Suggested builds for a basic computer that will have lots of room to grow

[Masai47]

I need a computer before college courses start and thought that it would be a great opportunity to try to put one together for myself (something I have never done) Unfortunately I am a completely out of the loop when it comes to current tech on the market, as well as to gaming which is something I want to try out.

I want to start with a system that I can get up and running for some basic tasks (browser with way more tabs than I should have open, word processing, media and maybe some specialized GIS software for school)

Could I just get a mother board and a processor with integrated graphics?

Later when I have some more money I want to be able to get some upgrades. Graphics card for gaming and second monitor, SSD.

I realize this is a weird combination of requests, bare-bones system that can grow into a decent gaming rig (upgrading from a netbook so decent does not have to be amazing to impress me). I also want something that at least for moderate home computer use will last a good number of years before becoming obsolete. A decent monitor as well. This problem would probably be simple if I just had lots of money t throw at it, sadly I do not.

I welcome any suggestions from just a general idea of what I should research and look into to a specific build suggestion. Also advice if you know anything about GIS or Statistical software and if I needs to be a consideration.

Final thoughts; cooling may be an issue since it gets beastly hot here and often wont be in air conditioning so dealing with 105F outside temps.

Thanks a lot.

 

[allanitomwesh]

Give a budget, It'll help. Integrated graphics will do the job for anything that isn't 3D or on a server. Dunno about GIS but quickbooks isn't dangerous.

 

[Masai47]

Just read the how to ask for advice thread and realized I should maybe follow that.

Approximate Purchase Date: This week.

Budget Range: <$650 for initial build + monitor (any savings here will go towards later upgrade)
Any savings + $200 to go towards upgrades such as a graphics card and SSD.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Online courses, Statistical/GIS software, gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies

Are you buying a monitor: Yes (something that will fit well with a second monitor bought at a later date)


Do you need to buy OS: Yes (I have been using Ubuntu exclusively for the last couple of years and enjoying it, I am afraid that some work applications might mean I need Windows (ease of use for gaming is side benefit of this). I could actually use OS advice if people have any (I don't know squat about windows post XP) I would also be planning on dual booting, if thats a consideration on the hardware side.


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Amazon.com, newegg.com, (I dont know what else is out there)

Location: Northern California rural, not big box stores near by.

Parts Preferences: I have been researching intel but would listen to a good argument for AMD

Overclocking: Maybe (no plans for anything outrageous but fiddling with bios settings sounds like fun)

SLI or Crossfire: No (cant think why)

Your Monitor Resolution: I have been using a 10" netbook for the last 4 years so am also looking for monitor advice. Will want to be able to get a second monitor at a later date.

Additional Comments: No bling, quieter is good, Case that might do better in hot dust environment would be a +

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Because I am tired of dealing with 10" of screen real estate and want to try playing some of the games that I have missed because they have come out in the last decade. Also school work

 

[Masai47]

Give a budget, It'll help. Integrated graphics will do the job for anything that isn't 3D or on a server. Dunno about GIS but quickbooks isn't dangerous.

Lets say $600 for basic system and monitor to start but with a good amount of flexibility (going both directions).

Once I have the basic system worked out I am open to suggestion as to how much money I need to save so I can upgrade it into an acceptable gaming rig.

Thinking less quickbooks and more SPSS and R, but I think compared to modern games and to photo/video editing it should not be a problem.

 

[allanitomwesh]

monitor and os are $200 .
A decent box is $400.
Let's just work with the $650

 

[allanitomwesh]

motherboard http://newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128539
CPU http://newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115077
ram http://newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253
hdd http://newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236067
psu http://newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151074
burner http://newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289
case http://newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129181
windows http://newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986
monitor http://newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824116565

 

[Masai47]

Thanks for the advice. Just so I can learn from you, why are you choosing some of those products?
Why DDR2 memory when I could get DDR3 for the same price (and maybe even 8GB) e.g. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231445

In terms of future proofing, would it make sense to spend more money on a newer mother board?

Same with the CPU, what are the sacrifices by going with the i3 rather than the i5 (and what are benefits of Ivy Bridge).

I know these things would add considerably to the budget.

 

[allanitomwesh]

sorry,bad link,you'll need DDR 3 ram
All those sacrifices we're to stay in budget. Storage is expensive, but 320g is good for documents and the like,a couple of movies,nothing bulky.
Jumping to an i5 will yeild largely significant multitasking improvement (less lag with more programs running) due to more processor cores
Don't be fooled,the board I chose is Intel's latest budget board.Again if you have more money,a z77 board comes with native ivy bridge support and Intel's latest bells and whistles.
I'm not considering amd,the performance to value is poor.
Ivy bridge has the advantages of cooler,less power, and more powerful(slightly but then,at less power mind you) and support for latest motherboard features straight out the box.

*fixed the link*

 

[Masai47]

Storage is something that I will deal with later so that is fine to start. (I have spent the last few years with <40GB SSD on a netbook and juggling some externals, its been a nomadic life)

Knowing it will break the budget, what would you recommend in terms of best bang for the buck, for a Z77 motherboard and i5 processor? I am trying to think about having this be a computer that will hold up well over time (maybe not to gaming but to everything else) and where needed be easy to upgrade in terms of adding SSD, graphics card, multiple HDDs.

If I was to look at a graphics card a couple months from now what would you suggest?

Thanks

 

[allanitomwesh]

Z77 is excellent, especially efforts by gigabyte in the ud3 and asrock in the extreme 4
I would suggest core i5 3450,or even better i7 3770 (or it's K equivalent with overclocking) ,there's other i5's and i7s but they don't warrant their cost.
You get upto raid 10 for hdd's and ssd caching too with z77 and multiple graphics slots and immense ram,USB 3 and even Thunderbolt for a premium. Doubt you need all the oomph,but knowing it's there is sweet.
Seeing as 1080p is the new sweet spot resolution I recommend the HD7850/gtx 570 or higher. Higher resolution, stronger card

 

[Masai47]

Can I ask why you say the i5 3570 is not worth the extra cost? Whats the difference between Intel Graphics 2500 and 4000? Does 3570K have any additional value or just the ability to overclock? i7 is definitely out of my budget but I might be able to spring for an i5 if it is worth it.

I assume you mean this for the asrock:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293

Could you give me an example of a good gigabyte board. (I might be blind to ud3)

 

[allanitomwesh]

Intel integrated graphics is the graphics built into the CPU by intel,for hd movies and browser graphics etc.It's not amazing,at best plays light games at medium,higher is better.
If you look at the two i5's specifications you'll see you get pretty much the same thing. One is $20 cheaper and neither can overclock(unlike the K version)
yes that's the asrock board
http://newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128544
the ud3
http://newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128552
and the premium sniper 3. Asrock have the extreme 9 and Asus the sabertooth and Rampage lines.

 

[Masai47]

Is it worth getting the i5 3570?

One question about the ud3, does it have the turbo boost technology for the i5? (or is it kind of a gimmick?)

 

[azeem40]

I'd rather get the 3450 or 3470.

 

[allanitomwesh]

Turbo boost raises clock speed slightly when the processor is at 100% load to maintain performance. I doubt you'll torture an i5. It's not something you switch on. Yes,all z77 boards have turbo boost.

 

[Masai47]

I'd rather get the 3450 or 3470.

For my own education, other than saving $20-30, why?

 

[azeem40]

You won't see a difference between them. They are essentially the same.

 

[allanitomwesh]

For my own education, other than saving $20-30, why?

Because non K processors don't overclock,and the two are identical,it's a no brainer.

 

[Masai47]

So right now my thoughts are looking something like this:

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129181

Motherboard: One of the following
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293
Asus P8Z77-V LK http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131837
Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131837

CPU: Something in the i5 ivy bridge line (looking for a good argument of one over the other, I dont know enough to be immune to marketing hype)

Memory: 2x4GB for $57 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231445 (I have not really researched this one)

Storage: Recommendations for a solid 1TB drive that would also work well for a later upgrade with a second HDD for RAID.

PSU: What do I need with the above choices that would also allow for growth into a decent GPU and additional HDDs (also that will work well with the case)


Advice for later upgrade when I have a bit more money and want to start gaming:

GPU: ???

SSD: ???

additional cooling?


Thanks for helping a lost soul out.

 

[Masai47]

Because non K processors don't overclock,and the two are identical,it's a no brainer.

I mean why i5 3470 over i5 3570K

 

[azeem40]

You said i5-3570 earlier. In that case, get the 3570k and a Z77 Pro3.

 

[allanitomwesh]

Glad you liked the case,but since we're raising budget ...
motherboard http://newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128544
CPU http://newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116506
ram http://newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231417
hdd http://newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
psu http://newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151106
burner http://newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289
case http://newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811345012
monitor http://newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236205
windows http://newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Software+-+Operating+Systems-_-Microsoft-_-32116986
For the graphics card I say cross that bridge when you get there,however @$240 I recommend the hd7850
As for the ssd,240gb mushkin chronos deluxe @$200

 

[Masai47]

Glad you liked the case,but since we're raising budget ...

case http://newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811345012

Why the change in case? also it looks to be out of stock.

Will the PSU suggested work well with the Antec?

 

[allanitomwesh]

Yes it will,as long as a psu is atx it'll fit
The change in case is for various reasons,mainly looks,space and finish quality. Although the antec is a good choice,it has alot of cost cutting measures(not nearly as many as generic cheaper ones mind) but basically it's built to work. With the new case you get premium quality and less hassle building your PC,plus it's pretty.

 

[Masai47]

Yes it will,as long as a psu is atx it'll fit
The change in case is for various reasons,mainly looks,space and finish quality. Although the antec is a good choice,it has alot of cost cutting measures(not nearly as many as generic cheaper ones mind) but basically it's built to work. With the new case you get premium quality and less hassle building your PC,plus it's pretty.

Too bad the BitFenix is out of stock.

I have been looking at PSU and I am wondering if I really need a $110 PSU or if is an area where I can save a bit of money. I dont know what I am looking at (other than an overwhelming number of options with mostly good reviews)