First ever CUSTOM PC Build!! [BYE BYE DELL PENTIUM 4 LOL]

whateverjp

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Mar 12, 2013
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What do you guys think?.. I'm not a hardcore gamer nor do I intend to play any games of that matter except for maybe just CS:GO, which will be casually. This build is more so of my music production and just daily browsing/videos etc.

Currently on a DELL Dimension 4500 Pentium 4, 512 MB RAM - bought in 2003 (10 years old holy shit!).

I can't believe this computer has been running fine since then with no problems but I started to get sick of the whole waiting game (btw I used my laptop a lot too which is 10x better than my desktop) haha anyways enough of this, thoughts of my build? I was trying to go for the range of between $650-800 (taxes included etc.)

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I5 3570 (Non-K) CPU
P8Z77-V LK Motherboard
Zalman Z9 PLUS ATX Case
WD 1TB Caviar Blue HD 7200RPM 64MB
Samsung DVD Writer
Corsair Vengeance 2x4GB RAM (8GB)
AMD Radeon HD 7770 1GB GPU
Corsair CX600W PLUS Bronze PSU

Total of $720 (taxes/MIR included)



I think the price is wicked since.. NCIX was quoting me around $892 after taxes for a similar build but with even a shittier graphics card.

I still yet to buy a monitor and depending on what size, most likely get a 24' for $150.

 
Looks ok to me. I like ssd's, so if you find one cheap later, clone your new drive and use the ssd for a boot device. After cloning, disconnect your main drive and boot up just with the ssd; then add the main drive while windows is running so it's configured as a secondary drive. All the large hardrive manufactures have cloning software but I prefer maxblast, which only works if one of your drives is seagate or maxtor.
 

unoriginal1

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Apr 11, 2012
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Mind letting us know what apps your using for your music production? We may be able to change parts to better fit your needs. The build overall looks good to me. There isn't really a need for a z77 mobo since your not getting an unlocked cpu (overclocking) So you may be able to find a better / cheaper deal on the mobo and cut costs a bit. But overall looks good, An ssd would be a nice add on but always something you can put in.. in the future.
 

SHORYUKEN

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Jan 3, 2013
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($57.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card ($99.99 @ Microcenter)
Sound Card: Asus Xonar DS 24-bit 192 KHz Sound Card ($55.98 @ Outlet PC)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $709.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-14 17:46 EDT-0400)

I don't know if you need OS or if you really need a sound card, but it's there.
 
With a locked CPU (non-K), you could get a H77 mobo and save some dough. Also, unless you're planning a future graphics card upgrade, I'd get a Seasonic 360G or Antec EA-380D PSU; less powerful but either it higher quality than the CWT-built Corsair.
 

SHORYUKEN

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Jan 3, 2013
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($57.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Sound Card: Asus Xonar DS 24-bit 192 KHz Sound Card ($55.98 @ Outlet PC)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $769.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-14 17:47 EDT-0400)

If you want better graphics.
 

whateverjp

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Mar 12, 2013
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thanks for all the kind replies guys!

yeah I was deciding between the H77 mobos instead of Z77 since I don't need it but there's literally a $10 difference.. so I thought there's no point.

PSU wise, you think my current 600W is overkill? and I should go down to 550/430W?

Change the RAM to...?

and productions/apps only being used are FL STUDIO/REASON with many VSTS that's about it.
 

unoriginal1

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I'd stick with your 600W. Only reason is in-case you feel like upgrading in the future it gives you some room. (if you find a game you must play and get a better gpu ;) )

Looks good wouldn't make any other changes here. Was only asking about the apps to see if there was anything needing changed to better suite them.
 

whateverjp

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unoriginal1: true true, but truthfully im at that point in life where games isn't even an option (even though I'm 21).. im more focused on just career wise hah! a lot of peeps keep mentioning the XFX 550W over the 600w corsair.. i might go for that
 

Isaiah4110

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That's a pretty good budget build. And I agree: definitely time for an upgrade. Good choice on switching to the XFX PSU.
 

whateverjp

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Mar 12, 2013
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lovesX79: what RAM do you prefer?

I have an option of Kingston HyperX but it has 1.65V compared to the CORSAIR which is 1.5V

do voltages even matter? lower voltage = better no?

can you link me to some good RAM's then 2x4GB, thanks!