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Relate Build to Need not Budget

C

ConfusedAnalRetentive

Junior Member
1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
I will use it on Chief Architect and Punch home design programs(rendering and 3d walkthroughs), Quicken, Access database work, record occasional tv programs (optional), Other MSOFFICE applications, gaming (infrequent but would like fun not bleeding edge)

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread.
I would like to relate budget to the above needs in item 1, my anal retentiveness just does not want me to waste money. I am expecting around $1,000 but could go much lower or higher if folks think it is necessary for the above.

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

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.
No preference between intel and AMD.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
I will reuse mouse, keyboard, and Monitor(Samsung 220 MW).

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Information overload, everything is price based rather than use based.
It seems I can get a Core 2 duo system for $1,000, a Phenom x4 system for $1,250, and an i7 for $1,500. But no clue as to what relates to my use in item 1.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
No plans to overclock, would need to be family proof with any fan adjustment automatic.

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
April-May 2009

9. Other:
[Will pay extra for quite (extra $100 dollars).
Will pay extra for "easier" components/build (newbie builder, want all cables and pieces when I order it)(Extra $150).
Mid or full tower with USB and such on top, tooless design, factory cooling if possible.
Automatic backup files and data on second hard drive, can always reload programs and OS. Need recommendation of Raid configuration or backup program. Currently only pushing 60GB hard drive for space.
Don't want to have to tweak the system much once it is up and running.
Confused on 32 bit or 64 bit OS and what I need.

Basic Blocks Thoughts:

Case: Silverstone Kublai KL03 $155
PS: Silverstone ATF600 W $106 plus $40 dollar rebate = $66 (Seems like a deal at Newegg)

Video Card: EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail at $135
Optional Video Card: HIS Hightech H485QT512P Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported IceQ4 Turbo Video Card - Retail at $150

Hard Drives: 2 Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM Both for $150

CD/DVD : 2 SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM - Both for $50

OS: Microsoft Windows Vist Home Premium SP1 32 Bit $99 (optional 64 bit??)

Total Basics no matter how I go = $670

AMD system Adder:
Mother board: ASUS M4A79T Deluxe $190
Processor: AMD Phenom II x4 940 Deneb $215
CPU Fan: Thermalright ultra 120 extreme $60
Memory: G. Skill 8GB (4x2GB) 240 pin DDR2 1100 Quad Kit $140
Total = $605

Core Duo system Adder:
Mother Board: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 $135
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0 GHZ $165
CPU Fan: Thermaltake CL-P0114 Big Typhoon $40
Memory: Corsair Dominator 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 1066, two sets at $40 for $80
Total = $420

i7 System Adder:
Mother Board: ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 $290
Processor: Intel Core i7 920 $290
CPU Fan: Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 $80
Memory: Corsair XMS3 6 GB (3x2GB) DDR3 1600 $102
Total = $762


So for my use should the Core Duo system last me for many years or should I go up the price ladder?
And of course, am I selecting the right components for the "quite" and "ease of build" I am looking for (that extra$200 to $250 I built in)?
Thoughts on the data backup being software or Raid?
Is it worth the hassel of a TV tuner card for recording the occasional TV show?







 
This Phenom II 940BE / Gigabyte 790x combo is $275

Snag a Radeon HD 4830 for $80-$90 (or less) and set the fan speed at 50-60% (or less).

The stock 940BE HSF is based upon the old Opty copper heat-pipe design, has a 4-pin fan connector and runs 800MHz at idle with C&Q enabled - save your $60.

Don't know why you did this:

Memory: G. Skill 8GB (4x2GB) 240 pin DDR2 1100 Quad Kit $140
Click to expand...

8Gb of G.Skill 1066 DDR2 is $110. 2x2Gb will max out Win 32-bit and save you another $55


That would be a decrease of $240-$295 in your 'calculations'.
 
Thanks HeyHeyBooBoo. You probably saved me $200 if I go the AMD route. The reason for the memory was only because of an AnandTech Arcticle on recommended Phenom II systems. http://www.anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.aspx?i=3521&p=4

It stated:

"Memory is very cheap today, so the Performance Phenom II is paired with two 4GB kits for a total of 8GB. You may be wondering why we have chosen 8GB of G.Skill DDR2-1100 when AMD warns that the maximum speed for 4 DIMMs is DDR2-800. That warning is certainly true on lower end boards, but we have found the ASUS M4A79 Deluxe paired with quality memory can run 4x2GB at DDR2-1066 without any trouble. The 1100 speed also gives some headroom should you decide to overclock this unlocked Black Edition Phenom II 940. "

My problem is I probably misinterpreted/misapplied the above?
 
With regards to longevity and what not, I know that there are plenty of people out there that are either scared of Vista, or dislike it, or have been misdirected, so they stick with XP.

The issue is that XP is about 8 years old at this point and going nowhere. On top of that, XP64 never really took off and as such finding drivers for it is nigh impossible.

If you want an OS that will really take advantage of your system, then you want Vista or Windows 7 and you want 64bit. However, since Windows 7 is coming out later this year I hesitate to recommend that you buy Vista, or even XP since Windows 7 really should be much much better than either. I have the Beta installed and it is great, best Windows I have used in years.

For what you will be doing you really don't need a top of the line system, so I will lay out some generalities.

2-2.5GHz Dual Core
4-8GB RAM (DDR2 really is crazy cheap, right at $10/GB)
You will probably want some degree of a discrete graphics card, but no need for a top of the line card. Maybe something in the neighborhood of a x4xx card (nV 9400, ATi 3400, nV 150, ATi 4400)
Hard drive is very loose. Think of how much data you have now, allow for growth given the TV recording. So, now you have a new number. Go 2 steps up. So, if the number in your head is 320GB, 2 steps up is 640-750GB.

Make sure that any motherboard you get if you are building yourself has plenty of expansion. 2 PCIe x16 slots and not one, 4-8 SATA ports, plenty of RAM slots (not just 2).

I personally prefer the Core 2 processors over the AMD. I believe they run a little cooler and are a little more power efficient (however, this may have all changed with Phenom II), and since you want quiet...

Let me put it this way, my desktop (see sig) doesn't even turn the CPU fan on for the first 5 minutes or so of operation, and even when it does it never runs very fast. I can hear it when the fan spins up but that is only because I leave the side off my case and it makes an audible chirping noise (if I had an aftermarket heatsink it wouldn't be an issue however).

You can build a plenty powerful Core 2 or Phenom II system for not too much money, certainly less than $1000.

Here is a quick sample.
Pentium Dual Core (Core 2 Duo) e5200 2.5GHz - $80
Gigabye P45 motherboard - $130
-8 SATA
-2 PCIe x16
-8 USB
-2 Firewire
-eSATA bracket
MSI nVidia 9400 GT - $50
-HDMI out
-Passive cooling for silent operation
8GB DDR2-800 - $80
Case - $80
PSU - $80 (don't even think of skimping on the PSU)
1 TB HDD - $100

So, $600 for a pretty decent system. You can go even lower than that too if you were to get a lesser motherboard, less RAM, a case with a decent included PSU (antec is usually a good choice for this) and a smaller hard drive.

I did not include the price of the TV Tuner since you might already have one in mind.
 
Originally posted by: ConfusedAnalRetentive
Thanks HeyHeyBooBoo. You probably saved me $200 if I go the AMD route. The reason for the memory was only because of an AnandTech Arcticle on recommended Phenom II systems. http://www.anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.aspx?i=3521&p=4

It stated:

"Memory is very cheap today, so the Performance Phenom II is paired with two 4GB kits for a total of 8GB. You may be wondering why we have chosen 8GB of G.Skill DDR2-1100 when AMD warns that the maximum speed for 4 DIMMs is DDR2-800. That warning is certainly true on lower end boards, but we have found the ASUS M4A79 Deluxe paired with quality memory can run 4x2GB at DDR2-1066 without any trouble. The 1100 speed also gives some headroom should you decide to overclock this unlocked Black Edition Phenom II 940. "

My problem is I probably misinterpreted/misapplied the above?
Click to expand...

I don't think you are misinterpreted anything ...

Though OC'ing the RAMs a bit will offer performance gains, if you a looking for the greatest significant 'measurable leap' in the performance from an OC'ed Phenom arch .... it comes from increasing the IMC/NB speed.

Chart from Anand
 
Thanks HeyHeybooboo and TheStu. Recommendations welcome.

I will probably order stuff in a couple of days so would appreciate any other comments from folks out there. In particular if I have components that are more likely to fit together and have all the pieces and drivers with fewest issues. Also anything on going Vista 64 or 32 bit.
 
OK, based on the above this is my build. Please provide any last minute comments.

1. Want quality components with all parts (do not want to hunt for drivers, screws, and cables).
2. Want a Quite installation

Processor: AMD HDZ940XCGIBOX: $189.99

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P: $109.99 (Recommended over ASUS M4A79T Deluxe, saves $75 with combo)

CPU Fan: AMD Factory (recommended over Thermalright ultra 120 extreme, save $60)

Video Card: EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB Retail at $135

Memory: G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) Cas Latency: 4, DDR2 800 at $50

Case: Silverstone Kublai KL03 $155
PS: Silverstone ATF600 W $66
Hard Drives: 2 Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS Both for $150
CD/DVD : 2 SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Both for $50
OS: Microsoft Windows Vist Home Premium SP1 64 Bit $99

Total = $1,000


Still curious if folks have any issue with compatability using 64 bit vista, if not that is what is recommended and what I am going with.
Any thoughts on video card?
 
The only issue with your video card is that a multi-card option would not be available to you in the future.

Here's an XFX Radeon HD 4850 that you may 'CrossFire' in the future for increased gaming performance - -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814150337

Don't really know anything about that specific card - - maybe the video gurus can help you with that. You may find less expensive versions of the 4850 and overall should trade blows well with the GTX ...

Don't know which would be more quiet - a dual-slot rear vent or a single-slot 'internal'. I would guess a dual-slot rear vent would certainly keep your temps down much better but might be a tad more noticeable from a sound standpoint.



edit: It sure would be slick if you could find a beta version of Win7 64-bit . . . . it's what Vista should have been.
 
Since you're a lite gamer - just go for the cheapest 4830 you can find and call it a day.

Honestly a 3GHz dual core would probably handle all your tasks just fine - but that PhII quad will do everything a little faster and you won't need an upgrade for several years (assuming your current uses don't shift significantly). And it's cheap for a lot of power so go for it.

Most of the dual-slot video cards are very quiet, they have a double-thickness fan that can run slower and still move enough air to keep things cool.
 
Thanks to All. Below is what I ordered. With all rebates it came in under $900.



1 x ($159.99) CASE SILVERSTONE|KL03-BW RT - Retail $159.99
2 x ($74.99) HD 640G|WD WD6401AALS % - OEM $149.98
2 x ($24.99) DVD BURN LG|GH22NS30 22X SATA % - OEM $49.98
1 x ($105.99) PSU SILSTONE | ST60F 600W RT - Retail $105.99
1 x ($49.99) MEM 2Gx2|GSK F2-6400CL4D-4GBPI-B R CAS 4 Latency - Retail $49.99
1 x ($109.99) MB GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P 790X RT - Retail $109.99
1 x ($84.99) VGA SAPPHIRE HD4830 512M DDR3 RT - Retail $84.99
1 x ($189.99) CPU AMD|PH II X4 940 BLK 3.0G RT - Retail $189.99
1 x ($99.99) MS WIN VISTA HM PREM SP1 64BIT 1PK% - OEM $99.99
1 x ($-25.00) DISCOUNT FOR COMBO #182239$-25.00
1 x ($-20.00) DISCOUNT FOR COMBO #186045$-20.00

Plus $80 dollars in rebates, we will see if the companies actually honor the rebates.
 
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