This looks really interesting - thanks!! I had no idea this might be an option. So it sounds like my motherboard has the physical slot for an NVMe SSD and I could mod the BIOS to boot from it? If so this might be the way to go. Are there any downsides or risks with this?
Wow - thanks for the very detailed post! I feel a bit silly now saying I need the fastest boot up possible. The truth is I leave the computer on 24/7 so I hardly ever boot it up. What is most important to me is the speed while using it and I think everyone is right that pretty much any new...
Thanks for the reply. I forgot to mention that within the last few years I added another 8GB of RAM just like you suggested so I have 16GB total now.
Why do you say I need to reinstall everything by migrating to Windows 10? I thought it was possible to upgrade? I know a clean install is...
Hard to believe but I've been a member here for almost 20 years now, and last time I asked for advice on a build was 6 years ago and got some great advice. That machine is getting pretty old now so it's time for a new build. Here's the situation:
What it will be used for: Nothing too special...
I should have clarified - I wouldn't use the WD Blue HDDs to back up the 1TB SSD, I was thinking of getting 2 of the WD Blues to set up RAID 1. Althought it would be nice to have a backup of my system drive, I figured I would store my "important" files on the HDD (photos, music, etc) where it...
Definitely not out of SSD space, I just thought it would be good to have an extra HDD for media files, etc - or if I have sizeable downloads, to save them there instead of using the SSD, to hopefully prolong its lifespan. Maybe I am being paranoid about that.
I am not overly concerned about...
Here is what I ended up buying:
CPU: Intel Core i7-4770 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L12 37.8 CFM CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Gigabyte G1.Sniper M5 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Samsung EVO 1TB 2.5"...
Thanks for all of the comments guys. I will post another update with all of the parts I ended up ordering when I am at my computer, but for now I thought I'd explain my thought process a bit:
I agree 100% that the machine I am building is overkill. However, I know I won't be doing this again...
What do you guys think about this power supply?
Seasonic SS-660XP2 ATX 12V/EPS 12V, 660W, 80 PLUS PLATINUM Full Modular
Looks like it's on sale for $99 w/ coupon on NewEgg, plus a $20 rebate so $79.99. I like the full-modular aspect, and their fan technology seems like it should make it...
I really like the idea of being able to buy a lot of the parts at MicroCenter, if I can get that good of a deal. I just checked though and unfortunately, the one by me is out of stock on the i7 4770K. Should I wait for them to get more in or should I pick a different processor?
Edit: Also, I...
After spending all day on this, here is where I am currently at:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks
CPU: Intel Core i7-4770 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($294.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L12 37.8 CFM CPU Cooler ($69.97 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard...
For the motherboard, it seems like the Gigabyte GA-Z87MX-D3H would work well (has DisplayPort, plenty of USB 3.0 ports, good reviews, not too expensive, etc.
Thoughts on that one?
Edit: looks like it doesn't get very good reviews...
Ah yes, sorry - I forgot you included that in your earlier post - thank you. I am trying to think about too many things all at once, basically coming up to speed on the last 5+ years of technology.
I don't think I care about having more than 2 or 3 HDDs, as I'll probably only have the SDD...
To be honest, I don't know all of the capabilities of the newer boards. Some things that I would think are important though:
- plenty of USB 3.0 ports
- SATA3 6.0 obviously for the SSD
- probably want the option of going up to 32GB of RAM eventually
- space to add a bigger CPU HSF and video...
If I go with the Fracal Design "Define Mini", it looks like it is MicroATX - any suggestions for a good motherboard that will fit?
Edit: How much am I limiting myself by choosing a MicroATX case? I prefer the smaller towers as long as I'm not giving up any kind of important features.
I am liking the idea of using the integrated GPU if possible. It will be silent, and probably good enough for my needs. I can always add a separate graphics card later. I had no idea the new CPUs had GPUs that were this decent!
That is true and good point - I can try the stock HSF first and see how loud it is.
Right now I am stuck on cases... I need to figure out which case to get before I can pick a motherboard. I am looking at the Fractal Designs cases and they look pretty nice, good reviews, and geared toward...
I was, until you guys set me straight :) I am now planning on upgrading everything as that seems to make the most sense at this point.
I think I have decided on the following so far:
CPU: Intel Core i7-4770
CPU Fan: Noctua NH-L12
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600...
It looks like my current MB is MicroATX, but I just measured and it will definitely fit a standard ATX size board. Also I realized there is a place for a case fan, but it looks kind of small - something like 80-90mm probably.
If I were to get a new case do you have any suggestions?
Oh, and I...
Good point. I have no idea what kind of case I have, it's really old (10+ years, from a few builds ago). I just measured it and it's only 6" deep, so you are right the D14 is overkill. Also I checked and I don't have any place for a case fan, so that's not an option.
Still trying to find a...
These Noctua fans look like exactly what I need. It looks like the NH-L12 is smaller for HTPC cases and such, whereas the NH-D14 is bigger but a little quieter. Would I be able to use that one?
Also, any motherboard suggestions?
Really appreciate all of the help!
I agree that the SSD should be a top priority. I am 99% sure I am going to go with the Samsung EVO 840 1TB for ~$535.
As for CPU, I don't mind spending a little extra now to get another few years use out of it (given that my past upgrade cycle is typically...
I don't necessarily have a budget, but I guess I would prefer to definitely stay below 2k, and ideally below 1k but probably not doable.
By "really fast", I just mean I don't want to wait for programs that I typically use. I don't play games so I don't need anything that crazy. And for...
I think you're right about XP. I should probably take this opportunity to upgrade everything and not limit myself in another year or two.
If I were to upgrade everything, any suggestions? Again primary goals are really fast and really quiet.
For the blu ray thing, several articles I read...
I could use my current 500GB drive as an external backup drive - yes good idea. As for only relying on one drive, I use CrashPlan so if all works as advertised, I have a backup of everything there at least.
And if I upgrade from XP to Win 7, I would absolutely do a fresh install.
It sounds...
Thanks for all of the replies guys.
This is sort of along the lines of what I was thinking of doing, as long as it was technically possible with my current set up (sounds like it should be?)
To answer some of the other questions - I already have a Win 7 disc and license ready to go. If...
Ok, just to feed more information to this, I placed a replacement order (my 2nd order never went through, after 3 weeks of waiting, so I called and ordered different DVDs) on November 18th, and this morning (the 21st) I see charges on my CC. I used the same address, different CC, different...
I used this code earlier today, so it still works. I ordered and got my first set, then closed the account and opened a new one about three weeks ago which never got charged, so I called back and ordered some other ones. If that still doesn't go through, I'll use a different address. This is...
Maybe...but I have only had ONE account (my only CH account ever), and I cancelled it on the website the day after I got the DVDs. So I waited a few days and called and started a new account, which is MIA. So, this missing account is only my second, not my third. Pretty confusing. I'll just...
Muse - are you sure the charge on 11/4 wasn't from your second order? I am in the same boat as everyone here..I had an account that wa charged to my CC two days after I opened it (10/22 - 10/24), and I closed the acct and opened another one almost two weeks ago, and haven't seen any charges.
Out of curiosity, I called WD. The CSR didn't know anything about the 2 vs 3 platter issue, but was familiar with Tom's Hardware, so I sent him over there. Basically, calling WD accomplished nothing. I took a look at their site, and under the drive specs, it shows the number of platters = 3...
K-squared,
According to Tom's Hardware, the older 3 platter version has LBA: 234375000, while the newer 2 platter version has LBA: 234441648. Does anyone know if it makes that big of a difference?
HoosierDadE, yours is the 2 platter version, consider yourself lucky. You can tell by the LBA #. Unfortunately, I got the 3 platter version. Do any of you think it makes any difference? I want to make sure before I send off the rebate and all. TIA!
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