Help me build my first pc?

Hardware Hub Build a PC
1

 

I have a general idea of what I'm looking for, but I haven't quite pinpointed it, and I feel like I'm getting stuck trying to fit it all in my $800 limit. I can get some things later, like the SSD, some RAM, a mouse, a scanner, the optical drive (if I happen to be able to plug in one of these, though I wouldn't stress about not having one of those sockets). I thought about doing water cooling, but this is my first build, maybe next time. Also I'm located in the US, typically use USD, and occasionally bitcoin where I can. I don't play many games, lately I've mostly been playing voxelands. I do have a decently large sized library of music and videos. I don't think I would try overclocking.

 

### What I use a computer for

* I use free open source software so long as it gets me where I want to be. e.g. I use adobe flash because (last I checked) the open source alternatives wheren't exactly done/working.

* I've been running Chakra Linux (was derived from Arch, uses KDE), however until it supports whole disk encryption with its installer (they're working on it), I think I'll switch to Manjaro Linux KDE (is based on Arch).

* Software packaging, a lot of which may be in virtualbox running various operating systems. Trying this on my current computer is very slow, but I think I would do this a lot if it ran decently fast. So the computer should be compatable with a wide variety of virtual/emulated operating systems. I would expect a newer computer to be this anyway, but my current old-ish computer isn't exactly, so that's why I'm specifying it. (it can't handle 64 bit guests (no x86 virtualization), I don't know what else there is other then that)

* 3D graphics programs: blender, maybe more in the future.

* 2D graphics programs: gimp, maybe more in the future like krita, inkscape, maybe photoshop.

 

- parts listed with a hyphen I'm pretty sure I want, though I might still be open to suggestions

~ parts listed with a tilde are just possibilites, they might be totally unrealistic

~ prices listed with a tilde are estimations

 

### Motherboard

8+ potential Gigs of ram

Able to boot usb drives: flash stick or IDE hard drive in a Usb caddy

USB 3

SATA 6

Space for maybe dual GPUs in the future

Space for maybe a sound card in the future

 

### CPU

I would like an Intel quad core (or more) with x86 virtualization, but I’m having trouble finding one that will fit in my budget with everything else. I might need to go with AMD just due to price.

 

### GPU

because blender: must be nvidia GTX 4xx or newer (computing capability/CUDA 2.0) which also includes GTX-5xx and GTX-6xx series. GTX-6xx is better for gaming, but worse for 3D modeling compared to GTX-5xx, and GTX-7xx is outside my price range.

I've also read that more 3D games in general are optimized for nvidia

- GTX 580: because blender

$200

 

### PSU

80 plus certified

~ FirePower ModXStream Pro 600W 80Plus Semi-Modular High Performance Power Supply 600MXSP

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001EYV690/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001EYV690&linkCode=as2&tag=teksynd-20

 

### Hard drive

- Plextor M6S SSD

128 GB $80

256 GB $130

512 GB $280

https://teksyndicate.com/videos/plextor-m6s-ssd-review-and-benchmark-wendell-video

http://amzn.to/1kqqmZD

- WD Blue 1 TB Desktop Hard Drive: 3.5 Inch, 7200 RPM, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64 MB Cache - WD10EZEX

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0088PUEPK/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0088PUEPK&linkCode=as2&tag=teksynd-20

$60

 

### Memory

8 Gigs, maybe more in the future

 

### Case

Cleanable dust filters

Space for maybe dual GPUs in the future

~ Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 Computer Case FD-CA-CORE-1000-USB3-BL

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CUSUV0O/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00CUSUV0O&linkCode=as2&tag=teksyndealzon-20

$30

 

### Screen

1080p? I need to learn more about the different kinds and such

I'd want a wide viewing angle. Discoloration because of viewing angle drives me crazy.

 

### Optical drive

Compatible with DVD+RW

~ Samsung/liteon/lg

$15-20

 

### Network card

Intel nics are best right?

 

### Other wants

* mouse: I'd like one with no rubber, and can work on different (probably less then optimal) surfaces, but I don't know if those exist.

* no wifi or bluetooth: I don't use it or want it. If I do for some reason I can get a usb adapter.

* drawing tablet ~$60-180

* scanner: for scanning drawings

* I wish there was a computer screen/keyboard/touchpad I could plug into a desktop, so I could move around a little like with a laptop, do those exist? Maybe I’ll get a screen on a swivel arm thing.

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I am not the best with linux compatibility, but I'll give it a shot.

CPU:  Xeon E3-1231 V3.  It has Intel's VT-D extension, and is much cheaper than an i7.  The E3 line of Xeons are pretty much locked i7s with no integrated graphics.  Good for gaming and rendering.  If it's still too expensive, then you can probably go with a FX-8350 from AMD.  The FX-8350 will likely be slower than the E3-1231 V3 though.

MoBo:  H97 chipset, probably.  Make sure it can use the VT-D extension and works well with linux.

Case: Core 1000 is nice, but the Cooler Master N200 has a lot more features for around the same price.

Monitor: Looks like you're looking for a monitor with an IPS or Samsung PLS(basically Samsung's version of IPS) panel.  Take a look at a list here: http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/monitor/#sort=a11&r=192001080&p=1

Network card: I assume WiFi?  Motherboard should have onboard LAN/ethernet connections.  Intel's 7260 should work just fine, although there are many cheaper options, especially if you aren't using Wireless a/ac

//edit looks like you don't need wifi.  The motherboard has an ethernet jack.  I assume an Intel NIC would work well with linux.

Mouse: No rubber.  Will be difficult to get one that tracks well on multiple surfaces without any fancy rubber.

Everything else looks good.  I do not know of a screen/keyboard/touchpad that plugs into a desktop.  Closest thing would maybe be a tablet?

3

Ok, so for the AMD FX-8350 how about a MSI 970A-G46? How would I make sure it has x86 virtualization? I don't see it listed. Also, It says it supports SLI & CrossfireX, which means I could fit two GTX-580s?

Thanks for the help!

4

for the fx 8350 you generally want a 990fx board. like the asus m5 990fx or better

5

dont bother with a nic but intel ones are good

6

^this.  The FX-8350 has a pretty high power draw, so you don't want to skimp on the motherboard.

I highly suggest the Asus M5A99FX Pro R2.0 or Asus M5A99X Evo R2.0.  If both of these are too expensive, the Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P will probably work as well.

7

I like the Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P, it's more in my budget, and doesn't have "Remote GO!". Though it looks like it doesn't have sli support, is there a similar version which does?

Thanks again

8

Ah yes, I didn't realize motherboards are what typically have the ethernet port.