Hi Joel,


If that configuration is the HP Voodoo Firebird system, most of that system will be more than enough for you with exception of their choices for the Hard Drives. It appears they are using (2) 250GB 5400RPM Disks to achieve the 500GB which is one thing that concerns me. Usually HP provides you the ability to hit a "configure" button and upgrade components, but I don't see that option with that system. I agree with the other folks that have suggested having a hard drive that spins at least at 7200RPM. Drives that spin at 10KRPM are typically SCSI drives, quite expensive and rarely seen on a packaged PC offering. With today's improvements in Hard drives, larger buffers and other improvements, there are 7200RPM drives that perform very well and will suit your needs with no problems.


Back to the HP Voodoo system (if that's the one you referenced) there are a couple of things that jump out that are not needed for what you want to do (especially because you are not a gamer). The dual SLI video cards and the liquid cooling system are not required for what you want to do. I love that kind of stuff and for me I wouldn't mind having a system with it, but I do game. From what I've read about liquid cooling, it is not "maintenance free" and will require replacement of the coolant over time. If that is true of this system, then you may want to think about whether you're up for it and ask HP about that ongoing maintenance. If you love that system, then I would definitely request a Hard Drive upgrade to (2) 500GB Drives spinning at 7200RPM (but [2] 1TB Disk size would be my preference).


Rick