Adobe CS4 pre-built computer parts list

[WHAT DO YOU WAN]

Hello,

I'm new to building computers and new to Techspot, so I'm not sure if you can help but, we'll see. I'm planning to build my first computer within the next couple of weeks.

Therefore, if you would please, those of you who are experts, would you please look at my below list of parts and make any recommendations as to changes, additions, etc. I believe all the parts I have chosen are compatible with every other applicable part, but maybe not. I plan to over-clock.

I plan to use the computer primarily for using all the programs contained in the Adobe CS4 Master Suite Collection, and especially for capturing and editing 1080i HDV and a lot of it - many, many hours of it, and I need to do so as quickly as reasonably possible, within my budget, (<$3,500.) Will also use for rendering 3D images and video.

Any and all help, suggestions, etc. will be greatly appreciated. Many Thanks!


1 GIGABYTE Super Overclock Series GV-N470SO-13I GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

Item #: N82E16814125338

Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy $349.99

1 SEAL SHIELD S103W Black Wireless SILVER SURF Wireless Multimedia Keyboard

Item #: N82E16823336009

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$5.00 Instant

$49.99

$44.99

1 COOLER MASTER Silent Pro RSA00-AMBAJ3-US 1000W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.92 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

Item #: N82E16817171049

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$20.00 Instant

$189.99

$169.99

1 Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders

Item #: N82E16832116762

Return Policy: Software Standard Return Policy $179.99

1 Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor BX80601950

Item #: N82E16819115211

Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy $299.99

1 Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound

Item #: N82E16835100007

Return Policy: Consumable Item Refund Only Return Policy $9.99

1 Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAA128MAG-1G1 1.8" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Item #: N82E16820148359

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $269.99

1 CORSAIR Cooling Hydro Series CWCH50-1 120mm High Performance CPU Cooler - Retail

Item #: N82E16835181010

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $79.99

1 Koutech PCI to USB2.0 Card Model IO-PU520

Item #: N82E16815104216

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $14.99

2 ASUS VH242H Black 23.6" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor

Item #: N82E16824236052

Return Policy: Monitor Standard Return Policy -$40.00 Instant

$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card

$459.98

$379.98

2 G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 12GB (3 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9T-12GBRL

Item #: N82E16820231356

Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy $489.98

1 Rosewill RTK-001 Premium Anti-Static Wrist Strap

Item #: N82E16899261001

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$2.00 Instant

$5.99

$3.99

1 ASUS Rampage III Formula LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Item #: N82E16813131666

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $299.99

2 Seagate Barracuda XT ST32000641AS 2TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Item #: N82E16822148506

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $399.98

1 COOLER MASTER HAF 922 BLUE RC-922M-KWN2-GP Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Side window

Item #: N82E16811119224

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$10.00 Instant

$109.99

$99.99

1 Rosewill RTK-015 15 Piece Standard Computer Tool Kit

Item #: N82E16899261002

1 SABRENT CRW-UINB 68-in-1 USB 2.0 Internal Card Reader w/ USB 2.0 Port supports SDHC/VISTA

Item #: N82E16820300608

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $14.00

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

I recommend changing these core parts:

• Intel Core i7 Processor Extreme Edition i7-980X 3.33GHz 12MB LGA1366 CPU, Retail - BX80613I7980X - $984.99 + free shipping
• GIGABYTE GA-X58-USB3 LGA1366/ Intel X58/ USB3.0/ DDR3/ CrossFireX & SLI/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard - $185.64
• OCZ Technology Gold Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory, Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - $145.99 + free shipping
• 
  ATI FirePro V7800 2GB DDR5 DVI/2DisplayPort PCI-Express Video Card, Retail - 100-505604 - $581 + free shipping
• Cooler Master SIlent Pro Gold 800W PSU - $140.50
• WD Caviar Black 2TB HDD - $154.95 + free shipping

The rest look ok; you don't need an extra PCI-to-USB card, since the mobo comes with enough connectors at the back, which will also be faster IMHO.

 

[WHAT DO YOU WAN]

Thanks for your suggestions!

As I indicated previously, I am new to this, and since I am trying to learn more about computer builds, I guess I should have asked that if anyone made suggestions, they should explain "why" they made said suggestions, which will help me, and others, learn more about how and why to choose particular computer parts for particular needs/desires.

Once again, I greatly appreciate your suggestions, and your reasons for your previously suggested changes would also be greatly appreciated!

Thanks again!

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

• The CPU is the fastest six-core commercial CPU at the moment, and is a smaller 32nm chip compared to the rest of the i7 series, which is 45nm; smaller chips = lower power consumption and heat production.The CPU is extremely important for content creation, since all such apps respond very favorably to a powerful CPU.
  
• The motherboard is nothing too fancy; it has USB 3.0 and SATA 3.0 support for some future-proofing, and it's an all-around great board as well. The Rampage board is meant for gaming and overclocking, and comes with features that aid these; unnecessary for your intended use IMHO.
  
• The RAM's a great, inexpensive choice and comes from one of the "Big Three" vendors in the business, the others being Corsair and Crucial. It's also certified to work with the board and you can use two of the kits (for a total of 12GB) without issues.
  
• The video card is geared towards rendering, and can greatly improve rendering times. Gaming video cards and drivers prioritize fast rendering while sacrificing rendering accuracy, and this makes them unsuitable for your intended usage. Also, workstation cards and drivers contain optimizations like lossless depth z-buffers and highly-advanced anti-aliasing algorithms that allow for the best possible visual quality. I know for a fact that 3DS Max and Maya make use of the hardware optimizations offered by workstation cards such as occlusion culling. Lastly, support for the workstation cards is also far superior to that offered for the mainstream products i.e. no automated machine\drone on the other end of the line.
  
• The PSU is more than sufficient for that system and is 80 Plus Gold certified, which guarantees an extremely high efficiency; this will ensure that not much energy will be wasted as heat, and you'll also save on your utility bill.
  
• The Caviar Black HDD comes with a 5-year warranty coverage and provides better performance compared to the similar Barracuda XT, while being cheaper. It's a bit noisier though, but that can be remedied by a quiet case. I recommend buying an Antec P193 over the NZXT case for its superior cooling and silence; I know from experience that a silent machine is pretty important for a content creator.
  
• May I also advise going with Windows 7 Home Premium over the Ultimate edition? The extra bells and whistles aren't important for you IMHO, although the 16GB RAM limit on the Home Premium edition may pose an issue, if you intend to get more RAM in the future. It's your choice, but make sure to buy the 64-bit version of either.

Hope I helped.

 

[WHAT DO YOU WAN]

WOW! Thank you soooooooo much!

I was not expecting such a knowledgeable and detailed explanation of everything. You're amazing! Looks like I'll be making some changes. Thanks again!

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

You're very welcome. :wave:

Just FYI, the CPU cooler you've chosen is intended for a liquid cooling setup; I recommend this cooler as a better choice, unless you're willing to go for a liquid-cooled rig and the pros\caveats that come with one.

 

[Technochicken]

The Corsair H50 is an all-in-one water cooling unit, so you can basically install it like an air cooler and forget about it. I have a similar cooler, a CoolIt ECO, in my desktop, and as far as I can tell there are not any disadvantages compared to a standard air cooler.

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

Oh? Hmm, thanks for the info Techno, I'll check it out; might end up buying one too!

 

[captaincranky]

May I also advise going with Windows 7 Home Premium over the Ultimate edition? The extra bells and whistles aren't important for you IMHO, although the 16GB RAM limit on the Home Premium edition may pose an issue, if you intend to get more RAM in the future. It's your choice, but make sure to buy the 64-bit version of either.

Here I'm going to say, "I think you're both wrong, and you should probably go for Windows 7 64 bit Professional". This because the Pro offering does offer "XP Mode", and is priced about halfway between "Home" and "Ultimate".

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

What's the point of XP Mode? That is, unless the OP uses software that's like 5-10 years old, which I seriously doubt.

 

[captaincranky]

What's the point of XP Mode? That is, unless the OP uses software that's like 5-10 years old, which I seriously doubt.

I suppose you won't know until you ask.