Another "Need Help Building PC" Thread

[AwkdShellfish]

1. Are you building this computer yourself or having one built for you?

Myself.

2. What is your budget and does that include shipping/taxes?

$1,500-$2,000 excluding monitor, monitor brackets, case, input/output devices. Not including shipping/taxes. I've settled on a $350 case. My budget for monitors is yet to be determined because I haven't got the slightest clue of what's actually practical or not.

3. Where do you live?

Bay Area, California. At least for now. Thinking about relocating to Southern California.

4. What do you need this computer to do (like gaming, Photoshop, and so on)?

Mostly for work (accounting, photoshop, massive file transfers). My definition of work is still expanding, but those three should be sufficient for now. Gaming of course occasionally, however not a priority. I would just like to have a system that is powerful enough to game once and a while. As much as I would like to spend hours and days in PS2, I do not have the time to dedicate to that anymore.

5. What parts will you need for the computer? List what parts specifically, saying you need everything will not do.

The most important thing for this new build is that I require a multi-screen layout, mostly for work. I am not sure if multi-screen gaming is a pro, but if it is, why not? And with this multiscreen system, i want it to run it smoothly as possible without lagging.

1 x DVD burner

2 x HDD (2 is a must, 3-4 if budget allows)

Motherboard

CPU(s)

RAM

Video Card(s)

PSU

Monitors

Monitor Brakets for Multi-screen

Aftermarket CPU Heatsink?

Thermal Grease?

Keyboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823109148)

Mouse

For Macros in photoshop & gaming (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823114015)

Document Scanner (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16838115052)

Case Fans (Was looking at Newegg and I can't believe the amount of different kinds of fans there are from ball bearings to hydralics.)

Case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119252)

6. Are you reusing any parts for this computer? If so say what parts (make and model).

No. I'm starting fresh.

7. What kind of monitor/resolution do you have or want to get to use for the computer?

Sorry. I have no clue as to what is a good size/resolution, or in fact, I don't know how many screens would be practical. I'm guessing at the very least, 3 monitors.

8. Do you have already have a OS or do you need one? What OS is that?

Yes. Windows 7 Ultimate, using a cracked key. I have both the 32-bit and 64-bit.

9. What are you looking for the motherboard to have feature wise? Like SLI, Crossfire, Firewire, USB 3.0, Sata 6.0 Gb/s, and so on.

Just so long as I can transfer huge amounts of data in a relatively short/reasonable time, and output multiple screens, both for work, and for gaming, without ghosting or lagging or anything of that nature. I have read up a little on SLI and Crossfire, but I don't know enough to really start putting the pieces together, or if I even need an SLI or Crossfire system.

10. Any plans to overclock the CPU or GPU?

Hell No.

11. What time kind of time frame are you planning on ordering these parts?

Next several paychecks. My reason for this post is so I can familiarize myself with what is available at the time. The last time I built something was during the Pentium 4 era. I'm so lost now, I can't even begin to fathom what's out on the market. I would really appreciate any input, suggestion, or recommendation anyone has.