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My next Desktop - Input Required

S

shftup

Limp Gawd
Joined
Feb 22, 2006
Messages
191
Hey, need some direction. Upgading from an Aopen MiniPC (MODT)....need some advise for the next build.
I have a 12 TB win 2008 r2 server that has all my media, etc.

Would like to build a SFF PC that I can do some basic stuff with. Thanks for stopping by.


1. What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming, Photoshop (or other intensive programs), Overclocking, Web browsing, strictly HTPC/Playback, etc. (If you have multiple things you want to do with the system, make sure you rank them from most important to least important).

Websurf, edit some photos(noob stuff), not gona o/c, some noob video editing (just family pics and vids for youtube, etc, nothing hardcore)

2. What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included in this budget? Is your budget flexible? Is cost a driving factor in component selection?
600-820 CAD shipped with tax

3. Where do you live? Do you have any big B&M (brick and mortar) computer chains nearby (e.g. Microcenter, Fry's, etc)?
Live in Canada - ++++, Newegg, etc No B&M around me with good deals. ++++ price matches everyone so I prefer them.

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.

All new - Intel SB only
cpu - less than $150 (I3-2120)
Ram - less than $60 (8GB @ 1600)
Case - less than $130 must fit 5.25 ODD and at least 4 HDD
psu - less than $100 (must be modular, with potential for SFX with short cables)
mobo - less than $130ish
ssd - OS (was think 64GB M4 for $100)
then a scratch HDD set ( raid 2-2.5 500GB western digital blacks) ~$105 OR is it better to buy a WD 3.5 2TB Black?

5. If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. For reused parts, list brands, model #s, and, if applicable, firmware revisions.
nothing....
6. What specific features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? etc. Which is more important, size of the system or having the particular feature? Make sure you indicate *required* vs. *wanted* for each feature you list.

usb 3, sata 3, Mitx(I like) but could go with Matx, intel raid

7. What resolution output do you need? 1080p, 720p, DVD quality, etc for HTPC or list Vertical/horizontal resolution for non-HTPC SFF rigs. Do you need multiple monitor output?
multi out Yes - 2 monitors for now - 1080p min

8. Does this system need to fit into a particular space? Think entertainment center shelves, closet space, rackmount, etc.
would like SFF - quiet, no bigger than a Lian Li V345 (my server)

9. How comfortable are you with custom case design/modification and electrical wiring? What tools do you have (Screwdrivers/Leatherman, Drill, Dremel, Metal snips, Soldering Iron, Bending Brake, CNC/Welding machines/Plasma cutter, etc...)?

this is not for me

10. How important is the noise/silence of this sytem? HTPCs typically want to be quiet while all-out SFF gaming rigs don't care

Must be very quiet, not gaming, etc so this should be very doable

11. How mobile does this system need to be? Need a carrying handle or carrying straps? Is weight important (carry-on bag, etc)? Water cooling quick disconnects, etc?
Does not need to be mobile

12. Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit? Remember that OEM copies of Win7 have issues with new motherboards

Gona be Win 7 64 bit - have a copy that works.

13. When do you plan on building/buying the PC? Immediately, in a couple weeks, 3-5 years?
Would like to order less than a week from today.

Will upgrade to IB in May 2012 or so
 
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Here is what I am thinking:
_________________________________________________________________________
Intel Core i3 2125 Dual Core Hyperthreading Processor 3.3GHZ LGA1155 3MB Cache 65W Retail Box
$163.62 $163.62

ASUS P8H61-I Rev 3.0 MINI-ITX H61 LGA1155 DDR3 PCI-E16 SATA2 USB3.0 HDMI DVI VGA Audio Motherboard
$83.08 $83.08

Kingston HyperX KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 XMP Dual Channel Memory Kit
$56.49

Lian Li PC-Q11B Aluminum Mini Computer Case Mini ITX 1X5.25 2X3.5 INT 2X2.5 INT USB 3.0 - Black
$80.16 $80.16

Silverstone Sfx Series ST45SF 450W Power Supply Small Form Factor 24PIN PCI-E 36A 80+ Bronze Black
$79.99 $79.99

64GB m4 SSD 2.5 SATA
$120.88 $120.88

Western Digital WD Scorpio Black 500GB 2.5IN SATA2 7200RPM 16MB Notebook Hard Drive
$64.99 $129.99
________________________________________________________________________
YOUR TOTAL $706.21

Thoughts on the SFX PSU?
Is there a modular ATX PSU with short cables?
 
Looks pretty good overall. In regards to your PSU, the SILVERSTONE Strider Plus ST50F-P 500W matches your needs and has been a pretty popular choice for that case. The 140mm length is particularly helpful because it leaves some room between the PSU and front case fan.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256065

One option you have with this PSU is to buy their short cable set:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812162010

Seems like the cost on those short cables keep going up. Used to be $20 and now they are $26.

Oh, and your first post says that you want to do overclocking? Not going to happen with either that CPU or motherboard. Also, not sure if you need to go with the DDR3-1600 over DDR3-1333. Many of these mitx boards don't support the faster memory and will just run it at 1333 anyway (would have to research that particular model though). Guess you might get faster latency timings with it though?
 
Yeah, H61 and H67 mobos are not for OCing. Fine for stock performance though.
 
Sorry - I meant no overclocking.

Thanks for the psu recommendation - I like it.
What about my scratch HDD setup - 2 x 2.5" WD 500GB Blacks in Raid 0
or
Should I get 1 3.5" 2TB Black?
 
shftup said:
ASUS P8H61-I Rev 3.0 MINI-ITX H61 LGA1155 DDR3 PCI-E16 SATA2 USB3.0 HDMI DVI VGA Audio Motherboard
$83.08 $83.08

Kingston HyperX KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 XMP Dual Channel Memory Kit
$56.49

Lian Li PC-Q11B Aluminum Mini Computer Case Mini ITX 1X5.25 2X3.5 INT 2X2.5 INT USB 3.0 - Black
$80.16 $80.16
Click to expand...

Will the Lian Li PC-Q07 work for you? It is smaller and cheaper. The PC-Q11 is popular because it can handle large graphics cards.

That memory is 1.65v. Better if you get 1.5v memory, even if you have to go down to 1333MHz.

The H61 chipset on the motherboard does not support SATA 6G. That's what you meant by "SATA 3" in your first post, right? You will need to bump up to an H67 or Z68 chipset motherboard for that feature.

You mentioned you want "quiet." If so, do not get a 3.5" WD Caviar Black drive. Those are the fastest desktop hard drives next to the VelociRaptor, but they are hands down the noisiest (currently available) consumer hard drives on the market, and indeed are even noisier than the VelociRaptor. I would just get a single Samsung F3 1TB drive and call it a day. Cheap ($60 USD) and nearly as fast as the 3.5" Black with the benefit of being much more quiet.
 
Since you are already getting an SSD for the operating system (and maybe a few important programs?), I'd just go for the bigger single hard drive. In my experience, once you get an SSD, most of what a person puts on a hard drive is going to be standard data (files, pics, movies, etc.) that just aren't that critical for super fast access. The only question mark would be for gaming (assuming it's on the hard drive) and access times when loading a zone.
 
Well you can do searches about he discussion of "1.5V vs. 1.65V RAM on Sandy Bridge" to see some of the talk on this, but people generally want to run Sandy Bridge processors on 1.5V memory or below (there are 1.35V DIMMS available as well). The 1.65V memory was something acceptable on Nehalem processors on 1366 motherboards but it's apparently pushing it a bit on an 1155 board. From what I read, the higher voltages can be harder on the memory controller and may shorten its life. That said, you'll find comments from people running 1.65V RAM on Sandy Bridge processors without issue. If you are buying new memory, though, I'd think going with the 1.5V stuff would just be a smart buy. The 1.35V memory still tends to have a little bit of a price premium (not a huge amount but a little).
 
I plan to use the SSD for straight up O/S drive vs. SRT? but thanks
Can someone post some Ram @ 1.5v with 8GB?

thnx
 
Here is some Wintec 1.5V DDR3-1333 memory (CAS 9) that has a modest heat spreader on it. My personal preference with a small case without overclocking is to go without a heat spreader or get something that doesn't stick up too tall. If it's too tall it may limit your choices of 3rd party CPU coolers and/or it blocks airflow to the motherboard components more than I like. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161364

If you would rather go with something with faster timings (CAS 7) and don't mind taller heat spreaders, these sticks from G.Skill are probably going to be your fastest ones at 1.5V and DDR3-1333. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231402

If you want to go to even lower voltages (1.35V), in order to save on the amount of heat the memory puts into the case, and have a bit more money to burn the CAS 8 DDR3-1600 sticks from G.Skill are a nice selection: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231404
 
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