Steve's Rig 2015

[Skhilled]

My current PC has a lot of issues. Some being:

1.  Getting very sluggish since the last 2 Windows upgrades.

2.  Still using Vista! 

3.  I built this one 5 years ago and the CPU is old. Using AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 4800 2.51 GHz 32-bit version.

4.  Some software will not update or install because of the old CPU or Vista.

5.  Only 4 GB RAM DDR2...should be at least 8GB.

5.  Stalls on boot up possibly due to BIOS upgrades. Using ASUS M2N-E Motherboard.

So, I've decided to build a new PC this year with my Tax Refund.

Since I didn't have anywhere to go yesterday, I decided to drive to the Philadelphia/St. Davids Micro Center location (they have various locations across the US) on an "info gathering" mission to see what I should get and how much I can expect to pay. The staff there are VERY knowledgeable and can answer all of your questions...I've been going there almost since they opened about 25 years ago! They have a vast array of products...almost anything you could every want for a computer or other device. Training for various needs is on location as well as they can build a computer for you while you wait!...for an extra fee. Books, software, nut and bolts of various sizes and colors, PC cases, fans...you name it! Trust me, you will be impressed! And they have different sales going on every week.

So, here's what I got so far:

Motherboard
ASUS A88X-PRO Socket FM2+ ATX AMD Motherboard - The link says "Out of stock" cause I bought the last one!  This was $149.99 with a $25 instant savings and a $25 mail-in rebate! And because I purchased the CPU, listed below, they took another $40 off! 

CPU
AMD A10 7850K 4.0 GHz Black Edition Boxed processor - This is listed at $149.99 at most places but was $119.99 there and helped me get the $40 off for the mobo above. 

Memory
Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) - 2 sticks which I may take back for faster ones and 16GB instead of the 8GB these have...not that they are bad. I just started thinking I may want more.

So...I still need to get:

1.  PC case - preferrably toolless and plenty of space for drive bays and ventilation.

2.  DVD drive - the one I have is messed up. 

3.  Fans for the case

4. Power supply unit (PSU)

5.  SSD HD drive - for my primary drive for speed.

6.  1 or 2 TB HD for storage.

6.  Graphics Card (GPU) - the mobo does have on-board graphics so that is not needed right away.

7.  Win 8.1

And maybe a few bells and whistles like lighting for the inside of the case or colored screws to match the case.

Any updates or anything else I can think of will be added to this topic.

[Ken.]

Sounds good so far Steve. 
You'll find a lot to like with Win 8.1 and a few parts that you do not... but there are work around for most.

My two top changes are to the start page, I installed Classic Shell to replace that page full of charms. And the 'OneDrive'... my 8.1 laptop is stuck with the OneDrive icon down by my clock because, even though OneDrive can be disabled, it cannot be turned off. 

Anyways... I'm looking forward to reading about your progress as you do your build. 

Ps: Any idea on your final cost?

[Maxx]

Yes sounds very close to the one I built and build for others, I would get to 2 one TB drives at a High Cache  and at least 7200 rpm SATA. the Windows 8.1, I also like very lite on resources once you clean out what you don't want it's nice. ( note the Solid state drives run fast, until they build up some file then they get slower and slower) are very pricy!

I keep a in clone on the other drive ( secondary )!

 has many apps you just delete and or high. as Ken mention you can set up a regular Desk top,
Some of the control Icons hidden but mostly on the bottom left and right sides.
You will find it very fast compared to Vista.

I have on my Intel windows 10
on my standby AMD ASUS PC I have windows 7
and on my Laptop I have windows 8.1

Once you you get hang of the Windows 8.1 you will like , I think!
Many don't like 8.1 cause they don't like the change!

"Yes it's been a long time coming, but change is gonna come oh yes it. " say one more time Sam!

if any of you guys need help, with you computers. I will try my best to help you out!

regards,
Maxx

 

[Skhilled]

Sounds good so far Steve. 
You'll find a lot to like with Win 8.1 and a few parts that you do not... but there are work around for most.

My two top changes are to the start page, I installed Classic Shell to replace that page full of charms. And the 'OneDrive'... my 8.1 laptop is stuck with the OneDrive icon down by my clock because, even though OneDrive can be disabled, it cannot be turned off. 

Anyways... I'm looking forward to reading about your progress as you do your build. 

Ps: Any idea on your final cost?

Thanks. I plan on changing the Start Page because I've never liked it since Win 7. It's one of the reasons why I still use Vista. LOL

As for the cost, I usually spend around $500-600 but that is usually all in one shot. I plan for what I want then buy it all at once. This time I'll go a bit slower and spread it across several paychecks. This will allow me to spend a bit more.

Yes sounds very close to the one I built and build for others, I would get to 2 one TB drives at a High Cache  and at least 7200 rpm SATA. the Windows 8.1, I also like very lite on resources once you clean out what you don't want it's nice. ( note the Solid state drives run fast, until they build up some file then they get slower and slower) are very pricy!

I keep a in clone on the other drive ( secondary )!

Yes, the SSD'd also tend to wear out faster from what I've been reading in reviews so the jury is still out on that.

So, I may opt for the two 1 TG drives. I always dual-boot with at least one version of linux and that would give me enough space for several distros to play with.

I also got paid Friday and didn't realize I had more in my account that I realized or I may have gotten a few more things. 

[Ken.]

Yes, the SSD'd also tend to wear out faster from what I've been reading in reviews so the jury is still out on that.

So, I may opt for the two 1 TG drives. I always dual-boot with at least one version of linux and that would give me enough space for several distros to play with.

I've read those reviews as well, but there seem to be many positives as well and to me the main one would be SSD speed as compared to other drives available... so if it were me building a new PC a small SSD, just big enough to hold the OS, would be my first choice for the main drive and then one or two regular (SATA) drives for programs and storage.

Me gonna enjoy seeing you build this one Steve. 

[Maxx]

Another thing that comes to mind is the sata connectors both on the drive and the cables are very fragile and break easily so plz take care those, and some with little like lock down levers one them so they do not come lose so easy. and make certain on Pwr supply that it has the correct plug type or types for the CPU power, so you may ask you friend before you by the power supply. Mine had dual fans and on off switch, some do not,

All dram and Video bus speeds must match the board, and I myself prefer to use the mid speed and if your gonna go 64 bit, make certain your favorite software will and all are 64bit as well. ( but some of the newer software will work in the 32bit mode on your windowz 7,8 and up, I run all at 64 Bit.

Maybe you know all this just a reminder on whatever!

regards,
Maxx

[Maxx]

Yes, the SSD'd also tend to wear out faster from what I've been reading in reviews so the jury is still out on that.

So, I may opt for the two 1 TG drives. I always dual-boot with at least one version of linux and that would give me enough space for several distros to play with.

I've read those reviews as well, but there seem to be many positives as well and to me the main one would be SSD speed as compared to other drives available... so if it were me building a new PC a small SSD, just big enough to hold the OS, would be my first choice for the main drive and then one or two regular (SATA) drives for programs and storage.

Me gonna enjoy seeing you build this one Steve. 

I'm all for that and just surfing the web. and do your work on the HDD.  I can see some laptops doing better on SSD also! I think it great Idea for some things!

Maxx

[Skhilled]

Yes, the SSD'd also tend to wear out faster from what I've been reading in reviews so the jury is still out on that.

So, I may opt for the two 1 TG drives. I always dual-boot with at least one version of linux and that would give me enough space for several distros to play with.

I've read those reviews as well, but there seem to be many positives as well and to me the main one would be SSD speed as compared to other drives available... so if it were me building a new PC a small SSD, just big enough to hold the OS, would be my first choice for the main drive and then one or two regular (SATA) drives for programs and storage.

Me gonna enjoy seeing you build this one Steve. 

Yes, a SSD should be the primary drive so your PC and startup programs boot much faster. Programs you will load after bootup will also load a lot faster. You don't really need much more than 500GB for a primary drive unless you like to install a ton of programs and keep them all installed at once. Otherwise, you should put photos, videos, files you save or backup to your seconday or other drives. This will help keep your primary drive clutter free, mostly.

Another thing that comes to mind is the sata connectors both on the drive and the cables are very fragile and break easily so plz take care those, and some with little like lock down levers one them so they do not come lose so easy. and make certain on Pwr supply that it has the correct plug type or types for the CPU power, so you may ask you friend before you by the power supply. Mine had dual fans and on off switch, some do not,

All dram and Video bus speeds must make the board, and I myself prefer to use the mid speed and if your gonna go 64 bit, make certain you favorite software will and all are 64bit as well. ( but some of the newer software will work in the 32bit mode on your windowz 7,8 and up, I run all at 64 Bit.

Maybe you know all this just a reminder on whatever!

regards,
Maxx

You should always be careful when connecting something to your mobo. If it breaks everything else may not work since it is the heart of your system. As for the PSU, I like dual fans as well for better airflow. However, this must also coincide with your case's airflow to maximize it.

I tend to go midspeed as well. But I have overclocked a few times and have blown a board doing it. LOL So, I tend to stay on the low side, if I OC. When I built this board, 64 bit was the latest thing but the problem was only a few software manufacturers actually had software that actually used it. So, I stuck with 32-bit mode and do until this day, mostly because of Vista. I may go full 64-bit this time because you can use 32-bit compatibility mode for 32-bit programs which is a lot more reliable than it was years ago.

[Maxx]

Steve I got one of these running in my main PC, I like WD. on special My cost more.

WD BLACK SERIES WD1003FZEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
Extra savings w/ promo code ESCAPAT34, ends 3/8
4 out of 5 eggs (325)   |   Write a Review

Code: [Select]

Newegg.com

[Skhilled]

Actually, I was just looking at that same one on amazon.com and it's about $5 cheaper and I may even get it cheaper than that and with no shipping charges because I'm a Prime Member.

[Maxx]

Well Mine is running great I like WD best then any of them. The SGate 1TB some clam a small shock or bump can cause the to fail, at least a while back anyway!

But the WD is the best but no matter where you get it cheaper is better beware of shipping

regards,
Maxx

[Skhilled]

I usually only buy online at Amazon.com so I don't worry about shipping.

But I may go back to Micro Center to get it...we'll see...

[Maxx]

Yes I think you'll be happy with it, they are very quite and I use Iorbit drefrag, as you know works in the background and you can even scan  defrag the boot sector and every so many boots, I think mine is set for every week, on the boot sector scan.

I know you know most of this stuff. just and FYI for others!

Maybe someone else can use this info!

Edit going Blind and every time Avg pops up for Thunderbird warning is blocks my typing, but I don't like Outlook or IE, so what the >>>>hey!

regards,
Maxx

[Skhilled]

Thanks!

[Skhilled]

OK, decided on a PC case. Watch the video about half way down the page for more info:

Corsair Carbide Series 300R Mid-Tower ATX Gaming Computer Case

My primary hard drive...for now:

WD Black 1TB 7,200 RPM SATA III 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive WD1003FZEX

And my DVD Writer:

Samsung SH-224DB24x SATA Internal DVD Burner OEM - SH-224DB/BEBE

All that is left is the PSU (which I may use my current one) and a video card which I'll get later since there is one built into the board and I don't game much on the PC, atm and Win 8.1... Not sure when I 'll get everything going yet...