First Build in Years(!)

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PPBart

Member
I need something faster than the current aging desktop in my home office and would like to try building my own again (last build was probably 10 yrs ago). I've been reading/researching to try to get some understanding of what's available, good, bad, etc., and so far I've put together this list of components:

MB: ASUS P8B75-M/CSM LGA 1155 Intel B75 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX
CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 Quad-Core Processor 3.2 GHz 4 Core LGA 1155 - BX80637I53470
PSU: Corsair CX600
HDD: WD Blue 1TB WD10EZEX
RAM: 8GB DDR3 1600 (brand?)
CASE: Antec One (?)
OS: Win7
Monitor: 21" (brand?)
Other: DVD/Blueray drives

I'm not a gamer but the grandkids do some kiddie games (Sesame Street is about the most demanding right now). My uses include standard MS Office applications, basic photo editting, internet browsing, youtube videos, etc.

Comments/suggestions?
 
spirit

spirit

Moderator
Staff member
Looks fine but you're using a processor and motherboard combination which is coming up to two years old. Look at an H87 motherboard and an i5 4440 or an i5 4670 now since they are the newest.

RAM wise for an office build it doesn't really matter what brand you get. Just get whatever's cheapest. Samsung, G.Skill, Patriot, Crucial, Corsair, Kingston and so on are good.

BenQ, ASUS, Samsung, Acer, Dell and Iiyama make good monitors. I always use Iiyama myself. Not sure where in the world you are located, but you can definitely get Iiyama in the UK! You might want to consider 23" or 24", but make sure the resolution is at least 1920x1080.

The power supply you've chosen is a good one, but you don't need 600 watts if you're not going to have a graphics card. If you don't intend to buy a GPU right now but might want one later, then it's a good idea to get the 600W, but if you never intend to get a GPU save your money and get the CX430M. You should get the CXM series because they are semi-modular, meaning you've have less cable clutter.
 
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PPBart

Member
spirit said:
...Look at an H87 motherboard and an i5 4440 or an i5 4670 now since they are the newest.

...Not sure where in the world you are located... consider 23" or 24", but make sure the resolution is at least 1920x1080.

...don't need 600 watts if you're not going to have a graphics card...
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info on mb/cpu -- I'll consider those options, too.

As for location, I'm in US (Louisiana). Not sure if the larger monitor will fit the intended spot, but I'll make sure about the resolution.

I've got the PSU already -- just installed it in the older system now in use, intention is to swap it over when needed.
 
spirit

spirit

Moderator
Staff member
OK all sounds good. Definitely get the H87 board and the newer CPUs!

You should be able to get 1080p with 21". I forgot to say in my last post that LG also make some nice monitors which are affordable. :good:
 
D

daisymtc

Active Member
You can also consider A10-7850K with A88X mobo.

Which Case are you using? Do you mean Antec P183? That is quite large...
If you like that style, have a look at Fractal Design Define R4.

RAM - You could go something slightly faster. The cost is not much more over DDR3 1600. But it depends on what mobo you end up with.
 
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PPBart

Member
spirit said:
He's using the Antec One.
Click to expand...

Actually, I'm undecided about the case. Some features I want are front USB 3 ports, at least two internal 3.5" bays and two external 5.25" bays, basic cable management capabilities and max case height cannot exceed 18.75". As for the design, clean and simple -- I'm not impressed with windows and lighted fans, but neither would I disqualify a case for having them. As for budget, want to stay under $100. Still looking...
 
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PPBart

Member
spirit said:
Look at the Corsair Carbide 300R, or maybe the 200R if space is an issue.
Click to expand...

I did look at those, and both are attractive cases -- however, according to specs on NewEgg, both are 19"(+) tall. The location where the PC must sit has an obstruction at 18.875" which the case must fit under, hence the height limitation.

One possibility I've found is the Rosewill CHALLENGER-U3 Black -- it seems to meet the critical specs.

Actually, I seriously considered just reusing the case of the old PC I'll be replacing. It is still in good shape, strong steel construction, meets all the desired specs except for no cable management, USB2 ports and audio ports which don't work at all. The USB and audio ports are mounted on a small panel at the bottom of the front, totally inaccessible without removing the internal cages (which looks like more trouble than worth!).
 
spirit

spirit

Moderator
Staff member
You might be better off getting mATX case. Will the Fractal Design Core 1000 fit?

Just having a look at the board you've chosen and I'm pretty sure it's mATX, so you should be good to go with an mATX case.
 
Twiki

Twiki

Active Member
I'd recommend at least a 128 bit video card in your build since you have photo editing and videos. Trust me, the on chip graphics just isn't very good and you'll save yourself some eye strain. I have three Intel CPUs and none of them are giving me decent graphics.

But if you are getting Haswell CPU then maybe its graphics will be decent enough for you.
 
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PPBart

Member
Update on the build...

My final configuration is a bit different from what I initially planned. I did stay with the Antec One case and WD 1TB HDD, but got a good deal from a local source on an ASUS H87M-Plus motherboard and Intel i5-4570.

I ordered the case and HDD from Amazon -- arrived yesterday without any problem or damage. I had planned to reuse a DVDRW drive from the old PC, but decided to order a new ASUS DVD drive, due in tomorrow.

The MB/CPU and HDD are in the case, no problems so far. The Antec case is indeed lightweight (much lighter steel than the old case), but it seems sturdy enough, and fit/finish is fine. Anyway, I don't plan on moving the PC around much. Hope to have the system running tomorrow (gotta work this afternoon/evening). I'm gonna see how the onboard graphics look before deciding on a graphics card.
 
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Twiki

Twiki

Active Member
I hope the graphics is good enough for you but I'll bet you'll get a video card. :D

The graphics on the CPU is HD4600 which is like old and only 64bit. I put an HD6670 1gig 128bit DDR3 and it was like getting new glasses.

Later I upgraded to an HD7770 1gig 128bit GDDR5 in my i5 system and put the HD6670 in my i3 system. Now they both have good graphics and the one in my i5 system is faster, nearly doubled the frame rate.
 
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PPBart

Member
OK, new system is up and running!

Case: Antec One
M'brd: Asus H87M-Plus
CPU: i5-4570
DDR3: 4 GB 1333
HDD: WD 1 TB WD10EXEX
DVDRW: Asus
OS: Win 7 Home Premium

System is much faster than what it replaces. The Antec case makes a good looking PC, and even with both side panels off the three fans are almost noiseless. Yes, the case fans look cheap and might not last long; just have to wait and see.

One question: I noticed that the CPU runs at 95-97F. Is that a normal range?
 
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Twiki

Twiki

Active Member
That's good temp if it's F. At first I thought it was 95-97C and I freaked. LOL

How's the graphics?
 
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PPBart

Member
Twiki said:
...How's the graphics?
Click to expand...

As you predicted, rather weak -- WEI score is 5.0 for graphics (lowest item). Now I suppose I should consider what graphics card to add -- my needs are Office applications, email, internet, YouTube, videos (Amazon Prime), not a gamer.
 
Twiki

Twiki

Active Member
I have the same needs so I did good with an HD6670 but I upgraded to an HD7770 which was faster and matched my CPU better. Get what you want as long it's at least 128 bit.

I promise you once you get the video card you'll never look back. In fact it's easier on your eyes which is what I found out. I never liked onboard graphics, then and now.
 
claptonman

claptonman

New Member
PPBart said:
As you predicted, rather weak -- WEI score is 5.0 for graphics (lowest item). Now I suppose I should consider what graphics card to add -- my needs are Office applications, email, internet, YouTube, videos (Amazon Prime), not a gamer.
Click to expand...

You do not need a video card. WEI is unreliable and not needed. If everything works for you, don't waste your money.
 
P

PPBart

Member
spirit said:
...don't buy a graphics card just to raise your WEI score...Onboard graphics are...fine... bar... photo and video editing.
Click to expand...

LOL! I'd never heard of the WEI score before I found this forum... Is that some sort of bragging issue for computer geeks? It's an interesting feature, but I would not base any upgrade decisions on just that <G>.

However, as I mentioned in my original post, I do some photo editing, probably will do more in future, especially with a more capable system. So, maybe a graphics card will be an appropriate upgrade (I put a HD6670 on my Amazon wish list, just to keep it in mind).

More likely first, though, is a new monitor. When I first started the system up I connected a spare TV thru the HDMI port (mostly out of curiosity) -- it worked fine, but was much too large for my desk (30" screen). Currently the system has an old Optiquest Q19wb (what was on the prior PC) connected thru the VGA port. I think 24" screen would probably be the max usable.
 
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