Topic: Steve's Rig 2015

[Skhilled (OP)]

My current PC has a lot of issues. Some being:

1.  Getting very sluggish since the last 2 Windows upgrades.

2.  Still using Vista!

3.  I built this one 5 years ago and the CPU is old. Using AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 4800 2.51 GHz 32-bit version.

4.  Some software will not update or install because of the old CPU or Vista.

5.  Only 4 GB RAM DDR2...should be at least 8GB.

5.  Stalls on boot up possibly due to BIOS upgrades. Using ASUS M2N-E Motherboard.

So, I've decided to build a new PC this year with my Tax Refund.

Since I didn't have anywhere to go yesterday, I decided to drive to the Philadelphia/St. Davids Micro Center location (they have various locations across the US) on an "info gathering" mission to see what I should get and how much I can expect to pay. The staff there are VERY knowledgeable and can answer all of your questions...I've been going there almost since they opened about 25 years ago! They have a vast array of products...almost anything you could every want for a computer or other device. Training for various needs is on location as well as they can build a computer for you while you wait!...for an extra fee. Books, software, nut and bolts of various sizes and colors, PC cases, fans...you name it! Trust me, you will be impressed! And they have different sales going on every week.

So, here's what I got so far:

Motherboard
ASUS A88X-PRO Socket FM2+ ATX AMD Motherboard - The link says "Out of stock" cause I bought the last one!  This was $149.99 with a $25 instant savings and a $25 mail-in rebate! And because I purchased the CPU, listed below, they took another $40 off! 

CPU
AMD A10 7850K 4.0 GHz Black Edition Boxed processor - This is listed at $149.99 at most places but was $119.99 there and helped me get the $40 off for the mobo above. 

Memory
Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) - 2 sticks which I may take back for faster ones and 16GB instead of the 8GB these have...not that they are bad. I just started thinking I may want more.

So...I still need to get:

1.  PC case - preferrably toolless and plenty of space for drive bays and ventilation.

2.  DVD drive - the one I have is messed up. 

3.  Fans for the case

4. Power supply unit (PSU)

5.  SSD HD drive - for my primary drive for speed.

6.  1 or 2 TB HD for storage.

6.  Graphics Card (GPU) - the mobo does have on-board graphics so that is not needed right away.

7.  Win 8.1

And maybe a few bells and whistles like lighting for the inside of the case or colored screws to match the case.

Any updates or anything else I can think of will be added to this topic.

[Ken]

Sounds good so far Steve.  8)
You'll find a lot to like with Win 8.1 and a few parts that you do not... but there are work around for most.

My two top changes are to the start page, I installed Classic Shell to replace that page full of charms. And the 'OneDrive'... my 8.1 laptop is stuck with the OneDrive icon down by my clock because, even though OneDrive can be disabled, it cannot be turned off, or uninstalled. 

Anyways... I'm looking forward to reading about your progress as you do your build. 

Ps: Any idea on your final cost?

[Skhilled (OP)]

Not sure atm but I'm thinking around $700 or so. But I'll spread it across several paychecks so I can spend a bit more this time. It will take a bit longer to build, tho...

[Ken]

That doesn't sound to bad for a custom build... you have some high end parts lined up so far.

[Skhilled (OP)]

High end???  :funny: :funny: :funny:

You mean like these?:

http://www.microcenter.com/product/400570/H8DG6-F_Dual_Socket_G34_ATX_AMD_Motherboard

http://www.microcenter.com/product/430516/Opteron_6300_Series_23_GHz_16_Core_Socket_G34_Boxed_Processor

http://www.microcenter.com/product/439711/GeForce_GTX_980_Gaming_4GB_GDDR5_Video_Card

...and that's for only 3 components! Nope, mine's mid-randged - low mid-randged.

[Ken]

 

Whoa! Guess I'll out of touch on component prices.

[Skhilled (OP)]

Me too!  I knew prices would go up but WOW! I think the most expensive about 5 years ago was half of that! But I'm happy with the Mobo and CPU I've got and can still upgrade the CPU and memory later. 

[Skhilled (OP)]

I ordered these Saturday:

Hard Drive: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FJRS6FU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

DVD Burner: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IFRH9TA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

PC Case: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0055Q7BR4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The first 2 will be here by 8PM today. The case will be here by tomorrow 8PM. I still need a power supply and an OS. Will get those next payday....next Friday, hopefully. Then eventually, I'll get a SSD and a video card.

[Ken]

This build is going to be a great PC.
Those are some great parts and pieces that you're pulling together Steve. 

I like them all, especially the HDD and that case is impressive as well.

[Skhilled (OP)]

They have a similar one with a plastic left side and I started to get that one. I usually get cases with one clear side so you can see the innards. And I get lighted fans for effect.  Not sure what color fans yet. I usually get blue cause it's my fav color but may get red to match my tablet. Not sure yet...then I'll need a matching keyboard and mouse.

My next order will be these:

Windows 8.1
http://Microsoft Windows 8.1 - Full Version

The PSU will be one of these 2:

EVGA 600B 80PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V/EPS12V Active PFC 600W Power Supply 100-B1-0600-KR  

Corsair CX Series 600 Watt ATX/EPS Modular 80 PLUS Bronze ATX12V/EPS12V 552 Power Supply CX600M

An anti-static wrist strap:

KingWin Anti-Static Wrist Strap (ATS-W24)

Thermal compound:

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound 3.5 Grams

[Skhilled (OP)]

I've finally decided to get this:

WD Black 2TB Performance Desktop Hard Drive

For a project I'm working on to be publicly announced later. Stay tuned...same Bat time, same Bat channel. 

[Ken]

Whoa!!! 

Now I'm officially jealous!

[Skhilled (OP)]

I started to get the Green drive cause it was a lot cheaper for the same size. But it only had a 1 or 2 year warranty...depending on who you bought it from. The black has a 5 year warranty. Since I'll be keeping some very important things on it I thought it was best to go with the longer warranty.

I may not even keep it that long as they keep coming out with newer things but I like the piece of mind. I also got a 2 yr data recovery plan, in case something goes wrong.

[Ken]

Sounds cool.  :2cool!!

$134 + tax... not bad for that size. 

[Skhilled (OP)]

I think it was $9.99 for the 2 year data recovery plan too.