First Computer Build (~1000)

[joelh]

Looking to put together my first computer with around $1000-$1200. Not for gaming, just looking to build it for personal use. Here's what i'm looking to have in it. (Already have a monitor). Looking to build in 3 weeks-ish
-ssd
-storage drive (possibly partioned as a media server)
-intel processor
- optical drive
- MAYBE liquid cooling (thoughts?)

Looking at newegg and using a base model that lifehacker (Lifehacker, tips and downloads for getting things done) posted, so far I am looking at the following:

- Corsair Enthusiast Series TX750 v2 750W Power Supply

- Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3 LGA 1155 Intel ATX Motherboard

-Intel Core i7-2600 Sandy Bridge 3.4Ghz Quad Core Processor

-G Skill 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600 RAM

-not to sure on graphics card

- one ssd and one big harddrive (partioned for media server and storage)

-case not sure, maybe liquid cooling?

What changes/graphics card and other parts would your recommend?
Thanks very much!

[glc]

Under $1150, without a video card. The 2500K onboard video should suffice if you aren't gaming, but you can add one later if you find you need one. The processor and video is highly overclockable.

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Newegg.com - Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D Green 430W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Newegg.com - ASUS P8Z68-V LE LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

Newegg.com - Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I52500K

Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Green WD20EARX 2TB 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Newegg.com - Kingston HyperX SH100S3/120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) (Stand-alone Drive)

Newegg.com - LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer - Bulk - 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model iHAS224-06 LightScribe Support - CD / DVD Burners

Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - Operating Systems

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7

[joelh]

What about WD caviar black?

[Nuclear Krusader]

The Black is the way to go; I'm thinking G is just trying to fit your budget, considering how the prices of hard drives have skyrocketed lately.

[joelh]

Would it be worthwhile to install OS on ssd and use an old hard drive for storage until the prices go down (hopefully) sometime next year ?

[David M]

Originally Posted by joelh Would it be worthwhile to install OS on ssd and use an old hard drive for storage until the prices go down (hopefully) sometime next year ?

Excellent idea. Many people building a computer now are already doing this. Many of the larger hard drives are selling for 2.0 times or more than what they were selling for before the floods. My guess is the supply will not catch up to the demand before the middle of next year.

[joelh]

Okay thank you! Would it be worth upgrading any parts of I'm saving money on the hard drive ?

[David M]

If you have applications that utilize multi-threading then there is the 2600k for another $100. There really isn't anywhere else to make it faster, other than overclocking the CPU. A 2600k will clock to 4.7 GHz easily.

Or you could buy a larger SSD and be able to load more software on it.

[glc]

Possibly a bigger power supply, if you think you may want to add a video card that's stronger than a fairly basic card. An Earthwatts 650 actually is not much more than the 430. The Corsair TX units are excellent but a bit pricey.

I did in fact put the Green in there to get you a decent amount of storage at the best possible price, still staying with a reliable drive. The Green is not very fast, it is a low power variable speed drive. If you have an old drive that will serve the purpose, definitely use it.

[joelh]

Are bigger sizes of the Kingston ssd just as reliable or should I look at intel ssd's ?

[glc]

Intels are the most *reliable* but the Kingston HyperX is the *fastest*. The Intel 510 is quite expensive.

[joelh]

Would it be worth upgrading to 16gb of ram? Or will it not make too much of a difference

[Nuclear Krusader]

Not really, but then again, what are you gonna be running, programs-wise?

[joelh]

Nothing more than adobe cs4 and similar programs

[Nuclear Krusader]

Then it depends on the size of the files you work with. What is it, roughly?

If you're gonna use CS programs you DO need that mechanical HDD, the WD Black: doing the scratching on your SSD is gonna age it real fast.

[glc]

Speed really isn't THAT important for a scratch drive - you COULD do it on a dedicated partition on your data drive. A Black can wait till the prices come down.

[joelh]

None of the files are huge, for now i'll just run it on my laptop and then install it on the new harddrive once I update after the supply catches up to demand. Anyone have any cool recommendations for a mouse & keyboard. Right now I have the Logitech DiNovo Edge (Newegg.com - Logitech diNovo Edge 2-Tone 84 Normal Keys 9 Function Keys Bluetooth Wireless Mini Keyboard) and love it

[Nuclear Krusader]

Cool recommendation would be a keyboard with illuminated keys, such as the Razer Blackwidow. I was considering that one but now that I've decided to switch completely to Mac, I won't be buying it, unless my current M$ Natural 4000 buys the farm, that is.

That keyboard would push things past your budget, though; yet it's a good mechanical, NKRO keyboard, and I'd find it useful when working in dim light, which is often the case when working in the colour-managed environment that photo editing requires.

However, as nice as it is, if you're already enjoying your current keyboard and mouse, I see no real reason to change them.

[joelh]

On the topic of mice, i've lost my usb reciever (it grew legs and walked away) and have no idea where I can purchase a replacement. I have the logitech MX revolution (PIN:810-000422). Does anyone have any idea where I can get a replacement?

[Nuclear Krusader]

Have you turned to Logitech already? Tried their website and/or tech support? Stores don't usually stock these things separately.

[joelh]

Only their UK website has the part, I have yet to call them so thats up next on my to-do list! thanks!

[glc]

Last time I had to deal with Logitech phone support, they were very accommodating.

[joelh]

So here is my final list...for a total of just over $1000 (i have an extra $200ish leeway i can spend so if anyone wants to recommend any upgrades that would be excellent! I forgot to mention that i'm in Canada in my initial post)

Also looking at adding a blu ray drive, to play blu ray and also to copy cd/dvd between two bays. would this require a better video card? If not i'm looking at adding two dvd drives (should I just double up the current drive?)


COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case


ASUS P8Z68-V LE LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS


Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN 650W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply


Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000


Kingston HyperX SH100S3/120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) (Stand-alone Drive)


CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9W


LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer - Bulk - Black SATA Model iHAS224-06 LightScribe Support


COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit - OEM

[joelh]

can anyone look it over quickly before i order?

[glc]

I wouldn't get that 1.35 volt ram.

Newegg.ca - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9B

[joelh]

should I double up on the same dvd drive? to copy cd/dvds?

[Nuclear Krusader]

Only if you copy a lot, as in several per day.

[joelh]

Probably only 1-2 per week, what would you suggest?

[joelh]

Is this video card (Galaxy 50SGH8HX3QMZ GeForce GTS 450) compatible with the system? I found it on sale for around 45% off so am considering adding that on.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Originally Posted by joelh Probably only 1-2 per week, what would you suggest?

I'd say you can do with just one optical. Burning images/files from the hard drive to the disc is not only faster but also produces less coasters due to buffer overrun errors.