Apologies in advance for the never-ending post. My boss handed me a proposed build from some out-of-town company and wanted me to look over it. He is aware that
I build my own machines and wanted my opinion. Noted lots of missing information. Here is that proposal as I received it:
Intel Core i7 processor CPU socket 1150
Gigabyte G1 Performance Series MB with Bluetooth and WiFi
32GB DDR3 memory
256GB SSD OS drive
2x1TB Data Hard Drives (mirrored)
DVD Burner
2x24" LED monitors
Inwin Mid-Tower Chassis
Windows 7 64 Professional
Logitech Multimedia Keyboard and Mouse
$2,394.00
So before I get any grief, here are the answers to the questions:
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Audio/Video compostion and editing in retail setting--Adobe Suites, Sony Vegas, Microsoft Office suites, etc.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$2,000-$2,500--monitors, keyboard, mouse can be added later. Less is better. Will have to include tax and shipping.
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
USA, middle of nowhere West Texas--all will have to ordered in or bought at Best Buy
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.
Processor, Motherboard, memory, storage and OS drives, PSU, GPU, Case, DVD/BluRay burner, operating system, monitors, mouse and keyboard
, 5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
None
6) Will you be overclocking?
No
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
Not sure yet, suggesting 24" monitors x2
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
As soon as possible--boss is ready to build/buy
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.
Bluetooth? WiFi? RAID capabale, USB 3.0
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
No--prefer Windows 7 64 Professional
The suggested list makes no mention of i7 processor type, memory brand, SSD or HD brands, has no power supply nor GPU. Realize the 1150 has onboard graphics but not
sure that is up to the job of intense video editing with two monitors. So, not sure exactly what we'd be getting for the quoted price.
I went through that list and listed some actual brands and prices to see what I could come
up with, including a PSU and a GPU. Not sure if overkill or what--no experience with this type of machine. Here's my list:
Core i7 4790 processor $309
Asus Z97A MB $145
GSkill Ares 1866 Ram 32 GB $285
Evga 970 SC GPU $349
Samsung 840 EvoPro SSD 256 GB $209
2X1TB WD Black HD drives $150
Samsung DVD burner $20
Corsair Carbide 330R Titanium case $99
Corsair CSM 650W PSU $95
Windows 7 64 Professional $139
x2 Asus VG248QE monitor $550
Logitech Keyboard and Mouse $51
about $2,400
Questions:
1) Will the Intel cooling be enough or should we consider aftermarket cooling?
2) Consider more storage on the spinners? Understand video can eat through it pretty good
3) Is power supply too much?
4) Is a dedicated GPU suggested, if so is 970 overkill or OK?
5) Does mirrored HD = RAID1? Never RAIDED or mirrored anything
6) Is the 4790 overkil or OK?
7) Motherboard OK? No experience with socket 1150--if there's something better I'm open to it.
As mentioned, the monitors, keyboard and other peripherals can be done after-the-fact. Am going
to suggest a couple of decent IPS monitors just for the nice color and performance. Even have one
or two I can donate.
The boss would prefer to keep the build monies local if possible. Feel certain I can throw the parts together for him but
really don't want the headache of tech support. A local company can also build for us but I will have to stay on them or they will
cheap out on parts--have dealt with them before. They can provide install and tech support. Will be talking with them on Monday so any input anyone has (are you listening Dangman?)
will be appreciated. Consider this to be an enterprise machine and everything needs to be of good quality and stability.
Apologies again for the never-ending post. Thanx.
I build my own machines and wanted my opinion. Noted lots of missing information. Here is that proposal as I received it:
Intel Core i7 processor CPU socket 1150
Gigabyte G1 Performance Series MB with Bluetooth and WiFi
32GB DDR3 memory
256GB SSD OS drive
2x1TB Data Hard Drives (mirrored)
DVD Burner
2x24" LED monitors
Inwin Mid-Tower Chassis
Windows 7 64 Professional
Logitech Multimedia Keyboard and Mouse
$2,394.00
So before I get any grief, here are the answers to the questions:
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Audio/Video compostion and editing in retail setting--Adobe Suites, Sony Vegas, Microsoft Office suites, etc.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$2,000-$2,500--monitors, keyboard, mouse can be added later. Less is better. Will have to include tax and shipping.
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
USA, middle of nowhere West Texas--all will have to ordered in or bought at Best Buy
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.
Processor, Motherboard, memory, storage and OS drives, PSU, GPU, Case, DVD/BluRay burner, operating system, monitors, mouse and keyboard
, 5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
None
6) Will you be overclocking?
No
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
Not sure yet, suggesting 24" monitors x2
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
As soon as possible--boss is ready to build/buy
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.
Bluetooth? WiFi? RAID capabale, USB 3.0
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
No--prefer Windows 7 64 Professional
The suggested list makes no mention of i7 processor type, memory brand, SSD or HD brands, has no power supply nor GPU. Realize the 1150 has onboard graphics but not
sure that is up to the job of intense video editing with two monitors. So, not sure exactly what we'd be getting for the quoted price.
I went through that list and listed some actual brands and prices to see what I could come
up with, including a PSU and a GPU. Not sure if overkill or what--no experience with this type of machine. Here's my list:
Core i7 4790 processor $309
Asus Z97A MB $145
GSkill Ares 1866 Ram 32 GB $285
Evga 970 SC GPU $349
Samsung 840 EvoPro SSD 256 GB $209
2X1TB WD Black HD drives $150
Samsung DVD burner $20
Corsair Carbide 330R Titanium case $99
Corsair CSM 650W PSU $95
Windows 7 64 Professional $139
x2 Asus VG248QE monitor $550
Logitech Keyboard and Mouse $51
about $2,400
Questions:
1) Will the Intel cooling be enough or should we consider aftermarket cooling?
2) Consider more storage on the spinners? Understand video can eat through it pretty good
3) Is power supply too much?
4) Is a dedicated GPU suggested, if so is 970 overkill or OK?
5) Does mirrored HD = RAID1? Never RAIDED or mirrored anything
6) Is the 4790 overkil or OK?
7) Motherboard OK? No experience with socket 1150--if there's something better I'm open to it.
As mentioned, the monitors, keyboard and other peripherals can be done after-the-fact. Am going
to suggest a couple of decent IPS monitors just for the nice color and performance. Even have one
or two I can donate.
The boss would prefer to keep the build monies local if possible. Feel certain I can throw the parts together for him but
really don't want the headache of tech support. A local company can also build for us but I will have to stay on them or they will
cheap out on parts--have dealt with them before. They can provide install and tech support. Will be talking with them on Monday so any input anyone has (are you listening Dangman?)
will be appreciated. Consider this to be an enterprise machine and everything needs to be of good quality and stability.
Apologies again for the never-ending post. Thanx.
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