DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

Upgrading PC : Need Configuration suggestions

14 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/upgrading-pc-need-configuration-suggestions.135317/

V-Jai
V-Jai Original post #1
Dec 23, 2010 at 12:08 AM
1. What is the purpose of the computer?
A: Run Virtual Machines, Programming App. (Ecllipse,Visual studio..) , Music App. (Ableton Live,Reason,..), Watching Movies, Internet.
2. Are you open to alternate ideas/products giving similar better performance but offering more VFM/ sellers? If not- why?
A: Yes
3. What is your MAX budget?
A: 30-40K.
4. Planning to overclock?
A: No
5. Which OS are you planning to use?
A: Linux , Windows 7
6. How much hard drive space is needed?
A: 1TB.
7. What resolution will the screen run at & whats the size of the screen you want?
A: 22-23"
8. How would you rate your hardware knowledge from the count of 1-10?
A: 4
9. Have you ever built a desktop before or will this be done by an assembler?
A: It will be done by assembler.
10. When are you planning to buy the system?
A: with in 15 days.
11. Are you one of the types looking out for "future proof" configurations?
A: Yes
12. Are there going to be any components that you don't want to include in this new rig? If yes, do mention.
A: UPS,Keyboard,Mouse,Cabinet,speakers,DVD+RW
13. Which city do you live in and are you open to buying from shops from other city/states?
A: Mumbai
14. Mention any other points if deemed necessary
A:
I was thinking of following configuration :
AMD : x4 635/965
Gigabyte : GA-880GMA-UD2H

Is there any point in waiting for Intel Sandy Bridge ? Hoping i5-2400 will cost around 10K and also there is possibility of price fall in AMD processors bcoz of same.

Currently I have IBall Stunner Cabinet.
I have read 1st few pages of "Basic guide for the right power supply" ?
Still I have following queries :
Iball Cabinet has : iBall LPE223-400 (250 W) power supply. I am not at all into gaming so no plans to put graphics card.
If I go with X4 or i5-2400 , do I still need upgrade to Saga/Corsair PSU ?
If Yes then do I need to upgrade my cabinet to CM Lite/NZXT GAMMA ?
Reaper_vivek
Dec 23, 2010 at 7:31 AM
AMD Phenom 1090T @ 11.3k
Asrock 890GX EXTREME 3 @ 7.2
Seagate 1TB @2.8k
G skill 4GB DDR3 @ 3k
Benq G2220 @ 7.5k
LG/Samsung DVD+RW @ 1k
FSP saga II 500W @2.5k/ Corsair CX430W @ 2.7k

Your PSU is bad even if you don't intend on Gaming...these PSU generally have 50-70% efficiency..so u'll be getting around 200-240W output(that's BAD)
The cabinet will do but it would be better if you go for
NZXT gamma @ 2k or CM elite 430 @ 2.5k

The mobo I've mentioned has ATI HD4290 IGP which is good and capable for your requirements...you can even game on lower res and least settings if you want..

The above config is future proof...except for the PSU(it may not handle a GFX card if you want to add it few years later)
If you go with x4635/965 it will do for now but then that wouldn't be the case few years down the line..
Total 37-38k (including the cabby)
Jaskanwar Singh
Dec 23, 2010 at 7:48 AM
Buddy keviv efficiency doesnt mean reduced output. Efficiency of anything is output/input. It tells how much will psu draw from wall to supply required wattage.
Eg- corsair cx400w has efficiency > 80%.
Here output is 400. So input - output/efficiency = (400/80)*100 = 500w. So it will draw 500w from wall.
Rest of the wattage goes to heat. So less efficiency, more heat and electricity bills.
Reaper_vivek
Dec 23, 2010 at 8:30 AM
@Jas My bad..and thanks for the info..I may have messed up with the efficiency bit but these PSU's are bad.
Jaskanwar Singh
Dec 23, 2010 at 9:35 AM
also corsair cx430w is a bad one. acc. to corsair site it delivers 430w at upto 30C temp only. and its got 28amps on 12v rail. while corsair cx400w got 30amps on 12v rail and no such temp limitation. 400w can be delivered 40C-50C easily.
he wont neeed a 1090t for his purpose. a 1055t will suffice. spend the rest on corsair vx450w @ 3.7k and G.Skill F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH (2Gx2) @ 3.7k
Ishu Gupta
Dec 23, 2010 at 10:11 AM
AMD Phenom II 1055T @ 8.6k
Gigabyte GA-880GMA-UD2H @ 5.5
Seagate 1TB @2.8k
G skill 8GB DDR3 1333MHz CL7 @ 7.5k
Dell ST2220L @ 8.7k
LG/Samsung DVD+RW @ 1k
FSP saga II 500W @ 2.2k / Corsair CX400W @ 2.7k
Total 36.3k

RAM is very important for VM. Get atleast 8GB.
V-Jai
V-Jai #7
Dec 23, 2010 at 10:54 AM
Thanks for suggestions.

Any comments on "waiting for Intel Sandy Bridge" and "price fall in AMD processors" ? as I can stay my current system(max one month).

Need to buy monitor in this week , I was planning for :
Samsung P2370MS @13.5 K
LG M237WA/M227WA @12-14K
OR
Dell ST2220L + TV Tuner
I have post my queries in Tv-Monitor Thread.

@Ishu, Good point, I will go with 8GB Ram.

I already have LG DVD+RW.
Jaskanwar Singh
Dec 23, 2010 at 11:02 AM
Perfect by ishu.
If u want to spend 14k on monitor get DEll Ultrasharp U2311h @ 13.7k
V-Jai
V-Jai #9
Dec 25, 2010 at 10:29 AM
Should I go with
Gigabyte GA-880GMA-UD2H
Or
Asrock 890GX EXTREME 3.
can some one list other option in mobo as i am not planning to put graphics card.

Is DEll Ultrasharp U2311h better then Samsung P2370MS ? Other point is i am looking for TV+Monitor.

Any comments on "waiting for Intel Sandy Bridge" ? will i5-2400 +Mobo it cost around 15-17K ?
fatalcore
fatalcore #10
Dec 25, 2010 at 6:51 PM
Nice point, I too want to know what will be the price for the (i7)sandy bridge+MOBO range.Will it be with in 15-20K or 30K.

Thanks in advance,
Fatalcore.
Ishu Gupta
Dec 25, 2010 at 7:14 PM
Only time can tell sandybridge prices.
My guess is around 20k as they are mid end. (i5 costs 16-18k)

You will have to wait 1+ month. Its might bring AMD prices down too.
Jaskanwar Singh
Dec 25, 2010 at 10:16 PM
now dont confuse on the mobo. the config ishu mentioned is best for you IMO.
about the monitor post in monitor buying section.
V-Jai
V-Jai #13
Jan 30, 2011 at 3:02 PM
At last i5 2500 is available.From reviews of sandy bridge it seems that it was worth waiting.

Planning to purchase this before next weekend :
i5 2500/2500K - 11K
Intel-DH67BL - 5.7 K
Corsair/Kingston HyperX DDR3 1333MZ 4GB * 2 - 2.2 K (4GB)
WD Blue WD10EALS 1TB (Sata 6 Gb/s) price ???
LG DVD+RW - 0.9K
Samsung B2330H/P2370MS -10K/13.5K
CM USP 100 -3K
Corsair CX 400W - 2.4K
Logitech Wireless Desktop MK320 - 1.3K
APC 600VA - 1.9K

Planning to go with i5 2500K (as difference in less then 1K and has better GPU).Later on will replace DH67BL with z68 Motherboard when z68 is in market.
Can some one point me to best RAM and Sata 6Gb/s HDD.

Please let me know your comments/suggestions and price details.
Ishu Gupta
Jan 30, 2011 at 3:37 PM
GSkill Ripjaws X 2x4GB @ 5.8k

SATA3 HDDs have zero speed improvements over SATA2 HDDs. Speeds are limited by RPM.
Get a Seagate 7200.12 1TB @ 2.7k.
SATA3 HDDs are like 6k for 1TB