SRL Archive - Discussions & Debates

So I've been instructed to build a monster PC. It's not for video editing, or serious gaming (but some gaming), it's a personal computer for work and play. Needs to be fairly quiet, last for years, allow for upgrades, and multi-task well. Also, it needs to be built and paid for in stages. Here is my initial thinking for stage 1.


http://www.amazon.com/THERMALRIGHT-SILVER-ARROW-DUAL14CM-HEATSINK/dp/B003XRAKLQ
http://www.amazon.com/Lamptron-Speed-Controller-channels-Silver/dp/B002RC09HS
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/arcomxthco2.html
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/pa12hisp.html

Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131704
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131701

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115073
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227590
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152238
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116992
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231424
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125357
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139014

OS on the SSD, data on the HDD (single/RAID1 at first, RAID10 eventually).

The machine this will be replacing is getting a RAM upgrade in the meantime, and will then become an Amahi server when the monster is up and running (for backups).

It might have to be toned down a bit for stage 1, and end up spending more on later stages. For example, the PSU doesn't need to be that much initially, but going with a lower one now would mean getting another one later, and ending up with a spare (which could actually be a good thing with an identical motherboard and lower everything else to make a donor machine).

So, any suggestions for ramping up stage 1? And for toning down? Any suggestions later upgrades?

Why build a monster pc if you're not going to use it to the best of it's abilities? (vid editing/games). And with a real Monster PC you can forget quiet tbh.

The SSD/HDD combo is good though.

You don't need to spend that much money for just work and play…

From: Sex
You don't need to spend that much money for just work and play…

But he wants to?

After my summer job I plan on building a new rig, and just using my old one to auto on/whatever the hell I want.

Let me rephrase that; why are you going to spend that much money for just work and play? Why do you want to?

It's for a client who wants to do intense office work, but no video games etc. Would have tons of office software and webpages open at once. So I'd suggest something like 8 GB+ of RAM, decent CPU, decent GPU, and maybe an SSD if he wants to throw out extra money.

I like cooler master, but meh. If you're willing to spend the cash, I'd go with something like a Lian-li.
I don't really see why you need that huge psu if you're going to stick with an i5. Unless you're going to tri-fire and get the 6 core i7, I don't see why you need 1200 watts.

idk about the sockets for the sandy bridge cpus, but I'd hate to have to change out the mobo if you're planning on upgrading to that i7.

From: Sex
Let me rephrase that; why are you going to spend that much money for just work and play? Why do you want to?

Makes life interesting…

From: Sex
Let me rephrase that; why are you going to spend that much money for just work and play? Why do you want to?

Does it matter? Its not his anyways



Fractal Cases are good and quiet


EDIT: I have the HAF X its not that quite, i had to remove the dust filter because it was touching the fan.

Try Obsidian Series® 800D

I don't really know what you want but here's what I built for my desktop.

2 ATI HD 5850's crossfired
AMD Phenom 2 X6 3.3 Black Edition. (Getting the Bulldozer on June 11 which is an 8 core)
Gigabyte GA-890FXA-UD7 (Getting the AM3+ to go with my new processor)
8 GB DDR3-1600 PIN RAM
Antec Case
3 23" LED Monitors.
700 Watt Power Supply

In June it will be so BA but right now its pretty boss.

I'll probably go with a 650 watt or something for stage 1, unless the client really wants to go all out and be ready for anything.

Also, looking into some other cases.

Go AMD. The client is going to have a hard time upgrading the CPU when Intel moves to a new socket.

Also, buy a mobo that will accept 4x8gb sticks of RAM. (Or, if you go Intel, 6x4gb or 6x8gb)

Get an Atom, it'll do the job
Or else Via or whatever. My old pentium M 1.6ghz with 1gb RAM still lasts and processor power is overrated anyways. 2gb of RAM should be enough for all.

I must agree. I am an everyday user and my 2 GB ram gets the job done :)