New Build, It's been 10 years...

[JHammer]

... And a lot has changed. I will be ordering parts in the next day or two. I already have monitor (Asus ML239H), keyboard, mouse, speakers.

It will be used for web browsing, iTunes, video streaming, Digital photo management, light Photoshop work (Elements now, maybe CS5 later).

It will not be overclocked, used for modern gaming, or video editing at this time. I would like the option to add a video card later, if my needs change. Even then I will only use one monitor.

Budget $700 parts + $100 os = $800 US total.


Case
COOLER MASTER Elite 430 RC-430-KWN1 Black Steel / Plastic Computer Case

PowerSupply
Keeping in mind I might add a vid card later, did I overkill?
Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN 650W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

MotherBoard
My understaning is REV 3 is the updated Sandy Bridge.
ASUS P8H67-M PRO/CSM (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

CPU
I'm not going to overclock.
Intel Core i5-2500 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500

RAM
CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model CMX8GX3M2A1333C9

HDD#1 (OS + Apps)
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5002AALX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

HDD#2 (storage)
Western Digital Caviar Green WD7500AARS 750GB IntelliPower SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

HDD#3 (scratch)
Recertified: Western Digital Caviar Green RFHWD5000AADS 500GB SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Optical
LG CD/DVD Burner Black IDE Model GH22LP21 LightScribe Support - OEM

OS
Windows 7 - Home Premium 64bit

Thanks for the input.

[jdeb]

Looks like you did your homework. the PS is fine and gives you the opportunity for upgrade without a problem but I prefer this one (never had an issue) Newegg.com - CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply.

I am not into re-certified drives.

I prefer this memory for stability and reliability
Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
Newegg.com - Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model CT2KIT51264BA1339

or this

Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820139075

[glc]

Instead of a recertified Green, I'd get a Blue for the scratch drive.

[JHammer]

I started researching this build three months ago but put it on hold because of the Sandy Bridge issues. Now I'm in hurry up mode after learning (this morning) the onboard video is starting to go on my current PC. Anyway, thanks for the compliment and suggestions.

That power supply was on my radar. I'll give a good track record (and $5 cheaper) the win so I changed it.

PowerSupply
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply


I've been waffeling on the scrach drive. I like the green because of the lower power consumption and I chose a recert. because it was half cost and basically if it pukes out, it really isn't that big of a deal for the short run. Since I'll be saving $5 on the powersupply I'll add $5 here and get a 320Gb blue.

HDD #3 (scratch)
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAJS 320GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive


A question about the RAM. I've used all three brands (Crucial, Kingston, & Corsair, plus a few more) over the years. Basically I bought what I could get cheap and I never had an issue. I've recently seen the Corsair suggested several times in previous posts. Is Corsair becoming unreliable or is this a coke versus pepsi debate?

One other hind sight question. I'm in need of a new UPS for this build. Any suggestions.

Thank for the suggestions & info. I appreciate it.

[chuck462]

The recommendations for the memory is based upon builders who order memory in basically bulk amounts. Their opinions are largely based upon what they have seen work or fail, and the ease to get it replaced by the manufacturer. Yes, it seems to go in waves, as one company may put out some really good modules, only to follow it up with some not-so-good ones.

Corsair seems to be a resounding solid choice recently. I've yet to have many opinions I've read seem to be biased to one or another. And when there is some of those, they generally let you know it is there personal preference rather than an estimate of the product.

[JHammer]

Well, was able to get the machine to post first time. I Installed windows, then called it a night. I still need to wire in the other two hard drives, connect the front face usb/sound, and clean up the wiring. I had no problems with the Corsair RAM.

Now I'd like to buy a UPS for this build. I will only plug the monitor and computer into it. Does anyone have a suggestion? Is APC still a good brand?

[glc]

I do prefer APC and Tripplite. If you are a member of Sam's Club, they are selling this one for $145:

Newegg.com - APC BN1250G 1250 VA 740 Watts 10 Outlets Battery Backup w/ Surge Protection

I also have my modem and router connected to it.

[JHammer]

I'm having problems with my build. I have a Motorola SB5100 router from Time Warner Cable. I ran it through USB on my old computer.

The new build is on Windows 7 - 64 bit. I had read it would be better to use the Ethernet connection instead of USB, so I didn't need drivers. So, I plugged the router into the Ethernet port on my new build and no internet. I did instal the LAN drivers from the CD that came with my motherboard.

After this failed I went to Motorola's website and got what I thought were the USB drivers, but when I tried to install them, I got this error "the selected drivers are not made for this windows platform"
So the backup plan was foiled.

Any help would be appreciated.

[JHammer]

I typo'ed on the message above. It is a motorola SB5100 CABLE MODEM. not a router.

I found and updated the realtek driver. I am now able to connect to my home network, but I'm getting a limited connectivity error when I plug the cable modem into the computer. Basically it won't issue an IP address. I tried unplugging the modem for an hour to reset it, but I'm still getting the same error.

I am able to access the internet on my other computer via USB only; I get the same error if I try to use the ethernet port. Same problem if I run the cable modem into a router, then to either computer.

Yes, TCP/IP is set to automatically detect.

Time Warner is saying it is not their problem because I can still connect via USB. I say it is because I can access my network no problem. Anyone have an idea?

[quartet-man]

JHammer, you might want to start a new thread under networking and online security so people will see it. Then again, it's hard to say if the problem lies with the new build or the router.

[glc]

If you can see your local network, the problem is with TW or the cable modem.

With the modem connected via Ethernet, can you access http://192.168.100.1/config.html ?

[JHammer]

ethernet - no

usb - yes

[glc]

Try doing a hard reset from that page.

EDIT: Can I assume that you have tried different Ethernet cables?

[JHammer]

Yes, I've tried 2 cables, one brand new.

What do you mean by a hard reset?

[glc]

http://www.dslreports.com/r0/downloa.../sb_config.GIF

Reset all defaults.

[JHammer]

Cable modem ethernet port was shot. It only took 5 hours on the phone with time warner for them to agree to give me a new one to try.

All-in-all this was an easy build. The only hiccup was the cable modem. Thanks for all the feedback and help guys.

[glc]

That's the first time I've heard of that happening with a Motorola cable modem.

[JHammer]

Neither had I, nor the Tier 3 tech guys I spoke with. I just wish they would have agreed to let me try a new one sooner, which I suggested as soon as I called. Instead we spent 5 hours on the phone trying everything they could think of. Oh well, it's up and running now and I got a free upgrade to buisness class speed for a year.