out if thats not asking to much :oops:

[bs6851]

Ok here are a few once again they are not very good but hopefully it will give you an idea of the case.
1. top front:
http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww182/bs6851/Computer/TopFront.jpg
2. back:
http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww182/bs6851/Computer/Back.jpg
3. side:
http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww182/bs6851/Computer/Side.jpg
4. int:
http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww182/bs6851/Computer/TightTRUE.jpg
5. int on:
http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww182/bs6851/Computer/insidelights.jpg
6. clearnce on gtx260:
http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww182/bs6851/Computer/GTX260.jpg
Hope that covers what you wanted to see if I missed something please let me know and I will try to take one of it.

[Franko515]

Ok here are a few once again they are not very good but hopefully it will give you an idea of the case.
1. top front:
http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww182/bs6851/Computer/TopFront.jpg
2. back:
http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww182/bs6851/Computer/Back.jpg
3. side:
http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww182/bs6851/Computer/Side.jpg
4. int:
http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww182/bs6851/Computer/TightTRUE.jpg
5. int on:
http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww182/bs6851/Computer/insidelights.jpg
6. clearnce on gtx260:
http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww182/bs6851/Computer/GTX260.jpg
Hope that covers what you wanted to see if I missed something please let me know and I will try to take one of it.

Thanks a bunch ;)

Nice clean build, I wonder about your cable management though. If you could take a shot of the other side uncovered that would be great.

I recently finished mine (pics coming) and its no where as clean as yours, maybe the modular PSU is a bigger help than I thought (to bad I didnt opt for it though).

[YP5 Toronto]

Update:

Computer name: Haven
CPU: Intel i7 920 @ 4.0Ghz, 1600mhz QPI
Cooler: Koolance 350, Swiftech 655, MCR220 Rad, 4 x Scythe S-Flex Push Pull
Mobo: Asus P6T Deluxe V2
GPU: BFG nVidia 280 x2 SLI
RAM: 3x2gb OCZ 1600 Platinum 7-7-7-24
Hard drives: 2 x 74GB Raps Raid 0 - OS drive
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1 TB x 2 in Raid 1
OCZ Vertex 30GB x 3 in Raid 0
Optical: 2 x Sony 18x DVD RW drives
PSU: Enermax Revolution 85+ 850W Power Supply (80+ Silver Certified)
OS: Vista Ultimate SP1 64 bit
Case: Coolermaster Cosmos S
Display: HP LP3065 30" Wide 2560 x 1600
Display: Dell 2005FPW - Inverted Portrait
Speakers: Logitech G51 Surround Sound Speaker System
IO: Logitech G15, MX518
Photo related: PS LR, Sandisk Extreme IV Firewire 800 card reader, ColorVision Spyder 2 Pro

Other: Ear Force HPA2 - Multi-speaker 5.1 ch Surround Sound Amplified

EDIT: I finally got around to ordering and quickly benching Three (3) OCZ 30GB Vertex SSD drives in Raid 0.

All I can say is.....fast.

[smcclelland]

Did a recent update to my machine as well, picked up two EVGA GTX 285 2gb cards to replace my GTX 260 Core 216 and am waiting on confirmation of a step-up to the EVGA X58 Classified :)

[YP5 Toronto]

Did a recent update to my machine as well, picked up two EVGA GTX 285 2gb cards to replace my GTX 260 Core 216 and am waiting on confirmation of a step-up to the EVGA X58 Classified :)

I take it you game? Did you not consider the 295? Have you seen the specs on the 305?

[smcclelland]

I take it you game? Did you not consider the 295? Have you seen the specs on the 305?

Not for gaming actually, 3D work in Maya/Max/Mudbox and doing GPU based cloth and physics simulation. The 295 is actually much weaker for this type of work because it's recognized as two 896mb GPU's whereas this will be recognized as two 2048mb GPU's which means I can push and pull more texture information from the app to the gpu and back again.

Saw the specs on the GT300, if nvidia can nail down their process and keep it consistent I will put one in the second i7 machine I am building for DX11 work but I still have concerns about nvidia stepping into the GPGPU realm at this point and I'm wondering when they plan on doing a proper 100% SLI architecture to combat Intel's Lucid they are proposing rolling out for Q3.

[tommyqh]

Just finished it, will post pics soon.

Intel i7 920
Asus P6T mobo
Corsair XMS3, 12gb of ram
BFG GTX 295
1000w PSU
1x 320gb OS & App
2x 1tb raid 0 data
1x 1tb back up
Vista Ultimate 64
Adobe CS4 Master Collection

[scottoliver]

Intel Core 2 Duo E6420
Asus P5B Delxue Motherboard
6GB Corsair DDR2-800 SDRAM (just upgraded from 2GB)
160GB Hard Drive (for Windows and programs)
1TB Hard Drive (for storage, just upgraded from 320GB)
eVGA NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS 320 MB Superclocked
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Gamer
Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit

[smcclelland]

After a huge influx in the CG work I have been doing I decided to start building a second workstation rig:

Dual Intel E5520 2.26ghz LGA1366 Xeon
Asus Z8PE-D12X Dual Socket Nehalem Motherboard
24gb (12 x 2gb) Corsair XMS3 DDR3-1333
GTX 285 2GB video card

I figure this will be my main workstation and the other i7 box will be games and photography.

[shomat]

I do my photo editing on a Mac Pro, but I have a PC hooked up to my plasma and surround sound system for watching movies, listening to music, viewing 'net video and looking at pictures.

Computer Name: htpc
CPU: 2.5 ghz AMD AM2 Phoenix 9850
Board: Asus M3A78-EM w/ integrated sound & video, HDMI and digital audio output
Memory: 2x 2GB Corsair DDR2 800
Storage: 2x 1TB WD Caviar Green SATA
Case: Silverstone black LC17-B media center case
Power: Apevia 500W ATX
Keyboard: Logitech DiNovo Mini
OS: Vista Home Premium, curious about Windows 7
Cheap 22x DVD burner
Cheap Best Buy cooling system

[ChasP505]

Just an update on my Q6600 custom build (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=576828&page=4). I was running 4 gigs of DDR2 800 Ram and changed it out to DDR2 1066. An amazing difference! I didn't have to make any changes in the Bios as the Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P motherboard recognized the faster Ram automatically. This system has been running since December 2008 without a hiccup.

[ben805]

Here's my uber machine:
http://bcphoto.org/misc/wc.jpg


Core i7 920 D0 3849A846 4.40Ghz HT enable (LinX/Prime/3D stable)
Corsair 850W
12GB OCZ Platinum (7-7-7-24)
P6T Deluxe V2
EVGA GTX 285 SS
OCZ Vortex SSD 30GB x3 RAID0
WD Black 1TB x2 for storage
HAF 932.

Water cooling: XSPC RX360, MCP355 + XSPC Res Top, Swiftech GTZ, 1/2" Tygon tubing, Yateloon D1SL-12D 38mm

Can also run at 4.50Ghz with HT disable. :cool:

[Yohan Pamudji]

Here's my uber machine:
http://bcphoto.org/misc/wc.jpg


Core i7 920 D0 3849A846 4.40Ghz HT enable (LinX/Prime/3D stable)
Corsair 850W
12GB OCZ Platinum (7-7-7-24)
P6T Deluxe V2
EVGA GTX 285 SS
OCZ Vortex SSD 30GB x3 RAID0
WD Black 1TB x2 for storage
HAF 932.

Water cooling: XSPC RX360, MCP355 + XSPC Res Top, Swiftech GTZ, 1/2" Tygon tubing, Yateloon D1SL-12D 38mm

Can also run at 4.50Ghz with HT disable. :cool:

I hate you :lol:

[slappy sam]

Here's my uber machine:
http://bcphoto.org/misc/wc.jpg


Core i7 920 D0 3849A846 4.40Ghz HT enable (LinX/Prime/3D stable)
Corsair 850W
12GB OCZ Platinum (7-7-7-24)
P6T Deluxe V2
EVGA GTX 285 SS
OCZ Vortex SSD 30GB x3 RAID0
WD Black 1TB x2 for storage
HAF 932.

Water cooling: XSPC RX360, MCP355 + XSPC Res Top, Swiftech GTZ, 1/2" Tygon tubing, Yateloon D1SL-12D 38mm

Can also run at 4.50Ghz with HT disable. :cool:
Hm, not bad I guess :D

I'm looking at some similar things... except not water cooling, would you mind checking out the thread I just posted? I'd love to hear your input on a few things, particularly the SSD, and also the mobo/ram/proc.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=693709

[azncarbos]

I just finish building a new system using Intel i7
Intel i7 920 OC'ed to 3.4
Zalman's CNPS9900
EVGA x58 Mobo
OCZ PC1600 DDR3 6GB
x2 EVGA GTS 250 1GB V/C running SLI
Ultra X3 1k watts P/S
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty PS
Sony Blu-ray drive
x2 1TB Western Digital HDD
Western Digital 74GB Raptor HDD
Vista Ultimate w/ dual booth Window 7 RC version
Ultra Aluminum case
x5 120mm fans
What can I say I need a powerful system to surf the forums! LoL :p

plus I still have my old AMD
FX 64 CPU
EVGA SLI nforce 4 Mobo
4 GB PC3200 DDR from Alienware
x2 XFX 512MB Geforce 6800 XT running in SLI
200GB Seagate HDD
x3 500GB Western Digital HDD
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum
Sony Blu ray drive
Ultra X3 600watts PS
Ultra Aluminum case
HDTV tuner
now only running Window 7 RC version

[Franko515]

Case - Thermaltake Armor+MX

MB - ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel


Video Card - EVGA 512-P3-1150-TR GeForce GTS 250 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

PSU - CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

CPU - Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920

Memory - OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK

HD - 2x Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

HD - 250GB HD for OS and Apps

Ext. HD - Seagate 500GB (2)

Optical Drives - 2x SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q

Screen - Dell 2209WA

Speakers - Logitech Z-4 40 watts 2.1 Speaker

Keyboard & Mouse - Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Desktop 7000

OS - Vista Home Premium 64bit

Linksys Wireless G Adapter

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/Franko515/Computer%20Build/B4daBuild.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/Franko515/Computer%20Build/IMG_0011.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/Franko515/Computer%20Build/IMG_0105.jpg

[mzondeki]

Core-I7
Gigabyte EX58-UD4P
Corsair XMS3 DDR3 6GB 1600 MHz RAM
Seagate Sata 1TB HD
Diamond Radeon HD4850
Cooler Master N520 CPU cooler
Windows-7 RC1 and Fedora-10 OS
Software : DPP, GIMP, ImageMagick

[nphsbuckeye]

No pictures right now - I'll get on that later.

Intel i7 920 (stock speed, haven't gotten to the overclocking yet, instructions helpful..)
ASUS Rampage II
EVGA GeForce 9500 1GIG DDR2
6 x 2 GIG OCZ 1600MHz RAM
Seagate 1TB HDD (Only one, I also have an external Iomage TB drive)
LG Blu Ray and HD DVD (HD DVD are on the cheap, btw) Reader Optic Drive
CoolMaster 932 HAF
Antec 850W Powersource
HP 17" monitor
Dell 2209WA (coming next week)

Vista Home Premium
Spyder3 Pro Calibration
Adobe Creative Suite 4 Master Collection
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.3
Microsoft Office 2007 Pro Plus (while we're at it..)

I skimped on the graphics, as the only game I play is Civilization IV and although I have video editing software, I don't edit videos.

[drisley]

I'm planning on building a new i7 system... I don't overclock, but plan on running 12GB of 1600MHZ memory, and I want stability.

What motherboards are people liking most? I've been an Asus user for a long time, and that almost appears to be the most popular x58 brand here.

[In2Photos]

I'm planning on building a new i7 system... I don't overclock, but plan on running 12GB of 1600MHZ memory, and I want stability.

What motherboards are people liking most? I've been an Asus user for a long time, and that almost appears to be the most popular x58 brand here.
If you don't overclock you don't need 1600MHz memory. Save some money and go with 1066. Asus P6T Deluxe is a good one. The Gigabyte UD4P is nice as well.

[drisley]

Well, I plan at running at stock, 1600mhz, and that will give a nice boost over 1066 for sure. Prices are pretty decent right now for 1600mhz memory I think... maybe $100cdn for 6GB of a good name brand?

The Asus sure looks like a good board. I've also been looking at EVGA because they have amazing customer service, and lifetime warranty on most boards. Unfortunately though, they also seem to be having problems with dead boards. :(

I've also heard great things about the Gigabytes, other than maybe their bios being clunky... what do GB users think?

[drisley]

I love that case, mainly the way the harddrives are mounted/stored. So much easier to access than on my Coolermaster Guardian.

Here's my uber machine:
http://bcphoto.org/misc/wc.jpg


Core i7 920 D0 3849A846 4.40Ghz HT enable (LinX/Prime/3D stable)
Corsair 850W
12GB OCZ Platinum (7-7-7-24)
P6T Deluxe V2
EVGA GTX 285 SS
OCZ Vortex SSD 30GB x3 RAID0
WD Black 1TB x2 for storage
HAF 932.

Water cooling: XSPC RX360, MCP355 + XSPC Res Top, Swiftech GTZ, 1/2" Tygon tubing, Yateloon D1SL-12D 38mm

Can also run at 4.50Ghz with HT disable. :cool:

[In2Photos]

Well, I plan at running at stock, 1600mhz, and that will give a nice boost over 1066 for sure. Prices are pretty decent right now for 1600mhz memory I think... maybe $100cdn for 6GB of a good name brand?

Nope! Unless you are overclocking the 1600 RAM will run at slower speeds, so the 1066 is just fine.

[drisley]

Nope! Unless you are overclocking the 1600 RAM will run at slower speeds, so the 1066 is just fine.

I don't understand, If I'm running the 1600 memory at stock speeds of 1600mhz, how is it slower than 1066 memory running at 1066mhz?:confused:
Unless you are saying that 1600mhz is an overclock? But on most x58 boards , (like the EVGA) 1600mhz isn't an overclock AFAIK.

[smcclelland]

Actually you'll see no difference at all in most real world applications with regards to ram timings or speeds. In synthetic benchmarks and such you will see a small difference but there's next to no gain between 1333 or 2000mhz or even 5-5-5-15 vs 9-9-9-24.

[DEMO]

Just updated to a new case [Lian-Li PC-V1000B Plus II]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3350/3635021312_8b88fb891b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3367/3634211975_a92693d2bd.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2462/3634212063_3389a45fdc.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2455/3634212117_b1309cb48a.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2425/3628730471_79009b6490_o.jpg

[binlerne]

Computer Name: Sieben
CPU: Intel i7 920 Nehalem
CPU Cooler: Stock for now
Motherboard: Gigabyte UD4P
GPU: Nvidia Geforce 9800 GTX+
Memory: 6gb OCZ Platinum 1333
Hard Drive: Western Digital 640gb 7200rpm
Power Supply: Corsair 750tx
OS: Windows 7 RC Build 7100
Case: Cooler Master HAF 932
Display: LG 226wtq
Speakers: Creative Inspire T6100 5.1
I/O Devices: Targus wireless mouse and a dell keyboard
Photo Related Software: Photoshop CS4, DPP, LR2

Tower Build minus software about $1300. $1200 if you count rebates.

[slappy sam]

I don't understand, If I'm running the 1600 memory at stock speeds of 1600mhz, how is it slower than 1066 memory running at 1066mhz?:confused:
Unless you are saying that 1600mhz is an overclock? But on most x58 boards , (like the EVGA) 1600mhz isn't an overclock AFAIK.
I think if your at 2.66ghz (not OC'd) the max you can have is 1333mhz ram. If you purchased 1600 it would run at that and if you overclocked to 3.2ghz you could run at 1600mhz. Thats why it says you need to OC to reach those speeds.

This might not be correct, to be honest I pretty much just made it up but I think its right...

DEMO - sick case man, and nice cable management.

[In2Photos]

I don't understand, If I'm running the 1600 memory at stock speeds of 1600mhz, how is it slower than 1066 memory running at 1066mhz?:confused:
Unless you are saying that 1600mhz is an overclock? But on most x58 boards , (like the EVGA) 1600mhz isn't an overclock AFAIK.
It is a limitation of the 920 CPU.

Core i7-920 and 940 processors have a maximum memory speed of 1066MHz that motherboard makers haven't yet found a way to circumvent

in order to get around that you have to OC.

Despite the 920's lack of official support for faster memory, we can push its memory clock higher by overclocking the processor's base clock speed. We've done just that, dialing our Core i7-920's base clock up from 133 to 167 and 200MHz, which allows us to run the memory at 1333 and 1600MHz, respectively. Since we're focusing on memory performance, we lowered the 920's core multiplier to 16X at 167MHz and 13X at 200MHz. That gives us the same 2.66GHz core clock with a 167MHz base clock and 2.6GHz at 200MHz, which is close enough. As we did with the 965 Extreme, we've stuck with our DIMMs' default latencies of 7-7-7-20 at 1333MHz and 8-8-8-24 at 1600MHz. These results should let us know what happens to the i7's performance when you push both its base and memory clocks.

From here:

http://techreport.com/articles.x/15967

[smcclelland]

Actually that statement is not true, you do not need to modify the BCLK to increase your memory speeds. An example of this is XMP Profiles which are optimized to run at the base clock of the CPU (133) and have a programmed OC profile to control the memory timings.

An example is the Corsair Dominator GT's that I owned which running 133x25 on an Intel 975 had an XMP Profile for 1866mhz. The XMP profile is a tested and qualified speed for the binned kit at stock bclk settings, if you adjust your bclk higher then you're on your own and the ram may not operate at the increased speed beyond the XMP profile.

And btw this has nothing to do with just the 920 CPU, it's actually a limitation of the Nehalem architectures built in IMC so irregardless of whether you own a 920, 940, 950, 965 or 975 the IMC is rated for 1066mhz ram speed and thus the X58 motherboard chipsets consider anything above 1066 to be OC'd however the IMC on the Nehalem's is able to operate speeds above 2000mhz provided you adhere to the voltage specifications (i.e. vdimm must be within .5v of VTT).

[drisley]

ACK!
Colour me confused!

Thanks for info In2Photos and Smclelland.

I'm coming from a:

A64-4600+ Dual Core
2GB PC3200 OCZ EL
A8N-SLI Deluxe MOBO
EVGA 7800GT
1TB WD Black Caviar SATA2 Dual Processor HD
750GB Hitachi SATA2 HD
Coolermaster Guardian Case
Enermax 525W PSU

I think you had something similar In2Photos until recently? So anything from the i7 should be a nice upgrade right?

I'm thinking of this:

i7 - 920
x58 Mobo (EVGA, Asus, Gigabyte ???)
12GB - 1600MHZ Memory (Brands?)
Nvidia 260 GPU
750W or 1000W PSU (PC&C or Corsair)

[c2thew]

how much did it cost you to set up your i7 quad core systems? i'm running on a samsung netbook since i bricked my old 1.2 ghz pentium 4

[In2Photos]

ACK!
Colour me confused!

Thanks for info In2Photos and Smclelland.

I'm coming from a:

A64-4600+ Dual Core
2GB PC3200 OCZ EL
A8N-SLI Deluxe MOBO
EVGA 7800GT
1TB WD Black Caviar SATA2 Dual Processor HD
750GB Hitachi SATA2 HD
Coolermaster Guardian Case
Enermax 525W PSU

I think you had something similar In2Photos until recently? So anything from the i7 should be a nice upgrade right?

I'm thinking of this:

i7 - 920
x58 Mobo (EVGA, Asus, Gigabyte ???)
12GB - 1600MHZ Memory (Brands?)
Nvidia 260 GPU
750W or 1000W PSU (PC&C or Corsair)
I was running a single core AMD 3000+ (1.9GHz) with 2GB RAM before. The i7 is really no comparison! It used to take about 1 minute to export a JPEG from LR2. Now I can do about 1 per second! :shock:

For boards I would stick with either the Gigabyte UD4 or the Asus P6T Deluxe (flip a coin ;)).

For memory, any of the typical brands, Corsair, G Skill, Crucial, Kingston, etc. Just stick to RAM at or below 1.65V. I still wouldn't go with 1600MHz, but it's your PC :).

Either PSU would be fine. You should be able to run a 650TX from Corsair. Really no need to go to 750W or 1000W running stock speeds and single GPU.

how much did it cost you to set up your i7 quad core systems? i'm running on a samsung netbook since i bricked my old 1.2 ghz pentium 4
My i7 ran about $1100 and that was a full working machine plus an OS. I only used one hard drive from my old machine.

[drisley]

In2Photos,

Thanks for the info. My 4600+ which would be about 50% faster than your 3000, runs LR2 way too sluggishly for me to use it. Mostly the interface itself was much slower than using Bridge, so I always just go back to my tried and true Bridge/ACR/PS workflow. So, the i7 will be a nice upgrade it sounds like!

When I built this system, it was state-of-the-art, FOUR years ago. I used to be somebody who built a new machine yearly, but alas, my money has gone into camera gear, and honestly I never really felt the need for an upgrade... that is, until I got the CS4 suite and ran it on Vista/W7. :)

I'm still thinking of going with the 1600 memory because prices are quite comparable to the 1066 here. Who knows, I might even go for a mild overclock to 3.0GHZ or something since it sounds so easy and common. :)

I'm going to go back in the thread to see what system you built.

[equetefue]

System Informations - Juggernaut

CPU: i920 @ 4.2ghz
Motherboard: EVGA 3 Way SLi
Graphics Card: EVGA 8800 GTS 640mhz
Memory: OCZ Gold DDR3 1600 12gb
Hard Drive: WD Caviar Black 640gb + Server
Optical Drive: 2x Samsung Lightdrives
Power Supply: Corsair TX750 80+
Display: LG 26"
Case: Modded Thermaltake Armor
Sound Card: HT Omega Striker
Speakers: Monsoon Flat Panels
Mouse: Logitech Mx-518
Mouse pad: Wacom Tablet
Keyboard: Logitech G15
Operating System: Windows 7 64bit
CoolingCPU: HeatKiller 3.0 waterblock, Feser Xchanger 240 Radiator, EK250 Reservoir
Temps: 30c @ idle /64c @ load
Case Fans : 2x90mm, 1x120mm Scythe Fan (110 CFM), 250mm Side fan
Other: Heatkiller ProMount and 2x Scythe 110cfm Radiator fans

Super Pi: 9.67 Sec
Other:CyberPower 1285Watt UPS

[Yohan Pamudji]

drisley,

I went from a 4600+ with 2GB RAM to a Q6600 (2.4GHz quad core) with 4GB RAM, and it was a huge improvement. Like for you, LR ran very sluggishly for me. Most annoyingly, zooming into an image that already had a preview generated for it would take a few (7?) seconds while it showed a "loading preview" notice on the screen or something like that. It's been a while so I can't remember the exact details, but it definitely slowed down the workflow. Now it takes a second or two tops.

So yeah, 4600+ to i7 will be a "nice" upgrade :)