When to Build Computer?

[LunarMist]

My computer is quite old and it is time to rebuild soon. Are there many improvements or price changes expected in the next two months? The Intel E6700 currently seems to be the processor of choice, but which motherboard and RAM to get? I need 4GB now and plan an upgrade to 8GB next summer or later. I will also need a new video card. Preference is for some Matorx or other best in 2D that will work well with my 1200x1600 Eizo LCD and Eye One calibrator. The last CRT is dead and they are no longer made , so it will be all digital going forward. (I only care about PS and never play video games.) I'd like to use the other parts of the current computer, such as case, PSU, hard drives, etc. except the SCSI devices which will probably be retired. I'd like to keep this upgrade to $2K if feasible.

Thanks, LM

 

[ddrueding]

Just one observation. If you really want more than 4GB of RAM, you have to make one of 2 hard choices:

1. Buy memory in sticks larger than 1GB
2. Buy a server motherboard with more than 4 DIMM slots

Memory in 1GB sizes is $100/GB 2GB sticks are about $150/GB
Regular Intel motherboards are $200, Server motherboards are about $350

 

[LunarMist]

Well, I would get 4x1GB initially and then replace them with 4x2GB later on.

 

[Bozo]

Actually both Intel and Supermicro have desktop boards that are well under $200.00. They also support up to 8GB of RAM.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813121035

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813182065

Bozo :joker:

 

[Mercutio]

You may actually want to wait for four core machines since image processing is on the short list of things that genuinely benefit from having lots of CPUs.

 

[LunarMist]

Will the 4-core CPUs be available by January or February? Canon DPP still only supports one CPU.

 

[Mercutio]

Photoshop supports as many CPUs as you can throw at it.
And there are previews of 4-core systems that have made it to technical press. They're saying Q4 06 or Q1 07 for initial shipments.

I don't know if the way you use your machine means that you NEED four cores or not, though.

 

[LunarMist]

I don't think the quad cores are worthwhile at this point and it should be possible to upgrade in the future. So if you had to build over Thanksgiving Weekend, which components would you get?

 

[Mercutio]

My thoughts are in the "State of the Union" thread.
Basically, the Core 2 Duo is the rational choice, being faster, consuming less power and producing less waste heat.
I'd probably look at an E6400, 2 - 4GB of DDR2-667, an Intel motherboard, or possibly a Gigabyte one with at least one IDE connector. In your case, probably a full-size motherboard since you'd want a wider array of disk drive options and might want/need the extra PCI slots. Your board, to support 8GB of RAM, will probably wind up being something workstation-ish, rather than a "consumer" type board. Probably around $250.

I'd buy an NEC DVD burner.

I'd probably use a Radeon x1600 of some sort, a nice Antec case and PSU and go with just whatever for the boot drive. I'd add as many 400, 500 or 750GB drives as my budget would allow with the remainder of the cash.

 

[LunarMist]

I want to use the old drives as much as possible. Currently there are over 3TB internal drives and piles of external drives, some in carriers. I want 4 PATA ports, 6 SATA ports, and 3 FW as well. A few PCI slots would be nice for the old cards. Can I use the old case and PS or are the mainboards of a different form factor now? The case is an Anztec 1080 something, maybe 4 years old. The PS is a 600W unit from 2006 with a plethora of strange connectors, so I hope it is useable as well.

 

[Bozo]

Here is an Intel board that supports 8GB of RAM for $124.99. Also Core 2 Duo.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813121052


Bozo :joker:

 

[ddrueding]

Lots of boards support 8GB; but most only have 4 slots, requiring 2GB DIMMS (expensive) to do it.