• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

Machine for General Contractor

T

TechieJustin

n00b
Joined
Aug 20, 2009
Messages
55
He had a Dell Precision T7400 that just blew up on him.

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

He's going to use it for basic design of homes and remodeling projects.
Basically a general purpose machine that has to be powerful.
I want this machine to last.

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

Around $300 to $400 - we already have a monitor.

3) Where do you live?

USA - I prefer Newegg, I can never get better deals overall from anyone else.

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.

Looking for case - something professional looking. No need for a light show.
CPU, RAM, graphics card. I want the machine to be expandable - so no built in video if that is possible to stay in budget.

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

Just the monitor, I forget the exact model but it is a 19 inch LCD - very nice. It has both DVI and VGA ports.

6) Will you be overclocking?

Absolutely not.

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?

Keeping the current 19 incher.

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

ASAP. His current machine Dhell crapped out.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? etc.

RAID 1, the rest is optional - but the more features the better.

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

Yes, 64 bit retail version of WIndows 7 Ultimate,
 
TechieJustin said:
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.

[/I]Looking for case - something professional looking. No need for a light show.
CPU, RAM, graphics card. I want the machine to be expandable - so no built in video if that is possible to stay in budget.

,
Click to expand...

May i ask you to clarify why you specifically do not want on-board video because you want it to be expandable? Most motherboards with on-board video have pci-e expansion slots if you want to buy a different video card in the future.

I only ask because you can save some money with on-board, and with your 300-400$ budget you probably want to save as much as possible.

Also, do you know which software he uses?

edit: will you be needing a hard drive or optical drives?
 
serpretetsky said:
May i ask you to clarify why you specifically do not want on-board video because you want it to be expandable? Most motherboards with on-board video have pci-e expansion slots if you want to buy a different video card in the future.
Click to expand...

I think because I'm a traditionalist - I just like having things that aren't built in. But if you think that's the way to go, I'm willing to budge on that issue.
I like being able to swap a video card and be done with it.

I only ask because you can save some money with on-board, and with your 300-400$ budget you probably want to save as much as possible.

Also, do you know which software he uses?

edit: will you be needing a hard drive or optical drives?
Click to expand...

Yes, I'll need two hard drives for the mirrored volume, and a DVD-RW.

I'm leaning towards AMD Phenom II X4 based system. Competing with Intel's i5, right?

edit: I have an email out to him now as to what if any special blueprint software he is using.
 
Last edited:
here's what i have for amd build so far (didn't get to case or PSU):
CPU
amd phenom 925 (95w)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103916
MOBO sorry for the micro atx, they were just cheaper, if you spend a little extra you can get a decent full atx from a good brand. The gigabyte is a good brand, but that's really old chipset.
gigabyte
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128454
or
biostar
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138301
RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=3#scrollFullInfo
HDD's
two of these seagate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395
 
A couple of things I notice with that build

1: you have bought a case with a bundled PSU, I've generally heard bad things about PSUs bundled with cases but afaict antec do make good PSUs so maybe it's ok. Anyone else have any comments on the PSU.
2: according to newegg the board you have picked out doesn't have onboard graphics but you have not included a graphics card in the build.
 
One of the first thing that failed with the client's previous Dell was the graphics card - which I replaced. I figure I'm going to use that since its brand new.
 
TechieJustin said:
What do you think of this?

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=22478868
Click to expand...

What's with the 640GB drive?

I generally do not trust Antec's Basiq PSU line, which is the PSU line bundled with that case. I recommend this setup instead:
$40 - Antec Earthwatts Green EA380D 380W PSU
$50 - Cooler Master Elite 335 RC-335-KKN1-GP ATX Case
---
Total: $90 shipped.

The above setup is actually $10 less than your planned case+PSU choice once you factor in shipping. However it comes with a significantly better and known quality PSU.

That CPU + mobo setup is not a good choice at all since for just $13 more, you can get a significantly faster setup:
$240 - AMD Phenom II 965 Black Edition CPU + Asus M4A87TD/USB3 AMD 870 AM3 Motherboard
 
Danny Bui said:
What's with the 640GB drive?

I generally do not trust Antec's Basiq PSU line, which is the PSU line bundled with that case. I recommend this setup instead:
$40 - Antec Earthwatts Green EA380D 380W PSU
$50 - Cooler Master Elite 335 RC-335-KKN1-GP ATX Case
---
Total: $90 shipped.

The above setup is actually $10 less than your planned case+PSU choice once you factor in shipping. However it comes with a significantly better and known quality PSU.

That CPU + mobo setup is not a good choice at all since for just $13 more, you can get a significantly faster setup:
$240 - AMD Phenom II 965 Black Edition CPU + Asus M4A87TD/USB3 AMD 870 AM3 Motherboard
Click to expand...


The 640GB drive was just what I picked out. Is that a bad idea? Remember I'd like to have a RAID 1 setup, hence I need two.

I can't add combo deals to my wishlist... but here is what I have picked out. Once I get a confirmation from my client I'll order it via the combo.
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=22478868
 
Go with one of the following drives instead:

$65 - Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB SATA 3Gb/s HDD
$50 - Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB SATA 3Gb/s HDD

No mechanical HDD available now will be able to utilize the full bandwidth offered by the SATA 6Gb/s bus, so save some money by picking up a cheaper yet equally capable SATA 3Gb/s HDD.

If you're not overclocking, then you don't need DDR3 1600 RAM. Go with the following instead:

$40 - G.Skill F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT 2x2GB DDR3 1333 dual channel kit
 
tiraides said:
Go with one of the following drives instead:

$65 - Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB SATA 3Gb/s HDD
$50 - Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB SATA 3Gb/s HDD

No mechanical HDD available now will be able to utilize the full bandwidth offered by the SATA 6Gb/s bus, so save some money by picking up a cheaper yet equally capable SATA 3Gb/s HDD.

If you're not overclocking, then you don't need DDR3 1600 RAM. Go with the following instead:

$40 - G.Skill F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT 2x2GB DDR3 1333 dual channel kit
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll follow your advice.
I just have to get back on the PC I made the shopping cart on, put it into PDF and confirm the price with the client.
 
I think I gotit.

1

LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer Black SATA Model iHAS424-98 LightScribe Support
Item #: N82E16827106335
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy


$22.99
1

COOLER MASTER ELITE 335 RC-335-KKN1-GP Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119161
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy


$49.99
2

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822152181
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy


$99.98
($49.99 each)
1

Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power ...
Item #: N82E16817371033
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$20.00 Instant


$59.99
$39.99
1

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT
Item #: N82E16820231253
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy


$39.99
1

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX
Item #: N82E16819103727
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
ASUS M4A87TD/USB3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 AMD Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813131651
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$20.00 Combo


$259.98
$239.98
Subtotal: $492.92
Calculate Shipping
Zip Code: 19560
Shipping: $0.00

Redeem Newegg Gift Cards
Card Number: Security Code:
Apply Promo Code(s):

Promo Code: $0.00
No Payments + No Interest if paid in full in 6 Months on order over $250.
Subject to credit approval. See Terms
Grand Total: $492.92
 
Good choices. I wouldn't bother with people who are only willing to spend $400-$500. The only way this is viable is because you have an OS license & monitor.

Cheap builds aren't fun; users aren't as saavy and they come back for too much help.
 
Danny Bui said:
Why two 500GB drives?
Click to expand...

Client wants a RAID 1.

J Macker said:
Op wants a RAID 1 setup.
Click to expand...

Yeah. THAT! w00t!

SHaFT7 said:
oh the stories I could tell.....
Click to expand...

I've been there. I stopped building PCs for the most part in 2005. Now I do when people need me to.
I'm getting a second masters degree - in accounting. So for the past few years I haven't been able to keep up with the latest hardware.
Too bad there isn't a webpage where I can just read it and sudden;y be updated like I was in my undergrad days... The days of the TNT2 Riva!


EDIT: How can I guess how much current this machine will draw? I think a UPS is in order and I don't think he needs a 5,000VA unit.
Yes, I'm that old. :(
 
Last edited:
This machine shouldn't draw a lot a power, so any UPS that's greater than 1500VA would be overkill.
 
Actually, you don't exactly need a floppy to do the F6 driver install. As of Windows 7, the F6 driver install during Windows install now supports USB drives, such as USB flash drives.
 
Read the motherboard manual: It'll tell you how to set up the RAID array in the BIOs.
 
Danny Bui said:
Read the motherboard manual: It'll tell you how to set up the RAID array in the BIOs.
Click to expand...

I checked out the manual and I still can't figure it out. It doesn't make sense. Te last board I set up was a GigaByte. I hit ctrl F to get into the RAID setup utility and chose the drives that would be part of the RAID volume. This doesn't have that option. I can't choose which drives to add.
 
Check page 1-23 and 2-12/2-13 of the mobo manual. Is RAID enabled for those SATA ports?
 
Ah ha..
I figured it out. I just wasn't seeing the option to add drives to the array.

Been a loooooong week.
Normally I'm not this obtuse.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top