RE: Contemplating first build, advice appreciated

Username99

1. What is your budget? €800 (Max)

2. What will be the main purpose of the computer? No gaming, general internet browsing youtube etc.., some programming, nothing major.

3. Do you need a copy of Windows? Yes

4. Can you use any parts from an old computer? I have no old parts to use.

5. Do you need a monitor? No, already have a Samsung 32inch and a HDMI cable.

5a. If yes, what size do you need. See above.

5b. If no, what resolution is your current monitor and do you plan to upgrade in the near future? The resolution is 1920x1080 and I do not plan to upgrade.

6. Do you need any of these peripherals? I have a keyboard and mouse. I need a Wireless Card

7. Are you willing to try overclocking? At the moment no, as this is my first build and I don't really see the need yet.

8. How can you pay? [Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Cash or Laser.

9. When are you purchasing? All going well as soon as possible, not sure yet though.

10. If you need help building it, where are you based? Waterford/ South Kilkenny, South Dublin city once every two weeks.



As I said in the title of this thread, I thinking about building for the first time. I do not need a super-computer but I would like get as much performance as possible without the project getting too pricey or technical. All I'll be using the PC for will be internet browsing, programming and backing up files from my external hard drives etc... Any advice appreciated.

-( i )- Wicker

I'd suggest something like this:

Case: Bitfenix Prodigy €69.99
PSU: Be Quiet 350w €41.51
RAM: 8GB G.Skill €34.90
CPU: i5 3570 €186.42
Mobo: ASRock H61 €60.89
DVDRW: Samsung €17.14
Wireless: Logilink 300Mbps €14.64
SSD: Samsung 840 120GB €89.99
HDD: WD Caviar Blue 1TB €62.99
OS: Windows 7 €86.49
+ €20 shipping = €684.96 total

The cpu may be more than you need for your purposes, could drop it down to an i3 to save money, or bring it up to an i7 if you really want to splash out.
SSD and HDD sizes are really dependent on your needs, I just went for the typical sizes. The SSD alone may be sufficient if you're not storing music/films.

Edit: I just noticed that mobo doesn't have sata-600, I'd go with this instead for an extra €15 to get the full speed of the SSD

marco_polo

I have thought about the merits of i3 vs i5 for you, and I since you have the budget to do so I think you should just go for the best machine that you can get now (I started with something more like Wickers above).

The i5-3570K is the best non hyperthreading CPU that will ever be released for the 1155 socket, so you won't have to upgrade for t good 4-5 years, instead of getting an i3 now and possibly upgrading to the i5 in a few years time.

It is a good bit more expensive now, and certainly overkill for your current needs. But it will be slightly less hassle than going down the upgrade later route (and may possibly work out a bit cheaper in the long run too of the upgrade later approach). This build leaves you with the option to overclock as well.

Item|Price
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit (SB-Version)|€86.49
BitFenix Shinobi Midi-Tower USB 3.0 black, ohne Netzteil|€53.03
Super-Flower Amazon 80Plus 450W|€45.92
ASRock Z77 Pro3, Sockel 1155, ATX|€85.04
8GB-Kit G-Skill RipJaws PC3-12800U CL9|€40.53
Intel Core i5-3570K Box, LGA1155|€205.99
Scythe Mugen 3, für alle Sockel geeignet|€37.28
Crucial M4 128GB SSD 6,4cm (2,5")|€97.64
WD Caviar Green 2TB Sata 6Gb/s|€87.14
Samsung SH-118AB schwarz|€14.79
D-Link Wireless N 150 PCI Desktop Adapter|€24.14

Shipping|€18.99
Total|€797.07

Serephucus

I'd be tempted to look at a build using the FT03 Mini. I have to admit there's a lot of personal bias there; I think it's an absolutely fantastic case, and if you're considering the Prodigy, I'd also look into the Mini as well.

challengemaster

Call me crazy but I don't see any reason to spend over 400-500 on this, particularly if it's only used for internet/browsing mainly. It's madness recommending a 3570k for that.

marco_polo

challengemaster wrote: »

Call me crazy but I don't see any reason to spend over 400-500 on this, particularly if it's only used for internet/browsing mainly. It's madness recommending a 3570k for that.

I do completely agree, although in my defense it does meet the "as much performance as possible" part of the brief on budget and overclocked it should last the OP for years and years without needing to ever touch it again The only other thing I was thinking was that just maybe the programming needs may grow down the line (although I don't know to what extent the OP dabbles in it or what sort of programming it is).

Username99

Thanks for the advice guys, I suppose I wouldn't need that much performance considering the amount I will be doing with it as far as the programming goes I am just learning Java in my spare time so it will be along time before I will have to factor my programming needs into the equation , I'll mull over this some more and keep ye posted if I build a machine.

While I am here, A friend was throwing out an old PC yesterday that has been lying in a wardrobe for a few years, I took it off him to see could I use it for anything. I need to get another power cable for it (One is needed for the moniter and one for the computer.) I have powered up both on their own using the existing cable and the system seems to be running ok, I wont really know until I have the other cable.

If it is going, I was thinking about installing Linux on this PC to play around with and get a feel for it. Anyway the PC is:

ADVENT 29001
120 GB hard disk (7200rpm)
512MB DDR memory
SIS 661FX graphics chip
56k V.90 PCI Data- Fax - Modem
OS: Windows XP (I think)

My question is, am I wasting my time getting this going, all i'll want it for is to get used to using Linux?

If it is useless in its current state, is there any cheap modifications that could be made to bring it up to scratch?

marco_polo

It would be grand for Linux, definately for one of the more lightweight distros. on the other hand for space reasons you could just setup a dual boot on your new PC, if if is just for playing around you'd only need to take up 3-4 GB of the SSD to install linux.

Username99

Thought about Dual boot alright, I don't know why but I am not so keen on having 2 operating systems on the one PC, now as I have previously stated I am not very knowledgeable in this area, so it may well be that my concerns are unfounded. Are they?

dwighet

Serephucus wrote: »

I'd be tempted to look at a build using the FT03 Mini. I have to admit there's a lot of personal bias there; I think it's an absolutely fantastic case, and if you're considering the Prodigy, I'd also look into the Mini as well.

I just built the girlfriend a rig with the FT03 mini and its a fantastic case..
Solid as a rock and easy to work on...not mach room for a good cpu cooler in it though..

yomamasflavour

Considering what you said you're going to be using it for, why do you need a desktop?

Unless you're into performance computing - (gaming/3d/working with pro software) I don't get why anyone would even consider a desktop over a laptop.

A cheap €350-500 laptop will do all your needs, you already have a big screen you can connect it to (can add a usb mouse and keyboard). It'd be portable so you can bring it out and about and you don't have a big box taking up space/corner of the room.

Makes far more sense.

Serephucus

Not really. The laptop won't be upgradable, especially if it's cheap. No CPU, GPU or hard drive upgrades possible (adding a second hard drive, I mean). No option for a dedicated sound card if he decides he wants one, or a TV tuner. I'd look at a laptop if portability comes into it, but as it stands that's not something the OP wants, so why tie his arms and legs from the get-go?

yomamasflavour

You've right there wouldn't be much in the way of upgrades, definitely not at the cheaper end.

It just seems to me to be overkill. The benefits of an i5 aren't going to seen in browsing the net or in basic java.

Considering the extra cost, the extra effort involved in putting it together and installing etc. and that it's tied to a wall socket. I would have thought he'd benefit more from a laptop.

Serephucus

Well, I was running off a G550 for a while, and there's a big difference in general computer speed when going to a 3570K. A lot more than I thought. So I'd at least recommend a good i3, which means at least €500 for the laptop, and at that bracket, the desktop would be a better value.

Username99

yomamasflavour wrote: »

Considering what you said you're going to be using it for, why do you need a desktop?

Unless you're into performance computing - (gaming/3d/working with pro software) I don't get why anyone would even consider a desktop over a laptop.

A cheap €350-500 laptop will do all your needs, you already have a big screen you can connect it to (can add a usb mouse and keyboard). It'd be portable so you can bring it out and about and you don't have a big box taking up space/corner of the room.

Makes far more sense.

Basically I want to have a go at building my own PC for the first time so that would probably be my main reason for choosing desktop over laptop, also I only ever get to use a computer from home due to my line of work, so I have no real need for a laptop and thankfully space in the corner of the room is not an issue.

And considering that a laptop is going to set me back €300-500 for the little bit extra i'll have a machine that I built myself from scratch (hopefully), that I can upgrade myself should my computing needs grow over the next few years and if they don't what harm i'll still have a decent machine for what I want it for.

marco_polo

Username99 wrote: »

Thought about Dual boot alright, I don't know why but I am not so keen on having 2 operating systems on the one PC, now as I have previously stated I am not very knowledgeable in this area, so it may well be that my concerns are unfounded. Are they?

I don't really think there is any real cause for concern, on the other hand if you simply don't want the hassle of dual boot you could always just run it as a virtual machine inside windows, like option c here. It is one of the best ways to start experimenting as a linux beginner.

If it is something you decide to do I would head over to the unix forum for some sound advice on all your option when the time comes to install.

challengemaster

If you want Dual boot without the hassle, try Wubi

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/windows-installer

It installs ubuntu from within windows. Gets rid of any need for knowing how to tinker with the install process.