Help me build a new PC - Non-HTPC

[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.