Holy Crap, I can't decide! First build!

[DerekPDX]

Oh my god, who knew this would be so tough?

I've never built a system before, and the other day I was sitting around at work (ie, sitting on my couch in my underwear answering tech support calls from my apartment), getting frustrated at my crappy slow work computer when I started wondering if I could build a decent computer for a good price. So I cracked open a Pliny (hopefully some of you will know what that is), and headed over to New Egg to take a peak.

OH.

MY.

GOD.

So many friggin options! I thought i was in over my head. Which CPU do I get? Will this motherboard work with this processor that I think I want for no particular reason other than its not too expensive and has 4 eggs from 25 people instead of that one, which only has 4 eggs from 1 person? Micro ATX? ATX? Mini ITX? Power supply? That sounds important. 300w? 400? 900? This one is $50 bucks and apparently bronze, and that one is 90 and not bronze? I guess ill go with the $50 bronze. Did I mention I'm a noob?

Now fast forward a week I haven't left the couch, I haven't shaved (though I don't normally, I have a pretty kickass beard), haven't showered, the kitty litter box hasn't been changed, and I really need to poop. I think I have a much better understanding of everything, but I am completely torn between two options: Do I get a sexy looking system, that costs a little bit more, or do I get a more powerful system that actually costs a little less and I think has more options for upgrades in the future?

Let me break them down for you:

Sexy System:
Case: Bitfenix Prodigy in Black (maybe orange, call me crazy but I kinda like it)
CPU: AMD A8-5600K 3.6 GHz Quad-Core
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek GAIA SD1283 56.3 CFM
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A85X-ITX Mini ITX
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8gb (2x4gb) DDR3-1600
SSD : Samsung 840 Series 120 gb
HDD : Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM
Video Card: Asus GeForce GT 640 2GB
Power Supply: Cooler Master 450W ATX12V
Total Price: $507.29

Link to parts list on PCPartPicker.com:
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/DerekPDX/saved/23UU

And the smarter, more powerful, expandable, but not nearly as cool system:
Same as above except a different mobo (like that lingo? yeah I'm cool), cpu, and case:
Case: Sentey CS1-1420 Plus ATX Mid Tower (LOVE that it comes with an SD card slot!)
CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz Six-Core
Mobo: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+
Total cost: $481.90

PCPartPicker.com link:
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/DerekPDX/saved/239x

See what I mean?? That Bitfenix Prodigy is one bitchin case, and gettin some super slick lookin might make it an easier sell to my gf, but its not as powerful. My budget is right around $500 so I cant afford to get the Intel processors, and all the AMD Mini ITX boards are only FM2, not AM3+ so I can't slap the FX6300 processor in there. Son of a bitch. The price difference is only like $26 bucks, so that's not a factor. I'm not a hardcore user, I don't really play too many games, I will probably only overclock out of curiosity (but i like techy stuff, so I have a feeling I'm gonna get sucked into that stuff), I will do some photo editing, needs a big hard drive, might do RAID, for all of my gf's photos (about 16,000 after 3 years, with many more to come, hence why i love that the Sentey case has a built in SD card reader), and I usually run several apps at a time. Oh, and I'm going to run it on Ubuntu.

So what do you guys think? What do you think of these choices? See any issues?

It's the age old dilemma, do I go with sexy or smart???

 

[AnitaPeterson]

First of all, welcome!

Sexiness aside, I wouldn't get bogged down with the mini-ITX form factor. ATX is much more established and versatile, and you can get pretty kick-ass cases which will be able to accommodate your needs for many years to come.

I'm old enough to remember hot BTX was hailed by some as revolutionary... seen any BTX form factor equipment lately?

 

[DerekPDX]

Yeah, Anita, I was thinking the same thing. I was just getting sucked in by the Prodigy's good looks. What do you think about my ATX setup? Do you think it's good for how I intend to use it?

 

[AnitaPeterson]

I'm going to let other people add their two cents as well, but I like the ATX budget build.

In fact, after my recent mishap (described in this very forum), I might end up with something very similar.

 

[Revolution 11]

When you say you will be doing some photo editing, how serious is this? More cores is good for video encoding, Photoshop, rendering, etc. If you are not serious about these programs, you will enjoy Intel's extra IPC more (doing more with less). A dual-core can easily handle all of your other requirements. If going from 1 hour to 1.5 hours is a big deal for video encoding, go for AMD.

About your smart build option, do you need the GPU if you are not playing games? Which games do you plan to play?

 

[Essence_of_War]

Fantastic first post

Could you answer the questions here to give us some insight in how best to lend you assistance.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=24043454&postcount=1

 

[DerekPDX]

Fantastic first post

Could you answer the questions here to give us some insight in how best to lend you assistance.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=24043454&postcount=1

Thanks

Sure here are the answers:

I'll use the system mostly for general computing, coding my arduinos and BeagleBone, some light photo editing with GIMP (it will be running Ubuntu) to edit just family photos and such, I'm not a professional or anything. That actually goes to answer your question, Revolution. If I'm honest with myself, I will probably very rarely do any video editing. I like to do it, I used to use Final Cut Pro on my Mac a long time ago, but its been years since I have done anything. As far as games, I really don't even play any games on the computer now, I just use my PS3. I wasn't even sure if I needed to video card. Again, if I'm honest and not just dreamin (which is why i was so sucked into the Prodigy), I will probably never play a game on the damn thing. BUT, if I do, it will likely be games like Tomb Raider, Arkham City, and some FPS, no MMORPGs.

I could really honestly spend no more than $550. And that's hopin my girlfriend doesn't ask how much I spent.

I'll be buying the parts from the US.

I don't really have a brand preference on anything. I was really just focusing on AMD because I thought I could do more for less money. But, Revolution, if you think I could get, say, an i3 processor instead of an i5 and still be perfectly happy with it, than that's definitely worth looking into. Hell, if I do that, I would most likely make this into a Hackintosh. Those need to be Intel based right? See a pattern here? I get a little idea in my head then I just dive headfirst into it. This whole thing started with me just WONDERING how much it would cost to build a computer, now I'm gonna drop five hundo? Jeezzzz.

The only component I will salvage is a 120gb Samsung SSD.

I plan on TRYING overclocking. I'm new at all of this and but it sounds neat to me. Most likely wont be aggressive, not looking to get some cryogenic, liquid nitrogen cooling system, but do I want to play around with it and try to get more bang for my buck? Sure, but I don't even enough about this stuff to know I would see a perceptible difference in performance in my normal usage.

I haven't picked out the monitor yet, I'm going to try my luck at finding something that isn't a POS off of craigslist.

I do not need windows, or blu-ray playback software, as I don't intend to use this as a media center. Having an SD card reader is a must though. I'm going to sell try get my GF on board for this by telling her it's safer to keep our photos on a desktop than our old MacBook,which really is starting to show signs of age. Its like 6 years old, and I honestly am worried about it dying. That's why I like that Sentey case so much. Built in SD reader. Why don't more cases have that? I'm not saying I need a case with one, i can just add the reader to it, but why buy it if I don't have to?

 

[Essence_of_War]

So to be clear, your budget needs to cover the actual computer (including card reader) and a monitor, but no software? Do you have a KB + mouse, or does it need to cover those also?

 

[DerekPDX]

Oh right, i do have a kb and mouse. For now im going to just try and get free software for the basics for now. I will worry about purchasing other software later. So yes, the computer, and a monitor, but im willing to skimp on a cheap monitor (like i said, im looking at craigslist) for now and possibly upgrade later. Is it possible I can just use the monitor on my laptop? Somehow plug the laptop into the PC, and and just use it as a screen?

 

[VirtualLarry]

I'm going to sell try get my GF on board for this by telling her it's safer to keep our photos on a desktop than our old MacBook,which really is starting to show signs of age. Its like 6 years old, and I honestly am worried about it dying.

A desktop can die just as easy, but it does have less of a chance of being dropped.

I think that you should take some of your budget, and buy a USB3.0 external HDD, and back up those pictures, pronto.

 

[DerekPDX]

A desktop can die just as easy, but it does have less of a chance of being dropped.

I think that you should take some of your budget, and buy a USB3.0 external HDD, and back up those pictures, pronto.

I have been. Most of them are backed up on a WD 500gb drive. I'm just worried about it getting the laptop getting dropped or stolen when we travel. So they are backed up, but I'm just looking for some type of justification to get a new computer.

 

[Torn Mind]

Backing up data on the hard drive is the most economical way to keep valuable files from getting lost. Otherwise, you'll need "clean room" service. Computer can "die" in multiple ways, and not all of those ways involve a hard drive dying.

 

[Torn Mind]

The GT 640 is only slightly better than the A8's integrated graphics. It is probably not worth the extra money(~$100?).

 

[Torn Mind]

The point you should be selling that the desktop upgrade will be a productivity booster. You will get things done faster, so less time at the comp and more time for her. Or the same amount of time at the computer but more things get done. And all for much less than a Macbook. The A8 is about just a little faster than a Core 2 Quad Q9650, according to the Anandtech bench.

 

[mfenn]

Getting an Nvidia card is a good idea for a first time Linux user. You certainly don't need a $90 card like the GT 640 though.

I'm not sure how much of an advantage that a built-in SD card reader is on $20 case. Usually such things are chintzy as hell and need to be replaced. I suppose there's no harm in trying it out, and the price is certainly right.

As for overclocking, I can almost guarantee you that you won't see a perceptible difference for your tasks, but I suppose just mucking around with it is worth something.

With all that in mind:
- Case: Fine, with the caveats above
- CPU: Good
- Mobo: Good
- HSF: Fine, but if noise is also a factor, check out the Arctic Cooling A30
- RAM: Don't pay extra for RAM with tall heatspreaders like Vengeance. This Team kit is well priced at $64 and has normal height heatspreaders.
- SSD : Good
- HDD : Good
- GPU: You want Nvidia, but a GT 640 is too much for what you want to do. Not to mention that 2GB of VRAM on a GT 640 is laughably optimistic. Something super cheap like a GT 610 gets you the Nvidia driver support that you want and costs a lot less.
- PSU: Cooler Master PSUs range from bad to not great. The Corsair CX430 is worth looking at, especially since the modular version is the same price (AR) as the regular.

 

[Torn Mind]

Getting an Nvidia card is a good idea for a first time Linux user. You certainly don't need a $90 card like the GT 640 though.

I'm not sure how much of an advantage that a built-in SD card reader is on $20 case. Usually such things are chintzy as hell and need to be replaced. I suppose there's no harm in trying it out, and the price is certainly right.

As for overclocking, I can almost guarantee you that you won't see a perceptible difference for your tasks, but I suppose just mucking around with it is worth something.

With all that in mind:
- Case: Fine, with the caveats above
- CPU: Good
- Mobo: Good
- HSF: Fine, but if noise is also a factor, check out the Arctic Cooling A30
- RAM: Don't pay extra for RAM with tall heatspreaders like Vengeance. This Team kit is well priced at $64 and has normal height heatspreaders.
- SSD : Good
- HDD : Good
- GPU: You want Nvidia, but a GT 640 is too much for what you want to do. Not to mention that 2GB of VRAM on a GT 640 is laughably optimistic. Something super cheap like a GT 610 gets you the Nvidia driver support that you want and costs a lot less.
- PSU: Cooler Master PSUs range from bad to not great. The Corsair CX430 is worth looking at, especially since the modular version is the same price (AR) as the regular.

His PSU choice isn't really bad though. It comes with a 5 yr warranty as well.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Cooler-Master-GX-450-W-Power-Supply-Review/1234/9

 

[greenhawk]

to know if the new system is better, it helps to know what your old / work computer is, otherwise it becomes a pointless upgrade if you are getting the same again.

 

[DerekPDX]

to know if the new system is better, it helps to know what your old / work computer is, otherwise it becomes a pointless upgrade if you are getting the same again.

Oh man, its an old POS Asus laptop. An A53U K53U. It has an AMD C-50 Processor. The thing struggles with Chrome, and Skype chat. Not even video or voice, just IM. It was probably literally the cheapest computer they could find.

 

[frozentundra123456]

A desktop can die just as easy, but it does have less of a chance of being dropped.

I think that you should take some of your budget, and buy a USB3.0 external HDD, and back up those pictures, pronto.

Granted a desktop can die, but I have seen a lot more laptops die early due to heating issues than I have desktops. Desktops also are a lot easier to upgrade/repair.

I do agree with you that the number one priority should be to MAKE A BACK-UP, especially if one has irreplacable items of sentimental value.

 

[DerekPDX]

Well, this changes everything...

http://www.eteknix.com/computex-bitfenix-showoff-the-m-atx-prodigy/

 

[mfenn]

Well, this changes everything...

http://www.eteknix.com/computex-bitfenix-showoff-the-m-atx-prodigy/

I think "everything" is a wee bit hyperbolic. Just swap the case in your MicroATX config.

 

[mfenn]

His PSU choice isn't really bad though. It comes with a 5 yr warranty as well.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Cooler-Master-GX-450-W-Power-Supply-Review/1234/9

Good find. That PSU doesn't really have any margin whatsoever, but you could argue (and rightly so) that the OP doesn't need any in his rig.

 

[DerekPDX]

Yeah, I was just being dramatic. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good AM3+ micro ATX motherboard?

 

[DerekPDX]

What do you guys think of the ASUS M5A78L-M/USB3 for a uATX board? If I wanted to get into overclocking, would that board handle it?

Here's the link to the mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131942

 

[Essence_of_War]

Look like a good matx board to me, pretty good price too.