Need to build programming plus gaming PC

[djkat]

All,

This is an excellent fourm. My wishes for a happy new year to all the users and admins. Thanks to ThinkDigit for the forum and the powerusers providing excellent advise.

1. What is the purpose of the computer? What all applications and games are you going to run? (Generic answers will not work. Be exact and avoid the word 'et cetera.')
Ans:
The computer is essentially a home 'work' station. I plan to have Windows 7 + Linux dual boot machine.
I plan to have a light development environment based on J2EE/ ECLIPSE as well as Android based development.

I dont have clue about the games; I expect to play racing and shooting games. Though I have a PS2; considering the cost of genuine titles, I dont mind the kids using the PC for gaming.

2. What is your overall budget? If you can extend a bit for a more balanced configuration, then mention this too.
Ans:
My budget is Rs 30 - 35k excluding the graphics card. I plan to buy a decent card about 1 year down the line.
I also have a 500 GB external HD. So I can go bit low on the internal HDD now and later add more HDD.

In my current config, I would prefer to have a mother board/ PSU which can support 1 graphic card and 2-3 internal HDD.

3. Planning to overclock?
Ans:Not really. Probably if the GPU comes OE overclocked, i am ok with it.

4. Which Operating System are you planning to use?
Ans:
Dual partition -- Win 7 + Linux (Ubuntu)
Win 7 - mainly for gaming. Linux for programming/ browsing

5. How much hard drive space is needed?
Ans:

Answered above.I currently have a 500 GB external HD. So I can go bit low on the internal HDD now
and later add more HDD when prices comedown.

I plan to have 100 GB for Win 7 partition, another 100 GB for Linux and 300 GB for common fileshare. Please suggest if this is ok.

6. Do you want to buy a monitor? If yes, please mention which screen size and resolution do you want. If you already have a monitor and want to reuse it, again mention the size and resolution of monitor you have.
Ans:

I need to buy a monitor. I dont intend to watch movies, but gaming and programming will be the main activities here.

I can go low or high depending on overall cost.

7. Which components you DON'T want to buy or which components you already have and plan on reusing?
Ans:I need to buy all.


8. When are you planning to buy the system?
Ans:
Within 2 weeks.

9. Have you ever built a desktop before or will this be done by an assembler?
Ans:
No, I havent done any build. This will be my first home desktop.
I made some enquiries about component prices at Ritchie Street, Chennai. They offered to do the build themselves. I was originally planning to assemble myself. Now, I am tempted to use this option as I never assembled PC before. Are there any malpractices that I need to be aware of? Does ritchie street vendors provide bills and the goods are covered as part of standard warranty?


10. Where do you live? Are you buying locally? Are you open to buying stuff from online shops if you don't get locally?
Ans:
Chennai. Yes, I am open to buy online as well.

11. Anything else which you would like to say?
Ans:
I later plan to buy a Mac Mini and share the display between PC and Mac Mini. Suggestions for this too are welcome.

If I am to use USB 3.0, can I buy any case and later add a USB drive later?

Thanks a lot for reading this thru and responding to my queries. Your help is much appreciated.

 

[anaklusmos]

This may be offtopic but why did u not get your PS2 modded??
There are no advantages at all to keep it the way it is, i mean the games are easily available and no online content to speak of.......

 

[djkat]

The thought of modding PS2 occured to me... I would rather upgrade to PS3 Move. I came across this interesting thread in this same forum.

*www.thinkdigit.com/forum/gamerz/143307-playstation-3-vs-gaming-pc.html


I would agree with most of the points mentioned in the thread and I would like to have both the gaming PC and PS2/ PS3.

No replies on this one... Please suggest

 

[djkat]

Any suggestions?

 

[Cilus]

Core i5 2310 @ 9.5K
Intel DH67CL-B3 (USB 3.0, SATA III 6 Gbps, Full ATX form factor)@ 5.5K
Corsair 1333 MHz CL9 4GB X 1 Value Ram @ 1.11K
Seagate 250 GB 7200.12 SATA HDD @ 3.5K
NZXT Source 201 Elite @ 2.4K
Corsair CX500 V2 500W 80+ PSU @ 3K
Acer 205H 20" LCD 1600X900 @ 5.3K
Logitech MK200 Keyboard & Mouse @ 0.7K
APC 800VA UPS @ 2.2K

Total is around 33K. Regarding Wifi, the wifi enabled motherboards normally costs higher. Get a USB Wifi dongle from Belkin; around 800 bucks.

 

[$$Lionking$$]

i think he shud go wid llano apu....
it will help him in opencl/c++ amp/openmp etc... which is getting more & more imp by the day?!

 

[skeletor]

Graphics Card (Future upgrade) MSI R6850 Cyclone PE/OC {How do I verify whether its compatible with my motherboard? }

If the motherboard has a PCI Express X16 slot, it supports any and every graphic card.

i think he shud go wid llano apu....
it will help him in opencl/c++ amp/openmp etc... which is getting more & more imp by the day?!

He'll buy a graphic card for that later. HD 6850.

1. Wifi Enablement. I dont see any mention about these in the configurations specified. Do the motherboards come equipped with wifi? or I need to buy additional LAN/ ethernet/ wifi cards?

Buy a USB Wifi dongle. www.thinkdigit.com/forum/1529441-post12292.html

If you want USB 3.0 in front, then your cabinet needs to support is. But not having USB 3.0 in front is not a big deal.

 

[vickybat]

@ djkat

Buddy i year down the line is too long for a gpu purchase as scenarios change rapidly in the world of GPU. So if you don't plan on it, then sandybridge's igp will handle games with low settings if its ok for you.

I would suggest the GS 600 psu as it has the potential to handle a beefier gpu when you upgrade in future.

 

[djkat]

...
NZXT Source 201 Elite @ 2.4K
Corsair CX500 V2 500W 80+ PSU @ 3K
Acer 205H 20" LCD 1600X900 @ 5.3K
Logitech MK200 Keyboard & Mouse @ 0.7K
APC 800VA UPS @ 2.2K

Total is around 33K. Regarding Wifi, the wifi enabled motherboards normally costs higher. Get a USB Wifi dongle from Belkin; around 800 bucks.

Thanks Cilus. The NZXT 201 Elite looks good on web. I will check in the store and decide. One clarification please. If I go for the Corsair GS600 .. will the APC 800VS UPS be sufficient or I need to go for more power?

 

[djkat]

..
If you want USB 3.0 in front, then your cabinet needs to support is. But not having USB 3.0 in front is not a big deal.

Thanks ico. Can you please clarify how can I use USB 3.0 from backside of a normal case? Will I still get the higher speed?

If I go with CoolerMaster 430 Elite.. (which has no USB 3.0 port.. but I like the looks); can I still get USB 3.0 speed?

@ djkat

Buddy i year down the line is too long for a gpu purchase as scenarios change rapidly in the world of GPU. So if you don't plan on it, then sandybridge's igp will handle games with low settings if its ok for you.

I would suggest the GS 600 psu as it has the potential to handle a beefier gpu when you upgrade in future.

.. Paisa boss.. I cant afford 10k now.. I will go for GS600 and then procure gaming card some time down the line.

Any comments on letting the vendors at Ritchie street assemble the PC or should I only take the items and assemble myself?

I see Deltapage and Sethiainfotech being listed.. But their websites are not inspiring. I visited ITDepot and impressed by the environment. However their prices are higher

Intel DH67CL-B3 (USB 3.0, SATA III 6 Gbps, Full ATX form factor)@ 5.5K

I was reviewing Q1 2012 rigs and MSI H67MA-E35 (B3) Motherboard seems to be good for a lesser price (4.5k @ flipkart). Can I instead go for this mobo?

 

[djkat]

Did some more enquiries at Ritchie street.. Could not locate Deltapage or Sethiainfotech. Made queries Modern computers and other local shops

Not all components are available at single place!!

Corsair RAM not available.. They are suggesting transcend
I couldnot get branded cases at Ritchie.. They are suggesting locals like iBall.
I saw the branded ones at ITDepot shops. But they are pricey than whats mentioned here. Need suggestion here pl.

Also.. can you suggest an alternate AMD based configuration? MS Windows is costing me 5.2k.. I would liked to reduce my CPU config by 3k to accomodate this.

Any suggestions, pl?

 

[djkat]

Gurus, Have prices increased again?

Quote from SMC is as follows.. Pl Note the prices for UPS. Not sure if its typo
I am planning to change the processor to i5 2310 and lock.

Pl advice about proper choice for UPS as well

Processor Core i5 2400 --@ Rs 11000
MOBO Intel DH67CL-B3
(USB 3.0, SATA III 6 Gbps, Full ATX form factor) — Available on special order @ Rs 5500
RAM Corsair 1333 MHz CL9 4GB X 1 Value Ram -- @ Rs 1250
HDD Seagate 250 GB 7200.12 SATA HDD
and Seagate 500 GB 7200.12 SATA HDD -- @ Rs 3900/Rs 4500
Case Cooler Master 431 Elite Plus
(USB 3.0 and Extrenal SATA Docking Station) -- @ Rs 3100,
Case NZXT Source 210 Elite —N/a
or Cooler Master 430 Elite ===2750/-
Monitor Dell 19" LED ===> 5250/-
UPS APC 1KVA ===> 5900/-
and APC 800 VA ===> 4850/-
Microtek 800 VA --@ Rs 2750

BUMP. Any suggestions pl

 

[Cilus]

Most of the prices are all right except the UPS. I think it is really a Typo. The 1 KVA APC Black is available around 4.3K to 4.6K in most of the areas. For Cabinet, Elite 431+ is a good choice if you want front USB 3.0 panels. Otherwise, get the the Elite 430 (Transparent side Panel version) @ 2.7K.

 

[djkat]

Thanks. #Cilus. How to verify that the MOBO is B3 version? I saw at local Ritchie street with just DH67CL printed and not anything about version

 

[Cilus]

^^ Currently all the H67 and P67 motherboards come with B3 revision. So no tension for you