Solved Advice For My First PC Build?

[logo897]

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

 

[logo897]

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

 

[johnhoh]

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-Bearing-CFY-012LB-Yellow/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.

 

[georgeks]

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

OuterVision Power Supply Calculator

 

[logo897]

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-Bearing-CFY-012LB-Yellow/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?

 

[johnhoh]

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.

 

[logo897]

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?

 

[johnhoh]

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.

 

[logo897]

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.

 

[RoasterMen]

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

 

[benben]

I want some advices on my very first build, too, If OP and you guys don't mind

I'm following this guide for my first build: https://thegreatsetup.com/how-to-build-a-gaming-pc/ and select "Lucky Seventh" is my beast. I think the guide is straightfoward and easy to follow for a newbie like me, but not sure if it worth my money.

Any advices for my first time?

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
You skipped process #1 Budget
Actually step one is to make a new thread

 

[mjf]

A new thread is a good idea and your budget may be suggested by your choice of the under $700 option.

I'd say $700 is a bit light on. Now days I think an SSD is almost essential (even just a 120GB) plus a HDD. I would go for 16GB Ram over 8GB for the extra ~$50. In terms of overall cost unless you already have them you need to factor in - OS, Monitor, Keyboard/mouse, speakers.

 

[benben]

Hi,
You skipped process #1 Budget
Actually step one is to make a new thread

what a relief I did start a new thread

A new thread is a good idea and your budget may be suggested by your choice of the under $700 option.

I'd say $700 is a bit light on. Now days I think an SSD is almost essential (even just a 120GB) plus a HDD. I would go for 16GB Ram over 8GB for the extra ~$50. In terms of overall cost unless you already have them you need to factor in - OS, Monitor, Keyboard/mouse, speakers.

I actually went for the seven beast. You're right. I later realized that I don't need much of a HDD so I removed the part, replace with a 1TB HDD and a 128GB SSD. The system runs on a SSD better than any previous owned PC I had.

Many thanks guys