Help me build a computer $1000

[Jmac 10+ year member]

No reason not to get 64-bit unless you're running a budget system (which this isn't) ...

Also, there's not a huge point in investing a ton into a graphics card, although I'd go Nvidia for CAD-related items as Nvidia performs better w/ OpenGL. For video editing, you'll want to invest more into your CPU, RAM, and Hard Drives than Graphics. On a $1000 budget, you'll have to compromise somewhere, however. I would advise the graphics and possibly the hard drive(s) as those can be upgraded quickly and easily in the future.

Case - NZXT Alpha

Power Supply - Corsair CMPSU-450VX

Motherboard - DFI Lanparty DK P35-T2RS

Processor - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600

CPU Cooler - Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro

Memory - 4 GB (2 x 2 GB) Corsair XMS2 DHX CL4

Hard Drive - 1 TB Seagate Barracuda 7200.11

Optical Drive - Lite-On LH-20A1S 20X DVD Burner

Graphics Card - Gigabyte GV-NX86T256H GeForce 8600 GT 256 MB

Operating System - Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit

Security Software - ESET NOD32 Anti-Virus

$1,092.49 shipped to 54911

-$85.00 in Mail-In Rebates

= $1007.49 Total after rebates

 

[Jmac 10+ year member]

Buy this.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3832313&CatId=2632

Couldn't build it for cheaper. I wish they would of had this when I ordered my desktop.

Then you have a piece of shit Acer ...

 

[kidwolf909 10+ year member]

Does your movie editing involve any rendering or so you do any graphic design?
Here's what I can come up with:

(2) Pioneer DVD Burners = $61.99 for both

Thermaltake Tsunami Case = $119.99 - $20 MIR

(2) Western Digital 640GB AAKS Hard Drives RAID0 = $259.98 for both

EVGA 8800GT 512MB = $189.99 - $30 MIR

G.Skill 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2-800 = $76.99

Gigabyte P35-DS3L Motherboard = $89.99

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz = $219.99

Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Heatsink = $26.99

Vista Home Premium 32-bit System Builder Pack = $109.99

Rosewill 550w PSU = $56.99

Total: $1,199.64 (Shipped after MIR)

EDIT: I really believe this will be the best way you can spend your money. It's a well balanced system, of course not all 4 gigs of RAM will show up with a 32-bit OS, but ~3.3 will and if you ever switch to 64-bit you'll be set. Lots of storage for movies and way more than enough processing power (both GPU and CPU) to satisfy your every need. Of course it can be made cheaper with a lesser video card, but the 8800GT is an amazing deal. You can drop one DVD burner, but two is nice for CD/DVD direct copying.

I still stand behind this build //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif Some rebates don't apply anymore, but oh well.

 

[mr_kebo 10+ year member]

Good Looking build. I recently finished a build. Im debating on doing another with this asus P5W Dh Deluxe motherboard i have sitting here. If i dont i will probally sell it off.

DFI Bloodiron mobo

e8400 cpu

2gb crucial ballistix

150gb raptor

evga 8800gt

antec p182 case

samsung 206bw

 

[Jmac 10+ year member]

I still stand behind this build //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif Some rebates don't apply anymore, but oh well.

If he doesn't game, he doesn't need an 8800 GT ... Also, RAID 0 for important work is not a good idea ... nor is 32-bit ...
The DS3L is also severely lacking in SATA ports (for example, you'll have NONE left after the 2 DVD drives and 2 hard drives), not to mention you linked to OEM drives, which means you're 2 cables short as the DS3L only ships w/ 2.

Also, you're $200 over budget ...

 

[mr_kebo 10+ year member]

If he doesn't game, he doesn't need an 8800 GT ... Also, RAID 0 for important work is not a good idea ... nor is 32-bit ...
The DS3L is also severely lacking in SATA ports (for example, you'll have NONE left after the 2 DVD drives and 2 hard drives), not to mention you linked to OEM drives, which means you're 2 cables short as the DS3L only ships w/ 2.

All very valid points.

 

[Keith H 10+ year member]

Then you have a piece of shit Acer ...

What's "piece of shit" about Acer?

 

[DejaWiz 5,000+ posts]

Here's a SFF system that will run relatively silent. PSU has quad 20A +12V rails.

MB: intel G33 $115

CPU: Q6600 $215

RAM: 4GB PC2-8500 $129

HDD: WD 640GB $100

ODD: LO LH-20A1S (x2) $62

CASE: CM RC-541 (combo deal: w/Vista Ultimate 32bit - $215) $50

PSU: Mushkin 580W Modular $100

GPU: MSI 9600GT $133 after $20 MIR

FAN: Scythe 12SL $10

FAN: CM S84-E1 (x2) $12

TOTAL: $1101 before shipping

..a little over, darn it.

 

[Jmac 10+ year member]

What's "piece of shit" about Acer?

They use the absolute cheapest ECS motherboards they can get a hold of, for one. Two, Acer's utility software has all kinds of conflicts with popular 3rd party software. Three, 80+ background processes from factory.

 

[bumpin buick 5,000+ posts]

No reason not to get 64-bit unless you're running a budget system (which this isn't) ...
Also, there's not a huge point in investing a ton into a graphics card, although I'd go Nvidia for CAD-related items as Nvidia performs better w/ OpenGL. For video editing, you'll want to invest more into your CPU, RAM, and Hard Drives than Graphics. On a $1000 budget, you'll have to compromise somewhere, however. I would advise the graphics and possibly the hard drive(s) as those can be upgraded quickly and easily in the future.

Case - NZXT Alpha

Power Supply - Corsair CMPSU-450VX

Motherboard - DFI Lanparty DK P35-T2RS

Processor - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600

CPU Cooler - Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro

Memory - 4 GB (2 x 2 GB) Corsair XMS2 DHX CL4

Hard Drive - 1 TB Seagate Barracuda 7200.11

Optical Drive - Lite-On LH-20A1S 20X DVD Burner

Graphics Card - Gigabyte GV-NX86T256H GeForce 8600 GT 256 MB

Operating System - Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit

Security Software - ESET NOD32 Anti-Virus

$1,092.49 shipped to 54911

-$85.00 in Mail-In Rebates

= $1007.49 Total after rebates

If he doesn't game, he doesn't need an 8800 GT ... Also, RAID 0 for important work is not a good idea ... nor is 32-bit ...
The DS3L is also severely lacking in SATA ports (for example, you'll have NONE left after the 2 DVD drives and 2 hard drives), not to mention you linked to OEM drives, which means you're 2 cables short as the DS3L only ships w/ 2.

Also, you're $200 over budget ...

Sorry if this is kind of a noob question but I am still very much learning as this is my first computer build. Wouldnt it be safer though to go with two 500gb HDDs and run them in raid 0 then running a single TB HDD, please explain to me how that would be safer. Also if need be I can go over budget a bit I got a raise this week and can get any software I need free from work so they will provide me with Vista or XP 64 so that would save $100 right there. As far as motherboards go I want something that will allow for more upgrades in the future so I need it to have a few extra ports, the one you listed, does that have a bit of extra room for when I may need it?

Also for something like the graphics card if its only like an extra $50 or something to get something like the 8800 I wouldnt mind I can throw in an hour or two of overtime to afford the extra luxuries if need be. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif Although it is mainly for CAD, Autodesk, and CS3 I will use it at sometimes for some other things maybe a little gaming here or there nothing hardcore but maybe some unreal or GTA4 if/when it gets released for PC

 

[skmfkr 5,000+ posts]

i did raid0 for like a week until one of the HDD failed. so i dont think im gonna try raid0 again.

 

[bumpin buick 5,000+ posts]

So you think raid0 was the cause of your HDD failing, cause I have already had a drive fail on me and it really really sucked not having it backed up cause it was the only drive in my computer, I lost about 300 GB of info, pics, music I will never get back

 

[Scoobydoo 5,000+ posts]

IMO the safest way is to backup all your important stuff on an external hard drive that you only plug in to backup

Seperate partitions on your hard drive to make a reinstall easier. Say 20-30gb for the operation system/install programs and the rest storage. That way if you need to reinstall you just need to wipe the primary partition, reinstall that and your programs

 

[GI 10+ year member]

I don't mean to sound offensive here, but your about to sink a G into a new computer and your going to have someone else pick out your parts? Atleast do some research first or something so you can ask legit questions if need be.

 

[DejaWiz 5,000+ posts]

I don't mean to sound offensive here, but your about to sink a G into a new computer and your going to have someone else pick out your parts? Atleast do some research first or something so you can ask legit questions if need be.

Agreed. Anyone interested can join me and the rest of the HardOCP community over at http://www.hardforum.com