My choices: Asus Rampage (X48 vs. X38, forget AMD 680/780) Intel E6550 (core2) or Q6600 (core2Q) Thermaltake *toughpower* 750W PSU (or OCZ, Silverstone, CWT, Seasonic) Thermaltake Armor case 2 (1024x2) or 4GB (2048x2) RAM DDR2-800 because it's cheap right now & XP will use 3GB for sure. Graphics? anything ATI => X1950 or Nvidia => 7800 (forget future SLI upgrades since Nvidia too stupid to allow support on an Intel chipset.)
Why? Supports the fastest DDR2 RAM for the $$$, handles all Intel CPU's (it's X48), won't become obsolete in 2 years IMHO, allows for upgrades. Look for deals/rebates and you could build core box for < $1000 sans HDD, CD/DVD, new KB, etc.... Chris on the other hand will have you buying some AM2+ jobbie in a ultra case w/ ultra branded PSU. Just poking Chris! =) Harvey Best wrote: > Hi all, > > Need to build 2 systems. > > 1. Strictly business. Don't need fancy graphics, or sound, so onboard video/sound is fine. (I will up the RAM) Dual HDD that are Raid Mirrors are needed. > > 2. System 2 can be almost like the one above, but needs a better video card. My wife is a Medical Transcriptionist. This will be her work system and her "playing with digital pics" system. I want dual hdd, and a raid mirror on this as well. I have a Raptor SATA drive that I am going to put in along with another Raptor of same size. Speed is important to her as she is paid on production. > > Both systems will be using 19 inch basic flat screen monitors. Both systems will be running XP. System 2 will be XP Pro. (Hospital requirement) and a medical version of Word. Speed is important here, but nothing that has to be ripping fast. (also, as the hospital upgrades she needs to be at least close, so at least dual core if not quad if I can swing it) > > 1st system will be running XP home. So XP drivers for both systems will be important. > > Both systems will be on networks. System 1 wireless and system 2 wired. > > I have looked on Tiger and Geeks and haven't quite seen what I need. Budget is 800 for system 1, though I can go to 1k if needed. About 1000 - 1400 for system 2. > > Any and all help appreciated. > > BTW, I have the legit copies of XP so that doesn't have to be part of the expense. And, I can put my own systems together, so individual components, if a better deal, is not a problem. > > Thanks all, > > Harvey > > hbest > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > More immediate than e-mail? Get instant access with Windows Live Messenger. > http://www.windowslive.com/messenger/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_instantaccess_042008 > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
