New Rig

[nslay]

Here is a picture with a measuring tape. It looks like the 5970 will be a tight fit.  You'll have to remove that plastic piece and part of the 5970 will sit in the drive bay.

[nslay]

The top result in "Best Rating" for modular 801-900W modular power supplies is a Cosair, though it's $170.  I'm thinking about this PSU.

That's a good one too.  My father has one like that.

[rabbit]

So I'm thinking it's pretty much done and ready to be ordered...Grand Total: $1,644.20 (-$40 mail-in rebates after).
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=13363445

It says it's more but that's just because it's dumb and for some reason can't show combo deals.

[nslay]

So I'm thinking it's pretty much done and ready to be ordered...Grand Total: $1,644.20 (-$40 mail-in rebates after).
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=13363445

It says it's more but that's just because it's dumb and for some reason can't show combo deals.

The WD disk has a promo code.  $10 off.  Not sure if you're aware.  If not, go look through your items and check for promo codes.

EDIT:
Your RAM has a promo code.  $20 off.  Re-add your items with promo codes to the shopping cart and enter the code.

[rabbit]

Both codes expire before I plan to order though.  I'll look at my paycheck on Tuesday and if I have enough then and there I'll reapply and order.

[rabbit]

Ok...so I still have access to my student discounts (yay!) and can get Windows 7 Pro upgrade for $10.  AFAIK the only things missing from Pro vs Ultimate are bitlocker, UNIX support, and other languages.  Would the other languages affect my ability to use Japanese and Russian (ie: type)?  I would hope not, especially since IME is a pretty standard tool in every other OS.

[deadly7]

especially since IME is a pretty standard tool in every other OS.

Yeah but this is Windows.

[rabbit]

especially since IME is a pretty standard tool in every other OS.

Yeah but this is Windows.

I was including other OS.  IME was in XP (though granted, if it wasn't installed by default during OS install, it was impossible to add it later).  From what I've been able to tell, it's just the displays that change language in Ultimate, and IME is still available.  I'm going to order everything sans video card Tuesday I think (since my new mobo has integrated graphics) and then get my video card in a few weeks.

[nslay]

I always thought SFU (Services For Unix) were free for all Windows operating systems.  I also always thought that input locales were independent of the "class" of Windows.  Windows 7 Starter has input locales so I would assume Pro also has it.

As far as I know, SFU is awful.  Even NFS support is terrible.  I honestly don't think you should worry about SFU.

*pokes Myndfyre* ... where's the Microsoft zealot when you need him (intended for good gesture)?

[rabbit]

I always thought SFU (Services For Unix) were free for all Windows operating systems.  I also always thought that input locales were independent of the "class" of Windows.  Windows 7 Starter has input locales so I would assume Pro also has it.

As far as I know, SFU is awful.  Even NFS support is terrible.  I honestly don't think you should worry about SFU.

*pokes Myndfyre* ... where's the Microsoft zealot when you need him (intended for good gesture)?

I honestly don't care about SFU, I was just noting the differences.  But whatever!  I'll have a working computer by next week, and a beastly gaming machine a couple weeks after that (damned expensive 5970...)

[Newby]

As far as I know, SFU is awful.  Even NFS support is terrible.  I honestly don't think you should worry about SFU.

*pokes Myndfyre* ... where's the Microsoft zealot when you need him (intended for good gesture)?

SUA (Subsystem for Unix Applications) is terrible too! But yeah, as far as I know it's a free separate download.

[warz]

The top result in "Best Rating" for modular 801-900W modular power supplies is a Cosair, though it's $170.  I'm thinking about this PSU.

Corsair PSUs are the best.

[rabbit]

It's ordered!  Well, mostly.  I didn't get the HDD (I have one I can use until my next paycheck) or video card (same deal).  I was planning to get some nice big 24" monitors, but I decided to go with a pair of smaller 20" ones...or maybe 3 if I can get them for the right price.

[deadly7]

It's loud relative to rubber dome.  However, in absolute, it's not really that loud.  People tend to exaggerate.  I used to bring my Model M to the office and cubicle neighbors did not find it terribly loud and were not even irritated by it.  Let's not forget about the white noise factor.

The white noise factor is the tendency for the brain to filter out a particular noise ... keyboards and chiming clocks are excellent examples.  I often don't even notice my cuckoo clock chime even though it's right next to me!  Of course, I've had it for years too ...

I think people tend to use experience as a benchmark (i.e. people tend to be relativistic).  When you've typed on rubber domes for most of your life, good God, Model M is loud!  But relative to talking cubicle neighbors and other office noises ... not really. 

I share an office with a guy uses a similarly loud keyboard. I assure you, keep using one in public and someone will shove a spike through your head one day.

[Blaze]

I recently received a 1GB GeForce 460.  It's pretty amazing, $230~, and if you get two of them and SLI, they're better and around $300 cheaper than Ati's best card.