upgrading after 10 years!

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formula428

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Classic "looking to build another cpu" question here.

I do some audio recording, very little video, some intense excel workbooks (vba, thousands of lines of data), some CAD work and modeling, and minimal amount of games. I have 5 hdd, but I want to buy a SSD to run the OS, which I'll buy a copy of Win7. Also need a copy of Office 2013, too.

Believe it or not, I'm actually running a P4 3.2ghz single, agp 4x card, 1.5gb ram dual channel (i think it's 800mhz to match the fsb), 5 wd sata2 drives scaled down to sata1, with pci (not pci-e) expansion cards because my main board only had 2 ports. I do have a nice case (atx), and a 750w Corsair PSU with the 2x2 plug and maybe some pci-e leads. My display is 19" Samsung.

I'm think of using the psu and atx case, since the case is well vented because my current setup runs crazy hot...75c under moderate load. It appears my psu is relatively new, and I bought it in 2008. http://m.newegg.com/Product?itemNumber=N82E16817139006

I'm looking to spend $600 to $800 for hardware. I'm definitely thinking wd for my ssd, just because I've never had a wd drive fail ever. I'm also partial to gigabyte mainboards, since I've had good luck with a couple I built for friends. But, it doesn't have to be gb for the mobo.

Any suggestions? I5, i7? I was thinking the 3770 or 4770, just after reading articles, but I've been out of the loop for so long, I am not 100% sure. Ram I'd like to be 1600. I won't overclock anything, fyi. And I would like my system to run cool, especially since I don't have a/c.
 
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dustinhunt78

dustinhunt78

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I can put you something together in just a few minutes. I'm going to just build it to your specs, then we can talk about it and you can ask what questions you need to ask. I will explain my purpose in choosing which parts I use. Ok? Now, just give me a few minutes and I'll be back with your build. :)
 
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dustinhunt78

dustinhunt78

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PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3jiyq
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3jiyq/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3jiyq/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($168.94 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Other: office 2013 ($139.00)
Total: $742.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-30 19:25 EDT-0400)
 
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dustinhunt78

dustinhunt78

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For your SSD, I chose the Samsung 840 Evo. Look up some reviews and you will see that this is definitely the one that you want. You've been out of the game for 10 years. I don't even think Samsung was into computer parts back then! LOL They are at or very near the top in nearly everything that they make now. Also, I chose a 250GB SSD. This will easily hold your OS and in all likelihood all of your programs and the files associated with them. SSD's are unmatched when it comes to speed. Your OS, programs and files will load, save and transfer faster than you ever imagined.

For your application, the i5-4570 CPU will be more than enough. You definitely don't want the i7-3770, as that was last year's product. The 4770 replaced it, and if you were going for that range of product, you would pay just as much for the 3770 as you would the 4770. You really don't need it though and you will save over 100.00 by going with the VERY capable i5-4570.

Any other questions?
 
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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Don't include Microsoft Office as part of your budget, you can get Open Office for free ( http://www.openoffice.org/ )and it does the exact same functions. And no GPU? For video editing and even CAD work you need one. You also need a mass storage drive for heavy duty audio and video editing as well.
 
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dustinhunt78

dustinhunt78

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I want to hear more of getting Office 2013 for free! How do you go about that?
On the hard drive issue, he has 5 HDDs. So that's covered.
And about the GPU......I'm not really aware of the requirements when it comes to CAD. Your input here would be most welcomed.

Thanks!
 
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formula428

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I think the no gpu is ok for now...I mean, I'd have to be better off than my GeForce ti4 4x agp...right? Worst case, I buy another dedicated card down the road.

Is the psu ok? I remember they started that 12v 2x2 a long time ago. Are there any new connectors that I may not have?

I'm going to check out specifics on the components, and I really appreciate the help from everyone. I've definitely been out of the game for a while.

Out of curiosity, if I wanted to spend "more", what would be the improvement (besides a gpu)? In other words, out of this combo, what's the weakest link? Ram capacity? Cpu? Mobo chipset?
 
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dustinhunt78

dustinhunt78

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I was just reading back over this and noticed that you said "Open Office", NOT Office 2013! LOL And yes, I LOVE Open Office. My wife just informed me about it a little over a month ago. I haven't used it long, but it appears to me to be just as effective as Microsoft Office. Don't let Bill Gates know about it though. LOL God forbid he drops below 50 billion dollars net worth! :D
 
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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Yeah Open Office is great, it's all I ever use or need. No need to pay $130 when you do not have to.

I think the no gpu is ok for now...I mean, I'd have to be better off than my GeForce ti4 4x agp...right? Worst case, I buy another dedicated card down the road.

Is the psu ok? I remember they started that 12v 2x2 a long time ago. Are there any new connectors that I may not have?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure - I didn't see a PSU listed in that build. Intel HD video is incredibly slow though. Even a GTX 750TI will speed things up significantly. Try something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H87 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($91.48 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($85.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($149.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12G 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($80.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $788.38
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-30 22:45 EDT-0400)
 
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dustinhunt78

dustinhunt78

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You can typically count on Corsair to produce a quality product. I have always gotten good results from anything that I have ever purchased from them, thus my continuing to buy Corsair parts whenever that is an option.
 
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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Corsair makes some excellent products - their high end power supplies like the HX and AX series are great, RAM I've never had a problem with, their peripherals seem to get above average reviews, and their cases are definitely exceptional. However their low end power supplies - particularly the CX series - I've always had problems with and seen more than a few units fail on me, especially the CX430. I will never purchase these units again, instead I will opt for the low end Seasonic G series or the XFX Pro series.
 
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dustinhunt78

dustinhunt78

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I have never run into this problem, almost undoubtedly because I never opt for lower-end products. But before we go making assumptions about my "wealth", I feel the need to reassure you as well as thle other users here on Tom's that I am VERY poor! LOL Ok, I want say exactly "poor", but I certainly don't have an abundance of "wealth". Regarding my computer, however, I lhave always sought for high-end solutions. This is because I simply love computers and building them so very much. Also, whenever I go for a Corsair product, 99% of the time I do so because I want the best product available. This leads me to always purchase "upper-tier" products, which according to your pointing out that lower-end Corsair products are crap, keeps me from the poor Corsair products.

Anyway....that's my little take from it all. :D
 
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