Computer Build Advice

ronbo613

Golden Member
Jan 9, 2010
1,237
45
91
Thinking the trusty work rig is about to fade into the sunset so I need to think about building another computer. Always worth it to throw it out here and see what everyone has to say before I start shopping for parts.

The computer is used mainly for video, graphics and photo editing, internet access and light casual gaming. I want to use as many parts from my current computer(in the sig) as possible, even though it is pretty old, to save money. I need to go as inexpensive as possible and I'm getting tired of shit canning perfectly good computer parts.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. Video, graphics and photo editing using Adobe CS6. Internet access and light gaming; Dirt Rally, pinball games using Xbox 360 controller.

2. What YOUR budget is. Depends what I need to buy and what I can re-use from current setup.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from. USA

5. IF YOU have a brand preference. Intel CPU. i7 preferred.

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are. Would like to re-use my video card, aftermarket CPU cooler, RAM if possible, DVD-RW, hard drives & SSD's, monitors and peripherals. I'd like to re-use the case but the USB ports are worn out and the PSU is about eight years old so I should probably go for a new one.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds. No OC

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using? 1080p for the time being

9. WHEN do you plan to build it? Probably in the next few months

10. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software? Will need an OS. I need to see if my current software works with Win10, if it does, I'll get that, otherwise Win7.

I don't need bleeding edge or anything exotic. I do need six onboard SATA ports for my many hard drives. I'll run as many hard drives in the case as I can. If the DDR3 RAM I have can work, that would be great. Don't need firewire anymore but USB 3 and eSATA ports are good.

All advice and insight is appreciated.
 

Ken g6

Programming Moderator, Elite Member
Moderator
Dec 11, 1999
16,836
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I need to go as inexpensive as possible and I'm getting tired of shit canning perfectly good computer parts.

Do you realize this statement is contradictory?

If you're looking for an Intel CPU with HT for video encoding, there's always the Xeon option. You have to get a special mobo to support a Xeon, but they're not too much more expensive. I'm having trouble deciding whether to go with the Xeon to save $25, or get a board with 4 RAM slots, at which point a real i7 becomes competitive. But, hey, 32GB should be enough for everybody, right? ;) Edit: You could also go with 16GB for half the price, but then you'd have to discard it if you wanted 32GB.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V5 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($252.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: *Gigabyte GA-X150M-PLUS WS Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($70.22 @ Amazon)
Memory: *G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Case: *Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: *EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($42.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $511.18
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-28 12:41 EDT-0400

You could also sell (at least some of) your old parts.
 
Last edited:

ronbo613

Golden Member
Jan 9, 2010
1,237
45
91
Having been in computers since the stone age, I've always been tempted by Xeon processors but usually go with a mainstream CPU for compatibility with mainstream software.

That's a great price for a computer that can do a lot of work.