Newbie - First Post - New Build Advice Please

Razoo

Razoo

Razoo

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Joined
30 May 2015
Posts
36
Hi,

I haven't built a computer for some 15-years, so I'm a bit out of touch and would welcome any advice.

This new build is primarily an office computer to run AutoCAD R14.01 (2D) and Photoshop/Paintshop Pro. I don't run games.

I'm stuck with Windows 7, 32-Bit because my CAD software (which is 32-Bit) unfortunately uses a 16-Bit installer. It also uses a dongle, which is why I need a Parallel Port card.

Components:

Case : Cooler Master Elite 343 M-ATX

PSU : Be Quiet! 630W PSU - BN182, Pure Power L8

Motherboard : Gigabyte GA-Z97M-D3H (Rev. 1.1)

CPU : Intel Haswell Core i7-4790K Processor

CPU Cooler : Undecided (I want to improve on the stock cooler)

RAM : DDR3 (2 x 2GB) - 1600MHz (maybe OC to 2133MHz)

1st SSD : Samsung 850 Pro, 256GB (maybe drop to 128GB as it's only for the OS)

2nd SSD : Samsung 850 Pro, 512GB

3rd SSHD : Seagate Barracuda ST1000DX001 1TB SATA 6Gb/s Hybrid Drive

GPU : Dell Nvidia Quadro K620, 2GB

Parallel Port PCI Card : Undecided

Monitor : Dell Ultrasharp U2412M 24" IPS Widescreen LED

OS : Windows 7 Professional, 32-Bit


Does that seem like a reasonable list of components considering my software limitations?

I've read that the Haswell i7 runs best with overclocked DDR3 2133MHz RAM. I don't think I need to OC the CPU. Is it possible to OC the RAM without overclocking the i7 CPU?

Thanks for any advice,

Razoo
 
Another option is you could buy the 64-bit version of Windows but using a virtual machine also have the 32-bit version. Drawback of this of course is you will have to buy two versions of Windows. Still IMO better than having to be limited to 4GB RAM..
 
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you can run 32bit programs on a 64bit OS just fine, no need for VMs or any of that nonsense. You just can't do it the other way round.

Looking here you should be ok to run your 16-bit installer in win 8 - http://www.askvg.com/windows-8-comes-with-built-in-16-bit-application-support/

You can OC your RAM but there isn't that much to gain from it - just buy a fast kit to begin with, run it at the rated specs and be done with it - there isn't much of a difference in price between 1600mhz kits and 2400mhz kits, only a couple of quid in it.
 
implosiveturnip said:
you can run 32bit programs on a 64bit OS just fine, no need for VMs or any of that nonsense. You just can't do it the other way round.

Looking here you should be ok to run your 16-bit installer in win 8 - http://www.askvg.com/windows-8-comes-with-built-in-16-bit-application-support/

You can OC your RAM but there isn't that much to gain from it - just buy a fast kit to begin with, run it at the rated specs and be done with it - there isn't much of a difference in price between 1600mhz kits and 2400mhz kits, only a couple of quid in it.
Click to expand...

16 bit installer - UPDATE: This feature is only present in 32-bit edition of Windows 8.

I'd also be surprised if
AutoCAD Release 14 14.0 14 1997, February
would be able to use all the cores threads of an i7 ....
 
Last edited:
lude1962 said:
16 bit installer - UPDATE: This feature is only present in 32-bit edition of Windows 8.

I'd also be surprised if
AutoCAD Release 14 14.0 14 1997, February
would be able to use all the cores threads of an i7 ....
Click to expand...

Thanks for the replies so far.

I don't particularly like Windows 8 and prefer to stay with Windows 7. 32-Bit is fine too, as I don't have any 64-Bit software.

You're correct about AutoCAD R14.01 (circa 1998) not being able to make use of the hyper-threading in an i7. It won't make use of the four cores either. It will just use a single core, but it will still run faster than I can think and draw :)

Razoo
 
implosiveturnip said:
You can OC your RAM but there isn't that much to gain from it - just buy a fast kit to begin with, run it at the rated specs and be done with it - there isn't much of a difference in price between 1600mhz kits and 2400mhz kits, only a couple of quid in it.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I wasn't totally clear about my intention with the RAM.

The Gigabyte GA-Z97M-D3H motherboard supports DDR3 3100(O.C.) / 3000(O.C.) / 2933(O.C.) / 2800(O.C.) / 2666(O.C.) / 2600(O.C.) / 2500(O.C.) / 2400(O.C.) / 2200(O.C.) / 2133(O.C.) / 2000(O.C.) / 1866(O.C.) / 1800(O.C.) / 1600 / 1333 MHz memory

A review I read recommended 2133 MHz memory as the 'sweet spot' for the i7 Haswell CPU. I was intending to buy 2 x 2GB DDR3 2133 MHz (if I can find it). It seems that by default the motherboard will run the RAM at 1333 MHz, and I need to configure the BIOS to run the RAM at 2133 MHz. I'm not sure how to do that, and I was wondering if I can set the RAM to run at 2133 Mhz without affecting the CPU settings. The CPU runs at 4.0GHZ, so I don't need to OC it.

Thanks,

Razoo
 
64-bit is a good idea so you can have more than 4GB RAM

I would have thought CAD software uses more than 4GB RAM but I guess since it's an older version I might be wrong.

Still in this day and age 4GB really is a minuscule amount with 8GB being the average for gaming and 16GB at least for more intensive apps I.e CAD.
 
Yer, but he can only load his CAD software on to 32Bit OS so theres no point buying more than 4GB.

Can I ask why you want the i7 when the programmes you use it for probably don't need it. I would have thought something like:
YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Pentium K Anniversary G3258 Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £55.99
Total : £64.69 (includes shipping : £7.25 Ex.VAT).



would be more than adequate with a slight overclock. (which is very easy to do)

Also, can I ask why you're getting a 250GB SSD + 512GB SSD and a 1TB Hybrid drive? I believe the hybrid drives are used so that you can load your OS onto the SSD section and use the slower HDD part for data. Can I suggest a 1Tb SSD and a load of 2-3Tb standard 7,200prm drive for storage?

YOUR BASKET
1 x Samsung 1.0TB 850 EVO SSD 2.5" SATA 6Gbps 32 Layer 3D V-NAND Solid State Drive (MZ-75E1T0B/EU) £284.99
1 x Seagate Barracuda 3TB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache - OEM (ST3000DM001) HDD £80.99
Total : £375.58 (includes shipping : £8.00 Ex.VAT).

 
I've already gone over that he can buy two copies of windows, not ideal but hey presto it works and better than 4GB IMO
 
The Only Beardy said:
Can I ask why you want the i7 when the programmes you use it for probably don't need it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestions. I agree that I don't need an i7 for my 32-Bit programmes. However, as I only seem to build myself a new computer every 15-years or so, I thought I would try to future-proof this new build to some extent. :) I may, however, change to a different (cheaper) CPU, as you suggest.

Also, can I ask why you're getting a 250GB SSD + 512GB SSD and a 1TB Hybrid drive? I believe the hybrid drives are used so that you can load your OS onto the SSD section and use the slower HDD part for data. Can I suggest a 1Tb SSD and a load of 2-3Tb standard 7,200prm drive for storage?
Click to expand...

The 1TB Seagate Hybrid drive only has an 8.0GB SSD built in. I chose it because of its good reviews and the fact that I have found it on offer. I doubt I'll ever fill it.

The Samsung 256GB SSD (or 128GB, if I reduce it) is for the OS and any other MS clutter that insists on installing itself on drive C:\.

The Samsung 512GB SSD is for all my programmes, including CAD and photo-editing software, and my documents. I run my version of AutoCAD R14.01 highly customised, so I like it on drive D:\. Then, if I do have to reinstall the OS for any reason, all my programmes and customisation will remain intact on drive D:\ and I just have to repair the installation, rather than start over. I have always run separate C:\ and D:\ drives for this reason.

Razoo
 
dacads said:
I would have thought CAD software uses more than 4GB RAM but I guess since it's an older version I might be wrong.
Click to expand...

AutoCAD R14.01 isn't very memory-hungry.

Back in the early years I was running AutoCAD 14.01 on a system with an Intel 650MHz processor and 512MB of RAM. It ran OK. I think 4GB will be fine, especially if I close everything else down.

When AutoCAD runs out of RAM, it writes back to the HDD. As I'm now intending to use Samsung 850 Pro SSDs, I'm expecting to see some improvement there.

Razoo
 
Resurrected Thread

Guys,

Can I resurrect this thread rather than start a new one?

My new computer build got put on hold due to other commitments. I've bought all the components, except for the CPU and RAM, and possibly a better CPU cooler than stock.

Components:

Case : Cooler Master Elite 343 M-ATX

PSU : Be Quiet! 630W PSU - BN182, Pure Power L8

Motherboard : Gigabyte GA-Z97M-D3H (Rev. 1.1)

CPU : Intel Haswell Core i7-4790K Processor (not purchased yet)

CPU Cooler : Undecided (I want to improve on the stock cooler)

RAM : DDR3 (2 x 2GB) - 1600MHz (maybe OC to 2133MHz) (not purchased yet)

1st SSD : Samsung 850 Pro, 256GB

2nd SSD : Samsung 850 Pro, 512GB

3rd SSHD : Seagate Barracuda ST2000DX001 2TB SATA 6Gb/s Hybrid Drive

GPU : Dell Nvidia Quadro K620, 2GB

Parallel Port PCI Card : Approx (APPPCI1P) PCI

Monitor : Dell Ultrasharp U2412M 24" IPS Widescreen LED

OS : Windows 7 Professional, 32-Bit

Two questions please:

1. I had more or less settled on the Intel Haswell Core i7-4790K Processor, but there are numerous reports of these CPUs running much too hot (I think the build code was L4***). Are the latest builds of the i7-4790K still prone to overheating? Is there a better CPU to consider now?

2. Many users are saying the Intel stock cooler is inadequate and should be upgraded. I'm keen to fit the best CPU cooler possible, but my Mini-ATX case and Gigabyte GA-Z97M-D3H motherboard means that I don't have much room for a larger cooler. Can anyone recommend a good air cooler that will fit my configuration?

Thanks,
______
Razoo
 
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