Computer build questions

I agree with Bleufire regarding the hard drive reliability report from Backblaze. I wouldn't look at it as the Bible for HD reliability.

Anyhow, we buy a lot of refurbished Dell Optiplex machines from Dell Outlet. You can get a pretty decently configured Dell Optiplex 9020 for $700. They also come with 3 years warranty. Check the coupon section for discount code before you buy.

Dell uses proprietary motherboard and power supply on the Optiplex line though. So if you want to upgrade or replace your power supply, you will need to buy Dell power supply or pin-converter if you want to use a non-Dell power supply.

For drivers, I always use the Dell Driver Cab technote.
http://en.community.de​ll.com …rise-client-os-deployment

-dave-m- wrote in post #18008689
Most MSI GTX970's have a HDMI 2.0 compatible connector along with DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 2.0 supports 4k @ 60Hz monitors.

Thanks, I assumed as it only had one of each it was an either or scenario.

IAbowhntr wrote in post #18009286
Ok I was hell bent on building this thing but now I'm seeing factory PC's for almost less than I can build ... Budget wise would I be better off buying a Dell or HP with a solid backbone like the i5 or i7 or are the MB and PSU just rubbish? I know they take shortcuts but I can get a HP i5 4590k built with 12mb ram 2TB drive with Windows 10 pro for $450 new ... seems like a solid backbone to build off of ... Even if I add an SSD for the OS and use the drive that it comes with for storage seems like a good start. Even a better case later on still puts me under budget so far I'm having trouble finding a CPU MB combo for under $350. And then I put $80 in Ram $250 in drives and a case I'm well over that.

Steve

Seems like a pretty good deal. Not sure how they do it for that. I had 4 HP laptops and they all worked perfectly for 4 or more years, one I found an ancient one in the garage, it booted up perfectly, and it was 12 years old! Tried it just for fun.

I wouldn't rule it out but do go in with the notion that you won't be able to upgrade as easy (Lack of SATA and PSU) depending on the form factor. I am sure if you got the larger form factor that would be less of an issue. It could also be a good starting point so the next machine you move over to you can build.

The one thing i was trying to wrap my head around was you said there was a HP with a 4590K? They were going to sell you an unlocked, overclockable, processor? Seems weird to me when they could toss in the locked 4590 instead for cheaper. I tried to price compare that model and it looks very unavailable which is probably why you couldn't find a compatible MB/CPU combo for a good price so all the 4590k available are at that increased rate.

I've decided on the i5 4690 with ASUS Motherboard, 16gb ram, Samsung Evo SSD for OS and programs with Windows 7 pro, 2TB drive for storage, the only thing I'm debating about is my case I'm leaning towards Rosewill case with side fan ... I'm thinking 650w psu.

Thanks for everyone suggestions its really helped me get started.

Steve

IAbowhntr wrote in post #18012616
I've decided on the i5 4690 with ASUS Motherboard, 16gb ram, Samsung Evo SSD for OS and programs with Windows 7 pro, 2TB drive for storage, the only thing I'm debating about is my case I'm leaning towards Rosewill case with side fan ... I'm thinking 650w psu.

Thanks for everyone suggestions its really helped me get started.

Steve

I Would really suggest you look at Windows 10, its a really easy OS to deal,with far less updates, and seems to support nearly everything, and the new stuff.

I was really, really cynical regarding a new OS from MS for my new build. IMO Win 10 is light years ahead of 7, especially if you want NVMe and pcie cards in the future.

IAbowhntr wrote in post #18009286
Ok I was hell bent on building this thing but now I'm seeing factory PC's for almost less than I can build ... Budget wise would I be better off buying a Dell or HP with a solid backbone like the i5 or i7 or are the MB and PSU just rubbish? I know they take shortcuts but I can get a HP i5 4590k built with 12mb ram 2TB drive with Windows 10 pro for $450 new ... seems like a solid backbone to build off of ... Even if I add an SSD for the OS and use the drive that it comes with for storage seems like a good start. Even a better case later on still puts me under budget so far I'm having trouble finding a CPU MB combo for under $350. And then I put $80 in Ram $250 in drives and a case I'm well over that.

Steve

I would just build it for the enjoyment of it.

Slight twist lol I did some more research ... I ordered a i5 6600k with ddr4 2133 and Asus MoBo lga1151 socket ... The board was $40 cheaper and the CPU was $25 more so it just made good sense ... I will think about the Windows 10 thing ... My disk I ordered has a free upgrade to 10 so its not an issue ...

Again thanks for everyone input you have no idea how much help it has been!!

Take a look at an SSD that is M.2 format as opposed to the standard Sata SSD, if the motherboard
supports it..The speed difference is noticeable...to say the least. If the motherboard has a 4 lane PCIe port, you might want to consider the bump in speed.

Regards,

110yd

I built a system almost 3 years ago and it's served me well so far...

Without getting into details, I got an ASUS Z87 MB, 16GB RAM, Intel i5 processor and a Corsair 650D case the a hot-swap drive bay at the top. Overall, I'm very happy with it.

One of the things I didn't do though, was install an SSD. I went with 3 HDDs instead. Now, this has been almost 3 years ago but at the time, I just didn't think that the SSD technology was mature enough from a reliability standpoint yet. And I'm still not sure. That, plus the extra speed just wasn't that important to me and it still isn't.

The cost? It was a lot. While I didn't mind, I found that assembling your own PC can add up pretty quick. The $600 ASUS monitor didn't help, but at least I was able to put something together the way I wanted and it was a fun learning exercise.

SSDs are mature, look at this endurance test. The best of them wrote 2.5PB, WAY more than most people could even consider doing in ten years.

True statement^
When SSD's initially came on the scene I was very concerned about flash endurance. Today the Bigger name brand guys offer warranty's up to 10 years....I doubt if I will be sitting in front of the same machine for anything close to that length of time..

Regards,

110yd