Help with computer

[swanysto]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

I deal with high volume pdf's. Basically blueprints in pdf form. The program I use imports them, and it uses read writes to access databases.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

As cheap as possible. The parts I have priced are around $300 after tax and shipping.

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

USA, have 20 minute access to Microcenter, and about 40 minute access to Fry's.

4. IF you're buying parts OUTSIDE the US, please post a link to the vendor you'll be buying from.

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.

Have owned 1 of all of those at some point. Don't care as long as it is dependable, it is a computer that I will have for 4 years.

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

Monitor, peripherals, SSD Drive, storage drive, Case, Case fans, DVD drive.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

I don't think OC'ing will benefit me a whole lot, plus I don't want to spend money on cooling. If I did overclock, it would be a couple years down the road, and I am trying to get the most juice before I need a new computer.

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?

27" 1920x1200

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

In the next 2 weeks.

X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?

No.


This is what I have so far:

A10-5800k - 120.00
ASrock FM2A75M-DGS - 55.00
Corsair CX430 - $45
G.Skill RipJaws 8gb(2x4) DDR3-1866 - $50

What I am looking for is mostly to see if these parts will work together, and if I am making a mistake by buying any of them. The computer will never be used for games. The most work it will get maybe some photoshop work. The stuff I do with pdf's works the CPU I currently have(E5400), but it doesn't do much to the i7 in my laptop.

TIA

 

[Torn Mind]

What is your current system's RAM specs? PDFs can truly be RAM hogs. If you have enough RAM, you could simply get a Core 2 Quad for less money with only slightly less performance; I would assume your software taxes both cores currently.
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Processo.../dp/B0012WDMNC

 

[swanysto]

I looked into that a while back, and the motherboard only supports dual core. Not to mention it tops out at 4gb ram :/ That is the problem with getting a Dell sometimes.

 

[Ken g6]

The program I use imports them, and it uses read writes to access databases.

Databases on the local machine, or over the network? Over the network you can't improve by just getting a new local machine. (Unless you have a 1000-base-t network, and your old card didn't support it. Even then improvement is unlikely.)

For raw CPU processing power, you want Intel, not AMD. Matching your current price range:

- i3-3220 at Micro Center - $100
- B75 mobo, $63 AR @NCIX, or similar
- Keep your PSU (maybe even your existing PSU)
- Any old 1.5V RAM will work - max. usable speed 1600MHz.

That i3 should be comparable to the i7 in your laptop unless it's a "QM".

 

[Torn Mind]

You might be able to get a 2500K and Z68 mobo for a major performance gain thanks to Frys and Micro Center!!!!!

http://www.microcenter.com/product/406960/Core_i5_2500K_33GHz_LGA_1155_Processor_-_OEM
OEM i5-2500K for maybe $139.99 before tax. The suggested AsRock board should have holes that fit 775 processors. Might have to Ebay the heatsink. Maybe you'll spend 160 total

List of Z68 motherboards Frys is selling. http://www.frys.com/search?query_str...4&from=0&to=24

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Memory: G.Skill Value 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Other: i5 2500k (before tax) ($139.99)
Other: Asus P8Z68-V ($67.32)
Total: $286.29 before taxes, gas, etc
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-24 13:36 EST-0500)
$286.29 before taxes, gas, etc

Rest were the builds I was cooking up before the final one....
--------------------------------
For your original build, changing vendors and applying discounts nets you $8 in savings

You probably can get away with Sandy Bridge. If the rather limited pci-e slots and port selection is fine with you, you can got H61+i3 for a little less.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($116.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75M-DGS Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($60.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $262.95
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-24 12:33 EST-0500)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-2100 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor ($117.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H61M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Blu 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($36.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $234.95
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-24 12:29 EST-0500)

Or you can stick an i5 in there and get something juicier and more powerful than that laptop you got(I remember).

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-2310 2.9GHz Quad-Core Processor ($178.47 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H61M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Blu 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($36.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $295.44
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-24 12:39 EST-0500)

Note the Asrock can be LGA 775 coolers. You can get about 30 bucks in savings if you replace the i5-2310 with the 2500k.

That i3 should be comparable to the i7 in your laptop unless it's a "QM".

It does have a QM, I remember he said that laptop of his for about 650ish bucks in his thread on here.

 

[swanysto]

Databases on the local machine, or over the network? Over the network you can't improve by just getting a new local machine. (Unless you have a 1000-base-t network, and your old card didn't support it. Even then improvement is unlikely.)

For raw CPU processing power, you want Intel, not AMD. Matching your current price range:

- i3-3220 at Micro Center - $100
- B75 mobo, $63 AR @NCIX, or similar
- Keep your PSU (maybe even your existing PSU)
- Any old 1.5V RAM will work - max. usable speed 1600MHz.

That i3 should be comparable to the i7 in your laptop unless it's a "QM".

The .mdb files are local, so I don't deal with networking thankfully. I will look into the intel route. My i7 is QM(Intel® Core™ i7-2670QM Processor( 2.2GHz-3.1GHz)) if that makes any difference. The only thing with the PSU is that it is a factory dell. I have had this computer for 4 years. I would think it is compatible(not too sure about the pin number for the board though), but I don't know how much longer it will be reliable.

 

[mfenn]

PDF renderers are not known for being highly multi-threaded, so you should look for something with high single-thread performance. That means a recent Intel processor.

Torn Mind's i5 2500K build looks fine to me, but you will need to add a HSF because the OEM i5 doesn't come with one. I don't know if your Dell case can fit a 120mm cooler, so here's the good ol 92mm Freezer 7 Pro.