any suggestions are appreciated. this is my first build. i don't think I want any less speed, even though it would save some $. probably won't ever use all this power, but it's nice to have just-in-case. thank you Tom's Hardware for all of your help. This site and it's users are great!

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115017

ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131219

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF - Retail

Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120mm "Core Contact Freezer" CPU Cooler - Retail
Item #: N82E16835207004

COOLER MASTER COSMOS 1000 RC-1000-KSN1-GP Black/ Silver Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811119138
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817139004

Logitech LX310 Black USB Cordless Standard Desktop Laser Mouse Included - OEM
Item #: N82E16823126032

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit English 1pk DSP OEI DVD for System Builders - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116493

ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T - Retail
Item #: N82E16827135156

Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000GLFS 300GB 10000 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136260

CyberPower CP1500AVRLCD 1500VA 900W UPS - Retail
Item #: N82E16842102048

(2) HP LP2465 Carbonite-Silver 24" 6 ms (GTG) Widescreen LCD Monitor with Height & Pivot Adjustments - Retail

Matrox M9120 Plus LP PCIe x16

Rosewill RTK-001 Premium Anti-Static Wrist Strap - Retail
Item #: N82E16899261001

I would say that you don't need 1066 RAM. If you don't plan on overclocking that thing quite a bit, then I don't think you will ever need over DDR2 800. Also, if you are using this for business, you're going to overclock it (hence the aftermarket cooler)?

You don't need a VelociRaptor HDD - they show very little performance increase for such a high price. Get a 640 GB hard drive (2 platters) that is quite fast and has excellent performance.

Also, if you are just using this for business, then the X38 is probably overkill.

If this is not just for business, then I would think a different GPU might be in order. 4850 or 4870 perhaps.

Good luck with the build

Thanks Huron, I switched it to a: Seagate ST3640323AS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822148335

does that have 2 platters? not sure what platters are.

For now it's really just for business.. and also for dvds, maybe java games, but that's it. I used to be addicted to video games so I had to give it up. My gf needs a system she can trade currencies and equities. I've read that 2D vs. 3D is better since she'll be looking at static images with detail. That's why we went with the Matrox GPU and HP monitors. I wanted the Dell 2408wfp for the conn. options, but I read a review that it was lacking in viewing static images, whereas the HP machine seemed best for 2D, and was at least $50 less per monitor.

I think I want an Asus for my first build since it sounds like I can get help if needed, since a lot of ppl use that brand. And I think I need the PCIe x 16 slots, and she may want to add another card at a later date if she needs more monitors.

the hole build is overkill
except the gpu i would go 8600 or 4850 if you really want the power
go with a duel core like the e8400 it will give you more per 95% of the time than a quad

i would also go with 800 memory

I generally agree with ke7diz.

Why the Cosmos case? Have you seen it in person - it is huge with much more space than you will ever come close to needing. Do you need the handles to move it around? Don't get me wrong - I personally like the case and was considering it myself but decided it was just too big - and I was wasteing a lot of money that could better to into performance.

Instead I purchased a Silverstone Kublai Series KL01B - it has solid contruction, good airflow, and is quiet and a little distinguished looking. It also has a slot for a removable hard drive (just insert and remove any standard hard drive) that I have not tried yet but plan to use for quick removable backups. It retails for $135 although I purchased it on sale for only $75. I would have perferred the version without a window but it was not available when I needed it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811163096

When you say "mission critical" what does that mean? A high premium on up time and/or no loss of data? Have you considered a RAID 1 set up with a second hard drive for a complete copy of your system? Or maybe a smaller fast hard drive for O/S and applications and raid drives for data?


Your PSU had more power than you need now and will support another of your 2D cards with ease. But it might not be enough to comfortably support two 4850 cards. So if you think you might go this route in the future, then you might want to upgrade to a 650w version of the same PSU now to save in the long run.

I think if you cut back on the case, velociraptor, and make the memory 800 MHZ, thenyou will have more than enough for the better graphics card and PSU upgrade.

Another less expensive but quality option for the case is the Antec P182 - it is not a lot less at retail but can usually be found on sale for about $120 or less, It too is a well built, quiet case.

The setup youve listed is complete overkill. Why a Q6600? Why an X38 mobo? Why 1066 ram? Why aftermarket cooler? And the list goes on.

Next: What are you using this for exactly.

All you really need for a business PC is this:

Intel E7200 w/ the stock cooler - You do not overclock a mission critical machine, ever.
4 gigs of DDR2 800 - Mushkin, Corsair, Kingston, in other words something quality
Asus or Gigabyte P45 mobo
250 gig HD for OS and apps
1 TB HD in RAID 1 for storage and security
External backup device at least 1 TB
Vista Business 64 - no need for Ultimate, Home Premium if want
ATI 3870 videocard - will help a great deal with DVD playback - 4XXX card is complete overkill

The rest of the list looks fine.

+1 Kaldor. I too thought the build looked like overkill for a business machine.

People outside of a business environment have no idea about what a business PC needs. To generalize it, a business PC needs to be dependable first, fast last. A gamers PC needs to be fast first.

In most cases anything more than a 2ghz CPU is overkill. More memory, 4 gigs, will give a greater return and offer more longevity than a really fast and expensive processor will offer. Next component is the HD. A fast HD will help the user get work done faster than a fast CPU as their apps load faster. The mobo and PSU need to be good quality units as they will take a beating. Video is kind of a "meh" area. It should only be as fast or feature laden as needed, IE no need for a $200 video card when onboard will be more than enough, see AMD 780G here.