need non-gaming desktop build spec. suggestions

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Lykho

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#236284 27-May-2018 01:41

want to be running Windows 10

casual home usage.

most spec-demanding tasks are just these two:

-audio and video-editing (more like music video size than full length movie size)

-good speed drives/connections for optimal backup speeds, ideally no CPU bottleneck to prevent me doing something else during a backup going at its best speed (USB3 bottleneck I guess). right now on my 7-year-old budget build I lose a lot of transfer speed if I try to keep using my PC at the time.

no gaming requirement whatsoever

I don't know if an i7 is worth it, or i5 is more than enough. No idea about a good futureproof MoBo, or GPU requirements. Will probably want to keep whatever I buy for the next 5-10 years.

I don't know how much SSD space I should opt for (merely enough for O/S? O/S and all programs? O/S, programs, and a lot of commonly accessed data or certain types of files (e.g., having the page file on it)?

I don't really want to spend more than $1,000 unless an argument can be made for why that's necessary

(in terms of part option and prices I'll probably be buying from TasTech.)

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#2023177 27-May-2018 08:24

I take it you are looking for just CPU/Mobo/RAM/SSD/HDDS?'

no GPU for noww as I think it would break your budget and you can use the iGPU.

i5 is good but for you I'd recommend i7

Mobo something mid-range that has all the things but doesn't break the bank

at least 16GB RAM 2x8GB

at least 250GB SSD or 500GB Samsung/Crucial/Intel

hard drives are you preference

best to look at upgrade bundles.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/category/components/cpus/shop-all?fs=5817228

http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentlist.asp?parttypeid=29&t=17

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Jase2985

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#2023178 27-May-2018 08:29

do you have the OS?

256gb is a good size these days for the OS drive, and an I5 is more than adequate for what you want

look at PBtech's upgrade boxes as a start and then add a SSD

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/category/computers/pcs/upgrade-boxes

Jase2985

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#2023180 27-May-2018 08:31

@lNomNoml i doubt if there PC is 7years old to start with that the PSU and case will still be useable so you would need an upgrade box not just a bundle

amiga500

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#2023232 27-May-2018 09:31

Cases can last forever provided the power button on the front does not break. Those switches can be hard to find as every case seems to have a different one.

Jase2985

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#2023244 27-May-2018 09:43

amiga500:

Cases can last forever provided the power button on the front does not break. Those switches can be hard to find as every case seems to have a different one.

except for the fact an old case will likely only have usb 1/2 ports on it which are not compatible with USB 3 headers, and the OP wants fast speeds which you need USB 3 for.

amiga500

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#2023257 27-May-2018 10:00

Jase2985:

amiga500:

Cases can last forever provided the power button on the front does not break. Those switches can be hard to find as every case seems to have a different one.

except for the fact an old case will likely only have usb 1/2 ports on it which are not compatible with USB 3 headers, and the OP wants fast speeds which you need USB 3 for.

You are so right! I had forgotten about that. I have my case sitting sideways and only use the motherboard usb ports. (My case is now on its 6th motherboard and 6th power supply!)

Lykho

253 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2023284 27-May-2018 10:55

I suspect I'll have to replace everything (I'd like to anyway so I can still run the old machine for anything that is Windows-7-only), doubt the old PSU is sufficient, or the old case is big enough for every MoBo/etc.

not worried about that cost, more worried about choosing the wrong MoBo and CPU and not getting as much of an upgrade as I want.

Lykho

253 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2023287 27-May-2018 10:58

lNomNoml:

Mobo something mid-range that has all the things but doesn't break the bank

like what? it's the most mysterious part for me, so I'd virtually be picking at random.

also, what kinda RAM? (pretty sure I'm still on 2x 2GB DDR2 currently)

CYaBro

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#2023302 27-May-2018 11:20

If you get an Intel CPU make sure you get the latest 8th gen, as the i5 & i7 are now Hex/6 core instead of quad core.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

Lykho

253 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2023314 27-May-2018 11:48

CYaBro:

If you get an Intel CPU make sure you get the latest 8th gen, as the i5 & i7 are now Hex/6 core instead of quad core.

if the price was comparable, would you say go with older i7 or new gen i5?

lNomNoml

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#2023361 27-May-2018 13:00

Lykho:

lNomNoml:

Mobo something mid-range that has all the things but doesn't break the bank

like what? it's the most mysterious part for me, so I'd virtually be picking at random.

also, what kinda RAM? (pretty sure I'm still on 2x 2GB DDR2 currently)

I recommend 2x8GB DDR4, 2 of these is fine: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/MEMCRU069100/Crucial-8GB-DESKTOP-DDR4-2400-MTs-PC4-19200-CL17-S

Motherboard, something like this: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/MBDGBM53002/Gigabyte-Z370M-D3H-mATX-Form-Factor-For-Intel-8th

It purely comes down to what features you want on the motherboard.

Jase2985

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#2023362 27-May-2018 13:06

buy 8gb of ram to start with, you dont need more than that for what you are doing, if you do need more down the track, just buy another 8gb. just make sure you have a motherboard that has 4 memory slots.

Lykho

253 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2023689 28-May-2018 01:11

lNomNoml:

It purely comes down to what features you want on the motherboard.

ah. I really have no idea. I just want to know it won't be a bottleneck and will be good for whatever CPU I want (e.g., if I go i5, when i9 or something shows up hopefully it'll be compatible so I don't need to do a whole new build again)

I put a USB 3.0 card on my existing PC since the I/O only has 2.0s, but the CPU itself is so slow I barely get 2x faster than USB2 speeds off of it. more 3.0s would be nice, but other than that, I really don't know.
preferably compatible with whatever cables I use already for my monitor, too. though AFAIK it's all interchangable (as a non-gamer I shouldn't have to care whether I use DVI/HDMI/VGA/etc. or a DVI-to-VGA converter (I think I switched mine around recently to DVI so I could use the VGA to hook up an old TV as a second monitor--the TV looks pretty poor, but my real monitor looks just the same irrespective of the change (Viewsonic va2448m).

I'm also clueless about why people get special soundcards and video cards (GPU for gaming, but why isn't onboard sound enough?) edit: watched youtube, I see why no one is suggesting I get one.

also, what's the comparable mid-range HDD to WD blue?

I don't think I need black's performance, but I also don't want a hybrid (the blue is half the price per TB than the black, but is a hybrid) (I know it's more expensive to recover data lost on an SSD, so I'd prefer my SSD for O/S and data itself on a normal HDD not a hybrid (to have all my 'most accessed' data on an SSD section of an HDD drive sounds entirely antithetical to what I'd want--everything I most want to save would be the most expensive to recover if lost.

more than I intended to spend before posting, but I figure if I'm planning for the next 5+ years, I may as well drop an extra $50 here and $50 there (best gen CPU and more RAM as suggested, bigger SSD, better HDD, nicer case)
this is what I'm considering right now

1101

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#2023767 28-May-2018 09:56

re above
Get a well proven Brand of SSD : Samsung or Intel .

Also avoid Adata RAM. Ive had so many issues in the past with AData ram Ive sold/installed
Ive even had the warranty replacement RAM fail , not a good look .
Adata RAM may be better now , but I wouldnt touch it , and any used Adata RAM we have after upgrades I throw in the bin.
Adata USB sticks have been great, so go figure

Also look at warranty periods.
Some manufacturers give 3 years(sometimes 5years), others may only give 1 year. And some retailers only give 1 year warranty even when the manufacturer gives 3.

If you keep an eye on Trademe , Asus soundcards can sometimes be had at a bargain price used
Soundcards are a waste of money unless your amp and speakers are really good quality : eg good hifi speakers . Even then Im not sure many would notice
the difference , it may just a be feel good thing , like a flashy expensive case :-)

PANiCnz

982 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2024061 28-May-2018 17:36

Can get a good Samsung 256gb ssd for cheaper with the pbtech sale that ends at midnight tonight.

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