I'm planning to build a new system based on a Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2 board with a 2.66GHz proc. This will be my first new system build in 6 years (I'm still using an old AOpen AX4SPE MAX 865PE mainboard with a 2.4GHz proc) I know, it's old, but I don't play computer games and it's served me just fine until now. I'm beginning to expand my graphic design skills into 3d design and need a new machine capable of running apps like DAZ3d, Blender, and 3DS-Max, alongside Photoshop and Illustrator, etc. My girlfriend plays Second Life, which will be the extent of game playing on this new system...
I've been out of the hardware game for a while, so I'm hoping for some insight and guidance from the more current/cutting-edge folks around here.
Here is the hardware I've spec'd out so far, within the loose budget I've set for myself:
Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2
2.66HGz i5 Processor
These two parts currently available as a combo from newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.246589
GSkill Trident 2 x 2GB 240-pin DDR3 2000
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231282
HIS H467QS1GH Radeon HD4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI-e 2.0 x16 Crossfire Capable
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161287
Western Digital Caviar Blue 160GB Sata3 (system drive)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136075
Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB Sata3 (primary storage and project drive)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136319
The system as configured is priced at $600 USD.
I'll be using my existing Yeong-Yang Cube case which has plenty of cooling options, as well as my existing DVD burner and Hauppague tv tuner card. The system will run Windows XP Pro SP3. I *may* play around with some light overclocking in the longrun, but it's not a priority for me. Stability is my top concern.
Here are my questions:
Does this look like a decent setup for the price-point. I don't have a huge budget for this machine, so I'm trying to get the most bang for the buck.
What would be a solid PSU for this system? I don't think my current Thermaltake Purepower 420W will quite handle this setup but, please, if I'm wrong about that let me know. I do not plan to use Crossfire any time in the near future.
Has anyone heard of the Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2 having issues with only reading half of the available memory? It's mentioned in one of the reviews on that Newegg page and I'm wondering if this is a widespread issue.
Is there a better motherboard option in that price bracket that the P55M-UD2? One thing that concerns me is that it looks like I'll lose one of the PCI slots due to the cooling on the video card...
(Sorry for the looooong post. I wanted to include all the relevant info)
I've been out of the hardware game for a while, so I'm hoping for some insight and guidance from the more current/cutting-edge folks around here.
Here is the hardware I've spec'd out so far, within the loose budget I've set for myself:
Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2
2.66HGz i5 Processor
These two parts currently available as a combo from newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.246589
GSkill Trident 2 x 2GB 240-pin DDR3 2000
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231282
HIS H467QS1GH Radeon HD4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI-e 2.0 x16 Crossfire Capable
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161287
Western Digital Caviar Blue 160GB Sata3 (system drive)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136075
Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB Sata3 (primary storage and project drive)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136319
The system as configured is priced at $600 USD.
I'll be using my existing Yeong-Yang Cube case which has plenty of cooling options, as well as my existing DVD burner and Hauppague tv tuner card. The system will run Windows XP Pro SP3. I *may* play around with some light overclocking in the longrun, but it's not a priority for me. Stability is my top concern.
Here are my questions:
Does this look like a decent setup for the price-point. I don't have a huge budget for this machine, so I'm trying to get the most bang for the buck.
What would be a solid PSU for this system? I don't think my current Thermaltake Purepower 420W will quite handle this setup but, please, if I'm wrong about that let me know. I do not plan to use Crossfire any time in the near future.
Has anyone heard of the Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2 having issues with only reading half of the available memory? It's mentioned in one of the reviews on that Newegg page and I'm wondering if this is a widespread issue.
Is there a better motherboard option in that price bracket that the P55M-UD2? One thing that concerns me is that it looks like I'll lose one of the PCI slots due to the cooling on the video card...
(Sorry for the looooong post. I wanted to include all the relevant info)
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