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Work PC Build

M

mrtambo22

n00b
Joined
Dec 20, 2008
Messages
10
Recently just got approval to build a new computer for the office. So need to keep this one professional, but with my budget looking to get a lot of computing power.

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

Primarily will be used for excel, memory intensive programs and financial modelling

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

1400 to 1700 taxes and shipping included

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

New York

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
Power Supply
RAM
Motherboard
CPU
Graphics Card (potentially integrated graphics)
Heatsink
Hard Drive

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

Monitor - HP Compaq LA2306x

6) Will you be overclocking?

No

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

1920 x 1080 - 23"

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

This week

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.

Probably only USB 3.0, leaning towards integrated graphics since it will not be used for videos or gaming.

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

No, probably get a new license for Windows 7 64bit.

...........................................................................................................................

Build so far:

NZXT Phantom PHAN-001BK Black Steel / Plastic Enthusiast ATX Full Tower Computer Case - $119.99

Was looking for a corporate acceptable case, not a lot of LEDs but keep it somewhat stylish.

CORSAIR HX Series HX750 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - $144.99

750W may be a little overboard here given no real graphics card to support

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL10S-8GBXL (4x for 32GB total) - $151.96 ($37.99 each)

ASUS P8Z77-V PRO LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - $199.99

Intel Core i7-3770 Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I73770 - $299.99

ZALMAN CNPS5X Performa 92mm FSB (Fluid Shield Bearing) Powerful Cooling Performance CPU Cooler - $23.99

SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD256BW 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - $269.99

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit - OEM - $139.99

Total - $1,350.89

..............................................................................................................................

Was also debating on replacing the CPU with:

Intel Core i7-3820 Sandy Bridge-E 3.6GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 2011 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80619i73820 - $299.99

for the performance and buying a cheap graphics card

SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 5450 1GB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card ( 100292DDR3L) - $29.99

Total - $1,380.88

..............................................................................................................................

I know this isn't the sexiest build with no graphic requirements, but hoping this will cut back on my office time. Looking forward to seeing your feedback.
 
mrtambo22 said:
Was also debating on replacing the CPU with:

Intel Core i7-3820 Sandy Bridge-E 3.6GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 2011 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80619i73820 - $299.99
Click to expand...

You also have to get a different motherboard for that CPU: Socket LGA 1155 and Socket LGA 2011 are completely incompatible with one another. And the least expensive worthwhile LGA 2011 motherboard with Intel's X79 chipset costs about the same price as some of the most expensive LGA 1155 Z77 chipset-based motherboards.
 
I'm gonna recommend two builds:

Build 1:
$360 - Intel Core i7-3770 CPU + Corsair Vengeance LP CML16GX3M2A1600C10 2 x 8GB DDR3 1600 RAM Combo
$71 - Corsair Vengeance LP CML16GX3M2A1600C10 2 x 8GB DDR3 1600 RAM
$265 - Asus P8Z77-V LK Intel Z77 ATX Motherboard + Windows 7 Professional SP1 64bit OEM Combo
$200 - Samsung 830 Series 256GB SSD
$70 - SeaSonic M12II 520 Bronze 520W Modular PSU
$30 - Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus HSF for LGA 1366 and LGA 1156
----
Total: $996 plus tax and shipping.

Build 2:
$860 - Intel Core i7-3930K CPU + Asus Sabertooth X79 ATX Motherboard combo
$142 - 2 x Corsair Vengeance LP CML16GX3M2A1600C10 2 x 8GB DDR3 1600 RAM
$44 - Sapphire Radeon HD 6450 1GB PCI-E Video Card
$200 - Samsung 830 Series 256GB SSD
$70 - SeaSonic M12II 520 Bronze 520W Modular PSU
$65 - Corsair Hydro H60 Liquid Cooling System
----
Total: $1382 plus tax and shipping

The key difference between the two builds is two extra CPU cores, the ability to use up to 64GB of RAM rather than maxed out at 32GB of RAM, and better cooling. Up to you if all of that is worth the extra $385.

As for the case, that NZXT Phantom is a good choice. But here's some other case choices in case you didn't see them:
$80 - Corsair Carbide Series 400R ATX Case
$100 - Antec 1100 ATX Case
$100 - Corsair Carbide Series 500R ATX Case
$110 - Antec P280 ATX Case
$120 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001BK Black ATX Case
$120 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-002OR Black Finish w/Orange Trim Full Tower ATX Case
$120 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-002OR Black Finish w/Green Trim Full Tower ATX Case
$120 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001WT White ATX Case
$120 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-002OR White Finish w/Red Trim Full Tower ATX Case
$123 - Corsair Vengeance Series C70 Gunmetal Black ATX Case
$125 - Fractal Design Define R4 Arctic White ATX Case
$135 - Fractal Design Define R4 with Window Black Pearl ATX Case
$135 - Fractal Design Define R4 with Window Arctic White ATX Case
$135 - Fractal Design Define R4 with Window Titanium Grey ATX Case
$130 - Lian Li PC-7HX Black Aluminum ATX Case
$135 - Corsair Obsidian Series 550D ATX Case
$140 - Corsair Vengeance Series C70 Arctic White ATX Case
$144 - Silverstone RV03B-WA ATX case
$145 - Thermaltake VN300M1W2N Chase MK-1 ATX Case
$160 - Silverstone TJ04B-EW ATX Case
$160 - Corsair Graphite Series 600TM ATX Case
$175 - Corsair Obsidian Series 650D ATX Case
$180 - Corsair Special Edition White Graphite Series 600T ATX Case
$230 - Silverstone FT02S ATX Case
$230 - Silverstone FT02B ATX Case
$240 - Silverstone FT02S-W-USB3.0 ATX Case
$245 - Corsair Obsidian Series 800D CC800DW ATX Case
 
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If by "memory intensive" you mean memory bandwidth, definitely go the SB-E route.
 
I would vote that you try to get a second monitor and or a larger panel if you can fit it in the budget.
 
Thanks Danny big fan of the 2nd build.

We're going to use the comp mostly for Monte Carlo simulations, VBA intensive workbooks and large Access databases so we should be able to take advantage of the extra threads on the 3930K SB-E.

That build comes with a free set of G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) so figure makes sense to buy 2 more for $40 and run with 48GB.

I've read good things about the 940 Pro vs the 930 so I'm thinking of spend the extra $70 bucks for the performance. What do you guys think? Worth the $?

All in with a copy of Windows 7 that brings me to $1,624.90, so I'm still within budget.

Probably hold off on a second monitor for now, since I'm limited on space.
 
mrtambo22 said:
That build comes with a free set of G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) so figure makes sense to buy 2 more for $40 and run with 48GB.
Click to expand...
Not to me it doesn't. Those extra RAM slots are wasted with the other 2 x 4GB RAM sets you're planning on buying. Keep those slots open for actual 8GB sticks of RAM.
mrtambo22 said:
I've read good things about the 940 Pro vs the 930 so I'm thinking of spend the extra $70 bucks for the performance. What do you guys think? Worth the $?
Click to expand...
The 840 Pro isn't worth the extra cash over the 830 IMO,
 
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