Solved Utility system on a budget

[msalton1]

I'm anticipating putting a versatile machine together that will check and scan HDs, virus and malware removal and also serve as a remote access machine (remotely servicing other machines).

I will be using Win 7 pro as my OS. I will be using mutliple boot drives (i.e., one for scanning HDs and virus removal, a separate system HD for Remote Access usage).

I will need only to buy a cpu, mainboard and RAM. Reliability and function are priority, but so is budget. I have been Intel only for several years, but am not opposed to AMD if it meets all of my requirements.

The above said, I am hoping for recommendations for the cpu and mainboard.

Given that I will generally be using this machine for singular functions at any given time, I assume that Hyper-threading will not be important?

The parts I'm considering:

Gigabyte Intel H81 Motherboard

Intel Pentium G3220

or

Intel G3420

I have not used AMD for many years, so I'm not familiar with the possibilities and savings of today.

The above components would run me around $150. I don't want a "bare minimum" machine and am not opposed to spending more, but would like to spend as little as possible for what will easily meet my needs above. The one thing I don't want is slow scans and Remote Access lag (internet is 50/5mbps and should not be a bottleneck).

Thanks for any ideas.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

So in a nutshell you want a test machine that you can slip drives into or hook up to others etc etc?? I am only asking because you may be wanting to do something that I did and that is have a tester machine I can try out different programs and hardware etc on??

for that I just refurbished an older machine that I got for nothing it has a fairly decent CPU and even with DDR2 RAM but it does just about anything I ask of it.
You may be able to pick up one and do that with it.

But if you are like me and only have access to retail priced stuff then it is going to cost around $500 - out here at least I don't know where you are without going and looking and it does depend on the retail situation where you are and what quality you want to build into it.

 

[msalton1]

Hi ICit2lol. Nice to see you again, and thanks for your comments. I have put together a machine from parts I have lying around. I have several motherboards, cpus and Ram parts, unfortunately, the newest of those (from which i built the machine) is an MSI neo2 with a 3500+ amd processor. Just a bit slow for my uses.

I've decided to go with the Intel G3420 & Gigabyte Intel H81 Motherboard with ddr3 1600 RAM. It's cheap enough at less than $200 for the lot, and should serve my purposes for now. I'll likely replace it further down the road when a lot of my expenses for this endeavor have been met. My wife will inherit the components from this build, as all she really does is surf the net.

Again, thanks for your input.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yep mate if you get a double post I hit a button that put it somewhere
Good choice I think Intel have it so down pat now and I like Gigabyte that board should be plenty and I ma guessing if you want to up the CPU later it can be done.

The one thing I would be careful with is the PSU if you are using one from bits lying a round (like I hoard everything LOL!) try it out first thoroughly see this
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/86648-psu-jump-start.html
&
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/301799-psu-test-dc-output-voltage.html

Mind you can get 350 to 450 watt ones plenty of overkill for what you want and a good brand for reasonable prices today. I like Corsairs but the choice is yours.

To work out what size you will need use this for a fair idea of what you want
eXtreme Power Supply Calculator

Let us know how you go.
John

 

[DocBrown]

I just build this rig with a used 500gb HD ($20), ASUS MB, 4gb ram, AMDx6-1045T CPU

:ar: http://www.sevenforums.com/pc-custo...9173-show-us-your-rig-8-a-58.html#post2877836

 

[msalton1]

Thanks for the pointers, John. I do have a working Antec 350 watt that is in the recently built (yet-not-quite-up-to-the-task) machine. That should suffice for the minimal build I plan. I'll use an SSD for the boot drive when I need to be in windows and have one mechanical drive. Thinking about it, I probably won't really need a 2nd boot drive or an optical drive since I have a Zalman ZE V300 with a 120GB ssd loaded up with ISOs (I love that tool), but I'll probably have a 2nd boot drive just in case. Again, thanks for your comments.

 

[msalton1]

I just build this rig with a used 500gb HD ($20), ASUS MB, 4gb ram, AMDx6-1045T CPU

:ar: http://www.sevenforums.com/pc-custo...9173-show-us-your-rig-8-a-58.html#post2877836

Thanks, Doc. Interesting build. Shows what one can do when one's mind is put to the task.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yep Doc I managed to do some odd little build ups using old school machines too but that was early days. But I reckon it is both a challenge and fun to do this stuff cos I reckon w chuck away stuff that is still really serviceable while not being cutting edge.

Have done a few for kids who cannot afford new machine and apart from the obvious drive problems - usually resolved by a new one it has been all good