Help me build a new PC - Non-HTPC

[Zvi]

Originally Posted by jsteinhauer

Other than general home office use I am monitoring 5 home security video cameras and want to add another and still have more than enough redundancy to use the internet, do my taxes, play solitaire, whatever, while that package is running. I plan to leave it running 24/7 for home security purposes, so temperature and durability are the main issues.

As you describe it, I'd go with quad core. Or intel E8500 dual core a s minimum, but I think it'll have problems depending on your current apps set running.

If you are watching blu rays or playing any serious game on it, you do need serious CPU power too.

I dunno how CPU/GPU intensive your security app is either, so pretty hard ot guesstimate that part.

Originally Posted by jsteinhauer

have always used AMD processors in the past, but with there questionable ability to survive I am leaning toward Intel.

I doubt AMD survivability is a question, but intel does make better chips. Still, for the budget AMD has very good offerings.

If you have space I'd suggest building something like your NAS or home server, put those security apps there and wherever else you need running for 24/7 and build separate rig for gaming/office work etc.

Originally Posted by jsteinhauer

They have budget priced 7i or i7's and the quad cores, if that's what they're called still seem pretty reasonable when you consider performance per cost. But, I've been out of the game for a while, so I will consider all advice.

Same as before, latest stuff costs more. And it's not that trivial to benefit from DDR3 memory for example, you do need serious number crunching for that. So, in other words unless I was building high performance rig, I'd skip that and stick with earlier generation, thatis LGA775 socket mobos and cpus, with DDR2 memory. Mucho cheaper and for most of the apps you won't be able to tell the difference in terms of performance.

Originally Posted by jsteinhauer

I need suggestions for CPU, motherboard, graphics card, hard drives and memory.

You mentioned OCing. That part doesn't go well with 24/7 and low temps/quiet comps. I've been OCing and watercooling my main rigs for last 5-6 years and yes speed/performance gains are there but so it the heat. Can't complain about stability though.

If you don't have very cpu intense apps running with those security progs in the BG, pick the cheapest quadcore, it'll be fine.

Same problem with the video, if you game, it's a different story, if you don't then there's plenty of cards in 100-150$ range. Gaming doesn't include solitare and 3-5 year old games.

Originally Posted by jsteinhauer

I don't care much about sound card.

I wouldn't either, any half decent mobo has 5.1 sound board on it, and with dual or quad core on it it's unlikely to steal vital cycles from the apps.