Full PC Quotation Needed

[Catal]

Hi there,

I have decided on the parts for a new build, the money is ready and I'm shopping around for the best prices. I would like a quote for the following parts:


Intel lga1156 i5 750 - Quad core , 2.66ghz box cpu , 3.2ghz turbo : https://www.prophecy.co.za/intel-lga1156-quad-core-266ghz-32ghz-turbo-p-56771.html

Asus P7P55D-E P55 LGA1156 Dual-Channel DDR3 CrossFireX: https://www.prophecy.co.za/asus-p7p55de-lga1156-dualchannel-ddr3-crossfirex-p-63038.html

OCZ DDR3-1600 4GB (2x2GB) Gold Low Voltage Memory Module Kit: http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?products_id=39600

OCZ 60GB Vertex Series SATA II 2.5" Solid state Drive: https://www.prophecy.co.za/60gb-vertex-series-sata-solidstate-drive-p-56644.html

3x SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Corsair tx 650w PSU: https://www.prophecy.co.za/corsair-tx650w-eps12v-620w-624w-p-27712.html

Lian-li pc-7FW , midi tower , Black , Windowed side panel: https://www.prophecy.co.za/lianli-pc7fw-midi-tower-black-windowed-side-panel-p-30287.html

Zalman CNPS9900A LED CPU Cooler: http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?products_id=26667

Lian-li EX-332 HDD Internal Rack Mount Kit Black: https://www.prophecy.co.za/lianli-ex332-internal-rack-mount-black-p-56430.html

Lian Li SATA-LT90-4 SATA Data Cable - 90 Degree Angle - 4 Port, Sleeved - 85/81/77/73cm: http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?products_id=39788

Vizo Super Muffle SF12025 , ultra quiet with magnetic long-life bearing: https://www.prophecy.co.za/vizo-super-muffle-sf12025-ultra-quiet-with-magnetic-longlife-p-25632.html

OCZ Solid State Drive 3.5" Adaptor Bracket 2: http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?products_id=39542

Samsung SH-S223L 48xCD-R / 32xCD-RW / 48xCD / 16xDVD / 22xDVD+\-R / 16xDVD+R DL / 12xDVD-R DL / 8xDVD+RW / 6xDVD-RW / 12xDVD-RAM LightScribe SATA Combo Drive: http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?products_id=39675

Samsung 23" Wide P2370 250cdm 50000:1 2ms LCD Monitor: http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?products_id=23668

Logitech RX1000 Laser Mouse - USB - Silver/Black - OEM: http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?products_id=11461

Logitech UltraX Media Keyboard - USB - Silver/Black: http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?products_id=9718



I really hope you can get those Samsung Spinpoint F3 drives!

Thank you for the effort!

 

[Catal]

Someone has given me some very good advice today, and here was my response:


To be honest I skimped on the mouse because either the higher priced mice have a hyperscroll wheel that you can't click with, or it is wireless and thus heavy, and I thought why pay R400+ for a mouse when this RX1000 is laser and looks decent. The keyboard on the other hand has a big L-enter, the only one that has it that I could find. But you get what you pay for, so I'll change up the input devices.
Do you have any recommendations?

From Newegg reviews I've read that people claim the same performance between the i5 750 and an i7 920, and I just thought hey, it's a quad core already, R1000 less and apparently the best value for money.

I like the SSD because it's access time is 100x faster than with a disk drive, so for an OS I think one would notice the difference since the OS accesses a lot of small files which would be quicker with an SSD. At least that is the expectation. I do want 3x hdd for a RAID5 for my data storage and I've included it.
Do you think the perceivable OS performance difference will be negligible?
Would my money be better spent investing in an i7 and dropping the SSD, or will the PC be better with an i5 and an SSD?

I'm using a Gigabyte GTS250 Zalman edition from an older rig, I don't play many games so the card is more than enough for me. I originally bought it because it was short enough not to clash with the SATA ports on my 4-year old mobo.


If anyone wants to make recommendations I would be glad to hear, thx!

 

[antowan]

Have you been helped?

 

[Catal]

No quotes given as of yet, but I am patient.

I've decided that I will rather take the Logitech M500 laser mouse, so I'd like prices for that as well.

The rig will be used in linux, kubuntu most likely, to do mostly surfing, web development, programming and the occasional game. I'm a fairly demanding multitasker, with something like 50 chrome tabs open at the time, which on my current one gig ram machine kills (in a bad way).

I'm very open to suggestions as to what parts to get to make it an unforgettable machine, so I'd like all the input I can get, thx.

1) Is it worth getting an SSD for the OS, or should I rather use the money to upgrade the i5 to an i7?

2) What keyboard would you recommend for linux/programming with some multimedia buttons like track forward/back and volume up/down?
I do have a working keyboard, the best I've ever used. I bought it 4-years for R30 at Esquire, it has track forward/back and volume up/down buttons just above the arrows on the keyboard, a nice round pc power on button and some extra multimedia buttons at the top. Though I feel like I want to try a new keyboard, maybe I'll be surprised at what I find.

 

[Catal]

I have received this advice regarding the SSD:

With regard to the question about your disks - my advice is to never RAID for performance, because you will most likely be disappointed with the results - rather RAID to protect your data. For you data, rather RAID5 3 x 2TB 5900 RPM Seagate disks, performance will be fine, and its not that expensive, around R1700 per disk. SSD is a good option, although the actual speed increase can be negligible for the average user - i.e. benchmark scores may not actually translate into real world performance and you OS will not be 100 times faster, it may only be 50% faster. If you do not expect too much then you will not be disappointed with SSD.

True, the SSD is amazingly fast in terms of access speed - it is a glorified flash drive after all. If you want to spend the money on it just for that, go ahead. I just find that most people won't notice the difference.

I concede that my desire for the SSD is perhaps unwarranted, so I will consider an hdd RAID5.
I am however very concerned with buying a Seagate or WD drive. Just looking at Newegg's countless cases of drive failures is very disconcerting to me. I have myself lost half of my Seagate hdd to "The Click-click-click" the last couple of years, losing some of the most important data of my life in the process. The new 1.5GB Seagate I have bought lately also click-clicks like mad, although I'm still able to access it now and then. Not good.

The Samsung drives on the other hand, have a lot less failures it seems, and are real performers. I fancied the 1TB spinpoint F3, but SA it seems only has the 500GB spinpoint F3, so I'm thinking of maybe a RAID5 with them. Unless I can be persuaded that Seagate won't give as many troubles as I'm fearing.

Regarding the i5 processor, I've had this discussion:

Well let me ask you this: What do you intend to do with your pc? If you use something in the line of let's say Matlab, or any data processing or rendering software, then you will be better off with the i7. Else, i5.

I'm a masters student doing extensive simulations in C++/linux and graphing in Matlab. I also multitask profusely, but just office type stuff like browsing and I like having lots of documents open at the same time. I will strongly consider taking the 1156 i7 then. I have read that in real world performance the tri channel ram doesn't really have something on the dual channel, and besides the 1156 mobo's are cheaper.

Thanks for the advice, you may make a pc builder out of me yet.

 

[Catal]

The updated components list is thus:



Intel Core i7 860 2.8GHz LGA1156 Processor: http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?cPath=21_589&products_id=26938

Asus P7P55D-E P55 LGA1156 Dual-Channel DDR3 CrossFireX: https://www.prophecy.co.za/asus-p7p55de-lga1156-dualchannel-ddr3-crossfirex-p-63038.html

2x OCZ DDR3-1600 4GB (2x2GB) Gold Low Voltage Memory Module Kit: http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_reviews.php?cPath=554&products_id=39600&page=5&language=en

3x Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB Desktop Hard Drive (HD502HJ): http://nivo.co.za/buy~samsung.spinpoint.f3.500gb.desktop.hard.drive.hd502hj.~p18792

Corsair tx 650w PSU: https://www.prophecy.co.za/corsair-tx650w-eps12v-620w-624w-p-27712.html

Lian-li pc-7FW , midi tower , Black , Windowed side panel: https://www.prophecy.co.za/lianli-pc7fw-midi-tower-black-windowed-side-panel-p-30287.html

Zalman CNPS9900A LED CPU Cooler: http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_reviews.php?cPath=323_182_330&products_id=26667

Lian-li EX-332 HDD Internal Rack Mount Kit Black: https://www.prophecy.co.za/lianli-ex332-internal-rack-mount-black-p-56430.html

Lian Li SATA-LT90-4 SATA Data Cable - 90 Degree Angle - 4 Port, Sleeved - 85/81/77/73cm: http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?cPath=155_238&products_id=39788

Coolermaster megaflow silent fan , R4-LUS-07AC-GP: https://www.prophecy.co.za/coolermaster-megaflow-silent-r4lus07acgp-cleartranspa-p-37461.html

Samsung SH-S223L 48xCD-R / 32xCD-RW / 48xCD / 16xDVD / 22xDVD+\-R / 16xDVD+R DL / 12xDVD-R DL / 8xDVD+RW / 6xDVD-RW / 12xDVD-RAM LightScribe SATA Combo Drive: http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?cPath=55_276&products_id=39675

Samsung 23" Wide P2370 250cdm 50000:1 2ms LCD Monitor: http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?cPath=66_69&products_id=23668

Logitech M500 laser mouse: https://www.prophecy.co.za/logitech-m500-laser-mouse-p-56086.html

Logitech Media Keyboard 600: https://www.prophecy.co.za/logitech-media-keyboard-p-62462.html



I have received a great quote from Digital Addiction, but I'd love to get some more quotes.

Thank you for your effort in compiling the quotes.

Any more advice is greatly valued.

 

[Catal]

The friendly folk from Tomshardware suggested the following:

First thing I notice is that you're using OCZ RAM. OCZ has some problems as their RAM uses more volts than a lot of boards can supply. Switch it for these G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7.

Second, you're spending way too much on HDDs. Grab 3x Seagate 7200.12 1 TB and save a good $60 for the same capacity and RAID options.

Third, Lian Li makes really expensive cases. Look into the HAF 922, Antec 1200 or HAF 932.

Fourth, grab a Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus for the HSF. It's cheap and one of the best out there.

My response:

RAM change? YES
HDD change? MAYBE
CHASSIS change? MAYBE
CPU COOLER change? YES


The RAM:
--------------------------
The OCZ low-voltage ram uses 1.65 V and the G.Skill 1.6, so I see your point, and apparently the G.Skill is legendary. Do you think that 8 GB is overkill, will I be fine with 4 GB or is it worth it to go all in?


The HDDs:
-------------------------
According to the Passmark high end hdd charts : http://harddrivebenchmark.net/high_end_drives.html the Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB Desktop Hard Drive (HD502HJ) is the fastest non-SSD drive out there. The 1TB one is also highly acclaimed and by comparing the Newegg benchmarks these two drives seem to fail a lot less than Seagate or WD drives, so I'm biased toward Samsung atm. Especially since I have lost half of my Seagate drives to the 'click-click-click'.

On a lighter note, I might be enthusiastically influenced to run 6 of those HD502HJ in RAID just to feel what it's like to fly at that speed. I checked my local prices today, I can't buy from Newegg, and the 500 GB's are $66.95 and the 1 TB's are $152.74. So the way I see it is that I can get 6x 500 GB's with twice the speed for cheaper than 3x 1 TB's, the only thing I'm losing is 3 SATA ports and chassis space.

On the other hand 3x Seagate 1 TB's are $359.25 so the 6x 500 GB's @ $401.70 are more expensive, but more awesome and reliable too.

Hard decision to make for me.


The CHASSIS:
--------------------------
I struggled to pick a value chassis, since I have a few requirements.

1) I want my earphones to reach my ears with the chassis on the ground, so the chassis ideally needs to have the audio ports at the top front.
2) I am willing to pay for silence, so the chassis needs to have hdd anti-vibration measures.
3) Ideally the chassis has to collect as little dust as possible, with dust filters and as few fans as necessary.

The selected Lian-li has the top audio port, hdd anti-vibration, two fans and a dust filter.

I built my fathers skulltrail rig in a HAF, and the sound of the moving air is almost a bit too loud for me.
The Antec 1200 looks real neat, it has the top audio, washable air filters, but I'm not sure about the hdd anti-vibration measures.

Maybe I'm nitpicking too much, about this, I mean I can turn off the extra fans I don't like, and the hdd vibrations won't really bother me. What is your experience?


The CPU COOLER:
--------------------------
I see that there are almost twice as many buys of the Zalman CPU heatsink than the Coolermaster one, probably because everyone thinks the Zalman is more premium at twice the price. The Coolermaster does look solid though.

Given this advice I again changed the specs, which I note here for record keeping, as there are still some pending quoting parties:

Intel Core i7 860 2.8GHz LGA1156 Processor
Asus P7P55D-E P55 LGA1156 Dual-Channel DDR3 CrossFireX
2x G.Skill Ripjaws 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 [F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM]
6x Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB Desktop Hard Drive (HD502HJ)
Corsair tx 650w PSU
Lian-li pc-7FW , midi tower , Black , Windowed side panel
Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus
Coolermaster 120mm Blade Master
Lian-li EX-332 HDD Internal Rack Mount Kit Black
Lian Li SATA-LT90-4 SATA Data Cable - 90 Degree Angle - 4 Port, Sleeved - 85/81/77/73cm
Coolermaster megaflow silent fan , R4-LUS-07AC-GP
Samsung SH-S223L LightScribe SATA Combo Drive
Samsung 23" Wide P2370 250cdm 50000:1 2ms LCD Monitor
Logitech M500 laser mouse
Logitech Media Keyboard 600


Any further advice is very welcome, thank you.

 

[PC Direct]

Will quote right now...

Hang tight....

 

[PC Direct]

CP-i11i7Q860
Intel lga1156 i7-860 - Quad core+Hyper-Threading / 8 threads , 2.8ghz box cpu , 3.46ghz turbo boost , VT-x + VT-d + TXT , built-in dual channel DDR3-1333 memory controler , 45nm - 4x64k L1 + 1mb(4 x 256kb) L2 cache + 8mb L3 cache
R 3117.94
9 in stock

MB-AP7P55D-E
ASUS P7P55D-E ; LGA1156 mb ; with USB3.0+SATA 6Gb/s Support , 12+2 phase power design , ATi Quad-GPU coressfire ready ; intel P55 , 4x dual channel DDR3 2200(o.c) , 10 x s-ata2 with raid 0/1//0+1/5/10 ( 2x Sata6G + 7 x SATA 3G + 1 x e-SATA ) , 1x parallel ata133 , on-board VT1828S 7.1 audio with optical S/Pdif out + gigabit lan + ieee1394a ; 2x pci , 3 x pci-e(1x) , 2 x pci-e 2.0 (16x+4x )- with EPU6 + express gate + Turbo key + Turbo-V + Turbo-V EVo processor + 12+2 phase Power + T.probe microchip thermal control + Q-Led + Q-Slot
R 2127.14
0 in stock

ME-C2G3D16D8x2
Corsair CMD4GX3M2A1600C8 / CMP4GX3M2A1600C8 , Dominator with DHX technology , 2 x 2Gb/2048mb kit - support Intel XMP ( eXtreme Memory Profiles ) , ddr3-1600 ( PC3-12800 ) , CL8 , 1.65v - 240pin - lifetime warranty
R1934.35
1 in stock

PS-C650TXE
Corsair TX650W , Eps12V , ATX 12V V2.2 - 620w ( 12v : 624w ) , nvidia SLi ready , 80PLUS certified for energy saving , 24pin ( 4pin detachable ) , with active-PFC , 2 x 8pin (2+6) PCI-E power connectors , 1x 120mm thermal controled fan ; with OCP, OVP, OPP, SCP, UVP - 5 years warranty - no power cord
R1087.83
1 in stock

CH-L7FWBWN
Lian-li pc-7FW , midi tower , Black , Windowed side panel , No psu ( bottom placed design ) , made in Taiwan ,with lockable side panel , hairline brush anodized aluminum , removable front panel with jointer , removable top cover for modding purpose ; 1394 firewire + 2 x front usb + audio in/out - 5/4x 5.25" with drive rail , 0/1x 3.5", 4x 3.5" hidden ( anti-vibration removable drive cage - side accessed ) - 1 x 120mm + 1 x 140mm blue-led fan upto 3 - atx
R 1418.52
3 in stock

CC-CH212P
Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus , RR-CCH-LB12-GP , aluminum base+fin with 4x HDT copper heatpipes ( Heatpipe Direct Touch ) , 1 x 120mm fan support upto 2 , sleeve bearing , 600-2000rpm , 21.2-76.8CFM , 13-32dba - for intel LGA775/1156/1366 , AMD s754/939/940/AMx/socket-F(1207)
R 298.77
4 in stock

FA-120CBM
Coolermaster 120mm Blade Master , R4-BMBS-20PK - 120x120x25mm , sleeve bearing , 600-2000rpm , 21.2-76.8CFM , 13-32dBA - 1 year warranty
R 80.00
0 in stock

CH-LAEX332NB
Lian-li EX-332N , Blk , aluminum hdd cage , internal bracket , with 120mm fan + anti-vibration kit + individual hdd tray - for 3x 2.5"/3.5" hdd in 3x5.25" bay - compatiable with most of case
R290.00
1 in stock

HD-S500S16
seagate barracuda 7200.12 st3500418as , 500gb, s-ata2 , 7200rpm, 16mb cache - 3 years warrenty
R3056.00
100 in stock

CA-SATALT90-4
Lian-li SATA-LT90-4/4R Sata cable - with 90° angle - 4 ports in 1 sleeving with 4 different length ( 85+81+77+73cm ) for easier installation
R142.00
0 in stock

FA-200CC
Coolermaster megaflow silent fan , R4-SUS-07AC-GP , Clear/transparent , 200x200x30mm , sleeve bearing , 700rpm , 110CFM , 19dBA - 1 year warranty
R135.00
4 in stock

LC-SP2370
Samsung art series P2370 , charcoal black , touch buttons design , stylist crystal neck , ultra-slim 30mm depth , 23" Wide + MagicBright3 + MagicTune , Full HD 1920x1080 (WUGA+) ; brightness- 250cd/m2 ; DC contrast ratio- 50000:1 , response time- 2ms , no vesa wall-mount - d-sub or Dvi
R2261.21
5 in stock

Mo-LM500
Logitech 910-001203 M500 , soft side grips with contoured design , hyper-fast scrolling or click-to-click mode switchable , 1000 dpi , 6 buttons , forward/back - usb
R 360.00
3 in stock

KE-LM600
Logitech 920-000046 Media keyboard 600 , black , with volumn control dial , extra F1-F12 function keys , ultra flat zero degree tilt design - usb - retail pack
R235.00
2 in stock




The items out of stock I can bring down from JHB if you're in CPT or visca versa if you're in JHB