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Started By
Message
Computer Build Parts Help
Posted on 4/14/15 at 4:33 pm
Posted on 4/14/15 at 4:33 pm
Looking at building a new rig to replace my slow dinosaur at work and it's been a couple years since I've looked at any PC parts.
-Primary Goal is multi-tasking without stuttering. It needs to not miss a beat during normal use. With on average a half dozen programs open and each of those with several files open. Jumping around needs to be smooth.
-The most powerful program it will be running will be AutoCAD for 2D drafting, so nothing too intensive. No 3D work or rendering. It won't be used for games or video (outside of youtube-like BS). Most of the other work is standard business software.
-Would like an SSD. Thinking a 128 GB would be fine. Bigger is okay, but not smaller.
-Secondary HDD is not all that important. It needs one, but nothing large.
-I don't see the need for a graphics card. Decently integrated graphics should work fine.
-I don't have any loyalty to any brand. Been a while since I looked at processors, so I don't know who gets me more bang for my buck.
-It will be running Win7 Pro, but needs to be ready for the eventual jump to 10.
-Max budget on hardware is $800, but the cheaper I build it, the better. It's going to have to last a few years, so I'm willing to spend a little more now to buy me some time. Already have a monitor, m/k, and software.
-Case is unimportant. I'd rather it not look like a spaceship at Christmas, but if it does the job at the end of the day, I don't really care what it looks like.
Looking at something like this or this, but I don't really know.
Any advice? Thanks.
-Primary Goal is multi-tasking without stuttering. It needs to not miss a beat during normal use. With on average a half dozen programs open and each of those with several files open. Jumping around needs to be smooth.
-The most powerful program it will be running will be AutoCAD for 2D drafting, so nothing too intensive. No 3D work or rendering. It won't be used for games or video (outside of youtube-like BS). Most of the other work is standard business software.
-Would like an SSD. Thinking a 128 GB would be fine. Bigger is okay, but not smaller.
-Secondary HDD is not all that important. It needs one, but nothing large.
-I don't see the need for a graphics card. Decently integrated graphics should work fine.
-I don't have any loyalty to any brand. Been a while since I looked at processors, so I don't know who gets me more bang for my buck.
-It will be running Win7 Pro, but needs to be ready for the eventual jump to 10.
-Max budget on hardware is $800, but the cheaper I build it, the better. It's going to have to last a few years, so I'm willing to spend a little more now to buy me some time. Already have a monitor, m/k, and software.
-Case is unimportant. I'd rather it not look like a spaceship at Christmas, but if it does the job at the end of the day, I don't really care what it looks like.
Looking at something like this or this, but I don't really know.
Any advice? Thanks.
This post was edited on 4/14/15 at 4:35 pm
1
Posted on 4/14/15 at 5:29 pm to BottomlandBrew
This is easy. Based on the tasks you mentioned, you need a strong quad-core Intel CPU that gives you the best per-core performance. No need for hyperthreading, and you'd actually fare worse going with an AMD chip because of their much lower IPC.
The PC you linked with the Intel Core i5-4440 would be just fine. I don't like that it uses a microATX motherboard in a regular mid-tower. No point in that unless you're going small form factor in the first place. With a mid-tower, I'd be more in favor of getting something that would support a bit more power delivery if you ever decided to expand. This one has some low voltage tolerances for CPU and memory, and a max frequency on memory (and a buggy XMP setting, unless it's been improved in the past year). Not a total dealbreaker though. I'm just being nitpicky.
Here's an alternative build. It is configured similarly to the combo you posted, but with performance kicked up a notch across the board -- faster CPU, faster RAM, faster SSD, a few more options on the mobo, better quality power supply.
PCPartPicker part list: LINK
Price breakdown by merchant: LINK /
CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($178.89 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($71.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($58.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.49 @ OutletPC)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $530.33
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-14 18:25 EDT-0400
Comes out $25 cheaper than that combo you posted. And if you don't want to deal with the rebates, it still comes out to a few pennies cheaper I believe. Better parts, too, as I said above. EDIT: if you prefer to get all the parts from newegg, probably another $25 added to the price.
You could consider upping to 16GB of RAM, but I'd build the machine first and see what your RAM usage is hitting throughout the day for a while. If you aren't coming close to using all 8GB anyway, adding more RAM would do absolutely nothing. Another possibly worthwhile upgrade would be an aftermarket CPU cooler, if you find that the noise of the stock cooler bothers you (it can get kind of loud when you put a reasonable amount of load on the CPU).
The PC you linked with the Intel Core i5-4440 would be just fine. I don't like that it uses a microATX motherboard in a regular mid-tower. No point in that unless you're going small form factor in the first place. With a mid-tower, I'd be more in favor of getting something that would support a bit more power delivery if you ever decided to expand. This one has some low voltage tolerances for CPU and memory, and a max frequency on memory (and a buggy XMP setting, unless it's been improved in the past year). Not a total dealbreaker though. I'm just being nitpicky.
Here's an alternative build. It is configured similarly to the combo you posted, but with performance kicked up a notch across the board -- faster CPU, faster RAM, faster SSD, a few more options on the mobo, better quality power supply.
PCPartPicker part list: LINK
Price breakdown by merchant: LINK /
CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($178.89 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($71.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($58.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.49 @ OutletPC)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $530.33
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-14 18:25 EDT-0400
Comes out $25 cheaper than that combo you posted. And if you don't want to deal with the rebates, it still comes out to a few pennies cheaper I believe. Better parts, too, as I said above. EDIT: if you prefer to get all the parts from newegg, probably another $25 added to the price.
You could consider upping to 16GB of RAM, but I'd build the machine first and see what your RAM usage is hitting throughout the day for a while. If you aren't coming close to using all 8GB anyway, adding more RAM would do absolutely nothing. Another possibly worthwhile upgrade would be an aftermarket CPU cooler, if you find that the noise of the stock cooler bothers you (it can get kind of loud when you put a reasonable amount of load on the CPU).
This post was edited on 4/14/15 at 5:36 pm
Posted on 4/15/15 at 7:17 am to ILikeLSUToo
Thanks for the input. 
Well, isn't that a handy little site.
quote:
PCPartPicker
Well, isn't that a handy little site.
Posted on 4/18/15 at 7:41 pm to ILikeLSUToo
Went ahead with your parts list. Got it put together this afternoon. Humming along like a bird. Thanks!
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