new computer assistance....

[crazeazn]

So its time to build a new computer! I run the the typical photo stuff that we do here (raw on PS/LR) and some intensive AI/indesign work. I also play some heavy duty games every once in a while. Last night took the cake as i opened both and had 1.5 gigs machine maxxed out as my computer just basically locked up with 100% cpu util. Also I've started recently shooting raw so the the raw to jpeg taking like 1.5 minutes to make a jpeg is getting on the annoying side. I have about 1500/maybe more to utilize, so the debate boils down should i get a mac pro (possibly an older version) or build a box again. I'm familiar with both routes since I build my boxes but also own a mini and a powerbook.

This is my current box built from 4+ years ago:
3.2 Pentium D dual core (4 meg cache)
2 gigs of Ram
radeon 1950xt
150 gig scratch disk
320 gig secondary disk
2x DVD-R burner

I will not use ANYTHING from this computer. The machine cant run HD 1080p

If i were to build a box:

Asus mobo
quad core 9560
4+ gigs of ram
radeon 4870
velociraptor
secondary drive
16x dvd burner LS
new case

which tallys around the 1k mark. I'm curious if can i find a stripped refurb non nehalem mac pro for around $1500 or so, maybe throw in another cpu, add some more ram, and swap out a video card for a Radeon 4870. I CAN stop playing games so thats non issue, but is what i want possible? MacNN forums are pretty dead when it comes to this stuf.... The new mac pros are just way too much money even with student discount. I have a house account with Directron so my prices are about the same as Newegg.. Help me out!

John

[darktiger]

House account with directron, what's that??? I am interested.

I would probably pick up a i7 chip. They are a bargain at microcenter right now. Also Fry's has some cheap DDR3 that you can use with the i7. My brother just built a i7 920 computer with 12GB of DDR3 and the machine is awesome.

My current rig that I built myself almost 2 years ago can kill raw files without any problems, and edit my 5dmarkII 1080p videos. I have a q6600 oc to 3.4ghz, raptor as my prim HD, 2 1TB HD, 8GB DDR2, NVidia 260GTX.

I think you can build a decent i7 computer for 1000-1200.

darktiger added 1 Minutes and 3 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Oh yeah I game a lot on my 30" LCD... So the 260 pushes dual LCD's without any problems (and cheap right now).

[crazeazn]

Originally Posted by darktiger

House account with directron, what's that??? I am interested.

I would probably pick up a i7 chip. They are a bargain at microcenter right now. Also Fry's has some cheap DDR3 that you can use with the i7. My brother just built a i7 920 computer with 12GB of DDR3 and the machine is awesome.

My current rig that I built myself almost 2 years ago can kill raw files without any problems, and edit my 5dmarkII 1080p videos. I have a q6600 oc to 3.4ghz, raptor as my prim HD, 2 1TB HD, 8GB DDR2, NVidia 260GTX.

I think you can build a decent i7 computer for 1000-1200.

darktiger added 1 Minutes and 3 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Oh yeah I game a lot on my 30" LCD... So the 260 pushes dual LCD's without any problems (and cheap right now).

I have a reseller's agreement with directron. I've bought quite a bit of stuff for them in the past. I'm also looking at xeon's as well. Anybody know how xeons fare with games?

[darktiger]

cool. I have to check it out. I think over the last 3 years I have spent over 30k there....when I use to build 2-3 computers a week..