Suggestions for Something a Bit Different

[IronMac]

Hi all,

Would really appreciate a suggested build from the experts on here.

Am looking for an all-around machine:

Work:

I work at home so this machine will be on 24/7. Some days when I am busy I can be on it for over 18 hours out of every 24.

Lot of websurfing (research), lot of Word documents, video transcoding, overseas file transfers (documents, audio and video files), may get into photo editing.

Gaming:

No FPS but strategy games such as Total War and Civ are what I play when I have time.

I guess I am looking for a build that is extremely reliable/stable (gotta make $$$), easy to adjust. No overclocking, all air cooling. Prefer all metal case with room for storage expansion. i5 is probably the target processor but will go i7 if necessary.

Am going to order in ViewQwest Fiber so prefer this build to have Intel GbE LAN (Wifi is good too).

Have BNIB Win 7 Premium (but can go Win 8 if necessary), 24" monitor and so on.

Budget should be around $1500-$2000 but since this is for work it will be written off.

Thanks for taking the time to read through all of the above rambling.

 

[GrimaH]

In brief, any video transcoding or photo editing will be cpu intensive, so get an i7. (Dont get the K versions, their only difference is enabled overclocking.)

Also, Total War: Rome 2 is pretty taxing on the graphics so an AMD 280X or Nvidia GTX 770is recommended. But since it's being written off, be adventurous and get a AMD 290 with custom cooler or a GTX 780.

Might post a draft build later.

 

[Alternative X]

CPU+ Mobo: ASROCK H87 PERFORMANCE+ i7 4790 (557)
RAM:2X G.SKILL PC 12800/1600MHZ DDR3 CL11 VALUE RAM (8GB) (204)
GPU: ASUS R9 290 4GB DCUII (519)
SSD: SAMSUNG 840 PRO 256GB (255)
HDD: WESTERN DIGITAL 1 TB PURPLE (86)
DVD-RW: SAMSUNG 24X DVD-RW (25)
PSU: FSP 650W 80+ PLATINIUM MODULAR (159)
Case: DEEP COOL TESSERACT (65)
Networking: Asus PCE-AC68 W/L-AC1900 Dual Band PCI-E Adapter (135) (Infinity)

Total cost: $2005

Unless otherwise stated, buy at PC Themes, #04-15, and ask for discounts. DIY yourself. If you can't into DIY, go to PC Care & Solution at #02-32 and ask Nigel to help you assemble for a fee.

Notes:
1) Unfortunately, only Intel H and Z-series motherboards come with an Intel LAN chipset. Nowadays, all motherbrands have equal levels of reliability and hence you should be fine with any brand.

2) The Deepcool Tesseract has 3 2.5'' drive bays and 4 3.5'' drive bays. If you feel that this is not enough, feel free to spend more on a full tower case as this is actually a budget casing.

3) Included in the build is a PCI-e wifi adapter that is capable of gigabit speeds. Competing brands only have wifi adapters for speeds up to 300mbps.

4) Included in this build is a 80+ Platinum PSU since you said that you may be using this rig for long hours. Feel free to get a 80+ Gold PSU instead if you think that this is overkill.

 

[Ark Law]

Networking: Asus PCE-AC68 W/L-AC1900 Dual Band PCI-E Adapter (135) (Infinity)
Intel 7260HMWDTX1 7260AC Desktop Wireless Kit - $99 (Cybermind)

Replace Asus WLAN with one that is bound to work and has onsite warranty;

 

[Yureak]

Replace Asus WLAN with one that is bound to work and has onsite warranty;

doubt this intel wifi card can hold a torch to the pce ac 68.

im using the 68 after trying so many brands and types from tp link to asus and only the pce can give real speed.

the rest like n15 i cant even get wifi at this range

 

[Ark Law]

doubt this intel wifi card can hold a torch to the pce ac 68.

im using the 68 after trying so many brands and types from tp link to asus and only the pce can give real speed.

the rest like n15 i cant even get wifi at this range

Reliability + Consistency + Acceptable performance > Trail blazing performance

My friend exchanged his AC68 twice before getting one which worked. There's a reason why Intel wifi cards are preferred in laptops, and why that Intel vs Killer LAN thread kept flaming on.

For today's Intel, if there's something wrong in a setup, it's rare for an Intel product to be at fault.

 

[Yureak]

Reliability + Consistency + Acceptable performance > Trail blazing performance

My friend exchanged his AC68 twice before getting one which worked. There's a reason why Intel wifi cards are preferred in laptops, and why that Intel vs Killer LAN thread kept flaming on.

For today's Intel, if there's something wrong in a setup, it's rare for an Intel product to be at fault.

Your friend probably had some pretty bad luck.
I have had no issues with my ac68 out of the box whatsoever and would have no reservations recommending it both throughput and range and reliability

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Replace Asus WLAN with one that is bound to work and has onsite warranty;

From SaiBirdMai or AiMoiSone...?

 

[Ark Law]

From SaiBirdMai or AiMoiSone...?

SaiBirdMai. Doubt TS wants/willing to wait 2-3 weeks for wifi card to arrive from AiMoiSone

 

[MoneyFace =p]

SaiBirdMai. Doubt TS wants/willing to wait 2-3 weeks for wifi card to arrive from AiMoiSone

Cheaper by pretty a lot though...

 

[IronMac]

In brief, any video transcoding or photo editing will be cpu intensive, so get an i7. (Dont get the K versions, their only difference is enabled overclocking.)

Also, Total War: Rome 2 is pretty taxing on the graphics so an AMD 280X or Nvidia GTX 770is recommended. But since it's being written off, be adventurous and get a AMD 290 with custom cooler or a GTX 780.

Might post a draft build later.

Please post a draft build!

Good info here...my MBP is an i7 and it was a good jump in power from a C2D. Did not know that about TWR 2 since I only play TWR for now.

Thanks!

 

[IronMac]

CPU+ Mobo: ASROCK H87 PERFORMANCE+ i7 4790 (557)
RAM:2X G.SKILL PC 12800/1600MHZ DDR3 CL11 VALUE RAM (8GB) (204)
GPU: ASUS R9 290 4GB DCUII (519)
SSD: SAMSUNG 840 PRO 256GB (255)
HDD: WESTERN DIGITAL 1 TB PURPLE (86)
DVD-RW: SAMSUNG 24X DVD-RW (25)
PSU: FSP 650W 80+ PLATINIUM MODULAR (159)
Case: DEEP COOL TESSERACT (65)
Networking: Asus PCE-AC68 W/L-AC1900 Dual Band PCI-E Adapter (135) (Infinity)

Total cost: $2005

Unless otherwise stated, buy at PC Themes, #04-15, and ask for discounts. DIY yourself. If you can't into DIY, go to PC Care & Solution at #02-32 and ask Nigel to help you assemble for a fee.

Notes:
1) Unfortunately, only Intel H and Z-series motherboards come with an Intel LAN chipset. Nowadays, all motherbrands have equal levels of reliability and hence you should be fine with any brand.

2) The Deepcool Tesseract has 3 2.5'' drive bays and 4 3.5'' drive bays. If you feel that this is not enough, feel free to spend more on a full tower case as this is actually a budget casing.

3) Included in the build is a PCI-e wifi adapter that is capable of gigabit speeds. Competing brands only have wifi adapters for speeds up to 300mbps.

4) Included in this build is a 80+ Platinum PSU since you said that you may be using this rig for long hours. Feel free to get a 80+ Gold PSU instead if you think that this is overkill.

Thank you!

Lot of food for thought:

- did not consider an H87 board at all!
- pretty beefy video card(!), would never have considered that
- will have a closer look at that case...never heard of the company...need something that will hold at least 2x 3.5" drives and 1x SSD...for now (my desk is covered with external HDs and two HD docks.
- no may be about using this for hours...it's a certainty...hehehe

Thanks again!

 

[GrimaH]

The build posted above is pretty much the most suitable one. I'd recommend getting a more solid case like a Silverstone ft-02, but it's a big jump in cost for a case for most people.

 

[IronMac]

The build posted above is pretty much the most suitable one. I'd recommend getting a more solid case like a Silverstone ft-02, but it's a big jump in cost for a case for most people.

Ok, much appreciated!