How is this looking? - Hardware & Software

Hi! I've been out of using computers for a few years so I'm out of the loop quite a bit. I'm looking to build a micro-atx or itx pc, so it's decently portable as I travel a lot and will need it with me. First question - are the micro boards actually any good? I need it for some gaming (would like to be able to run the latest games - not on high settings, but with a decent framerate around medium I guess). I also do a lot of heavy numerical modelling, fluid simulations and stuff like that. I've got some stuff I can re-use, all the basic peripherals, network adapter, sound card etc. All the stuff I need I've picked out, but I'm not sure quite how well I've done: [url]http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/39fnr[/url] The budget's around 450, give or take. I wasn't sure whether it's worth getting 1x8Gb or the 2x4Gb, so I went for 1x8 as it worked out cheaper. I might add on a 128GB ssd, too. The case isn't that important, it was just included for budget reasons - I'm probably going to build my own, but the parts will cost around 30 quid anyway. Thanks for any suggestions!

The heavy modeling and simulations you're doing, do the programs take advantage of multiple threads/cores up to 8?

Don't buy a micro atx board. There's no reason unless you're buying a mini case. Also just in case you want to upgrade again in the future I would recommend a better psu. E: oh didn't see you want to carry it with you

[QUOTE=Levelog;44226410]The heavy modeling and simulations you're doing, do the programs take advantage of multiple threads/cores up to 8?[/QUOTE] Yeah, most do, and I can write my code in a way that uses however many threads :smile: They take ages to load up, too, so I think all my engineering software would benefit from being put on a SSD with my OS.

I'd get two sticks of 4GB memory instead of 1 8GB, that way you can have the benefits of dual-channel speed for your memory.

Dual channel only matters for APUs, and even then it'll only be about 5%-10% faster. Single vs dual for the same amount of ram won't have a noticible difference. Buy 1 8gb stick and then later when you have some more cash buy another. Easier to upgrade that way.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the maximum the motherboard supports is 8GB so buying the one stick leaves the other port wasted, but it is cheaper.

Get a better motherboard then lol. If your board can't support 16 or 32gb then it's obviously a bad choice... Here's the options [url]http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/parts/motherboard/#sort=d5&qq=1&xcx=0&s=4&f=7[/url] This one looks good [url]http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-960gmu3s3fx[/url] 16gb, 2 sata 6gb/s port, 2 usb 3 ports.

Oh, yeah, that would certainly make sense! My newest thought, would the AMD FX-6350 ([url]http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/amd-cpu-fd6350frhkbox[/url]) be a better choice for me? 6 "cores", 3.9Ghz as opposed to 8 cores 3.1Ghz. Updated, gone for a happy medium with the CPU by just getting a better one :v: [url]http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/[/url]

Nah, since you saved 10 quid on the motherboard you can get the 8320 now which is better.