Building a desktop and would like feedback on proposed build

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greenalleycat

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#127172 1-Aug-2013 14:33

Hey guys,

So I'm off flatting next year and want to build myself a pretty nice desktop before I go. I've had experience building my own/friend's computers before, but that was a while ago and I haven't really kept up-to-date with the advances in technology in recent times.

The most intensive uses will be related to either running engineering programs/calculations (SolidWorks, MatLab, whatever comes up during the degree), things like Photoshop/Dreamweaver and yof course gaming. Budget isn't such an issue here, I would mainly like feedback on whether the proposed build synergises, if any of the components are notoriously unreliable and anything obvious that sticks out.

Thanks very much in advance!

Corsair Graphite Series 600T Silver Mid Tower Chassis
Sapphire AMD Radeon HD7870 GHZ OC 2GB GDDR5 PCI-E3.0 (11199-03-40G)
Mushkin Chronos 120GB 2.5" SATA3 7mm SSD (MKNSSDCR120GB-7)
Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001 2TB 64MB 6Gb/s SATA3
AOC I2367F 23" IPS 5ms Full HD Monitor Ultra Narrow Bezel
CL Ivy Bridge Bundle P8Z77-V LK, Intel 3570, HyperX 8GB W/2 Free Games
Corsair HX Series HX750 V2 750W Modular Power Supply 80Plus Gold

And to round it out, just about the cheapest mouse/keyboard combo I could find...

Logitech M325 Wireless Unifying Mouse - Dark Silver
Logitech K120 Wired Keyboard

Inphinity

2780 posts

Uber Geek

#870008 1-Aug-2013 14:38

Personal preferences, I'd go Samsung 840 Pro for the SSD, and Samsung, Dell or Asus for the monitor. I'd also go Haswell simply because I don't see the point going previous-gen for a negligible price difference.

greenalleycat

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#870021 1-Aug-2013 14:52

Thanks for the reply. Yep I've updated the SSD now, following your recommendation.

With regards to Haswell vs Ivy Bridge, from quick research I'd probably be looking at getting the Core i5 4670, and pair it with 2x4GB Corsair Vengeance RAM (again, this is up for debate, all feedback welcome), but in all honesty motherboards are something I've never understood - any recommendations here?

Finally, is there any particular reason for the monitor preference?

Krishant007

1403 posts

Uber Geek

#870025 1-Aug-2013 14:59

you can ease up on the powersupply..go with a Gold 550W one - modular would be good as well... you dont need 750w for this build..

hmm, i personally use Dell Monitors...their IPS panels are quite superior.. and since you mention engineering apps, i am going to guess CAD or something would be included...Check out Dell U2713HM. I personally have this one *(Dell usually have 30% off on these). Top quality IPS panels... USB 3 hub...a large variety of inputs.. I even plug in my ps3 and use it to play games :)

With motherboards, everyone has their own preferences to brands and stuff..so it could be a matter of taking someones advice or personal experience.. My 2c, Asus, ASRock, Gigabyte, MSI are pretty much the top ones..Asus usually the top one cz of the amount of features they put on the board...but have a budget of about 200 bucks on the board, unless you want like the high grade capacitors etc, then you could be looking at 400 bucks or something. Unnecessary in my opinion..a $200 motherboard is good enough.

Lias

5589 posts

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#870034 1-Aug-2013 15:11

Get Haswell, if only for better longevity and more option for future upgrades..

Keep:
Corsair Graphite Series 600T Silver Mid Tower Chassis
Sapphire AMD Radeon HD7870 GHZ OC 2GB GDDR5 PCI-E3.0 (11199-03-40G)
Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001 2TB 64MB 6Gb/s SATA3
Corsair HX Series HX750 V2 750W Modular Power Supply 80Plus Gold

Get:
Samsung SSD
Samsung Monitor.. AOC is arse IMHO
CL combo builder combo of 4670k + 2x8gb HyperX and a midrange motherboard say z87-A (mayswell put 8gb sticks in from the get go, helps futureproof)

I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup.

Lias

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#870036 1-Aug-2013 15:12

Krishant007: you can ease up on the powersupply..go with a Gold 550W one - modular would be good as well... you dont need 750w for this build..

Futureproof for SLI

Krishant007

1403 posts

Uber Geek

#870044 1-Aug-2013 15:22

Lias:
Krishant007: you can ease up on the powersupply..go with a Gold 550W one - modular would be good as well... you dont need 750w for this build..

Futureproof for SLI

Ya fair enough.. but if you aint planning to go SLI, then dont worry about it..but else, there isnt anything particularly wrong with it..

greenalleycat

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#870046 1-Aug-2013 15:26

Thanks for the replies guys.

I'm not looking to go SLI/Crossfire down the track, so I've downgraded to a 650w PSU (gives me the middle road, with some freedom to allow for expansion but I've got nothing significant planned).

I've switched out for the Samsung SSD. Taken your advice Lias and gone for the CL combo builder, gone 2x4GB sticks though to save some $$ as it's half the cost. Went for the Z87-C as it's ~$70 cheaper (would change this though if there's a suitable reason to?).

With regards to the monitor, I need something 1080p, 23-24" and if possible with a thin bezel (want to stick 2 beside each other) - nothing in the Samsung department immediately leaps out, though I'm about to go a lab so I have limited time to research. Any suggestions here?

Cheers

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Krishant007

1403 posts

Uber Geek

#870061 1-Aug-2013 15:28

hmm.. ya if you want thin bezels, AOC is pretty much one of your main options. good looking monitors.

I would strongly suggest getting IPS Monitors. Much better picture quality on those.

Check out LG monitors as well. I think AOC uses LG panels.. LG had some decent deals on their monitors..

Dell monitors aint the best looking ones, but they are really good performing.

Lias

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#870206 1-Aug-2013 18:55

Went for the Z87-C as it's ~$70 cheaper (would change this though if there's a suitable reason to?).

C is the entry level board in that range. A is entry level for OC'ing. More PCI-E slots, more VRMs, auto overclocking, better layout for cable management, etc.

If your not intending to ever overclock, the C would be okay (make sure you don't get a K CPU in that case)

greenalleycat

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#870216 1-Aug-2013 19:04

Lias:
Went for the Z87-C as it's ~$70 cheaper (would change this though if there's a suitable reason to?).

C is the entry level board in that range. A is entry level for OC'ing. More PCI-E slots, more VRMs, auto overclocking, better layout for cable management, etc.

If your not intending to ever overclock, the C would be okay (make sure you don't get a K CPU in that case)

Cheers for that, I'll probably dabble with some OC later on when I get a bit bored so I've switched the board out (and the 4670 -> 4670K too).

The build is currently sitting at:

Corsair Graphite Series 600T Silver Mid Tower Chassis
Sapphire AMD Radeon HD7870 GHZ OC 2GB GDDR5 PCI-E3.0 (11199-03-40G)
Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB SATA3 SSD (MZ-7PD128BW)
Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001 2TB 64MB 6Gb/s SATA3
AOC I2367F 23" IPS 5ms Full HD Monitor Ultra Narrow Bezel
Kingston HyperX Beast (2x4GB) DDR3-1
ASUS Z87-A Intel Z87 ATX Haswell LGA1150
Intel Haswell Core i5 4670K 3.40GHz 6MB LGA1150
Corsair HX Series HX650 V2 650W Modular Power Supply 80Plus Gold

So cheers everyone for the help thus far