I want a new computer and as much as I'm compelled to grab a new quad core MBP I want an SSD and storage without going optibay so I'm thinking hold off on getting a new notebook until they include USB3 and have some sort of SSD/HD compromise.

Wants:
sandybridge i7 quad
ssd system drive
1-2 tb drive for media
internal time machine/backup drive
4 ram slots (2x4gb to start)
dual monitor support (+hdmi out)

I do some light audio work and video editing. I want to be able to have safari/mail/itunes/preview/textedit/transmission/frostwire open and have enough power to open photoshop or logic and do a quick project without a thought of quitting everything else to free up resources. i'll up memory to 16 gb in the future. gaming isn't a worry and i'm fine with staying wired for ethernet and usb keyboard. i was thinking bluetooth dongle to a magic mouse? or wired is fine.

i'm not a pro when it comes to command line stuff, i have a dell mini 9 hackintosh that works well for it's purpose, so moderate experience. i have enough knowledge that putting together a system feels like a fun project provided the resources and support is there. so with that said where do i start? any links to sandy bridge builds?


processor & motherboard: i read a recommendation for the Asus P8P67 motherboard along with an i7-2600K @ 3.4 GHz. I notice there are half a dozen variations on this board from $140 to $300ish, what is the difference?
I'm trying to go as budget as possible while meeting the wants i outlined above.

drives: what size ssd should i choose for os & applications (anything else i'm going to want on there?) i was thinking ~80gb. for data i was considering either a single 2TB or possibly 2 1TB in a raid setup and then using a 2 or 3 gb drive for backup. will i have any trouble setting up the internal drive for time machine? is the benefit of setting up a raid for data worth the hassle?

power supply: how big do i need? 500W? is there a way to determine an ideal wattage for a given setup and anything to look for or stay away from?

video card: radeon 5750? 5770? nvidia? i want dual dvi, and an hdmi port and reasonably capable. some 3d modelling is a possibility. very little gaming. hopefully $150 or less.

ram: is it important to have matched manufacturer & everything in each slot or is it fine to go 2 and 2 (buy 2 sticks now and upgrade with 2 more in the future)



i don't entirely know where to start so i'd be grateful for some advice.

or tell me reasons i should bail and get the mbp.


if i go the hackintosh route i'm looking to spend 1000-1200 on everything. does that sound doable?

$1000-$1200 on everything?
Easily done. Here's a build I arranged earlier that should meet your needs. I haven't built it yet, or ordered the parts, but it's a sweet build. The motherboard should work as far as I know. '


1
MSI Radeon HD 5770 R5770 Hawk Video Card
Item #:N82E16814127490
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate
$144.99
1
Rosewill Blackbone Black Computer Case
Item #:N82E16811147023
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$5.00 Instant
$49.99
$44.99
1
Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC064MAG-1G1 2.5" MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Item #:N82E16820148357
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$144.99
$134.99
1
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory
Item #:N82E16820231426
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$84.99
1
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 500GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #:N82E16822152181
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$49.99
1
MSI P67A-G43 (B3) ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #:N82E16813130583
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$134.99
1
Rosewill RG630-S12 630W "Compatible with Core i7,i5" Power Supply
Item #:N82E16817182200
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$30.00 Instant
$89.99
$59.99
1
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory
Item #:N82E16820231427
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$49.99
1
Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" SATA 6.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #:N82E16822148697
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$59.99
1
Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
Item #:N82E16819115072
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
$224.99
Grand Total: $989.90

all you have to do is swap out the i5 for an i7 and get a DVD drive.