Advice For My First PC Build?

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  1. Posts : 422
    Windows 7 Pro
       #1

    Advice For My First PC Build?


    Hello all,

    So I've been bouncing back and fourth whether if I should get a new GPU to replace my broken one, a better SSD, and other little purchases. However, deep down inside I know what I must do to fulfill my happiness: build a PC. My first complete build(i've made one long ago but without a case).

    Please note this PC is not being built for gaming purposes only. I am heading into college in 2 months and graduate high school in a month. I want to feel at ease with this new PC for school and every day tasks. Later on if I feel a burning desire, I'll make a gaming beast out of it. Right now education is the focus and not gaming.

    My current PC is a 6 year old lenovo m81 thinkcentre tower with windows 7 pro, and while she's very fast for me with my ssd, I simply want to walk in college with a new start :)

    Here's the list: logo897 - Saved Part Lists - PCPartPicker

    I know my CPU is not the best out there, but this is all I can spare within the next 2 months.

    Other questions:

    1. I have two power supplies: one corsair cx600m which is about a year and a half old, and one evga bronze 500 watt psu which I got late last year or early this year(can't remember). Which shall I put in my new future build? I hope I do not have to buy a new one.

    2. Are there any problems with this new build such as too weak of a part?

    My tasks involve microsoft office, researching, and watching videos for fun.

    My budget is around $200 USD, but if I must go higher, it can be $250.

    This is a last minute project so please bare with me.

    Thank you so much for reading :)
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  2. Posts : 422
    Windows 7 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Also, no worries about the hard drive and thermal paste, I have those in my desk.

    EDIT: I'm pretty excited because not once have I ever owned a PC with ddr4 :)
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,363
    Win7 pro x64
       #3

    random input...

    that cpu comes with a fan that has paste already on the heatsink

    either of your power supplies will work fine, I'd go with whichever is newer

    here is your motherboard compatibility page at msi. Your current memory choice of F4-2400C15S-4GNT does not seem to be listed. It will probably work anyway, but its safer to get something from their list of offically tested memory.

    Support For B250M PRO-VD | Motherboard - The world leader in motherboard design | MSI USA

    I assume you either do not need a DVD driver or you already have one.

    It appears that case comes with one 80mm fan in the back. You might just remove it and instead give yourself a couple 120mm fans, one in front and one in back. 80mm case fans tend to be the loud point in a system with no video card, is why I suggest removing it. these 120mm ones are $3 each

    https://www.amazon.com/Kingwin-Long-.../dp/B0054YV92K

    EDIT: looking again at the memory qvl list, they did test a F4-2400C15D-8GNT, which is just a pair of your dimms, so you should be good to go.
    Last edited by johnhoh; 10 Apr 2017 at 23:05.
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  4. Posts : 177
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #4

    Taking into account the advice from johnhoh concerning the fans, have a look here

    OuterVision Power Supply Calculator
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 422
    Windows 7 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #5

    johnhoh said:
    random input...

    that cpu comes with a fan that has paste already on the heatsink

    either of your power supplies will work fine, I'd go with whichever is newer

    here is your motherboard compatibility page at msi. Your current memory choice of F4-2400C15S-4GNT does not seem to be listed. It will probably work anyway, but its safer to get something from their list of offically tested memory.

    Support For B250M PRO-VD | Motherboard - The world leader in motherboard design | MSI USA

    I assume you either do not need a DVD driver or you already have one.

    It appears that case comes with one 80mm fan in the back. You might just remove it and instead give yourself a couple 120mm fans, one in front and one in back. 80mm case fans tend to be the loud point in a system with no video card, is why I suggest removing it. these 120mm ones are $3 each

    https://www.amazon.com/Kingwin-Long-.../dp/B0054YV92K

    EDIT: looking again at the memory qvl list, they did test a F4-2400C15D-8GNT, which is just a pair of your dimms, so you should be good to go.
    Yes I have a DVD driver and thank you for the links! So my ram is fine?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,363
    Win7 pro x64
       #6

    your ram is fine but since MSI only tested memory dimms in pairs, that's why they don't have your exact single dimm method on their tested list. I would not worry about that. Note that using 1 dimm instead of 2 puts you in single channel memory mode, which is slower than the dual channel mode you get when using two dimms, but that's a technicality, something you are not going to notice at all, so one dimm is fine.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 422
    Windows 7 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #7

    johnhoh said:
    your ram is fine but since MSI only tested memory dimms in pairs, that's why they don't have your exact single dimm method on their tested list. I would not worry about that. Note that using 1 dimm instead of 2 puts you in single channel memory mode, which is slower than the dual channel mode you get when using two dimms, but that's a technicality, something you are not going to notice at all, so one dimm is fine.
    How may I go about getting dual channel?
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  8. Posts : 1,363
    Win7 pro x64
       #8

    this is your current plan, 1x4gb
    G.SKILL NT Series 4GB 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 2400 Intel X99 Platform Desktop Memory Model F4-2400C15S-4GNT - Newegg.com

    this is a dual channel plan, 2x4gb
    G.SKILL NT Series 8GB Intel X99 Platform Desktop Memory Model F4-2400C15D-8GNT - Newegg.com

    dual channel happens automatically when identical dimms are put in "paired" slots. Since your new board only has two slots, they pair automatically, there is nothing for you to do but install them and they will run in dual channel mode.

    Your specs say you're on a lenovo system with 4 dimms slots and 8gb of memory, which means its very likely that you are running in dual channel mode right now. To check, download cpu-z and check its memory tab, its channel field will probably say dual. If you then shut down and remove all but one memory dimm and reboot, that cpu-z field will say single. Dual channel mode is not user selectable, motherboards do it automatically.

    CPU-Z | Softwares | CPUID

    you've made a good choice of motherboards and memory because if you ever want to turn the system into a super-fast gaming rig, you just need a faster cpu and video card because your motherboard, memory, and power supply are already top shelf. The only reason your motherboard is inexpensive is because it is not built for overclocking or SLI video, but it does have the latest 200-series chipset.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 422
    Windows 7 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #9

    johnhoh said:
    this is your current plan, 1x4gb
    G.SKILL NT Series 4GB 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 2400 Intel X99 Platform Desktop Memory Model F4-2400C15S-4GNT - Newegg.com

    this is a dual channel plan, 2x4gb
    G.SKILL NT Series 8GB Intel X99 Platform Desktop Memory Model F4-2400C15D-8GNT - Newegg.com

    dual channel happens automatically when identical dimms are put in "paired" slots. Since your new board only has two slots, they pair automatically, there is nothing for you to do but install them and they will run in dual channel mode.

    Your specs say you're on a lenovo system with 4 dimms slots and 8gb of memory, which means its very likely that you are running in dual channel mode right now. To check, download cpu-z and check its memory tab, its channel field will probably say dual. If you then shut down and remove all but one memory dimm and reboot, that cpu-z field will say single. Dual channel mode is not user selectable, motherboards do it automatically.

    CPU-Z | Softwares | CPUID

    you've made a good choice of motherboards and memory because if you ever want to turn the system into a super-fast gaming rig, you just need a faster cpu and video card because your motherboard, memory, and power supply are already top shelf. The only reason your motherboard is inexpensive is because it is not built for overclocking or SLI video, but it does have the latest 200-series chipset.
    Thank you, johnhoh.

    I shall get the 2x4GB instead of the 1x4GB. I'm glad I chose a good mobo too!

    And yes my current PC has been in single-channel mode ever since I got new RAM a few months ago. I just figured out today that I am able to use dual channel and have changed it successfully.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 2,047
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-BIT
       #10

    Yes, Dual-Channel is better in any way especially when on onboard graphics.
      My Computer


 
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