Pls critique new workstation build

[tadwick]

Looking to build new quiet workstation PC from ground up. Would appreciate opinions.

Purpose: web development with Win7 host and Linux VM, office apps, occasional video transcoding, skype video. (No overclocking, gaming, HTPC etc.) Must be ultra quiet and support two monitors.
Budget: <$1500 Canadian Dollars
Brand: no preference
Existing parts: none

Proposed specs:

CPU: Intel Core i5 760 Quad Core LGA1156 2.8GHZ 8MB Cache
MB: ASUS P7P55D-E LX LGA1156 P55 ATX DDR3 1PCI-E16 4PCI-E1 2PCI USB3.0 SATA 6GB
RAM: OCZ OCZ3G1333LV4GK 4GB DDR3 2X2GB DDR3-1333
GPU: ASUS Radeon HD 5450 Silent 1GB DDR3 64BIT PCI-E DVI-I HDMI
HDD0: Corsair Force Series 60GB 2.5IN SATA2 SSD
HDD1: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB SATA2 3.5IN 8.5MS 7200RPM 32MB
Case: Fractal Design Define R3 Black ATX
PSU: Seasonic X-460FL
Monitors: 2 x LG W2243T-PF 21.5IN Widescreen LCD Monitor 1920X1080

Initial comments: Pretty sure I'll need more RAM for Win7 + 1GB VM. Not sure if 460W PSU is adequate. Should I go for a (slower but quieter) WD Green HDD instead of the Seagate? Maybe the i5 is overkill.

Thanks

 

[mfenn]

A few comments:
- i5 760 is perfectly fine
- 4GB is fine if you only want to run 1 VM. Go to 8GB otherwise
- Would not buy OCZ Ram. Get Corsair, Kingston, or G.Skill instead
- Not a big fan of Seagate HDDs either. If the drive is solely for storage, a WD Green or Samsung F4 is fine. Otherwise get a Samsung F3 or WD Black
- That PSU is ridiculous overkill. Go for a quiet ~350-400W normal PSU like a Seasonic S12II and use the savings on the below. A normal PSU is still going to be below the noise floor of your case fans.
- The stock Intel HSF is not terribly quiet. Get something like a Noctua U12P.
- Consider replacing the case fans with some Noctuas

 

[tadwick]

Thanks for the advice.

- Interesting about the PSU. My experience is that the PSU tend to get louder over time so I figured a fanless PSU would be worth trying.
- What about integrated graphics w/dual monitor support instead of a card?
- Are there any issues with using 8GB in terms of Win7, VMware, etc. using the >4GB?

 

[Sp12]

I know this might be somewhat misguided, but you have no need for high-end graphics, so it might be worth waiting a few days for Sandy Bridge so you can get a faster processor at the same price (with more features and an upgrade path), as well as avoid the GPU requirement by using the integrated.

 

[mfenn]

Thanks for the advice.

No problem.

- Interesting about the PSU. My experience is that the PSU tend to get louder over time so I figured a fanless PSU would be worth trying.

Keep the PSU free of dust and you won't have that problem.

- What about integrated graphics w/dual monitor support instead of a card?

There are no IGPs for Lynnfields.

- Are there any issues with using 8GB in terms of Win7, VMware, etc. using the >4GB?

As long as you use 64-bit Windows 7 and a non-ancient version of VMWare you will not have any problems.

 

[mfenn]

I know this might be somewhat misguided, but you have no need for high-end graphics, so it might be worth waiting a few days for Sandy Bridge so you can get a faster processor at the same price (with more features and an upgrade path), as well as avoid the GPU requirement by using the integrated.

You are correct, and that's not a bad idea.

 

[tadwick]

So this new Sandy Bridge architecture will have equivalent or higher processing performance, consume less power, support IGP and be comparable in cost to exisiting i5/mobo combos? When do you think new mobos, fans, drivers etc. will be in the stores?

 

[Sp12]

So this new Sandy Bridge architecture will have equivalent or higher processing performance, consume less power, support IGP and be comparable in cost to exisiting i5/mobo combos? When do you think new mobos, fans, drivers etc. will be in the stores?

Yes, yes (depending), yes, and yes (in that order).

Most brick and mortar stores actually have them already, I know my local Fry's has them in the back room. Informational launch date is Jan. 5th and actual retail launch is the 9th.

 

[tadwick]

So, I'm pretty keen to hold off til the Sandy Bridge cpu/mobos arrive; however, I'd like to buy other hardware components before year end for tax reasons. Is is just the mobos that will need to be upgraded to be compatible with the new chips? ie if I was planning on getting DDR3-1333 for a current i5 (see my OP) then the same RAM would be forward compatible?

 

[mfenn]

So, I'm pretty keen to hold off til the Sandy Bridge cpu/mobos arrive; however, I'd like to buy other hardware components before year end for tax reasons. Is is just the mobos that will need to be upgraded to be compatible with the new chips? ie if I was planning on getting DDR3-1333 for a current i5 (see my OP) then the same RAM would be forward compatible?

Everything should be the same except for the CPU and motherboard.

 

[tadwick]

thanks, what about the Noctua U12P HSF you recommended above. Will that likely be compatible?

 

[Davidh373]

The rest of your hardware looks good. Sandy Bridge will suit you well.

 

[mfenn]

thanks, what about the Noctua U12P HSF you recommended above. Will that likely be compatible?

Good catch. It's unknown if the Socket 1155 mounting holes will be the same as the socket 1156 ones. Intel is known for changing the dimensions for no good reason at all.

 

[tadwick]

According to Noctua site, that HSF supports the new socket as well.

I'm also assuming Linux in a VM will be compatible with the IGP/drivers

Finally, people mention DDR3-1333 and DDR3-1600 for SB but so maybe someone could explain where this wikipedia article states that only the early releases will be DDR3-1333 compatible (or maybe I'm reading it wrong).

 

[mfenn]

According to Noctua site, that HSF supports the new socket as well.

In that case, the mounting locations are probably the same as 1156, thank God.

I'm also assuming Linux in a VM will be compatible with the IGP/drivers

Should work fine, the only potential snag is that OpenGL passthrough may not work at first, but that's not a big deal.

Finally, people mention DDR3-1333 and DDR3-1600 for SB but so maybe someone could explain where this wikipedia article states that only the early releases will be DDR3-1333 compatible (or maybe I'm reading it wrong).

Key words are "up to". Basically, the LGA 1356 (enthusiast) CPUs will finally officially support DDR3 1600.

 

[tadwick]

Key words are "up to". Basically, the LGA 1356 (enthusiast) CPUs will finally officially support DDR3 1600.

Right, that's how I interpreted the article but I could swear I've seen posts from builders planning on DDR3 1600 in the chips that are coming out next month, which is why I was confused.

 

[Davidh373]

Right, that's how I interpreted the article but I could swear I've seen posts from builders planning on DDR3 1600 in the chips that are coming out next month, which is why I was confused.

You need to realize something.... it's very rare to find someone who knows how to build a good computer that works as intended... just saying...

 

[tadwick]

Well I'm a complete noob I have to admit - just look at my post count.

I took at look at the H67 boards on the ASUS site and I couldn't tell the difference between them except one had a larger form factor.

 

[mnewsham]

Well I'm a complete noob I have to admit - just look at my post count.

I took at look at the H67 boards on the ASUS site and I couldn't tell the difference between them except one had a larger form factor.

well from what you are doing i think the i5-2300 is a good processor, with a mid range H67 board (if you want specifics just tell us what you want to add, like graphics or other PCI cards or OCing etc.) that will probably run you $300-$350

 

[mfenn]

Well I'm a complete noob I have to admit - just look at my post count.

I took at look at the H67 boards on the ASUS site and I couldn't tell the difference between them except one had a larger form factor.

Its just a matter of features. The cheaper boards don't have as many. They will all perform identically. Just pick the cheapest one that has the features that you want.

 

[tadwick]

Just pick the cheapest one that has the features that you want.

Fair enough

Here's what I ordered so far :

Case: Antec Solo
PSU: Seasonic X-460FL
RAM: Corsair XMS 2x4GB DDR3-1333 (dual channel to complement LGA1155)
GPU: on board (see below)
HDD0: OCZ Vertex 2 Sandforce 120GB 2.5in SATA2 SSD
HDD1: WD Green 1TB (64MB Cache)
HSF: Noctua NH-U12P
Monitors: 2 x Samsung E2220X 21.5in LCDs
Mouse: Logitech M510 (wireless)
KB: Logitech K120 (corded)

And TBD :

CPU: probably LGA1155 (Sandy Bridge) 2400 or 2500
MB: H67 compatible

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions so far!

 

[mfenn]

I still think that the X-460FL is a dumb waste of money for you, but otherwise it looks fine (assuming that the Corsair is 1.5V).

 

[tadwick]

otherwise it looks fine (assuming that the Corsair is 1.5V).

The Corsair is 1.65V - is that ok? How can I tell what voltage I need?

 

[DominionSeraph]

How can I tell what voltage I need?

You ask us.

1.5V.

 

[mfenn]

You ask us.

1.5V.

:thumbsup: