Need Advice on a new Intel build

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06-10-2013, 12:50 PM
Milo

Need Advice on a new Intel build

I need a new build that will handle large amounts of multi-tasking (multiple large excel sheets, multiple internet browsers with multiple tabs, and ability to have all open and run moderately intense games)

First of all, I do not need a Graphics card. The one I have (GeForce 8800GTS) will work fine. Also, I am good with onboard sound, don't need a monitor, mouse, kb, or speakers.

What I want:

Black or Black/Silver ATX Case (would be nice if it were on wheels)
Intel i5 or i7 processor
8GB RAM or more
1TB of storage space (In RAID 1 config, so 2x1TB drives)
Additional 1TB backup drive
3-bay Raid cage for the front 5.25 bays (2 slots for my RAID and 1 slot for my backup drive)
All-in-one BD-R/DVD-RW drive
USB 3.0 (front and rear) + SD card port (front)
Win7 or Win8
Power supply that will handle it

<$725 if possible

Thanks for input!
06-12-2013, 08:45 AM
richardginn

NEW Computer..... New video card...
06-12-2013, 11:06 AM
James

Your specs and price range are a bit unreasonable. Consider the following list of lowest price parts that I found to meet your configuration request.

$210 - 3x 1TB hdds ($70 each)
$180 - i5-3350P CPU (cheapest i5 I can find)
$100 - Windows 7 Home Premium x64 OEM
$90 - Z77 chipset motherboard
$80 - BD-R/DVD-RW SATA optical drive
$58 - 8GB (2x 4GB DIMMs) DDR3-1333 RAM
-----
$718

That leaves you $7 to find a case that has hot swap bays, USB3.0 front ports, and a card reader integrated into it, as well as a ~500w PSU. Not to mention, you need to make sure that the PSU is Haswell/Z87 compatible if you don't want to turn around and buy a new one for the next upgrade/refresh.

You might be able to get an off the shelf system from Dell/HP/Lenovo and customize it to suit you, but it would be fairly difficult.

Can you specify why you aren't upgrading the video card? Is this a workstation instead of a gaming rig? Will you be using the onboard Intel graphics instead?
06-12-2013, 11:51 AM
PCVSNotebook

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

Your specs and price range are a bit unreasonable. Consider the following list of lowest price parts that I found to meet your configuration request.

$210 - 3x 1TB hdds ($70 each)
$180 - i5-3350P CPU (cheapest i5 I can find)
$100 - Windows 7 Home Premium x64 OEM
$90 - Z77 chipset motherboard
$80 - BD-R/DVD-RW SATA optical drive
$58 - 8GB (2x 4GB DIMMs) DDR3-1333 RAM
-----
$718

That leaves you $7 to find a case that has hot swap bays, USB3.0 front ports, and a card reader integrated into it, as well as a ~500w PSU. Not to mention, you need to make sure that the PSU is Haswell/Z87 compatible if you don't want to turn around and buy a new one for the next upgrade/refresh.

You might be able to get an off the shelf system from Dell/HP/Lenovo and customize it to suit you, but it would be fairly difficult.

Can you specify why you aren't upgrading the video card? Is this a workstation instead of a gaming rig? Will you be using the onboard Intel graphics instead?

try to find him Haswell , it is better. has better onboard graphics .
06-12-2013, 01:48 PM
James

Quote:

Originally Posted by PCVSNotebook

try to find him Haswell , it is better. has better onboard graphics .

It does indeed. It's also more expensive. I was trying to show that even using lower priced older generation parts you end up blowing the budget he put forth.
06-12-2013, 01:50 PM
Milo

This setup is basically a workstation. I do game occasionally on it, but not the latest and greatest FPS games or anything. Is something wrong with my video card? Is it not compatible?

Also, I understand $725 may be too low for the system. I think I will sell all of my old components and adjust my budget to $1000.00.
06-13-2013, 08:13 AM
James

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milo

This setup is basically a workstation. I do game occasionally on it, but not the latest and greatest FPS games or anything. Is something wrong with my video card? Is it not compatible?

Also, I understand $725 may be too low for the system. I think I will sell all of my old components and adjust my budget to $1000.00.

Your video card is just a bit old at this point. (7 generations to be precise). A lot has changed in that time. Especially for workstation tasks, there has been a huge explosion in GPGPU acceleration support in many of the software packages.

All that being said, you can pack a serious amount of power in both Micro-ATX and mini-ITX formats these days. I'm going to propose a system based on the Micro ATX format. The only piece it does not have is the card reader, which could be added for ~$30 if you truly desire it.

Code:

Price Item -------------------------------------- 234 3x 1TB 2.5" hdd 210 i5-4570 3.2GHz 4C/4T Intel CPU 138 ASRock Z87M Extreme4 MicroATX motherboard 140 Windows 7 Pro x64 OEM 120 650w SeaSonic X650 PSU 110 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3-1600 RAM 100 Silverstone TJ08B-E MicroATX Mini-Tower Case 80 14x BD-R/DVD-RW SATA optical drive 72 IcyDock 4x 2.5" Hotswap enclosure ====================================== 1204 Total before shipping

That's still $200 over your budget.

It's quality parts, but you may have to cut some corners to bring it in under $1000. If you wanted a new video card that will outclass your current one it would cost an additional $150 or so.
06-13-2013, 08:45 AM
Milo

You can probably tell I've been out of the pc building game for a while. Thank you for the input. I will be looking into this further.

AsRock? How is that compared to ASUS (the brand I always use)? Also, Do I need DDR3-1600? I do not plan on overclocking.
06-13-2013, 09:42 AM
James

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milo

Where can I find the case? I searched google and get a handful of japanese sites.

Helps if I don't typo the case name. (It is now fixed.)

You can find it at Frys, Newegg, Amazon, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Silverstone-Te...ywords=TJ08B-E
http://www.frys.com/product/6730015;...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163182
06-14-2013, 01:00 AM
PCVSNotebook

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

Your video card is just a bit old at this point. (7 generations to be precise). A lot has changed in that time. Especially for workstation tasks, there has been a huge explosion in GPGPU acceleration support in many of the software packages.

All that being said, you can pack a serious amount of power in both Micro-ATX and mini-ITX formats these days. I'm going to propose a system based on the Micro ATX format. The only piece it does not have is the card reader, which could be added for ~$30 if you truly desire it.

Code:

Price Item -------------------------------------- 234 3x 1TB 2.5" hdd 210 i5-4570 3.2GHz 4C/4T Intel CPU 138 ASRock Z87M Extreme4 MicroATX motherboard 140 Windows 7 Pro x64 OEM 120 650w SeaSonic X650 PSU 110 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3-1600 RAM 100 Silverstone TJ08B-E MicroATX Mini-Tower Case 80 14x BD-R/DVD-RW SATA optical drive 72 IcyDock 4x 2.5" Hotswap enclosure ====================================== 1204 Total before shipping

That's still $200 over your budget.

It's quality parts, but you may have to cut some corners to bring it in under $1000. If you wanted a new video card that will outclass your current one it would cost an additional $150 or so.

I think the Fractal Design arc mini micro Atx case is better than silver stone , dont you agree ?

this one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811352008

better cooling (6 fans).

or the silent Fractal Design Define mini

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811352011
06-14-2013, 06:34 AM
James

Quote:

Originally Posted by PCVSNotebook

I think the Fractal Design arc mini micro Atx case is better than silver stone , dont you agree ?

this one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811352008

better cooling (6 fans).

or the silent Fractal Design Define mini

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811352011

I actually don't. In theory the multiple fans would be better, but in reality they are not. The design of the Silverstone creates a single focused channel of air that runs across all components of the motherboard, video card, etc. The single 180mm fan on the Silverstone is extremely efficient. Another reason to lean towards the Silverstone for me: 2x USB 3.0 ports in the front rather than a single one on the Arc Mini. (personal preference.)

But in truth both are incredible cases, and either would be an excellent choice.
06-14-2013, 02:41 PM
Geforce255

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milo

This setup is basically a workstation. I do game occasionally on it, but not the latest and greatest FPS games or anything. Is something wrong with my video card? Is it not compatible?

Also, I understand $725 may be too low for the system. I think I will sell all of my old components and adjust my budget to $1000.00.

Nothing is "wrong" with your card per se, just be aware that the onboard graphics of an I5 or I7 processor significantly out perform it. Even the Microsoft Surface Pro - a tablet - out performed the old 8800 - with onboard HD-4000 graphics.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-H...d.73567.0.html

Since you want an I5 or I7 anyway, you might as well use the onboard.
06-16-2013, 02:13 PM
PCVSNotebook

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

I actually don't. In theory the multiple fans would be better, but in reality they are not. The design of the Silverstone creates a single focused channel of air that runs across all components of the motherboard, video card, etc. The single 180mm fan on the Silverstone is extremely efficient. Another reason to lean towards the Silverstone for me: 2x USB 3.0 ports in the front rather than a single one on the Arc Mini. (personal preference.)

But in truth both are incredible cases, and either would be an excellent choice.

Actually I was thinking of other possibilities for the 6 fans .. like cloosed loops water cooling from Asetek , Swiftek , Corsair 100 i , Nzext Kraken , etc .. those need Fan openings 2x 120 exactly ...

as for the USB3 Ports , umm .. you can use front panel USB3/hotswap Sata3/card reader/fan controller all in one in the 5.25 bay ...

thanks for the reply I do like the silverstone "look" more , it has a nice Alu front .

Edit : here is a very nice option GREAT for Matx cases :)

http://www.akasa.com.tw/update.php?t...odel=AK-IEN-01

and this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...irtualParent=1

no worries about front usb3 :)