- Aug 10, 2010
- 10
- 0
- 18,510
First time builder here. I’m heading into my second year of University (Electrical Engineering at Queen’s) and have decided that it is time to replace my old Inspiron 6000 (with a desktop). I’m excited to have this project in front of me, but need it to be completed soon, as school starts up in just a couple of weeks (eek).
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: ASAP (Preferably before August 16)
BUDGET RANGE: $1400 - $1900 (preferably around $1650) After Rebates
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Surfing the internet, listening to music, gaming (Starcraft II mostly, probably others down the road), MS Office, video calls, watching (1080p) movies, basic programming, music editing (most likely using professional grade software), photo/video editing (hobby, does not need to be professional grade), SolidEdge ST, SketchUp. Possible use as a media server.
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Speakers, mouse, keyboard, 1.5TB and 500GB removable HDs are on my desk waiting
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.ca (open to other reliable e-vendors, preferably Canadian)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada
PARTS PREFERENCES: Windows 7 (64 bit). I am leaning towards an Intel i7 Quad Core, unless you can convince me otherwise. Planning on dual monitors, so would need a video card that can support two 1080p’s (hopefully... if I can find a good deal). Not an expert on storage, but open to any solution, be it a single, larger hard drive with my two removable ones, two internal drives backing up to an external, RAID, or something else completely. Would like Bluetooth. Do not need (or want) a flashy case – prefer a plain, but functional, and preferably cheap case.
OVERCLOCKING: Yes
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080 (preferably)
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: As you can probably tell I am not very knowledgeable, but am very eager to learn. Quite flexible with the price range - I want a quality machine that will last me a couple of years at least (with occasional upgrades), but I will listen to your opinions if you feel I am spending too much for the machine’s intended purposes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I’ve been looking at the following parts so far, but I’m far from settled on anything yet.
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders – OEM
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754
Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80601930
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115225&cm_re=i7-_-19-115-225-_-Product
^ Seems good, but really have no idea what the difference is between this and the other options. I’ve done a whole lot of reading on this site on CPU’s, but... what is the difference between the Bloomfield and the Lynnfield (apart from their names)? I’ve read that the Bloomfield is supposed to be superior, but am not sure whether this is a matter of fact or opinion.
Two mobo’s below... obviously wouldn’t be getting both...
ASUS P7P55D LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131404
ASUS P6TD Deluxe LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131403
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365
XFX Radeon HD 5750 700MHZ 1GB 4.6GHZ GDDR5 2XDVI HDMI Display Port DIRECTX11 PCI-E Video Card
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=15180BD7820&vpn=HD575XZNFC&manufacture=XFX
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433
^2 internal HDs?
LG WH10LS30K 10X Blu-ray Burner - LightScribe Support - Bulk – OEM
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136181
LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD Burner - Bulk LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136168
APEX Vortex 3620 SGCC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Gaming Computer Case
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154098
APEX AL-D500EXP 500W ATX12V Power Supply
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817154026
Super Mini Bluetooth 2.0 Adapter Dongle (Vista Compatible)
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.11866
^ Is it a good idea to buy such a cheap device? Ideally I would like range to stretch through my house... and is a dongle the way to go? Or something internal...
I was also thinking of getting a lower end camcorder (such as the one below), and finding software to use it as a webcam for Skype, Messenger etc. The advantage of this for me would be that I could bring it around me as a camcorder as well, which would save me a chunk of money. Buying a camcorder and a new webcam would be redundant, no? Let me know if anyone here has tried / considered this.
Aluratek Ahdvc03f Cinecam 1080p HD Digital Video Camcorder With Touch LCD 5.0 Mega Pixels CMOS Sensor with 5X Optical Zoom & 20X Digital Zoom
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830251005
+ 2 monitors
So, there you have it. I would be using all of the above parts in the machine, save for the redundant motherboard. As it is now, it’ll run Windows 7 (x64) with an i7, 2 internal hard drives and 2 external, plus a Blu-Ray and DVD drive, 6 GB RAM, and graphics card... and I am open to SLI or Crossfire. Will my mobo be able to handle this? The space is a must for me – I’m already coming close to filling my 1.5 TB external, and would like to have ample room for expansion and backup.
Also, while going through my options, I began to feel concerned that I might be spending too much money. I do not need a supercomputer. As I’ve said above, I’m mainly going to just be using this build for browsing and office, with the occasional tinkering in ProTools, Photoshop, and 3D graphics programs like SolidEdge ST and SketchUp. If you think that I could opt for a less expensive part than I’ve used above, let me know.
Cheers, and I look forward to your responses,
Riley
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: ASAP (Preferably before August 16)
BUDGET RANGE: $1400 - $1900 (preferably around $1650) After Rebates
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Surfing the internet, listening to music, gaming (Starcraft II mostly, probably others down the road), MS Office, video calls, watching (1080p) movies, basic programming, music editing (most likely using professional grade software), photo/video editing (hobby, does not need to be professional grade), SolidEdge ST, SketchUp. Possible use as a media server.
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Speakers, mouse, keyboard, 1.5TB and 500GB removable HDs are on my desk waiting
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.ca (open to other reliable e-vendors, preferably Canadian)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada
PARTS PREFERENCES: Windows 7 (64 bit). I am leaning towards an Intel i7 Quad Core, unless you can convince me otherwise. Planning on dual monitors, so would need a video card that can support two 1080p’s (hopefully... if I can find a good deal). Not an expert on storage, but open to any solution, be it a single, larger hard drive with my two removable ones, two internal drives backing up to an external, RAID, or something else completely. Would like Bluetooth. Do not need (or want) a flashy case – prefer a plain, but functional, and preferably cheap case.
OVERCLOCKING: Yes
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080 (preferably)
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: As you can probably tell I am not very knowledgeable, but am very eager to learn. Quite flexible with the price range - I want a quality machine that will last me a couple of years at least (with occasional upgrades), but I will listen to your opinions if you feel I am spending too much for the machine’s intended purposes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I’ve been looking at the following parts so far, but I’m far from settled on anything yet.
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders – OEM
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754
Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80601930
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115225&cm_re=i7-_-19-115-225-_-Product
^ Seems good, but really have no idea what the difference is between this and the other options. I’ve done a whole lot of reading on this site on CPU’s, but... what is the difference between the Bloomfield and the Lynnfield (apart from their names)? I’ve read that the Bloomfield is supposed to be superior, but am not sure whether this is a matter of fact or opinion.
Two mobo’s below... obviously wouldn’t be getting both...
ASUS P7P55D LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131404
ASUS P6TD Deluxe LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131403
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365
XFX Radeon HD 5750 700MHZ 1GB 4.6GHZ GDDR5 2XDVI HDMI Display Port DIRECTX11 PCI-E Video Card
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=15180BD7820&vpn=HD575XZNFC&manufacture=XFX
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433
^2 internal HDs?
LG WH10LS30K 10X Blu-ray Burner - LightScribe Support - Bulk – OEM
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136181
LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD Burner - Bulk LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136168
APEX Vortex 3620 SGCC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Gaming Computer Case
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154098
APEX AL-D500EXP 500W ATX12V Power Supply
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817154026
Super Mini Bluetooth 2.0 Adapter Dongle (Vista Compatible)
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.11866
^ Is it a good idea to buy such a cheap device? Ideally I would like range to stretch through my house... and is a dongle the way to go? Or something internal...
I was also thinking of getting a lower end camcorder (such as the one below), and finding software to use it as a webcam for Skype, Messenger etc. The advantage of this for me would be that I could bring it around me as a camcorder as well, which would save me a chunk of money. Buying a camcorder and a new webcam would be redundant, no? Let me know if anyone here has tried / considered this.
Aluratek Ahdvc03f Cinecam 1080p HD Digital Video Camcorder With Touch LCD 5.0 Mega Pixels CMOS Sensor with 5X Optical Zoom & 20X Digital Zoom
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830251005
+ 2 monitors
So, there you have it. I would be using all of the above parts in the machine, save for the redundant motherboard. As it is now, it’ll run Windows 7 (x64) with an i7, 2 internal hard drives and 2 external, plus a Blu-Ray and DVD drive, 6 GB RAM, and graphics card... and I am open to SLI or Crossfire. Will my mobo be able to handle this? The space is a must for me – I’m already coming close to filling my 1.5 TB external, and would like to have ample room for expansion and backup.
Also, while going through my options, I began to feel concerned that I might be spending too much money. I do not need a supercomputer. As I’ve said above, I’m mainly going to just be using this build for browsing and office, with the occasional tinkering in ProTools, Photoshop, and 3D graphics programs like SolidEdge ST and SketchUp. If you think that I could opt for a less expensive part than I’ve used above, let me know.
Cheers, and I look forward to your responses,
Riley
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