Computer Build

[THEWOOD]

M17-7306 :: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64BIT Operating System Software - OEM DVD

A406-0500 :: Xion XON-570P Meshed Mid Tower Case - ATX, 3x 5.25" Bays, 5x 3.5" Bays, 1x SSD Slot, 7x Expansion Slots, 2x Front USB, 1x Blue-LED 120mm Fan, Black, 500W PSU

S203-8585 :: Samsung SH-222AB/RSBS 22x Internal DVD Writer - DVD±R 22x, DVD+R DL 16x, DVD-R DL 12x, DVD+RW 8x, DVD-RW 6x, DVD-RAM 12x, CD-R 48x, CD-RW 24x, SATA, 1.5MB, Tray, Black

C44-3400 :: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy SE

T925-1523 :: Thermaltake TR-500P TR2 Series ATX Power Supply - 500W, 80 Plus Bronze, 120mm Fan, Active PFC

TSD-500AALX :: Western Digital WD5002AALX Caviar Black Hard Drive - 500GB, 3.5", SATA 6Gbps, 7200 RPM, 32MB

Z700-8412 :: ZOTAC ZT-84GEM2M-HSL Synergy GeForce 8400 GS Video Card - 512MB, DDR3, PCI-Express 2.0 (x16), DVI, HDMI, VGA, DirectX 10.1, Single-Slot, Low Profile

K24-9918 :: Kingston KHX1333C9D3B1K2/8G Desktop Memory Kit - 8GB (2x 4GB), PC3-10600, DDR3-1333MHz, 240-pin DIMM, 9-9-9-27 CAS Latency, 1.5V, Non-ECC, Unbuffered

M452-6075 :: MSI H55M-E33 Motherboard - Intel H55, LGA 1156, Dual DDR3 Support, ATX, SATA, HDMI, DVI, VGA, USB 2.0

T925-3028 :: Thermaltake CLP0556 CPU Cooler - Socket LGA 1156

I69-0650 :: Intel Core i5 650 Processor BX80616I5650 - 3.20GHz, LGA 1156, 4MB L3 Cache, Dual-Core, Built-in Graphics Core, Retail Processor with Fan

 

[THEWOOD]

I am in the market for a new computer, that will be used strictly for "business". It needs to be fast, not very very fast like the i7 Sandy Bridge, but a step below that.

After perusing around the interwebs, it seems my best choice would be to build this out myself. Problem, I have never built a PC. So I come to BP in hopes of someone telling me what I did wrong and offering suggestions. I do not even know if I have all the parts needed!

 

[AuTX Buckeye]

M17-7306 :: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64BIT Operating System Software - OEM DVD

A406-0500 :: Xion XON-570P Meshed Mid Tower Case - ATX, 3x 5.25" Bays, 5x 3.5" Bays, 1x SSD Slot, 7x Expansion Slots, 2x Front USB, 1x Blue-LED 120mm Fan, Black, 500W PSU

S203-8585 :: Samsung SH-222AB/RSBS 22x Internal DVD Writer - DVD±R 22x, DVD+R DL 16x, DVD-R DL 12x, DVD+RW 8x, DVD-RW 6x, DVD-RAM 12x, CD-R 48x, CD-RW 24x, SATA, 1.5MB, Tray, Black

[strike]C44-3400 :: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy SE [/strike]

T925-1523 :: Thermaltake TR-500P TR2 Series ATX Power Supply - 500W, 80 Plus Bronze, 120mm Fan, Active PFC

TSD-500AALX :: Western Digital WD5002AALX Caviar Black Hard Drive - 500GB, 3.5", SATA 6Gbps, 7200 RPM, 32MB

Z700-8412 :: ZOTAC ZT-84GEM2M-HSL Synergy GeForce 8400 GS Video Card - 512MB, DDR3, PCI-Express 2.0 (x16), DVI, HDMI, VGA, DirectX 10.1, Single-Slot, Low Profile

K24-9918 :: Kingston KHX1333C9D3B1K2/8G Desktop Memory Kit - 8GB (2x 4GB), PC3-10600, DDR3-1333MHz, 240-pin DIMM, 9-9-9-27 CAS Latency, 1.5V, Non-ECC, Unbuffered

M452-6075 :: MSI H55M-E33 Motherboard - Intel H55, LGA 1156, Dual DDR3 Support, ATX, SATA, HDMI, DVI, VGA, USB 2.0

T925-3028 :: Thermaltake CLP0556 CPU Cooler - Socket LGA 1156

I69-0650 :: Intel Core i5 650 Processor BX80616I5650 - 3.20GHz, LGA 1156, 4MB L3 Cache, Dual-Core, Built-in Graphics Core, Retail Processor with Fan

no need for a sound card most motherboards have one built in thats just as good... if you step up to the sandy bridge i5 you can scrap the graphics card but that might be a little out of your price range.

i'll come back and review a little more.. got a price range?

FYI for me... the worst part of building a machine by hand is putting the freakin CPU fan on....

 

[THEWOOD]

well that priced out to under 900 on tigerdirect....

is that a good deal?

 

[AuTX Buckeye]

well that priced out to under 900 on tigerdirect....

is that a good deal?

ugh... tiger direct (sales tax!)... go check out newegg, seriously their saying is correct 90% of the time... "once you know ... you newegg"...

and look at this link first System Builder Marathon, Dec. 2011: $600 Gaming PC

should meet all your specs you can swap out things like graphics cards get a much cheaper one if you want for more memory... right now i'd never use a system under 8GB ...

 

[THEWOOD]

This computer will not be used for gaming. Just want to add that info.

To show my complete lack of knowledge, I have a question.

How does an i5 processor compare to a Westmere?

I would like this thing to be considered relatively fast a year down the road.

 

[AuTX Buckeye]

This computer will not be used for gaming. Just want to add that info.

To show my complete lack of knowledge, I have a question.

How does an i5 processor compare to a Westmere?

I would like this thing to be considered relatively fast a year down the road.

i5-xxxx (four digit notation) = sandy bridge should be fine for several years.

I understand not using it for gaming but every part they list in their computer is prolly more than enough for a business machine, except the graphics card is WAY over kill and the RAM is too small.

post that so you could see what you can get for a good price.

 

[bucknut11]

M17-7306 :: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64BIT Operating System Software - OEM DVD

A406-0500 :: Xion XON-570P Meshed Mid Tower Case - ATX, 3x 5.25" Bays, 5x 3.5" Bays, 1x SSD Slot, 7x Expansion Slots, 2x Front USB, 1x Blue-LED 120mm Fan, Black, 500W PSU

S203-8585 :: Samsung SH-222AB/RSBS 22x Internal DVD Writer - DVD±R 22x, DVD+R DL 16x, DVD-R DL 12x, DVD+RW 8x, DVD-RW 6x, DVD-RAM 12x, CD-R 48x, CD-RW 24x, SATA, 1.5MB, Tray, Black

C44-3400 :: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy SE

T925-1523 :: Thermaltake TR-500P TR2 Series ATX Power Supply - 500W, 80 Plus Bronze, 120mm Fan, Active PFC

TSD-500AALX :: Western Digital WD5002AALX Caviar Black Hard Drive - 500GB, 3.5", SATA 6Gbps, 7200 RPM, 32MB

Z700-8412 :: ZOTAC ZT-84GEM2M-HSL Synergy GeForce 8400 GS Video Card - 512MB, DDR3, PCI-Express 2.0 (x16), DVI, HDMI, VGA, DirectX 10.1, Single-Slot, Low Profile

K24-9918 :: Kingston KHX1333C9D3B1K2/8G Desktop Memory Kit - 8GB (2x 4GB), PC3-10600, DDR3-1333MHz, 240-pin DIMM, 9-9-9-27 CAS Latency, 1.5V, Non-ECC, Unbuffered

M452-6075 :: MSI H55M-E33 Motherboard - Intel H55, LGA 1156, Dual DDR3 Support, ATX, SATA, HDMI, DVI, VGA, USB 2.0

T925-3028 :: Thermaltake CLP0556 CPU Cooler - Socket LGA 1156

I69-0650 :: Intel Core i5 650 Processor BX80616I5650 - 3.20GHz, LGA 1156, 4MB L3 Cache, Dual-Core, Built-in Graphics Core, Retail Processor with Fan

The case has a power supply included, so you don't need the Thermaltake PSU. Also, if you buy a retail CPU, it will come with a cooler, so you don't need that either. As long as you're not over clocking, the stock CPU fan is more than sufficient.

I don't think you need the Soundblaster card either. Just about any motherboard out there will have built in sound.

If I were building this, I'd go with a Core i5 2nd gen CPU. That also comes with built-in graphics. Sandy Bridge is blowing away everything else out there performance-wise. If you're just using it for business, you don't need to drop $$ on a graphics card. If you need dual monitors, you can pick up any $30 PCIX card and use that.

edit: something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115076

 

[THEWOOD]

I have read tons of stuff on building my own computer, trying to figure out exactly what I need/want.

How hard is it to actually put on these together? Do all parts/tools needed come in the packages?

 

[THEWOOD]

Here is my newest config up for debate:



G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory
Item #:N82E16820231311
$39.99


ASUS P8P67 (REV 3.1) ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #:N82E16813131770
$149.99

Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Item #:N82E16820148442
$179.99

Intel Core i5-2400 3.1GHz LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
$189.99

Microsoft Keyboard 200 6JH-00001 Black Wired Keyboard
Item #:N82E16823109233
$8.99

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit
Item #:N82E16832116992
$139.99

Logitech Optical USB Mouse B100 (910-001439) Black Wired Optical Mouse
Item #:N82E16826104370
$11.99

2-
Acer V223WEJbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor
Item #:N82E16824009241
$278.00

Antec NSK 4482 Black / Silver Computer Case
Item #:N82E16811129071
$89.99

Western Digital Caviar Blue 250GB 3.5" SATA 6.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$84.99

SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-222AB - OEM
Item #: N82E16827151233
$16.99

 

[scott91575]

P67 motherboards require a GPU. You want the H67 in order to use the gpu on the chip.

Unless you actually want to use the combo ssd/mechanical drive feature on the z68. I personally use SSD's (2 in raid) for OS and programs I want to be able to boot quickly. Then my mechanical drives are for large storage items like movies and few programs that do constant writes (SSD's have limited write capability...fine for regular computing but for things like folding@home where it runs 24/7 and constantly writes I run that mechanical drives).

 

[scott91575]

I have read tons of stuff on building my own computer, trying to figure out exactly what I need/want.

How hard is it to actually put on these together? Do all parts/tools needed come in the packages?

You don't need complete packages. First time might take you a little bit since you need to be a little careful to make sure you are doing it right. I am at the point where I can put one together in about 20 minutes. You really only need a screwdriver and it's easy to put together. The only somewhat tricky thing is making sure you use the right amount of thermal compound on the processor. Other than that, it's just screwing things or snapping them in place which is not tough to figure out.

 

[WyoBuck]

Hey guys. I just built a gaming rig(first time ever) and the power supply only has 1-6 pin pci-e connector and my GPU has two ports. I am pretty sure that I need both. My question is can I safely use a 4-pin molex to 6 pin pci-e adapter, since I have molex plug that is vacant? The thing will come on and POST, everything looks like it is running, but I have no video, so that's the only thing I can figure. Also the motherboard has an 8 pin power connector and my PSU has 2 12v 4-pin power connectors. Do I need to use both here too? I wonder if I even have enough power for everything. The manuals aren't terribly specific, or I'm just an idiot. Thanks for tolerating what are I am sure stupid questions.

*edit*

thought maybe it would be pertinent to include parts list:

GIGA GA-970A-D3 MOBO
AMD Phenom II X4 Black CPU
XFX R6850 GPU
CoolerMaster eXtreme 500W PSU
WD 500GB 7200 rpm Caviar Blue HDD
Kingston Hyper X 8GB (2x4) 1600 DDR3 RAM
Some optical drive that seemed way overpriced.
Hopefully running Windows 8 if I can get it going.

*edit II*
Most of the info I saw on line HIGHLY advised against this, so I just ordered a little higher end PSU with the proper connectors.

 

[Magua]

Hey guys. I just built a gaming rig(first time ever) and the power supply only has 1-6 pin pci-e connector and my GPU has two ports. I am pretty sure that I need both. My question is can I safely use a 4-pin molex to 6 pin pci-e adapter, since I have molex plug that is vacant? The thing will come on and POST, everything looks like it is running, but I have no video, so that's the only thing I can figure. Also the motherboard has an 8 pin power connector and my PSU has 2 12v 4-pin power connectors. Do I need to use both here too? I wonder if I even have enough power for everything. The manuals aren't terribly specific, or I'm just an idiot. Thanks for tolerating what are I am sure stupid questions.

*edit*

thought maybe it would be pertinent to include parts list:

GIGA GA-970A-D3 MOBO
AMD Phenom II X4 Black CPU
XFX R6850 GPU
CoolerMaster eXtreme 500W PSU
WD 500GB 7200 rpm Caviar Blue HDD
Kingston Hyper X 8GB (2x4) 1600 DDR3 RAM
Some optical drive that seemed way overpriced.
Hopefully running Windows 8 if I can get it going.

*edit II*
Most of the info I saw on line HIGHLY advised against this, so I just ordered a little higher end PSU with the proper connectors.

I would have upped the PSU from the get-go. Depending on video cards, cooling, and multiple displays 500w may not cut it. It's really not much more to go to 750/800w.

 

[scott91575]

I would have upped the PSU from the get-go. Depending on video cards, cooling, and multiple displays 500w may not cut it. It's really not much more to go to 750/800w.

500W is fine with what he has. I doubt that thing would pull more than 300W max.

More never really hurts the system though. It only hurts your wallet.

Oh, and to the original decision, yeah, it's a bad idea to use a 4 pin molex to 6 pin PCI connector. The molex connectors are only rated for something like 60W, and under load that card could easily need over 60W from it (I think they are rated at around 150W, and of course divide that by 2). So you made the right choice going with something made to handle a card with 2 6 pin connectors.