Yeah, I'd like no less than 160GB as the main drive if I do go with the SSD route. And honestly, if I was going to spend the money for it, I'd just Raid 5 it with a set of fast 1 or 1.5TB drives to get some speed, data security, and same price.

5/14/2010 11:32:12 PM

TB drives in Raid 5 <<<<< SSD for speed

5/15/2010 10:58:12 AM

yes, but you don't get the space... I was arguing it between the raid 10 vs raid 5 and cost with that setup and one ssd.

5/15/2010 11:09:55 AM

it's really an argument of do you need speed or space because you can't really have both at a decent price. although SSD's in RAID will get you near 800MB/s read/write times if you have bank.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227500

[Edited on May 15, 2010 at 2:43 PM. Reason : ,]

5/15/2010 2:41:31 PM

What's the best (and make up your own mind what "best" means) option for two 500gb WD Black drives? RAID 1 or 0 or none? Is it possible to stripe a partition for performance and mirror the other for backup?

5/15/2010 11:58:59 PM

You can use JBOD that does software 'fake' raid of different sized hard drives, pretty sure you can do the same with partitions, but its making a too easy of a target for something bad to happen. Haven't read too much about it, link

http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/perf/raid/levels/jbod.htm

5/16/2010 10:44:42 AM

^^I would do RAID 0 and just back up important data to an external, i haven't understood why anyone would need RAID 1 in a desktop scenario.

5/16/2010 12:59:52 PM

so excited :x completely upgrading my computer for the first time in ~7 years.

going from an

AMD Athlon64 3500+
2GB Geil ddr pc3200 ram
MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum
Sapphire 9600xt 256mb AGP
and an 80gb hard drive (laugh)


to an

Intel I5-750 Lynnfield
MSI P55-GD65
8GB G Skill Ripjaws series ddr3 1600
Sapphire HD 5770 1GB pci-e 2.0
Seagate 750gb Sata internal

and windows 7 wee


also got a xigmatek HDT-S1283 cooler which im quite pleased about :x


all in all a good day.

I think it was 850 total ?

5/17/2010 1:47:11 AM

Outside of the cooler and HDD, you upgraded to pretty much the same specs that I did during the winter. You will love it.

5/17/2010 2:11:34 AM

Here's a machine I have specced out... please comment. I'm looking to keep this parts set within about $600. Thanks!

CPU/Processor AMD Athlon II X4 630 Propus 2.8GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
RAM A-DATA Gaming Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model AX3U1600GB2G9-2G
Video Card SAPPHIRE 100253HDMI Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Low Profile Ready
Hard Drive SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Optical Drive ASUS SATA 24X DVD Burner
Power Supply SILVERSTONE ST50F-ES 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Case Antec Three Hundred Gaming Case External 3 X 5.25; Internal 6 X 3.5 2*Usb2.0

5/17/2010 1:41:59 PM

What computer are you using now? What are you wanting the new computer for? I only ask because the computer you built is a rather old build. Maybe you can use some of your old computer to build a better new one, like the case and powersupply.

5/17/2010 5:58:43 PM

My existing system I built in '02. I have replaced a failed video card once and added to the RAM once. I am not interested in upgrading or adding to that system at this time. Want to build from scratch.

I game some, but not heavily. Want to run Windows 7, Office 2007, and light gaming from time to time. I am not up to speed on pc parts these days, so I definitely need some help specifying parts. Please feel free to recommend other parts, but I want to keep the ~$600 budget.

Thanks again!

5/17/2010 8:26:40 PM

do you need an optical drive? can you snake one from your old system? Honestly you only need it to install the OS and I barely use the optical drive after that. Granted that only saves you 25-30ish, but on your budget, I'd put that money in a little better parts Personally, I would go with a better brand Ram only because I've had problems with the A-Data value series for cheap builds, donno how the gamine series fair, but name brand shouldn't be too far off, specially g.skill.

And honestly, I'd invest in a 5000 series directx 11 card by now since the 4000 series is already a year old or so. Look at the 5750/5770 They are around the 100-140 price point, plus they should run a lot cooler and use less wattage than the 4k series, specially at idle (although not a big difference when comparing the lower end cards). I have the same HDD on my new rig as the main drive and love it for the price. Can't go wrong, but I got the retail version for $70.

5/18/2010 1:27:25 AM

You still need to buy Win7 but you didnt specify it as a price in your initial build.

$159.99 AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGMBOX
$51.99 Open Box: MSI 770-G45 AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
$49.95 Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$89.99 SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
$129.99 XFX HD-575X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP
$69.99 Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular
$109.99 G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit
_________________________________________________________________________________
Subtotal: $646.89
+ Shipping: $17.32
- Promos: $60.00
Grand Total: $604.21

HDD has $20 off with Promo Code EMCYSZW23, ends 5/24
Power Supply has $5 off w/ promo code EMCYSZW32, ends 5/24 & $25 mail in rebate
CPU/GPU has $15 off combo
CPU has a Newegg Promotional Gift Card - $10.00


The only difference between our builds comes from the cpu/gpu upgrade that could be afforded by using products that are open box with rebates or instant discounts.


[Edited on May 18, 2010 at 8:28 AM. Reason : Oh yea use bing cash back for another %2 off which brings the total to $591.28]

5/18/2010 8:05:52 AM

I'd probably go with a cheaper PSU, I got my OCZ 700watt for $65 AR, plus an extra $30 off when I bought my case with it. You really don't need a beefy PSU for a box like that. Check the PSU calc to figure out what is good for you: http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine

Like this Corsair 400w 80+ for 39.99 AR.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

5/18/2010 6:16:23 PM

yea, general rule of thumb is you don't need over 500W unless you go dual-cpu or dual-gpu or buy an nvidia 400 series ... i'd multiply the total you get in any PSU calculator by 1.25 to factor in PSU's efficiency, not sure if any of the PSU calc's do that.

but i do pay extra for modular PSU's :thumbsup:

[Edited on May 18, 2010 at 6:24 PM. Reason : .]

5/18/2010 6:23:46 PM

yes, my last two PSU's have been modular and I love it, specially when I have the system filled up with 7 HD's. And yes, those damn nvidia folks love to suck on dem power. Its funny cause I can power my crossfire 5870 (when I get the 2nd card this week) with the 700 PSU. At load, it only sucks 500w, which is the sweet spot for my particular PSU.

5/18/2010 6:36:41 PM

hell my comp above even with crossfire and a second vid card only rates at 472w, or 590w with the 1.25 modifier. I'm hoping/assuming my 550w gaming psu is going to be more than enough

5/18/2010 8:19:30 PM

fuck...

i'm going to wait til fall to build a new i7 computer i think, with these new motherboards
http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2010/05/seagates-upcoming-3tb-drives-will-need-new-motherboards.ars

5/18/2010 8:49:18 PM

hah "like a gazillion" made me laugh

5/18/2010 11:10:13 PM

you want to be careful with getting close to your PSU limit, specially if you are running a non 80 plus PSU on some shitty no-name brand with less than idea caps and cooling. Once you start getting to the 90% load capacity on PSU, your efficiency goes down the drain, heat goes up and the actual through put diminishes.

Its kinda funny because some of the lesser companies would give you say a rated wattage of 500w at 40C, but really the operating temps at 100% ends up around 50C or so and reduces the actual wattage by like 10% or so, but thats' crappy PSU's. As Prospero mentioned, its a good idea to find your load and factor a head room of about 25% and that ends up being the sweet spot for heat and efficiency.

Mine ends up being around 84% at 500 load, but will drop below 80 when reaching 650+

^^ And honestly, are you thinking of getting a few 3TB drives? I'm sure they'll have a work around to still have 3TB drives on old mobo's, maybe in a form of an add-in card. Personally, I think within a few years, NAS drives will really start to take over extra storage needs in a consumer setting if they haven't already. Personally, I'd rather stick all of my extra drives that I have on my used to be gaming rig in a large NAS device that can hold 12 or so drives in like a U2 rack mount setup without costing a lot or require special hardware that limits your growth (like the drobo).

[Edited on May 19, 2010 at 12:25 AM. Reason : ]

5/19/2010 12:12:38 AM

anyone in the market for a value DDR3 build, i just picked up this proc and mobo for my brother

AMD Phenom II X2 545 Callisto (3ghz/6mb) OEM, $69 after 15% code MAGIC15 and shipping:

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=HDX545WF

MSI 790GX-G65 AM3 motherboard, $87 after shipping:

http://www.frys.com/product/5959834

the 545 is one of the quads with two locked cores...unlocking is supposedly pretty easy and there don't appear to be any stability issues, by and large...the mobo supports the 6-core thubans

now i just need to find him some DDR3, the cheapest of which seems to be about $85 for 4gb

5/21/2010 1:45:58 PM

if anyone is interested, newegg.com has 2TB Hitachi drives for $99 after rebate. Use promo code HITACHI2TBA.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145276

And those bastards at dell ended up delaying my order for the 2nd 5870 for $350 by a month so I just cancelled it. Annoys the shit out of me.

[Edited on May 21, 2010 at 6:00 PM. Reason : ]

5/21/2010 5:58:29 PM

Budget HTPC Build

Ok, so my last thread determined that I want to build a budget HTPC. The only other relevant thread was the "ultimate HTPC build". I want to spend ~$500-600.


Here's what I'm looking at:

Processor: AMD Athlon II X2 250 - $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103681&Tpk=Athlon%20II%20X2%20250

Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GMT-UD2H - $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128397

Memory: Patriot Viper 4GB DDR3 1600 - $139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220285&cm_re=4gb_ddr3_1600-_-20-220-285-_-Product

Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD102SJ 1TB - $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Optical Drive: Lite-On IHES208-08 Blu-Ray Combo - $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106292&cm_re=Blu-ray-_-27-106-292-_-Product

Case: hec Black .7mm Thickness SECC 7k09 - $54.99

Total: $529.95

OR

Processor: Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale 2.93GHz 73W Dual Core - $119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.401207&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-H55M-S2H - $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.401207&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Case: nMediaPC HTPC 5000B Micro ATX - $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204035

Memory: GeIL 4GB 240 Pin DDR3 SDRAM 1333 - $105.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144266

Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD102SJ 1TB - $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Optical Drive: Lite-On IHES208-08 Blu-Ray Combo - $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106292&cm_re=Blu-ray-_-27-106-292-_-Product

PSU: Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D 380W - $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033

=$605.93

Can you guys shoot holes through these builds? Are there better alternatives for what i'm trying to do?

Basically I just want something that I can connect to my tv and stream in media from the web/boxee/netflix.

[Edited on May 25, 2010 at 11:55 AM. Reason : .]

5/25/2010 11:55:07 AM

^why does that intel mobo say no integrated video? yet it has dvi/vga/hdmi? Misprint?

I'm building an HTPC myself. Still going full mobo though. I guess I could get a smaller case and go micro. Haven't really had a reason to. I just like having space in the case.

5/25/2010 12:30:46 PM

If you are just wanting to stream, You dont need a TB HD. Now if you want to save movies and music on there, id go with more than 1.

5/25/2010 12:39:10 PM

^well, ideally i'd be able to save movies, mp3's, etc. as well. Not JUST streaming. Should have clarified.

Also, this will be running Windows 7.

[Edited on May 25, 2010 at 1:00 PM. Reason : .]

5/25/2010 12:48:43 PM

Think on doing a second TB then. They tend to fill up fast. Maybe a smaller HD just for the OS, Ive got on mine that Ive 3 HDs, one is the OS, other two are music and movies. I pull them out sometimes and take them with me to watch movies at friends houses and stuff.

5/25/2010 1:36:40 PM

Which proc/mobo is the better of the two I have listed? Intel or AMD?

5/25/2010 5:00:19 PM

^ i don't see a power supply on your first option...also, 380w seems a bit low, 80 plus or no

5/25/2010 7:21:16 PM

From what I've read on reviews and comparisons:

Intel HD > ION > HD4200

So Intel.

The i3's are equivalent to the Athlon X4's and the H55 (Intel HD) graphics can do Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD-MA bitstreaming over HDMI so I'd go that route.

[Edited on May 25, 2010 at 7:37 PM. Reason : >]

5/25/2010 7:27:23 PM

^^ In a system like that, 380w is more than enough. With a low wattage cpu and a power sipping ATI card, you'd probably hovering around 210-260 at load depending on what cpu/gpu combination. I'd also suggest going with a 2TB hard drive if you want to make it into a HTPC. I just got two 2TB hard drives for $100 each after rebates from newegg. I mean honestly, you don't need that much power to decode video these days.

Personally I'd go with the lowest wattage cpu you can get and do passive cooling, plus a low wattage ATI card with passive cooling so you can minimize the fan noise.

5/25/2010 10:56:19 PM

Looking to build/buy a new system to support a few VMs for home use.

I would be running VMWare ESXi.
VM's would all be Linux varieties.
Looking to run maybe 4 VMs: One as my primary Desktop(CentOS 5.x) One "test" system to test new OS's/APPs/etc. One as a media center probably running MythDora. Then just to have resources available to set up a 4th VM if needed.

I already have a media PC that works fine but I'm thinking of moving it to the VM server to consolidated and use that PC for something else.

The 2 resource hogs would be the desktop and media VMs. I also run apache, shoutcast, samba and a few other services from my desktop. So thinking about putting those on the 4th VM as strictly a server. I dont use my desktop that much.

Thinking I'd like to have maybe 8GB RAM available although I dont think I'd be needing all that now. But would like to have it available. Dont think I need the biggest baddest processor, and not against running x86_64 if the price is reasonable.


Any suggetions?

Found this on newegg. This is kind of my starting point.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816101229

5/29/2010 3:54:45 PM

brining that up, I soooo want to build a rig in this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811123135&cm_re=hot_swap_drive_bay-_-11-123-135-_-Product


So sexy.

5/30/2010 2:16:15 AM

If you're going to build a HTPC with a blu-ray player, you want to have either an intel i-line or an ATI 5000 card+your cpu for lossless audio playback. Here is what I would recommend (for the time being):

Wishlist Link:http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=13699872

LITE-ON Black 4X Blu-ray Reader SATA Model iHOS104-06 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106325

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033

A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211364

nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum / Acrylic / Steel HTPC 5000B Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204035

Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale 2.93GHz LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Model
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115222

ASRock H55M-LE LGA 1156 Intel H55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157190

The Mobo and CPU come as a combo and the total price is $498.93+$28.00=$526.93 If you were going to use it for gaming, I would recommend getting the cheapest Phenom II CPU+Mobo+ATI 5770

5/30/2010 11:03:28 AM

^I like it. It's basically almost exactly the machine I spec'd out.

Is that mobo better than the GIGABYTE GA-H55M-S2H - $89.99 I listed?

5/30/2010 4:02:33 PM

No, but it's cheaper

5/30/2010 4:13:27 PM

damn, didn't realize that blu-ray readers were that cheap now, burners aren't too far away. Cools, might have to keep an eye on those prices in the coming months and pick up one for cheap.

6/1/2010 8:18:18 PM

Thats actually the same price I paid for mine back in June 09. I don't really see them falling in price soon. OEM desktop blu-ray drives don't really have a purpose other than HTPC's and people without ps3's.

6/1/2010 8:27:06 PM

^^^^^I have the same nMEDIAPC 5000B HTPC case ... it blends perfectly next to my Samsung receiver, love it for not looking like a computer. I also got the LED screen for the front, it's honestly hard to read at 10 feet (although 6-8 feet is fine), but I still think it makes the case look even more like a media device instead of a computer.

I agree with the other picks too.

6/2/2010 12:00:49 AM

humm... The last time I looked was probably over a year and saw them for 100+ for the reader, 200+ for the burner. Used to have a ps3 when it first came out so never bothered to look, but sold it last year after I got fed up waiting for GT5 to come out.

6/2/2010 7:08:49 PM

So back to my server build.

Anything wrong with this one?


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816101272

6/10/2010 8:42:53 PM

other than a crappy 300w psu, looks fine. Didn't realize that Matrox was still in business making video chips

6/11/2010 2:33:30 AM

Yea I was kind of surprised to only see a 300w ps on that.

6/11/2010 8:44:32 AM

All your getting is a server mobo,case & smallish powersupply. I think you can get regular desktop parts for what you plan to do. The only difference in my mind is the server boards have onboard video and more expensive ecc memory. Then source all parts individually and you will be around the same price but with better specs & expansion capabilities for later.

Ex
$105 - GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2 LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128405
$60 - Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
$40 - OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016
Total = $205..
I know you need a graphics card but for the $100 saved could get a nice ati 5750 or a better processor & ram for the VMs

Also can you canabalize your old HTPC to aid in the server build?

[Edited on June 11, 2010 at 9:36 AM. Reason : ]

6/11/2010 9:35:56 AM

Hmm that looks like a good set up. 16GB of RAM should be ok for now. Especially if I leave the PVR on another machine. I can use my current desktop to scavenge from. In fact I may can use the case with this motherboard. I need to check that. I can take the DVD-ROM from it and the HDs for sure. Could get by with a so-sp video card as well.



The main reason I want to leave the PVR on another box is eventually I want to upgrade it and move it behind my TV for ease of use.

6/11/2010 12:29:05 PM

im a RAID newb so i'm just wondering, if i buy a motherboard with only (2) 6GB SATA connectors and the rest are 3GB SATA, if i set up RAID 1E will I run into any issues or should I just stick with RAID 1 and only two HDDs?

6/28/2010 10:18:34 AM

you won't run in to any issues, chances are your RAID 1 won't even come close to the SATA 3Gb bandwidth limit

6/28/2010 12:34:40 PM

Right now I have 2 HDs in my gaming desktop:

500 GB - ~45% full - Windows, My Documents, MP3s, Pictures
2 TB - ~66% full - Movies, TV Shows (ISO rips I stream to XBMC on my Xbox).

I don't currently have any backups set up. I definitely need to back up the 500GB drive, I don't want to lose my Windows install if that HD crashes. I'd also like to back up the 2TB drive since it has taken forever for me to rip my DVD collection to it.
I think I might add another 2TB of storage for more ISO rips, so I'd probably want to back that up as well.

Any suggestions on what kind of setup I should go for?
I don't have any RAID experience but I think I could learn it fairly easily.
I was thinking maybe I'd just get another 500GB to mirror the Windows HD and maybe look up RAID for storage of my DVD rips.

My MOBO:
GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD4P LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128400

6/28/2010 1:53:34 PM

Before I suggest you go get a cheap raid card that will do raid 5 or 6 for the iso movies server, what is the model of your 2Tb drive? Some do not play well in raid and will cause you more headaches in the long run even if its cheaper up front. With that said I think you should get another 500Gb drive and mirror your C: drive using the mobo raid 1 option like you suggested. Then get a raid card and new 1/1.5/2tb drives that are proven to work and set them up in raid 5 or 6. Then use your existing 2Tb to copy over your data and then act as a backup to the raid 5 or if the hdd is capable of raid then add it to the raid array for extra space. You can just store movies on extra drives but if any one should fail you are re-ripping upwards of 2Tb of movies. So thats why I am recommending at least one level of protection in raid 5.

It will probably be said that raid is not a backup solution unless your running raid 1 (mirrored).

You dont necessarily need a stand alone raid card from the performance aspect of having faster reads and writes, though that doesnt hurt). Its the fact that if your mobo fails you can easily migrate the storage to any pc with a pci-e slot, and if you need more storage you can just add another identical drive.

6/28/2010 8:07:50 PM