I dunno if this post is out of place here, but I'll just write it here :)

Hi!

I'm probably gonna buy a new computer in early 2011. I've been running on my 2008 Acer laptop, so anything new will be better by far.
I'm pretty much going all-in on sick specs, so here's what I have found:

Motherboard: P55-USB3

RAM: Kingston HyperX 16GB DDR3-1333 DualChannel

Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX570 1280MB

Hard drives: Intel X25 80GB for OS, Western Digital 1TB (with 6 GB/s) for stuff

OS: Not pre-installed, but it'll run Win 7 64-bit Pro or Ultimate eventually. It's just cheaper to buy and install it on my own.

USB: 8 x USB 2.0, 2 x USB 3.0

HDMI: 1 output

DVD drive: Sony 24x dual layer burner

Extras: Scythe CPU cooler, SeaSonic SuperSilent 750W power "input"

All in all: $ 2200.

Remember, prices here in Denmark are generally 2 x the avg. American prices. Ordering from outside Denmark will only make it yet more expensive, since shipping costs .. .well, a lot.

EDIT: It'll be used for Vue (preferably 8.5 or 9), 3DS Max (10 or 11), Photoshop CS5, After Effects CS5 along with a few other graphically "hardcore" programs. On top of that, a game or two to break up all the serious-ness (and make it all more awesome).

EDIT 2: Said games would be pretty hefty (graphics-wise) too. Of course. ;)

I hope you have something to say, and that you aren't too bored / awestruck by now :)

Cheers,

Thomas

you  missed out which cpu you were going for :P

Whoops ... that'd be an Intel Core i7-870 (4 x 2.93 GHz).

I bought an Intel 950, 12 gigs of triple channel RAM, a Geforce 9800GT graphics card, two 1 TB hard drives, a DVD recorder, and am very happy with it. I paid around $1400. US for it from Magic Micro. www.magicmicro.com and am very happy with it, but I imagine the shipping would be awful. Your PC sounds great.

Oh, and Windows 7 64 bit Pro. included.

Some things you need to check on vid card too. Shader control, What is the Open GL source.

Supposedly with vue 9 most issues with post rendering and high poly counts seem to be lessoned. That said, Congrats on new system.

hm 80 Gigs on the OS HD is a bit low, IMHO. I'd try and get more if possible like 120 GIG

and make very sure all apps are installed elsewhere, some are pain for installing on "C:"

don't recognize the motherboard, as I only use ASUS boards, sorry

Is the PSu "modular"? moduler ones are great for keeping your case tidy, as you can remove extra cables that aren't used ;)

Get a good case as well! I like the Antec Gamer cases but they weight a ton, and first version let dust in (hence I tape air filter foam over front of mine)

if your MOBO only has 4 mem slots, you might want 6 Mem slots

Is Nvidia or ATI preferred for Vue?

nvidia it seems given that the requirements page on the site mentions lots of issues with ati

go down to "chips we dont recoomend"

http://www.e-onsoftware.com/products/vue/vue_9_xstream/?page=17

Definately NOT ATI.