I'm a Computer Science student at Auburn University, and I'm looking to build a computer this summer. This will be my first homebuilt computer. I've got two constraints:
1) Power: I'm starting to work on AIs that learn, conduct spatial reasoning, etc, primarily using simple game environments as a testbed. To this end, I don't need a powerful video card, just something that can handle the sort of things you do with an HTPC, but I need a generous amount of RAM (8-16 GB), and a powerful processor.
These AIs would need to run for extended periods of time (I'd like to have the option of running the computer for days on end, as needed) to really learn, and the machine will be running out of a college dorm room, so I'd like to keep it quiet so that my roommate and I can sleep.
The components I'm looking at to do this job are:
Core i5 2500K Sandy Bridge:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072&nm_mc=OTC-FroogleNEW&cm_mmc=OTC-FroogleNEW-_-Processors+-+Desktops-_-Intel-_-19115072
OR Core i5 3450S Ivy Bridge:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116507
I'm not sure if it'd be worth the extra $100 for an i7 or not. I've read that the only real increase in power between the i5 and i7 is hyperthreading, which most programs I'd write wouldn't take advantage of.
2x or 4x 4GB Corsair Vengeance 4GB 1600 MHz DDR3 SDRAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233144&nm_mc=OTC-FroogleNEW&cm_mmc=OTC-FroogleNEW-_-Memory+(Desktop+Memory)-_-Corsair-_-20233144
Radeon HD 6450 Silent video card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121439&nm_mc=OTC-FroogleNEW&cm_mmc=OTC-FroogleNEW-_-Video+Cards-_-ASUS-_-14121439
I want a 1TB+ HDD at 7200 RPM and, if there's room in my budget (and case), to use a 128GB SDD as a boot/program storage drive.
I'm looking at an ASUS P8Z77 mATX mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131832&nm_mc=OTC-FroogleNEW&cm_mmc=OTC-FroogleNEW-_-Motherboards+-+Intel-_-ASUS-_-13131832
and then stuff like a wireless pci adapter card to connect to wifi, and a 1080p monitor for lots of screen real estate when I'm working and a blu-ray disk disk drive for watching movies when I'm not.
I also want to get a wireless keyboard and mouse so that I can compute from bed or anywhere else in my room.
I'm on a $1000 budget, but I can push that by $100 or so if I really need to.
Basically I'm looking to make a programming and HTPC that doesn't remind you that it's there.
And then there's my other constraint:
2) Portability: My family live 1200 miles away from my school, so when I go home for Christmas and for the Summer, I fly. 8 months of the year I live in Alabama, and the other 4 I live in Rhode Island. The computer I build has to make that trip and fit inside a carry-on bag. My carry-on is 13" by 18" by 8". I'd be bringing the machine with me on flights between 4 and 6 times a year, so I don't want to have to pay $25 a flight to check it in.
To this end, I'm looking at HTPC cases, specifically:
InWin's BL631 MicroATX Slim Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108065
Antec Minuet 350:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129039
Even from a smaller case I still have the quietness constraint I mentioned above.
So far I've only looked at mATX, and no miniITX cases, because I wasn't sure an ITX board would be as functional or able to handle everything the computer does as well as an mATX board would. Please tell me if I'm wrong!
Any suggestions on the case (it HAS to be under 13x18x8), or improving the build would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!
------------------------------------------
EDIT: Here's the criteria from the howto thread to make this easier:
Approximate Purchase Date: As soon as I know that what I'm going to build will do what I need it to do.
Budget Range: Under $1000, including monitor and peripherals although if I need to I can push the limit slightly. Rebates are nice wherever possible.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Carrying on planes / Running processor-intensive programs quietly and coolly for extended periods of time / watching movies, light gaming, and other normal use activities
Parts Not Required: I got a free copy of Windows, so I don't need to worry about an OS.
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg is nice for checking benchmarks, and I'll check for places I might be able to get a lower price at sites like Amazon.
Country: United States
Parts Preferences: I'll be happy with whatever does the job I need it to do. The parts I'm considering using are linked to above.
Overclocking: No
SLI or Crossfire: No
Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080
Additional Comments: Case must be less than 13"x18"x8", and I want to keep this machine quiet. Other than that, I want as much power as I can put in it while staying inside my budget. Basically, I want to build a lion in a cat's body.
1) Power: I'm starting to work on AIs that learn, conduct spatial reasoning, etc, primarily using simple game environments as a testbed. To this end, I don't need a powerful video card, just something that can handle the sort of things you do with an HTPC, but I need a generous amount of RAM (8-16 GB), and a powerful processor.
These AIs would need to run for extended periods of time (I'd like to have the option of running the computer for days on end, as needed) to really learn, and the machine will be running out of a college dorm room, so I'd like to keep it quiet so that my roommate and I can sleep.
The components I'm looking at to do this job are:
Core i5 2500K Sandy Bridge:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072&nm_mc=OTC-FroogleNEW&cm_mmc=OTC-FroogleNEW-_-Processors+-+Desktops-_-Intel-_-19115072
OR Core i5 3450S Ivy Bridge:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116507
I'm not sure if it'd be worth the extra $100 for an i7 or not. I've read that the only real increase in power between the i5 and i7 is hyperthreading, which most programs I'd write wouldn't take advantage of.
2x or 4x 4GB Corsair Vengeance 4GB 1600 MHz DDR3 SDRAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233144&nm_mc=OTC-FroogleNEW&cm_mmc=OTC-FroogleNEW-_-Memory+(Desktop+Memory)-_-Corsair-_-20233144
Radeon HD 6450 Silent video card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121439&nm_mc=OTC-FroogleNEW&cm_mmc=OTC-FroogleNEW-_-Video+Cards-_-ASUS-_-14121439
I want a 1TB+ HDD at 7200 RPM and, if there's room in my budget (and case), to use a 128GB SDD as a boot/program storage drive.
I'm looking at an ASUS P8Z77 mATX mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131832&nm_mc=OTC-FroogleNEW&cm_mmc=OTC-FroogleNEW-_-Motherboards+-+Intel-_-ASUS-_-13131832
and then stuff like a wireless pci adapter card to connect to wifi, and a 1080p monitor for lots of screen real estate when I'm working and a blu-ray disk disk drive for watching movies when I'm not.
I also want to get a wireless keyboard and mouse so that I can compute from bed or anywhere else in my room.
I'm on a $1000 budget, but I can push that by $100 or so if I really need to.
Basically I'm looking to make a programming and HTPC that doesn't remind you that it's there.
And then there's my other constraint:
2) Portability: My family live 1200 miles away from my school, so when I go home for Christmas and for the Summer, I fly. 8 months of the year I live in Alabama, and the other 4 I live in Rhode Island. The computer I build has to make that trip and fit inside a carry-on bag. My carry-on is 13" by 18" by 8". I'd be bringing the machine with me on flights between 4 and 6 times a year, so I don't want to have to pay $25 a flight to check it in.
To this end, I'm looking at HTPC cases, specifically:
InWin's BL631 MicroATX Slim Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108065
Antec Minuet 350:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129039
Even from a smaller case I still have the quietness constraint I mentioned above.
So far I've only looked at mATX, and no miniITX cases, because I wasn't sure an ITX board would be as functional or able to handle everything the computer does as well as an mATX board would. Please tell me if I'm wrong!
Any suggestions on the case (it HAS to be under 13x18x8), or improving the build would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!
------------------------------------------
EDIT: Here's the criteria from the howto thread to make this easier:
Approximate Purchase Date: As soon as I know that what I'm going to build will do what I need it to do.
Budget Range: Under $1000, including monitor and peripherals although if I need to I can push the limit slightly. Rebates are nice wherever possible.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Carrying on planes / Running processor-intensive programs quietly and coolly for extended periods of time / watching movies, light gaming, and other normal use activities
Parts Not Required: I got a free copy of Windows, so I don't need to worry about an OS.
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg is nice for checking benchmarks, and I'll check for places I might be able to get a lower price at sites like Amazon.
Country: United States
Parts Preferences: I'll be happy with whatever does the job I need it to do. The parts I'm considering using are linked to above.
Overclocking: No
SLI or Crossfire: No
Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080
Additional Comments: Case must be less than 13"x18"x8", and I want to keep this machine quiet. Other than that, I want as much power as I can put in it while staying inside my budget. Basically, I want to build a lion in a cat's body.
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