opinion on first time build

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nativecoloradan

11 posts

Geek

#103518 8-Jun-2012 19:58

First time build

    ZOTAC Z68-ITX WiFi, Intel Z68 Express, LGA1155, DDR3, mITX
    $272.42
    Intel Core i3-2120 3.30GHz, 3MB Cache, LGA1155, 32nm
    $194.68
    Palit GeForce GTX 610 PCI-E 1GB 64-bit GDDR3
    $73.37
    Kingston DDR3-1600 HyperX 2GB, CL9
    $50.60
    Aywun MEGA POWER Pro Series 650W PSU, 80PLUS Bronze
    $101.20
    A-Data S511 120GB SSD, SATA 6GB/s
    $239.09

Do I need cables separately
Tools?
What case should I go for.
Can I go without:
DVD/Cd (have external USB drive), HDD

Seems a tad expensive...maybe it is my lack of knowledge?

Purpose - non-gaming

Regards

Digmarx

139 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#638006 8-Jun-2012 20:20

Suggestion: run a 64-bit OS and bump up to at least 4 GB of RAM. Also, do a bit of research and see how well your mobo deals with RAM clocked faster than 1333 mhz. I built a system with the same RAM and had to manually adjust the settings to get it to clock right. One more thing, unless you're planning on expanding or upgrading to a power-hungry GPU, 650 watts is perhaps a bit more than necessary.

D1023319

524 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#638208 9-Jun-2012 12:39

Suggest you look at buyers guide in PC world where they have specs for budget / performance and extreme PC's or go look in the computer lounge forums as they are really helpful.

While you say you are not gaming and the listed components are a bit expensive - this implies the parts (specs / vs price) are not balanced to each other.

also with no DVD - I thought you could only buy the OS on Disk so how do you intend to install?

nativecoloradan

11 posts

Geek

#638264 9-Jun-2012 15:18

Ok, will do. I have a USB CD/DVD drive (external), to answer your qn.

timmmay

20574 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#638704 11-Jun-2012 08:22

Why the i3? They're not hugely powerful processors, but they're fine for web surfing and general stuff. Make sure you're using the latest generation.

Aren't the Z68 boards the older model?

RAM's cheap, 2GB isn't enough, that will barely load the OS. Get AT LEAST 4GB, if not 8GB. An SSD with only 2GB of system RAM's a waste, it'll be constantly hitting the SSD, wearing it out.

Cheaper Z68 motherboard

http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=398884

You can get motherboards down to $90, but not sure about the quality or chipset.

You don't need a 650W power supply for that system, it will probably draw less than 100W at full load. Get a good quality but smaller power supply.

For really low end PCs like this you may be better off buying a premade one.