Gonna need to upgrade my desktop soon. I want to be able to edit HD videos and play games like Skyrim decently.
I've already got a decent video card... just need motherboard, cpu, ram and another HDD.
I'm so out of the loop though... not sure who is on top as far as CPU goes. Are we up to octo-core processors yet?
The i5 2500k is the best bang for your buck. But a thuban or the 6-core offer a cheaper solution that is almost as capable. Don't go bulldozer, they were a disappointment and were out performed by the older and chips.
I think the consensus is to get an sad drive for the core operating systems files and the virtual memory plus a program or two. That would make a good scratch drove for your video too.
Other then that most stuff is the same. Other than having Usb 3 is cool, but it can be had with a $12 add on card.
Did you mean sas hdd? I couldn't find anything for sad drives.
Here is what I am looking at.
CPU: http://www.amazon.com/Intel-BX80623I52500K-Core-i5-2500K-Processor/dp/B004EBUXHQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331696329&sr=8-1
MOBO: http://www.amazon.com/ASRock-Z68-PRO3-GEN3-Intel/dp/tech-data/B005N5Q2MW/ref=de_a_smtd
Ram: http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-240-Pin-Platforms-CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9/dp/B004CRSM4I/ref=pd_rhf_dp_shvl1
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152245
What do you guys think? Also can I ruse my CPU fan or do I need to buy a new one?
No, you have to get the most depressed harddrive you can. They sadder, the faster.
But no, I meant SSD drive :) that's what I get for typing on a phone. They are super fast for the OS files but not real big just yet.
I can't wait for EMO drives! :P
OK so I ordered some parts. Not exactly the ones I posted, but fairly close.
I got the i5 2500k, a motherboard with two USB 3.0 ports in the back at least, 8gb of RAM and a 2TB hard drive. The previous hard drive I had selected was only 5200 RPM which seemed like a really stupid idea for a 2TB drive, so I got a little bit faster one.
Didn't get the SSD drive... it's over $150 for around a 120GB hard drive... Yeah I know boot up would be faster would be faster and I could also speed up a few hard-drive heavy programs too. Just isn't worth the extra cash to me at this point. It's always possible for a future upgrade.
Yeah, an SSD would be easyish to add ( probably have to reinstall windows) but it does make a big difference in boot times and makes windows just work smoother.
But cool! This mean you are finally getting Skyrim soon? :)
Cool. And I have the feeling we'll see more of those hybrid SSD/HHD drives in the future...or that SSDs will just become commonplace and affordable.
Probably. I wouldn't be surprised at 500gb SSD drives for about $100 in 4 - 5 years.
I am going to try and hold off on Skyrim until the steam summer sales. I'd like to get it for 50% off. In the mean time I still have to beat fallout new vegas anyway.
Yay! My parts arrived today! Now I get to go build it and see if I can even get it to work.
Quote from: Brad on Mar 27, 2012, 03:05 PM
Yay! My parts arrived today! Now I get to go build it and see if I can even get it to work.
Yay! And good luck. Keep the dog noses and little fingers out of the case :)
Computer is built and seems to be working. Installing windows now.
The only issues I still have are my mouse isn't working in the install (no drivers probably) and I havent been able to get it to switch back to using my actual video card versus on board video. It is set to only use the on-board GPU if there is nothing in the PCE graphics slot but I guess that isn't working correctly or I am doing something wrong. I'll fix it after windows gets installed.
What are you putting on it? Windows 7?
Yep, Windows 7 x64.
Figured out my graphics card problem. I forgot to plug the extra cable from the power supply to the video card. I guess this thing takes a lot of juice. On the plus side, the fan case does look like the batmobile.
I have a new problem now. My stupid D-Link WDA-1320 is NOT compatible with Windows 7. The Vista drivers do not work.... and everyplace in town only sells USB wireless adapters. Annoying.
If you need someone to crawl around in attics, drill holes in walls, and drop wires between studs...I will!
What's wrong with usb adapters? I have one you can borrow for a while. I got it to relocate my desktop but haven't used ut yet.
The only issue is I have a small child and anything sticking out of the computer he is likely to break off. This risk can be minimized by using the back USB ports and shoving it as close to the wall as possible. So it could work, but it is not my optimal solution I guess.
I don't have an attic unfortunately so it would have to be crawling around under the house.
I may make a trip up to Fry's to just grab one, or maybe I can find a fairly unobtrusive
USB adapter.
So I am making a trip up to Fry's after work. Anybody else want to come haha.
For some reason I didn't get updated from this thread...
Are you putting the computer in the middle of the room :) ? Stick in on a desk or less then 6" from the wall someplace inaccessible to short arms.
So how is the build going? There are some wifi adapters the size of just little nubs now if you still need one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833315091
Other then that there is always a cheap 6' USB extension cable to move the adapter onto the desk and taping it down.
Actually I got a little pcie network card at frys for pretty cheap. Its got a a second antenna and gets a lot better signal than the old one anyway.
Without putting the computer on top of a bookshelf there is no real way to keep it out of the kid's reach. He can reach things on top of tables, and if he can't, he stacks up toys and stuff in order to get whatever it is he wants. Given enough time unsurpervised he could get pretty much whatever. Although child locks on drawers and cabinets do slow him down a lot but only if they are really short (he can open the longer ones which let the drawer move more). We actually had to switch him over to a toddler bed because he was stacking up stuffed animals and trying to climb out of his crib.
The computer is actually all put together and finished being setup. It is working really well. I haven't used anything to push it to its limits yet. Waiting until the steam sale in june to get stuff like skyrim.