[twinzfan7]

Hey everyone, I’m a newbie looking into building a system for the first time and am just looking for some advice/input on the components. A little background first: I don’t do any gaming or intensive photo/video editing. This system will mostly be used for internet browsing, Office documents, and some casual photo work. I also would like to connect it to both a monitor and my HD TV to use it as a media PC/DVR. This is the part I would like the most advice on...I’m not sure what all is needed for this set up. I would like to keep the cost around $800 for all the components, but I would be willing to spend closer to $1000 if it will significantly improve the life of the computer.

Here’s what I’ve come up with so far (prices all from Newegg; I plan to shop around once I've made final decisions):

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3

SSD: Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" 64GB SATA III

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM

Memory: G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBNT

Blu-Ray: SAMSUNG Black 12X BD-ROM

Case: Antec Three Hundred

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium

Total so far: $895.88

I realize this doesn’t include a PSU; I figured I would wait until I had all the other components nailed down before I chose one of them. I already have a keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

One more question: is a discrete graphics card necessary for dual monitor/TV? I was hoping I could get by, at least for now, with the integrated graphics on the CPU. If that’s possible, is there a significant benefit to Intel HD Graphics 3000 over 2000? (i5-2400 @ $190 vs i5-2500K @ $220). If it’s not possible, would it be better to go with a cheaper CPU/Mobo and add a dedicated card? I don’t want to sacrifice the longevity of the system by going with a lesser processor...Thanks for any suggestions/input!

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Hi twinzfan7,

Only got a couple of minutes, so will post again tonight.

Your selected Mobo, (in the link, on the right) only has an 1 HDMI socket, very limiting. 2 others to look at, my choice is the Asrock Extreme3.


http://www.newegg.co...1^13-157-271-TS

[iammykyl]

Hi twinzfan7,

Only got a couple of minutes, so will post again tonight.

Your selected Mobo, (in the link, on the right) only has an 1 HDMI socket, very limiting. 2 others to look at, my choice is the Asrock Extreme3.


http://www.newegg.co...1^13-157-271-TS

[twinzfan7]

iammykyl, thank you for the input, I definitely missed that. I agree, only 1 HDMI would be VERY limiting. The Asrock Extreme 3 looks like a solid board, and it will even save me a little $...thanks!

[iammykyl]

Are you set on using Intel, or would you consider an AMD build?

With a good graphics card your preposed build would make a very good gaming rig whereas your stated use leans more towards an HDMI build.

An SSD would not really be needed, it would speed up the loading of the OS but for you, not much else. 2 HHDs are the way to go, OS and Data.

I assume the PC will not be sitting in the front room?

[twinzfan7]

Are you set on using Intel, or would you consider an AMD build?

With a good graphics card your preposed build would make a very good gaming rig whereas your stated use leans more towards an HDMI build.

An SSD would not really be needed, it would speed up the loading of the OS but for you, not much else. 2 HHDs are the way to go, OS and Data.

I assume the PC will not be sitting in the front room?

Yes, my primary use will be HDMI. I want to be able to have streaming video or recorded TV playing on the HDTV while doing the other tasks on a monitor. I guess I'm not 100% set on Intel, it's just what I've always had. I've always heard that Intel is more expensive but generally faster than AMD. I want this thing to be FAST. That's also why I was considering the SSD to boot faster (I'm thinking about adding this later). If the speed difference is negligible, I'm willing to look at other components. Thanks for any advice/recommendations, that's why I'm here!

And no, it won't be in the front room.

[iammykyl]

AMD build, other to come.

Some info, you may want to look for more.

http://www.guru3d.co...0-apu-review/22
http://www.brightsid...to-a8-3850.aspx
Mobo. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131784
APU. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103942
RAM. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231460
HDD X 2. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822152238 buy now, fantastic value.
Blu-Ray. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827151232
PSU. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817256065
Case. http://www.newegg.co...ht-_-11-129-066

TOTAL. does not include OS, shipping, taxes. $680.00

options for this build.

Remove 1 HDD, add 1 SSD. OR just add a SSD. (on special) http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820233206

Computing power about low end i5. APU not upgradable at the moment. Some rumours of K APU.
integrated graphics very good, could upgrade with discrete card for top gaming performance. Crossfire disabled if you go about half way up the 6xxx series.
Add more RAM later for very large files with Photoshop etc.
Could add a TV tuner.

Edited by iammykyl, 25 September 2011 - 01:56 AM.

[iammykyl]

AMD Socket AMD3+

INFO.

Mobo product page. http://www.asrock.co...=Specifications
http://www.asrock.co....asp?c=Features
http://www.pcper.com...X11-all?aid=795


Selected this Mobo as it will allow a CPU upgrade to AMD Bulldozer. Has all the latest Tech. Intergrated Graphics. Core unlocker.

Mobo. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813157244

This CPU is pretty speedy and you stand a good chance of unlocking 1 or 2 extra cores.

CPU. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103727

RAM. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820233202

HDD x 2 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822152238

Blu-Ray http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827151232

PSU. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817182132

Case. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811129066

TOTAL does not include, OS. shipping. Taxes. $610.00

Options for this build.

Remove 1 HDD and install this SSD.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820233206

If you are not satisfied with the integrated Graphics, add the card for Crossfire x.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814127490

Add more RAM.

Upgrade the CPU to Bulldozer in a couple of years if you want more performance.

[twinzfan7]

Thanks iammykyl! I like the second config simply based on the option to upgrade to Bulldozer sometime in the future. My only question is in regard to the HDD. Is there a significant speed difference between SATA 3.0GB/s and 6.0GB/s? I tend to move large files/media libraries around a lot and would prefer not having to wait as long. The drive I had been looking at is this one: Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM . If the Samsung is a much better drive though, I would go with that one.

As far as cases go, there were a couple others I was looking at in addition to the Three Hundred:
Case Comparison
Do you have any experience with or opinion on either? Thanks again for all the help!

[iammykyl]

Not used the Logisys. The Cooler Faster are very good cases but I prefer to have more fan speed control. Of the cases I have used, for under $100, the Antec Nine Hundred, this is the one I would go for, will not disappoint you.

http://www.newegg.co...7^11-129-097-TS

Conventional, magnetic hard drives have yet to saturate the throughput of a SATA 3.0 Gb/s connection. Most of the older solid-state drives are the same. Many of the newer SSD do make use of SATA 6.0 Gb/s.


Info. http://en.wikipedia....wiki/Serial_ATA

I think the Samsung F3R is the better drive, quieter, 5 years warantry as it is a so called enterprise drive.

I will post an intel build later.

[iammykyl]

Update to both AMD builds.

Selecting the Samsung Spinpoint F3R for another build, there has been an increase in price by $20 per unit. Should you want to save $40 I recommend the Spinpoint F3.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822152185

[iammykyl]

At last.

Intel SB build.

I've always heard that Intel is more expensive but generally faster than AMD. I want this thing to be FAST.[/size]]

Intel is more expensive than AMD but knocks the socks of anything they have. Over the top for what you want at the moment but will be FAST.

Info. http://www.guru3d.co...-2600k-review/1

The Intel 2000 graphics is only any good for general desktop work, definitely needs a add on card . The 3000 graphics is adequate for you but with limited game play, would be great with add on card.

Mobo. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813157271
CPU. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115072
RAM. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231416
HDD 1. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822136795
HDD 2. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822152185
Blu-R http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827151232
GPU. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814127490
PSU. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139020
Case. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811129021


TOTAL. Does not include OS, taxes and shipping. $897.00. There are some mail in rebates, as with all the builds.

Should last you for years to come. Possible upgrades,
More RAM. Better GPU if you decided to play games on line.
Maybe a small SSD coupled with the OS drive for caching, jury is still out on this.

Edited by iammykyl, 29 September 2011 - 04:22 AM.

[twinzfan7]

Thanks for all the help iammykyl! I haven't made any decisions yet, but that Intel build looks pretty good! I know it's overkill though, so I'm still trying to decide if I should go the less expensive AMD route. I just have one question: is there any particular reason for having 2 different brands of HDDs? Or is that just to show 2 viable options and I should pick 1 and buy 2 of them? Thanks again!

[iammykyl]

I just have one question: is there any particular reason for having 2 different brands of HDDs? Or is that just to show 2 viable options and I should pick 1 and buy 2 of them?

Sorry for the delayed response, just did not pick up your post.


The Intel build is configured with 2 HDDs, the smaller drive for the OS, the larger drive (partitioned) for Programs, DATA storage, backups , including drive imaging.
If you decide to only have 1 HDD, go for the 1TB and have 2 partitions, 1 for the OS and programs, 1 for storage and backups.


The AMD builds. HDDs should actually be configured the same as the Intel build with 1 smaller and 1 large drive, then make adjustments depending on how many drives you decide to have.