Computers

Introduction

This page is dedicated to building the ultimate desktop personal computer.

Dream Machine

I am currently researching what it would take to build the next ultimate desktop machine. The following is an initial list of specifications:

• CPU: Intel Core 2 Extreme (3GHz roughly)
• RAM: 2GB DDR2 533MHz
• Hard Drive (main disk): Western Digital Raptor X.
• Hard Drive (page file): Flash Drive (unknown).
• Display (left): LCD Monitor (unknown).
• Display (center): LCD Monitor (unknown).
• Display (right): LCD Monitor (unknown).
• Graphics Card: NVidea GeForce 8600.
• Network Card: Killer NIC.
• Case: Lian Li PC-68 or Antech P182.

Displays

Some suggestions:

• BenQ FP241W
• Samsung SyncMaster CX931B

Related articles:

• Reg Hardware - BenQ readies ‘world’s first’ HDMI monitor
• Newlaunches - Samsung SyncMaster CX930B the most colorful LCD monitor

Video Cards

• Blackmagic Design Intensity - An HDMI capture card that supports HD video with up to 1080i output.

Cases

• Silentmaxx ST11-PRO - Acoustically lined cases.

Keyboards

• Apple Wireless Keyboard - Slick and elegant design. Uses bluetooth technology and works with Windows and Mac. Read an in-depth review at AppleInsider.

Resources

• Tom’s Hardware - Holiday Buyer’s Guide 2007: Part 1
• Coding Horror - Building a PC.
• Tom’s Hardware - How To Build A PC, Part 1: Component Selection Overview
• Tom’s Hardware - How To Build A PC, Part 2: Choosing the Right Vendor
• Tom’s Hardware - How To Build A PC, Part 3: Putting It All Together
• ExtremeTech - Build a PC with the Best Bang for the Buck
• ExtremeTech - Ten DIY Mistakes
• BusinessWeek - Dual-Core CPU Buyer’s Guide
• Tom’s Hardware - THG Tuning Test: Core 2 Extreme vs. Athlon 64 FX-62
• ZD Net - Double the core, double the heat?
• ExtremeTech - Tame that CPU Temperature, Upgrade to Dual-Core, and More Tips
• Ars Technica - Quad-core race heats up
• Tom’s Hardware - Intel’s Core 2 Quadro Kentsfield: Four Cores on a Rampage
• Tom’s Hardware - Corsair’s XMS2 Dominator: The World’s Fastest DDR2?
• Tom’s Hardware - Graphics Beginners’ Guide, Part 1: Graphics Cards
• Tom’s Hardware - Graphics Beginners’ Guide, Part 2: Graphics Technology
• Tom’s Hardware - Graphics Beginners’ Guide, Part 3: Graphics Performance
• Tom’s Hardware - Red Hot VGA Charts
• Tom’s Hardware - Best Gaming Cards for the Money: July 2007
• ExtremeTech - SLI vs. Crossfire: Hi-res Slapdown
• ExtremeTech - SLI vs. Crossfire Benchmarks
• Ars Technica - NVIDIA unleashes Quad SLI that you can DIY
• Tom’s Hardware - Get Quad SLI Before It Is Hatched
• Tom’s Hardware - Nvidia’s Response to Early DIY Quad-SLI
• Tom’s Hardware - Can You Run Nvidia Dual Graphics Without SLI?
• Ars Technica - Next up from NVIDIA: the GeForce 7950 GT
• Tom’s Hardware - The GeForce 7900GS is Nvidia’s New Mid-Range
• ExtremeTech - GeForce 7950 GT: Nvidia’s new $300 card
• Bit-Tech - GeForce 8800 series round-up
• DailyTech - NVIDIA’s GeForce 8800GTX
• Ars Technica - NVIDIA rethinks the GPU with the new GeForce 8800
• Tom’s Hardware - GeForce 8800: Here Comes the DX10 Boom
• Tom’s Hardware - What Direct3D 10 Is All About
• CNET - NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX
• CNET - NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS
• ExtremeTech - ATI Radeon X1950 XTX - The First Graphics Card with 1GHz GDDR4
• Tom’s Hardware - 20″ LCD Monitors: XXL Displays
• Tom’s Hardware - Wide Format LCD Monitors: Part 2
• Tom’s Hardware - 2007 HDD Rundown: Can High Capacities Meet High Performance?
• Tom’s Hardware - Powersaving Guide
• Tom’s Hardware - 500 GB External Drives Tested
• Tom’s Hardware - A Beginner’s Guide For WaterCooling Your PC.