Intel’s Core i5 is the mainstream CPU in the new range, so we asked a builder of performance PCs, David Kong, to put together a good mid-range, reliable PC using the new chip.
Enspire Digital’s master builders, boss David Kong and Carlos Garate Intel’s new mainstream CPU, the Core i5 goes with motherboards based on the new P55 chipset. So we’ve asked a builder of high performance PCs, Enspire Digital’s David Kong, to build us a PC using a Core i5 and one of the hottest new P55 motherboards, the ASUS P7P55D. But more, we wanted a machine whose overall characteristic was performance and reliability, so Kong felt the KISS (keep it simple stupid) approach would be best for this purpose. Kong said: “Keeping things simple ensures that there are fewer things to go wrong or less to troubleshoot if they do. That means no RAID setups which tend to cause more problems than they solve, no multi-card graphics card setups and only proven technologies.” (All prices in Aust dollars)
CORE SYSTEM
CPU: Intel Core i5 750 $270We’ve chosen the exciting new Intel Core i5 750 processor running at 2.66GHz. With a dual channel DDR3 memory controller and a more matured implementation of Turbo Boost Technology which offers better performance for non multi-threaded applications, the Core i5 750 is our top pick for performance and value.
COOLER: Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme (with bolt through kit) $130Thermalright make some of the best air coolers on the market with excellent mounting systems. Its Ultra-120 Extreme is the best cooler at the moment and offers superb cooling and low noise.
MOTHERBOARD: ASUS P7P55D $270We’ve used ASUS boards for as long as we’ve been building systems, because they tend to be the most reliable boards. For this system, we’ve gone with the ASUS P7P55D, which is based on the new Intel P55 chipset and is from its new Xtreme Design range. The good board layout, good phase modulation and good quality parts makes this an easy choice.
MEMORY: Patriot Signature Series 1333MHz DDR3 4GB Kit $105The Patriot Signature series was designed with reliability and value in mind, and as such the SPD timings will work at standard voltages without requiring one to fiddle with the BIOS settings. Nice and simple, which is what we want.
GRAPHICS CARD: ASUS GeForce GTX 285 $555Whilst an SLI or CrossFire setup would ultimately be faster, a simpler single card solution is the way to go for the majority of users. The GeForce GTX 285 is the fastest single card you can get at the moment, and ASUS makes a very good card.
POWER SUPPLY: Seasonic S12 650W $180Simple, very efficient and very quiet, the Seasonic S12 power supply hits the sweet spot. These are great power supplies, with plenty of power to run high performance parts, a reasonable price and backed by local support from the distributor.
CASE: Coolermaster HAF 932 $228 The glowing red fans might put a few people off, but the Coolermaster HAF 932 offers the best airflow we’ve seen in a case, with three 200mm case fans configured in a positive airflow configuration. The case moves so much air that the enemy of reliability – dust, never gets a chance to settle.
HARD DRIVE: Patriot TorqX M28 128GB $640SSD drives are fairly new to the consumer market but offer some pretty tantalizing benefits such as near instant seek times, very fast read and write speeds and no moving parts. The Patriot drives use the latest Indilix controller with 128MB cache for super fast performance and offer and industry leading 10 year-warranty to boot.
OPTICAL DRIVE: ASUS DRW-24B1ST $77 Not the most exciting component in a computer system, but needed nonetheless. I’ve chosen the ASUS burner because of its fast 24X write speeds, which is as fast as it gets, as well as its power saving feature and good software bundle.
SYSTEM COST: AUD$2,454
EXTRAS
MONITOR: ASUS VW246H $337 Bigger is always better with monitors, and the ASUS VW246H gives you a full HD 24in monitor with DVI and HDMI inputs and a set of built in stereo speakers. A super fast 2ms response time ensures no blurring when playing games and the full HD resolution means no annoying bars when watching high definition videos.
KEYBOARD: Logitech Illuminated $129The Logitech Illuminated is my current favourite keyboard. Thin, super sexy and with a nice clicky feel it’s in keeping with our KISS philosophy, no wireless - just a simple USB cable.
MOUSE: Logitech MX518 $51Logitech has been making gaming mice longer than most and the MX518 has been in its range for what seems like an eternity. The PTFE feet means the mouse glides over any surface smoother than a baby’s bottom and the super high resolution can handle gaming and creative work with ease.
TOTAL WITH EXTRAS: AUD$2,971