Intel Desktop Computer Builds Based On User Needs: September 2010

The motherboard chipset defines the capabilities of a computer. Specifically, the motherboard chipset defines; 1.) the central processing unit (CPU), system memory (RAM), graphics processing unit (GPU), drives, expansion cards, and peripheral devices (e.i., keyboard, mouse, and printer) that can be installed on a computer, and 2.) the devices (e.i., network connection and audio) and technologies (e.i., RAID and virtualization) that are integrated into the motherboard, itself. Therefore, when building a computer, the most important component to choose wisely is the motherboard chipset, or chipset for short.

PC-compatible chipsets are divided into two types: 1.) Intel chipsets, which support Intel CPUs, and 2.) AMD chipsets, which support AMD CPUs. In 2007, Intel chipset manufacturers included Intel, NVIDIA, AMD/ATI, VIA, and SiS. As of 2010, Intel has a virtual monopoly on the Intel chipset market.

A motherboard is simply an implementation of a chipset. Motherboard manufacturers incorporating Intel chipsets into their motherboards include ASUS (asus.com), GIGABYTE (giga-byte.com), Intel (intel.com), and MSI (msi.com.tw).

Computers can be divided into two types: 1.) Intel computers, which have an Intel chipset/CPU, and 2.) AMD computers, which have an AMD chipset/CPU. This page describes Intel desktop computer builds based on user needs.

1.1.  Changes From Intel Desktop Computer Builds Based On User Needs: June 2010 (stevestechresource.com)

• Intel Desktop Casual/Budget User - Model ID10910:
  • Memory: Kingston KVR1333D3N9K2/2G $65 to $50.
  • Hard Drive: Western Digital WD3200AAKS $50 to Western Digital WD2500AAKS $50.
  • Build Retail Price: $460 to $445.
• Intel Desktop Intermediate User/Budget - Model ID20910:
  • Motherboard: Intel DH57DD $130 to $120.
  • Processor: Intel Core i3-530 Processor $130 to $120.
  • Memory: Kingston KVR1333D3N9K2/4G $120 to $95.
  • GPU: Integrated Intel HD Graphics $0 to Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4650 100254HDMI $70.
  • Case/Power Supply: Antec NSK 4480 II / Antec NSK 4480B II case with EarthWatts EA-380 power supply $110 to Antec NSK 6580 / Antec NSK 6580B case with EarthWatts EA-430 power supply $140.
  • Build Retail Price: $585 to $640.
• Intel Desktop Intermediate User/Performance - Model ID30910:
  • Processor: Intel Core i5-650 Processor $195 to $185.
  • Memory: Kingston KVR1333D3N9K2/4G $120 to $95.
  • GPU: Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4650 100254HDMI $80 to Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 5670 100287L $100.
  • Hard Drive: Western Digital WD10EALS $100 to Western Digital WD1001FALS $100.
  • Build Retail Price: $820 to $805.
• Intel Desktop Power User/Budget - Model ID40910:
  • Processor: Intel Core i7-930 Processor $310 to Intel Core i7-950 Processor $300.
  • Memory: Kingston KVR1066D3N7K3/6G $180 to $145.
  • Hard Drive: Western Digital WD10EALS $100 to Western Digital WD1001FALS $100.
  • Build Retail Price: $1300 to $1255.
• Intel Desktop Power User/Performance - Model ID50910:
  • None.

2.1.  Intel Desktop Casual/Budget User - Model ID10910: Intended For

• Users who rarely run multiple system resource intensive applications simultaneously. This includes users interested in accessing the Internet, using Microsoft Office, and, for example, viewing multimedia content.
• Users on a budget. This includes Windows 2000 users needing a new computer that can run Windows XP/Vista/7 with some of their existing hardware.

2.2.  Intel Desktop Casual/Budget User - Model ID10910: Specs

2.3.  Intel Desktop Casual/Budget User - Model ID10910: Possible Upgrades

• The Intel DH55PJ motherboard supports LGA1156 socket CPUs. Therefore, can upgrade from the Intel Pentium Processor G6950 to an Intel Core i3 Processor, Intel Core i5 Processor, or early Intel Core i7 Processor.
• The Intel DH55PJ motherboard supports 8GB RAM. Therefore, can upgrade from 2GB to 8GB RAM. The Intel DH55PJ motherboard has two RAM slots, both of which are occupied in the described build as required for dual channel mode.
• The Intel DH55PJ motherboard supports an add-in PCIe 2.0 x16 graphics card. Therefore, can upgrade from the integrated Intel HD Graphics to an add-in PCIe 2.0 x16 graphics card.

3.1.  Intel Desktop Intermediate User/Budget - Model ID20910: Intended For

• Users on a budget who occasionally run multiple system resource intensive applications simultaneously. This includes users interested in accessing the Internet, using Microsoft Office, viewing multimedia content, and, for example, occasionally editing multimedia content or playing games that are 2-3+ years old.

3.2.  Intel Desktop Intermediate User/Budget - Model ID20910: Specs

3.3.  Intel Desktop Intermediate User/Budget - Model ID20910: Possible Upgrades

• The Intel DH57DD motherboard supports LGA1156 socket CPUs. Therefore, can upgrade from the Intel Core i3-530 Processor to a faster Intel Core i3 Processor, an Intel Core i5 Processor, or early Intel Core i7 Processor.
• The Intel DH57DD motherboard supports 16GB RAM. Therefore, can upgrade from 4GB to 16GB RAM. The Intel DH57DD motherboard has four RAM slots, two of which are occupied in the described build as required for dual channel mode.
• Can upgrade the add-in PCIe 2.0 x16 graphics card.

4.1.  Intel Desktop Intermediate User/Performance - Model ID30910: Intended For

• Users who occasionally run multiple system resource intensive applications simultaneously. This includes users interested in accessing the Internet, using Microsoft Office, viewing multimedia content, and, for example, occasionally editing multimedia content or playing games that are 1-2+ years old.
• If it was time for a new computer, this is the computer I would build for myself.

4.2.  Intel Desktop Intermediate User/Performance - Model ID30910: Specs

4.3.  Intel Desktop Intermediate User/Performance - Model ID30910: Possible Upgrades

• The Intel DP55WG motherboard supports LGA1156 socket CPUs. Therefore, can upgrade from the Intel Core i5-650 Processor to a faster Intel Core i5 Processor or an early Intel Core i7 Processor.
• The Intel DP55WG motherboard supports 16GB RAM. Therefore, can upgrade from 4GB to 16GB RAM. The Intel DP55WG motherboard has four RAM slots, two of which are occupied in the described build as required for dual channel mode.
• Can upgrade the add-in PCIe 2.0 x16 graphics card.

5.1.  Intel Desktop Power User/Budget - Model ID40910: Intended For

• Users who frequently run multiple system resource intensive applications simultaneously. This includes users interested in accessing the Internet, using Microsoft Office, viewing multimedia content, and, for example, frequently editing multimedia content or playing recently released games.

5.2.  Intel Desktop Power User/Budget - Model ID40910: Specs

5.3.  Intel Desktop Power User/Budget - Model ID40910: Possible Upgrades

• The Intel DX58SO motherboard supports LGS1366 socket CPUs. Therefore, can upgrade from the Intel Core i7-950 Processor to a faster Intel Core i7 Processor or an Intel Core i7 Extreme Processor.
• The Intel DX58SO motherboard supports 16GB RAM. Therefore, can upgrade from 6GB to 16GB RAM. The Intel DX58SO motherboard has four RAM slots, three of which are occupied in the described build as required for triple channel mode.
• Can upgrade the add-in PCIe 2.0 x16 graphics card.

6.1.  Intel Desktop Power User/Performance - Model ID50910: Intended For

• Users with time constraints and/or disposable money who frequently run multiple system resource intensive applications simultaneously. This includes home/office users who use the Internet, Microsoft Office, and, for example, frequently edit multimedia files or play recently released games.

6.2.  Intel Desktop Power User/Performance - Model ID50910: Specs

6.3.  Intel Desktop Power User/Performance - Model ID50910: Possible Upgrades

• Check Intel for the latest Chipsets and CPUs, and AMD and NVIDIA for the latest GPUs, and upgrade your motherboard, CPU, GPU, and max out RAM as required to maintain maximum performance.

• Intel Technologies Demonstrated (intel.com).
• Intel Graphics Technology (intel.com).
• Intel Chipsets (intel.com).
• Intel Desktop Chipsets (intel.com).
• Intel Processors (intel.com).
• Intel Desktop Processors (intel.com).
• Intel Motherboards (intel.com).
• Intel Desktop Boards (intel.com).
• Intel Desktop Board DH55PJ Technical Product Specification (downloadmirror.intel.com) (.pdf).
• Intel Desktop Board DH57DD Technical Product Specification (downloadmirror.intel.com) (.pdf).
• Intel Desktop Board DP55WG Technical Product Specification (downloadmirror.intel.com) (.pdf).
• Intel Desktop Board DX58SO Technical Product Specification (downloadmirror.intel.com) (.pdf).
• ATI Radeon And ATI FirePro Graphics Cards From AMD (amd.com).
• Sapphire Graphics Cards (sapphiretech.com).
• Sapphire Radeon Specifications Matrix (sapphiretech.com) (.xls).
• Tom's Hardware Best Graphics Cards For The Money: September 2010 (tomshardware.com).
• Kingston (kingston.com).
• Western Digital Desktop Drives Overview (wdc.com).
• Antec Enclosures (antec.com).
• Antec Power Supplies (antec.com).