azbokikr
Broken In
Hi guys,
It's been almost 6 years with my old faithful and humble desktop. A 2.4GHz P4 with 512MB DDR RAM, 17inch Samsung CRT Monitor, 128MB nVidia gfx card and 40+400GB ATA HDDs. I think it is now time to move on to a new PC.The idea is, to first build a basic PC and then have the option of adding on upgrades later, when money permits. So the questionnaire is filled taking this into account.
1. What is the purpose of the computer?
A: Programming (nothing serious just a bunch of simulators and basic developer tools like MATLAB, Xilinx ISE, Questasim etc etc) movies & internet primarily. Need to be able to play 1080p videos. Not much into gaming, max would be F1 2010, Counter Strike 1.6 or GTR2 etc.
2. Are you open to alternate ideas/products giving similar better performance but offering more VFM/ sellers? If not- why?
A: NA
3. What is your MAX budget?
A: Around 25k. Can stretch to 30k. Keep in mind future upgrades. A good mid-end graphics card, RAM upgrades can be put under future upgrades.
4. Planning to overclock?
A: Nope.
5. Which OS are you planning to use?
A: Initially Win XP/Ubuntu. Will switch over to Win7 when the time is right.
6. How much hard drive space is needed?
A: Planning for a primary 160GB HDD for OS and other utilities. And 500GBx2 or 1TB for storage, provided the 1TB HDDs are as reliable as the 500GB ones. WD HDD is preferred. (Has the Seagate bricking issue been sorted out?)
7. What resolution will the screen run at & whats the size of the screen you want?
A: I'm looking at 24". Can settle for a 22" if 24" is out of my budget, but it must be Full HD capable.
8. How would you rate your hardware knowledge from the count of 1-10? (1 being the lowest, 5 being you are somewhat in sync with the current performers and 10 being the highest)
A: 4. Haven't updated my knowledge in over a year so no idea about what's doing well in the current market.
9. Have you ever built a desktop before or will this be done by an assembler?
A: I have built a desktop before. I'll be building this one myself.
10. When are you planning to buy the system?
A: Within the next month or so.
11. Are you one of the types looking out for "future proof" configurations?
A: Not really. But, I do plan to keep the system for another 4-5 years atleast.
12. Are there going to be any components that you don't want to include in this new rig? If yes, do mention.
A: Don't need speakers currently. I have a Altec Lansing VS2421 which is doing perfectly fine. New speakers go in as future upgrade.
13. Which city do you live in and are you open to buying from shops from other city/states?
A: Bangalore. Won't be buying from other states/cities.
14. Mention any other points if deemed necessary
A: USB 3.0 is a must. So is DDR3. I wouldn't want to compromise on quality.
And guys, will i need a dedicated soundcard for the current speakers? Or should i bother about soundcards when i do upgrade the speakers?
Also, I'm inclined towards Intel processors. But wouldn't mind AMD either as long as the performance is not affected significantly.
[EDIT] : Will be needing a UPS also. But, that can be excluded from this budget. APC is preferred. Don't want insane battery backup. 20 mins is more than sufficient. Just need it to switch off the PC.
Waiting for your inputs guys.
Thanks.
It's been almost 6 years with my old faithful and humble desktop. A 2.4GHz P4 with 512MB DDR RAM, 17inch Samsung CRT Monitor, 128MB nVidia gfx card and 40+400GB ATA HDDs. I think it is now time to move on to a new PC.The idea is, to first build a basic PC and then have the option of adding on upgrades later, when money permits. So the questionnaire is filled taking this into account.
1. What is the purpose of the computer?
A: Programming (nothing serious just a bunch of simulators and basic developer tools like MATLAB, Xilinx ISE, Questasim etc etc) movies & internet primarily. Need to be able to play 1080p videos. Not much into gaming, max would be F1 2010, Counter Strike 1.6 or GTR2 etc.
2. Are you open to alternate ideas/products giving similar better performance but offering more VFM/ sellers? If not- why?
A: NA
3. What is your MAX budget?
A: Around 25k. Can stretch to 30k. Keep in mind future upgrades. A good mid-end graphics card, RAM upgrades can be put under future upgrades.
4. Planning to overclock?
A: Nope.
5. Which OS are you planning to use?
A: Initially Win XP/Ubuntu. Will switch over to Win7 when the time is right.
6. How much hard drive space is needed?
A: Planning for a primary 160GB HDD for OS and other utilities. And 500GBx2 or 1TB for storage, provided the 1TB HDDs are as reliable as the 500GB ones. WD HDD is preferred. (Has the Seagate bricking issue been sorted out?)
7. What resolution will the screen run at & whats the size of the screen you want?
A: I'm looking at 24". Can settle for a 22" if 24" is out of my budget, but it must be Full HD capable.
8. How would you rate your hardware knowledge from the count of 1-10? (1 being the lowest, 5 being you are somewhat in sync with the current performers and 10 being the highest)
A: 4. Haven't updated my knowledge in over a year so no idea about what's doing well in the current market.
9. Have you ever built a desktop before or will this be done by an assembler?
A: I have built a desktop before. I'll be building this one myself.
10. When are you planning to buy the system?
A: Within the next month or so.
11. Are you one of the types looking out for "future proof" configurations?
A: Not really. But, I do plan to keep the system for another 4-5 years atleast.
12. Are there going to be any components that you don't want to include in this new rig? If yes, do mention.
A: Don't need speakers currently. I have a Altec Lansing VS2421 which is doing perfectly fine. New speakers go in as future upgrade.
13. Which city do you live in and are you open to buying from shops from other city/states?
A: Bangalore. Won't be buying from other states/cities.
14. Mention any other points if deemed necessary
A: USB 3.0 is a must. So is DDR3. I wouldn't want to compromise on quality.
And guys, will i need a dedicated soundcard for the current speakers? Or should i bother about soundcards when i do upgrade the speakers?
Also, I'm inclined towards Intel processors. But wouldn't mind AMD either as long as the performance is not affected significantly.
[EDIT] : Will be needing a UPS also. But, that can be excluded from this budget. APC is preferred. Don't want insane battery backup. 20 mins is more than sufficient. Just need it to switch off the PC.
Waiting for your inputs guys.
Thanks.
Last edited: