Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

[BrianFifaFan]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Hmmm, that is one option, and I could always install it later if SATA II just is too slow... which I don't think it will be. It's just a matter of, is it really worth $140 for the drive, mount, and cable so that Windows starts up faster the occasional times I restart and so Office and my programming applications start up quicker. I don't game or anything like that. It won't be accessing data on the drive.

But I don't have any experience with one either, so maybe it is entirely worth it.

It has it's advantages. The only thing is that there is a lot more space management involved. Because they tend to be so small, you need to go in and tell Windows where to save data like pictures on your old HDD, or you'll be full really quick. Trust me, I burned through 240 gb with a quickness. Plus, with my Sandisk, there was only 212gb usable out of the box. It's kind of a push, extra headaches, but incredible load times. I have three 240 gb Sandisk extremes and simply love them. It's worth it, IMO.

[BrianFifaFan]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Also, you might consider a hybrid. Most of the load time advantages, but more space for the buck. My 750 gb Seagate is pretty darn fast. I use it for all of my programs. My OS is on a ssd.

[Redacted01]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

I've used a Windows only partition since I had XP years ago so it's never a problem about data winding up on there. Before my most recent cleanup, I still had only gotten around 140 GB on my Windows partition, and now that I cleaned up and got rid of old software, I'm only at 100. I wouldn't come close to filling it up and that's with all of my programming and analysis apps like SAS that take up a buttload of space.

I wish there was a way to test one out with my setup. Maybe I'll watch some youtube videos haha. Once I see it some more, I'll be more tempted to do it. That would give me my 1 TB back for storage, which is more than enough, and I still have my 500 GB for backups.

So timing a restart, it takes 50 seconds to go from BIOS to the log-in screen and 3+ minutes to have everything loaded to the desktop. Definitely seems worth it if that gets down to 30 seconds or so total.

[BrianFifaFan]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

I've used a Windows only partition since I had XP years ago so it's never a problem about data winding up on there. Before my most recent cleanup, I still had only gotten around 140 GB on my Windows partition, and now that I cleaned up and got rid of old software, I'm only at 100. I wouldn't come close to filling it up and that's with all of my programming and analysis apps like SAS that take up a buttload of space.

I wish there was a way to test one out with my setup. Maybe I'll watch some youtube videos haha. Once I see it some more, I'll be more tempted to do it. That would give me my 1 TB back for storage, which is more than enough, and I still have my 500 GB for backups.

So timing a restart, it takes 50 seconds to go from BIOS to the log-in screen and 3+ minutes to have everything loaded to the desktop. Definitely seems worth it if that gets down to 30 seconds or so total.

I'm at about 30 secs from boot to desktop. Only thing I would say to research is whether the SSD supports sleep mode. My Sandisk doesn't, so I always have to shut it down. A lot of the newer SSD's support it. I was never one to shut my PC down, it was always in low power mode. But with an SSD, I guess it doesn't really matter as much, anyway.... All in all, I'd say take the plunge. It's definitely a real performance boost. My new PC is mostly SSD, with a 750gb Hybrid thrown in. I have no regrets!

[Redacted01]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Thanks for the heads up. Didn't know about possibly no sleep mode. It does look like, though, that it supports sleep and standby since it lists power consumption for those modes. However, some say that sleep mode can screw up an SSD.

Edit: Seems that is a little dated. 2+ years ago, it was an issue, but these days, seems to be minor.

[Solidice]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

I recently picked up an SSD for my Win 8 desktop(Samsung Evo 840 250GB SSD). load times are extremely fast compared to the mechanical disk I used, probably 20 seconds from power on to fully loaded desktop, including the time to login.

I also have 2 1 TB data drives with an older 500gb extra drive for overflow. I'll likely look into replacing those drives with hybrids in the future, especially the one I use to store my games, and will probably go with 2+ TB drives when i do. I've nearly filled up the game install drive.

[cubsfan203]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Was going to make the drive to Microcenter today to pick up the FX-8320, but it looks like I missed out on that deal.

[Redacted01]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Oh what the hell, I'm getting it lol. It's going to be far and away an upgrade going from a 32 MB cache 7200 RPM HDD to an SSD, even on SATA II. And then I can look into getting SATA III capability later, or just use it on my next build many years from now... when SATA 17 will probably exist.

[BrianFifaFan]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Oh what the hell, I'm getting it lol. It's going to be far and away an upgrade going from a 32 MB cache 7200 RPM HDD to an SSD, even on SATA II. And then I can look into getting SATA III capability later, or just use it on my next build many years from now... when SATA 17 will probably exist.

You won't regret it.

[BrianFifaFan]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

I recently picked up an SSD for my Win 8 desktop(Samsung Evo 840 250GB SSD). load times are extremely fast compared to the mechanical disk I used, probably 20 seconds from power on to fully loaded desktop, including the time to login.

I also have 2 1 TB data drives with an older 500gb extra drive for overflow. I'll likely look into replacing those drives with hybrids in the future, especially the one I use to store my games, and will probably go with 2+ TB drives when i do. I've nearly filled up the game install drive.

My long term dream is to get a 1tb Evo, or two. It's nice to see prices coming down. I figure another year, it'll be in the .50 per gb range. The 1tb Evo is about .60 per.

[av7]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Oh what the hell, I'm getting it lol. It's going to be far and away an upgrade going from a 32 MB cache 7200 RPM HDD to an SSD, even on SATA II. And then I can look into getting SATA III capability later, or just use it on my next build many years from now... when SATA 17 will probably exist.

Dont forget, Cyber Monday coming up on 12/2

[Redacted01]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Dont forget, Cyber Monday coming up on 12/2

It's already 41% off. It wasn't going to drop any more. However, that does remind me to look for something. Doubt it can be found though.

And it doesn't exist, at least in the few Newegg has in stock... stupid me, I didn't turn on AM3+ motherboards when I was searching before. Gigabyte has an AM3 motherboard with SATA III, so I guess I'll check out Amazon, Tigerdirect, and places like that. If I can upgrade the motherboard pretty cheap, that may be the way to go. I don't really have a need to build a whole new system any time soon and have already put $200 into a 3.5 year old machine. I got 8 GB of DDR3 1600 for $60 last week on Newegg.

Not to mention going through the whole process of overclocking, although, I was kinda disappointed I only got this 3.2 up to 3.6 on my current ASRock. That might make up for it. I just don't want to pay ~$100 for ancient tech at this point.

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Computer-S...=operasport-20

This looks like a decent upgrade to my current motherboard and under $70 makes it a buy for me. Maybe I'll wait a few days and do some more research, but not going to be many choices for motherboards that support an AM3 chip. But I found it on Newegg and it has plenty of disappointing reviews. Now I remember how much of a mess this was the last time haha

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Ok, so this harder than I thought. I forgot I can use AM3+ boards. Problem is, the ones with a PATA connector, which I have a 500 GB I use for backups, only have 2 memory slots, so those are out. There are a few affordable boards, but now I'll have to buy a new hard drive so it starts to cancel out the benefits because I wasn't expecting that. There were several that are pushing $200, which I can't justify for an old chipset. Maybe they'll come down some day and I can buy, but that's too much for 3.5 year old components.

Ok, so here's what I am going to look at, so if you guys have any recommendations or tell me if it isn't worth it given the age of the machine.

I have a Phenom II with an unlocked core, so I need a motherboard that should still allow that. It may be standard for what I'm looking for now.
My current main hard drive is a 1 TB WD black with only 32MB of cache and I have a 500 GB PATA drive I only use for backups. I could get a new 1 TB WD blue 6 GB SATA III with 64 MB cache for $55. Plus the SSD I bought.
I have 12 GB of DDR3 1600 memory so nothing has to be done there.
I have a 5770 and onboard video, but since my computer is now in the office, I don't ever plug a TV into it and me going to 3 monitors unlikely so I can ditch the onboard video requirement. I have no USB 3 devices, but I should probably get that too to future proof a bit. If I do this, I want this machine to push 10 years of use now. This will be about $1500 that goes into it.

That would open up the options a bit more. I'd also to get some SATA III cables. Pretty sure the ones I have now wouldn't support the speed for the new hard drive.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131872

Sorry I'm posting a ton here, but I'd like to get this done today, and this one looks like a bargain at $55 after rebate. And it has the potential for me to upgrade my processor later on if I choose.

Really seems to between that ASUS and this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130637

They're rated ok. They've both had issues. My last motherboard was rated extremely well so maybe this is normal and I shouldn't be concerned with that. On Tigerdirect, people seem to like them. So what do you guys think between those two? I think the MSI might actually be a bit better, and it has the x8 PCIe 2.0, but my one video card is plenty for what I do. One better off in the long run. You know if one has better reputation? I've never had problems with any of my equipment so I doubt I will with anything new, but if one is known for unreliability, I'd rather skip out on it given my plan here.

[Redacted01]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

And now I'm looking at processors... so here's my options.

1) Use the SSD on SATA II, forget updating anything else. Cheapest option.

2) Get an AM3+ motherboard, probably entry level given what I have, and I have to get a new HDD.

3) I'm going to talk to my dad because he has some ancient HP desktop. He doesn't use it often, but if he's interested, I will give my old motherboard and processor, and I'll get an FX processor. I just do programming, what I have works, so upgrading isn't really essential. I can afford it, but I'm almost doing it just for the sake of doing it. What ever I get, I want it to be good for YEARS. I spent enough the first time and never thought I'd be considering this just a few years later. Partly, I'm disappointed in the low overclock I got and if I can just buy a good 4+ core processor out of the box, which it seems the FX can provide, I'm tempted. I have a 520W power supply so shouldn't have to worry about anything I add that I know of.

[cubsfan203]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Managed to snag the FX-8320 at Microcenter. Once I get all the parts I need I'll have built a running computer for ~$275. I'll probably add around a $100 video card at some point as well. Not sure if I'm going to get Windows or not.

[Redacted01]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

So my dad decided to take my old equipment. Getting a case and power supply for like $60. His HDD and DVD drive are already SATA II so will work fine.

This actually opens up the floor quite a bit for me now so I need some advice. I don't want to spend and an arm and a leg, but I can get an entirely new motherboard/processor combo now. All it has to be is compatible with DDR3 1600 memory, which I have 8 gigs of and may buy more, but doubt it is necessary. My video card should be fine in any PCI 2.0 x16 slot. All my drives are SATA II/III now. At 520W, I have a Seasonic power supply which should be good for anything.

Time to go in on Ivy Bridge (or is Sandy Bridge still a good buy)? Stick to the AM3+ I was looking at before and get an FX processor? I don't game, I just do programming, mostly numerical calculations are involved for what I do, but just programming and design period after that. So I doubt I need some real high end i7 or anything like that.