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Desktop configuration for performance

(12 posts)
  • Started 3 years ago by mukarakaplan
  • Latest reply from mickeyblue
  • Topic Viewed 4126 times

mukarakaplan
Posts: 7

Hi,
I want to build a desktop computer with Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit. I don't play games but I need high performance because I run several statistical software at the same time analyzing tons of data and equations, and my time is scarce that I don't want to wait for hours to get results. My money is scarce too, so I'm looking for a system with high performance and low cost at around $1000.

Below is what I configured. I'm not sure if these components will work well altogether without any conflicts, or if there is some important component missing. Any ideas, suggestions and warnings are welcome.

Subtotal + Shipping: $1117

$15 - Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (University subscription price)

$189 - AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ965FBGMBOX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6819103727

$90 - GIGABYTE GA-MA785G-UD3H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6813128395

$113 - Kingston HyperX T1 Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KHX8500D2T1K2/4G - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6820104098

$200 - Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000HLFS 300GB 10000 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6822136322

$100 - Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6811129021

$65 - Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6817371016

$29 - HP 24X Multiformat DVD Writer Black SATA Model 1260i - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6827140042

$210 - SAMSUNG 2494SW Glossy Black 24" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6824001338

$70 - Microsoft CSD-00001 Black 2.4 GHz Wireless Ergonomic Comfort Desktop 5000 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6823109181

Posted 3 years ago #
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StringJunky
StringJunky
Posts: 2454

You won't gain anything with quad core unless you know your apps can use all four- check that out. If they don't then you can save money getting a good dual core. A separate graphics card might be a good idea...the money you save on not getting quad core could go towards a reasonable card.

Posted 3 years ago #
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mickeyblue
mickeyblue
Posts: 1521

its an ok build, but you can do better for $1000.

1. no need for the WD velociraptor, these days 30GB SSD's are the way to go, its houses your OS and programs, and is much, much faster than the velociraptor, and a good $50 cheaper. OCZ vertex 30GB SSD
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.....6820227393
2. WD 500GB caviar blue for DATA
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.....6822136073
3. suggest new motherboard, AM3 dedicated as it supports DDR3. ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.....6813131398
4.new RAM for the DDR3 board, G.skill DDR3 1600
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.....6820231277

the rest is fine, the motherbaord i mentioned does have a onboard video chipset ATI HD 4200 with 128mb of ram, which is ok, but id suggest a dedicated video card, for better performance.

Posted 3 years ago #
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mukarakaplan
Posts: 7

Is 30gb sdd enough for Windows 7 ultimate 64-bit, and all its stuff? If I do it that way I'll have to have all other software and user data on 7200 rpm. Would it cause any problems? Would it be more efficient than if everything was on the 10000 rpm?

Posted 3 years ago #
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mickeyblue
mickeyblue
Posts: 1521

WIn7 is only between 15GB when installed, the 30GB SSD can house the OS and any other programs you need to be super fast, say like photoshop. other programs will run fast enough on the WD caviar blue, WD10000rpm veliciraptors are good but noisy, and overpriced.
no problems if you install programs on the HD instead of the SSD.

Posted 3 years ago #
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mukarakaplan
Posts: 7

How about this config:

$189 - AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ965FBGMBOX - Retail

$100 - ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6813131398

$109 - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6820231189

$150 - OCZ Vertex Series OCZSSD2-1VTX30GXXX 2.5" 30GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6820227393

$55 - SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6822152181

$145 - Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....mbo.314787

$25 - SAMSUNG 24x DVD Burner - Bulk SATA Model SH-S243N/ BEBE - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6827151193

$210 - SAMSUNG 2494SW Glossy Black 24" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6824001338

Posted 3 years ago #
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mickeyblue
mickeyblue
Posts: 1521

now your talking, just add the WD 500Gb caviar blue and your ready to buy!!!
are you 100% sure this will not be for gaming? the antec 900 is a good case, but flashy and mainly for gamers "like me" ;)
there are cheaper cases that are just as good but dont have the flashy lights and stuff, unless you like the case?

Posted 3 years ago #
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mukarakaplan
Posts: 7

I thought the Samsung 500 GB I selected is as good as, or maybe even better than WD 500GB caviar blue.

I know Antec 900 is a gamer case. Its being flashy is not an issue, just disconnect the cables of the lights. My main concern is to have enough cooling inside the case. I just cannot afford any hardware failure with the thing I'll be doing with this computer. As far as I understand, Antec 900 comes with 3x120 fans and 1x200 fan, am I right? Is there any comparable case (in terms of cooling) with a lower price?

Posted 3 years ago #
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mickeyblue
mickeyblue
Posts: 1521

true, the samsung is a good HD, no worries there.

well i have the coolermaster storm scout, and it has 1 x 140mm front intake, 1 x 140mm top exhanust, 1 x 120mm rear exhaust and 2 x 120mm side intake (extra fans i purchased) and my components stay under 30'c. even when i had the stock CPU cooler it was still very cool.
its just a big dust magnet, no dust filters on the 2 x side intakes. it also has a button to turn off the LED's of the fans.

www.newegg.com/Product/Product.....6811119196

Posted 3 years ago #
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raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 14920

Might consider some more HDs and take advantage of that Raid controller. Just a thought looking at a $99 MB.

Posted 3 years ago #
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mukarakaplan
Posts: 7

Have you used an SSD with a 7200 before? I think I will need to move the users folder to the 7200, right? How does it work? Actually I had the question on the following link but couldn't get and answer:

http://www.tomshardware.com/fo.....n-headache

Posted 3 years ago #
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mickeyblue
mickeyblue
Posts: 1521

the SSD is mainly for speedy booting, and programs. you can save your documents on the 7200 HD, to avoid clutter on the SSD.
im no expert on SSD's, there is a resident SSD expert WHS but i think he is on holiday, hah.

Posted 3 years ago #
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