Looking for some advice on building a computer. I have pretty much everything picked out (dont have my exact list in front of me but will post it shortly) but if anyone has experience or a better suggestion to something I'm all ears.

One of the questions I had was regarding Windows. I was originally thinking of swapping over Vista (from current desktop) to a SSD then upgrading to 7 but then heard your OS is registered to the motherboard and I'll most likely passing on the Vista computer. So going with a clean install of Windows 7, is it logically to go for the top of line version (Ultimate I believe)?

Another question I had was regarding cooling. Eventually, I want to run AMD's Bulldozer with 32gb ram, would it be better to with a water cooled setup now instead of upgrading later?

Part List:
[New]
Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W ATX PSU
Asus Sabertooth 990FX MB
G.Skill Sniper 16GB 1600 RAM
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T Black Edition (or 1090T BE $20 difference)
Intel 320 Series 120GB SSD
Corsair Special Edition White Graphite Series 600T Case (decided on the case with the longest name )

[Swapping Over]
LG 12x Blu-Ray Burner Drive
WIFI PCI Card
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Sound Card
EVGA GeForce GT 440 Video Card
Might also swap over the second HDD I have in my current computer

 

If you're going with 32gb of ram, you're going to need either windows 7 professional or ultimate. Windows Home Premium only supports less than 16gb of ram

 

Id definetly go with water cooling now seein how cheap you can get a kit for now. I have my i7 2600k running 4.8ghz and Its ran cool all summer long on water.
I never see the reason behind getting the ulitmate OS I've always just bought the builders edition home OS's and been fine.
Just remember to get X64 bit windows 7 If you plan on running anything over 4gb of ram.

 

Thanks guys, I think I was looking at either the Professional or Ultimate versions just didn't know if I actually needed Ultimate. Probably go with Professional if Ultimate isn't needed.

07wrx4life, what water cooling setup are you using? I've seen some nice Corsair kits that have gotten some good reviews.

 

Go with 64 bit pro unless you want the multiple language support. Compare Windows - Microsoft Windows

 

Another question I had regards the video card. My primary use for this new computer will be photo/video editing and multitasking between various programs. Probably play a game here and there, but not a high possibility. The video card I have now (EVGA GeForce GT 440) is more for photo/video editing than gaming and really helped out my 5yr old desktop when editing. Do you think it'll be enough for this new build? Or should I pick up something else to help out like Mac's are setup?

 

Awesome thanks!! I couldn't remember exactly what Ultimate had over Pro but knew it was something I didn't need lol

 

Was there any reason why you're pushing so much for AMD? It seems you have some cash, the new 2500-2700k's from intel really can overclock like nuts

 

Not really, I have a AMD dual-core in my computer now and haven't had any issues with it so I figure keep the AMD good-luck ball rolling.

 

ehh....AMD used to be good, but now their super high end processors (also much more expensive) are only equivalent to intel's midranged processors.

 

best bang for your buck is an intel 2500k processor with a Z68 mobo over a p67. it will be money well spent. and if your can spare more cash i would step it up to the 2600k processor but the 2500k is a beast of an overclocker.

 

Win 7 Ultimate has foreign language support, Win 7 Pro (good enough for most) has the 32 bit emulator...required in my book.

I'd strongly suggest considering VMWare Workstation...by loading your primary machine as a virtual machine, you can save off the entire operating system and restore to any other hardware (this is very cool to install to a Mac or Linux box!) or as new hardware comes out, just mount it. I would suggest keeping the parent os win7, because graphic games will not run best on the virtual box, but everything else will, it's cool to keep the same desktop for year after year

If you are really handy with the PC, you can try Qbox, which is free, VMWare though has tons of tools to help out doing odd jobs

 

If you have the cash, I'd definitely be looking towards an intel processor. Sure there is the whole debate vs AMD and Intel, but Intel's new processors destroy anything AMD had earlier. I'm not biased, and I have built multiple AMD computers, for cheapo around the $600 dollar range that serves me perfectly well. If I had anywhere near 1k+, I'd be lookin' to rock a badass 2500, 2600 with a sweet heatsink and OC that mother almost 100%!

If you watercooled, that thing would be insanely sexy.

 

I am for water cooling

 

Sigma why no heatsinks on the second video cards backside like card #1?
I like your setup. Im water-cooling my proc too but i have not done the video cards cause the water blocks are expensive to replace when you change cards every other year.
My next build im thinking about doing my NB chip as well. where did you mount your radiator? I put mine on the outside of the case. it dropped internal temps down helping with the cooling of the video and NB/SB.