Greeting,
I am a first time builder, but ever since my friend recommended that I build a computer rather than buy one, I am very much obsessed and excited about my first build. I have spent the greater part of the month, reading reviews, posts and articles on what parts to get for my computer. I have reached a point where I need some outside advice other than my friend and the IT guy at my office.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Please remember that the components inside a computer are pretty new to me, so if I used any computer terms or slang incorrectly, be sure make fun of me and laugh at my expense J
Current Computer:
· Windows XP Professional
· Dell DXP051
· CPU: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs)
· Ram: 2x -1GB DDR2-SDRAM (PC2-4200/533 MHZ)
· Video: NVIDIA GeForce 7300 LE (512.0 MB)
· Capture: TVT3CR: Angel II MPEG Device
· Hard Drive: 320G, S2, 7.2K, 16M Lead Free, WD-RAD
· Motherboard is Unknown.
How I Want To Use My New Computer (Most to Least Important)
· Office Applications (most important because it’s how I pay for this damn thing) and other basic computer usage: music, internet, etc
· Connect in High Quality HD to my Primary LCD TV
· Stream Video
· Stream Video through router to PS3 or remote stream to Air Video App.
· Video Conversion to Different Formats (trim or edit out unneeded parts of video)
· Capture HD and SD Video from my DVR or Digital Cable Box with ultimate goal of remote viewing (otherwise I will just buy a Slingbox)
· Store Large HD Files
· Use as primary DVR if I can capture 2 simultaneous shows from cable box in quality HD Video.
·
Additional Needs:
Multitasking: Running office applications, accessing work through terminal server, listen to music or surfing the Internet while capturing or converting video.
Quite: My Computer is also in my bedroom, and I like to run tasks while I sleep. With that said, a quiet machine is ideal.
Future Proof for Expansion or Upgrades.
What I am Not:
· Not a gamer
· No SLI or Crossfire
· Not an Overclocker (Turbo Boost Technology will do my overclocking for me)
· Use DVD’s or BlueRays. I download or get all my media from a HD DVR Box.
What I don’t need:
· Keyboard
· Mouse
· Speakers
· Monitor
· Another Dell
Budget
I wouldn’t consider myself a middle high-end purchaser. Currently my build is under $1,000, would like to keep it around this, but willing to go a couple hundred higher if needed. Instead of buying cheaper alternatives, I would rather the essentials for boot up and add parts after my bank account upgrades a month or two later.
Desired Purchase Date: mid May to early June (happy 30th Birthday to me)
Parts Preference: No Preference as long as they have a track record of quality parts.
Desired Location: Newegg appears to be the best priced, but will branch out if better price is available.
Location: Arizona
My Selected Build
Intel Core i5-750 – $199
Since I don’t overclock, I think the Turbo Boost Technology would be perfect.
Motherboard – $155.49
ASUS P7P55D-E LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131620
Includes a USB 3.0 and SATA 6.0.for future upgrades, and discounted if you buy it with an i5-750 and video card below.
Video Card - $135.49 after Rebate (Another $34.98 off when paired with CPU and MOB)
VGA 01G-P3-1158-TR GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130514
It is part of the rebate package, but willing to change if someone has a better suggestion.
Memory - $110 or so
G.Skill Ripjaws (2x-2GB)
For a newbie, the G Skill Ripjaws appear to be the most recommended and discussed on message boards. Aesthetically, they look pretty cool as well. However, how many different versions of the same size RAM does one company need to make? Which one do I chose? Also, will 4 GB get me up and running few for about 6 months or is it worth it to expand to 8 or 16 GB?
Hard Drive: $74.99
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284
1 TB is a must for my media files, but I will also get a smaller drive for my boot drive.
Case: $139.99 ($-20.00 if paired with HD)
NZXT Zero Black/Silver Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case
Size, aesthetics and noise output are the main factors for me here. It appears this had all of them, and at a discount if paired with hard drive.
PSU: $39.99
ORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008
No idea on what power I need. I am going to have to get a second opinion to see if this is enough power. It had good reviews.
Operating System: $99.99
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders
Total Before Tax: $898.96
Thanks in advance for any advice, I look forward to hearing from the experts.
I am a first time builder, but ever since my friend recommended that I build a computer rather than buy one, I am very much obsessed and excited about my first build. I have spent the greater part of the month, reading reviews, posts and articles on what parts to get for my computer. I have reached a point where I need some outside advice other than my friend and the IT guy at my office.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Please remember that the components inside a computer are pretty new to me, so if I used any computer terms or slang incorrectly, be sure make fun of me and laugh at my expense J
Current Computer:
· Windows XP Professional
· Dell DXP051
· CPU: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs)
· Ram: 2x -1GB DDR2-SDRAM (PC2-4200/533 MHZ)
· Video: NVIDIA GeForce 7300 LE (512.0 MB)
· Capture: TVT3CR: Angel II MPEG Device
· Hard Drive: 320G, S2, 7.2K, 16M Lead Free, WD-RAD
· Motherboard is Unknown.
How I Want To Use My New Computer (Most to Least Important)
· Office Applications (most important because it’s how I pay for this damn thing) and other basic computer usage: music, internet, etc
· Connect in High Quality HD to my Primary LCD TV
· Stream Video
· Stream Video through router to PS3 or remote stream to Air Video App.
· Video Conversion to Different Formats (trim or edit out unneeded parts of video)
· Capture HD and SD Video from my DVR or Digital Cable Box with ultimate goal of remote viewing (otherwise I will just buy a Slingbox)
· Store Large HD Files
· Use as primary DVR if I can capture 2 simultaneous shows from cable box in quality HD Video.
·
Additional Needs:
Multitasking: Running office applications, accessing work through terminal server, listen to music or surfing the Internet while capturing or converting video.
Quite: My Computer is also in my bedroom, and I like to run tasks while I sleep. With that said, a quiet machine is ideal.
Future Proof for Expansion or Upgrades.
What I am Not:
· Not a gamer
· No SLI or Crossfire
· Not an Overclocker (Turbo Boost Technology will do my overclocking for me)
· Use DVD’s or BlueRays. I download or get all my media from a HD DVR Box.
What I don’t need:
· Keyboard
· Mouse
· Speakers
· Monitor
· Another Dell
Budget
I wouldn’t consider myself a middle high-end purchaser. Currently my build is under $1,000, would like to keep it around this, but willing to go a couple hundred higher if needed. Instead of buying cheaper alternatives, I would rather the essentials for boot up and add parts after my bank account upgrades a month or two later.
Desired Purchase Date: mid May to early June (happy 30th Birthday to me)
Parts Preference: No Preference as long as they have a track record of quality parts.
Desired Location: Newegg appears to be the best priced, but will branch out if better price is available.
Location: Arizona
My Selected Build
Intel Core i5-750 – $199
Since I don’t overclock, I think the Turbo Boost Technology would be perfect.
Motherboard – $155.49
ASUS P7P55D-E LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131620
Includes a USB 3.0 and SATA 6.0.for future upgrades, and discounted if you buy it with an i5-750 and video card below.
Video Card - $135.49 after Rebate (Another $34.98 off when paired with CPU and MOB)
VGA 01G-P3-1158-TR GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130514
It is part of the rebate package, but willing to change if someone has a better suggestion.
Memory - $110 or so
G.Skill Ripjaws (2x-2GB)
For a newbie, the G Skill Ripjaws appear to be the most recommended and discussed on message boards. Aesthetically, they look pretty cool as well. However, how many different versions of the same size RAM does one company need to make? Which one do I chose? Also, will 4 GB get me up and running few for about 6 months or is it worth it to expand to 8 or 16 GB?
Hard Drive: $74.99
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284
1 TB is a must for my media files, but I will also get a smaller drive for my boot drive.
Case: $139.99 ($-20.00 if paired with HD)
NZXT Zero Black/Silver Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case
Size, aesthetics and noise output are the main factors for me here. It appears this had all of them, and at a discount if paired with hard drive.
PSU: $39.99
ORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008
No idea on what power I need. I am going to have to get a second opinion to see if this is enough power. It had good reviews.
Operating System: $99.99
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders
Total Before Tax: $898.96
Thanks in advance for any advice, I look forward to hearing from the experts.