The Asus M4A785TD-M EVO mATX motherboard is a very nice example of Asus’ professional class line of motherboards.  The motherboard is the heart of a computer system and the CPU the mind if you will. What sets this board apart from most every other make and model are the following:

• Best cost to performance & toughness ratio
• Solid Core Capacitors throughout board (tough)
• Very Powerful yet energy efficient
• Huge upgrade path for CPUs with “Buy Back” plan*
• Very strong integrated Video controller (2D & 3D)
• 3 year, full replacement warranty from Asus
• Exceptional tuning & optimization in Bios
• Integrated multi-display & HDMI
• Exceptional integrated HD Audio
• Completely Safe Overclocking for all AM2-3 CPUs
• Excellent Core Chipset Cooling with proper case
• Good Workgroup File Server core (Raid 1 or 10)
• Ability to unlock x2 CPU to Quad Core!

*I Buy Back working components when time to upgrade

The AMD Athlon II x4 620 Quad Core CPU is currently one of the best price to performance ratio CPU’s available. The “Athlon II” denotation indicates that this CPU is basically the Athlon core manufactured to 45nm size allowing the end user to safely Overclock within the thermal confines of the CPU cooler and air flow of the case as well as the environment the PC will be located in.  The 45nm size allows for reduced Energy consumption and cooler operation. I provide safe optimizations, thoroughly pretested. Advantages to this CPU are:

• This CPU / Motherboard combo is $100 less then the Intel combo of the the same performance class
• Great price to performance ratio for around $100
• 45nm die size for excellent thermal to power ratio
• combined with M4A785 = great energy efficiency
• 3 year full replacement warranty from AMD

In every system with a high performance CPU we use Heat Pipe coolers for best case thermal to performance ratio. Coolers such as the AMD, Asus or Zalman low profile 4 heatpipe cooler (shown here) produce 20c drop in full load temperatures and easily fits into the half height or other full size cases. These coolers produce excellent cooling with little noise and great long life. Benefits included:

• Much better thermal conductance & full load temps compared to stock cooler
• Quiet operation
• Very Long Life, Dual Ball Bearing fan
• 4 Copper Heatpipes and copper transfer plate
• Cool looking

One of the most misunderstood aspects of computing is memory choice. Rarely do Big names equip systems with optimal memory configurations and some even equip systems with combinations that loose 30% of the system’s possible performance.  In all new systems matched Pairs or Treos (depending on design) are absolutely mandatory.  Memory frequency and low clock latency are also very important. This system uses the new DDR3 class memory in a Dual Bank configuration so that 2 or 4 matched DIMMs (memory sticks shown on the right) are required. Next, low latency is expressed as CAS or CL rating and is a reference basically to the number of clock cycles between Data packets held and released through the DIMMs.  The frequency is also difficult because the M4A785 series motherboards can support 1066, 1333 and 1600 MHz which in truth is actually only half of these. So two 533MHz DIMMs are expressed as 1066 and so on.  To make things more confusing, the higher the frequency, the higher the latency.  So I am suggesting we use the low CL7 (7 clock cycles) latency DIMMs as opposed to CL9 rated DIMMs.  Though most 1600 pairs are rated CL9, the faster 2 clock cycle less CL7 DIMMs are worth the small extra cost.  Good investment towards cost to performance ratio and overall ROI.

Advantages to this G-Skill F3 DDR3 1600 memory configuration are:

• 2 matched 2GB DIMMs for a total of 4GBs, ideal for Windows 7-64bit during heavy use
• 1600MHz with tight latency of CL7 for exceptional cost to speed ratio
• Lifetime warranty which really translates to about 5-8 years useful lifespan
• improved integrated Video performance due to great memory bus performance
• aluminum jacketed DIMMs for optimal memory chip temps even overclocked
• low cost to density to performance ratio
• Produces nearly 30% improvement in performance over low cost 1066 DIMMs

Hard Drives are an important aspect and also quite misunderstood as well.  Hard Drives come in several varieties. Big Player high volume units such as those in Dell, HP & Gateway systems (slowest), Consumer grade (retail box, so so, depends), File Server grade (best cost to performance to toughness ratio), Enterprise class File Server (Fastest, Toughest & most expensive), SSD (Solid State Drive) is another category of storage but to expensive and troubled for our purposes .  I most often recommend Western Digital “Black” AALS/FALS drives or Seagate NS drives, both Server Grade with the following benefits:

• 32MB of I/O cache (on faster systems with Win7, a nice performance advantage is experienced)
• 7200rpm Spindle Speed (minimum performance standard)
• 500GB of fast solid storage (in this case)
• File Server grade for higher MTBF rating (Meantime between Failure, i.e. longer expected life span)
• full 5 year warranties on this class of drive form WD or Seagate
• good cost to performance to warranty ratio (at around $60)
• We use 2 of these, one in the system and one is already in the External BU drive housing

Most systems just come with basic DVD optical drives with some burning capability but I like to use Pioneer DVD burners due to above average compatibility, long expected life span with the following benefits:

• 4.7GB and 8.1GB DVD & DL 20x Burning capability / 12x Rewritable 4.7GB burning
• Full DVD / DVD-DL / CD / burning capabilities
• Low cost to functionality ratio (only a 1 year warranty though)
• really nice to have 8GB of space to burn your data to w/DL media!

There are so many keyboard and mouse combos we could choose or recommend but Microsoft’s OEM Wired Laser Desktop series is probably the most elegant and comfortable with ambidextrous mouse. Benefits are:

• very gentle touch keys (really saves your fingers once you get used to it)
• thin elegant design with a very slight ergonomic curve, very likable!
• Fluid resistance and washable (be sure to allow a few days to dry...)
• cost to performance to looks ratio is pretty good

Where to begin on this OS?!

Windows 7 - 64bit Professional would be my choice with Ultimate being second with the more feature rich features for $175 or so for the OEM version vs. $140 for Professional.  Windows 7 is such a joy to use once you get used to it. Under the hood Windows 7 sports an entirely new DNA denoted only slightly by very elegant user interface. Some very cool aspects are:

• Simple, Striking and Focused interface designed by Microsoft and part by me (the Mac-ish like launch system shown above from an actual Win7-64 Professional system)
• New DNA that hugely improves Security, Stability and Performance
• Amazing compatibility; most older Windows Software will work
• Windows Live update (in most cases instant driver installs without any disk required) and so much more, significantly reduces bulk in the OS...
• Faster Boot and Shutdown times
• Much More efficient management of power with new hardware (lowers energy costs)
• Every program looks and works better in Win7 the any previous OS
• Data Management System made possible by MS and designed by me...
• Easy, Solid, Fast multi-Program, multi-task, multi-threading...
• Same cost as old Windows XP Pro but so much better!

Aspens on the Creek - Windows 7 Professional 64 Workstation Spec.
Hi Jennifer,

The following specification represents the best dollar value in computing in my opinion.  It’s really tough, very fast and very stable. Should last many years and is also quite upgradeable!

I’ve tried to keep your budget in mind without scrimping on the quality while putting this together.  As an example memory has gone up about 300% since I got you your system and there really is no longer a lowend in the CPU channel.

There so many cases to choose from with even more PSU (Power Supply) choices for any given system.

I have always utilized case/PSU combinations appropriate to the user but always of the highest quality possible.  The main two things a case must have are good to great air flow and a good PSU.  Due to the need to be space efficient, reliable and attractive, this case is excellent choice:

• Ideal air flow with the proper choice of a 80mm ball bearing fan
• Room enough for Heatpipe CPU HSF (Heatsink / Fan combo)
• Mixed with a nice 275watt PSU, very stable, long life.
• great cost to performance to longevity ratio*
• Reasonable small foot print with stabilizing feet
• Basic upgradability including CPU, Memory, Motherboard, HD
• Very long expected lifespan, low cost to replace
• Nice dust reducing front door that’s attractive and functional

Things to consider with this type of case:

• *MUST be plugged into a quality Surge Suppression power strip or UPS
• **Must be in a well ventilated area or in a cubby with open back & front
• Slightly noisier due to effective fan arrangement.

The below total includes all hardware at cost including shipping but not including build and optimal configuration cost called “ExecClassConfig” which is simply a very complete system configuration that includes every aspect of this professional grade system fully installed, optimally configured and fully tested.

• Total Hardware including Shipping: $838.00
• Buildout Cost including assembly and basic OS installation with drivers:  $300.00
• ExecClassConfig including installation of all client applications + Delivery & Intro-Training:  $300.00

Total System Cost Delivered: $1438.00 (as of 09-12-7)

Note:  Total time investment on workstation builds of this caliber are approx. 10 hrs.  Appropriate time investment results generally in 5 years of reliable service depending on regular & proper maintenance.

Additional Note:  Specification is subject to change without notice though we will always substitute with equal performing components, thus price is also subject to change at time of order though not usually by much.

Probably the best dollar value in decently sized Flat Panel LCD Display is Acer’s 22” LCD.

Though this display is the low price leader at about $160 it still sports a 3 year full replacement warranty, making it an appropriate business display.

I currently have a number of offices running Dual Display setup using two of these displays because they are so cheap yet well made.

Benefits of this display are:

• Great cost to performance to long life ratio
• Low Cost
• very nice 1680 x 1024 display resolution
• Small Desktop Footprint
• Low Power use / Energy Efficient, especially in Win7
• 3 yr. Full Replacement Warranty from Acer America