Computers - Planning My Next Build

[easysurfer]

Over the past couple of days, I've been planning my next computer build as the clock is ticking on my Win 7 system (as now this moment, 1126 days until security updates end for Win 7). That's still several years away but doesn't hurt to think ahead.

Of course, I can just wait and buy a system pre-built instead of reinventing the wheel. But that'll be no fun.

Not sure if I'm gonna try and reuse old parts (cpu, ram) or go for newer.

 

[hesperus]

what chip are you going to put in there?

 

[MRG]

Any machine will only run as fast as the slower components are able to service requests.


A dejected group of performance folks left a message to all who came after them. Found scribbled on the walls of a large hardware vendors benchmark center.

"All computers wait at the same speed"!

 

[easysurfer]

what processor chip are you going to put in there?

If I go cheap (as in already have the extra cpu) I'll put in a Athlon 64 ​X2 5000+ chip.

But if I want to go new, thinking about going quad core with a FM2+ chip.

 

[hesperus]

Kudos! I haven't built my own from scratch, but I have replaced/updated/added a number of components in the custom builds I purchase. I'm pretty comfortable with that, but not with swapping motherboards, etc... I am planning an upgrade to a new system in 2017, but am currently shovelling coal into an E6700 Core2 duo. I do a lot cpu/gpu intensive photo and video processing, and would like to get a better overall system.

 

[ponyboy]

You'll end up building a machine when in reality you could have gotten the same thing prebuilt for the same price or less.

Unless you're a hardcore gamer there is no point. Get a machine...throw a solid state hard drive in...rejoice.

 

[gauss]

I use to build my own desktops. I figured that they would be more up-gradable/serviceable as time went on. Basically trading in time spent up front vs time spent dealing with it down the line.

For probably at least 10 years now, I have switched to laptops instead of desktops. Obviously I don't build them from scratch, but I do tend to buy off lease enterprise laptops (ie Dell D6xx series).

The ability to get cheap replacement parts for these high volume standardized machines has allowed me to keep them running way past their prime.

-gauss

 

[easysurfer]

You'll end up building a machine when in reality you could have gotten the same thing prebuilt for the same price or less.

Unless you're a hardcore gamer there is no point. Get a machine...throw a solid state hard drive in...rejoice.

I say building, especially from scratch and not using already owned, spare parts will most likely cost more. But the cost is offset to an extent from the knowledge of future self repairs.

There are folks who if the DVD burner goes out, time to call The Geek squad. That was me many many years ago when the power supply went out on an old Tandy 1000 (I think that was the model, a long time ago) and ended up getting that repaired and paying the labor vs just doing that myself.

But as you said, just getting pre-made machine is pretty tempting, especially when the build encounters some hurdles.

 

[easysurfer]

Part of my recent excitement of doing a build is I found this really cool site (for those who like this sort of thing ) that allows you to pick and choose what parts you have/want and get an idea of a system build before actually going and buy parts.

I haven't put in a all the parts to a possible system build yet, but there is a nice parts compatibility checker.

Also, fun to look at what other folks built (from very bare and cheap to nice and fancy).

Feel free to take a look:

https://pcpartpicker.com/

 

[GalaxyBoy]

I built my last couple of machines, but I was into gaming then and it allowed me to optimize performance. But, now that I'm not into gaming I still have a desktop that is more than capable of running current productivity software that isn't nearly as demanding as the best games were around eight years ago.

Will follow this thread with interest to discover whether it's still worth building today. OTOH, it's a fun hobby to mess around with building, although desktops have gotten so cheap I'm not sure if a low-end build will be cost-effective or not.

 

[Ian S]

I rebuilt an existing system a few months back by replacing the CPU and MB. Upgraded from an aging AMD six core 1100T to a new AMD eight core FX-8350 which required a new MB. I also replaced the case in order to avail myself of front USB-3 ports. All the rest of my build was fine, having been upgraded gradually over the years. I sold the old CPU on Ebay for almost the same price as the new one. I was worried about Windows complaining about the new MB and making it difficult to (re)activate the operating system. But it was pretty painless - just had to go online.

 

[easysurfer]

I rebuilt an existing system a few months back by replacing the CPU and MB. Upgraded from an aging AMD six core 1100T to a new AMD eight core FX-8350 which required a new MB. I also replaced the case in order to avail myself of front USB-3 ports. All the rest of my build was fine, having been upgraded gradually over the years. I sold the old CPU on Ebay for almost the same price as the new one. I was worried about Windows complaining about the new MB and making it difficult to (re)activate the operating system. But it was pretty painless - just had to go online.

AMD six core to AMD eight core . Here I am feeling that my duo core is still pretty spiffy.

 

[Ian S]

AMD six core to AMD eight core . Here I am feeling that my duo core is still pretty spiffy.

I do a fair bit of video editing so the extra cores come in handy.

 

[aja8888]

Ten years ago, I started a PC repair business part time that quickly turned into a PC building business. We built hundreds of machines and installed them into new apartment complex offices being built in Houston, Tx and surrounding areas. We also built custom machines for individuals and set up networks (cabling, racking equipment, MS Server installs, etc). I got real tired of it in a few years and sold the business.

I built my own family's machines and got sick of the calls every time something went wrong (Dad's tech support). Last year, I priced some components to build a new desktop for me and was surprised at how cheaply I could buy a pre-built box that was just as good and already came with the OS. So I bought a "refurbished" Dell for DW and a leftover Lenovo for me and upgraded the HDD's with a solid state drives and added more RAM in each machine. Both machines are very fast and were pretty inexpensive.

Maybe I just got burned out from years of building computers to buy pre-built?

(The thrill is gone, so to say).

 

[MRG]

AMD six core to AMD eight core . Here I am feeling that my duo core is still pretty spiffy.

Depends on the workload. Multiple cores may speed up workloads that are properly multithreaded, or multiple concurrent processes. Some apps run slower on hardware with multiple cores! Obviously memory and disk have to be adequately sized.

 

[easysurfer]

I do a fair bit of video editing so the extra cores come in handy.

The extra cores makes a lot of sense. I thought maybe to get the edge deep into gaming.

 

[easysurfer]

So, I went ahead an did the chore of entering my possible future PC parts build using mostly parts I already own. I'm in no rush to actually shop and build.

If you are into the computer build thing, feel free to look and comment:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/88JpQV (my parts list)

 

[alaska55]

you sure about that cpu "Athlon 64 ​X2 5000+" and DDR2 ram. That setup is over 10 years old.

 

[easysurfer]

you sure about that cpu "Athlon 64 ​X2 5000+" and DDR2 ram. That setup is over 10 years old.

Not sure. That's if I go the cheap route since I already have them on hand since my main uses are simple web browsing and stuff like Turbotax. All the items marked as "purchased" on the parts list I already own and got in the past.

 

[growerVon]

PCGamer has custom build specs for several grades of expense linked off this page: Build guide: the best high-end gaming PC | PC Gamer

In 2011 I treated myself to a ground-up custom gaming rig, assembled by me. Fun experience and still kicking, albeit with newer gen SSDs. I based my specs off that year's PCGamer custom rig article. No liquid cooling - too much trouble and I only do tame overclocking.

 

[easysurfer]

you sure about that cpu "Athlon 64 ​X2 5000+" and DDR2 ram. That setup is over 10 years old.

Here's another build plan I just put together. Quad core, 16 GB ram, for about $150 more than the duo core plan from earlier.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/NbKsVY

This parts picker thing is pretty fun. Kind of like spending monopoly money .

 

[aja8888]

RAM is cheap. Use as much as the motherboard will allow. Win 10 sucks it up. Pair the RAM with an SSD and you will be happy.

 

[easysurfer]

RAM is cheap. Use as much as the motherboard will allow. Win 10 sucks it up. Pair the RAM with an SSD and you will be happy.

Maybe cheap but not that cheap. That motherboard for the quad core build holds up to 64GB ram. A 32GB chip runs about $299. That's a lot to run Turbotax . But I do understand what you are saying.

 

[aja8888]

Maybe cheap but not that cheap. That motherboard for the quad core build holds up to 64GB ram. A 32GB chip runs about $299. That's a lot to do Turbotax . But I do understand what you are saying.

I'm not familiar with prices anymore.

When I built computers, I bought parts in bulk and got a business discount so we looked at component cost carefully. We loved it when MB manufacturers got around to installing chips on the board for video, audio and network. That cut out three purchased components.

RAM prices fluctuate as it is a commodity anymore. But the best bang for your buck will be with RAM and a solid state drive. We built business computers (boatloads) and only focused on Win XP and MS Office core uses. Gaming machines are much more demanding and heat was always critical.

Using existing parts in an upgrade build will limit the possibilities. I love that site you linked as I have never seen it. Thanks!

 

[easysurfer]

I'm still waiting for SSD prices to drop more before biting.

That website is a hoot, also helpful for planning a build.