buying soon - opinions please i5 build

[Tim_UK1]

would appreciate views on the following:

http://www.scan.co.uk/savedbasket/11...a2e649ba4e9b45

this will be a big upgrade for me as currently running very old P4 2.8Ghz system

am particuarly unsure about graphics card - I run two DVI monitors at the moment but most current cards can do this.

I do a lot of photoshop stuff - it is this that is killing the poor old machine, I don't do much games why but would like to have that option in the future.

The whole lot is going in my massive old supermicro server style case which is currently being modded for extra cooling fans. This is the reason for the slightly obscure cooler - I want clearance above the cpu/cooler for intake fans - most of the "tower" coolers would be too close for comfort.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I would look at changing around some parts to make the build cost effective.

I have a few suggestions in this thread:

http://forums.hexus.net/pc-hardware/...er-2011-a.html

There are also links for the Scan free postage offer once you hit 20 posts.

About the graphics card if you don't really game get something cheaper and buy a decent card when you need to.

I would really consider getting an HD5670 or GT440 for the time being or even a cheaper card.

I would also go with one of the cheaper Z68 based motherboards I mentioned. However,do you really need Crossfire or SLI capability and is SSD caching and Quick Sync important to you??

This P67 motherboard is quite decent for example:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/asus-...-%28x16%29-atx

The on-board sound is much better nowadays and unless you really are more of audiophile I would stick to using it.

This cooler is also worth considering:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/antec...plus-am3-3plus

I would also consider changing the SSD. The Crucial M4 will be great for Photoshop work IMHO:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/128gb...-s-new-version

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/64gb-...-s-new-version

It is very reliable and more importantly use synchronous NAND which means it will have better performance with incompressable data like images.

I would also try and get a 128GB SSD especially if you don't upgrade very often.

What PSU do you intend to use??

[Tim_UK1]

many thanks for your comments mr cat.

I simply liked the sound of the asus motherboard from reading reviews - admittingly it is on the expensive side but if it will last a good few years I will be pleased.

Soundwise I have always had soundcards for the last 20 years - anyone remember the awe32? - but will look into using on-board.

I need to do some more reading up on SSD's as have never used one so will consider your models carefully.

The graphics card you suggest only seem to have one DVI out - I guess I could use the vga out to one monitor (they dont have HDMI in) but I thought getting one with 2 x DVI would keep things simple and maybe better quality ??

Re the cooler, I liked the look of those all in one water coolers, the snag is my case - although huge - see below - it doesn't have the standard 120mm exhaust fan and the tubing on the all in one water coolers is too short to allow mounting elsewhere - see my pics below, hence my idea of good air cooling instead.

old pc, I am going ot keep the old hard drives (all are sata) and reuse the psu - its enermax 500watt - bit dated but still decent, have sourced some cables to cater for newer connectors.



stripped out with photo of new m'board for sizeing:



side showing where fans will go: