My New Digital Darkroom Computer

[sriram1977]

I am planning to build a digital darkroom from ground up.
I will be using this primary for Photoshop and other video editing applications.

I rarely use PC for games.

Here is my wish list.

I need some advice on
1. Any compatibility issues on these components.
2. Any known issues with these components.
3. Any thing, which can be or should be replaced with a better one, for the same cost.
4. Any horror stories with the components below.

I am mostly worried about the thermal issues with PD 830 processors. So I think I am taking enough precautions.

I have a new DVD writer from my old PC.
I have a high-end Sony CRT monitor ($1100).
I mainly use C1-DSLR and Photoshop. Both are confirmed to have some special optimized codes for Intel Processors. So I decided to go with Pentium.

I also want to eventually move to 64-bit XP/Vista.

So please leave some advice here for me.

1x LOGISYS Computer CS888CL Transparent Clear Acrylic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case Model #: CS888CLx$89.00

1x ASUS MB P5WD2 Premium Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 955X ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail Model #: P5WD2 Premiumx209.00

1x MSI NX6600GT-TD128E Geforce 6600GT 128MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail Model #: NX6600GT- TD128Ex$162.00

1x LOGISYS Computer PS500AC ATX 500W Power Supply - Retail Model #: PS500ACx$50.00

1x Intel Pentium D 830 Smithfield 800MHz FSB LGA 775 Dual Core, EM64T Processor Model BX80551PG3000FN - Retail Model #: BX80551PG3000FNx $315.00

1x Patriot 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Unbuffered Dual Channel KIt System Memory Model PDC22G6400LLK $368.95

1x Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 74GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM Model #: WD740GDx $186.00

2x Western Digital Raptor WD360GD 36.7GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM Model #: WD360GDx $222.00

1x LITE-ON Black IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model SOHD-16P9SBLK - Retail Model #: SOHD- 16P9SBLKx$19.99

1x Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM Model #: ARCTIC SILVER 5x$7.99

1x Arctic Silver ACN-60ML (2-PC-SET) Thermal material Remover & Surface Purifier $5.99

1x Thermaltake SILENT 775 CL-P0092 90mm 1 Ball 1 Sleeve Multi-Color LED Light Cooling Fan$43.99

1x Windows XP Prof SP 2 $146.95

[poppy]

I will address one issue and that is the PSU. I can see that by selecting a clear acrylic case you want the clear acrylic PSU for it; however, I have reservations on that particular PSU:

1. The power connector on the PSU is 20 pin and your selected motherboard is 24 pin.

2. Why is it that the ratings on the rails are not listed at any of the seller's sites, they are not even listed on Logisys' site? I finally found them though and they are:

+3.3 V, 28 A
+5 V, 34 A
+12 V, 14 A
-12 V, 0.8 A
-5 V, 0.5 A
+5 Vsb, 2 A

I would personally want a PSU that had dual +12V rails with the CPU and mobo you have selected. With the system you have selected, why skimp on the PSU? I urge you not to. Have you checked out saphalline's sticky (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=39018) on hardware recommendations?

I'm sure saph will come along and comment on the rest.

[sriram1977]

Thanks for you suggestion.

I could'nt find any clear acrylic 24 pin PSU. Can you recommend one ?
Is there any 20pin to 24pin converter ?


--Sriram

[hockey man]

I can't find any on newegg, but dosn't mean they don't exist. However, I would recommend you look at performance over looks. With the system you will be running you NEED to get a qualtiy PSU. Thermaltake and Antec are two good manufacturers. Also, with those hds, are you planning to do a RAID? What is your goal in purchasing 2 36gig ones? It might be worth wile to you too look at different options. Get a raptor for your primary drive then get to larger 7200rpm hds for storage. That will save you money and give you more space. Also, I might be all wet on this, but I believe I heard ATI video cards would be better suited for your needs. Mabey this guy? (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814127176)

[deddard]

I'm not a fan of acrylic cases - they can build up static electricity which is potentially harmful. No matter how careful, there is a chance of damage to components (call me Mr paranoid, but I prefer a metal case!)

[Fruss Tray Ted]

20 to 24 pin (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=20+to+24+pin&btnG=Google+Search) adapters

[saphalline]

Ok, this needs some work...

I am mostly worried about the thermal issues with PD 830 processors.Huh? What thermal issues? The PD 830 runs at a mere 3GHz. That's not enough to even get close to overheating, as long as your case has good airflow. And you have the retail version, so you won't be needing that Arctic Silver 5. If you do want to add your own 3rd-party HSF unit, go for the OEM version of the PD 830 and use the AS5. But you don't need it to prevent overheating. Overheating only happens when you improperly install the HSF unit, or if you're HP and don't let any cool air get to the CPU. :p

If you won't be doing any gaming, then you don't need the i955X chipset. It's a waste of money for you. In fact, unless you'll be using all those extra I/O ports in the back panel, that whole mobo is a waste of money! Will you seriously be using the digital coax for 8.1 S/PDIF sound output? How about the dual-Gb LAN? A nice premium-oriented mobo based on the i945P chipset is a much wiser (and cheaper) choice. Like the Abit AL8 in my sticky.

Ok, cases are personal preference, so get the acryllic one if you want. But don't get that PSU! It sucks! If you're dead-set on making a clear PC, then don't expect it to run very well. As far as I know, there aren't any decent-quality clear ATX 3.0 spec PSU's. You'll have to get an opaque one. The one you picked out might not even boot up your new system! It provides so little power on its single +12V rail that the PD will be gasping for electricity! Plus, there's no 24-pin ATX connector? That's a requirement these days for a new system, especially a PCIe & dual-core system. Maybe not what you wanted to hear, but I don't think your system will be stable with an older ATX spec clear PSU.

You are also seriously overspending on your RAM! You want two 1GB modules of DDR2? No problem! You can spend half that amount and get the standard Corsair Value Select PC2-4200 RAM from my sticky, and the RAM will still be faster than the CPU can support! Unless you plan on OC'ing, PC2-4200 will be able to handle any future CPU that will work on that mobo.

For the vid card, save the cash again and get a cheap Radeon X550 for around $70. All you need is a PCIe x16 vid card shoved in there. You don't need the GeForce 6600 GT unless you'll be gaming, which you won't be. Spending more than $100 on a vid card means you want to play games. Spending less than $100 on a vid card means you don't want to play games. It's that simple.