Awaiting Build

[scorpio66]

Hi Guys.

I guess Im a little late or early here, depending on how you look at it, but would like a little reassurance if possible!!
My PC is ordered, and currently in pre-production.
I would like your views on my choice please.

I have ordered a new PC as my current machine no longer 'cuts the mustard'.

Im not a gamer, but use Photoshop CS5 extensively with 'largish' files. (IE Up to 20 MB per image), and sometimes need multiple images open. Other programs I use are 3DS MAx 2010 and Corel Painter 11.

My ordered spec is below. I hope it will be sufficient!!


Case The PCS Maelstrom T900 Case
Processor (CPU) AMD PHENOM II X4 965 (3.40GHz/8MB CACHE/AM3) - BLACK EDITION
Motherboard ASUS® M4A87TD/USB3: DUAL DDR3,SATA 6.0GB/s, USB 3.0
Memory (RAM) 8GB SAMSUNG DDR3 DUAL-DDR3 1333MHz (2 X 4GB)
Graphics Card 2GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX460 GDDR5 PCI EXPRESS - DirectX® 11
Memory - 1st Hard Disk 640GB SERIAL ATA 3-Gb/s HARD DRIVE WITH 16MB CACHE (7,200rpm)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive 24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Memory Card Reader INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (XD, MS, CF, SD, etc) + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT
Power Supply & Case Cooling 600W Quiet 80 PLUS Quad Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan (£59)
Processor Cooling SUPER QUIET 22dBA TRIPLE COPPER HEATPIPE CPU COOLER (£19)
Sound Card ONBOARD 8 CHANNEL (7.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Facilities WIRELESS N PCI CARD & WIRELESS N ADSL2+ MODEM ROUTER (£55)
USB Options 4 PORT USB 2.0 INTERNAL PCI CARD + STANDARD USB PORTS
Modem NONE, I WILL BE USING BROADBAND
Operating System Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software Microsoft® Office Home & Student 2010 (Incl Disc & 1 License for 3 devices) (£89)
Anti-Virus NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Monitor IIYAMA E2472HD 24" LED WIDESCREEN, HDMI/DVI-D FULL HD 1920x1080
(£179)
Keyboard & Mouse Logitech® Wireless Desktop® MK250 Keyboard and Mouse Combo (£19)
Speakers LOGITECH S120 2.0 BLACK SPEAKER SYSTEM (£9)
Warranty 3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time Standard Build - Approximately 9 to 12 working days

PS. I have my own anti-virus software, and external drives.
Have I chosen enough for my needs?
Any advice appreciated, (Although too late, maybe able to make changes at later date!)
Regards Scorpio66

 

[Tom DWC]

(Although too late, may be able to make changes at later date!)

Not too late. Your order is still in pre-production so amendments will be free of charge and can be made by logging into your account control panel.

There's nothing there that rings alarm bells.

Unusual to see an AMD processor and NVIDIA graphics card - it's usually the other way around!

 

[scorpio66]

Hi Tom.

Thanks for the reply. Too be honest wasnt sure about which processor to go for. Not a computer techie at all. Always had Intel, I thought (possibly wrongly) that I could save a bit going for AMD. Must confess, I didnt check the difference, I was more concerned about RAM and a decent video card. Would Intel have been better? More costly?

Cheers Scorpio66

 

[Tom DWC]

To be honest wasn't sure about which processor to go for. Not a computer techie at all. Always had Intel, I thought (possibly wrongly) that I could save a bit going for AMD. I must confess, I didn't check the difference, I was more concerned about RAM and a decent video card. Would Intel have been better? More costly?

As I say there's nothing wrong with it, it's just unusual. You're right in thinking that it saves you money. If you were gaming I'd say stick with AMD but it might be worth considering an Intel i5 7 series processor (also quad core) for image editing. As you rightly point out the RAM and graphics card are the main concern here. 8GB of RAM is plentiful and while you could make do with 4 it will help to have more with intensive workloads. The graphics card is fine but you might want to enquire as to whether an NVIDIA Quadro card could be beneficial. My knowledge of these cards is limited but hopefully someone will enlighten us.

Might be well worth contacting PCS through the official channels and have a good chat though. This is the best way to cover all ground.

 

[Sleinous]

Id strongly suggest you change that 2gb gtx 460 to the gtx 465, a few ppunds cheaper because of the standard 1gb vid mem instead of the 2gb. BUT, it has 20-odd more cuda cores (used in photoshop and other cuda enabled software) which will be way more beneficiant.

 

[scorpio66]

Hi.

Firstly, I went to look at changing to an Intel processor, but my only other options were all AMD. This maybe because I already changed my case from the default stylish piano to the maelstrom. Would I need to ring PCS?

Secondly, thanks Sleinous for your suggestion, but not being a techie, I dont understand about cuda cores. Could you explain if poss?

Im willing to change (If I can in time), but dont wish to add more expense if possible.

I really appreciate your input, as Ive never spent his much on a PC before, but desire to have the best I can afford for my purpose.

Cheers Scorpio66

 

[Sleinous]

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/hardwa...o-integrate-gpu-acceleration-into-photoshop/1

^That should explain the importance of cuda, if you click on the question mark on the configurator next to gpu, check the number of cuda cores in the 465 over 460. The 465 is gonna save you a few pounds as it has less video mem (not as useful as those extra cores). Youll be reimbursed the difference.

 

[scorpio66]

Hi.

Thanks so much Sleinous. Very useful information. Have taken your advice on the Graphics card. (Used the credit to change to a Western Digital Hard Drive). Much appreciated. Now, fingers crossed, and await delivery! I'll report back with my views on my machine.

Cheers!

 

[Sleinous]

Let us know how you get on and, pics please!

 

[scorpio66]

Thanks Sleinous.

Just spoke to Matthew at PCS, and managed to also change from AMD to Intel Motherboard and processor.
They are very helpful, and not just after your money!
Cant wait for my new machine, so excited...

Will post pics, although not a monster like some of you guys, but a dream machine for me.

Thanks again

Scorpio66

 

[neewhom]

The rate at which we change out builds during the production processes must be irritating but PCS are always happy to help no matter what it seems!

 

[Sleinous]

Yes we want pics

 

[scorpio66]

Just thought I would post my final spec. Thanks to Tom, Sleinous and all at PCS for help and advice. Soooo excited now. (If your reading this thinking about ordering a custom built PC; 1. PCS are great, helpful and not just money grabbers. They will build you the PC that meets YOUR needs. 2. Ask for advice here on the forum. For non-techies like myself, invaluable help.- Enough said.)

Case The PCS Maelstrom T900 Case
Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™i7-870 Quad Core (2.93GHz, 8MB Cache) + Turbo Boost
Motherboard ASUS® P7P55 LX: USB 2.0 & SATA 3.0Gb/s, CrossFireX™ SUPPORT
Memory (RAM) 8GB SAMSUNG DDR3 DUAL-DDR3 1333MHz (2 X 4GB)
Graphics Card 1GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX465 GDDR5 PCI EXPRESS - DirectX® 11 + MAFIA II
Memory - 1st Hard Disk 640GB WD CAVIAR BLACK WD6402AAEX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE (7200rpm)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive 24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Memory Card Reader INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (XD, MS, CF, SD, etc) + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT
Power Supply & Case Cooling 600W Quiet 80 PLUS Quad Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan (£59)
Processor Cooling SUPER QUIET 22dBA TRIPLE COPPER HEATPIPE CPU COOLER (£19)
Sound Card ONBOARD 8 CHANNEL (7.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Facilities WIRELESS N PCI CARD & WIRELESS N ADSL2+ MODEM ROUTER (£55)
USB Options 4 PORT USB 2.0 INTERNAL PCI CARD + STANDARD USB PORTS
Modem NONE, I WILL BE USING BROADBAND
Operating System Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software Microsoft® Office Home & Student 2010 (Incl Disc & 1 License for 3 devices) (£89)
Anti-Virus NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE (Have My Own)
Monitor IIYAMA E2472HD 24" LED WIDESCREEN, HDMI/DVI-D FULL HD 1920x1080
(£179)
Keyboard & Mouse Logitech® Wireless Desktop® MK250 Keyboard and Mouse Combo (£19)
Speakers LOGITECH S120 2.0 BLACK SPEAKER SYSTEM (£9)


Should be Ok for my image editing needs.
Did I say Im excited?

WILL post pics on arrival.
Regards Scorpio66

 

[Tom DWC]

This looks excellent!

 

[scorpio66]

Thanks Tom.

Best spec Ive ever had. (But getting impatient already, 8 days and still in pre-production!)

I do actually have another couple of questions which I failed to ask Matthew:

1. With the 24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM do you get writing software included?
My present PC (Advent-Mass produce) came preloaded with a Nero package which has never given me any problems, but I cannot transfer it as far as Im aware. Would I need to buy a new burning package?

2. Watching the 'unboxing vids' I noticed some assembly/panels off etc. Does the PC case arrive open?
Is there much assembly required?

Thanks again
Scorpio66

 

[Tom DWC]

With the 24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM do you get writing software included?

According to the notes on the quotation page:

CD/DVD/BLURAY viewing & authoring software is included with all DVD Writers/BD Drives.

(But getting impatient already, 8 days and still in pre-production!)

Well worth the wait though. Better it take a bit longer and be done properly.

 

[scorpio66]

Im SURE it'll be worth the wait, but......well.....you know!
Thank God for Zep on my I-Pod!

OMG.. Just had a thought. Not sure if Ive ordered the right wireless network setup.
We have a BT phoneline, but using Broadband. (plugs into USB port at back of PC. Cable?) Oh shoot!

What do I have? Embarrassed. Should know. HELP.

 

[scorpio66]

OK. Panic over. ADSL.
Need to have a lie down methinks. Cant stop thinking about this damn PC.

 

[Sleinous]

Yes, that'd be a good idea Go into hibernation for a few days, we'll wake you up when its time to await DHL

 

[scorpio66]

Tried hibernating. Didnt work. You guys dont help... I love looking at all these rigs that I couldnt afford!
9 Days now....still in pre-production....ho..hum.... Wish Id paid the extra for quicker turnaround...