Another Computer Build Thread
#21
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I'm going to try and pick up one of the 3570Ks you linked above. I should be able to stop at a micro center when I drive home from my coop in 3 weeks. Currently I'm in Alabama, so there's none even remotely close but there's a few on my way home. I don't know if they will still have the deal in 3 weeks though. If not, I'll just pick up an i3 from the egg.
Oh and no offense taken on the laptop cpu upgrade. That's the kind of answer I was looking forward. Definitely something over my head at this point. The memory and SSD should be fine
Oh and no offense taken on the laptop cpu upgrade. That's the kind of answer I was looking forward. Definitely something over my head at this point. The memory and SSD should be fine
#23
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Memory, fortunately, has gotten to a point where pretty much anything is interchangeable with anything else. If it physically fits into the socket, then the RAM and the motherboard will automatically negotiate to operate at whatever speed / timing the two of them can mutually support.
#25
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I completely agree viper. I've always been intrigued about building my own computer, but it was your thread that really made me feel like I may be able to actually do it.
In other news my buddy may be able to pick me up one of those 3570Ks from micro center we shall see what happens
In other news my buddy may be able to pick me up one of those 3570Ks from micro center we shall see what happens
#27
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I'm leaning more and more towards an i3. Micro Center has the 3220 for $100 and the 3225 for $130. From what I can tell the only difference between the 20 vs. the 25 is the graphics. Is the HD Graphics 4000 worth $30? I would guess for my uses it would not be, but I don't know the difference between 2500 and 4000 graphics
#28
The 2500 HD Graphics should be more than sufficient for the purposes you laid out in the beginning of the thread. I can run 1080p perfectly with the 2000 version on a i3.
For memory, I usually recommend DDR1600 because it usually has the best prices and choices.
Also, MicroCenter usually has decent mobo/CPU combo deals to save you more money.
For memory, I usually recommend DDR1600 because it usually has the best prices and choices.
Also, MicroCenter usually has decent mobo/CPU combo deals to save you more money.
#29
The 3570K is the Ivy I'm running in the computer I'm currently using to browse mt.net
I have it in a mini-ITX mobo and a mini-ITX case and the heat isn't too much.
It's quite nice, but I bought it because I do a lot of processor intensive data analysis.
For normal web browsing, flash games, 1080p playback, the i3 is more than suitable.
The next generation of processors should be considerably better than the Ivy Bridge, though, but it doesn't sound like you want to wait.
I have it in a mini-ITX mobo and a mini-ITX case and the heat isn't too much.
It's quite nice, but I bought it because I do a lot of processor intensive data analysis.
For normal web browsing, flash games, 1080p playback, the i3 is more than suitable.
The next generation of processors should be considerably better than the Ivy Bridge, though, but it doesn't sound like you want to wait.
#30
Is it just me? The prices of brand built machines has dropped so much from makers like HP and Dell, it almost makes no sense to DIY an office task machine. The price difference is negligible at best. On the other hand, when buying a dell or hp you get a form factor you wont be able to build yourself and warranty/service that you never have to think about.
If gaming and serious productivity is the objective, self built still reigns supreme.
If gaming and serious productivity is the objective, self built still reigns supreme.
#31
Is it just me? The prices of brand built machines has dropped so much from makers like HP and Dell, it almost makes no sense to DIY an office task machine. The price difference is negligible at best. On the other hand, when buying a dell or hp you get a form factor you wont be able to build yourself and warranty/service that you never have to think about.
If gaming and serious productivity is the objective, self built still reigns supreme.
If gaming and serious productivity is the objective, self built still reigns supreme.
And what do you mean by form factor you can't build yourself?
This is the case for my i5 3570k
Dimensions
14.41" x 7.83" x 11.02"
Two hard drives, optical drive, and dedicated video card
It's tiny.
And I don't know if you've ever had to deal with warranty issues, but they aren't always helpful and extended warranties cost a lot.
Plus component upgrades to any Dell/Lenovo/HP computer are horribly overpriced
#32
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Seems like your talking about Haswell? Wikipedia says they should be out by June? I doubt I will need any of the new features, but I assume that the introduction of a new architecture will bring a reduction in price of the old architecture? If so that may be worth waiting for
#33
Seems like your talking about Haswell? Wikipedia says they should be out by June? I doubt I will need any of the new features, but I assume that the introduction of a new architecture will bring a reduction in price of the old architecture? If so that may be worth waiting for
At MicroCenter, a Sandy Bridge i5 2500k is $160 while the Ivy Bridge i5 3570k is $190.
The new architecture follows a tick-tock-tick-tock pattern, where ticks are small changes and tocks are large changes
The new Ivy Bridge 22nm architecture is a tick whereas the next gen (Haswell) will be a tock (even though it will also be 22nm).
Many believe, and there are numerous articles supporting this, that the Sandy Bridge processors are still quite sufficient for the majority of applications. Especially if you get something like the i5 2500k as it is quad-core.
Haswell should be a nice performance increase as they get more comfortable with the 22nm lithography size and can fit more components on the chip.
But once again, honestly, with your intended uses, an Ivy Bridge i3 or a Sandy Bridge i5 would be quite sufficient and prevent you from spending money unnecessarily.
#34
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In fact, I probably should have bought an off-the-shelf PC for my media server in the first place. That machine has just been constantly evolving over time. I originally threw it together using 90% spare parts that I already had lying around, and over the years as various parts of it failed due to old age (fried power supply, comatose motherboard, failed HD, etc), I replaced them one by one until I wound up with a totally new machine.
#35
Define "office task machine".
And what do you mean by form factor you can't build yourself?
This is the case for my i5 3570k
[IMG]https://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=58280&dateline=1351104 990[/I
Dimensions
14.41" x 7.83" x 11.02"
Two hard drives, optical drive, and dedicated video card
It's tiny.
And I don't know if you've ever had to deal with warranty issues, but they aren't always helpful and extended warranties cost a lot.
Plus component upgrades to any Dell/Lenovo/HP computer are horribly overpriced
And what do you mean by form factor you can't build yourself?
This is the case for my i5 3570k
[IMG]https://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=58280&dateline=1351104 990[/I
Dimensions
14.41" x 7.83" x 11.02"
Two hard drives, optical drive, and dedicated video card
It's tiny.
And I don't know if you've ever had to deal with warranty issues, but they aren't always helpful and extended warranties cost a lot.
Plus component upgrades to any Dell/Lenovo/HP computer are horribly overpriced
15.91 x 4.43 x 12.24 in
You don't need a dedicated video card in a machine that does nothing but email and office. Sure you can get a lo-profile card for a slim box, but then you are building a machine that is neither here nor there.
You can always swap the hard drive or add an additional. Anything above that you can get an external. Nothing else really needs an upgrade as it will not be a limiter to productivity tasks.
#36
HP Pavilion Slimline s5-1400t Desktop PC | HP® Official Store
15.91 x 4.43 x 12.24 in
You don't need a dedicated video card in a machine that does nothing but email and office. Sure you can get a lo-profile card for a slim box, but then you are building a machine that is neither here nor there.
You can always swap the hard drive or add an additional. Anything above that you can get an external. Nothing else really needs an upgrade as it will not be a limiter to productivity tasks.
15.91 x 4.43 x 12.24 in
You don't need a dedicated video card in a machine that does nothing but email and office. Sure you can get a lo-profile card for a slim box, but then you are building a machine that is neither here nor there.
You can always swap the hard drive or add an additional. Anything above that you can get an external. Nothing else really needs an upgrade as it will not be a limiter to productivity tasks.
But agreed about the normal job that only requires e-mail and Office.
I just tend to prefer building my computers to my own specifications. I've been doing it since 2005 so I can usually provide my own tech support if needed.
Instead of that HP, why not get a laptop with a docking station? Then you have mobility if needed.
For the processing power of that HP, I think a laptop would be preferable.
#37
It's not just you. My primary office PC is a Lenovo, and all of my PCs in the lab are Dells.
In fact, I probably should have bought an off-the-shelf PC for my media server in the first place. That machine has just been constantly evolving over time. I originally threw it together using 90% spare parts that I already had lying around, and over the years as various parts of it failed due to old age (fried power supply, comatose motherboard, failed HD, etc), I replaced them one by one until I wound up with a totally new machine.
In fact, I probably should have bought an off-the-shelf PC for my media server in the first place. That machine has just been constantly evolving over time. I originally threw it together using 90% spare parts that I already had lying around, and over the years as various parts of it failed due to old age (fried power supply, comatose motherboard, failed HD, etc), I replaced them one by one until I wound up with a totally new machine.
#38
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In the beginning, the media server was also the playout device. I had a little ATi-brand wireless remote for it and everything. This was ~2004.
I switched to a server-client model when I discovered that the Xbox 360 could stream video over the network, and since it supported component video (which I never got working right with the Radeon card I had) I immediately switched.
Nowadays, with the WD set-top box I have, I could get rid of the PC altogether if I really wanted to get off my *** and relocate my drives into external USB enclosures- just plug 'em directly into the WD box. But the PC itself still has some value, as I occasionally fire it up in NES emulation mode.
#39
You need a dedicated video card if you have a 27" monitor with 2560x1440 resolution
But agreed about the normal job that only requires e-mail and Office.
I just tend to prefer building my computers to my own specifications. I've been doing it since 2005 so I can usually provide my own tech support if needed.
Instead of that HP, why not get a laptop with a docking station? Then you have mobility if needed.
For the processing power of that HP, I think a laptop would be preferable.
But agreed about the normal job that only requires e-mail and Office.
I just tend to prefer building my computers to my own specifications. I've been doing it since 2005 so I can usually provide my own tech support if needed.
Instead of that HP, why not get a laptop with a docking station? Then you have mobility if needed.
For the processing power of that HP, I think a laptop would be preferable.
I see where you are coming from. I have been building PC's since early 2000's for myself and customers. After a while I gave up because of how cheap branded PC's became. Instead of assembling them and trying to compete with HP/Dell, I just consulted and configured them. If someone wanted a performance machine, I built those for less than the competition. The trend continues, a branded office machine is cheaper than self assembled and comes with nifty form factors and cases.
Laptop with dock is an excellent suggestion as well, personally I don't even think a dock is necessary. However, laptops also have a problem. They aren't cheap, overall. Light laptops with performance normally don't come with docks unless you get an expensive IBM. Large desktop replacements have bad battery life and once again, expensive. Even the mid range laptops outpace the price of a slim line PC and will lack in features and expansion.
#40
Are you sure? I just tried it and it wouldn't push my 2560x1440.
IIRC, Intel Graphics doesn't support dual-link, so 1920x1200 is the max for DVI and HDMI.
So you are correct if you get a monitor with a DisplayPort connection.
IIRC, Intel Graphics doesn't support dual-link, so 1920x1200 is the max for DVI and HDMI.
Moreover, there are a few limitations in resolutions and monitor connection types. Theoretically, a desktop system on an Ivy Bridge processor can offer three outs: the first one - a universal out (HDMI, DVI, VGA or DisplayPort) with maximum resolution of 1920x1200, the second one – a DisplayPort, HDMI or DVI with up to 1920x1200 resolution, and the third one – a DisplayPort supporting higher resolutions up to 2560x1600. In other words, a popular connection option when WQXGA monitors are connected to Intel HD Graphics 4000 via Dual-Link DVI is still unavailable. However, it supports HDMI protocol version 1.4a, and DisplayPort version 1.1a, which means 3D support in the former case and the ability of the interface to transfer audio stream – in the latter.