Opinions on this simple build. A new builder.

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EvanBerrett

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Mar 18, 2013
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Hey guys, first time here, and I'd appreciate your input. I'm quite tech savvy (or at least I like to think so :p) so I'm finally getting around to building a desktop after years of just buying computers that only work "ok" and paying too much.

I'm building this for my wife and I, the largest tasks being just work with Adobe After Effects and such. We'll play games, but nothing graphic intensive. I'm just going for a good, reliable machine that I can update over time as necessary. So here's where you come in, as a new guy to the world of PC building, I feel like I've got a good plan, but I'm fairly ignorant. Could you guys tell me if the below parts work together, if it all sounds good enough, or if you have any other suggestions? (trying to keep it inexpensive but reliable).

Case: Diablotek CPA-6170 EVO
OS: Windows 8, 64-bit
Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-V LK
PSU: Cooler Master eXtreme
Processor: Intel Core i5-3450 Refurbished
Memory: 8 GB Kingston Hyper X Beast
HDD: Toshiba DT01ACA
CD/DVD Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST
Multi-Card Reader: Sabrent CRW-UINB 7-Slot
Wireless Card: TP-Link TL-WN781ND

Thoughts? Much appreciated guys. This site keeps coming up when I google for info so I'm interested to see what you guys have to say!







 
Solution
Rammy
I'm sure you already know that if you want to play games in general, intensive or otherwise, you'll want at least a basic graphics card.

As far as I'm aware (I don't use it myself) After Effects isn't really optimised for multi-threading so you really just need a processor with a faster IPC rather than many cores. This tends to favour Intel, and the i5 in general is a great all rounder.

CPUs are fairly bulletproof these days so I wouldn't have too many issues about buying one labelled as "refurbished", but only if there is added value, and I'm not sure at that price there is. If you are desperately struggling for budget, then sure, but you can pick up a slightly faster 3470 for $185.

You can probably downscale the motherboard too...
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ARICH5

ARICH5

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Oct 13, 2009
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hi evan...lol "im quite tech savvy"...."im fairly ignorant" indesisive much...jk mate:)

ok your mobo is for overclocking which can prolong the life of you cpu when you wanna overclock...but your cpu is locked which means you cant oc it..and its refurbished...how do you refurbish a cpu????add more electrons? anyways stay away from that paticular cpu. a core i5 34xxk new is fine. the k series denotes a unlocked cpu and you can overclock it.

i dont like the psu...coolermaster is known for overstating their wattage. any antec, corsair or seasonic with 80+ and 550w is good.

choose a better hdd from seagate or western digital. personally i like the 1tb models with a 64mb cache.

how much can you spend? what resolution?....looking forward to hearing from you..:)
 
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EvanBerrett

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Mar 18, 2013
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10,530


I suppose that did sound indecisive :p. I feel tech savvy...just not in this area I suppose haha. Thanks for the thoughts though. If I don't really care to OC, do I need to worry much about the mobo and CPU not "agreeing" in their ability to OC? I picked the CPU because it was good for the budget, and I want an i5 :p. I'll have to do some research on what exactly refurbished means.

I'm selling a laptop for about $300 before I do this build, so I'd like to build it all for $700 or under (including the OS), which, with the $300 laptop sale will bring it to $400 out of pocket.

I'll look into another PSU, though. I chose that one because it has the right pins I need for the mobo and such, so it seemed to fit well. And I can't seem to find a HDD with 65mb cache that was a comparable price...any suggestions?

 
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djangoringo

djangoringo

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Nov 14, 2012
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That ram is rated at 1.65v, which is not good for ivybridge cpus, the memory controller only supports 1.5v, that case is horrible, you can get a quality psu with less wattage for the system even ~300W is suffice, as long it's a quality psu, i suggest a matx build for it, you can find cheaper parts here : http://pcpartpicker.com/p/KGH0
Or if you have preference for a mid tower case : http://pcpartpicker.com/p/KGJE
The cpu costs a bit more, but it's new, with free shipping.
You can add a ssd with either of those two, i recommend it : http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7pc128bww
 
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O

Outlander_04

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Nov 18, 2008
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The power supply is terrible . Only ever use power supplies rated 80+ bronze [ or better] .

Use a mb with an H77 chipset with that processor

The case is very narrow so it cant have any room behind the motherboard for cables . Dated

Your RAM needs to be rated 1.5 volts OR LESS , not 1.65 volts
 
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Rammy

Rammy

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Sep 3, 2012
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I'm sure you already know that if you want to play games in general, intensive or otherwise, you'll want at least a basic graphics card.

As far as I'm aware (I don't use it myself) After Effects isn't really optimised for multi-threading so you really just need a processor with a faster IPC rather than many cores. This tends to favour Intel, and the i5 in general is a great all rounder.

CPUs are fairly bulletproof these days so I wouldn't have too many issues about buying one labelled as "refurbished", but only if there is added value, and I'm not sure at that price there is. If you are desperately struggling for budget, then sure, but you can pick up a slightly faster 3470 for $185.

You can probably downscale the motherboard too. Z77 chipsets are for overclocking. If you just want something that works, you can live with a B75 (or H77) board which is going to be substantially cheaper. B75 boards start at around $60.

Personally I'd change the case. Cases are mainly down to aesthetics but I'd say any new buy should probably have a case with front USB3.0, they aren't expensive. For $50 you can get a variety of cases from the likes of NZXT, Silverstone, Corsair and Coolermaster all of whom have solid reputations for quality.

I'd definitely change PSU. Coolermaster aren't known for fantastic PSUs and that one is from a poor quality range without an efficiency rating (very easy to achieve these days) and only a 2year warranty. If you aren't ever planning to add a dedicated graphics card, any basic wattage will do. If you are, then anything in the 430-500W bracket will cover you for anything up to mid-range cards of the present. I'd consider the Corsair CX430. It's not the greatest PSU in the world but it's 80Plus Bronze, 3year warranty and there are constantly offers on it. It's $20 at Newegg after rebates.
 
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EvanBerrett

Honorable
Mar 18, 2013
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10,530
Thanks for the thoughts and helps guys. Didn't know about the RAM issue, and I just assumed I should choose the best motherboard (Z77). H77 will be good enough though, eh?

I'm still not sure why the case isn't good though. It's got great air flow, and seems to be easy to get stuff in and out of. Is it missing a lot?

PSU I can understand and I'll look into switching it out, especially since I guess I can look at a cheaper mobo.

I didn't think I really needed to get a dedicated graphics card. The computer I use at work which requires lots of After Effects and other Adobe products gets by with a terrible dedicated graphics card, so I figured I'd be okay without, and if not...get one after the fact.
 
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