Hello everybody, it has been 6 years since the help of tech-forums for my first PC build. Now that the computer has been retired and I'm ready for a new PC to build. Now, I'm getting my Masters in Information Assurance (aka Cyber Security) and my laptop nearly died last semester with all the penetration testing I was doing with the various Virtual Machines I was running at once. I need this built to handle the amount of stress to handle such testing. As for gaming, I might, even though PS3 and soon PS4 has been keeping me busy since my last built. My budget for this computer is between $1000-$1200. I have to include the keyboard, mouse, and 22" HDMI\DVI monitor in this budget also. Last, should I stick with Windows 7 or go with Windows 8? Since I'm going to be using VMs a lot, I don't know if Windows 8 is good for that. Any help is very appreciative.
Need help with new PC build for school
- Thread starter Dio1080
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PP Mguire
Build Guru
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- Fort Worth, Texas
For OS, go with whatever you feel is more comfortable to you. Since you're in that area, you might want to go with the latest version or even something like Linux.
I need to know if you are absolutely certain you are leaving your gaming needs to the consoles because it makes a huge difference in the build I'm going to suggest for your task.
I need to know if you are absolutely certain you are leaving your gaming needs to the consoles because it makes a huge difference in the build I'm going to suggest for your task.
PP Mguire
Build Guru
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- Fort Worth, Texas
Are these VMs requiring high RAM usage, or just CPU?
Edit: Are you saying you need to include those peripherals, or you already have them?
Edit: Are you saying you need to include those peripherals, or you already have them?
PP Mguire
Build Guru
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Ok well here's the build for now.
CPU:
Newegg.com - Intel Core i7-4770K Haswell 3.5GHz LGA 1150 84W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics BX80646I74770K
Motherboard:
Newegg.com - ASRock B85M-HDS LGA 1150 Intel B85 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
RAM:
Newegg.com - Crucial Ballistix Sport XT 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model BLS2K8G3D169DS3
PSU:
SeaSonic S12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Newegg.com
Case:
GIGABYTE GZ-F3HEB Black SECC Steel / ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Newegg.com
HDD:
Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Newegg.com
OS:
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit - Newegg.com
LCD:
Asus VE228H 21.5" Full HD LCD Monitor w/Speakers - Newegg.com
$986
I left 200 for your peripherals because I didn't know if you would want a 100 dollar keyboard and mouse or not. I also added an OS because you didn't specify whether or not you needed one. I didn't include an optical drive because I'm assuming installing from a flash drive shouldn't be an issue for you, and the cheap case to put more money towards your other hardware.
The PSU and rig in general is more than plenty to do this task, and if later on you added a decent GPU like a GTX760 or whatever you could easily game anything on the market. Something to think about if you haven't spent 400 pre-ordering a PS4/Xbone.
Also, if you don't need an OS I'm going to substitute that for a much needed SSD.
CPU:
Newegg.com - Intel Core i7-4770K Haswell 3.5GHz LGA 1150 84W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics BX80646I74770K
Motherboard:
Newegg.com - ASRock B85M-HDS LGA 1150 Intel B85 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
RAM:
Newegg.com - Crucial Ballistix Sport XT 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model BLS2K8G3D169DS3
PSU:
SeaSonic S12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Newegg.com
Case:
GIGABYTE GZ-F3HEB Black SECC Steel / ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Newegg.com
HDD:
Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Newegg.com
OS:
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit - Newegg.com
LCD:
Asus VE228H 21.5" Full HD LCD Monitor w/Speakers - Newegg.com
$986
I left 200 for your peripherals because I didn't know if you would want a 100 dollar keyboard and mouse or not. I also added an OS because you didn't specify whether or not you needed one. I didn't include an optical drive because I'm assuming installing from a flash drive shouldn't be an issue for you, and the cheap case to put more money towards your other hardware.
The PSU and rig in general is more than plenty to do this task, and if later on you added a decent GPU like a GTX760 or whatever you could easily game anything on the market. Something to think about if you haven't spent 400 pre-ordering a PS4/Xbone.
Also, if you don't need an OS I'm going to substitute that for a much needed SSD.
PP Mguire
Build Guru
- Messages
- 32,591
- Location
- Fort Worth, Texas
If we were going for a gaming build, pretty much the same thing except go 8GB of RAM, 4670k, and a good GPU on your budget. Maybe even a lesser 4000 series Haswell i5 to get more money into the GPU.
CPU:
Newegg.com - Intel Core i5-4430 Haswell 3.0GHz LGA 1150 84W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics BX80646I54430
RAM:
Crucial Ballistix 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model BLE2KIT4G3D1608DE1TX0 - Newegg.com
GPU:
Newegg.com - EVGA 02G-P4-2763-KR GeForce GTX 760 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 SLI Support w/ EVGA ACX Cooler Video Card
With the latter: $1009
To put things into perspective, I just built a good friend a 550 dollar rig based on an i3 3220, 8GB of RAM, and a 650ti Boost. It played every game I put on it with very good settings like Last Light, Crysis 3, ect. I was surprised.
Edit: I'm going to get my hair cut. I'll reply later, or somebody else will.
CPU:
Newegg.com - Intel Core i5-4430 Haswell 3.0GHz LGA 1150 84W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics BX80646I54430
RAM:
Crucial Ballistix 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model BLE2KIT4G3D1608DE1TX0 - Newegg.com
GPU:
Newegg.com - EVGA 02G-P4-2763-KR GeForce GTX 760 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 SLI Support w/ EVGA ACX Cooler Video Card
With the latter: $1009
To put things into perspective, I just built a good friend a 550 dollar rig based on an i3 3220, 8GB of RAM, and a 650ti Boost. It played every game I put on it with very good settings like Last Light, Crysis 3, ect. I was surprised.
Edit: I'm going to get my hair cut. I'll reply later, or somebody else will.
Okay, thanks, I'll probably go with another case since the reviews I'm reading on it don't look good, let alone probably wont fit the video card you suggested. Also, a change in case since my room gets pretty hot regardless of the A/C and windows open so I'll need to get something with more fans. Since the WIndows 8 is the same price as the Windows 7, i'll probably just jump ship and go with the new OS.
PP Mguire
Build Guru
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- 32,591
- Location
- Fort Worth, Texas
Would not recommend a case with other parts that wouldn't fit.
A good step up is this case. I've built plenty rigs with it, quiet and cool.
Corsair Carbide Series 200R Black Steel structure with molded ABS plastic accent pieces ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Newegg.com
Piece of advice though, more fans does not mean better cooled. A couple of quality fans in a decent case can push more air and provide more static pressure than a bunch of ****ty fans that just make noise.
A good step up is this case. I've built plenty rigs with it, quiet and cool.
Corsair Carbide Series 200R Black Steel structure with molded ABS plastic accent pieces ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Newegg.com
Piece of advice though, more fans does not mean better cooled. A couple of quality fans in a decent case can push more air and provide more static pressure than a bunch of ****ty fans that just make noise.
