Help me build a new rig
 

Open to advice as it's been a decade-plus since I built my own desktop.

Here's my needs:

• Primary use is photo editing in Lightroom, no gaming. So I'm thinking decent on board graphics will suffice?
• I have a 4K Samsung 28-inch monitor, so nothing needed there.
• Would like smallish, but that's not a necessity if it's more cost efficient to go with a standard mini tower or something.
• No DVD ROM needed.
• Decently hot, semi bare bones system.
• Would like SSD for system, and at least 1TB for storage.

And go.

No price was mentioned, so...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($286.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($96.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($105.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($34.00 @ Newegg)
Total: $668.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-14 22:30 EST-0500

The PSU is pretty overkill but its got a great deal going on and it's semi modular which you'll want with that case.

Jump up to a micro motherboard if you want 32GB of RAM.

I like this setup. Might downgrade the processor, but otherwise I dig it!

/thread

I'm a big fan of large power supplies, so my i4790k build has a 750 watt Corsair. I've used ASUS boards for 15 years without issue but was convinced in the latter part of the 2000's to switch to Gigabyte and two motherboards failed. I've built two ASUS since with no issues and I'm currently using the Z87 Pro with built in Intel graphics. I'd also recommend a third part fan and cooler like the Coolermaster Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO but make sure it'll fit in your case.

If you decide to jump back into video editing, I think you'll want the option of more RAM, like 64 gbs. If not, 32 max should be fine. Win 8.1 is freaking awesome but be aware the Win10 is just around the corner but it's a free upgrade (but you'll need to re-install everything).

One last thing: I'd bump the OS SSD to 256. Keep in mind that 30 GB are for Windows systems/DOS. My current system drive is filled with 78 GB so you'd only have somewhere around 20 gigs on your system drive and I don't know about your programs and usage, but I'll routinely need to download and install 5-10 GB's of programs from time to time.

oh baby!


Love new builds. JD put up a nice build, you could hem and haw over a few things if you wished. I would go bigger on the SSD just for utility's sake. Don't downgrade the processor, you should get something with hyperthreading.

As for PSU, no need to go bigger than the 500, unless you plan on adding GPU later. For RAM, if you can swing it, go ahead and get 16~

I build Pro Audio rigs for my recording studio, so I'm powering a ton of USB and a few PCI-e cards, so I need the bigger power supplies to make sure there's no interruptions, so I'm just used to recommending them.

But yeah, don't downgrade of the CPU because hyper-threading is awesome for programs that can utilize it. :thumb:

There's literally no need to spend additional money on an aftermarket cooler unless you are overclocking.

In that case you are swapping out the processor for a K model, upgrading to a Z97 motherboard, and buying a cooler. Which is going to add another $80+ on to the build for something that is likely not going to be utilized.

Agreed. In this case, to save money, stock cooler will suffice on a non OCed budget build as such~

When you're streaming 200 24 bit orchestral instruments along with 50 audio tracks, hundreds of plugins, while syncing to video, there's a reason.

Audio and Video are extremely demanding. Check out pcaudiolabs.com and adkproaudio.com, along with the new Apple Pro's as proof.

So FMB is performing the same tasks as you?

Dude, your reading comprehension sucks. I've addressed my needs versus his very clearly.

You know, I've always thought you had very poor football takes and acted like a jackass. Now, I see those views aren't limited to just football.

Chill the **** out.

Nothing is wrong with my reading comprehension. I built a computer based on his needs/wants. You recommended he spend more money on stuff he doesnt need. I came back in to save him the money because Intel isn't providing fans with their $300 chips and backing them up with warranties when they know the cooling system isn't adequate. Then you came back with your stories of using a computer as a workstation.

It feels like -6 outside right now. I'm plenty chill.

Thoughts on the i5 4690K (3.5GHz)?

I'm not certain I'll use the hyperthreading of the i7, and the i5s I think would more than suffice, plus it's $100 less expensive.

- Will onboard graphics be able to push the 4k monitor? Would it be able to handle two of them if you add one in the future?
- Your initial 128GB SSD is pretty slim. I'd look into something a little bigger, even though you clearly plan on having a lot of data on platter drives.
- I think Lightroom supports hyper threading. Since you said that Lightroom was going to be a primary use, I'd go for it.