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Help me build a Computer?


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#1 Lallard

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Posted 12 March 2012 - 03:32 AM

I figure it's time for me to get rid of my 5 year old desktop and learn to build one myself (also since I'll be bored during Spring break):


So my plans are to use my desktop mainly for:
-Running MATLAB, AutoCAD, Autodesk Simulation. Sometimes Solidworks just to open the save files sent from the university lab.
-Everyday average-person use: internet, word/excel/LaTeX, playing music etc

It'd be great if I can run double the monitors for multitasking. So pretty much something that'll allow me to use my work and school programs at home.

Budget should be about $800, although I'm fine if needed to spend more (case my budget is just too unrealistic for what I'm asking for).

Also, any suggestions for articles that I should read up? I've been bombarded with youtube links from friends, so I think I'll lay off the video tutorials. Thanks.

#2 Nymh

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Posted 12 March 2012 - 05:10 AM

Are you going to salvage any parts from your old machine?

#3 Lallard

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Posted 12 March 2012 - 07:44 AM

Are you going to salvage any parts from your old machine?


Probably the harddrive since I just got it a year ago and the ODD. I rarely use the latter and I don't see the need to go from from 7200RPM nor SSD. Performance isn't going to suffer from what I know? (do feel to correct me here)

Everything else needs to bid goodbye. I'm talking Pentium 4 (~3.00 GHz), 1GB RAM, old.

#4 Nymh

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Posted 12 March 2012 - 07:58 AM

As far as your HDD is concerned, that really depends on if you are aiming for storage capacity or performance. A 5400 RPM drive will be best if you are planning to store butt-tons of data and don't care if it is slow. SSD will drastically increase your performance (really, it will) but ofc are more expensive per gb. Since your drive is only 1 year old I would suggest sticking with it and save yourself the hardware and software costs from getting a new one.

Will you be keeping your case? And what is the current wattage on your power supply? You could probably stand to just buy a new mobo+CPU+memory+GPU and convert your old machine.

You talked about a dual monitor display (winning), do you already have these or will they be part of the $800?

#5 iargue

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Posted 12 March 2012 - 08:22 AM

As far as your HDD is concerned, that really depends on if you are aiming for storage capacity or performance. A 5400 RPM drive will be best if you are planning to store butt-tons of data and don't care if it is slow. SSD will drastically increase your performance (really, it will) but ofc are more expensive per gb. Since your drive is only 1 year old I would suggest sticking with it and save yourself the hardware and software costs from getting a new one.

Will you be keeping your case? And what is the current wattage on your power supply? You could probably stand to just buy a new mobo+CPU+memory+GPU and convert your old machine.

You talked about a dual monitor display (winning), do you already have these or will they be part of the $800?



Software costs?

#6 Nymh

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Posted 12 March 2012 - 08:33 AM

Software costs?


That's all you have for my whole post? Yay me

I guess he could image his old drive and clone it to the new machine. Since he has never built a computer before I thought that might be a bit of a stretch. But it would certainly be a neat learning experience

#7 Lallard

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Posted 12 March 2012 - 08:44 AM

I got one monitor, and currently trying to hunt for a good deal on a second one (I'm not looking for one that's too crazy either)


I've been using a stock case from a prebuilt (since I got it for free) and it heats up after using it for at least 3 hours, so I figure a new case would be ideal. For power supply it's at 250W, and similarly I'm guessing it's also a source of the heat issue.

EDIT: power supply

Edited by Lallard, 12 March 2012 - 08:48 AM.


#8 The Awesome Max

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Posted 12 March 2012 - 08:59 AM

Also want to point out that with the amazing speed that comes with a SSD, you don't get the Longevity you would with a SATA drive.

#9 Turnip

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Posted 13 March 2012 - 08:02 AM

I got one monitor, and currently trying to hunt for a good deal on a second one (I'm not looking for one that's too crazy either)


I've been using a stock case from a prebuilt (since I got it for free) and it heats up after using it for at least 3 hours, so I figure a new case would be ideal. For power supply it's at 250W, and similarly I'm guessing it's also a source of the heat issue.

EDIT: power supply



You should definitely upgrade that PSU, get at least 500w? :) Don't be cheap and get some no name thing either! Unless you like fireworks~
Also the heat issue could be because of clogged up with dust/not working fans :o I've heard of overheating issues from not enough or too much thermal paste on the CPU, but since your current comp is prebuilt that probably isn't it!

And don't worry! Building computers is pretty easy~ It's pretty much just put part A in slot A, only fits in one way etc! Just make sure everything is compatible and you'll be good to go. Good luck!!~
(I'd type up some more stuff but I'm pretty much out of time here at the library!! welp....)

Edited by Turnip, 13 March 2012 - 08:04 AM.


#10 Lallard

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Posted 13 March 2012 - 10:57 PM

Now I come with some clarifications...

For finding mobos:
Chipset: Should I opt for a P67 or try to get a Z68 - what's the big difference?
I'm still iffy as to what to really pay attention for regarding PCI slots, so care to elaborate on what I should pay attention to?

GPU:
So regarding the needs of using CAD as well as our research group's own program on FEA, one of the grad students suggested that it's all about the RAM vs. actually finding a better graphics card if I want a stable working desktop. Anybody care to enlighten me more on the functionalities?

UPDATE: I think I'll be satisfied with specs like this.


Part list permalink / Part price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-560 3.33Ghz Dual-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Mac Mall)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.33 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus P7P55D ATX LGA1156 Motherboard ($142.49 @ Mac Connection)
Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($31.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Patriot Torqx 2 64GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 6670 1GB Video Card ($104.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Apex Vortex 3620 ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Silverstone 500W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($70.64 @ NCIX US)
Total: $604.41
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated 2012-03-14 03:58 EDT-0400)


EDIT: I just realized that I can get windows 7 for free. Yay for connections!


I would really appreciate comments/mistakes/suggestions. Really appreciate this guys!

(I'm doing all this while supposedly studying for my biosystems final, so my apologies in advanced if I just brought up some derpy statements.)

Edited by Lallard, 14 March 2012 - 12:06 AM.


#11 Nymh

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Posted 14 March 2012 - 05:57 AM

I fucking hate that website
They are selling you parts that are outdated and they don't even list all the specs... and they link you to crappy resellers like MacMall (please please don't buy from MacMall)

At any rate, your GPU will not work with that motherboard, it is PCIe 2.1 and your mobo only supports 2.0. This is what you mentioned you didn't know about needing to pay attention to with the PCI slots. You can use a higher motherboard than your video card, but not the other way around.

Unless you intend to overclock you don't really need a CPU cooler IMO though with that motherboard you are kind of limited on the CPU's that you can get so you might end up needing to (I can't find any procs on that socket above i5 currently but IDK maybe there are some out there somewhere)

#12 Lallard

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Posted 14 March 2012 - 10:15 AM

I fucking hate that website

They are selling you parts that are outdated and they don't even list all the specs... and they link you to crappy resellers like MacMall (please please don't buy from MacMall)


Any other alternatives in this case, or at least hints on how I should look for specs in a more efficient manner?

Also, can I just do the other way around and buy a compatible mobo?

EDIT:

Well anyways I'll try again with this:

(I'll start with Newegg since other than Fry's it's the only other place I know where to look...and branch out from there):

CPU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115078
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813157271
RAM: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231311
GPU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814121442

and probably the same stuff from previously (HDD, case, and PSU) unless I really have to avoid anything else.

Edited by Lallard, 14 March 2012 - 10:16 AM.


#13 Nymh

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Posted 14 March 2012 - 10:37 AM

Any other alternatives in this case, or at least hints on how I should look for specs in a more efficient manner?

Also, can I just do the other way around and buy a compatible mobo?

EDIT:

Well anyways I'll try again with this:

(I'll start with Newegg since other than Fry's it's the only other place I know where to look...and branch out from there):

CPU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115078
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813157271
RAM: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231311
GPU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814121442

and probably the same stuff from previously (HDD, case, and PSU) unless I really have to avoid anything else.


That looks much better, my only qualm with this is since you are wanting to do a dual monitor display, one of your monitors will have to use HDMI and the other the DVI. Not too big of a deal, my displays are actually this way. I would suggest finding a good LED monitor with HDMI input to pamper yourself with in the future, it's amazing :drool:

Some people may think Ripjaws are overrated but I lovvvve them

May I ask why you are going with a dual core? You could get a quad core i5 @3.1 gHz for just like $65 more http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115232

#14 Turnip

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Posted 14 March 2012 - 10:45 AM

Any other alternatives in this case, or at least hints on how I should look for specs in a more efficient manner?

Also, can I just do the other way around and buy a compatible mobo?

EDIT:

Well anyways I'll try again with this:

(I'll start with Newegg since other than Fry's it's the only other place I know where to look...and branch out from there):

CPU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115078
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813157271
RAM: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231311
GPU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814121442

and probably the same stuff from previously (HDD, case, and PSU) unless I really have to avoid anything else.


You might want to check this guide out! It's incredibly helpful~

May I ask why you are going with a dual core? You could get a quad core i5 @3.1 gHz for just like $65 more http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115232



I was wondering that too :o

Edited by Turnip, 14 March 2012 - 10:47 AM.


#15 Lallard

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Posted 14 March 2012 - 12:43 PM

That looks much better, my only qualm with this is since you are wanting to do a dual monitor display, one of your monitors will have to use HDMI and the other the DVI. Not too big of a deal, my displays are actually this way. I would suggest finding a good LED monitor with HDMI input to pamper yourself with in the future, it's amazing :drool:

Some people may think Ripjaws are overrated but I lovvvve them

May I ask why you are going with a dual core? You could get a quad core i5 @3.1 gHz for just like $65 more http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115232



I just figured that going dual displays would allow me to multitask much better vs. alt-tabbing like a mofo. Not too big when it comes to high-end gaming anyways so I can settle with the monitor setup (only game I casually play is LoL since all the interns in my lab play it and TF2)

So my reasoning on the dual core is that i7 is overkill for what I'm looking for, and the computers in my lab use a dual core and our programs run smoothly on them. So for an extra 60+ dollars how is it worth investing on the quad-core i5 then?

Given that all the advice is for free I appreciate the help :D

#16 Turnip

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Posted 14 March 2012 - 01:20 PM

I just figured that going dual displays would allow me to multitask much better vs. alt-tabbing like a mofo. Not too big when it comes to high-end gaming anyways so I can settle with the monitor setup (only game I casually play is LoL since all the interns in my lab play it and TF2)

So my reasoning on the dual core is that i7 is overkill for what I'm looking for, and the computers in my lab use a dual core and our programs run smoothly on them. So for an extra 60+ dollars how is it worth investing on the quad-core i5 then?

Given that all the advice is for free I appreciate the help :D


Actually, thinking about it, I've heard that generally when in use there isn't all that much difference between an i5 and an i7! Except for the pricetag, of course x3
But if you're going to be multitasking a lot, I think dishing out an extra $60 for two more cores is definitely worth it~ Mind, you can unlock cores as well! I haven't tried it out (yet) and haven't compared a cpu with unlocked cores with ones with the same amount but locked, but the option is still there if you want to use that $60 on something else!

And besides, if you're gonna be using something new, why not try out some stuff?~



#17 Bazzel

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Posted 12 April 2012 - 04:20 AM

All depending on your budget, I wouldnt go too crazy. however Glancing over posts, I would say:

New Motherboard with CPU
Look into a new case, wit good cooling/fans to it.

For cheap and cheerful I would look at: http://www.cclonline...Bundle/BUN0129/

If you have a medium level budget (yet still cheap) (this is also mid gamer level too) http://www.cclonline.../MBB-INTEL-MID/

For a case: http://www.cclonline...X-Case/CAS5329/

Where the bundles are concerned I would look into buying Motherboard, Processor, Ram and Graphics care separately to suit your needs.


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