Recommended Builds by Usage

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tecmo34

tecmo34

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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.
 
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The Xigmatek Dark Knight (S1283V), Red Scorpion (RS1283) and Balder (SD1283) are all S1283 Rifle cooler models with different fans or coatings. I really like the looks of the Balder with the silver nickel coating and white LED fan but they dont seem to sell it in the US.
 
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I feel that this thread has several weaknesses. Primarily, it completely defeats the purpose of the "How to Ask for Build Advice" sticky. Meaning, you just suggest builds without knowing any of the things that are required in order to build the best PC for someone. You don't know what the person's resolution is, whether they plan on overclocking or crossfire/sli, what parts they prefer, or anything. Also, your title, "Recommended Builds By Usage" doesn't really make sense - the only factor you consider is price. I appreciate all the effort you put into this, I'm just explaining my feelings about it.
 
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Thank you for your comments. This thread is not design to replace or go against the "How to Ask for Build Advice" sticky. It is to be used in conjunction with the sticky. A OP can review my thread get an idea of what they can build based on their budget, use one of my "pre-build" options, and use it to ask how does it fit their needs in accordance to The Animal's sticky. A reader has the option to build start up one of my recommendations, since they have done research up front an it meets their needs. I could not develope builds to address all possible resolutions, budgets, or usages of a possible OP.

The title comes from the definitions of "Bargain, Budget, Gamer, & Enthusiast". Based on information & thoughts between sKora and me, I developed builds I felt met those definitions / usages. I seperated them by cost in my mind because I'm not going to build a bargain PC and spend $1,000 or build an enthusiast PC for less than $600.

I hope that helps you understand a little more on the purpose, thoughts behind it & how to use this sticky.
 
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While many visitors to Tom's have above average knowledge of PC parts few have in-depth expert level knowledge. Sometimes you need a reference point to even get to the point where you can ask the right question. Also with the millions of posts here at Tom's it is often impossible to find an answer to your question because you don't know which search terms to use. Furthermore with a myriad of variations for every part used in a PC (Newegg list 79 CPUs) that have very subtle differences, having someone "tell" you what to buy is a useful starting point.

I recently read in an graphics card article that while two card SLI is great, a VERY small percentage of people actually use it. I just bought a MoBo for a build that can do NVIDIA Hybrid SLI but I'm having trouble finding any information on what cards I can use to do it. Probably because, while the feature is there, no one is using it.

I still contend that MacWrite, which had the operating system AND the application on a 720Kb floppy, is more word processor than 90% of users will ever need. That said, most systems are way overbuilt for what they will actually be used for. Sure there are many serious gamers and games are designed for those users, but recommending a build based on generalities is a useful starting point for most people.

Most people will use a standard resolution which the vast majority of graphics chips can produce. They won't overclock or use two graphics cards, they prefer the lowest priced brand they can find, etc. While there are hundreds (maybe thousands) of active users on Tom's, there are tens of millions of PC users whose biggest choice is "Mac or PC." (And since PC owns 90% of the market that isn't really much of a choice.)

I used Tom's to pick out the parts for my new HTPC. But I'm the exception in that I had the time to do that. I've been designing it for several months spending many hours reading articles and posts and checking prices, but the final decisions were made in a couple of hours during Newegg's Black Friday sale and they were based on price. Most people who will build their own system (I wonder how many do that?) will just look for recommendations from a trusted source (Tom's is the one I recommend) and buy parts as close to the recommended list as possible. They change one or two based on personal experience (I've never used AMD, I had many friends that worked for WD), friend's biases and prejudices, their budget, specific needs (I don't watch Blu-Ray movies or game) and availability. But for the most part they just want to say the built it themselves and saved some money.

These are my feelings on the topic and d@ng it, they sound harsh toward jbl91 and I didn't mean them to. jbl91 - I'm sorry but I don't have time to rewrite them. I have no ill feelings toward you. I usually write my comments offline, rewrite them for tone and then post them.
 
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Question: What they h??? is a "sticky"? I can make some guesses but haven't quite figured it out.

Suggestion: Having all these system builds in one thread allows comparison of the builds, but the ongoing suggestions begin to confuse. What about having all the builds in one thread and then a separate thread for each build in which the specifics are discussed?
 
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Sticky is simply the thread stays at the top of the forum's first page where is always visible when you visit the forum - Sticks to the top of the forum... sticky (I hope that helps... 😀 )

You will notice when a user responds to this post asking for guidance on a build, others or I will respond by requesting them to start their own thread with the desired questions. A user should not post in this thread asking for build advice, which should be done in separate thread. A user can post comments (such as you have) or recommended parts or changes to my builds (as other have). Those suggestions can help make the initial information on the first page more useful, current and point out options I might have missed or didn't think about. A user can feel free to take a build and start a separate thread and open it up for discussions. We wouldn't be able to have this sticky and each build broken down into it's own sticky... 1) the moderators won't allow that many stickies 2) You would lose track of intent of the original sticky, which is to give a recommended build (without taking into account combo's, MIR... etc), not specific builds that are good for a specific time frame.
 
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You need to make sure the ION will do what you want it to. Some versions won't do full-screen online videos. Tom's has some articles and forum posts that talk about that.

Basing an HTPC on ION is going to really limit the upgradability of the system. Starting with a separate CPU and MoBo you can add a discrete graphics card if you decide you want to do gaming. And with a discrete graphics card you can keep up with the changing standards for video and sound output. And when that CPU seems to slow, just upgrade it and the RAM and you've got what will feel like a new system.
 
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Thanks for the great up to date info. It's very helpful.

I am considering putting together something similar to the intel gaming system. I'm just wondering about the PSU. When I go here http://www.antec.outervision.com/PSUEngine as well as another caculator they tell me that I need about 350W of power yet your builds have 750W PSUs. I don't plan on doing any over clocking. Is it possible to go with a lower wattage high quality PSU?

Thanks!
 
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Yes, you can switch to a lower wattage PSU. I would recommend not dropping below 550W for the PSU. My builds have a 750W PSU to give the user the option to Crossfire/SLI down the road.
 
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Thanks for the great build guide -- I followed the extreme enthusiast almost exclusively.

However, I believe there is a compatibility issue in the CPU and MB combo you have chosen.

I got the core i7 specified, and the Asus P6T deluxe V2. Now I learn that the new "D0" core i7 (S-spec SLBEJ) requires ASUS bios version 0302...and the P6T sold to me via Newegg last week was 0102.

The result? It won't boot at all, so you cannot flash the BIOS! ASUS is recommending I take the MB to a computer shop and have the board booted with an older C0 core i7 and have the BIOS flashed that way! Otherwise, a new BIOS chip must be purchased, or sent from ASUS (for a fee), and installed at home. Either way, I pay extra -- and get a delay -- to make the MB function with a cpu it is advertised as working with out of the box.

A real catch-22 situation, but the bottom line is that until ASUS ships its MBs with BIOS 0302 -- and none being sold are now that version -- the combo listed in your build will not boot.

Otherwise, great list of products, and I appreciated it.

(For a description of the problem on the ASUS user forum, check here at post #12: http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?id=20091108053259734&board_id=1&model=P6T+Deluxe+V2&SLanguage=en-us&page=2)
 
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MrMyke,

Thanks for reviewing my thread and basing a build off of my extreme enthusiast build!! 😀

I am sorry to hear that you ran into an issue with the build that the ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 didn't support the DO stepping of the i7 920. I have not heard of any compatibility issue with the CPU and MOBO until you hightligthed. 🙁 I hope you are able to get your issue resolved quickly and with little or no expense out of your pocket. I have updated the MOBO for this build to the new ASUS motherboard supporting USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s. It was roughly an additional $60 on the build and will provide the ability to utilize these components down the road.
 
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Well, thats a negative point to ASUSs support. When I messed up the BIOS chip for my DFI motherboard, the email tech support guy had me mail it to DFI and they flashed it and mailed it back at no cost (other than mailing). You would think ASUS could do the same since you have no control over which BIOS revision your board will have when you order it.
 
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I just purchased the Budget build that uses the intel i5 processor. All my parts came in and since this is my first PC put together, I messed up a few times. I took it into the shop and it worked - so all my parts came in functioning :)

I have something to say however - the case has a mounted fan on the side panel which does not fit with the very large cooler master heat sink. I guess I have to take off the mounted fan. Just something I thought the person who made this thread should know.

All in all, thank you for the great advice and other than that everything has worked perfectly!

Cheers!
 
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Thank you for the heads up on the case side fan and HSF issue. I wasn't aware of that potential issue. I'll review my options for another case or heat sink fan to correct this issue.
 
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I began putting together the "Enthusiast" build. I noticed the chip did not appear to remotely even fit onto the motherboard.

This is the recommended chip: Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115214. Note the LGA 1156 bit.

The recommended board is: GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD4 LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retailhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128404. Also LGA 1156.

Unfortunately (for me, who didn't double/triple check everything myself) the clicking on the motherboard link sends you to this board:

ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retailhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365 ... which is LGA 1366.

Can you update the link?

The good news is that the price for the correct mobo (and the total cost shown) is $130 cheaper.

Regards,

Stephan

 
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