questions about pc build

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  1. Posts : 2,409
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit/Windows 8 64-bit/Win7 Pro64-bit
       #41

    I reccomend Samsung 840 EVO. It is expensive but it is worth the price. (In fact it may be the most expensive thing in your build)
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 12,364
    8 Pro x64
       #42

    It's my pleasure Bruce. And just any other things in life, nobody is a born expert. We all continue to cram our own peanuts

    Now that you've chosen a SSD capacity, all that matters is finding one within budget. When you get a shortlist together, we can certainly help pick the best one. And aside from model, the only other "real" choice is between a 2.5 or 3.5 size drive. Both sizes perform identically however the 2.5 needs a 2.5 bracket to mount properly.

    Another thing you may notice about a drives description is Sata II or Sata III. All new drives are Sata III, but it is "backwards compatible" with Sata II (which is what your motherboard is). All this means is that a Sata III drive will be limited to Sata II speeds which is still far superior in performance to a mechanical HDD.

    (The same applies to PCI-E 3.0 (GPU) and USB 3.0 - Your motherboard is PCI-E 2.0 and USB 2.0 but a PCIE-E 3.0 GPU or any USB 3.0 devices will still work without issue)


       Note
    * For Future Reference*

    "If you purchase a 2nd hand drive from Craigslist or Ebay, you will need to do what is called a "Secure Erase" first before installing the OS. A secure erase is essentially getting the drive back to near new performance. It's similar to formatting a drive in the fact it completely wipes the drive clean, but it's also a little more intensive.

    The article here describes how this can be done using Parted Magic (There are a few ways/apps to do it, but parted magic is one of the better ones. You can even do it in your current XP machine)

    How to securely erase an SSD drive - CNET

    If you purchase a new drive, then a secure erase is not necessary.



    And yes, this is your build. We can advise and outline the pros/cons but the final choice is definitely up to you :)
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  3. Posts : 29
    Win 7Pro 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #43

    Gathering parts


    Hi smarteyeball, Computer0304, etal,

    Here is what I am up to at the moment. All the information you all have been providing me with is very helpful. It has given me cause to think and evaluate...just exactly where do I go...and with what?

    It is really something for me to learn at what incredibly fast speeds these machines can be built to go. Sometimes it clouds my thinking, in good ways I think. My choices, being predicated on cost, are measures designed to get me rolling until I can upgrade.

    Budget is unfortunately my absolute, though necessary, dictator.

    Since I am really not an avid gamer(yet, but who knows?) I can get by with some basics, and here are the latest, though simple, acquisitions. Nothing spectacular....just basic:


    • nVidia QuadroFX 1700 GPU($11.50 used)
    • 2.5 inch to 3.5 inch internal HDD mounting kit(for the 128 GB SSD)

    The next two items in sight are the SSD and a copy of Win7. I'm going to try for a new SSD. I'm thinking the Samsung EVO.



    How's it looking so far? Any thoughts?


    KR,
    Bruce
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #44

    The Samsung EVO series is a good choice, but you might be able to save a few bucks with the Crucial M500. I think I saw a 120 GB version for $79 at Newegg. It is being discontinued, so prices on that particular model are often reduced to clear them out.

    And if you don't need 120 GB for the C partition, you may be able to find an 80 GB SSD for even less. Depends on how much space you need on the C drive. I only use about 32 of 80 available.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 2,409
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit/Windows 8 64-bit/Win7 Pro64-bit
       #45

    Hmm a Quadro GPU... Are you going to be processing RAW files? If not, I think a GeForce GT would be better even though you do not game. Also, you may get a standard 840 if you want to save a bit of money but IMHO, it is not worth it. And you can get a separate data HDD like ignatzatsonic said. I reccomend this Western Digital WD10EZEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive, Blue - Newegg.com or a WD Green if you want to save money on the long run. But power saving is not important for me, I'm all on performance and speed.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 12,364
    8 Pro x64
       #46

    That Crucial M500 is a great deal.

    While the EVO is indeed a good drive, keep in mind that you are still limited to Sata II speeds so the biggest focus should be on price since you will get good performance regardless of model. Crucial SSD's are reliable. I have two different models in two different machines.

    Again, I'd say stay away from the Quadro cards as you can get a decent enough card for your needs for the same prices. Ie:

    XFX GeForce 9800GT 512MB DDR3 Dual DVI Graphics Card | eBay

    If you do find your interest in games starting to increase, then you can always save up for a better one later. While there's nothing wrong per se with a quadro, you can still find a better performing card for the same price.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 29
    Win 7Pro 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #47

    Pulled the pin.....


    ......This is interesting. I almost picked up a 9800GT GPU. I popped the clutch and went for the quadro.

    So...now I have this quadro which, to me, I am nether pro nor con about....because I just don't know what advantages, or disadvantages, this card comes with. I wanted to get something to keep the ball rolling on a startup, with a upgrade definitely planned. The reason behind the choice for the quadro is that it would be compatible with my system, and seemed like the safest route(it was pulled from a Dell machine). I guess my learning curve needs to lengthen still more.

    Would it be wiser to eat the $11.50, and try for a different card, or keep it, and play it as it lays? I can go either way here. Heck...that amount of dough wouldn't get me 3 cocktails at my local watering hole. I am on a budget, but it isn't that severe nor do I want to seem wasteful, or flippant. Sometimes i have to learn by my mistakes...ok....enough already.

    As an aside: I won the quadro card at auction from ebay. The seller asked me to cancel the sale. I was a bit put off, but figured sure why not? I asked that the seller send me a refund through paypal as a gift. This way he/she could keep the card, but paypal, and ebay didn't have to get involved. Plus we could leave each other good feedback as if the sale had transpired. My caveat was that the refund had to be done in that manner, or no dice. I got the card. Go figure.

    As for the SSD I am looking to the Crucial M550 128GB from newegg. Will this be a good buy? I guess more importantly: can I use it with what I have so far?
    Newegg.com - Crucial M550 CT128M550SSD1 2.5" 128GB SATA 6Gb/s MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

    Thank you again everyone for bearing with me, and helping me to find my way towards a decent tower.

    KR
    Bruce
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #48

    The Crucial M500 is a few bucks cheaper. It's cheap now due to being discontinued and replaced by the M550. The M550 is so new that there aren't a lot of reviews or longevity on it yet. I might be mildly spooked about it for that reason. The M500 is a known quantity and works well. Your call. Either would work if you have a SATA motherboard.

    Newegg.com - Crucial M500 120GB SATA 2.5" 7mm (with 9.5mm adapter) Internal Solid State Drive CT120M500SSD1
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 2,409
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit/Windows 8 64-bit/Win7 Pro64-bit
       #49

    Another card would be good since the Quadro FX is not really made for everyday usage and light gaming.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 1,045
    Win8/8.1,Win7-U64, Vista U64, uncounted Linux distor's
       #50

    Great price on a 240gb ssd. 0.42 cents a gig. I haven't used a PNY ssd's but I have some PNY USB sticks and they are very fast. This drive has very good reviews, SF-2281 controller and synchronous NAND.

    Sequential read performance
    AS SSD: Megabytes per second: Bigger is better

    PNY XLR8 PRO 240GB: 509
    INTEL SSD 335 240GB: 484
    OCZ VERTEX 4 256GB (V1.5FW): 435
    Sequential write performance
    AS SSD: Megabytes per second: Bigger is better

    PNY XLR8 PRO 240GB: 307
    INTEL SSD 335 240GB: 313
    OCZ VERTEX 4 256GB (V1.5FW): 477
    4K random write performance
    AS SSD: Megabytes per second: Bigger is better

    PNY XLR8 PRO 240GB: 62
    INTEL SSD 335 240GB: 56
    OCZ VERTEX 4 256GB (V1.5FW): 57


    I may go but one:)
      My Computer


 
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