New Build Advice

[rayban]

Hello,

I would really appreciate your input and advice on specs for a new build.
I'd like to build a system for about $750. I'll be using it for MS Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Sibelius Music Notation Software and for music downloading and listening. I'm not a gamer but I would like to have enough graphics processing capability to run the above mentioned programs efficiently.

I need an operating system, keyboard and mouse. I have a monitor and speakers.

I'm looking at the Intel i3-530 as the base for the system. Here are the questions I have at this point:

Is there an advantage for what I will be doing in stepping up to the i3-540?

Which motherboard should I use? I've read that Intel boards go well with Intel processors. I'm also reading positive reviews about Asus boards. How do I determine the best board for my purposes?

I would like to go with 4 GB of RAM. Which brand would be the best and still fit in my price range?

The gaming cases appear a bit large and bulky for my work space. Can you recommend a well built case that would have a slightly smaller profile than the large Antec cases?

I'm considering a basic video card. Can you recommend one that will suit my purposes and not break the bank?

What are the preferred brands of power supply?

How much power is needed for the i3-530 or i3-540 configuration with a basic video card?

Which DVD drive would be the most reliable?


Thanks in advance for your help.

[glc]

1. No real advantage. In order to see a lot of difference you need to step up to a quad core such as the i5-750 or i7-860.

2. The Asus P7P55 LX would be the entry level board of choice.

3. Standard Corsair XMS3, DDR3-1333 or 1600 CL9.

4. Is the Antec Sonata 3 500 too big for you? It comes with a good 500 watt power supply.

5. An ATI 4650 (with 1gb of 128 bit memory) would do the job.

6. Antec, Corsair, Seasonic.

7. 400 watts is plenty, 500 to have room for future upgrades.

8. LG, Asus, Lite-On, Sony.

[rayban]

Okay, thanks for your reply. Here's what I have so far:

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115222
114.99

Board
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131620
159.99

or this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-604-_-Product
119.99

Not sure which of the P55 boards would be best suited for my purposes. I'm willing to spend a little more if there's a real benefit.

Case:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...c%20sonata%203
119.99

I know the Antec is a good case. I'm still open to other options for a decent case and power suooly.

DVD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106335
25.99

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145260
109.00

Is this the best choice of RAM for this build?

HD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136283
79.99

OS:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116754

Vid Card per your suggestion
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-396-_-Product

Please let me know if I have a solid list here.

Thanks

[glc]

Looks good - compare the features of the 2 boards, the only performance difference would be the SATA 6.0 and USB 3.0 on the -E. I prefer Asus, Diamond, or HIS to XFX for a video card.

I still think you would benefit greatly from a quad with those apps you want to run. See if you can squeeze another 85 bucks for the i5-750.

[rayban]

Would this be a better card?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121340


From what I can tell, the Corsair RAM mentioned above will work with the i5-750. Is that correct?


Is there a document somewhere on the forum that explains step by step how to put a computer together? I've learned a bit about the components but I am a total novice at working inside the case and putting it all together. So far it's all theoretical. Now I need to get ready for the actual hands on build.

Thanks again for your assistance.

[glc]

Yes, the Asus is a better video card. The ram will work with any processor on any P55 motherboard.

This article is old, but the principles are the same:

http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/

[Khalil]

I would avoid XFX at all cost, their warranty sounds great double lifetime and all that but the reality is their cards have a very high rate of failure.
Asus, Diamond or HIS is what I recommend.

[Nikon]

if you think about the definition of 'lifetime' warranty, its pointless to double it yes? lol @ xfx. anyhow i agree i would not reccomend them. my cousin got an xfx gtx 260 that installed, and smoked... yup yup, and they said it was his fault !!! after much arguing (and several lenghty holds) we finaly decided to rma it through newegg. thanks newegg...

[rayban]

Originally Posted by glc Looks good - compare the features of the 2 boards, the only performance difference would be the SATA 6.0 and USB 3.0 on the -E. I prefer Asus, Diamond, or HIS to XFX for a video card. I still think you would benefit greatly from a quad with those apps you want to run. See if you can squeeze another 85 bucks for the i5-750.

I'm giving some thought to the i5. There are quite a few negatives about it on newegg though mostly in regard to poor cooling and high temp. Any validity to this? Supposedly it's difficult to get an aftermarket cooler for this board so some say.

[glc]

The stock cooling is adequate if you don't overclock it and use a well ventilated case. There are several good aftermarket coolers for the 1156 if necessary.

[rayban]

glc has suggested that for my apps, a quad core would be preferable.

would any of the AMD experts be willing to suggest an AMD based chip and MOB that would would be good for the apps I've mentioned amd be comparable to the i5 750?

I'm pretty sure I want to go Intel but the i5-750 is pushing my budget.

The AMD Regor and Rana chips look interesting but those are dual core I believe. Could those handle my apps without too much trouble.

I guess I'm willing to shell out for the i5, I just want to understand th alternatives before I do.

[rayban]

anyone? suggestions for an amd based system that would cover the bases of an Intel i5 750 based system?