|
|
Post by Spock on Sept 30, 2014 22:35:36 GMT -6
I just placed an order for a new computer. Unfortunately it will be another Windows computer since my oldest Windows system is so out of date the OS isn't even supported any more. I decided to order parts to build my own, so will list some of the parts here so everyone (including stepper!) has a chance to tell me where I went wrong and how I could have gotten "so much more for so much less".  Just remember, I cannot afford to purchase the absolute newest, most powerful, and best of the best. I'm looking for something that will last 5-10 years with decent expansion capability if I need it. Without further ado, I will start listing the components ordered: Intel Core i7-4790K Processor - Quad Core, 4.0GHz (8MB Cache, up to 4.10 GHz), 2 Memory Channels, 16 Max PCI Express Lanes ($357.84) MSI z97 Gaming 5 Motherboard ($157.58) Crucial MX100 Series 512GB SSD - 2.5" Form Factor, SATA III, AES-256 Encryption, 20nm MLC NAND Flash ($217.39) Corsair Hydro Series H105 240mm Liquid CPU Cooler - Aluminum Material, 2 x 120mm Fans, 800 RPM - 2700 RPM Speed, 73 CFM Airflow, 37.7 dBA Noise Level, 3.9 mm/H20 Static Pressure ($101.11) Cooler Master Silent Pro M2 1000W Power Supply - 135mm Fan, ATX, 80 Plus Silver ($172.90) Corsair Graphite 760T White Full Tower Window Case - 9 x Expansion Slots, 3 x 140mm LED Fans, 2 x Front 3.0 USB Connectors, 2 x Front 2.0 USB Connectors ($166.33) MIR -$20) Kingston HyperX Fury Red 8GB Desktop Memory Module Kit x 2 - 1866MHz DDR3, CL10, DIMM ($80.44 x 2 = $160.87) MIR x 2 = -$60 {  }What a whole penny discount for ordering 2!? - 3.5", SATA 6 Gb/s, 64MB Buffer ($145.97) ASUS BC-12B1ST 12X Internal Blu-ray Drive Combo - E-Green, Blu-ray 3D Support, Data Protection, Disc Encryption II, Drag and Burn, OEM ($57.99) Asus BW-12D1S-U/BLK/G/AS 12x Blu-Ray Burner - BD-R 12x, BD-R(DL) 8x, BD-R(LTH) 6x, BD-RE 2x, BD-RE(DL) 2x, DVD±R 16x, DVD+RW 8x, DVD-RW 6x, DVD±R(DL) 8x, DVD-RAM 5x, CD-R 40x, CD-RW 24x, Ext, USB 3.0 ($119.99) And last but required. I was going to go with Windows 7 Pro but Punkin8tor talked me into this: Windows 8.1 PRO FQC-06950 64-Bit, English, 1PK DSP OEM ($129.99) OK, feel free to kibitz.  |
|
|
|
Post by stepper on Oct 1, 2014 19:03:13 GMT -6
I would not criticize your choices at all Spock. The point of any system is to satisfy the needs of the owner. I am sure you conducted sufficient research to select components that satisfy your needs and expectations. As long as you are happy the performance of your choices, no one else should be complaining. I think the system ought scream with speed and you've done quite well for yourself. Are you creating an automated digital backup plan?
|
|
|
|
Post by Spock on Oct 1, 2014 19:08:23 GMT -6
I already have an automated backup for my Macs, just have to get it to recognize the Windows interloper ...  It does a difference update every hour. Just checked and 9 of 11 items have shipped with an estimated delivery time of 2 business days. |
|
|
|
Post by stepper on Oct 1, 2014 19:17:20 GMT -6
Excellent! It'll be interesting to hear what you think of the performance once it's all together.
|
|
|
|
Post by Spock on Oct 2, 2014 11:50:55 GMT -6
I was just checking on delivery status and noticed that on of the items indicated that it had been delivered already. I went to look and I now have possession of a 2TB internal hard drive. The rest were delivered to a distribution point within driving distance of here a 1054 this morning. I'm hoping that all the rest will arrive tomorrow. Then I get the fun of putting it all together.  |
|
|
|
Post by katina2nd on Oct 3, 2014 18:24:58 GMT -6
Best of luck mate, hope it works better them my first computer; bought it already made up from different components and had nothing but trouble with it, think it spent more time in the shop then on my desk.
|
|
|
|
Post by Spock on Oct 3, 2014 22:34:31 GMT -6
Thanks. I've built systems before and had no problem. Now I'm not so sure.  I've never built a SATA machine and I wanted to add some spare DVD and floppy drives I had lying around but there is no easy way to do that with this setup. I could purchase a PCI IDE interface for the DVD and/or older harddrive but an internal floppy interface just isn't available. If I want a floppy with this computer I will have to get a USB external drive. I am also stymied because I need an optical drive to install the OS and drivers but the internal Blu-Ray I ordered hasn't arrived yet. It shipped from California, so will take a while more. The kit came with a sealed liquid cooler for the CPU. The long screws to mount the fans on the radiator were plenty long enough but the case has rubber grommets, probably to help damp vibration, and the screws to hold the radiator to the case just aren't long enough with washers installed to come anywhere near engaging with the holes in the radiator. Right now I have the screws installed without washers but it's obvious I really need to get longer screws. Without washers it looks like the screws will eventually pull through the case taking the grommets with them. It's a learning curve but hopefully I chose good enough that I won't need to get another system of any type. |
|
|
|
Post by Spock on Oct 5, 2014 9:07:03 GMT -6
Well, I put everything I had together (only lacking the internal optical drive), hooked it all up, turn on the power, and ... nothing! There is a small light on the MB that flickers and goes out and the power button lights up. Other than that there is no indication that anything is even thinking about waking up. Guess I get to call the vendor Monday to see if they have any ideas what may have gone wrong. This is the first SATA only system that I've ever built, so I was extra careful to make sure that I paid attention to how everything was supposed to connect. I even read the installation instructions which I never before needed to do. I'm sure it's got to be something really simple and stupid. If it was one of my older systems though, I would say that something was wrong with the motherboard. |
|
|
|
Post by stepper on Oct 5, 2014 13:57:51 GMT -6
Except that you say the power button lights up, I'd say you have a power supply problem. Something like the backup battery on the motherboard is having problems and that is messing with the circuit. Or you have a parts compatibility issue. I don't have anything definitive to suggest - sorry.
|
|
|
|
Post by Spock on Oct 5, 2014 15:57:16 GMT -6
I have checked all sorts of things. The next should probably have been the first. I need to ensure the MB isn't shorting to the case somewhere it isn't supposed to be.
[Added]
Finished checking and the MB is NOT touching anywhere it shouldn't. Now waiting until Monday when I should be able to call the vendor.
|
|
|
|
Post by Spock on Oct 7, 2014 9:00:50 GMT -6
Just figured out that the BIOS on the motherboard is not compatible with the CPU. The problem is that not only cannot I upgrade the BIOS without getting the computer to run but there is no compatible BIOS available on their website! The CPU sent me was the intel i7-4790K. I sent a trouble report into MSI and hope they are able to resolve the issue. Hmm, perhaps they will authorize me to return my current motherboard and send me a better one (that works!) in exchange? |
|
|
|
Post by stepper on Oct 7, 2014 17:53:55 GMT -6
At least you know what the problem is Spock - I believe they should be willing to take back the board in favor of exchanging it for one that it otherwise compatible with your system.
|
|
|
|
Post by Spock on Oct 7, 2014 20:56:25 GMT -6
They are taking it back so they can upgrade the BIOS to one that works with the CPU. I could have done it ... if I could have gotten the motherboard to respond. As it was, no power meant no upgrade. |
|
|
|
Post by stepper on Oct 8, 2014 17:54:23 GMT -6
Did they give you a projected turn around time?
|
|
|
|
Post by Spock on Oct 9, 2014 9:21:47 GMT -6
6 months to a year?
|
|
|
|
Post by stepper on Oct 9, 2014 17:45:02 GMT -6
Surely not – that would hoover excessively.
|
|
|
|
Post by Spock on Oct 9, 2014 19:21:04 GMT -6
Actually, shipping is up to 3 days each way and then it will be at the OEM from 5 to 15 business days. That appears to make the minimum/maximum to be 11 to21 days. If it had actually been 6 months to a year, I would have just returned the entire purchase and started over! I just checked and it has already left Texas on its way to California. |
|
|
|
Post by stepper on Oct 10, 2014 18:40:33 GMT -6
Alas, absence does not always make the heart grow fonder. Sometimes it is a trial, or part of a trial, or simply a pain in the @ss.
|
|
|
|
Post by Spock on Oct 11, 2014 6:28:17 GMT -6
Hmm. It arrived at 17 minutes away yesterday but hasn't been delivered yet.
Destination: 727 BREA CANYON ROAD, SUITE 5, WALNUT CA 91789
Current location: Ontario, CA, United States - 10/10/2014 - 2:03 P.M. - Arrival Scan
|
|
|
|
Post by stepper on Oct 11, 2014 14:56:34 GMT -6
Hopefully they'll be gentle with it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Spock on Oct 11, 2014 19:54:42 GMT -6
Still hasn't been delivered. Guess Saturday isn't considered a "Business day". |
|
|
|
Post by stepper on Oct 12, 2014 12:27:40 GMT -6
Imagine! Taking a day off! Don't they know that you're waiting? The nerve!
|
|
|
|
Post by Spock on Oct 12, 2014 15:01:37 GMT -6
I know, I should have it back already!
|
|
|
|
Post by stepper on Oct 13, 2014 11:31:16 GMT -6
Yeah! These guys owe you a rebate or something!
|
|
|
|
Post by Spock on Oct 13, 2014 12:01:54 GMT -6
Rebate! Don't you think they should give me a full refund and two more complete systems besides! |
|
|
|
Post by stepper on Oct 13, 2014 19:00:58 GMT -6
Well, actually, no. A rebate seems fair to me. But, if they were so inclined, since I'm temporarily serving as adviser, I think one of those complete systems would be an appropriate fee - paid by them of course.
|
|
|
|
Post by Spock on Oct 14, 2014 9:48:14 GMT -6
Ah but we need another complete system for the owner of the forum on which we are posting our comments. After all, fair is fair ...  |
|
|
|
Post by stepper on Oct 14, 2014 19:58:51 GMT -6
Yes yes, I quite agree and apologize for misunderstanding your largess.
|
|
|
|
Post by Spock on Oct 14, 2014 20:21:50 GMT -6
Yes yes, I quite agree and apologize for misunderstanding your largess. Are you trying to imply that I'm overweight!  |
|
|
|
Post by stepper on Oct 14, 2014 21:38:40 GMT -6
Oh man! Trying to teach English to aliens can be tuff! You sir, are thinking of a different word which requires an additional N and E. Or E and N because it could be misconstrued as enlarges - but that's not what I meant either.  Just eat your bacon cheeseburger and relax. |
|
Just remember, I cannot afford to purchase the absolute newest, most powerful, and best of the best. I'm looking for something that will last 5-10 years with decent expansion capability if I need it.
}What a whole penny discount for ordering 2!?
