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Every so often I get the urge to price up a new computer. I'm not planning on getting one anytime soon, but this is what I would get if I were to buy one.



MSI P55M-GD45 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #:N82E16813130246
$119.99


Intel Core i7-860 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor
Item #:N82E16819115214
-$10.00 Instant
$289.99
$279.99



G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory
Item #:N82E16820231275
$108.99


MSI Radeon HD 5850 R5850-PM2D1G OC Video Card
Item #:N82E1681412747
-$30.00 Instant
$329.99
$299.99


Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #:N82E16822148433
-$5.00 Instant
$99.99
$94.99


Antec Mini P180 Black Computer Case
Item #:N82E16811129041
-$20.00 Instant
$99.99
$79.99


CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX 620W Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
Item #:N82E16817139002
-$40.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$189.99
$149.99


LG 22X DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model GH22LS50 LightScribe Support
Item #:N82E16827136168
$28.99

Grand Total:$1,162.92


I could probably save $200-$300 if I wanted to. I could probably save $20 on the memory going cheaper, $40 on the case, $90 on the processor if I dropped to an i5, $20-30 on the PSU if I didn't want modular cables, and probably $20 on a smaller hard drive. This also doesn't include shipping.

It's also a micro-itx build, if you didn't notice. I like having a small PC that I can grab and bring somewhere without breaking my back. I haven't had any problems with heat on my current PC, and it's using all factory coolers.

So, if you could build one what would you go for? Or what would you change on mine.

Still in the process of collecting the parts for my next build, which started as a Debian/BSD/XP/Server2k3 'test bed' computer that I plan to turn into a media server/NAS at a later date.
These are the parts I already have:

-ATI X1900 AIW*
-ATI HDTV Wonder*
-Apex TX-346 Micro-ATX case (Which came with a generic 300W PSU)
(Why this case? Because it's a Micro-ATX with built-in room for FOUR** internal hard drives, that's why!)
-GigaByte GA-K8N51GMF-RH GF6100 s754 MLB (Server 2003 Certified! Built-in gigabit!)
-Athlon 64 3000+ 2.0GHz s754 (single-core)
-Silverstone FM82-B (Variable speed 92mm fan that fits in 80mm hole - rear exhaust vent)
-Silverstone SST-FM92 (Variable speed 110mm fan that fits in 90mm hole - front intake/HDD vent)
-1GB DDR400 DRAM (2x512)
-ALPS Silver 1.44MB Floppy Drive (it matches!)
-ASUS Silver DVD-ROM Drive (it matches, too!)
-Cables (round, of course)

After the tax refund arrives, I'll be adding/replacing:

-Silverstone ST45NF 450W Fanless PSU (No noise. Shh!) - About $200
-Biostar TA790GXE Micro-ATX 790GX AM2+ motherboard (VGA/DVI, 6ch audio, 6xSATA II connections) - About $100
-Phenom II X4 945 HDX945FBGIBOX (Fastest 95W AMD Quad CPU right now) - About $175
-2GB (1x2GB) or 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 1066 RAM (Depending on finances) - About $50-100

When I'm done, it'll be a machine capable of full HD reception, playback, and recording unencumbered by broadcast flag shenanigans***. Plus it will be a decent gaming upgrade from my current machine (Dual P-III 1.4GHz w/ GF6800 Ultra).

--Patrick

*Won't be installed until after I do the PSU upgrade due to power requirements.
**Or five if I feel like sacrificing the second floppy bay, which I probably will. That way I can put the OS on a 5th (IDE/ATA) drive and RAID together the 4 SATA ones for some hugeness.
***The X1900 AIW was released just before the broadcast flag was implemented, meaning it ignores the flag completely.

I've wanted to put something like that together too. Never did it because I couldn't easily hook it up to dish network. You have to make the PC act as a remote to change the channels on the Dish receiver.