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Important and Urgent Questions regarding Build


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#1
ArionIV

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I am in great need of help. I have known about this idea of building your own pc for a long time but have just kept on going with what i had. Now all the existing specs as I know of at the moment are:

Intel E5200 - 2.50 GHz Processor
250 GB ESATA II HDD
Samsung Octoedge DVD drive( dang thing can't read dual layer DVDs - bought in 2008-9)
A very duh looking Intex CPU tower( got 4-6 USB ports, got space for blu-ray drie too i think, but i wanna get rid of the tower, coz the structure is broken now)
2GB DDR2 RAM
The motherboard I don't remember the model number now(sorry!) and yeah i guess the info above too would sound quite bare(sorry but really my dad bought it without at all listening to anything i had to say)

I'm looking forward to:

Probably same processor or higher
A middle to high end performance motherboard
4GB - 8 GB DDR 3 RAM ( or I cd continue adding DDR2 perhaps?)
decent graphics performance ( running Windows 7)
A good DVD drive ( performing reading and writing functions well)
Of course a great tower(low on price please)

I'll really be using it for everyday computing and for learning programming IN MATLAB(intensive on specs i heard),C,C++,etc.

No, I'm not looking forward to any high quality gaming experience.

And yeah please assume I'm running on a shoestring budget.Actually if I can get it done in as less as possible and keep the system looking great for the coming 5-7 years at lowest prices then I may be able to muster the courage for to ask for a printer.
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#2
iammykyl

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Gday ArionIV, Posted Image
First up, here are the hardware requirements for Matlab, > http://www.mathworks...g_hardware.html
So I would consider an AMD build.
For a new build, the only part that would be reusable from the old PC , is the HDD for backups.

Please answer the following questions so that we are better able e to assist you.
What is your max budget?
What type of Windows 7 OS disk do you have,? full retail, OEM, burned from an ISO download, copied?
In which country do you live?



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#3
ArionIV

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Hi iammykyl,

Thanks for replying so quickly. :thumbsup:

I live in India. My max budget is something like 15k - 20k rupees(i.e.somewhere between 250 and 330 dollars). Ok I guess I should be ashamed, but can't help i, my Windows 7 Ultimate build is a copy from a local IT place. Also I for got to mention one more detail, I'm necessarily looking for an optical drive with CD/DVD/Dual Layer(coz the current one can' read one)and shd I go for Blu-ray added to it..?

But really its like I'm challenging you to minimise cost as much as posssible(coz i really am going to be asking Dad). please could you sort of give me many alternatives to choose from..like a list of complete builds.

And one last thing if i egg you on being saying I wanna stick with Intel, then the possible builds would be?(because last i read anything about tech, they said Intel beats AMD by miles, so please give me a few reasons too)

And last if it does matter..i work on a CRT display.And ok, yeah i wanna keep this system looking strong for about the coming 5 years or more(i shdn't have to again get back to upgrading it or something just cause some software or something needs more)

Can i fit in an i series Intel chip?

Ok enough questions.(lol)

And hanks once again for helping me :thumbsup:
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#4
iammykyl

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Gday.

my Windows 7 Ultimate build is a copy from a local IT place.


You will not be able to use that disc but would need to purchase a legal Windows 64 bit edition..
This is a link to a large site in the US, > http://www.newegg.co.../Category/ID-20
Please supply us with a couple of links to similar sites in India so we can see some prices.
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#5
ArionIV

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Hi again

Well, there're really many e-commerce sites which sell hardware along with other stuff - I've started searching prices myself there:
flipkart
snapdeal
theitdepot
theitwares
mdcomputers.in
hardware.in
techshop.in
I thought of these things to go for a complete makeover(please give me your opinion on
the following list of stuff i looked up myself):

i5-3470 or AMD FX 8350 Eight Core
I'm really rooting for the i-series chip but i read it ranks way lower than the AMD i just mentioned

Motherboards for the i series chip:

MSI Z77MA-G45 Motherboard
MSI ZH77A-G43 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard

Seagate Barracuda 500 GB Desktop Internal Hard Drive (ST500DM002)

Transcend DDR3-1333 DDR3 4 GB PC RAM (JM1333KLN-4G)( how about dual channeling to a total of 8GB?)

I guess a monitor doesn't matter much but I will still mention it:
Philips 166V3LSB 15.6 Inch LCD TFT

Then, about the OS, I will try out what you say but generally prices are way too high. So here in India ( I know that gets on westerners nerves and should on ours too)and for myself I too end up paying a small fe at such places getting a license from their multi-license software. In fact I got my QuickHeal Antivirus license through him. :whistling: :thumbsup: :unsure:
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#6
ArionIV

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I forgot to mention apart from that detailed analysis website all other sites say go for the i5 and not FX-8350. And yeah here in India i5 costs just marginally lower.

Another question could you tell me if there are any similarly priced motherboards(the ones mentioned for i5) that allows higher rpm RAM to be installed?
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#7
iammykyl

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Gday.
You will need a quad core Intel CPU, as fast as you can afford. Given the limited budget please consider, buying the listed componants and build in your existing case with the PSU, HDD/Optical drive. This will give you top end base parts then as you can afford it, (or birthday/Christmas presents) upgrade the other parts.

CPU > http://theitwares.co...product_id=1531
Passmark, > http://www.cpubenchm...3.40GHz&id=1933
Comparison, > http://www.cpu-world...5_i5-4670K.html
MB, > http://theitwares.co...product_id=1553
website, > http://www.gigabyte....spx?pid=4486#ov
RAM. > http://theitwares.co...&product_id=594

could you tell me if there are any similarly priced motherboards(the ones mentioned for i5) that allows higher rpm RAM to be installed?


It is the CPU that determines the native supported speed of the RAM, Intel, for this build, up to 1600 MHz. If you install RAM of a higher speed and 1, the RAM is XMP capable, 2 the BIOS permits and 3 the MB has the features, then you can run the higher speed RAM at it's rating, but you may have problems getting a stable system. For practicle every day use, the is no point in going over 1600 MHz.
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#8
ArionIV

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Hi again,

I've had a look at your options. One good news, my mother's given me the go ahead on overshooting the budget. Now, I have a few questions in mind:

i5-3470 and not i5-3570 vs. i5-4670

I know the third gen vs 4th gen debate,ok, but is it justified for achieving multi-threaded performance i pay 25% more? Rs.13000 vs rs 17000, that wd make it hard to explain my bill, if the CPU takes up half the price. I'll elaborate: I'll be doing MATLAB undergad math stuff and financial programming, so multi-threading required and what about lower prices for multi-threading.

RAM, i was really concerned about the upgradability in future, so I would prefer the 1333 Mhz option, unless there are good reasons to drop it. I save 1000 rupees that way.

Motherboard is of course subject to CPU choice, but it's again a bit expensive, get almost similar features on the MSI ATX i suggested..or maybe i missed something, sorry just in case.

And please I'm looking forward to a complete overhaul.
I'll put up a list I made, that sort of ends up describing my budget, I'll of course be sourcing from multiple retailers rather than stick to one( to get the lowest prices of course.)
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#9
ArionIV

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MATLAB SYSTEM SETUP:
CPU: Intel i5-3470
Motherboard: MSI ZH77A-G43 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Monitor: Philips 166V3LSB 15.6 Inch LCD TFT

Mouse: HP USB 3 Button Optical Mouse (KY619AA)

Hard-disk: Seagate Barracuda 500 GB Desktop Internal Hard Drive (ST500DM002)

RAM: Transcend DDR3-1333 DDR3 4 GB PC RAM (JM1333KLN-4G) x 2 for dual channel 8GB

Graphics Card: Forsa Geforce GT610 1GB DDR3 NVidia PCI E Graphic Cards (F-NH-G610102B38L4G-171L)

CPU Cabinet: NZXT Guardian 921 RB (Blue LED) ATX Mid Tower Case (Black)
Or
Corsair Carbide 300R Windowed or Non – Windowed
Or
Antec Three Hundred

Power Supply: Zeb 600W Computer Power Supply [Platinum]
or
Zeb 400 W Comp.Power Supply (Platinium Series)
Or
Corsair Gaming Series GS700 80 Plus Certified 750 WPower Supply (CMPSU-700G)( bit pricy)
Optical Drive: Asus 24x DVD-RW Serial-ATA Internal OEM Optical Drive DRW-24B1ST (Black)
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#10
iammykyl

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Gday.
CPU, OK.
MB, OK, Download your user manual as it is often more up to date than the one in the box, also get to know it. > http://www.msi.com/p...77A-G43.html#/?div=Overview
HDD, OK.
RAM, OK, But, You should be buying a kit as they are guaranteed to work and may be cheaper, than 2 separate sticks, > http://www.atelco.de...7D117AB3F0.www1
Video card, Not what I would buy, is a renamed older card and only has 92 CUDA cores, this is important for your software, Please consider one of these cards which have 384 CUDA cores,
> http://www.newegg.co...5E14-130-796-TS
Case, all will do the job but the NZXT Guardian and Antec do not have front USB 3.0 and the Carbide is getting pricey, If you can get this Antec (my favorite in this price range) or the Elite, > http://www.newegg.co...5E11-146-078-TS
PSU, I would not trust the ZEB brand in any computer, very poor quality. You need a PSU that from major trusted manufacturers like, some examples, all will be good for your build.
Optical drive, OK.
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#11
ArionIV

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Hi again,

Thanks for reviewing the model I proposed. Now, about the graphics card,do the manufacturers matter? Because I see EVGA, Zotac,ASUS all selling he same model no. with same specs bu different prices and Zotac is priced some 1200-1500 rupees lower than EVGA at an online retailer's site.My link

Please could you suggest the PSU, as I'm at my wits ends on how to select a suitable one.

I like the NZXT box suggested, thanks. One thing though,regarding putting up multiple fans:

I get only one with the case, would you suggest mix and match when buying more fans or stick to the case manufacturer for buying more?

And ok, considering I want a more decent and sturdy case i zeroed in on:

Phantom 410 and Carbide 500R, in terms of fans carbide wins but i would kill for the 4 ports on the 410, please tell me which one's a better choice?

And also one more thing worries me, the fact that at-times graphic card don't fit the carse, so could you please tell me if GT 640 2 GB DDR3 would all of these cases we're talking about? And especially Phantom 410?
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#12
iammykyl

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Gday.

about the graphics card,do the manufacturers matter?


All the cards start as reference cards supplied by Nvidia, then a manufacturer adds there own heatsink and fan/s, additional memory and tweak the setting, OC. The main difference is memory, 1GB vs 2GB, some have GDDR3 VS GDDR5. You can buy a stock card and mildly OCV yourself but, it will have a stock cooler and could be a bit noisy.
For this build,(rendering) amount of memory, frame buffer, is more important than higher FPS.
look for the cheapest card with 2GB of RAM. Found this one, > http://mdcomputers.i...gt-640-2gb-ddr3
> http://techshop.in/s...roducts_id=5835

PSU. Your next major item so lets sort this first and leave the case for later. the cheapest of any of these will be good for your build, >
http://www.newegg.co...%24%24%24%24%24
Review, > http://www.jonnyguru...Story4&reid=214

The NXZT 210Elite comes with two fans, see specs, this page, > http://www.newegg.co...5E11-146-078-TS

Card length is OK for all the case as they are 150mm to 210mm. Can't really say which is the better of the two case as I have not used them.
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#13
ArionIV

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Hi once again,

The PSU options are great, one thing, so you mean to say I must end up 500W or over on the build-up? Just for knowledge's sake how does one detrmine the power rating for a particular setup?

I'll fight for the Phantom 410,hehe, I like the part about extra USB ports. 2 aqnd 2 is great.

Few questions that cropped up quite late in my mind:

Thermal Paste for CPUs? What about that? Needed?What about fans cooling CPUs directly, perhaps not needed considering 2-3 fans whichever box I end up buying?

Then, statics, i don't get he part about how many precautions(static electricity et al) for making the build and tools required, coz of course his is my first attempt( although I have been hearing and reading about he practice of assembling one's own pc for about 3-4 years now).
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#14
iammykyl

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Gday.

The PSU options are great, one thing, so you mean to say I must end up 500W or over on the build-up? Just for knowledge's sake how does one detrmine the power rating for a particular setup?


It does not matter if you have a 450 Watt or a 1000 Watt PSU powering your system. Everything is automatic. The system will take exactly the correct power needed. There is nothing for you to do. Any one of the PSUs listed are suitable for your build.

Thermal Paste for CPUs? What about that? Needed?


No need for any extra thermal paste, the cooler heat sink (in the box with the CPU) has a pad of paste pre applied. You just need to install it as per the instructions.

What about fans cooling CPUs directly,


No extra fan needed, the CPU heat sink comes with a pre installed fan and plugs into the CPU fan header on the MB.,see imnage.

Then, statics, i don't get he part about how many precautions(static electricity et al)


Precautions are very important. When working on the computer the PSU must be switched off and disconnected from the wall plug. For static electricity, Before handling parts or working inside the computer, briefly touch a bare unpainted metal part of the computer case or a screw head of the PSU.

for making the build and tools required,


A #2 Phillips head screwdriver, I prefer a magnetic tipped on, but not essential. A small pair of scissors or snips to remove the ends of plastic ties. A piece of thick cardboard bigger than the MB, (cut from a cardboard box) A magic box containing a big dollop of patience and a controller to make you take your time. Posted ImagePosted Image
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#15
ArionIV

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Hi,

One small, okay maybe not even supposed to be called one, problem's cropped up:

Optical Drive: Asus 24x DVD-RW Serial-ATA Internal OEM Optical Drive DRW-24B1ST (Black)

doesn't seem to be available anywhere in my country. And ordering from newegg seems to be risk, lol, reviews say one works, other doesn't.

http://www.flipkart....tmdhzazstfxpuvg

Its a link to an alternative which sounds a tad bit less powerful.But i guess the features suit me good enough. Its cheap price tag makes me wary of it. Please advise if its really a good buy?

And other great news is I have marked out most components and many are going on 20-37% sale from marked price, so I"m in luck. Thanks once again for the help. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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