Some general question from a first time builder...

[A2Z]

1. If I plan on having 2 LCD monitors in the future is it best to have 2 DVI ports?

2. Do integrated graphics on mobos ever have 2 DVI ports? I don't need radically great graphics.....this machine is not for gaming but for audio production.

3. Is a cheap case OK if it will not be moved much at all and does have a 120mm fan for good cooling? What are some 'best bang for you buck' type cases in the, say, $20-40 range?

4. Is a micro ATX mobo fine in a ATX mid tower case?

5. Do you lose anything going from a regular mobo to a micro mobo?

6. What is a sufficient power supply if I have integrated graphics, quad processor @3GHz, 2 internal hard drives? If one hard drive is external does that make a big difference?

More as I think of them? THANKS!!

 

[WR2]

1. I think an all digital DVI and HDMI is a better option than dual DVI.
2. Not usually - but you can find DVI & HDMI.
3. A budget case will get the job done.
4. No problems at all there.
5. Not always. With some you loose some upgrade options like a 2nd video card slot.
6. A good 300-400W PSU would be plenty.

 

[A2Z]

Thanks WR2.....so for #1....your primary monitor gets connected via the DVI and the second monitor via HDMI?

 

[WR2]

Any of your monitors have speakers? Use HDMI to hook that one up. Otherwise it doesn't make any difference.
If you don't have a HDMI monitor there are HDMI to DVI adapters available for about $10.

COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 is a good looking $40 case.
An external HDD won't raise any issues that you need to worry about. A low power external (Seagate FreeAgent Go for example) can be powered off the USB ports.

 

[ares1214]

generally, monitors with integrated audio get hdmi, and ones without get dvi. although, unless things have changed, i believe dvi can output 16.2 million colours, where as hdmi can output 16.7 million colors. but they are basically the same, just hdmi has audio and video all in one cable. and as far as 20-40 $ cases, along with the one WR2 recommended, these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147144

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147120

 

[A2Z]

great. and while I have and 'addicts' attention should I strongly consider getting a mobo w/ usb 3.0 and sata 6.0 for 'future proofing'? thx!!

 

[ares1214]

hey, vets count too! :lol: but no, not strongly. however, most boards with amd, and a decent amount with intel already have usb 3.0 and sata 6 already, so you might as well. sata 6 is entirely useless unless you are doing a RAID 0 setup with ssds, with im assuming you arent. usb will actually be useful, however there are very few devices that currently use it. do you know what cpu you are getting?

 

[A2Z]

hey.....vets, addicts.....all good for a 'youngster' to glean knowledge from!! was thinking either athlon II or phenom II quad. thoughts? thx!! probably this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103702 ] AMD Athlon II X4 635 Propus 2.9GHz [/url]

 

[ares1214]

are u doing more gaming than anything else?

 

[jsc]

6. What is a sufficient power supply if I have integrated graphics, quad processor @3GHz, 2 internal hard drives? If one hard drive is external does that make a big difference?

To power a computer with integrated graphics or a low spec video card, I like the Corsair 400CX (30 amp 12 volt rail):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

It's my favorite sub-500 watt PSU.

Full sized external drives have their own power source. And laptop sized external drives pull an insignificant amount of power.

And while you are waiting for your parts to arrive, look at this thread:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-read-posting-boot-problems

The first part of it contains a checklist that may prevent you from making any of the more common noobish mistakes.

 

[A2Z]

should just post this....from my other question. this is going to be a music production machine only. i think multi-core can be utilized well by music production software....and plenty of memory will be a big thing.....but can always be added over time.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: within a week

BUDGET RANGE: may not buy all at once....have to spread it out some...working on case/psu/mb/cpu right now.....~$400

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: just dedicated audio production machine

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: not getting hd/memory/drives/monitor/os yet

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES: AMD

OVERCLOCKING: maybe, not too radical
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: doesn't matter

MONITOR RESOLUTION: no concern yet, would like dual monitor capability in the mb

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: i think I can go pretty cheap on the case?

So for the case/psu/mb/cpu I have the following:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811147116 ] Rosewill FB-02 Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
[/url]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371016 ] Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power [/url]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131646 ] ASUS M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 [/url]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103702 ] AMD Athlon II X4 635 Propus 2.9GHz [/url]

Total from newegg: ~$310, maybe could then throw in 4GB DDR3 for ~$100.

 

[ares1214]

To power a computer with integrated graphics or a low spec video card, I like the Corsair 400CX (30 amp 12 volt rail):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

It's my favorite sub-500 watt PSU.

Full sized external drives have their own power source. And laptop sized external drives pull an insignificant amount of power.

And while you are waiting for your parts to arrive, look at this thread:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-read-posting-boot-problems

The first part of it contains a checklist that may prevent you from making any of the more common noobish mistakes.

the 400CX isnt my favorite sub 500 watt psu, considering it can put out more power than a lot of 600 watt psu :lol:

 

[A2Z]

'll throw another question out there......am I going to notice much difference between the AMD 880 and 890 chipsets? mobo actually seems to be the most difficult thing to pin down on best bang for your buck.......

 

[ares1214]

it depends, are u talking about 880g vs 890gx?

 

[A2Z]

well.....not sure I guess? I do want integrated graphics......is that what you are referring to?

 

[ares1214]

yes, those both have integrated graphics. the 880g has a 4250 as integrated graphics, and the 890gx has a 4290. that is the main difference, along with the 890gx usually having more pci e slots and features.

 

[A2Z]

noticeable difference in graphics quality? esp if I'm not gaming with it?

 

[ares1214]

if your not gaming, you wont notice any difference.

 

[A2Z]

thx so much for all the help verterans and addicts!!