I am in the process of building a brand new computer – one that I will use as my primary gaming / video / movie production system. The HP desktop that I got not that long ago will be repurposed as our new media PC in the living room, so that leaves me without a primary desktop.

I really don’t NEED another computer, but hey, I’m a nerd – and I’m getting rid of my server (I’ll repurpose it for something else) so might as well just build another one .

Here are the specs and why I chose them:

• Processor: Intel Core i7 920 – it was given to me as part of my participation in the Intel Retail Edge program
• Motherboard: Intel DX58SO Extreme – see above
• Case: Antec Nine Hundred Steel ATX Ultimate Gamer – price / size / number of bays / front usb and sound
• Power Supply: Corsair 750w tx series – price, rebate offered, need more power especially for video card (dual power)
• Video: EVGA GeForce GTX260 Core 216 Superclocked 896MB DDR3 PCIe – price, memory, Nvidia processor
• Memory: Corsair 6GB 3×2GB 1600MHz DDR3 – price, speed
• System Drives: 2 Western Digital 1TB 7200 RPM SATA – price, I only buy WD hard drives
• Additional components: mouse, keyboard, generic DVD rom, multi-card reader, Logitech Orbit webcam, 2 Western Digital external Book drives (500gb / 1TB)

Most of my decisions were based on price or brand preference (Nvidia, Western Digital). I also based some decisions (case, power) on recommendations from others. The system will be installed with Vista 64, and then I’ll get it going with all my standard software.

The next post will be a visual of all the components I’ll be using to build the system.

(by the way, I’m blogging this post via the Acer Aspire One – I’m having to squeeze my hands together because the keyboard is so small, but the battery life is awesome)

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