What do you think about this setup?

[webe3]

OK, I have been out of the PC scene for awhile, the last computer I had built for me seven years ago, is the one I am currently using.

I will have to have someone build the system I want, because I have never built a system myself and with the newest technology, now would be a very BAD time to try....especially since I am getting parts like a top of the line Intel chip and over $2,000.00 video card!

So what I want to know form the people that have been building awhile, is if the place I picked to build my computer has somewhat reasonable prices and if anyone has used them or knows their build reputation.

The place I chose to build my computer is called J&N Computer services. They offer:
* We custom build each system and test it extensively. All systems with O/S loaded run overnight testing.
* BIOS is flashed to most current version
* If operating system is ordered, Media is included and latest patches and drivers are loaded
* 3 year JNCS warranty on systems
* 3 year free jncs tech support, you get to talk to real technicians with hands-on experience
* Extremely heavy-duty packaging, all original boxes/documentation included

This is their URL

http://www.jncs.com/

My system is going to be listed under high Performance then ultra high performance and this is what I picked out to go in it.

CASE: Coolermaster Stacker 832 Black

* Bays: 9 5.25", 4 3.5" Int., 1 3.5" Ext.
* 1 120mm Fan (exhaust) 180mm (intake)
* Optional Fans: up to 9(!!) additional 120mm
* Dual I/O (Front and Top) Firewire, 4 USB 2.0, Audio In/Out
* Please Choose from power supplies listed below ($230.00)

POWER SUPPLY:
Thermaltake WO155RU 1000 watt (SLI) (Constant) ($282.00)

CPU:
Core2 Quad QX6850 Extreme Quad-Core 3.0Ghz 8mb L2 Cache, 1333FSB ($1222)

MEMORY:
4 GB DDR3-1066 CL7 Kingston (4 1024) ($1,060)

VIDEO CARD:
PNY Quadro FX5500 1024mb ($2,902)

SOUND CARD:
Creative Labs XFi Fatality Pro ($172.00)

SATA HARD DRIVE:
1 Western Digital WD740ADFD 74GB 10k RPM SATA

DVD BURNER:
Lite-On CD-RW, DVD-RW, Dual Layer, Black ($65.00)

CD BURNER:
Lite-On CD-RW, DVD-RW, Dual Layer, Black ($47.00)

FLOPPY DRIVE ($14.00)

OPERATING SYSTEM:
Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2 with Full Installation (Includes CD & Key) ($179.00)

MONITOR:
Acerview 26" Wide-Screen LCD Monitor model AL2616W, 1920x1200 ($779.00)

KEYBOARD AND MOUSE:
Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard and Optical Mouse (Black) ($39.00)

GRAND TOTAL: $8,049.00




HERE IS THE PRINTOUT ON THE SITE:
Configuration:
Link to this configuration
Price $8,049
System ID sys-as-p5e3-deluxe
Motherboard
Warranty 3-year warranty all sys components
Services

* Full ***embly
* Burn-in Tested
* BIOS flashed to most recent stable version
* Cables routed and tied
* Excellent heavy-duty packaging
* All original boxes, CDs, manuals included

Motherboard Asus P5E3 Deluxe (MFG Link)
Case Coolermaster Stacker 832 Black

* Bays: 9 5.25", 4 3.5" Int., 1 3.5" Ext.
* 1 120mm Fan (exhaust) 180mm (intake)
* Optional Fans: up to 9(!!) additional 120mm
* Dual I/O (Front and Top) Firewire, 4 USB 2.0, Audio In/Out
* Please Choose from power supplies listed below

Power Supply Thermaltake WO155RU 1000 watt (SLI) (Constant)

* Do not choose if using Centurion, Sonata, or other small ch***is

CPU Need help? FAQ Link Core2 Quad QX6850 Extreme Quad-Core 3.0Ghz 8mb L2 Cache, 1333FSB
Memory Need help? FAQ Link 4 GB DDR3-1066 CL7 Kingston (4 1024) x4
First SATA Hard Drive(s) 1 Western Digital WD740ADFD 74GB 10k RPM SATA
RAID Options, 1st drive pair None
Second SATA Hard Drive(s) None
RAID Options, 2nd drive pair None
External SATA (E-SATA) Hard Drive None
1st CD/DVD Drive Lite-On CD-RW, DVD-RW, Dual Layer, Black
2nd CD/DVD Drive Lite-On CD-RW/DVD Reader (Black)
Video PNY Quadro FX5500 1024mb
Sound Adapters Creative Labs XFi Fatality Pro
Floppy Drive, Memory Card Reader Floppy Drive
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2 with Full Installation (Includes CD & Key)
Microsoft Office Software None
Wireless None
Modem None
Keyboards, Mice, Cables Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard and Optical Mouse (Black)
Other Acerview 26" Wide-Screen LCD Monitor model AL2616W, 1920x1200




So what do you guys think? Is this a good system?

Are there other places I can get the same system cheaper with the same kind of service?

Like I said, I have never built a computer system, but I SURELY do not want to experiment on one like this! So,someone will have to build it for me.

This IS an expensive system I know.......but to me, it is my dream system. It should fly! I am getting a lot of money on a land deal and wanted a system that would last for a long while. I figure this may fit the bill.

I know there is always going to be something faster the computer manufacturers are working on, but I also know that if you get a decent system, it should last you awhile...at least it has worked for me all these years. Though the computer I have now was nowhere NEAR being top of the line even when I had it built.


CURRENT System Specs: ATX generic case with 550 watt power supply. ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe Motherboard. Western Digital 7,200 RPM 40 gig IDE Hard Drive.(NTFS file system) AMD Athlon XP 2600 processor.(standard fan and heatsink-Thoroughbred Core-standard speed-NO OVERCLOCK) 1 gig of Samsung DDRAM(PC 2700- 333 mhz....2-512mb sticks running in dual channel mode).Ati Radeon 8x 12000 XT (8x is enabled on motherboard). Soundblaster Audigy 2 sound card. Motorola sb 5100 cable modem (Insight Communications-Cable Connection) BenQ 16x AX DVD- RECORDER.(records -R/-RW or +R/+RW and CD-R formats) LiteOn 52x32x52 CD Burner. Zip 100 internal drive and a generic 3.5 floppy drive. Windows XP Professional Operating System. HP Deskjet 3520 inkjet printer and a KDS X Flat 17 inch CRT monitor.

[Technogeek]

I'm sorry I have never used that company before, so I know very little about them.

That sure sounds like one heck of a system. What are you going to be doing with it? A system like that sound more like something a graphic designer or engineer would be using, then someone wanting to play games and basic computer tasks.
I have used that drive before and it's very nice. Very fast!
That's a amazing video card your going with. The price is a little higher then you could get it for on-line, but they are installing it, and everying. I've seen it on places like newegg for about 2400 bucks.

That CPU is also very nice, but if your going to that extreme how about the new Intel QX9850. It's getting some really good reviews. So far it's the fastest Intel out and It looks like the MOBO you chose would accept it.

As for building your own computer, It's not as bad as you might think and you can save a lot of money. If you have any computer skills you should have minimual troulbe building your dream system yourself.

I just finished building my system, and the only problems I've ran into is Vista 64 bit OS. Vista alone is trouble and being only 64bit is a whole new problem, but you want XP Pro SP2 which will give you little trouble.

What you got designed there is a VERY nice system. The warrenty is very nice, and you should be very happy with it.

[webe3]

Originally Posted by Technogeek

I'm sorry I have never used that company before, so I know very little about them.

That sure sounds like one heck of a system. What are you going to be doing with it? A system like that sound more like something a graphic designer or engineer would be using, then someone wanting to play games and basic computer tasks.
I have used that drive before and it's very nice. Very fast!
That's a amazing video card your going with. The price is a little higher then you could get it for on-line, but they are installing it, and everying. I've seen it on places like newegg for about 2400 bucks.

That CPU is also very nice, but if your going to that extreme how about the new Intel QX9850. It's getting some really good reviews. So far it's the fastest Intel out and It looks like the MOBO you chose would accept it.

As for building your own computer, It's not as bad as you might think and you can save a lot of money. If you have any computer skills you should have minimual troulbe building your dream system yourself.

I just finished building my system, and the only problems I've ran into is Vista 64 bit OS. Vista alone is trouble and being only 64bit is a whole new problem, but you want XP Pro SP2 which will give you little trouble.

What you got designed there is a VERY nice system. The warrenty is very nice, and you should be very happy with it.

Well the only thing about this system is that it will probably have to be liquid cooled....something I have never attempted....so i will probably let someone who knows what they are doing handle that.

I thought that the Intel QX9850 was only on paper? I did not know it was online or in stores yet.

[Hyper_Shadow]

What are you using it for because the FX5500 is for graphics designing and will perform like a low end gpu in video games. And your power supply is overkill. For that setup I would get a 750w or a corsair 680w or w/e they have.

[Technogeek]

I am sorry, the QX9850 is not out yet, what i ment to type was the QX9650, but building a system like that I personally would be willing to wait a bit for the 9850 to come out.
The price is about 300 bucks more the the 9650vs6850, but from what I've read and having used the 9650 before It seems the way to go if money is not a factor.

I am curious why you chose the FX5500. Like Hyper_Shadow said it's not a great choice for gaming, but rather suited for graphic design and CAD,DCC apps.

I have installed a couple different brand water coolers, and yes they can be a lot of trouble sometimes. If your not going to OC then it should be just fine on air cooling though. You said your case has 1 120mm exhaust and 1 180mm intake, with up to 9 more 120mm fans? That's a lot of air movement.

I agree that a 1kw PSU is a lot of juice, but if you plan on running duel video cards, and fill all your bays, (and fan slots), then you know you will not run out of power. But you could get away with less like Hyper_Shadow said.

Good luck, and let us know what you end up with.

[webe3]

I have decided to get my parts from www.newegg.com and then have someone local build it....It came out to a total of $5,425.87 for all the newegg parts. That is WITH a 26 inch widescreen monitor and a new retail version of win xp with SP2.

I figure I can get one of the residential computer services to drop by and build it and STILL come out way ahead!

This is basically the system I have decided to get built...
WATER COOLED CASE ($599.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133050

POWER SUPPLY FOR CASE (1200 watt) ($389.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153054

MOTHERBOARD (Gigabyte GA-X38T-DQ6 LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard) ($299.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128068

INTEL CPU (Fastest I could find) ( Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650) ($1,295.00)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115034

MEMORY Corsair DDR 3 (4 Gigabyte) ($842.00)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145190

VIDEO CARD ( BFG Tech BFGE88768UWCE GeForce 8800Ultra 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 ) ($799.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...%2b768MB%2b384

SOUND CARD ( Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional Series) ($135.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102005

HARD DRIVE (WD Raptor 10,000 RPM) (74 gigabyte) (I only need this size because I backup everything to Cd or DVD) ($149.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136033

DVD BURNER (Lite-On 20x LH-20A1S) ($34.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106057

CD BURNER (I use both burners for on the fly recordings sometimes) (Lite On DH-52R2P-08) ($18.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106084

FLOPPY DRIVE (I use this for my firefox bookmarks and memtest) (Sony Model MPF920 Black) ($7.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16821103116

OPERATING SYSTEM (Win XP Pro with SP2 Retail) ($286.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16837116195

LCD MONITOR (26 inch) (Acer AL2616Wd Silver 26") ($579.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824009101

KEYBOARD AND OPTICAL MOUSE (I like my desktop computer keyboard and mouse PS/2 wired, less problems) ($13.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823126017

All with a GRAND TOTAL of $5,425.87

[webe3]

Originally Posted by Technogeek

I am sorry, the QX9850 is not out yet, what i ment to type was the QX9650, but building a system like that I personally would be willing to wait a bit for the 9850 to come out.
The price is about 300 bucks more the the 9650vs6850, but from what I've read and having used the 9650 before It seems the way to go if money is not a factor.

I am curious why you chose the FX5500. Like Hyper_Shadow said it's not a great choice for gaming, but rather suited for graphic design and CAD,DCC apps.

I have installed a couple different brand water coolers, and yes they can be a lot of trouble sometimes. If your not going to OC then it should be just fine on air cooling though. You said your case has 1 120mm exhaust and 1 180mm intake, with up to 9 more 120mm fans? That's a lot of air movement.

I agree that a 1kw PSU is a lot of juice, but if you plan on running duel video cards, and fill all your bays, (and fan slots), then you know you will not run out of power. But you could get away with less like Hyper_Shadow said.

Good luck, and let us know what you end up with.

Actually I am getting a 1,200 watt power supply...you can never go wrong with having too much power, but you can under power your system! So I would rather have a decent power supply that I know I can add whatever I want to that system and not have to worry about power once it is built.

Heck, if it turns out to be a decent power supply, I can use it if I ever upgrade my system!

As far as the Video card? I did not know about that before posting on these and other computer forums. I have changed it to a 8800 Ultra video card.

[Technogeek]

Very Cool. That system sounds even better then before, and for almost 3 grand less. You will have plenty of everything with that machine. I believe if you have the money, why not get the most you can.

When you get it built, let us see some benchmarks on it.