Build or buy a desktop?

[GoHounds]

Well, my Macbook finally kicked the bucket.

Now I'm looking for a desktop. My only real requirements are that it be able to run dual monitors. I do a lot of multitasking (browser, Skype, iTunes, Word, Powerpoint, weather program, email. Mostly programs for school.

Id like a decent graphics card in case I decide to install something like Battlefield to play with friends on the weekends. Also, a large, fast (1tb) hard drive would be nice. I think I have about 300gb of data right now.

I do not know if I should buy a production desktop or build one myself. My budget is about $700--just for the computer. Does not count the mobitors, periphs, or OS.

Any ideas? I haven't built a computer in about 7 years, and donot know much about what is out there now.

Thanks

[birddog_61]

Originally Posted by GoHounds Well, my Macbook finally kicked the bucket. Now I'm looking for a desktop. My only real requirements are that it be able to run dual monitors. I do a lot of multitasking (browser, Skype, iTunes, Word, Powerpoint, weather program, email. Mostly programs for school. Id like a decent graphics card in case I decide to install something like Battlefield to play with friends on the weekends. Also, a large, fast (1tb) hard drive would be nice. I think I have about 300gb of data right now. I do not know if I should buy a production desktop or build one myself. My budget is about $700--just for the computer. Does not count the mobitors, periphs, or OS. Any ideas? I haven't built a computer in about 7 years, and donot know much about what is out there now. Thanks

Well personally I would build one, you know you have a computer made up of good components if you put it together yourself. if you buy one its usually filled with junk and needs replaced in a few years. Besides, they haven't done anything but get easier to build in the last seven years.

Newegg.com - Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.4GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52400
Newegg.com - ASUS P8Z68-V LX LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9R
Newegg.com - CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply
Newegg.com - ASUS ENGTX560 DC/2DI/1GD5 GeForce GTX 560 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

That was 727$ and will be blazing fast.

[Bronxbomber90]

Alright going from mac to window!!!

[Preston]

Build, build, build.... Of course!

[glc]

You forgot an optical drive and a case.

[David M]

Don't let any Apple fans hear about this. Enjoy the build!

[echrisinger]

Building one is really fun, and that's coming from a guy who's never done it before this time

[GoHounds]

Thank you for the replies. I ordered the above parts and pieced it together. However, I noticed that specific model of RAM was not on the motherboards qualified vendors list. Consequently, when I tried starting it with the motherboard, RAM, CPU, and video card, the fans spun, shut off and started again. The red LED went on nrar the RAM modules and I never got anything on the screen.

Is it safe to assume that it is the RAM causing the issue?

[xxiSsUEsxx]

When I built mine I had 16 gig of ram (4x4gb) and when I put all 4 in it wouldn't start but when I put 1 in and installed everything etc then turned it off put another stick in it recognized 8 then I turned off put the other two in then it recognized 16 so what I'd do is just try with 1 stick and see if that works for you.

[GoHounds]

Tried it. No go.

[xxiSsUEsxx]

Is it in the blue or the black slot ?

[GoHounds]

I tried every combination. Same result.

[xxiSsUEsxx]

We basically have the same motherboard but I'm using this ram :
NCIX.com - Buy Corsair CML16GX3M4A1600C9B Vengeance Low Profile Blue 16GB 4X4GB DDR3-1600 CL9-9-9-24 Memory Kit - Corsair - CML16GX3M4A1600C9B - in Canada

again basically the same thing you have.

You have monitor plugged into the graphics card right ?

[glc]

The ram may not be on the QVL but it *IS* compatible with the motherboard - have you tried it out of the case?

PROBLEMS with a NEW BUILD? Try This!!

Do you have the 8 pin CPU power connector plugged in? Have you tried it without the video card?

[GoHounds]

Yes. I first assembled it out of the case in the way mentioned. Same result trying each stick separately and without the graphics card.

The RAM modules say 1.5v and most of the DDR3 1600's on the QVL say 1.65v. Would that make a difference?

Thank you all for your help so far.

[glc]

The Z68 chipset really does prefer 1.5 volts. You have either a bad motherboard or bad ram.

[GoHounds]

Thank you very much glc. I am going to send the RAM back and get something on the list.

[birddog_61]

As glc said, I believe you either received a bad board or bad memory. If you decide to try different memory stick to corsair, crucial, kingston, or A-data 1.5v and you should be fine.

[glc]

I didn't mean the ram is not compatible - I mean it's defective! We've been recommending a LOT of Vengeance for Asus Z68 boards here and you are the first one to have a problem.

Before you spend the money to send it back and possibly pay a restocking fee, spend 9 bucks and order one of these for troubleshooting use:

Newegg.com - Rendition by Crucial 1GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model RM12864BA1339

If it works, get an exchange RMA for your ram, it's defective. If it doesn't work, get an exchange RMA for your motherboard.

[GoHounds]

Well I tried it again. Discovered the little button near the RAM slots. Basically I got everything working with the modules in both the B slots (right side). It recgonizes both modules but only at 1333mhz (they are 1600).

When I try to put anything in either of the slots on the left, it won't boot.

Safe to say the Motherboard? Or could it be something I did wrong?

Thank you all again for your help.

[Tin]

Originally Posted by glc You forgot an optical drive and a case.

Who uses an optical drive anymore? Thats so 2001-ish jk

Back OT. I have the same board you do, and it defaults the DDR 1600 to 1333 because of the 1.65V requirement to run it at its rated speed. You can change everything in the BIOS if you wish, but the performance increase in running your RAM at 1600 will be very negligible as opposed to 1333. I have both RAM sticks in the blue slots. Also, the manual for the LX does have a list of recommended RAM.

[glc]

When I try to put anything in either of the slots on the left, it won't boot.

You may need a bios update, or the motherboard may in fact be defective.

it defaults the DDR 1600 to 1333 because of the 1.65V requirement to run it at its rated speed.

No, Vengeance is rated at 1600 at 1.5 volts, and it is XMP ram. There may be a bios setting to get it to run at 1600, but that's no big deal unless you are overclocking.

[GoHounds]

Okay, I must say I am in love with this computer and the dual monitor setup (thank you for suggesting the parts!). I got two 23-inch Acers at Best Buy for $99/each.

I want more.I have an old Samsung LCD that I want to hook up as well (and if I can get another 23" Acer at that price, one of those too). I occasionally play games on this computer, and have that aforementioned graphics card.

What would be the best way to hook up two more monitors? I do NOT want to buy another of the same graphics card, but also don't want to sacrifice the performance of whats already installed.

Thanks

[glc]

You are limited to 2 monitors with a Nvidia and 3 monitors with an AMD Eyefinity card. If you want 4 monitors, your only choice is to run 2 cards.

[GoHounds]

glc,

Would I need to run the same card or could I run a cheap one with 2 inputs?

[glc]

If you only game on the primary monitor, you could put just about any Nvidia card in for productivity on the other 2 monitors. The second slot is only going to run at PCI-Ex4 speed anyway.

Newegg.com - MSI N210-D512D2 GeForce 210 512MB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card