- Jan 20, 2009
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Recommended Builds by Usage
Last Updated on May 21, 2011
■Reviewed and updated builds as required
Last Updated on March 26, 2011
■Updated builds for newer components and replacing the Sandy Bridge motherboards for Rev3.0 versions
This thread is to provide a few "pre-built" options for those looking to build or upgrade based on usage, not including monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers or OS. I have defined the usage guidelines using information provided to me by sKora in his Index of "If sKora had..." topics thread under the "sKora's system design guide beta v0.1" section... Thanks sKora for providing me this information.
■Bargain - Just a box that turns on and runs programs. This is older 2nd and 3rd gen tech and is built as a one and done. Very few parts can or should be carried over to a future build after a bargain build has exhausted its useful life.
■Budget - Maximize the price/performance ratio and have some upgrade path. Budget builders have high enough standards to spend extra on quality parts that offer resonable returns. Its current tech after but usually baby brother versions of the high end options. They also will consider upgrade paths and options for future builds with what is bought now.
■Gamer - With Price/Performance in mind, its more about getting great performance and quality and willing to pay some premium for it. Gamers use current tech with high end components, but not elite. The upgrade path is limited here as the initial build generally is near the top of the tech tree. Gamers aren't usually immediate adopters of next gen tech, but willing to do a full platform upgrade when warranted instead of just a component or too.
■Enthusiast - Whats price? Performance at most any level. These are the ones buying multi GPU systems and the most powerful CPUs. Highest quality and the most current tech. Upgrades will happen until something else bright and shiney comes along that can't be stuck in their current system, then its a new build again. This will be the thinnest section from me and would need help from those that actually build/use these systems.
■HTPC - This PC is designed to be used as Home Theater PC for the end user. It is not designed to be a gaming machine but requires some level of graphics power to play movies on a "Big Screen" TV.
■Non-Gamer - This PC is designed for running office programs, internet, music... etc. Basically, a Dell PC... 😀 It is similar to my "Bargain" build but requires less video graphics power.
■WorkStation - This PC is designed for running workstation applications designed towards the professional applications and systems.
As with all new builds, I highly recommend doing your research before doing any build to determine what your needs are.
I have provided what I find to be useful sites and areas to look for those answers.
■Google - If you cannot find it there... than you probably won't find it anywhere... 😀
■Step-by-Step Guide to Building a PC - This is my thread on how to build a PC step-by-step.
■*How To Ask For New Build Advice* - This is the best thread to review how to ask for advice and is a required format to get the best answers.
■PERFORM THESE STEPS before posting about boot/no video problems! - This thread provides very good details on trouble shooting when you have boot issues after your build.
■*Guide to Choosing Parts* - This thread provides a very good guide in choosing parts and provides many important links and ideas.
■Homebuilt PC Buying Guide - This thread provides a good guide in choosing parts for a new build.
■Core 2 Overclocking Guide - This thread provides a very good guide to overclocking on the LGA 775.
■LGA 1156 Core i5 and Core i7 Overclocking guide - This thread provides a very good guide to overclocking on the LGA 1156 CPU's.
■CPU and Heatsink Lapping Guides - This thread provides information on lapping CPU's and Heatsinks to help improve the the thermal transfer between them.
■CPU Buyer's Guide 2.0 - This thread provides good information on the end's & out's on what CPU to buy and related information.
■The PSU Ranked List and Guide - This is a newer thread that has been created to provide a nice guideline for ranked PSU's by AMP's and Tier Levels.
■ Useful SSD Articles - This a good thread to research on Solid State Drives and what you need to understand about them.
■Power Requirements and Specs for Popular Graphics Cards Guide - This is a new thread providing recommended power supply direction based on the graphics card you plan on purchasing.
■Best Of Tom’s Hardware: Beginner’s Guide To Motherboard Selection - This is a great Tom's Hardware article on what to think about and look for when choosing a motherboard.
■FrostyTech - Best Heat Sinks & PC Cooling - The website provides good reviews and rankings on all things heatsinks.
■eXtreme Power Supply Calcuator Lite V2.5 - This site is a very useful site when you are trying to figure out what your power requirements are for your new build, so you get an idea on what PSU waltage you will need.
■AnandTech: - I find this site has very good links to multiple reviews from many different sites you'll see referenced and pretty up-to-date on news.
■techPowerUp! - I find this site has very good links to multiple reviews from many different sites you'll see referenced and pretty up-to-date on news.
■ JonnyGuru - The website provides good reivews and rankings on power supplies.
■Mouse Ergonomics Guide from Razer - This is a good guide in providing an understanding the different grip styles for a mouse. (Thanks for the info.... jonsy2k)
All builds take a OS, Speakers, Monitors, Keyboards & a Mouse. I have not included those in the builds in my lists below in the other post, but I have listed a few I would recommend to add to any of my builds. This will add cost above and beyond what I have listed as budgets. Most builds I have helped OP's with over the last few months, normally have these components already, but I did want to give options for those that don't.
Operating System: Updated to include the three major OS still in use by Users (Thanks for the feedback... 4ryan6 & psycho sykes)
■Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP3 32-bit for System Builders - OEM
■Microsoft Windows Vista Business SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM
■Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
■Ubuntu
Monitor:
■Hanns·G HW-191APB Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
■ASUS VH236H Black 23" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen Full HD 1080P LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 20000 :1 (ASCR) Built-in Speakers
■ASUS VW246H Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
■ASUS VE278Q Black 27" 1920x1080 2ms Full HD HDMI LED Backlight LCD Monitor w/Speakers 300 cd/m2 ASCR 10,000,000:1
■Dell UltraSharp U3011 30-inch Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor
Keyboard:
■Logitech K120 Black USB Wired Standard Keyboard
■Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 - Retail
■Saitek Eclipse II Illuminated Keyboard
■RAZER Lycosa Black 104 Normal Keys USB Wired Standard Gaming Keyboard - Retail
■Logitech G19 Black USB Wired Standard Gaming Keyboard - Retail
Mouse:
■Microsoft D66-00066 Black 3 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB or PS/2 Wired Optical Mouse - OEM
■RAZER DeathAdder Precision Optical Gaming Mouse - 3.5G Infrared Sensor
■GIGABYTE GM-M8000X Rubber Black 7 Buttons USB Wired Laser Gaming Mouse (Recommended by obsidian86)
■Cooler Master Sentinel Advance Gaming Mouse SGM-6000-KLLW1-GP, 8 Button, 5600 DPI, w/ OLED Display (Recommended by obsidian86)
■Logitech G9x Black Two modes scroll USB Wired Laser 5700 dpi Gaming Mouse (Recommended by dirtdiver)
■RAZER Mamba Black 7 Buttons USB Laser Gaming Mouse - Dual Mode Wired/Wireless Functionality - Retail
Speakers / Headset:
■Logitech S-220 17 Watts 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System - OEM
■Logitech Z506 75 watts RMS 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers
■Logitech Z-5500 505 Watts 5.1 Speaker - Retail
■M-Audio Studiophile BX5a Deluxe 70-watt Bi-amplified Studio Reference Monitors (Recommended by Zinosys)
■Logitech H360 USB Connector Supra-aural Headset
■Creative Fatal1ty Professional Series Gaming Headset MKII
Routers: (Recommended by just a nickname)
■TRENDnet TEW-639GR IEEE 802.3/3u/3ab, IEEE 802.11b/g, IEEE802.11n 2 Wireless Router - Retail
■D-Link DIR-655 IEEE 802.3/3u, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE802.11n Draft 2 Xtreme N Gigabit Wireless Router - Retail
■D-Link DGL-4100 10/100/1000Mbps GamerLounge Broadband Gigabit Gaming Router - Retail
Extras:
■1ST PC CORP. 12" 8-pin EPS extension cable Model CB-8M-8F - Retail - This is normally needed on full size cases to help with the cable management.
■ICY DOCK MB882SP-1S-1B 2.5" to 3.5" SSD & SATA Hard Drive Converter - Black - Retail - This will be required when you purchase a SSD to convert it to a 3.5" drive for your case.
■SpeedFan - Very useful tool to download to monitor temps and control fan speeds.
■CPUID's CPU-Z - Very useful tool to download to monitor system information and speeds.
■CPUID's Hardware Monitor - - Very useful tool to download to monitor temps, fan speeds and voltage.
■Real Temp - CPU Temperature Monitoring - Very useful tool to download to monitor your CPU temps.
■CoreTemp - Very useful tool to download to monitor your CPU temps.
■Prime95 - Most used downloaded software to stress your system to make sure it is stable throughout each process (overclocking... etc.)
■MemTest86+ - Most used downloaded software to test your memory to make sure it is not defective.
■Futuremark's 3DMark Vantage (Vista / Win7) or 3DMark06 (XP) - Most used downloaded benchmark software to be compared against to see how your system ranks with similar parts.
I listed the information provided in Proximon's *Guide to Choosing Parts* on building a PC, since it is very good information and felt it was important to post in my thread, as well.
■Here is a GOOD step-by-step. Really good. If you encounter anything in any other links that contradict this, THIS is the right one. Sadly, no pics: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_To_Assemble_A_Desktop_PC/Assembly#CPU
■Here is a tutorial with pictures that shows how to put together a cheap PC. All parts are cheap and you should NOT use the PSU they use: http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/build_a_500_pc_play_crysis_40fps?page=0,1
■This you tube video has some good points, and is done with fairly modern equipment, all new. The case he is using is a micro-ATX case from Antec: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdsUuWlhOvo
■Proximon's method for applying thermal paste to Heatpipe Direct Touch (HDT) coolers such as the Xigmatek or Sunbeam CCTF: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/252942-29-some-notes-applying-thermal-paste-xigmatek
■This is a good ariticle about "Building a PC: Step by Step Guide" using current parts by DriverHeaven... http://www.driverheaven.net/articles.php?articleid=132&pageid=1
■This is a good Tom's Hardware article about how to put a PC together. I would recommend reading through this one, as well: http://www.tomshardware.com/review_print.php?p1=1382
Thanks for taking the time to read through my post and making this a stickie. My goal is to update this once or twice a month as new technology comes out and prices change.
Last Updated on May 21, 2011
■Reviewed and updated builds as required
Last Updated on March 26, 2011
■Updated builds for newer components and replacing the Sandy Bridge motherboards for Rev3.0 versions
This thread is to provide a few "pre-built" options for those looking to build or upgrade based on usage, not including monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers or OS. I have defined the usage guidelines using information provided to me by sKora in his Index of "If sKora had..." topics thread under the "sKora's system design guide beta v0.1" section... Thanks sKora for providing me this information.
■Bargain - Just a box that turns on and runs programs. This is older 2nd and 3rd gen tech and is built as a one and done. Very few parts can or should be carried over to a future build after a bargain build has exhausted its useful life.
■Budget - Maximize the price/performance ratio and have some upgrade path. Budget builders have high enough standards to spend extra on quality parts that offer resonable returns. Its current tech after but usually baby brother versions of the high end options. They also will consider upgrade paths and options for future builds with what is bought now.
■Gamer - With Price/Performance in mind, its more about getting great performance and quality and willing to pay some premium for it. Gamers use current tech with high end components, but not elite. The upgrade path is limited here as the initial build generally is near the top of the tech tree. Gamers aren't usually immediate adopters of next gen tech, but willing to do a full platform upgrade when warranted instead of just a component or too.
■Enthusiast - Whats price? Performance at most any level. These are the ones buying multi GPU systems and the most powerful CPUs. Highest quality and the most current tech. Upgrades will happen until something else bright and shiney comes along that can't be stuck in their current system, then its a new build again. This will be the thinnest section from me and would need help from those that actually build/use these systems.
■HTPC - This PC is designed to be used as Home Theater PC for the end user. It is not designed to be a gaming machine but requires some level of graphics power to play movies on a "Big Screen" TV.
■Non-Gamer - This PC is designed for running office programs, internet, music... etc. Basically, a Dell PC... 😀 It is similar to my "Bargain" build but requires less video graphics power.
■WorkStation - This PC is designed for running workstation applications designed towards the professional applications and systems.
As with all new builds, I highly recommend doing your research before doing any build to determine what your needs are.
I have provided what I find to be useful sites and areas to look for those answers.
■Google - If you cannot find it there... than you probably won't find it anywhere... 😀
■Step-by-Step Guide to Building a PC - This is my thread on how to build a PC step-by-step.
■*How To Ask For New Build Advice* - This is the best thread to review how to ask for advice and is a required format to get the best answers.
■PERFORM THESE STEPS before posting about boot/no video problems! - This thread provides very good details on trouble shooting when you have boot issues after your build.
■*Guide to Choosing Parts* - This thread provides a very good guide in choosing parts and provides many important links and ideas.
■Homebuilt PC Buying Guide - This thread provides a good guide in choosing parts for a new build.
■Core 2 Overclocking Guide - This thread provides a very good guide to overclocking on the LGA 775.
■LGA 1156 Core i5 and Core i7 Overclocking guide - This thread provides a very good guide to overclocking on the LGA 1156 CPU's.
■CPU and Heatsink Lapping Guides - This thread provides information on lapping CPU's and Heatsinks to help improve the the thermal transfer between them.
■CPU Buyer's Guide 2.0 - This thread provides good information on the end's & out's on what CPU to buy and related information.
■The PSU Ranked List and Guide - This is a newer thread that has been created to provide a nice guideline for ranked PSU's by AMP's and Tier Levels.
■ Useful SSD Articles - This a good thread to research on Solid State Drives and what you need to understand about them.
■Power Requirements and Specs for Popular Graphics Cards Guide - This is a new thread providing recommended power supply direction based on the graphics card you plan on purchasing.
■Best Of Tom’s Hardware: Beginner’s Guide To Motherboard Selection - This is a great Tom's Hardware article on what to think about and look for when choosing a motherboard.
■FrostyTech - Best Heat Sinks & PC Cooling - The website provides good reviews and rankings on all things heatsinks.
■eXtreme Power Supply Calcuator Lite V2.5 - This site is a very useful site when you are trying to figure out what your power requirements are for your new build, so you get an idea on what PSU waltage you will need.
■AnandTech: - I find this site has very good links to multiple reviews from many different sites you'll see referenced and pretty up-to-date on news.
■techPowerUp! - I find this site has very good links to multiple reviews from many different sites you'll see referenced and pretty up-to-date on news.
■ JonnyGuru - The website provides good reivews and rankings on power supplies.
■Mouse Ergonomics Guide from Razer - This is a good guide in providing an understanding the different grip styles for a mouse. (Thanks for the info.... jonsy2k)
All builds take a OS, Speakers, Monitors, Keyboards & a Mouse. I have not included those in the builds in my lists below in the other post, but I have listed a few I would recommend to add to any of my builds. This will add cost above and beyond what I have listed as budgets. Most builds I have helped OP's with over the last few months, normally have these components already, but I did want to give options for those that don't.
Operating System: Updated to include the three major OS still in use by Users (Thanks for the feedback... 4ryan6 & psycho sykes)
■Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP3 32-bit for System Builders - OEM
■Microsoft Windows Vista Business SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM
■Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
■Ubuntu
Monitor:
■Hanns·G HW-191APB Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
■ASUS VH236H Black 23" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen Full HD 1080P LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 20000 :1 (ASCR) Built-in Speakers
■ASUS VW246H Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
■ASUS VE278Q Black 27" 1920x1080 2ms Full HD HDMI LED Backlight LCD Monitor w/Speakers 300 cd/m2 ASCR 10,000,000:1
■Dell UltraSharp U3011 30-inch Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor
Keyboard:
■Logitech K120 Black USB Wired Standard Keyboard
■Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 - Retail
■Saitek Eclipse II Illuminated Keyboard
■RAZER Lycosa Black 104 Normal Keys USB Wired Standard Gaming Keyboard - Retail
■Logitech G19 Black USB Wired Standard Gaming Keyboard - Retail
Mouse:
■Microsoft D66-00066 Black 3 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB or PS/2 Wired Optical Mouse - OEM
■RAZER DeathAdder Precision Optical Gaming Mouse - 3.5G Infrared Sensor
■GIGABYTE GM-M8000X Rubber Black 7 Buttons USB Wired Laser Gaming Mouse (Recommended by obsidian86)
■Cooler Master Sentinel Advance Gaming Mouse SGM-6000-KLLW1-GP, 8 Button, 5600 DPI, w/ OLED Display (Recommended by obsidian86)
■Logitech G9x Black Two modes scroll USB Wired Laser 5700 dpi Gaming Mouse (Recommended by dirtdiver)
■RAZER Mamba Black 7 Buttons USB Laser Gaming Mouse - Dual Mode Wired/Wireless Functionality - Retail
Speakers / Headset:
■Logitech S-220 17 Watts 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System - OEM
■Logitech Z506 75 watts RMS 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers
■Logitech Z-5500 505 Watts 5.1 Speaker - Retail
■M-Audio Studiophile BX5a Deluxe 70-watt Bi-amplified Studio Reference Monitors (Recommended by Zinosys)
■Logitech H360 USB Connector Supra-aural Headset
■Creative Fatal1ty Professional Series Gaming Headset MKII
Routers: (Recommended by just a nickname)
■TRENDnet TEW-639GR IEEE 802.3/3u/3ab, IEEE 802.11b/g, IEEE802.11n 2 Wireless Router - Retail
■D-Link DIR-655 IEEE 802.3/3u, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE802.11n Draft 2 Xtreme N Gigabit Wireless Router - Retail
■D-Link DGL-4100 10/100/1000Mbps GamerLounge Broadband Gigabit Gaming Router - Retail
Extras:
■1ST PC CORP. 12" 8-pin EPS extension cable Model CB-8M-8F - Retail - This is normally needed on full size cases to help with the cable management.
■ICY DOCK MB882SP-1S-1B 2.5" to 3.5" SSD & SATA Hard Drive Converter - Black - Retail - This will be required when you purchase a SSD to convert it to a 3.5" drive for your case.
■SpeedFan - Very useful tool to download to monitor temps and control fan speeds.
■CPUID's CPU-Z - Very useful tool to download to monitor system information and speeds.
■CPUID's Hardware Monitor - - Very useful tool to download to monitor temps, fan speeds and voltage.
■Real Temp - CPU Temperature Monitoring - Very useful tool to download to monitor your CPU temps.
■CoreTemp - Very useful tool to download to monitor your CPU temps.
■Prime95 - Most used downloaded software to stress your system to make sure it is stable throughout each process (overclocking... etc.)
■MemTest86+ - Most used downloaded software to test your memory to make sure it is not defective.
■Futuremark's 3DMark Vantage (Vista / Win7) or 3DMark06 (XP) - Most used downloaded benchmark software to be compared against to see how your system ranks with similar parts.
I listed the information provided in Proximon's *Guide to Choosing Parts* on building a PC, since it is very good information and felt it was important to post in my thread, as well.
■Here is a GOOD step-by-step. Really good. If you encounter anything in any other links that contradict this, THIS is the right one. Sadly, no pics: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_To_Assemble_A_Desktop_PC/Assembly#CPU
■Here is a tutorial with pictures that shows how to put together a cheap PC. All parts are cheap and you should NOT use the PSU they use: http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/build_a_500_pc_play_crysis_40fps?page=0,1
■This you tube video has some good points, and is done with fairly modern equipment, all new. The case he is using is a micro-ATX case from Antec: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdsUuWlhOvo
■Proximon's method for applying thermal paste to Heatpipe Direct Touch (HDT) coolers such as the Xigmatek or Sunbeam CCTF: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/252942-29-some-notes-applying-thermal-paste-xigmatek
■This is a good ariticle about "Building a PC: Step by Step Guide" using current parts by DriverHeaven... http://www.driverheaven.net/articles.php?articleid=132&pageid=1
■This is a good Tom's Hardware article about how to put a PC together. I would recommend reading through this one, as well: http://www.tomshardware.com/review_print.php?p1=1382
Thanks for taking the time to read through my post and making this a stickie. My goal is to update this once or twice a month as new technology comes out and prices change.
Finally! 
[:thegreatgrapeape]
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