Another Computer Build Thread
#122
Boost Czar
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I seriously have no idea where to start, i'll read through this thread and see what others have put together, but I haven't built a PC since 2000.
But I figure I can end up with something a little better and cheaper than buying another Dell.
I'm still using a Dell I bought in 2007. 1.6Ghz dual core with 8GB of DDR2.
But I figure I can end up with something a little better and cheaper than buying another Dell.
I'm still using a Dell I bought in 2007. 1.6Ghz dual core with 8GB of DDR2.
#125
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probably want to spend under $1K.
I need something that can handle processing large photographs in lightroom and photoshop.
I only play Starcraft 2 as a game, but only hesistate buying new games cause I know it can't handle anything (like Bioshock 2)
i dont need ultra, but i need something competent.
I need something that can handle processing large photographs in lightroom and photoshop.
I only play Starcraft 2 as a game, but only hesistate buying new games cause I know it can't handle anything (like Bioshock 2)
i dont need ultra, but i need something competent.
#126
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So that we have some reference, describe the Dell machine you have now. I know it's a 1.6 Ghz dual-core machine, but that covers several classes and generations of processors. Which CPU, specifically?
#127
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I would think about the "new" i7's since you want video processing something like the 3550k or if you can swing it the 3770k, then some mother board that fits, 16gb of ram, a previous series mid range video card at least 1TB of hard drive space, and something around 800W power supply in a $30 case with some fans sounds good.
#128
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For right around $1k I got an i5, z77 motherboard, 8GB ram, a 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD, and an AMD HD7850, and a 700-ish watt PSU (I already had a case). That was almost a year ago, so you should be able to get that for cheaper or the newer versions of everything (Haswell instead of Ivy Bridge, Z87 instead of 77, etc) for the same $1k. I cheaped out on the graphics card relative to everything else since it's the easiest to swap out once you want more power.
#129
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Hey, I'll have you know that I'm playing SIX year old games!
But seriously. I would start with something totally mundane and ordinary like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883113259
And then throw in a nice, mid-range graphics card like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814202011
And that's about it. $560 total for a machine that'll be perfectly adequate for quite some time to come.
But seriously. I would start with something totally mundane and ordinary like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883113259
And then throw in a nice, mid-range graphics card like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814202011
And that's about it. $560 total for a machine that'll be perfectly adequate for quite some time to come.
#130
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Problem with that Joe, is you will need a new PSU also. I don't think 300w will cut it with a mid-level graphics card added on. Did the same to my dad's Dell that he got for a nice employer discount. Then you have to hope that Gateway didn't use some bullshit proprietary case that won't fit an aftermarket PSU.
#131
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Good point.
The graphics card I linked to draws 80 watts, so it might or might not work depending upon how honest Gateway's published specs are. Add another $37 for a beefy power supply: LEPA N Series N500-SA 500W ATX12V Power Supply - Newegg.com
Fitment into the case won't be an issue- I have that video card, and it's fairly small.
The graphics card I linked to draws 80 watts, so it might or might not work depending upon how honest Gateway's published specs are. Add another $37 for a beefy power supply: LEPA N Series N500-SA 500W ATX12V Power Supply - Newegg.com
Fitment into the case won't be an issue- I have that video card, and it's fairly small.
#133
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Damn near everyone uses off-the-shelf PSUs these days in their "full size" machines, with the exception of some Dell models, and every single thing produced by Apple. The Gateway PCs most certainly do.
Here's what that specific machine I linked to looks like on the inside:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/gaming-91/91881d1382122729-another-computer-build-thread-gateway.jpg)
Were it not for the word "Gateway" written on it (and the lower price) it would be nearly impossible to distinguish from a build-it-yourself PC.
Here's what that specific machine I linked to looks like on the inside:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/gaming-91/91881d1382122729-another-computer-build-thread-gateway.jpg)
Were it not for the word "Gateway" written on it (and the lower price) it would be nearly impossible to distinguish from a build-it-yourself PC.
#134
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Well if you DIY-ed and got an H67 mobo with an Ivy Bridge i5 like that one has, it wouldn't work because the H67 would need a firmware upgrade to be able to use the Ivy Bridge CPU. Ask me how I know.
Sorry Joe, I didn't want to do the m.net thing of 'X told me that Y tried Z and it didn't work' but I have heard of people who tried to replace their PSU only to find it was a proprietary size.
Sorry Joe, I didn't want to do the m.net thing of 'X told me that Y tried Z and it didn't work' but I have heard of people who tried to replace their PSU only to find it was a proprietary size.
#135
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I've got a couple of small-form-factor Lenovos at home, and even they are built with all off-the-shelf hardware. The power supply in the back of this ThinkStation might look proprietary, but it isn't; that's a TFX12V form-factor, and you can get these from NewEgg for $25 (albeit at a max of 350w):
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/gaming-91/91886-another-computer-build-thread-lenovo-desktop-thinkcentre-m72e-closeup-front-back.jpg?dateline=1382125231)
And here's the Intel design guide describing the TFX form factor: http://www.formfactors.org/developer....01%20PSDG.pdf
If I had to guess, I'd say that some of those people "who tried to replace their PSU only to find it was a proprietary size" either didn't know where to look or weren't trying hard enough. Eg: "It's not ATX, so therefore it must be proprietary."
But that Gateway? 100% ATX.
#138
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Lets step this back a bit, if we're going to do the Joe route, why not go my actual route. I haven't bought an entirely new computer for myself since highschool. But I've bought almost 3 computers worth of stuff since then. Brain, lets get a full run down of EVERYTHING in your current computer, including type of ram and the type of connectors on the DVD drive and hard drives and if your case is somewhat standard or not. I would bet that you could do this in stages, buy used part, etc. At the very least we can keep the DVD drive and HDD from the current computer and save a couple hundred bucks there in the short term.
Video cards are a great thing to buy used, they're hard to kill or **** up, and they ship well. And that GTX460 in my computer right now thats like a 3-4 year old mid range card will still max or almost max most games with an acceptable frame rate on a single monitor at 1680x1050. And little timmy insisted that mommy buy him the GTXRR9001 Purple ***** edition and he's selling his GTX580 for like nothing compared to what it cost new.
Video cards are a great thing to buy used, they're hard to kill or **** up, and they ship well. And that GTX460 in my computer right now thats like a 3-4 year old mid range card will still max or almost max most games with an acceptable frame rate on a single monitor at 1680x1050. And little timmy insisted that mommy buy him the GTXRR9001 Purple ***** edition and he's selling his GTX580 for like nothing compared to what it cost new.
#139
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I'm gonna guess a Dell from '07 has nothing of value left. Maybe the HDD. In my case the DVD drive from my old case was IDE so it was worthless, but a new one is like $15 so it's not a big deal, it certainly won't save you a couple hundred bucks.
Also a used GPU that is equivalent to a 'midrange' card today is going to eat up a lot of juice, which may be a problem for that 300w gateway power supply.
Also a used GPU that is equivalent to a 'midrange' card today is going to eat up a lot of juice, which may be a problem for that 300w gateway power supply.