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saxamo

saxamo

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Aug 14, 2012
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Hello There,

I just put together a PC configuration and I was wondering what everyone thought. This is an office PC that will be doing work, no gaming at all, but will support 3 monitors. This machine will be doing lots of programming work using vb and occasionally vmware. There will be a few vpn, or remote desktops at time and will be providing a local website for development only ( programming requirement ) Suggestions are welcome if I should get something less or better please explain why.. Thanks so much for looking and taking the time to respond.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=17941074

Kind regards,
Stephen
 
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AMD Radeon

AMD Radeon

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Dec 23, 2011
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if i were you, i will get :

i5 4570 haswell >> there is no reason not to get haswell, same price, better performance
any cheap H87 mobo
samsung 840 evo 240GB >> Pro is too expensive, you can barely notice the difference between the two ssd
PSU XFX 550
if you plan to SLI, get Corsair AX 750 because the price is so close
 
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Sakkura

Sakkura

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Aug 22, 2011
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You don't need such a beefy power supply, 600W would be plenty. It's good that you went for quality though.

The Z77 motherboard and the Core i5-3470 seem a bit at odds. The Z77 board allows overclocking, but the Core i5-3470 can only be overclocked a little bit. You could probably save some money with a B75 or H77 board unless there are some features you need from the more expensive one.
 
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saxamo

saxamo

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Aug 14, 2012
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@thebigtroll - I need 3 monitors connected and they are all http://www.amazon.com/HP-W2408H-24-inch-Widescreen-Monitor/dp/B0013AHADQ - hpw2408h with hdmi connections already and ready for that video card, I use a ton of memory with all the items I have open at one time. The PSU for the 650 to the 750 is only a 10 dollar difference, I am usually an AMD guy as you can see from my profile, this is not for me to play but to work. Not sure why the z series is a bad choice ( if there is something else, let me know )

@Sakkura and AMD Radeon - I have updated my list per your suggestions, but I am keeping the 750 as the 650 is only 10 dollars less. My only concern is the motherboard and that is supports everything else on my list properly with decent reviews and reliability. Can you please specify an exact option your might suggest?

Thanks again everyone..
 
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TheBigTroll

TheBigTroll

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Apr 15, 2012
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its not about the cost of the psu, its about the wasted wattage. more wattage on the psu does not mean its better, it just means it performs worse because you arent putting a proper load on it. unless you are running 2 video cards, the hx750 will perform badly because you arent subjecting it to proper power loads

the intel chip performs better regardless. z series motherboards allow for overclocking. if you arent going to overclock, why spend the money towards something that you arent going to use

you can run 3 panels with the onboard graphics. one of the panels can be run off by the vga connector on the board, one can plug into the hdmi port, and one can be plugged into the dvi port using a dvi to hdmi adaptor
 
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saxamo

saxamo

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Aug 14, 2012
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Interesting.. Okay, so I changed the PSU to the 650... I will not be running two cards, so that is fine.. Can you please suggest a motherboard that will be a performer but have no need to overclock? Utilizing the onboard graphics will put a bigger load on the mobo or is THIS mobo made to support the output to 3 monitors of that size optimally? Having a video card doing the work MUST be better than onboard no? Please advise, as all the information being provided here is very useful to me as a learning experience overall.. Thanks!
 
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saxamo

saxamo

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okay.. I changed out the PSU.. I think this time it is a go.. I was looking at the p8h77-V LE LGA 1155 mobo, but with only a few reviews and 4 stars compare to the Z with 560 reviews and 4 stars I think I am just going to stick with the Z and pay the extra 20 dollars. Can you please take a look at the config once more and make any final suggestions. I am assuming I don't need that memory at that speed but would like something that is fast and reliable and comes in 2 8GB chips with decent timings. I understand I might not need the trident x series memory, but I don't want something so sub par that it causes a performance hit either. Suggestions? I am using water cooling since I have an extra cool-it cpu water cooler ( I won it for a case mod at cool-it when they were still not corsair ) so I would like to stick with a full atx mobo for space requirements and non bloody knuckles. Thanks!
 
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saxamo

saxamo

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Aug 14, 2012
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I have changed the memory as well.. I think at this time I have a pretty decent build for the office PC.. If anyone can think of anything else, or maybe a small drop on the video card without losing to much please let me know.. The video card does seem to be a bit overkill, but I certainly want something that will outperform the onboard, support my 3 monitors quickly and ultimately be a decent card by the community standards.. Please advise.. Thanks!

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=17941074 - Office PC List
 
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TheBigTroll

TheBigTroll

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Apr 15, 2012
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-z series boards are useless to you as the only benefit of them is that they can oerclock, which you cant
-board is incompatable in the first place with the CPU. go with what i recommended
-video card is still useless for what you are doing
-my build has a better storage system
-overkill efficiency. you will never make up for the difference in power savings. do not bother
-no reason to go atx. doesnt perform better nor are you fitting anything inside that requires all 7 slots
-overkill case. as a office pc, it should be small, rather than huge
-my build list has a way cheaper 2x8gb kit of ram. i dont even know why you select the more expensive option when it does nothing

in otherwords, get what i recommended and you shouldnt have any issues
 
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saxamo

saxamo

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Aug 14, 2012
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Thanks for your reply.. However, it should be noted that as much as I appreciate your help it is entirely up to me to get what I consider decent parts, that will not have me going back and forth to the post office for defects, potentially. I also do not want to make my purchases from multiple places, regardless of cost. I have fixed the issue with the processor and feel that my parts ( although overkill ) should provide much more reliability. your storage system is not better for my configuration either. For a few extra dollars I feel better with my suggested parts. Again, I do really appreciate your time and the fact you are trying to save me money with your configuration, but overall I like what I have chosen based on the couple of responses provided here. Thanks again...
 
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TheBigTroll

TheBigTroll

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the issues are still there, now slightly bigger

-you arent overclocking, so why are you picking out the i5 3570k?
-the video card will give you even more problems as you would now need 2 adaptors to get your hdmi panels working. instead of buying 1 adaptor, you need 2
-still the psu
-you pay 80 dollars more for a milliseconds worth of extra speed. if you like to do that, thats fine, but otherwise, the money can be spent on something else that actually does something
-extra fans are useless. you have low power equipment and the stock case fans are more than enough to move air around

if you arent going to purchase from different stores, the price difference is enough to get me a full blown workstation with a i7 6 core beast. the other option is to price match everything at us.ncix. with all the components from different stores. they have free shipping on top of that
 
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saxamo

saxamo

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Aug 14, 2012
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regarding points:
1. I am getting the i5 3570k because it works on the motherboard I chose and if I do decide to play around with overclocking I can.
2. I already have the adapters for the video card
3. the psu is modular ( which I want ) and supports the video card with some extra for optional USB devices, some breathing room
4. not sure what you are referring to but if it is the hard drive. I like it as I already have one and feel it is well built and performs rather well.
5. since I am putting this stuff in my old case I need to replace the fans that are in there and these will be fine. I know I can get better but figure what the heck it will all come in one box.
6. newegg also provides free shipping and I only deal with one location.

I am not saying what you posted is wrong. Again, I really appreciate the response and help. Would it help if I had just said" Need a pc for under 1000.00 dollars for office. Want additional video card and only one ssd drive with room to breathe? Find me the best parts. I kind of felt that I listed that I want one SSD with my list. The pro is the best on the market, write speeds are a 3rd better than the evo. I like the power supply since it is modular and reputable, the video card I chose is the best for the price I could find with what it offers. The fans are simple replacements for other older fans in another case. The cpu I want to be decent with a mobo to match, the 1155 is stable vs the new 1150 which might be more stable by this time but I am unsure since I don't keep track of that stuff. This process takes a long time to decide what good quality from places that will replace parts with issues under warranties, etc..

Bottom line: I just want a machine that has the best parts for under 1000 dollars and will have longevity along with powering 3 monitors at 1920x1200. I understand you are helping me out.. I really do, but I can't expect you to know everything there is that I am going to do with the machine. Besides if you make a mistake I can get angry since you chose the parts. If I do it, then I can't blame anyone but myself.

You are really awesome.. You know your stuff. No doubt.. So, again, thanks!

Oh, I already have an extra Thermaltake Element S - http://elements.thermaltake.com/ case, so that is why I don't need the other one.
 
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TheBigTroll

TheBigTroll

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Apr 15, 2012
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-why not just get a system that was originally working instead of fixing up a new one?
-if you arent overclocking right out of the box, you wont be doing it in the future. when you do do it in the future, you will find that the 10% boost of performance associated with overclocking wouldnt be enough to make a difference or be of any use because a 10% increase of performance is meaningless when you are hammering away at word documents or just straight up coding
-modularity is pretty useless given the price at such a low wattage. with a 550w unit, you are using pretty much every single cable which defeats the point of the modularity. coupled with the fact that the xfx 550w is made by seasonic means you gain nothing from upgrading other than a blingier sticker
-there is no difference between a mainstream SSD and a high end SSD. if you are number crunching, the milliseconds may matter to you, but you arent doing anything intensive to this system at all. why waste the money for something that does nothing? benchmarks for SSDs are useless. they never actually show real world usage scenarios. i wouldnt even bother considering them as a proper way to pick a SSD.
-stock case fans are fine. re-use if possible. if not, then get those fans

if you only deal with one retalier, why not do it at ncix. you save money by price matching coupled with the fact that they have free shipping makes it a no-brainier.

if you insist on using a seperate GPU to power the panels, get this. it isnt stupidly overkill and has exactly what you need
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131481&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

and because you save money by going with ncix, you can get a CPU upgrade
http://us.ncix.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=74987&vpn=BX80637E31230V2&manufacture=Intel%20Server%20Products

price match for 218.99 with this site
http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=XE1230V2BX&c=CJ

if you want read some reviews, go to newegg. there is endless praise
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117286&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

and use a properly suited motherboard, not some overkilled hardware
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130648&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
 
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TheBigTroll

TheBigTroll

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Apr 15, 2012
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-server boards arent needed. go with the h77m as suggested.
-wasting time on the gold psu
-there are cheaper SSDs that perform the same
-there are cheaper ramsticks that perform exactly the same
-wrong GPU. its this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131481&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
 
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saxamo

saxamo

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Aug 14, 2012
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Again, I appreciate your response.. I am really getting informed... There are a couple items I want to toss your way though.

the server board does have more usb 3 and was specified as the board to get in the updated list here on tomshardware budget top workstation list. I prefer to work in a bigger area then the micro board. Is there any other problem other than size and price that is a factor?

I priced out the bronze PSU and found this one to be more reliable and only a few bucks more

What SSD would you suggest but it needs to be 250GB's at least?

What ram sticks would you suggest?

The GPU I have on the list is better for 10 dollars based on reviews and benchmarks ( not for what I am doing but for the extra 10 dollars and DDR5 over 3 I figured what the hell ) is there something else to consider? Not to mention I have the display port to hdmi, hdmi to hdmi and dvi to hdmi adapter already.. I do not have a vga cable to use to the hdmi monitor.

I will definitely listen to you.. I just have to come to a compromise in my brain.. When I see the physical numbers I think about bronze vs gold and see an extra 10 bucks or so but I concern myself with overall quality too.. parts used, caps, heat dissipation, etc for other items.. My math is not much off of yours but the parts are a bit better overall no?

Even doing something like this makes me cringe.. that motherboard just seems so... crappy... not saving much on memory, more points of failure.. dropping my power down even more so I feel like I am limited... I just don't feel good about this.. but still want to hear what you have to say about OPTION2 - Do not focus on this area.. Just curious what you think? - https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=17917549
 
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TheBigTroll

TheBigTroll

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Apr 15, 2012
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if you needed more usb3, you could just go with a different board than the h77m. a workstation board isnt needed and a bigger motherboard just means you get more expansion. if you arent going to use more than 7 slots, it wont do you any good

its not more reliable and 20 bucks is not a few bucks in psu terms

this SSD. price matchable again at ncix
http://www.adorama.com/IDSUP256SSD.html?utm_term=Other&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=Other&utm_source=cj_3938566

these ram sticks
http://us.ncix.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=77508&vpn=997070&manufacture=Mushkin%20Enhanced

ddr3 and gddr5 make a difference in gaming but wont do anything for what you are using it for
 
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saxamo

saxamo

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Aug 14, 2012
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okay.. so back to the ddr3 ( save 10 dollars ) the ssd is to close to the same price as the evo on newegg ( 13.00) difference.. the ram sticks are a good deal. I understand the point you are making the video card, so I have changed that. As far as the psu goes I like the modular one just enough to pay the extra.. Did you see officepc2 above? Just wanted your thoughts on that whole thing.. you have taught me well..

Last Item = Can you please suggest another better mobo with more usb ports? Just so I can see a comparison.. the server mobo is 176.99 so anything less is better.. even at 100.00

That processor will work on the mobo? - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121775
Thanks! We are almost done!

I found two motherboards that I think might work. Just going to wait for your approval or another suggestion. Thanks again!
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=17941074
 
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TheBigTroll

TheBigTroll

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link me to your second build.

13 dollars is a difference. buy it at ncix with the price match and the difference is larger. i dont see any reason not to buy from them. way better customer support and invoices are much more complete

do you seriously need more than 4 usb3 ports?
 
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saxamo

saxamo

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Aug 14, 2012
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I would like to if possible.. However, that board you have me purchasing is for the 1150, not 1155.. I have updated my list with 2 new boards. However, the intel board has some really bad reviews. Can you take a look at the MSI board in my list and tell me if that will be okay? Chances are I am going to buy everything from NCIX since last night when I did my price matches for the entire list it came up about 100 less. The one drive I used to have the pro ssd was on sale for 209, not like NE at 260+

Other Non Relevant Config - http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=17917549

Thanks!
 
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saxamo

saxamo

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Aug 14, 2012
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OKAY I have everything done! I am going to order everything from NCIX.. Should I give them your name?

Thanks so much for all your help. Those were tough negotiations ;) Thanks again for everything and taking the time to work with me. Much appreciation.

THANKS!
 
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