I'm near to retirement and I plan to make extra money freelancing in digital imaging, graphics and web design and I'll probably play the occasional computer game . I set out to make the most powerful computer I could for under $1500. I explored commercial sources, upgrading a commercial computer, or even building it from individual parts from Newegg.

I finally decide to order a custom computer from Cyberpower because they are the only company that I know of that lets you select specific components by brand name so that you can make sure that you are building with quality parts. They also offer extras like wire bundling for very little. Getting the parts individually costs almost the same so although I would enjoy assembling it myself, when it comes to thinks like potting the CPU etc. I just as soon leave it to someone else.

This is what I think will give me the most bang for the buck but I have noticed that we have a lot of expertise on this site so before I plunk my money down, I want to get comments and suggestions

OK, here are my recommendations.

1. Upgrade the PSU. Going with a low rate power supply unit is like putting a time bomb in your computer. I just recreated your build on Cyberpower and swapped out the Hush 680 watt PSU for a Corsair 650 watt PSU. The efficiency, reliability and features ensure the value of the purchase and better yet the life of your computer.
+$48 above the Hush PSU

2. Upgrade the GPU. The 9800GTX+ will hold back your system graphically. It would THE only bottleneck in your whole system. The HD4870 1 GB or if you must use an nVidia card, the GTX 260.
HD4870 1 GB - + $81 above the 9800 GTX+.
GTX260 - +$71 above the 9800 GTX+.

3. Change the memory. Corsair's Dominator series isn't much better than the XMS series. You can save some cash by going with that instead.
-$29 below the Dominator series.


Total increase = $90-$100 depending on GPU.


Finally, unless 12 GB's of RAM are required, 6 GB's should be looked into. You can save $150 on RAM and $10 on the motherboard by using the Gigabyte board instead of the MSI board.

Total price = $1,325-$1,335 depending on GPU.

It pains me to see a $1400 sistem with a GPU for less than $200.

For graphics design the GTX 2xx series is a better fit and it will improve performance where applicable more than the 9800 GTX already installed.

Are you interested in making the computer quiet? Since its a work-station as well.

Thanks for the input. I'm not the up to speed on  Power Supplies so I choose just by wattage. I've used mostly Zallman in the past. Good to have a specific recommendation.

I like to GTX260/280 but I have to check and see if they have dual link DVI and do they support NVIDIA 3-D. Failing that I went with the best 9800 which does met those two criteria.

Thanks for the tip on memory. Do you have any thoughts about the Muskin? or any others.

I do want the RAM. I do some techniques in PhotoShop that are RAM limited so I want 12 now and the option to go to 16. Otherwise I like the Gigabyte card as well or better. I agree most people would not want or need that much RAM

I appreciate your time and help.

Quiet is good, within reason, what do you have in mind?

And I would never want to cause you pain. I will definately go with a 260/280 when I find out if they have dual link DVI and support 3-D