Hi,
Am looking to build a new computer for my work and was seeking validation of my thought processes. For work I would normally just buy "off-the-shelf", but this time I am keen
to custom design and build to get the best bang for buck ('cos it's my machine!). Would be very grateful for any feedback / suggestions.
(Note that the unit will act as both a workstation for me as well as a file/web/database server for a 10-person network.)
Requirements:
SQL Server 2008 Express Edition
IIS
Developer Tools
DBA Tools
Office productivity tools
Graphics tools (CorelDraw, as opposed to CAD)
Dual video output for dual monitors (currently 1xVGA, 1xDVI, but possibly 2xDVI in the future)
High (relatively) availability - as a "server", I need it to be - well - available.
Budget - $2400 (excl GST) max
"Non"-requirements (i.e. what I don't really need):
Screens / KB / mouse (getting from retiring unit)
Super quiet (used in office environment)
Overclocking capabilities
Where I'm at:
MB: Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD4
Proc: Intel i5 750
RAM: Corsair Dominator 4x2GB 1600 DDR3 8-8-8-24
Video: Gigabyte nVidia 9500GT (don't need flash graphics, just a decent card with dual video out)
System: Corsair X32 SSD (x2 in RAID 1)
Data: Seagate 1TB HDD (x2 in RAID 1)
OS: Windows 7 Pro 64-bit (OEM)
Case: CoolerMaster CM690
PSU: CoolerMaster 650W eXtreme
Pricing for the above at Computer Lounge comes in at just on $2,360.
Reasoning:
The Gigabyte MB has eSATA, USB3.0 and SATA3.0 - all items which may have a future use (just getting in on the cutting edge)
I have gone 64-bit / high on RAM as I quite often have a good number of apps open at one time and want to avoid the delays with paging as much as possible.
Have gone for SSD on the system drive to get a performance edge when launching programs.
Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.