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Windows 7 - Time for a new build

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by PeteC, 2009/08/07.

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  1. 2009/08/07
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    Now that Windows 7 RTM is available to Technet/MSDN members I am seriuosly considering a new build - as anticipated when the RTM appeared.

    My current system runs Ultimate 7 well, but lacks virtualisation in the processor and Photoshop CS4 grinds it almost to a halt with 97% memory usage.

    This is what I currently propose .....

    Asus P6T mobo

    Intel i7 920

    6 Gb RAM

    All other components as listed under My System

    OS either Pro or Ultimate x64

    Any comments/suggestions? You will see that I have departed from AMD - for the first time in a self build.
     
    PeteC,
    #1
  2. 2009/08/07
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Pete,

    You infidel ... :eek: ... !

    I'll watch this thread because I have been asked by a friend to suggest a new system running Windows 7 for Photoshopping!
     
    Christer,
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  4. 2009/08/09
    m3ow

    m3ow Inactive

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    Isn't CS4 need to have graphic card too? and the better GPU, the smoother and faster it loads?

    Pete, what you have propose above is a killer. I like it, but currently i7 is just way too expensive.

    For me, i'll just get a quad core is enough. >.<
     
    m3ow,
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  5. 2009/08/10
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    If you check My System you will see that I already have an adequate graphics card .... Asus NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT 512 Mb
     
    PeteC,
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  6. 2009/08/10
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    Well, it is around the same that I considered :)

    Only I decided to get the P6T WS board to run SAS drives instead of SATA... and I got the board at a good discount at the time :)

    The I920 is plenty fast, and if you get a good one (retail not OEM I think) you can easily OC. I'm running mine @ 3GHz and my CORSAIR XMS3 @ 750MHz.

    I would highly recommend is dumping the Intel cooler, and getting this Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 120mm Cooler.
     
    Arie,
    #5
  7. 2009/08/10
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    Christer

    I am also considering an AMD setup :cool: .....

    Asus M4A 78 Pro motherboard with an AMD Phenom x4 955 Black Edition CPU and 6 or 8 Gb of RAM - DDR2

    No doubt it would serve my purpose, but the various comparative reviews I have read suggest that it doesn't match up to the Intel i7 920 and triple channel DDR3 RAM.

    Still hovering :) At present Epson do not have x64 drivers for the R2400 as yet although they are available for Vista x64 and will no doubt work.

    My next task I think is to get a copy of Win 7 x64 from Technet and install it in place of the RC x32 on my desktop and try it out as the R2400 is central to my photographic output.
     
    PeteC,
    #6
  8. 2009/08/10
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    Arie

    Thanks for the heads up on the cooler - it may not be necessary as I have no intention of overclocking. To date I have found the stock AMD coolers to be more than adequate.
     
    PeteC,
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  9. 2009/08/10
    Admin.

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    Even if you don't OC, that cooler is much more quiet than Intel's stock cooler!
     
    Admin.,
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  10. 2009/08/11
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    OK - I'll check if there is room in the case :)
     
    PeteC,
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  11. 2009/08/11
    Admin.

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    Which case?
     
    Admin.,
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  12. 2009/08/11
    mattman

    mattman Inactive Alumni

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    Pete, I'd ask why a photo editor would require so much power?

    I expect you have a lot of different "edits" open. Can you save different edits to disk and work on them later?

    It's not video editing (with audio), it's not 3D modeling, how much power (read memory?) does photo editing require?

    Are you pushing one area to it's limits and finding it "grinds to a halt "? What area is that? (Memory by the look of it.) How much resources do you want to share between "bells and whistles" and getting the work done. I would prefer to have a "lean and mean" system running my work, a "pretty" system would be nice running for my leisure.

    I have three main computers, one doing day-to day tasks, one for games, the other multimedia. I could have a PS3 for games and a Home Theatre compilation, but at least I can interface with my computers and they can cross-task.

    Me, I would keep your old PC for day to day tasks and build a machine optimised for your work. Running Aero, which do you think I would run that on?

    Matt
     
    mattman,
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  13. 2009/08/11
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    Antec Sonata - full name is misleading ....

    Antec Sonata Piano Black Super Mini Tower

    as it has space - filled, for 4 hard drives.
     
    PeteC,
    #12
  14. 2009/08/11
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    How wide is that case? Can you remove the CPU air duct?

    I have a Cooler Master Centurion 5 case. It's 202mm wide. I have about 15mm left from the top of the cooler to my side panel.
     
    Arie,
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  15. 2009/08/11
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    I've had this case some time and there is no air duct - this will be the 4th build in it.

    Case is 200mm wide outside - inside there is 185 mm top of mobo to side of case.

    Cooler data says height 158 mm so that leaves 27 mm for the CPU - plenty.

    I see the cooler + fans weighs in at 940 g - nearly a kilo which seem a lot to hang off the motherboard, but I guess it must be OK.
     
    PeteC,
    #14
  16. 2009/08/11
    Admin.

    Admin. Administrator Administrator Staff

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    Once you see how it is fixed... no problemo :)
     
    Admin.,
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  17. 2009/08/12
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    The die is cast :)

    Awaiting delivery of Asus P6T SE, Intel i7 920, Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 Dual Fan CPU Cooler, 6Gb (3x 2Gb) RAM.

    Will dual boot XP x32/Windows 7 Pro or Ultimate x64.

    Matt - I will respond :)
     
    PeteC,
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  18. 2009/08/12
    Admin.

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    Good Choice!
     
    Admin.,
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  19. 2009/08/13
    Lukeno1

    Lukeno1 Well-Known Member

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    I presume you won't be doing much gaming, as a GeForce 8600 GT would seriously hamstring your PC. Hence why I'm considering a ATI Radeon for the first time, a HD4670, even with a much lower-standard of build. ;)
     
    Lukeno1,
    #18
  20. 2009/08/13
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    None at all - must be 15 years since I gamed - remember Doom? :)
     
    PeteC,
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  21. 2009/08/13
    Lukeno1

    Lukeno1 Well-Known Member

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    Before my time :D
     
    Lukeno1,
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