New PC 1

[Techguy]

1. What is the purpose of the computer? (Note: If you are planning to say multimedia, you will have to be more specific as all types of systems are capable of doing that)
A: Normal Web browsing, Java, Music.. Games like HAWX 2, CoD, FIFA, PES, GTA (Even if i play
high end games, they will be played on low.)

2. Are you open to alternate ideas/products giving similar better performance but offering more VFM/ sellers? If not- why?
A: Yes, but warranty, lifespan(reliability) and quality of the product is important.

3. What is your MAX budget?
A: 30 -40k

4. Planning to overclock?
A:No

5. Which OS are you planning to use?
A: Windows 7 32/64bit

6. How much hard drive space is needed?
A: More than 100GB and less than 1TB. Rising HDD prices might make me go for a 250/320GB insted of a 500GB

7. What resolution will the screen run at & whats the size of the screen you want? If you already want have one and want to use it, mention its resolution and size.
A: I'll be buying a 18"/20" LED monitor from LG. Exclude it from the budget.

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: 7

9. Have you ever built a desktop before or will this be done by an assembler?
A: Assembler

10. When are you planning to buy the system?
A: 2012 Jan onwards

11. Are you one of the types looking out for "future proof" configurations?
A: Yes, definitely

12. Are there going to be any components that you don't want to include in this new rig? If yes, do mention.
A: AMD processors. I also heard that AMD (ATI) GPU's arent reliable.
So i want only Intel and Nvidia

13. Which city do you live in and are you open to buying from shops from other city/states?
A: Goa. Dont mind buying online.

14. Mention any other points if deemed necessary
A:
1. Im thinking of going for i5 2400, asus h67pro b3, 4gb ram. I dont know whether i should buy a graphics card. Since therig has to be future proof, i was thinking of gt520/gts450/gtx550. The gt530/ gt545 arent released as yet. Or will the onboard hd 2000 be sufficient?

2. I am puzzuled as to what PSU to buy. I am thinking of a VIP 400W. Are their products really bad or unreliable? What are the alternative brands?

3. I'll also be needing a new case. Nothing over 3k please. I prefer a bottom psu, front intake fan and side intake fan. Please recommend a case that will keep my components cool. I dont mind buying additional fans.

4. If i buy a gpu, will the gt 520 be a big improvement over the integrated graphics?

In the budget please include only:

Processor, Motherboard, RAM, graphics card (if required), HDD, dvd writer, psu, case.

 

[Cilus]

Right now at your budget there is no point of getting AMD processors as the current gen Intel Sandybridge or 2nd Gen Core processors perform better than any AMD offerings. But

I also heard that AMD (ATI) GPU's arent reliable.

part is completely worng. AMD/ATI GPUs are highly reliable and performs better than the Nvidia counter parts available at the same price range. There are thousands of members in this forum including me are using AMD graphics cards without any issues.

And GT 520 is not at all any improvements. It performs slightly better than Intel HD 3000 graphics and insufficient for the current games, even at lower settings.

Here is my suggestion:-

Intel Core i5 2400 @ 9.4K
Intel DH67CL-B3 Full ATX mobo (USB 3.0, SATA III 6 Gbps) @ 5.4K
Corsair 1333 MHz 4GB X 1 DDR3 Value @ 1.2K
Seagate 250GB SATA II @ 3.4K
NZXT Gamma @ 2.3K
Corsair GS600 600W 80+ @ 4K
MSI HD 6850 Cyclone/OC 1GB GDDR5 @ 9.7K

Total 35.4K

 

[Techguy]

Thanks for replying!

I am now thinking of: (prices from theitdepot.com, please recommend others)

Intel 2320/2400 (3.0/3.1)Ghz Rs.10225/10435

Cooler Master Elite 310 Rs. 1700 (without side door)
The case has a rear fan with an option for a front/side fan, though it is not mentioned wheter the front fan is intake/ recirculation. Help on this please? I hope this will keep my components cool.

I was thinking of VIP 400W but am not sure about build quality/reliabilty. Advise?
Then the other options are the Corsair Builer Series CX430 or the Antec VP450

What is the difference between the CX430 and the CX430V2?
There is a small price difference between both the units (as well as W ) but which one should i get? The corsair unit has supposedly better build quality.

Also, will these PSU's fit in the CM elite 310? (it has top psu mounting).

I will check the Intel DH67CL-B3 Full ATX mobo out.
What are the differences in features compared to the asus p8h67pro?

 

[Techguy]

Also what is the differnence between the Dh67BL an h67cl???

 

[d6bmg]

Thanks for replying!

I am now thinking of: (prices from theitdepot.com, please recommend others)
Intel 2320/2400 (3.0/3.1)Ghz Rs.10225/10435

itdepot is an overpriced site. Don't make it your first choice.

Cooler Master Elite 310 Rs. 1700 (without side door)
The case has a rear fan with an option for a front/side fan, though it is not mentioned wheter the front fan is intake/ recirculation. Help on this please? I hope this will keep my components cool.

I think nzxt Gamma is good if not better. But remember price of gamma is lower.

I was thinking of VIP 400W but am not sure about build quality/reliabilty. Advise?
Then the other options are the Corsair Builer Series CX430 or the Antec VP450

Avoid VIP. Crap desi brand. CX430V2 is good, but buying GS600 would be better option as it is future proof. You can also look at Seasonic 430W PSU (S12II-430) @2.4K.

What is the difference between the CX430 and the CX430V2?
There is a small price difference between both the units (as well as W ) but which one should i get? The corsair unit has supposedly better build quality.

CX430V2 have better effeciency & build quality. Get V2 if you are planning to buy that psu.

Also, will these PSU's fit in the CM elite 310? (it has top psu mounting).

Of course. All PSUs are backward compatible to the top-mounted cabinets.

 

[Techguy]

I think I have made up my mind on the CM Elite 310. It comes with a rear 120mm fan (exhaust). I might add a front intake and side intake fan.

Elite 310 - Cooler Master - Leading Provider of Computer Case | Cooler | Power Supply

@d6bmg: I check the price of the gamma: It is higher.
Also, if theitdepot.com is overpriced, what are the alternatives?

I'll stick with the CX430V2, because the GS600 wont fit in my budget. Also, the CX430V2 should be able to run my components for at least 3 years even if you consider capacitor aging because my computer's TDP will be much lower.

Intel® Desktop Board DH67VR is the board im planning to buy. Its got
USB3, SATA3.

 

[Nipun]

^I won't recommend 310. I use one, and it looks very ugly to me. Its fine if you find it good, but otherwise go for Gamma..

 

[Cilus]

I think you should opt for Corsair CX500 V2 @ 3K. Since I've suggested HD 6850, I think the PSU should be 500W to be on the safer side.

 

[Techguy]

Please give me a few sites where i can buy and check prices of the parts.

I know about:

bitfang
techshop
theitdepot
primeabgb

Which ones are good? Which have high prices?
I was reading a review on the CX400V2 (Corsair VX450W Power Supply Review | Hardware Secrets) and the results were as follows: Corsair guarrentees the unit for 430W @ 30C but the reviewer got 517W @ 44.4C. This is good enogh and i dont think i'll need the 500W

By the way, how is the cooling performance of the CM Elite 310? Will adding the side and front fans help?

I think I'll buy the : Intel Desktop Motherboard DH67VR.
It costs 5k (theitdepot) and comes with good features like usb3 and sata3.
I was planning on the Asus P8H67 PRO but it is 9k and doesnt offer tons of more features that i need. If i need PATA, i'll use a convertor..

I'm not too sure about the graphics card.
GT 520 is not much faster than HD3000, but the i5 im going to buy will have HD2000, so is it worth it??? Or if not the GT520, what are the alternatives?
I prefer Nvidia and since i want a future proof config, i dont know whether i should go for the 400 series. AMD has better choices that way, but i am more comfy sticking to Nvidia....

I could wait for Radeon 7000 or Geforce 600(Kepler) but as far as i know, the geforce 600 is almost a year later...

Another thing... the ivy bridge tests show that it is almost 200% faster than sandy bridge at graphics, so IF i wait and put Ivybridge, i wont need graphics right?

Please reply:

If i do need a graphics card, please suggest one:
My budget is 30k.

So far ive thought of :

CPU: intel i52400 10.5k
RAM: 4GB 1.2k
mobo intelh67VR 5k
case: cm elite310 1.7k
psu: corsaircx430v2 2.5k
HDD: Seagate 500gb 5.6k
OR
HDD: Seagate300gb 4.6k

This gives me around 4k to spend on a GPU, if i need one...
Please suggest a Gpu that will not require me to change my current config (PSU, case)

Radeon or Geforce. Or is it worth spending that money ??

 

[dashing.sujay]

^^- You can try out following-

theitwares.com
flipkart.com
smcinternational.in

@Cilus- i5-2400 @ 9.4, where?

 

[avichandana20000]

@ op. being a owner of ELITE 310 i can say that u need to put a cm xtraflo(2300 rpm 93CFM) as side intake to keep your mobo cool(37 in summer). The front fan(90 cmf) will help in lowering the HDD TEMP(32 in summer) that too if u mod the cabby.(refer my avatar) The rear fan is a 1200 rpm but you need 2000 rpm with 90cfm to make the balance. Hence i have added a green one

So judging from overall point of view you need a good cabby and GAMMA is a good solution. It also has a REAR FAN(although 42 cfm).
But cooling options are far better than ELITE 310 with solid build. To tell the truth my cabby starts catching rust by now(2yrs old).

Remember only cabby and psu are the future proof things So invest wisely for these two.


XTRAFLO: *www.erodov.com/forums/cooler-master-blade-master-xtraflo-smc/41277.html

 

[d6bmg]

@Cilus- i5-2400 @ 9.4, where?

At kolkata. See this post: *www.thinkdigit.com/forum/overclock...g-update-low-resolution-pics.html#post1530207

Vedant also have 2400 for 9K.

 

[Techguy]

Guys thanks for all the help...

The only problem is that I need a case with similar size specifications as the elite310. It cant be even a little taller. If im running an i5 processor@stock,
low-end mother board, normal RAM and one HDD, I dont see why the Elite310 wont keep the components cool. Even if i do buy a graphics card, it wont be anything high end: The max budget will be 6k... so the max TDP will be less than 100W.
I'll probably buy two more basic fans to install in front and at the side. Please recommend some good fans which are less than 500rs each...

I am finally thinking on buying this:

Intel i5 2400 10500
Intel DH67VR 5000
Cooler Master Elite 310 1700
Corsair CX430V2 2450
4GB RAM 1400
Seagate 500GB HDD 5500
______________________________
26550

 

[Cilus]

There is a reason I've suggested you DH67CL motherboard. Check carefully, VR model only has 2 SATA ports. So one HDD and one SATA DVD writer and you can't attach anything else.

 

[Techguy]

Thanks for your concern...

The VR version is 5k
The BL version is 5.8k
The CL version is 6k and is an ATX mobo.

I compared all three on Intel.com
Compare Intel® Products

I have one question. Why is there an empty spot on Integrated graphics for the H67VR motherboard even though it has DVI & HDMI???
This board also has 2 USB ports less. It only supports RAID 0&1, which i am sure i wont use. It does not have eSATA, but i will probably use USB3.

Currently, i only require 2 SATA ports, but in the future, if do need more, i can always invest in a expansion card right? The ones that have to be plugged in a PCI/ PCIE x1 slot and provide a SATA/ PATA port(s)?

If you can please give me a link to one such device that i can buy online in India. Or are these devices not reliable?

What is the main difference between the BL &CL motherboards, except that the BL is ATX and has 2 more PCI slots????

Im have now omiited the option of buying the IntelDH67VR.

Im still dicideing between the DH67BL and the DH67CL. The CL is an ATX board with more PCI slots and i guess more USB ports... any other differences?

 

[whitestar_999]

*www.theitbazaar.com/store/our-shop...age=flypage.tpl&product_id=527&category_id=95

a little outdated but provides 2 SATA & 1 PATA ports.it is an oem based on promise fast track series & the only one available at this price from online shop located within india.

also why intel h67 only & not others.check this MSI H67MA-E35 microATX mobo available for 4850 at deltapage.in my opinion it is much better option than buying intel mobo & then an expansion card.
MSI Global – Mainboard - H67MA-E35

 

[Techguy]

I have omitted the option of buying the intel dh67vr, so there will be no problems regarding the
SATA ports, anyways thanks for the help.

ARE intel mobos good?

Should i buy the intel DH67BL or the intel DH67CL??
What are the other differences besides the ATX form factor and the extra PCI slots???

I might be able to accomadate a low end GPu..

My proccessor will have the intel hd 2000, so should i buy a GT520@ 3k or will it not
be much of an upgrade??

If i need something slightly higher, i'll have to buy AMD/ATI cause of there value..

I thought of a HD 6670@ 4.8k (bitfang) but there seems to be a 6750 for 5.8k, followed by a 6770 @ 6.5k

Please help me!!!

by the way wats the difference in perfromance between hd2000, hd3000, radeon 6450, gt520, radeon 6570???

I also spotted a gts 450 gddr5 @ 6.5k. how about this?

 

[Nipun]

Hd2000<hd3000 < 6450 < 6570 < 6670 < 6770

 

[whitestar_999]

what is your requirement for graphics card?HD 3000 is sufficient for blu ray playback but has the 24Hz refresh rate bug(ignore it if you can not spot the difference between 23.976Hz content playback at 24Hz or in other words not too sensitive eyes for video playback details). get ATI card a lower end like 5450 for ~2k or a 6670 for ~5k if you play occasional new games in mid settings.

 

[Techguy]

I play games occasionally...
CoD, HAWX2, FIFA 12, PES, CS, GTA IV...
even if i do play Crysis 2 or other high games, i will play on low settings...

Is the radeon 6450 much of an upgrade to the hd 2000?
How about the 6570 ?
I might buy a hd 6670 @4.8k or a 6750 @5.8k. The 6770 and gts 450 are 6.5k and go out of my budget...

So should i buy the 6450, 6570 or the 6670?? Are they worthy upgrades to the hd 2000???