New Build Help.

gooch2k9

I'm looking to build meself a new computer, more for experience than need really. Mainly going to be using it for normal office stuff, as well as electronics CAD, which involves a bit of 3D modelling but nothing too serious from what I've seen other packages doing. Not going to be doing any serious gaming on it, age of empires 3 is about as fancy as it gets with me. However still looking to build a fairly good computer, and it has to be upgradeable. I've done up two specs on the german site, no idea which one is better or more suitable.

Budget is quite low: €500, €550 absolute maximum.

Was hoping someone wouldn't mind casting their eye over the two specs and offer some help in choosing, as well as confirming all the stuff is compatible, I'm a bit confused in places.





Any more details just let me know.

Thanks in advance for any help and recommendations:D

Monotype

Given the low budget, I think AMD might be a better route. Does your 3D modelling software have specific graphics requirements?

Here's what I'd recommend...




CPU- 1090T is nearly the same as the 1100T - They are both black editions and you can easily change the 1090T the the same speeds and above.
http://www2.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=34041

Motherboard - fine
http://www2.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=34246

RAM - Buy RAM in pairs, not triple kits. 4GB is plenty for even gaming machines, but if your work needs more get 8GB as 2x4GB modules.
http://www2.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=28068

HDD - Regular F3 instead of the ecogreen. The 1TB version is only €10 more, maybe get that.
http://www2.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=28151

BD-ROM
http://www2.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=39701

Better PSU
http://www2.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=30074

Case
http://www2.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=9427

Graphics card - not needed. AOE III will run on integrated graphics. The 4250 is actually not bad.

I suppose you could get the intel system with a bit of tweaking. Getting the 2500K seems a bit of a waste on a H61 motherboard, although it would have better graphics capabilities than the non-K CPUs.
An alternative is to wait a little while and get an AM3+ board. These will be compatible with future AMD processors, but they're not in stock yet.

gooch2k9

Any idea when the AM3+ boards and cpus are due out? I've seen that ASRock have boards out but other manufacturers haven't yet...

If they're not out within the next month or two I'll more than likely go with that build you've recommended. Won't be upgrading anytime soon after building so it should do me for two or three years.

As for the 3D modelling, I have no idea of whats involved, it's a simple 3D view of how a PCB layout will look, which can be rotated 360 degrees. The computers in college can do it, and they're at least four years old so I can't imagine it would be anything too taxing.

Will the integrated graphics be able to support watchin blu ray discs in 1080p yeah? From the build you have recommended I could afford a cheap GFX if it was necessary for this.

Monotype

I see a Gigabyte one due for the 22nd on hardwareversand. Others are listed, but not date.

Yeah, blu rays should be no problem.

gooch2k9

Think I'll go with what is available now, should be more than enough for my needs. Thanks for the advice.

gooch2k9

Just realised I won't be able to order until around the 22nd so I decided to investigate the AM3+ boards as suggested. I've seen they have an AM3+ board in stock for €10 dearer than the currently chosen one.

Link: http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?agid=1232&aid=47597&basket.add_aid=47597&basket.tkt=248

That could be swapped in place of the other one, and the only thing that would need changed is the RAM, as it doesn't seem to support 1600. Am I right? As it would be well worth the little extra money to have it compatible with future processors.

Monotype

1600MHz is listed. I wouldn't be too bothered even if it wasn't. The compatibility with RAM has been fairly good with this generation of AMDs.
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_AM3Plus/M5A88V_EVO/#specifications

That looks like a reasonably good board - nearly identical to the last. I think that the extra compatibility is worth the money. You probably won't need to upgrade from an X6, but we don't know much about these processors and you might appreciate the choice to have 8 cores later.

gooch2k9

That has O.C. beside it, I'm assuming thats overclocked, which I wouldn't have any idea about. From what I've read there isn't a huge real world difference between 1333 and 1600, so would probably go with the 1333 if it saved me from having to do the overclocking.

Monotype

I checked their qualified vender list and CMX4GX3M2A1600C9 is there. You could use lower voltage if you are concered.
I've used this ram in a few AMD systems.
http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=29673

Or 1333 RAM with faster timings.
http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=44317

gooch2k9

Went with the second set you recommended just to be sure.

Heres how the final build looks:

gooch2k9

Just waiting on the stuff to arrive now.

Have a question about cooling the CPU just. If I use the stock cooler, can I change it in the future if I decide to try overclocking, or would I have to get a better cooler straight away?

Was looking at the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro.
http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=28345&agid=669

Edit: Oh and that cooler would fit the AM3+ socket?

Mister Man

The stock headsink is fine if you aren't overclocking it.
Simple to change in future if you decide to upgrade though.
That arctic headsink will fit any AMD Socket currently (Including your am3+ board)

gooch2k9

Got the stuff this morning so spent until now building away. Hit a slight snag though, the power on LED connector is a two pin, whereas the headers are three pin spaced, with no pin in the centre. Anyone any suggestions about this? I was thinking of just cutting it and connecting + to + etc.

deconduo

gooch2k9 wrote: »

Got the stuff this morning so spent until now building away. Hit a slight snag though, the power on LED connector is a two pin, whereas the headers are three pin spaced, with no pin in the centre. Anyone any suggestions about this? I was thinking of just cutting it and connecting + to + etc.

Usually the power LED connectors are split anyway, thats unfortunate. Splitting it manually should be fine.

gooch2k9

Thanks for the quick response, I'm going to leave it for now and make a little adapter for it myself, splitting will break it I think. It's only an LED so not entirely necessary.

Another question, the case I have(http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=18537&agid=631) has three fans installed. These have a four pin connector on each of these. Do I connect these to the power supply? I'm confused as there is a CHA_Fan and PWR_Fan on the motherboard, but I have no cable to connect these.

gooch2k9

OK got everything going, windows installed, all running fine.

Considering adding in a graphics card in the near future and have been looking at the ATI Radeon HD 6850. Would the power supply be capable of powering this card, and if not, what would be the best card possible under €140 roughly?

deconduo

gooch2k9 wrote: »

OK got everything going, windows installed, all running fine.

Considering adding in a graphics card in the near future and have been looking at the ATI Radeon HD 6850. Would the power supply be capable of powering this card, and if not, what would be the best card possible under €140 roughly?

If its the SuperFlower Amazon, then yes it can run a 6850 no problem. This card might be another one to consider. Its better than the 6850, but a bit older.
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/9583388/art/sapphire-technology/radeon-hd-5850-xtreme-1-g.html

Did you manage to sort out the fans?

gooch2k9

Cheers for that.

Yeah I just hooked them up to the power supply, think they are running 100% that way, but they are very quiet so I don't mind.

gooch2k9

The specs for the 5850 state that it requires a 500W supply, I've only got a 450W one, would that be adequate?

Just want to be certain before I purchase.

gooch2k9

anyone about to help?

deconduo

gooch2k9 wrote: »

anyone about to help?

Yeah that PSU can handle a single 5850

gooch2k9

Thanks. Going to order it now.

gooch2k9

Got the card today so going to install later hopefully.

Have been looking at my mobo and seen the TPU switch. Am I right in thinking this is used to overclock the CPU? And is it safe to do that with just the standard CPU fan?