Tentative spec me a system thread

Amp34 · 23 Oct 2011 at 12:20

I'm thinking of getting a new computer in the near future (month or two) and want to work out what sort of price I'm looking at to do so.

The emphasis for the computer will be mostly general day to day browsing etc and some photoshop work with the occasional game perhaps. I do want it to last a while however so I'm thinking an overspec may be the way to go. I'm not interested at all in OCing as I want it to be small (m-ATX or ITX) and very quiet and I can't be bothered with the hassle.

I've been out of the loop a bit so any help on things would be appreciated, especially motherboards (my current computer is an x2 4400 with a 6800GT and 2GB Ram...). So with that in mind I'm thinking something along the lines of:

i5/i7 CPU (better/cooler than the AMD at the moment?)
8-16GB RAM
SSD main drive and 1-2 2TB HDDs for storage
Integrated GFX or a passive GFX card (tests seem to show the integrated i5/i7 GFX are more powerful than my old 6800GT?)

The spec I've come up with so far is:

CPU - i7-2600 - worth it over the i5-2500? Does the k version actually provide more performance or is it just an unlocked multiplier?

RAM - 8 or 16GB of Corsair XMS3 PC3-10666 - Chosen because it was the cheapest... I assume the 12800 version isn't going to make much/any difference as I'm not going to OC?

HDD - Crucial M4 128GB and 2TB Seagate Barracuda Green - Apparently better than the OCZ Vertex 3, worth the extra £20-30? Is 128GB worth it over the 60GB version as well?

Motherboard - No idea where to begin... - m-ATX or ITX depending on the case I want but ITX boards only appear to have two RAM slots so 4x4GB Ram wouldn't be possible. Any ideas on a basic board would be excellent. Built in wifi would be a bonus (less wires).

PSU - Not sure again - Seasonic? - Quiet or passive is important here - Modular essential

I'm thinking of sticking it in something like an Lian-Li V235 or Q11 case and attaching a 1920x1200 or 2560x1440 monitor to it.

Spec look about ok? Any way to reduce cost without impeding on performance etc?

Thanks

95thrifles · 23 Oct 2011 at 13:21

The K does add a better integrated gfx chip, uses the 3000 rather than the 2000, imo Id get the 2500K if you have no intentions of adding a discrete GPU, the i7 doesnt offer much over the i5, and the K gives you that extra gfx boost even if youre not going to clock

Given the fact youre not going to clock, have a look at the H67 mobos, any really

PSU wise, Id get one of these two

Antec

Coolermaster

Case is very much personal choice, but have a look at Sugo

Amp34 · 23 Oct 2011 at 15:58

Thanks for the reply. So essentially the i7 gives much better synthetic benchmarks but realworld tests there is little difference? I'll go with the k version of the i5 then, save a nice chunk.

Amp34 · 30 Oct 2011 at 09:58

Right I'm thinking I may get a few bits in the next couple of days so I just want to make sure I've got the best options before I hit buy.

I'll stick a Gelid Tranquillo CPU cooler on that as well as it's supposed to be quiet (we'll see about that...) and cheap as this will be going into my B25 case ATM, I assume it won't fit an mATX case when I get that?

Boardwise I chose the EVO version under the assumption that displayport will be able to power a 27" 2560x1440 monitor with a single cable rather than having to connect DVI and HDMI. Is this correct?

With regards to the RAM would it make sense for me to get the Crucial Ballistix Sport kit rather than the CMS RAM I specced, slightly slower but lower priced. I assume it won't affect performance?

Finally I'm still umming and arring about whether to get the 60GB M4 SSD rather than the 128GB, the M4 drives are still the better bet over the Vertexes etc?

Thanks

95thrifles · 30 Oct 2011 at 10:22

not sure about cooler clearance, all cases are different, measure it and check the dimensions if you can
Yes displayport will be able to do that
And yeah I wouldnt expect a timing increase of 1 to have any significant effect
M4s are best bet still yes, as pretty much every other drive, the Vertexes included, use the sandforce controller which has had issues

Amp34 · 30 Oct 2011 at 10:43

Thanks for that.

I've just remembered I was going to look into all in one computers at one point in time so I'm going to do a little research on that before I buy, hopefully soon though.

fowler002 · 30 Oct 2011 at 12:03

not the asus maximus gene-z?

Amp34 · 30 Oct 2011 at 13:34

Any specific reason, bearing in mind I'm not going to overclock and its close to twice the price!