Help me build this Haswell system

[guidinggod]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing -- I will be using the PC for trading (multiple data streams and charting software with multiple streaming charts) mostly and general browsing, emails, video/movies/music and some light (browser based) games etc during off market hours.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread -- Ideally $550 in Desktop form (without monitors)

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

4. IF you're buying parts OUTSIDE the US, please post a link to the vendor you'll be buying from.
We can't be expected to scour the internet on your behalf, chasing down deals in your specific country... Again, help us, help YOU. -- N/A

5. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc. -- Would prefer Intel based system, no preference on other components like vid card etc.

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are. -- I would like to utilise my current HDD (1TB WD Caviar Black) + Asus DVD RW

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds. -- No overclocking or hardcore gaming.

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using? This is key. I would like to use 3 external monitors all running at 1080p @ 60 Hz. I already own these, all have HDMI and DVI inputs.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Note that it is usually not cost or time effective to choose your build more than a month before you actually plan to be using it. -- Immediately or as soon as I have some recommendations I'm satisfied with.

X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software? -- I already have a retail version of Win 8.1 Pro x64 on my current PC and if possible would like to migrate that to the new system.


Additional notes: As I understand it, Haswell based motherboards/chipsets/processors can support 3 external displays and would be ideal even without using a discrete GPU card. Ideally that's what I would like, since I want a stable system without messing with drivers, heating, cooling solutions etc (Not very technically savvy as you can tell). Another consideration is physical system size as I would prefer something small(ish) not a big gaming tower type thing.

So far what I've come up with is this build:
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Intel DH87MC mobo (has 3 display outputs incl HDMI/DVI/DP) - $125
Intel i5-4430 - $180
Corsair PSU VS350 - $40
Kingston Hyper Blue 2x4GB 1600 Mhz Ram - $80
LIAN LI PC-A05FNB chassis - $95
SAMSUNG 830 Series 2.5-Inch 128GB SATA III MLC - $110

1TB WD Caviar Black + Win 8.1 Pro x64 + Asus DVD-RW (from my current PC) - $0

3 x LG 23EA53V-P Monitors - $0
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Total - $630
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So a little above my price/budget, not including dp/dvi/hdmi cables I will need.

What should I change to meet my budget? just get rid of the ssd?

Also (since Haswell reviews/descriptions left me a little confused) am I correct in assuming this setup will drive these 3 monitors at 1080p @ 60 Hz in extended mode in Win 8.1 pro thru their dvi/hdmi inputs? Will I need an active DP to HDMI/DVI converter cable or will passive be okay?

Long post, sorry. Thanks in advance.

 

[Sleepingforest]

You can definitely cut down in a variety of places to meet your goal--specifically, the case, RAM, SDD, and motherboard are a bit suboptimal, in terms of cost. Fractal Design offers a good mATX case for $43 (with shipping). You can get 2x4GB RAM for $66. Crucial's M500 is only $89 on Amazon for 120GB. The DH87RL has the video ports you need at $20 less.

 

[guidinggod]

You can definitely cut down in a variety of places to meet your goal--specifically, the case, RAM, SDD, and motherboard are a bit suboptimal, in terms of cost. Fractal Design offers a good mATX case for $43 (with shipping). You can get 2x4GB RAM for $66. Crucial's M500 is only $89 on Amazon for 120GB. The DH87RL has the video ports you need at $20 less.

Thanks a lot, that really helped. I had looked at that board earlier on Intel's site and it said VGA n DVI ports, here http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/motherboards/desktop-motherboards/desktop-board-dh87rl.html Should have checked the config link :s

Cost within budget after your recomm. Any thoughts on my ques re driving the 3 monitors and active/passive DP cable?

 

[Sleepingforest]

First of all: The Intel site seems to actually be wrong on the DH87RL for some reason. If you actually look at the board, you can see it has one DVI port, one HDMI port, and one Displayport.

Active DP cables are just for long distances (like, over 50 feet). You'll just need a standard copper DP cable. A passive converter should be enough, but keep in mind that DP and DVI do not carry audio signals, unlike HDMI.

 

[Essence_of_War]

DP and DVI do not carry audio signals, unlike HDMI.

DVI def does not, but the DP spec actually allows for the carrying of audio also, although I don't know how widely (if at all) that is implemented. I don't know if intel implements that with its igpu stuff.

 

[guidinggod]

Sound is not an issue, I'll be using the normal sound out port with my desktop speakers. As long as the 3 monitors get full resolution output with (1) HDMI > HDMI cable, (2) DVI > DVI cable and (3) DP > DVI cable respectively, I'm good.

As a sidenote, is it better to get an Intel board or something like ASUS etc for durability and build quality (if other vendors in fact have boards with similar video output ports)?

 

[Sleepingforest]

Intel motherboards are solid. Pretty much all the major manufacturers are good enough (Asus, Asrock, MSI, Gigabyte, Intel) and even some slightly smaller names (ECS, Biostar) are adequate.

 

[mfenn]

A passive converter should be enough, but keep in mind that DP and DVI do not carry audio signals, unlike HDMI.

As far as I am aware, there are only two TMDS transmitters on the board, so you can only hook up two DVI/HDMI-type displays directly. The OP will need an active adapter, since that takes the packet-based DP protocol, decodes it, and encodes it with TMDS signalling.

 

[Sleepingforest]

I thought that anything supporting DisplayPort dual-mode 1.1 would also support a fast enough TMDS clockspeed (300MHz, as opposed to the original 165MHz) to support higher resolutions(and thus monitors thus outputs)? Or am I misinterpreting the usage of the transmitters?

 

[mfenn]

I thought that anything supporting DisplayPort dual-mode 1.1 would also support a fast enough TMDS clockspeed (300MHz, as opposed to the original 165MHz) to support higher resolutions(and thus monitors thus outputs)? Or am I misinterpreting the usage of the transmitters?

300MHz TMDS is is basically dual-link DVI. You can't take a dual-link DVI and make it into two single-link connections. You need a separate transmitter to create the signal for each monitor (really the clock generator is the important/expensive bit).

 

[guidinggod]

Ok, so I was just ordering the components and only thing left is the afore mentioned adapter for DP. I found these two

http://www.amazon.com/Accell-UltraAV-B087B-002B-DisplayPort-Dual-Link/dp/B002ISVI3U

http://www.amazon.com/Accell-B087B-005B-DisplayPort-Single-Link-Certified/dp/B004071ZX0

Both say 'Active', though one is single link and the other is dual link (also has USB power cable attached). Price diff b/w the two is quite a lot, about $29 vs $90. (FWIW the single link seems to have better reviews on Amazon). Will the single link be ok,(either the one above or the one from Newegg that mfenn linked to) or should I not risk it and spend more on the Dual link?

 

[Sleepingforest]

The difference is in the resolution it supports. A dual-link DVI covert will support 2560x1600, and single link will only allow 1080p.

 

[mfenn]

The difference is in the resolution it supports. A dual-link DVI covert will support 2560x1600, and single link will only allow 1080p.

Single link should be good for 1920x1200 as well, but the point remains the same. For 1080p, all you need is a single-link adapter. :thumbsup:

 

[guidinggod]

Thanks you all - ordered everything. Hoping it all sits well together. Will report back if it doesn't.

Cheers & thanks again!

 

[mfenn]

Good luck. Please report back even if it all goes perfectly.