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Chat => Entertainment & Technology => Topic started by: bytejunkie on April 15, 2013, 14:08:44 PM

Title: potential new pc build
Post by: bytejunkie on April 15, 2013, 14:08:44 PM
I've not built a computer in a loooong time. thoughts on the spec below please...

requirements
windows7 / ubuntu dual boot. for the amount of time i'll spend in ubuntu, it can be off the ssd, but 7 and starcraft will be on the ssd. and itunes. etc.
then a pair of disks for mirroring for storage.
gaming - light usage, i tend to get into a game and stick with it. currently im playing (or learning to play) starcraft. but next year it'll be something else.etc etc. im sure you all see the pattern.
plenty of ram. it never hurts and at some point this might ust become an esxi box. for now i might just run plex in the background on a ubuntu virtualbox to get tv and films down.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/5937476/ebuyer.png)


reasoning:
- ive been mac only so long, i look like a noob when i've come back into a windows job.
- im sick of trying to get plex and/or freenas w/minidlna working on the microserver. so im just going to build a windows box, bang everything in itunes and buy and hack an apple tv for streaming. 


what have i missed or not considered?

Title: Re: potential new pc build
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on April 15, 2013, 16:00:15 PM
It looks like a decent spec, overall solid choice of components to me although I hear the 840 Pro SSDs are much better for the marginal extra cost against the standard 840.

Good move on the decent amount of RAM too. :thumbup:

General note for anyone to be aware of is that you need at least Win 7 Home Premium to run 16GB, any more memory than that requires Pro or above.
Title: Re: potential new pc build
Post by: knighty on April 15, 2013, 21:12:25 PM
looks good

the price at the end gave me a heart attack at first till I saw the cost of the monitor :-o


I'd go with a gigabyte or msi motherboard over the ASUS one for better reliability, but maybe that's just me
Title: Re: potential new pc build
Post by: bigsteve on April 17, 2013, 17:05:31 PM
Spec looks pretty good.
Monitor wise http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-003-DG&tool=3 looks pretty descent for the price.
650ti will struggle with the high res if the game is graphically challenging.
Maybe something like http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-099-GI&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=411
these do overclock like Trojans & should cope well.
Title: Re: potential new pc build
Post by: bytejunkie on April 17, 2013, 20:53:32 PM
never heard of dgm, anyone any experience? I tend to spend good money on monitors, i need to know the colours will be good and that it'll last. that said a 3 year warranty gives me confidence.

good point about the gfx card, i was wondering whether or not it'd be up to games.
Title: Re: potential new pc build
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on April 17, 2013, 23:01:43 PM
This might be of interest:

http://www.samsung.com/uk/ssdcashback/ (http://www.samsung.com/uk/ssdcashback/)
Title: Re: potential new pc build
Post by: Rivkid on April 19, 2013, 20:20:31 PM
We bought about 20 DGM monitors. Weren't terrible but we never bought anymore.
Title: Re: potential new pc build
Post by: XEntity on April 21, 2013, 21:24:56 PM
If you are looking at that price, I'd give the Dell monitors a look.. Not that I know anything about Asus monitors, but never heard anything on them, Dell's seem to get a good reputation.
Title: Re: potential new pc build
Post by: Shaun on April 23, 2013, 17:29:05 PM
I would go for a "K" chip.

You will struggle to even light game at 2650x1440 with that card, if money is the issue go for a good 24" monitor, if not look at something like a 7950 to power all the extra pixels on a 27"   
Title: Re: potential new pc build
Post by: Walrusbonzo on April 24, 2013, 07:18:38 AM
Get a monitor with an IPS panel, much better colour reproduction and viewing angles than TN film panels.

Look on http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/
Title: Re: potential new pc build
Post by: matt5cott on April 24, 2013, 15:27:17 PM
Quote from: Shaun on April 23, 2013, 17:29:05 PM
You will struggle to even light game at 2650x1440 with that card, if money is the issue go for a good 24" monitor, if not look at something like a 7950 to power all the extra pixels on a 27"

Good advice regarding the GPU.

I have a 7950 (core at 1100) and can run crysis 3 at 1440p on my dell u2711, though I think AA isn't maxed out, everything else is.
Title: Re: potential new pc build
Post by: matt5cott on April 24, 2013, 15:31:59 PM
Oh and your PSU is a bit stingy IMO I'd be looking at 600/700W if you can, just for future-proofing for the sake of usually not much more money.

I'd rather my PSU be running at 60% of it's rated max than say 80%.
Title: Re: potential new pc build
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on April 24, 2013, 18:54:27 PM
Better PSUs tend to be more efficient and therefore use less electricity overall too, I think.