New system advice

[jafwiz]

I want to put an intel system together but i am not sure of the parts to get. I have an AMD Phenom II x4 955 now but i want faster so i was thinking intel
I5 2400? It is not much faster i don't think but i am giving my system to someone so to replace it that is what i was looking at. My question is first is that a good chip and if so what other parts do you recommend.I don't want to spend a fortune like around 600 - 700 or less can this be done? I use the computer for Photoshop and illustrator mostly no games and i don't want to overclock just stock.

 

[lehtv]

Yeah, $600-700 should be easy for an i5 non-gaming build.

i5-2400 $185
Intel BOXDH67BLB3 $90
G.Skill 2x4GB 1333 $37
Crucial M4 128GB $170
Fractal Design Core 1000 $40
XFX 450W $34 AR
Samsung DVDRW $20

= $576

How much space do you need? Have a spare HDD for storage or do you need to buy a new HDD in addition to the SSD?

 

[gmaster456]

Yeah, $600-700 should be easy for an i5 non-gaming build.

Agreed.

 

[General Kenobi]

It's a good chip, and it's more than enough for those Adobe products. You could go down to i3 2100 and not lose that much performance.

 

[lehtv]

It's a good chip, and it's more than enough for those Adobe products. You could go down to i3 2100 and not lose that much performance.

But that wouldn't be an upgrade over X4 955.

 

[General Kenobi]

I never said he should go down to i3. Just that he could do so without much performance lost - knowing the options helps, which in this case means that a processor upgrade isn't really needed for only those two Adobe aplications.

 

[jafwiz]

Found this case looks better and cheaper.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811208042

 

[jafwiz]

What about Video Card

 

[PhoenixEnigma]

What about Video Card

If you're not gaming or running one of a handful of other applications, there's not really any need - the HD3000 on the CPU will probably be enough. A discrete video card probably isn't worth the very marginal gains given your budget and uses.

 

[lehtv]

I never said he should go down to i3. Just that he could do so without much performance lost - knowing the options helps, which in this case means that a processor upgrade isn't really needed for only those two Adobe aplications.

Sure, I just wanted to make it clear to him that it would be a sidegrade. He did say he wants faster.

 

[lehtv]

Found this case looks better and cheaper.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811208042

Xion? Some noname brand. I'd expect it to be poor construction quality. It's also ATX form factor. I deliberately chose a case that is microATX, to go with the microATX motherboard. But the case is just a case. Go for it if you like.

What about Video Card

No need for dedicated video, the integrated GPU on the processor will do fine.

If you're not gaming or running one of a handful of other applications, there's not really any need - the HD3000 on the CPU will probably be enough. A discrete video card probably isn't worth the very marginal gains given your budget and uses.

On i5-2400 it's HD 2000. But the difference between HD 3000 and HD 2000 isn't relevant for Adobe products and general use.

 

[jafwiz]

Am i to understand that there is onboard video even though the details of the board says Onboard Video Chipset = None but i do see a DVI port? I quess i am a little confused.

 

[lehtv]

Not onboard video. The GPU itself is located on the processor, and the motherboard allows the GPU (iGPU or integrated GPU) to use system memory and connect to a monitor. The motherboard I linked has DVI and HDMI.

FYI nearly all Intel processors for the LGA1155 socket have an integrated GPU, from the low end to the high end.

 

[jafwiz]

Thank you now I understand. So that video I fine for what I am doing? One more question I was thinking of getting 12 gig of ram and some of the choices have 3 chips is that a problem .

 

[lehtv]

So that video I fine for what I am doing?

Yes. Dedicated GPU = gaming, 3d modelling etc.

One more question I was thinking of getting 12 gig of ram and some of the choices have 3 chips is that a problem .

Sandy Bridge is designed for dual channel memory, so use modules in pairs. Also, I'm willing to bet you'll be perfectly fine with 8GB. Monitor your RAM usage with Task Manager, and if you're sure you need more, buy another pair of the same RAM.

 

[mvbighead]

Xion? Some noname brand. I'd expect it to be poor construction quality. It's also ATX form factor. I deliberately chose a case that is microATX, to go with the microATX motherboard. But the case is just a case. Go for it if you like.

Just want to second this.

I've seen hundreds of different case types, and the "better, cheaper" one the OP selected looks like it fits into the extremely poor build quality type.

Personally, I like the first one suggested. If that isn't your cup of tea, maybe something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119193

You can skimp on a case, but it really makes your computer just look cheap.

If you do need to cut money on the case, the lowest brand I would consider is Apex:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811154109

They're not Antec or any of the other premiere names, but they usually have a good thickness to the metals and plastics that put it together. And generally fits good and tight.

 

[jafwiz]

I was getting ready to order some parts and the ssd is now $187.00 how is this one in comparison.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148442

 

[lehtv]

Same SSD. The one linked earlier just had a Transfer Kit which will be useless for anyone building a new system. (The Transfer Kit is Crucial's own software for transferring data to your SSD from an existing Windows installation)

 

[mfenn]

Yeah, $600-700 should be easy for an i5 non-gaming build.

i5-2400 $185
Intel BOXDH67BLB3 $90
G.Skill 2x4GB 1333 $37
Crucial M4 128GB $170
Fractal Design Core 1000 $40
XFX 450W $34 AR
Samsung DVDRW $20

= $576

How much space do you need? Have a spare HDD for storage or do you need to buy a new HDD in addition to the SSD?

:thumbsup::thumbsup: to this build. PSU is bigger than necessary, but you can't really complain for $34 AR.