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Please help me design my new build

S

Special_K

Junior Member
After 7 years of steady service, it's time for my old build to retire. I have a budget of $1,000 (Less is nice) to build a new PC. I use this for software development and the rare game or two. I also use Photoshop for work.

I currently have dual monitors and will continue to use them with the new build, so monitors are not necessary. Neither is keyboard, mouse, or speakers. I need:

Case
Power Supply
Motherboard
Ram
SSD for system (I have other drives for data storage)
Processor
DVD writer

I would prefer the case to be a full sized one as I have 3 internal HDs to use on top of the new SSD.

My biggest complaint about my system right now is the time required to open my IDE and photoshop. That is where the SSD comes in.

I want this new build to last just as long as my old one, so would prefer quality parts over cheap cost. I don't need a crazy gaming rig and would rather spend less than more (IE please don't max out the budget just to max out the budget)

For my modest needs, what would you recommend for me? I've been out of the pc game for so long that I don't know who's good these days and who sucks.

Thanks in advance!
 
Case - Antec 300 ($40): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042

Power Supply - Seasonic GOLD 360w ($60): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151117

Motherboard - AsRock z77 Pro4 ($95): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157296

Ram - Samsung 2x4GB 30nm ($45): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147096

SSD for system - Samsung 830 128GB ($113): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147163

Processor - Intel i5-3570k ($230): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116504
Combo buy with motherboard (-$13): http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...=Combo.1066095

DVD writer - Asus ($20): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135204

OS - either you forgot this or you already have one. It's $100: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116986

You didn't list it, but if you need a graphics card for gaming, add $85AR for this HD7750: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102969

TOTAL: $775 shipped.

Enjoy and welcome to the forums! 🙂
 
Last edited:
We have an MSDN subscription so don't need an OS.

About the i5 - Will I not get any sort of improvements (That I will notice) with the i7?
What about the Ram? I was considering doing 16GB and implementing a Ram Drive. Stupid idea?
And lastly - Will I be able to use the D-sub AND the DVI at the same time for my dual monitors?

Thanks for your quick response!
 
Special_K said:
We have an MSDN subscription so don't need an OS.

About the i5 - Will I not get any sort of improvements (That I will notice) with the i7?
What about the Ram? I was considering doing 16GB and implementing a Ram Drive. Stupid idea?
And lastly - Will I be able to use the D-sub AND the DVI at the same time for my dual monitors?

Thanks for your quick response!
Click to expand...

Revisions below. I'd stick with the 3570 - Photoshop doesn't respond too much to hyperthreading: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ivy-bridge-benchmark-core-i7-3770k,3181-15.html. The HD4000 on the 3570 will do two monitors, but I've added a GPU as an optional item. Your Ramdisk question is best asked in the Memory and Storage forum.

Termie said:
Case - Antec 300 ($40): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042

Power Supply - Seasonic GOLD 360w ($60): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151117

Motherboard - AsRock z77 Pro4 ($95): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157296

Ram - G.Skill Ares 2x8GB ($60): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231558

SSD for system - Samsung 830 128GB ($113): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147163

Processor - Intel i5-3570k ($230): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116504
Combo buy with motherboard (-$13): http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...=Combo.1066095

DVD writer - Asus ($20): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135204

OS - either you forgot this or you already have one. It's $100: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116986

You didn't list it, but if you need a graphics card for gaming, add $85AR for this HD7750: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102969

TOTAL: $690 shipped.

Enjoy and welcome to the forums! 🙂
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
I like Termie's suggestion but do you overclock? If not, you don't need a Z77 board and a 3570K. B75/H77 and 3450-3570 would be more prudent.
 
This is just a general use system for my job programming. Overclocking isn't something I have a need for really. A dedicated video card also isn't necessary I don't think, as my "gaming" is limited to Tricky Truck once a month.

Which mobo and processor would you recommend if overclocking isn't necessary?

Also, can you help with my other questions?

About the i5 - Will I not get any sort of improvements (That I will notice) with the i7?
What about the Ram? I was considering doing 16GB and implementing a Ram Drive. Stupid idea?
And lastly - Will I be able to use the D-sub AND the DVI at the same time for my dual monitors?
Click to expand...

Sorry for the stupid questions - I haven't dealt with PC hardware in many years now.
 
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=72279&vpn=BX80637I53470&manufacture=Intel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3938566&SID=

About the i5 - Will I not get any sort of improvements (That I will notice) with the i7?
Click to expand...

i7 is hyperthreaded (4 cores -> 8 threads), i5 is not. The extra threads make an i7 perform up to 50% better in applications that can are heavily multithreaded. I don't think you'd notice much difference, certainly not worth the extra cost.

What about the Ram? I was considering doing 16GB and implementing a Ram Drive. Stupid idea?
Click to expand...

Yeah, you have an SSD. A RAM disk isn't really needed.

And lastly - Will I be able to use the D-sub AND the DVI at the same time for my dual monitors?
Click to expand...

Yes
 
lehtv said:
I like Termie's suggestion but do you overclock? If not, you don't need a Z77 board and a 3570K. B75/H77 and 3450-3570 would be more prudent.
Click to expand...

Good point - I was thinking he'd want to OC to keep the system relevant for 7 years. Revisions below:

AsRock H77 board ($70): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157303
Intel i5-3450 ($180): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116506

That knocks off $62.

Special_K said:
This is just a general use system for my job programming. Overclocking isn't something I have a need for really. A dedicated video card also isn't necessary I don't think, as my "gaming" is limited to Tricky Truck once a month.

Which mobo and processor would you recommend if overclocking isn't necessary?

Also, can you help with my other questions?



Sorry for the stupid questions - I haven't dealt with PC hardware in many years now.
Click to expand...

I answered some of these above - but you may need to go to our specialty forums for more help.
 
So, here it is again with all the changes:

Case - Antec 300 ($40): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042

Power Supply - Seasonic GOLD 360w ($60): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151117

Motherboard - AsRock H77 ($70): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157303

Ram - G.Skill 2x8GB ($60): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

SSD for system - Samsung 830 128GB ($113): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147163

Processor - Intel i5-3450 ($180): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

DVD writer - Asus ($20): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135204

TOTAL: $543 shipped.

Lehtv suggested an alternative CPU and motherboard that are one notch higher and about $10 more each. Definitely fine suggestions. Given your needs, however, I'd skip the full ATX motherboard and use the smaller microATX board I suggested - it will be easier to build with.
 
Last edited:
Just ordered and went with the H77 and the 3450. Also downgraded to 8GB ram because of the system drive being a SSD. Can easily upgrade that to 16 in the future, though if necessary.

I like this build - I can upgrade everything pretty immensely over the years (i7, up to 32GB of ram, etc..) which is how I've kept my old system running for so long.

I really appreciate your help gentlemen.
 
Special_K said:
Just ordered and went with the H77 and the 3450. Also downgraded to 8GB ram because of the system drive being a SSD. Can easily upgrade that to 16 in the future, though if necessary.

I like this build - I can upgrade everything pretty immensely over the years (i7, up to 32GB of ram, etc..) which is how I've kept my old system running for so long.

I really appreciate your help gentlemen.
Click to expand...

Excellent! What memory set did you choose? If it's a 2x4GB, you'd have to remove sticks to get up to 32GB, as you probably know.
 
Termie said:
So, here it is again with all the changes:

Case - Antec 300 ($40): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042

Power Supply - Seasonic GOLD 360w ($60): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151117

Motherboard - AsRock H77 ($70): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157303

Ram - G.Skill 2x8GB ($60): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

SSD for system - Samsung 830 128GB ($113): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147163

Processor - Intel i5-3450 ($180): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

DVD writer - Asus ($20): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135204

TOTAL: $543 shipped.

Lehtv suggested an alternative CPU and motherboard that are one notch higher and about $10 more each. Definitely fine suggestions. Given your needs, however, I'd skip the full ATX motherboard and use the smaller microATX board I suggested - it will be easier to build with.
Click to expand...

This build is pretty good, but there's two things I'd like to point out:

- Case: The Antec Three Hundred won't let you use your motherboard's USB 3.0 headers. Might not matter now, but it would be kind of a pain in 2-3 years when USB 3.0 is standard. The updated Antec Three Hundred Two gets you that capability for $15 extra.
- Power supply: While the 360W Gold is certainly a very nice unit, there is no reason to believe that it will last any longer than your everyday 350W Bronze Seasonic unit.
 
mfenn said:
This build is pretty good, but there's two things I'd like to point out:

- Case: The Antec Three Hundred won't let you use your motherboard's USB 3.0 headers. Might not matter now, but it would be kind of a pain in 2-3 years when USB 3.0 is standard. The updated Antec Three Hundred Two gets you that capability for $15 extra.
- Power supply: While the 360W Gold is certainly a very nice unit, there is no reason to believe that it will last any longer than your everyday 350W Bronze Seasonic unit.
Click to expand...

The Seasonic 350W is $51 with shipping. There is absolutely no reason not to spend an extra $9 on a much more efficient psu. I agree usb3 is nice, but he'll still have the rear ports. Spending 15$ more for usb3 front ports is exactly what Antec wants you to do. Not worth it in that price range.
 
Last edited:
Termie said:
The Seasonic 350W is $51 with shipping. There is absolutely no reason not to spend an extra $9 on a much more efficient psu.
Click to expand...

Fair enough on the PSU. I didn't notice the shipping charge. The CX430 is $37 AR shipped, so quite a lot less expensive for something that makes no noticeable difference in PC performance.

Termie said:
I agree usb3 is nice, but he'll still have the rear ports. Spending 15% more for usb3 front ports is exactly what Antec wants you to do. Not worth it in that price range.
Click to expand...

I don't think "what Antec wants you to do" has anything to do with it. Its about having USB ports that can be used without digging around behind the PC. There's no point in spending $70 on an H77 board if you're not going to use the front USB 3.0 ports.
 
Termie said:
The Seasonic 350W is $51 with shipping. There is absolutely no reason not to spend an extra $9 on a much more efficient psu. I agree usb3 is nice, but he'll still have the rear ports. Spending 15% more for usb3 front ports is exactly what Antec wants you to do. Not worth it in that price range.
Click to expand...

The V-2 does offer more flexibility than the original. Moving the orientation of the hd cage makes the case better to work with. V-2 offers better cable management. Also the extra 120 fan mount to draw heat from the motherboard backside is a plus.
 
Guys, the Antec 302 is better, but it's in a different price class. In fact, around $60 there are plenty of other potentially better options. At $40, there is nothing comparable to the Antec 300.

Back to the psu for a moment - I absolutely believe a few more dollars spent on a more modern and efficient psu go straight to better performance, as in reliability, voltage control, and yes, efficiency, which is in itself a performance factor. If the buyer is on a tight budget, then by all means go for a Corsair 430, but the Seasonic I recommended is a higher quality psu.

Truth is there are many ways to spend money. Given $20 extra dollars, I put it towards the psu, some would put it towards a case, some would buy more memory, some wouldn't spend it at all. The build I suggested was my attempt at a balanced build, but there are certainly other great setups.
 
Termie said:
Guys, the Antec 302 is better, but it's in a different price class. In fact, around $60 there are plenty of other potentially better options. At $40, there is nothing comparable to the Antec 300.
Click to expand...

Can get 302 for $50 from ncix. But you'll need to buy another component from there to get free shipping, I recommend Intel 330 120GB SSD for $90 (only four left).

Also the front USB 3.0 ports probably can't be used for USB 3.0 external hard disks that draw power off of the port.
 
lehtv said:
Can get 302 for $50 from ncix. But you'll need to buy another component from there to get free shipping, I recommend Intel 330 120GB SSD for $90 (only four left).

Also the front USB 3.0 ports probably can't be used for USB 3.0 external hard disks that draw power off of the port.
Click to expand...

Is that part of the USB 3.0 spec? Because sure enough my front USB 3.0 ports failed to function with my USB 3.0 external 2.5" drive.
 
I think USB 3.0 front ports just don't supply enough watts to keep a hard disk operating, even though they're capable of the same data rate as the rear panel ports. They work fine with USB thumb drives and such (and hard disks powered from the wall). This is probably why you'll fail to recharge a phone or an iPod through a front panel port.
 
I thought USB 3.0 ports are supposed to supply 700mA, whereas USB 2.0 ports supply 500mA. Since USB2.0 external portable HDs run off of most front-panel USB2.0 ports, surely they should be capable of being powered by USB3.0 ports.
 
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