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Build Advice, non-gaming

J

JJ Johnson

Gawd
Joined
Jun 26, 2008
Messages
802
Just for grins and to get some new ideas:


  1. What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc?

    Video and audio editing, plus Windows programming, including compiling C++ applications. Also general use, web browsing, office applications.

  2. What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?

    $1100 with shipping and taxes.

  3. Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.

    US, Colorado. One hour north of Denver. Although there's a Micro Center southeast of Denver, it's a good 90 minute drive. Too far to make it worthwhile.

  4. What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
    • case
    • motherboard
    • cpu
    • cpu cooler
    • memory
    • video card
    • video card cooler (maybe)
    • DVD burner, no Blu-ray
    • quiet case fans (estimate 3 x 120mm)
    • sound card (maybe)

  5. If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.

    Here are the parts that I already have, either purchased for this build or being reused:
    • Samsung 830 128GB SSD
    • Seasonic M12II 620 Bronze, 620W 80+ Bronze PSU
    • M-Audio Revolution sound card (PCI)
    • Plextor CDR Premium (IDE)
    • Logitech M525 wireless mouse
    • keyboard
    • SATA hard drive(s)
    • monitors
    • Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit, OEM

  6. Will you be overclocking?

    Maybe, maybe not. It's not that important.

  7. What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?

    1920x1024. Have two monitors now, but want to be able to drive three monitors in the near future.

  8. When do you plan on building/buying the PC?

    To be completed in the next 60 days or so, by the end of June.

  9. What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.

    Definitely one, possibly two usable PCI slots. SATA 6. Possibly an IDE header.

  10. Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?

    I've already purchased MS Windows 7 Professional, 64-bit.

So far, I have the following parts purchased as part of the budget. $360 spent, leaving $740 remaining.

  • Samsung 830 128GB SSD $140
  • Seasonic M12II 620 Bronze, 620W 80+ Bronze PSU $70
  • Logitech M525 wireless mouse $25
  • Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit, OEM $125

What I need and what I would like:

  • Quiet. A case designed to be quiet would be best. I like the Fractal Design Define Mini, although microATX isn't necessarily a requirement. I'll probably be replacing any existing case fans with lower RPM fans.
  • Intel based, probably i5. Maybe wait for Ivy Bridge to lower TDP and make quiet easier??
  • I want a discrete video card capable of driving three monitors, preferably with passive cooling. Otherwise, I'll be replacing any cheap stock fan that comes on the card.
  • I want better than onboard audio. My M-Audio sound card is fine, but requires a PCI slot. Maybe a new PCI Express card? I only need two channels.
  • I'd like to reuse my Plextor CD drive for ripping CDs (in addition to adding a DVD burner), but it requires an IDE connection. That either needs to be on the motherboard or supplied through an adapter card.
 
Last edited:
JJ Johnson said:
  • Quiet. A case designed to be quiet would be best. I like the Fractal Design Define Mini, although microATX isn't necessarily a requirement. I'll probably be replacing any existing case fans with lower RPM fans.
Click to expand...
For quiet cases, you're looking at these:
$120 - Fractal Design Define R3 Arctic White ATX Case
$120 - Fractal Design Define R3 Silver Arrow ATX Case
$125 - Fractal Design Define R3 Black Pearl ATX Case
$140 - Corsair Obsidian Series 550D ATX Case
$144 - Silverstone RV03B-WA ATX case
$160 - Silverstone RV02B-W ATX case
$178 - Silverstone RV02B-EW ATX case
$220 - Silverstone FT02S-W ATX Case
$230 - Silverstone FT02B ATX Case

JJ Johnson said:
  • Intel based, probably i5. Maybe wait for Ivy Bridge to lower TDP and make quiet easier??
Click to expand...
Just wait for Ivy Bridge.
JJ Johnson said:
  • I want a discrete video card capable of driving three monitors, preferably with passive cooling. Otherwise, I'll be replacing any cheap stock fan that comes on the card.
Click to expand...
This might do the trick:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102960
JJ Johnson said:
  • I'd like to reuse my Plextor CD drive for ripping CDs (in addition to adding a DVD burner), but it requires an IDE connection. That either needs to be on the motherboard or supplied through an adapter card.
Click to expand...
Why reuse that Plextor? A new SATA DVD burner is $20 or so these days. An adapter will cost around that much and generally be of low quality/support. So look around: Shouldn't be hard to find a new DVD burner for $20 shipped.
 
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Danny Bui said:
Why reuse that Plextor? A new SATA DVD burner is $20 or so these days. An adapter will cost around that much and generally be of low quality/support. So look around: Shouldn't be hard to find a new DVD burner for $20 shipped.
Click to expand...

This. Though you can get it cheaper than $20 shipped as well.

$16.99 - SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Danny Bui said:
Why reuse that Plextor? A new SATA DVD burner is $20 or so these days. An adapter will cost around that much and generally be of low quality/support. So look around: Shouldn't be hard to find a new DVD burner for $20 shipped.
Click to expand...

Because it's a superior drive for ripping difficult CDs, which is very important to me. I will still be adding a SATA DVD burner, but want to have the Plextor available. My only alternative for using the Plextor would be to keep a backup computer around with it installed.
 
JJ Johnson said:
... My only alternative for using the Plextor would be to keep a backup computer around with it installed.
Click to expand...
Or a 5.25" IDE to USB external enclosure. ;)

I'm curious, how often do you get a CD that's difficult to rip? I've yet to run into a CD/DVD/BD that couldn't be ripped on modern hardware, unless we're talking about console video game discs.
 
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