new computer build... suggestions please

I

icystorm

New Member
Greetings:

I am building a new desktop. I built my wife a new one a few years ago. It was a good experience that turned out well.

It was refreshing to design and build my own PC and not buy one pre-assembled with substandard OEM parts from Dell or HP at inflated costs! Not only that, but it was a pleasure not to endure years of Dell support saying, “We do not support the drivers for that device. Contact the manufacturer." Then, the manufacturer responding with, “That is an OEM product. Contact Dell!” Never again! LOL.

There is an ever-increasing array of hardware components and options, but I will try to describe what I like. Please feel free to weigh-in with feedback, advice, and your experiences.

What will I use the computer for? Intense Excel computing for large, complex spreadsheets that use large, complex formulas and large, complex VBA functions. I want Excel to rock and roll and very quickly! :-)

I also run a few high-tech science and math applications that crunch large arrays of big numbers, so very fast I/O speeds are imperative.

I don't play video games – well, Chess -- but I do record my own music. I also enjoy watching HD movies. Aside from that I browse, surf, and check email like everyone else.

So, in a nutshell I want a very fast computer with ultra-fast data disk transfer speeds.

Operating system: I will run Windows 7 Ultimate edition, 64-bit.

Okay... Let's start with the basics. I will outline what I am looking at so far, then, with your help and advice, I can modify and build the PC on paper as we go.

CPU - $289.99

Intel Core i7 Processor i7-950 3.06GHz 8MB LGA1366 CPU, Retail - BX80601950

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php...Rjf2QiEQUSP+o0OD8OFK+MyBLKLfMbvxTncZfzk8CdzHM

---

memory - $118.99

Kingston 8GB 1066MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL7 DIMM (Kit of 2), #KVR1066D3N7K2/8G

http://www.serversdirect.com/product.asp?pf_id=RM5378

---

motherboard - $189.99

ASUS Sabertooth X58 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131665


hard drive 1 - 274.99

Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC128MAG-1G1 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148348

---

Questions so far:

1. The motherboard (MB) above supports a blend of SATA2 and SATA3, as well as USB2 and USB3. Can anyone recommend a better, faster motherboard with only SATAIII and only USB3 (no SATAII or USB2 ports)?

2. Would an SAS-compatible MB and SAS SSD be faster than SATA3?

3. Is the memory I've chosen the fastest?

4. Is there a 256GB SATA3 SSD that you would recommend?

I want to eliminate and preclude all speed bottlenecks as I go.

Thanks!

Cheers,
Joseph
 
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icystorm said:
Greetings:

I am building a new desktop. I built my wife a new one a few years ago. It was a good experience that turned out well.

It was refreshing to design and build my own PC and not buy one pre-assembled with substandard OEM parts from Dell or HP at inflated costs! Not only that, but it was a pleasure not to endure years of Dell support saying, “We do not support the drivers for that device. Contact the manufacturer." Then, the manufacturer responding with, “That is an OEM product. Contact Dell!” Never again! LOL.

There is an ever-increasing array of hardware components and options, but I will try to describe what I like. Please feel free to weigh-in with feedback, advice, and your experiences.

What will I use the computer for? Intense Excel computing for large, complex spreadsheets that use large, complex formulas and large, complex VBA functions. I want Excel to rock and roll and very quickly! :-)

I also run a few high-tech science and math applications that crunch large arrays of big numbers, so very fast I/O speeds are imperative.

I don't play video games – well, Chess -- but I do record my own music. I also enjoy watching HD movies. Aside from that I browse, surf, and check email like everyone else.

So, in a nutshell I want a very fast computer with ultra-fast data disk transfer speeds.

Operating system: I will run Windows 7 Ultimate edition, 64-bit.

Okay... Let's start with the basics. I will outline what I am looking at so far, then, with your help and advice, I can modify and build the PC on paper as we go.

CPU - $289.99

Intel Core i7 Processor i7-950 3.06GHz 8MB LGA1366 CPU, Retail - BX80601950

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php...Rjf2QiEQUSP+o0OD8OFK+MyBLKLfMbvxTncZfzk8CdzHM

---

memory - $118.99

Kingston 8GB 1066MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL7 DIMM (Kit of 2), #KVR1066D3N7K2/8G

http://www.serversdirect.com/product.asp?pf_id=RM5378

---

motherboard - $189.99

ASUS Sabertooth X58 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131665


hard drive 1 - 274.99

Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC128MAG-1G1 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148348

---

Questions so far:

1. The motherboard (MB) above supports a blend of SATA2 and SATA3, as well as USB2 and USB3. Can anyone recommend a better, faster motherboard with only SATAIII and only USB3 (no SATAII or USB2 ports)?

2. Would an SAS-compatible MB and SAS SSD be faster than SATA3?

3. Is the memory I've chosen the fastest?

4. Is there a 256GB SATA3 SSD that you would recommend?

I want to eliminate and preclude all speed bottlenecks as I go.

Thanks!

Cheers,
Joseph
Click to expand...

Smart one to go for SSD. Check out this GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125354&cm_re=GTX_570-_-14-125-354-_-Product
 
For X58, you'll want 3 x 2GB of DDR3, (triple channel memory controller, RAM runs best in threes) preferably 1600MHz+, e.g. this kit with nice timings and low latency
 
Regarding RAMDISK, I am confused about how to use it. I downloaded a trial version and installed it, but it did not make my spreadsheet calcs execute faster, even though I placed the Excel workbook on the virtual RAMDISK drive I created. Does the entire application (e.g., Excel) have to be installed on the virtual drive to realize the advantage?

Thanks!
 
icystorm said:
Regarding RAMDISK
Click to expand...
Before I got to the point of using it I picked up a few smaller ssd's for those purposes. But the program would need to be on it to realize the speed and not just the workbook. With an ssd for programs you will have speed, but a ramdisk could still be usefull. I see no hdd in your build. I'd recommend one with any ssd. For more you my want to start a thread in hdd's or look here http://www.computerforum.com/186707-ssd-discussion.html?highlight=ssd+discussion
 
Benny Boy said:
Before I got to the point of using it I picked up a few smaller ssd's for those purposes. But the program would need to be on it to realize the speed and not just the workbook. With an ssd for programs you will have speed, but a ramdisk could still be usefull. I see no hdd in your build. I'd recommend one with any ssd. For more you my want to start a thread in hdd's or look here http://www.computerforum.com/186707-ssd-discussion.html?highlight=ssd+discussion
Click to expand...

Thanks, Benny. Regarding the HDD, I had not listed the remaining components I am considering, because I wanted to work out the core stuff first. I think I have a good idea about the core components I want now, so I will be examining components for the remainder of my system tonight and tomorrow...

Case: I prefer a mid-sized ultra-quiet tower from Antec. Perhaps an Antec III? My wife's case is an Antec II. I love it.

Power supply: I need advice on wattage, which will depend on the remainder of the system's hardware.

Cooling options: Advise me, please!

Sound card: Something from m-audio that will allow me to "record what I hear". I like to sing! :-)

Video card: I am not a fan of NVidia! I have routinely experienced debilitating driver issues with NVidia products. I prefer something very robust from ATI. I enjoy watching HD movies on my computer.

HDD: I have had great experiences with Western Digital and SeaGate. Please recommend a top-speed HDD with SATA 3 support. Preferably 7200 RPM or higher with 1TB plus of storage capacit and maximum read-write speeds.

Monitors: I will go with dual monitors; two 27" or greater HD monitors.

Keyboard/Mouse: Something traditional that supports USB 3. The mouse should be a laser mouse.

Internal wireless network card/Ethernet card. I love Linksys. They have always taken great care of me via tech support on the rare occasions that I needed support. What is the fastest wireless/ethernet card these days?

Okay, that's about it. I am very eager to hear your thoughts and read your advice about each of the components I described above.

Again, the companies that I prefer, based on my personal, good experiences are: Antec, Linksys, Intel, AMD, ATI (did AMD buy ATI?), Crucial, and Kingston.

I also like Creative Labs (Soundblaster), but I require an m-audio card for my music hobby.

I am neutral on Microsoft, but they're about the only game in town for PCs. I suppose Linux is okay -- I dual boot to it on one of my PCs -- but I don’t want to use one OS at work and something completely different at home.

I dislike HP and Nvidia, based on my personal, poor experiences.
 
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AMD always owned ATI, they just changed the brand name of their GPU's.

Also, if you live near enough a Microcenter, their i7-950's are $214 after tax, but in store only. If there is one near your city it'd save you $75+.
 
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