I'm ready to make a major upgrade to my main computer--replacing mobo, processor, memory as required. I'm motivated by need for increased virtualization support. While I had planned to wait until next Spring, I need to reinstall Windows now because something has gone wonky so I decided to upgrade the hardware at the same time.
My biggest questions are: which motherboard and which memory? And is it wise to trust a 5-yr old power supply or should I replace it?
Approximate Purchase Date: (in two weeks)
Budget Range: $1,000 - $1,200
System Usage from Most to Least Important: software development and management, websites, web surfing, computer maintenance (so need lots of connection options), Lightroom, Photohsop, virtualization (Virtual XP, VirtualBox), listening to radio broadcasts
Parts Not Required: keyboard (IBM Type "M"), mouse (Wacom Intous4 & Logitech wired), monitor (Dell U2711 and old ViewSonic), speakers, OS (Windows 7 Ultimate), case (Antec P180), power supply (Seasonic SS-650HT, now 5 yrs old), display adapter (PowerColor AX5750 SCS3 - Radeon), optical (1) & hard (6 1TB drives) & SSD (OCZ Vertex 4 256GB)
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I like newegg and have used others
Country: US
Parts Preferences:
CPU: Intel i7-3770
Mobo: I have most experience with Asus mobos and have been pleased with them. But which one? Probably Z77 chip?
Mobo minimum requirements: 12+ SATA including some SATA 6, 2 eSATA, USB 2&3, 1-2 gigabit NIC, 1 modem, 1 firewire
Memory desired: 16GB, maybe 32 GB
Heat sink: I want an extremely quiet heat sink and will look to SPCR for their thoughts
Overclocking: No
SLI or Crossfire: No
Monitor Resolution: Now have: 2560 x 1440 (Dell U2711 primary), 1280x1024 (secondary, will probably replace with higher res monitor within a year)
Additional Comments: Want a PC as near to completely silent as possible. I cannot hear my current computer and want to keep it that way.
My biggest questions are: which motherboard and which memory? And is it wise to trust a 5-yr old power supply or should I replace it?
Approximate Purchase Date: (in two weeks)
Budget Range: $1,000 - $1,200
System Usage from Most to Least Important: software development and management, websites, web surfing, computer maintenance (so need lots of connection options), Lightroom, Photohsop, virtualization (Virtual XP, VirtualBox), listening to radio broadcasts
Parts Not Required: keyboard (IBM Type "M"), mouse (Wacom Intous4 & Logitech wired), monitor (Dell U2711 and old ViewSonic), speakers, OS (Windows 7 Ultimate), case (Antec P180), power supply (Seasonic SS-650HT, now 5 yrs old), display adapter (PowerColor AX5750 SCS3 - Radeon), optical (1) & hard (6 1TB drives) & SSD (OCZ Vertex 4 256GB)
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I like newegg and have used others
Country: US
Parts Preferences:
CPU: Intel i7-3770
Mobo: I have most experience with Asus mobos and have been pleased with them. But which one? Probably Z77 chip?
Mobo minimum requirements: 12+ SATA including some SATA 6, 2 eSATA, USB 2&3, 1-2 gigabit NIC, 1 modem, 1 firewire
Memory desired: 16GB, maybe 32 GB
Heat sink: I want an extremely quiet heat sink and will look to SPCR for their thoughts
Overclocking: No
SLI or Crossfire: No
Monitor Resolution: Now have: 2560 x 1440 (Dell U2711 primary), 1280x1024 (secondary, will probably replace with higher res monitor within a year)
Additional Comments: Want a PC as near to completely silent as possible. I cannot hear my current computer and want to keep it that way.