Design me a computer!
 

I can't decide on a lot of computer hardware out there, so I want you all to do it for me.

The one who designs the best computer ($1600 spending limit) with:
possibly dual processor (64 bit ofcourse)
liquid cooling
1 gig dual channel ddr ram

I already have a case/fans picked out, so you can already subract 100 from the spending limit. The sytem should be nearly as quiet as possible (whole point of the liquid cooling.)

Case:
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/DeepSearc...E-COOLERMASTER
5th one down, WITH both fans included.

Winner gets a prize of some kind.. probably $5 on paypal or something.

Processor x2 = 614:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...103-422&depa=0

Mobo = 220:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...130-436&depa=0

Ram = 273:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...146-940&depa=1

Hard Drive = 119(72,000 RPM, 200 GB):
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...144-324&depa=1

DVD Burner = 50:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...151-211&depa=1

CD Burner = 24:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...106-823&depa=1

Video Card = 184 (FX5900XT):
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...130-208&depa=0

Is 1484 + your 100 = 1584 (without tax and shipping.... which sets you a little over)


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You could sub that video card for a Radeon if you wanted:

Video Card = 159 (9800 PRO):
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...131-278&depa=0

Bringing you to (including your 100) 1559 (which would still put you a bit over 1600 including tax and shipping).

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Another option would be to downgrade the processors slightly and get a better video card.

Processor x2 = 408:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...103-388&depa=0

Video Card = 419:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...130-208&depa=0

Which would bring you to (including your 100) to 1613 (which is definately over your 1600 budget with tax and shipping).

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Another option (for more speed and less capacity)

Hard Drive = 112 (10,000 RPM, 36.7 GB):
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...144-200&depa=1


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I guess all of my suggestions take you over the cap... Um... you could get the slower processors and the lower-end GeForce which would put you a couple hundred under leaving room for tax, shipping, and cooling.

Let's see, that would be... 1378.

I don't know how much liquid cooling costs... ~100?

What do you want to use it for? This is my area of expertise. Are you capable of/willing to overclock?

But I don't think I'd agree with anything Bob listed.. maybe one thing..

Here's my opinion. Computers change so fast.. that it's not worth spending your entire load on something now. Maybe limit yourself to around $1000 and put the rest of the money towards an upgrade in a year or so. Let me know if you just want to go all out, or want to be rational and budget it, though..

Hey now, he said the best computer for $1600. He didn't say the best computer a year from now for $1600.

He said spending limit, not have to spend it all.

The best PC today is not as good as the second best PC of today upgraded a year from now..

The performance difference between top tier and second best is usually less than 10%.. that's not worth the extra $1000+ it would cost, is it?

I want to get the best now, because I won't be upgrading for about 2 years.

I'd like one for gaming/3d rendering/compiling applications.

I do not need a CD burner, but a DVD burner is nice.

If you're sure that's what you want.

$1600 limit... well, it will take me some time to find ample liquid cooling. There are a lot of kits, and a lot of them suck.

Do you have to have dual core? You won't see much of an improvement unless the application is optimized for it.

I have no idea. (to the dual core question) But I am sure about the cash.

Do what you think is best, if you think going single processor instead of dual is better, go for it.

BUMP*

I decided to go with Koolance Exos-AL external liquid cooling, the unit itself is $200, CPU block $50, GPU block $40. So a total of ~300 for the liquid cooling.

300 (cooling)
+100 (case)
400

You got 1200 to make a computer now :)

I'll see if I can help tomorrow, right now I'm too tired to read whatever the hell you just wrote.

I'm betting money you already read it.

I'm beggining to wonder if I can just get really quiet fans... this liquid cooling has 3 80mm fans ontop of it :(

Get fan controllers (Which really are just variable resistors :D)

I believe there are programs that can do that, for free?

But I do have to admit, fan controllers are so fucking hot, but I just want to cut corners WHEREEVER I can, and I don't think liquid cooling is feasable(sp).

Nope, there are programs that can MONITOR them, but I haven't heard of any program that can actually lower the voltages delivered to your fans by software.

Speedfan (I use it to monitor my CPU/GPU ect. temp) has options to do it, but strangely I just went to verify it, and it freezes when I get there... my computer never freezes.

I'm fairly sure you can't through software, but I could've sworn I saw it.

It must be for the CPU fan, because the CPU fan draws power from the motherboard, which voltage could possibly be controlled by software.

Aye, I believe it has different fan settings for each CPU load % 40,80,100... which is basically what a fan controller is?

I just crank it to max because I have like super tolerance for noise

I don't really mind it when I'm on it, but I'd like to leave it on while I sleep, and the humm from my current fans are just annnoying the fuck out of me.

I've done a bit of research, but it seems I need to find the right fan for my MOBO I'm planning on (neo2 platinum) some huge ones just don't fit on it.

Bump*

ended up just doing it myself, if anyone would like to critisize it, here it is:

www.insolence9.com/pcspecs.html