Help me build a new PC - Non-HTPC

[jsteinhauer]

The last PC I built was 5 years ago. They didn't even have dual cores yet. It's a pig. I want to be able to easily watch HD video, but I don't need an HTPC. Maybe later, when my BD player wears out.

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. I don't plan to overclock, but could be entertained by that. I have not decided on OS yet, but will either be Vista or 7.

A couple of days of casual research have learned me that there are so many more options available today than there were 5 years ago. It is a little daunting. I don't need cutting edge, but I would like to build something that has a couple of years before obsolescence. I have always used AMD processors in the past, but with there questionable ability to survive I am leaning toward Intel. 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. Advice on what to avoid is good, too.

I need suggestions for CPU, motherboard, graphics card, hard drives and memory. I don't care much about sound card. I will probably put in a BD drive. I will also need a good power supply (which is more important than many people know and can make or break a stable PC).

Thanks much!

[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.

[walruswarrior]

I built my desktop about 2-3 years ago. This is what I used:
Intel D975XBX (motherboard)
Intel Pentium D 950 (Processor)
Nvidia 8800 GTX (Video Card)
Sony BWU100A (Blu-ray Burner)
Corsair 2GB XMS2 Dominator TWIN2X2048-8500C5D
Cooler Master 1000W Power Supply RS-A00-EMBA
Cooler Master Nvidia Computer Case
Hitachi Ultrastar 15K300 300 GB


Mine works just fine and handles HD media very well and I'm in search of a good cooling system and an upgrade to my hard drive.

[jsteinhauer]

Originally Posted by Zvi

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.



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.


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.


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.


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.

Your thoughts are appreciated. Games are of little concern. I would rather sit in the sweet spot in front of the big screen and play games on the PS3. Space is an issue, at least right now. And you are correct, temperature and noise are top priorities. 1000 MHz is what's recommended for processor speed, and I currently have 2.3 or thereabouts with 2GB of DDR ram, but like I said, it's really, really slow. The delay between real time and the video display can be as much as 10-15 seconds. If not for that, I would simply rebuild the same machine. I could probably do it for $100, and the rest of the needs it fulfills are negligible.

Besides building a new PC is fun.

[mikejet]

Do you have the funds to have one PC dedicated to the security system and then another for personal use?

[Zvi]

Originally Posted by jsteinhauer

Games are of little concern.

Well, that's solves/saves quite a bit for both, CPU/GPU. Unless you run CAD or MP4 encoders. Although, mp4 decoders can be pretty taxing

Originally Posted by jsteinhauer

And you are correct, temperature and noise are top priorities. 1000 MHz is what's recommended for processor speed,

1000 ghz? Unless you downclock severely you can't find 1ghz cpu, not the new ones at least.

Originally Posted by jsteinhauer

The delay between real time and the video display can be as much as 10-15 seconds.

I'd guess that with you it's both CPU and GPU.

Anyway, quadcores you can get around 150-200 these days. I'm assuming your ram is DDR2, not sure if it's dual channel or not, but probably you can keep it, although best to upgrade, 3gb ram will be better and it's not gonna be more than 100, I just got top of the line DDR2 4gb for 170$ and that's way too much. You can easily get 4gb for less than half of that.

Originally Posted by jsteinhauer

Besides building a new PC is fun.

Yeah, if it's not top of the line where things get cranky, it is pretty satisfying to build a system to your specs.

[jsteinhauer]

Originally Posted by mikejet

Do you have the funds to have one PC dedicated to the security system and then another for personal use?

I use the laptop mostly for personal use. But there are times when it's just more convenient to use the other one. Say late in the evening when I'd have to run upstairs, turn on all the lights, etc. By the time I fetched the computer and got it started up, I would have been done with whatever task I intended to do.

[phlydude]

I'd go Core i7 for the processor -pick the best you can afford
Pick a decent motherboard -read the reviews and check sites like Tom's Hardware, extremeoverclocking and newegg to get the reviews and prices. Something with triple channel memory channel DDR3 support.

The Video card is going to be the biggest cost for a little future proofing. Something that is HDCP compliant so that you can output blu-ray over HDMI(or DVI to HDMI).

Make sure the power supply you buy has the connections for the video card you select.