So after my Windows XP machine got hit with a couple of virus's that weren't affecting newer Vista machines, I decided to make the upgrade to a Windows 7 workstation. The workstation I planned on building here would be used an average of 40 hours a week so I wanted it to be quick, stable, secure, and not cost me an arm and a leg. Here are the parts I chose, carefully balancing performance to cost.
- Antec NSK4482B Chasis
- Asus P7P55D-E P55 Motherboard
- Intel Core i3-540 Clarkdale 3.06GHz LGA 1156 75W Dual Core
- Seagate Barracuda ST3500418AS 500GB
- Lite-On iHAS124-04
- Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) 240 Pin DDR 3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C9
- Jaton Video 228PCI-Twin GeForce FX 5200 128MB 64-Bit DDR PCI
- Windows 7 Professional 32-Bit
After ordering and receiving the parts (which took a few days to show up), I got to work (noting the time 12:55PM). The chasis is bit crowded, it's a little bit of a trick to get the motherboard in, but everything else is pretty much cake. Really, building a computer is a bit of a puzzle but after you have done it for the first time, it's smooth sailing. Just plug everything (and I mean everying) into the motherboard (minus any spare power cords) and you're good to go. I'm finished and booted up for the first time by 2:10PM.
Windows responds absolutely instantaneously (they way it should).
Memory processes are ultra fast and most importantly, while exploring the C: Drive I'm glad to make note that there is absolutely no waiting. In my mind, this is one of the most important things to acheive in a computer. The hard drive must be fast or it will slow down every little thing you try to do with your computer. This drive (ST3500418AS) is rock solid.
The Lite-On iHAS124-04 is fast and more importantly entirely silent.
If there was any pitfall with this machine it would be the Graphics Card (Jaton Video 228PCI-Twin GeForce FX 5200 128MB 64-Bit DDR PCI), if this was a computer for personal use I would have considered spending 2-3 times what I did, but for my purposes I want cheap dual monitor support (and that's what I got).
Windows 7 Performance Information is as follows (rated 1.0 to 7.9):
Processor: 6.8
Memory (RAM): 7.3
Graphics: 2.0
Gaming Graphics: 3.6
Primary Hard Disk: 5.9
As you can see, everything scores high except for the graphics card. It's scored so low I am considering replacing it just for the sake of it's terrible score. But to be honest, this isn't a gaming machine, and I will probably never watch videos on here. Let's face it, I spend more time word processing then anything else, on top of that, most retail computers don't even come equipped with graphics cards, so whatever is there is plus.
Overall, a great computer in the eight-hundred dollar range. Doesn't cost an arm and a leg and performs like a champ! (so far :). Hope the information helps for you when deciding what parts to buy for your computer; obviously, you'll need to buy a better graphics card if you need a computer with a higher base score.
