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Rig
The finer sound designer.

JP Neufeld @Rig

Age 36, Male

Sound designer

Concordia University

Winnipeg

Joined on 10/29/06

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Compootur (updated case)

Posted by Rig - November 22nd, 2008


I've been wanting to buy a new computer for a while now, but I put my dreams on hold due to financial constraints. Now that I hear that I'm getting some grants, bursaries, and royalties for various things, I can finally afford to think about it again!

The fellows over at the Computer Construction crew have helped me out in designing the perfect computer for my needs. I originally wanted to keep it below $1000 Canadian, but decided to double my budget when I saw the prices. This will be mainly used for music production and I put about a 60/40 synthesis/sample ratio when I compose, which puts a lot of pressure on my processor and RAM. My specifications are:

Fast CPU
Plenty of RAM
Moderate disk space

After spending a few days on the internet, I've come up with a build. This will probably change in the future as I add/remove various parts to fine-tune it. Here's my reasoning behind my choices:

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CPU - Got the E8500 dual core 3.16 GHz chip from Intel! I'm planning on overclocking it to 4 GHz or so, maybe more. I'm going dual core because most programs can't even handle two cores, never mind four of them. I'm getting the most efficiency per dollar with this chip. Of course, it would burn to a crisp without proper cooling, which is why I'm also getting...

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Heatsink - The Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer is the highest ranked heatsink in terms of cooling power on frostytech.com, beating out every other one they reviewed. It'll keep my CPU nice and cool under extreme stress, and it comes with a little fan controller too :3. It'll be attached to...

.
Motherboard - The ASUS P5Q Deluxe looked like a cool board, so I searched for reviews and it turns out that it IS a cool board. It has lower heat, which is always a bonus, plus it has built-in Wireless N, a RAID controller, and something called Express Gate, which is a version of Linux that you can boot up quickly if you just need to use the internet or something. Plus it has a plethora of overclocking options.

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Power Supply - I chose the Antec Signature 650W PSU because Newegg had a deal where you get 50 bucks back if you buy it with the Antec 900 case, but a quick google showed that this PSU is the best one ever.

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Video Card - Radeon HD 4850. A guy in the Computer Construction crew recommended it to me, so I did some research and found that it's a pretty powerful board for the price. All that I really need are two DVI ports. :)

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OS - You may be wondering why there's no OS there. Well, I'm gonna buy it from eBay - there's all sorts of new XP Pro discs out there that sell for $200 less than what Newegg's offering, because they're meant for the large PC building companies themselves. I'll be missing out on the fancy packaging. Oh noes.

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RAM - I'm buying 8 gigs, but I'll only install 4 gigs. I could go up to 8 gigs (I want to), but only 64-bit OSs can utilize that much memory. I'm thinking of getting Vista Home Premium 64 as a dual-boot option. Why dual-boot and not just get Vista, you ask? Because I'm going to be using specialized sound cards and software that work a lot better on XP than Vista. I don't want to take any chances here.

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Hard Drives - Three WD 640 GB drives and an 80 GB drive. I was originally planning on four 640 GB hard drives in a RAID 1+0 array for speed and security, but apparently the real-world situations only give about 10%-15% faster rates. It's not worth the stability risk. I might put two of them in a RAID 0 array, though. Anyway, I'll use those big ones for my samples and raw renders. That lone 80 gig drive is gonna be my system drive.

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External Media drives - Two CD/DVD burners for multiple burnings and a universal card reader. Nothing to write home about.

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Case - Sigma Windstorm. I was suggested to use the Antec 500 for my case, and from what I've heard it's fantastic, but the Windstorm looks just as cooled (5 120mm fans: 1 in front, 1 on the back, 1 on the side, 2 on top, with a port for one on the bottom), it's less expensive, it has more expansion options, AND it has tool-less cages!
The model I chose doesn't come with a side window. Instead, it's plain ol' metal, but it has acoustic foam already installed on the inside. I'll still be buying fan filters separately. To reduce noise, I'm planning on buying soft fan mounts, rubber HD screws, and acoustic foam.

.
Monitors - It's not listed there, but I'm gonna be getting two, yes two, 24" Samsung 2493HM monitors. 4,608,000 pixels at my command. I'm getting them for their size, contrast ratio, and because they can swivel 90 degrees vertically into portrait mode! Browsing the web and viewing other long things (lol) will be a LOT easier.

All in all, a very capable PC. She will be mine. Oh yes. She will be.

P.S - It'll be less expensive than a Mac. IN UR FAIC

Compootur (updated case)


Comments

Sounds awesome!

I got one of them pre-built computers you buy from stores like PC world, but hey, my mum only bought it because we badly needed a new one for purposes like her college work and stuff.

But I only use it for english coursework and the internet, so it does its job perfectly in that respect.

I've been looking to get into PC gaming as well, and apparently, my PC has the minimum requirements to run The Orange Box, so I guess it's specs are ok, but actually running it without a problem is another matter.

Ooo, I MUST remember to buy Portal once I get my computer set up.

You should put stickers on it too.

I'll adorn it with stickers.

I'm getting my new computer sometime next week; Crysis on maximum settings, no lag at all, plus a really cool looking case thats clear and has blue lights in it.

If I traded in one of my monitors, I could afford to build a computer to do that. BUT I WANT MOAR SKREENZ

personally i would buy a solid state drive to have vista and xp boot much much faster, and then use the larger 7200rpm harddrives for general storage, it makes my computer run so much smoother than it did before. i also have reason on my solid state drive too.

and ASUS mobo's rock.

I want one too - I looked for it on Newegg, couldn't find it :(. Those solid-state drives are expensive right now, though, but I'll definitely get one when they're more widely available.

We need a Rig musical!

Starring Mike Myers!

I've got a new computer, but I won't be using it until I move to Perth in January. But it's fast, tripped out for my moosikz, got decent speakers for it, and I'll probably go all out and get dual monitors and wireless keyboard + mouse.
It's gunna be awesum!

Let's have computer parties!

Wager: You beat me to 10k posts, and I will up my quitting quota to 15k posts.

Sure, why not. You'll probably win, lol

Nice one.

Why thank you.

Tee hee, be sure to pick up crysis, this rig can manage it!

I'll be sure to give it a whirl :D

Nice Rig (literately)!

(1) Looks like you've researched throughly on each part, and amass a sweet dream computer. It'll probably serve you for a good 5 years? or the likely case of a smoking motherboard (ha).

(2) I'm actually very interested to hear about your "grants, bursaries, and royalties". How did it come by? Thanks for the link to the acoustic foam, I've always wanted to reduce my sound jitters!

(3) And in reply to your comment, I'm pleasantly surprised to hear that you wish to get into composition for games/movies. I've got a similar interest actually (Film Composition), though not atm. :-P

I've taken a listen to your music and wow, you're synced with music. You've got a great musical style/variation to your works which is a lot of fun to listen to. Great stuff man! I'll have to catch you on AIM one day. Cheers.

To make a long story short, reduced living expenses + student loans + RESP + grant + selling music = new computer :D
Thanks for the feedback! Maybe we can make some uber project someday.

Computer parties are the best kind.
I'll bust out a variety of awesome songs in my iTunes and on my speakers.
Don't forget to bring the cyberchips. ;D

I'll bring the cyberchips if you bring the liquid cooling!

I forgot to say this, but i loved your music in Newgrounds Pass 3 :3

Aw, thanks!

Featuring such songs as "I have no hair!" or "Look ma, I'm on the front page!"

Doo wop diddy dooo wop
JAZZ HANDS

must be something in the air, i am also starting a build to a PC... good luck on yours man

Same to you, good sir.

It's a deal. But don't get the limewire brand cyberchips, I hear they give you viruses.

I'll bring the Crossfire chips.

i'm actually working on a new comp myself.

Details plz

Oh hey, your one of those nice mods!
Or as I like to call them, "NOT DRY-ICE"

Almost all of us are!

I wish i ahd a computer like yours... :(

It's not mine yet ;P