Not another build thread.

[FXB]

I have to build a computer for my friend. Budget is 800$ for the PC. I haven't been keeping up to date with the latest tech.

This rig needs to be quiet, future proof and able to run Microsoft office, publisher and photoshop.

Here's what I had in mind.

Case CoolerMaster CM690II
CPU ivy bridge i5 no need for Over clocking
PSU Modular PSU. Suggestions?
RAM 8gb
HDD WD 1TB DATA, WD 1TB backup
MOBO: something compatible maybe a z77 with decent integrated GPU. Might need a GPU to properly run photoshop.

 

[nuketown]

I have to build a computer for my friend. Budget is 800$ for the PC. I haven't been keeping up to date with the latest tech.

This rig needs to be quiet, future proof and able to run microsoft publisher and photoshop.

Here's what I had in mind.

Case CoolerMaster CM690II
CPU ivy bridge i5
PSU suggestions?
RAM 8gb
HDD 1TB DATA, 1TB backup small SSd for software/OS.
MOBO: something compatible maybe a z68? with decent integrated GPU.

I'd go for a 1TB drive and partition it, unless you really need the data.

Skip on the SSD, and go for a Video Card! Maybe nVidia 540?

Mobo: Go for the Z77

 

[Virssagòn]

cooler master gx650 is a good psu, and good enough for your system

 

[spirit]

I have to build a computer for my friend. Budget is 800$ for the PC. I haven't been keeping up to date with the latest tech.

This rig needs to be quiet, future proof and able to run microsoft publisher and photoshop.

Here's what I had in mind.

Case CoolerMaster CM690II
CPU ivy bridge i5
PSU suggestions?
RAM 8gb
HDD 1TB DATA, 1TB backup small SSd for software/OS.
MOBO: something compatible maybe a z68? with decent integrated GPU.

Here's what I suggest to you.

Firstly don't buy a Cooler Master PSU, they're not very good. For a system like his a Corsair CX 500 or a CX 600 would be fine, or something like an Antec Neo 520W. Anything from Corsair, XFX, Seasonic, Antec, OCZ or PC P&C would be fine.

I'd go for an i5 3570K processor and also get a Cooler Master Hyper 212+ to go along with it and then overclock the 3570K to beyond 4.0GHz, maybe 4.2GHz. Z68 is the previous generation chipset now, go for Z77. Something like this would be good if you want future-proofing http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128544&Tpk=ga-z77x-ud3h (there are cheaper alternatives too). The board and CPU both support integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics, which are fine.

8GB of RAM sounds good, go for DDR3 1600MHz and get 2x4GB DIMMs in case you want to drop another 8GBs in the future and get 16 - this is the RAM I use http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428 but bear in mind if you're going to be using aftermarket cooling then those full height DIMMs may not fit underneath the cooler, so this would be a good alternative and fit easily underneath the cooler http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186

Get two of these fast 7200 RPM 1TB disks for your data and backup drives http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148840 and this SSD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820171567&Tpk=sandisk extreme 120gb - take it from that this SSD is very fast. It's faster than the Crucial M4 and the Corsair Force 3 drives. I own a Crucual M4 myself, but Dad has this SanDisk drive and it is quick!

You may want to invest in a dedicated graphics card if you're doing Photoshop. You've got an 800 buck budget so I reckon you can squeeze one in, even if it's relatively low end. See if you can get this card in your budget http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150560 but if it's too expensive for you, again, there are cheaper alternatives out there.

 

[claptonman]

A dedicated GPU would be nice, but I'd hold off on that unless you really need it. The HD4000 is quite a big step from HD3000.

 

[FXB]

I'd go for a 1TB drive and partition it, unless you really need the data.

Skip on the SSD, and go for a Video Card! Maybe nVidia 540?

Mobo: Go for the Z77

I don't think he'll need a video card for now. The HD4000 will be more then enough. probably just get a faster 7200 RPM drive or one of those hybrid drive depending on cost.

cooler master gx650 is a good psu, and good enough for your system

I'd like to highlight I want to use a modular PSU. The GX650 didn't seem modular. Do any of the quieter PSU come modular.

Here's what I suggest to you.

Firstly don't buy a Cooler Master PSU, they're not very good. For a system like his a Corsair CX 500 or a CX 600 would be fine, or something like an Antec Neo 520W. Anything from Corsair, XFX, Seasonic, Antec, OCZ or PC P&C would be fine.

I'd go for an i5 3570K processor and also get a Cooler Master Hyper 212+ to go along with it and then overclock the 3570K to beyond 4.0GHz, maybe 4.2GHz. Z68 is the previous generation chipset now, go for Z77. Something like this would be good if you want future-proofing http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128544&Tpk=ga-z77x-ud3h (there are cheaper alternatives too). The board and CPU both support integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics, which are fine.

8GB of RAM sounds good, go for DDR3 1600MHz and get 2x4GB DIMMs in case you want to drop another 8GBs in the future and get 16 - this is the RAM I use http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428 but bear in mind if you're going to be using aftermarket cooling then those full height DIMMs may not fit underneath the cooler, so this would be a good alternative and fit easily underneath the cooler http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186

Get two of these fast 7200 RPM 1TB disks for your data and backup drives http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148840 and this SSD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820171567&Tpk=sandisk extreme 120gb - take it from that this SSD is very fast. It's faster than the Crucial M4 and the Corsair Force 3 drives. I own a Crucual M4 myself, but Dad has this SanDisk drive and it is quick!

You may want to invest in a dedicated graphics card if you're doing Photoshop. You've got an 800 buck budget so I reckon you can squeeze one in, even if it's relatively low end. See if you can get this card in your budget http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150560 but if it's too expensive for you, again, there are cheaper alternatives out there.

PSU: I'd like something modular, any recommendations?
CPU I don't need something to over clock.
MOBO: seems like the 24 pin connector is very close to the SATA connectors is that the norm now?

True I forgot about Photoshop I should definetely get a GPU then.

 

[wolfeking]

are you looking for full modular or semi modular? The MOdstream pro by OCZ is great if you can use a semi mod.

 

[FXB]

are you looking for full modular or semi modular? The MOdstream pro by OCZ is great if you can use a semi mod.

I had this in my last build I'm looking for something like this in terms of modular.

 

[wolfeking]

thats a semi mod. I would look at the modstream pro 600 watt, they may even have a 500 watt.

 

[FXB]

thats a semi mod. I would look at the modstream pro 600 watt, they may even have a 500 watt.

Thanks I'll look into it.

Here's the build so far.

Case Cooler Master 690 II USB 3
HDD 2 WD 1tb either 7200 RPM or 5400RPM
RAM anything 8gb should work.
CPU I still can't tell which CPU are Ivy bridge vs. sandy bridge.
Mobo: still looking for now any suggestions? I want SATA 3, USB 3 and the latest.
PSU i'll probably go with a midstream 500w.
GPU: I don't know much about these.
OS : Windows 7

 

[spirit]

Right OK it all looks good. Go for a 7200 RPM HDD definitely, 5400 RPM disks are sllloowww. :/

The GA-Z77X-UD3h is a great board, it has USB 3.0, SATA 6GB/s and all the latest and greatest. Pretty much all boards manufactured in the past year or so will have USB 3.0 and SATA 6GB/s support.

The Sandy Bridge chips are the 2xxx chips and the Ivy Bridge chips are the 3xxx chips. If you don't need to overclock, then an i5 3450 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116506 or an i5 3550 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116505 will be fine. The difference between Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge isn't astronomical, but Ivy Bridge offers much better onboard graphics, so if you want to use onboard graphics, you definitely want an Ivy chip. However, the two Ivy i5s I pointed here do not support the HD 4000 graphics which the 3570K does, so if you want to use onboard graphics, the 3570K is the wisest choice. See where I'm coming from?

GPU wise, the Radeon I linked to earlier would be fine. A 6850 would be even better but I'm not sure if it will fit into your budget. If you can't get an HD 6850 into your budget, you can always go for a cheaper ATX Z77 board.

Hopefully that clears a few things up.

 

[FXB]

Right OK it all looks good. Go for a 7200 RPM HDD definitely, 5400 RPM disks are sllloowww. :/

The GA-Z77X-UD3h is a great board, it has USB 3.0, SATA 6GB/s and all the latest and greatest. Pretty much all boards manufactured in the past year or so will have USB 3.0 and SATA 6GB/s support.

The Sandy Bridge chips are the 2xxx chips and the Ivy Bridge chips are the 3xxx chips. If you don't need to overclock, then an i5 3450 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116506 or an i5 3550 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116505 will be fine. The difference between Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge isn't astronomical, but Ivy Bridge offers much better onboard graphics, so if you want to use onboard graphics, you definitely want an Ivy chip. However, the two Ivy i5s I pointed here do not support the HD 4000 graphics which the 3570K does, so if you want to use onboard graphics, the 3570K is the wisest choice. See where I'm coming from?

GPU wise, the Radeon I linked to earlier would be fine. A 6850 would be even better but I'm not sure if it will fit into your budget. If you can't get an HD 6850 into your budget, you can always go for a cheaper ATX Z77 board.

Hopefully that clears a few things up.

So the i5 3570k is a must. I can't find it on newegg. what's the price. The gigabyte board has two sata 6gb ports and four sata 3 ports. I mostly want ivy bridge for USB 3.0 and the improved integrated GPU.

The photoshop requirements don't seem so bad. The HD 4000 should work right?

Windows

Intel® Pentium® 4 or AMD Athlon® 64 processor
Microsoft® Windows® XP* with Service Pack 3 or Windows 7 with Service Pack 1
1GB of RAM
1GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on removable flash storage devices)
1024x768 display (1280x800 recommended) with 16-bit color and 512MB of VRAM
OpenGL 2.0–capable system
DVD-ROM drive
This software will not operate without activation. Broadband Internet connection and registration are required for software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services.† Phone activation is not available.

 

[johnb35]

3570k right here.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504

219.99

 

[FXB]

Budget is now an absolute max of 900 for the PC a 27" display wireless keyboard and mouse.

I have to rethink a few components.

 

[spirit]

So the i5 3570k is a must. I can't find it on newegg. what's the price. The gigabyte board has two sata 6gb ports and four sata 3 ports. I mostly want ivy bridge for USB 3.0 and the improved integrated GPU.

The photoshop requirements don't seem so bad. The HD 4000 should work right?

You only need two SATA 6GB/s ports really for your SSD. You can plug your HDD into a SATA 3GB/s port and it'll be fine. HDDs don't really benefit from the extra transfer speeds, SSDs on the other hand do. Remember to enable AHCI in the BIOS too, but it will probably already be enabled out of the box.

Well I used Photoshop CS5 on an HD 3000 with the 2500K before I got my 5870 and it was absolutely fine, so I'd say it should run fine with the HD 4000 graphics. The HD 4000 graphics are much better than the HD 3000 graphics.