Building a New PC

[LHammonds]

My PC is dead as of March 17, 2009 and I want to build another gaming rig but I'd like to share my thought process and research details with you (as well as keep a single point of research to collect my findings). This is primarily for me to keep track of (and share) what I am doing but feel free to throw in any tips that you might think is useful.

 

The Old Bustedness

 

To begin with, I will first describe what I had built as my gaming and multimedia PC back in 2002 (yes, it is that old and was still keeping up with today's games...barely).

 

Motherboard: Asus A7N8X-e Deluxe

CPU: AMD Athlon XP 2600+

RAM: Two 512MB Corsair XMS PC3200 DDR RAM

Case: Antec ATX Case w/440 Watt Power Supply

Audio: Sound Blaster Audigy 2

Video: ATI Radeon X850

Drives: Two Western Digital SE 120GB

OS: Windows XP Pro, 32-bit

 

The only thing that was not electronically deep fried and still usable from that system is the audio and video cards. I was able to take two unused junk PCs and put together along with the old video and audio boards to make a PC that runs the Windows 7 32-bit release candidate. This will NOT become my primary PC. It is only used for researching what applications / games might be problematic on the final Win7 PC.

 

I see this project going through several phases (possibly iterative) and here is the status for each phase:

1. Define "Wants" - Just Starting
   
2. Research - Just Starting
   
3. Determine Budget - Not Started
   
4. Design - Not Started
   
5. Order Items - Not Started
   
6. Build - Not Started
   
7. Test - Not Started
   

STEP 1 - Define "Wants" (COMPLETE)

 

Here are some general "wants" which will drive the design and choices I made for the hardware that will be selected. As I do research, these may change.

• 64-bit hardware and OS
  
• Microsoft Windows 7 certified or supported hardware
  
• OPTIONAL: Hardware that also supports Linux with drivers (main use is for familiarity and testing stuff)
  
• REQUIRED: Boot Win7 (Primary) and WinXP (Secondary)
  
• OPTIONAL: Boot Ubuntu (USB, External Drive, Internal Drive or possibly virtualized). Boot2CD won't work well due to lack of persistence.
  
• OPTIONAL: Boot Snow Leopard (Same as Ubuntu)
  
• No major bottlenecks in performance for any component
  
• Stick with an Intel solution since they are currently on top of the market
  
• Stick with ATI since they are the most stable provider. Will go to nVidia of circumstances are favorable.
  
• Win7 64-bit will be my primary OS but WinXP 32-bit will be backup in case something refuses to work in Win7.
  

STEP 2 - Research (COMPLETE)

 

• See what is out there in the best rigs (and learn all I can on specific components and technology)
  
• Get a general feel for how much items are costing
  

Just looking at various "stuff" out there, here is an unorganized list of favorite parts so far:

 

Motherboard:

- Triple Channel DDR3 Support

- USB 3.0 Support (Nice to have but VERY new)

- SATA 3.0 Support (6Gbps) (nice to have but VERY new)

- ATI Crossfire Support

- Possible Match: Intel DX58SO ($250)

- Possible Match: ASUS Rampage II Extreme ($370)

- Possible Match: GA-X58A-UD7 ($360)

CPU: Intel Core i7-960 3.2 GHz, Socket 1366 ($550)

RAM: 12 GB, 1600 MHz, DDR3 (Corsair XMS3 DDR3) ($480)

Video: Two ATI Radeon HD 5970, 2GB, 725 MHz ($???)

Audio: Creative's X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty? (probably put-off buying until later...will evaluate mobo audio 1st)

Hard Drives: One Intel X25-M 160 GB SSD ($500), Two Western Digital 1TB, 7200 RPM ($100X2)

- Drive: 0, C:, D: (Solid State Drive)

- Drive: 1 - E:, F:

- Drive: 2 - G:, H:

- C: = Operating System

- D: = Primary Applications and Games

- E: = Junk (Temp / Swap Files)

- F: = Data

- G: = Secondary Applications and Games

- H: = Large WIP Files (Videos)

Operating Systems:

- Microsoft Windows XP Pro, 32-bit

- Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate, 64-bit

Keyboard: Logitech G15 ($70) or Logitech Illuminated Keyboard ($70) or Saitek Eclipse III ($100)

Speakers: None...realistically, I will be confined to headphones so I will just suck it up and deal with it.

Case: Antec 1200 ($165)

 

Image Gallery

 

STEP 3 - Determine Budget (COMPLETE)

 

• Turned out to be around $3,400 based on tax breaks, brackets, etc.
  
• Best guess on timeframe = before end-of-year 2009
  

STEP 4 - Design (COMPLETE)

 

• Tailor research results and "Wants" into a list of components that are the best I can afford
  

STEP 5 - Order Items (COMPLETE)

 

• $349.99 - Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD7 motherboard
  
• $574.99 - Intel Core i7-960 3.2 GHz
  
• $339.99 - Corsair XMS3 DDR3 RAM (12 GB)
  
• $77.89 - Corsair H50 CPU Water Cooler
  
• $429.00 - XFX Radeon HD 5870 Video Card
  
• $159.99 - Antec 1200 Case
  
• $109.99 - Corsair 750TX Power Supply
  
• $79.99 - Carcharias Gaming Headset
  
• $189.99 - Samsung 2343BWX 23" Monitor #1
  
• $189.99 - Samsung 2343BWX 23" Monitor #2
  
• $0.00 - Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (purchased by boss)
  
• $0.00 - APC Back-UPS RS 1500 (purchased by father-in-law)
  

$2,499.32 - Grand Total

 

STEP 6 - Build

 

• Assemble components
  
• Configure BIOS
  
• Configure Partitions
  
• Install Operating Systems
  
• Install 64-bit Applications / Utilities (www.x64bitdownload.com)
  • 7-Zip
    
  • Comodo Internet Security
    
  • FRAPS
    
  • GIMP
    
  • Paint.NET
    
  • MySQL Server
    

  [*]Install 32-bit Applications / Utilities (which do not have 64-bit equivalents or must work with other 32-bit software )

  • Adobe Flash
    
  • Adobe Reader
    
  • Blender + Python + PyFFI + NIF Scripts + NifSkope
    
  • Camtasia Studio
    
  • CrazyBump
    
  • Mozilla Firefox
    
  • MySQL GUI Tools
    
  • Notepad++
    
  • OpenOffice
    
  • Paint Shop Pro
    
  • PDF Creator
    
  • Spybot Search & Destroy
    
  • SpywareBlaster
    
  • Sun Java
    

  [*]Install Games (Oblivion, Crysis, Doom ][, Pong, etc.)

STEP 7 - Test

 

• See what programs work and what doesn't
  
• Check for performance issues
  

 

Here is the my Windows 7 Experience Index using the new SSD:

 

Processor: 7.6

Memory: 7.6

Graphics: 7.8

Gaming Graphics: 7.8

Primary Hard Disk: 7.5

[TheTerminator2004]

• If possible, hardware that also supports Linux with drivers
  

• Stick with ATI since they are the most stable provider
  

 

These two aren't really that compatible - ATI cards, as a rule, do not like Linux. There are drivers available, and (limited) official support for them, but don't expect them to be stable, or really any good for anything at all other than word processing. Nvidia cards are among the best supported, and most stable graphics cards under Linux (and Windows too, in my experience, but tbh that comes down to personal preference, as both are fairly equal).

[LHammonds]

These two aren't really that compatible - ATI cards, as a rule, do not like Linux. There are drivers available, and (limited) official support for them, but don't expect them to be stable, or really any good for anything at all other than word processing. Nvidia cards are among the best supported, and most stable graphics cards under Linux (and Windows too, in my experience, but tbh that comes down to personal preference, as both are fairly equal).

Well, as a rule, hardware drivers for Linux is going to be tedious regardless. At one point in time, ATI had "no" support for Linux but now they offer drivers for a much wider range of operating systems...including Linux and Win7 BETA. I have seen several articles about getting the most recent ATI HD4870x2 working on OpenSuse, Ubuntu and others and almost all of them required going back a few revisions to get it working properly. Not exactly desirable but it does not completely exclude ATI from that requirement. I flop back and forth between ATI and nVidia for what I want but currently, I am leaning towards ATI.

 

LHammonds

[Michlo]

I agree with the comments on nVidia. I gave up on ATI a long time ago and I've never regretted it.

 

My piece of advice would be this - I've built and upgraded machines for a long time now. I've only built one of my personal machines from scratch and it is still going strong and I'm glad I did it...

 

however,

 

these days you don't really save money by building them yourself since costs have come way down. For my latest rig, I did some research and apart from the PC Computing, etc. reviews on build vs. buy my own findings were that I wouldn't be saving much, if anything. I went with a place which builds the machine from the parts you select. The big plus there, of course, is that you still have warranties and repair options. Plus, these days, the machines are very powerful and can need cooling options such as liquid (which I didn't want to mess with).

 

So in a nutshell, make sure your research includes the option of not necessarily building the thing yourself.

 

Finally, it probably goes without saying but, just in case - select all the top of the line pieces that you can afford, even if you must wait a while because you know as well as I do that they'll be outdated almost as soon as they are in your case. :)

 

You can see the specs of my gaming rig in my profile. The card I went with was top of the line THEN but I knew that I would eventually drop another one in there, essentially giving me four GPUs so I'm expecting this box to last me a good few years.

 

Good luck, mate.

 

Cheers.

[Thor.]

That sucks that your comp fried, i almost had that happen a few times, thankfully my power bar was amazing and stopped it dead, but the lightning did fry it to the point that it wasn't usable, the power bar i mean. Anyway the best of luck, oh one more thing i suggest go nvidia to, i had nothing but trouble with them in the past.

 

Like compatibility issues and so on.

 

Oh if your interested in a good reasonable card, the 9800gtx with 1gb drr3 is around 200$ right now, and they can play-tested myself, everything that i through at it at maxed out, of course thats two of them.

 

if thats in your budget.

[TheTerminator2004]

These two aren't really that compatible - ATI cards, as a rule, do not like Linux. There are drivers available, and (limited) official support for them, but don't expect them to be stable, or really any good for anything at all other than word processing. Nvidia cards are among the best supported, and most stable graphics cards under Linux (and Windows too, in my experience, but tbh that comes down to personal preference, as both are fairly equal).

Well, as a rule, hardware drivers for Linux is going to be tedious regardless. At one point in time, ATI had "no" support for Linux but now they offer drivers for a much wider range of operating systems...including Linux and Win7 BETA. I have seen several articles about getting the most recent ATI HD4870x2 working on OpenSuse, Ubuntu and others and almost all of them required going back a few revisions to get it working properly. Not exactly desirable but it does not completely exclude ATI from that requirement. I flop back and forth between ATI and nVidia for what I want but currently, I am leaning towards ATI.

 

LHammonds

 

Well, provided you get a recent version of a major distribution (such as Ubuntu), you should have no driver issues with most manufacturers (ATI being one of the few exceptions). Almost all my hardware (including a rather obscure brand of flash card reader) was detected automatically in Ubuntu 8.10, and worked out of the box (with the exception of 3D acceleration - I had to install the proprietary Nvidia drivers for that to work, but as it even provided a handy little notification when I first logged in, reminding me to do so, that was no issue).

 

Before I switched to my current Nvidia card about a year ago, though, I had a Radeon x600, and I had no end of trouble getting it to work properly. I was eventually able to get games like Neverwinter Nights to run at a playable speed with software rendering, but I was never able to take full advantage of my card, thanks to shoddy, unfinished drivers, and terrible support.

 

I understand things have improved somewhat since then, but it has only been a year, so I would suggest doing some very thourough research before deciding to go with an ATI card. Unless you're planning to play games, or do 3D modelling in Linux though, it shouldnt affect you too much. Pretty much every graphics card ever, including ATI cards, can perform basic graphics tasks (ie. Running X) using the default driver set, at least in recent releases of Ubuntu, so unless you plan to do anything which needs any advanced 3D stuff, most issues probably wont affect you anyway... unless youre unlucky.

[LHammonds]

I build my own PCs not primarily to save an immediate buck but to ensure I have all the components I want which will last more than just 3 years. The last computer was built in 2002 and was able to run the newer games up until 2009. I probably could have squeezed another year or two out of it if the PSU did not freak out and destroy everything (grrr).

 

Every time I look at game machine companies, I can go through their entire selection process to pick what I like the most but there will usually be a couple of items I do not care for...and have (in the past) been able to build everything myself for less. I am not at a point of knowledge to know where "everything" is sitting at in the market but that is my eventual goal so that I can look at each machine I can build at Alienware, FalconCrest, etc. and be able to KNOW what is a good idea or not...just like I did back in 2002. :)

 

The process of research and selection usually takes me about a month to educate myself enough on all the products out there, what is coming down the pike and determine which components are best to buy based on their value/trend over time. It is a lot to consider but when I am done researching, the particular machine I build will be such that I can recommend the same PC for a couple of years and still be a great buy.

 

Regarding Ubuntu/Linux and Snow Leopard, they are mostly to keep me knowledgeable about their products rather than being a platform that I use for gaming, applications and 3D modeling. I doubt anything I do on my "gaming PC" will tap much horsepower in those environments. If anything, they will serve as my research areas for creating environments for my children. I plan to setup some low-end PCs for my kiddos so they can get used to them, play some educational games and such but they won't be connected to the big, bad, Internet until they are much older. I thought about building a Linux box as my multimedia device that would become my DVD jukebox of sorts that would interface into my TV but my father-in-law bought a Western Digital TV box for me that does the same thing (although not exactly what I had in mind) but I can at least begin converting my DVD collection into digital files for it to play.

 

I might end up going with nVidia due to budget constraints or compatibility but I do not know at this point...everything is still just in a gut-feel / want-its phase. It will certainly be narrowed down to either a core ATI or nVidia solution. One thing that should never be underpowered in a gaming PC is the video card so there will be no "MX" solution here. hehehe.

 

Since I do not yet know my budget, anything can be considered "on-the-table" except for that which is completely outlandish in price. I may not know exactly what I can afford to buy yet but it certainly won't be a $4,000+ machine. More like between $1,500 and $2,500 USD. I think I can write most of it off for tax expense since it will be my primary PC for contract work so that means I will likely purchase it before year end.

 

I'll make some updates in the 1st post.

 

Thanks,

LHammonds

[LHammonds]

The possible match of the ASUS P6X58 motherboard is no longer an option. They shelved the product.

[LHammonds]

Well, I didn't think I was going to be able to purchase a new PC but my wife thinks we can write it off and get most of it back in taxes as long as I get it before the end of the year. DoH!!! Gotta get back into shopping mode...and not just any gear either...maximum overdrive!!!!

 

Ok, so I will try to make a decision on a component per post or at least have options so I can have a little wiggle room towards the end when I need to order all the pieces.

 

KEYBOARD

 

Not 100% necessary since I have an existing keyboard but I always wanted a backlit and programmable keyboard. I also really like how the keys feel on those laptops that make use of the scissor (X) technology.

 

Primary Choice: Logitech Illuminated Keyboard

- Cost: $70

- Windows 7 compatible

- Backlit keys (does not light up all the junk between the keys!!!

- Adjustable brightness of keys

- Has scissor keys

- Lazer-etched keys for durability

- Keys are programmable but not sure if all or just some

- Disadvantage: I am used to F-Keys to the left of the keyboard, there are none that I can see.

 

Secondary Choice: Saitek III Eclipse

- Cost: $100

- Windows 7 compatible

- Backlit keys

- Adjustable brightness of keys

- Three color preferences of light

- Lazer-etched keys for durability

- Headphone and Microphone pass-thru ports

- Disadvantage: No programmable keys

[UK47]

Are you going to buy a new graphics card?

 

EDIT by LHammonds: Yes, EVERYTHING will be new since most everything was destroyed or too old-tech for a new 64-bit system.