Home/Office desktop in a hot climate

[ubuysa]

This is very much a 'toe in the water' spec and I'm not ordering yet. We're moving off the boat into an apartment in a few months (yes, for good) and I'll be able to get the desktop I always wanted but couldn't fit in the boat! I don't game but I do want to drive a smart HD TV as well as the PC monitor (movies on the TV, desktop on the monitor).

I'm happy with most of the spec below, but there are several areas about which I know nothing and would welcome some guidance on these. My maximum budget is about £1800.

Case
COOLERMASTERCM690 III WHITE CASE (Limited Edition!) I'm in Greece, it gets well over 30 deg C for three months or more each year so good cooling is vital.
Processor(CPU)
Intel®Core™i7 Quad Core Processor i7-6700 (3.4GHz) 8MBCache
Motherboard
ASUS®Z170-P: ATX, LG1151, USB 3.0, SATA 6GBs
Memory(RAM)
16GBHyperX FURY DDR4 2666MHz (2 x 8GB Kit)
GraphicsCard
1GBNVIDIA GEFORCE 710 - DVI, HDMI, VGA I have no idea what graphics card to get. I don't game, I just want to drive both a smart HD TV and the PC monitor at the same time (videos etc. on the TV with the Windows desktop and programs on the PC monitor). If I can do that with the on-board GPU let me know, otherwise I want the cheapest graphics card that will let me do that.
1[SUP]st[/SUP] HardDisk
2TBWD BLACK 3.5" WD2003FZEX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE(7200rpm)
2[SUP]nd[/SUP] HardDisk
3TBSATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 64MB CACHE
M.2SSD Drive
512GBSAMSUNG SM951 M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 2150MB/R,1550MB/W)
1[SUP]st[/SUP] DVD/BLU-RAYDrive
24xDUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
PowerSupply
CORSAIR350W VS SERIES™ VS-350 POWER SUPPLY
ProcessorCooling
SuperQuiet Titan DragonFly Heatpipe Intel CPU Cooler
ThermalPaste
ARCTICMX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
FanController
NZXTGRID+ V2 Fan Controller with upto 5 Fitted Case Fans Do I want/need a fan controller? If so, which one?
ExtraCase Fans
2x120mm Apache Black Quiet Fan (fitted to extract fromrear/roof)
SoundCard
ONBOARD6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/WiredNetworking
10/100/1000GIGABIT LAN PORT (Wi-Fi NOT INCLUDED)
USBOptions
MIN.2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONTPORTS
PowerCable
1x 1 Metre European Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
OperatingSystem
GenuineWindows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence
OperatingSystem Language
UnitedKingdom - English Language
DVDRecovery Media
Windows10 (64-bit) Home DVD with paper sleeve
OfficeSoftware
NOOFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus
NOANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft®Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Monitor
IIYAMAE2283HS-B1 22" Widescreen Monitor Do I need to order cables for this or do they come with?
Keyboard& Mouse
MicrosoftComfort Curve Keyboard 3000
GamingChair
GTOmega PRO Racing Office Chair - Black Leather
CableTidy
3x PCS 1.5M Zip Cable Tidy - Professional Cable Management
Warranty
3Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3Year Labour) I'm in Greece so no point in Silver.
Delivery
2- 6 DAY DELIVERY TO EUROPE (COUNTRY DEPENDANT)
BuildTime
StandardBuild - Approximately 10 to 12 working days
Quantity
1

 

[Rakk]

IIYAMAE2283HS-B1 22" Widescreen Monitor Do I need to order cables for this or do they come with?

The Iiyama page here for said monitor claims it comes with a DVI-D cable so you should be good (I know the IIyama E2483HS1 I got in 2014 had a DVI cable - I think it may have also had a VGA but cant remember)

 

[Oussebon]

You probably don't need a fan controller in terms of temps as I imagine PCS will just connect the fans up to the PSU so that they will run at max speed all the time anyway. If acoustics are important, then you might consider it, or consider a case that has a basic fan controller built in (e.g. if you want to turn the fans down while watching a movie with lots of thoughtful quiet bits )

I imagine that the onboard graphics are fine for driving 2 1080p monitors, which seems to be what you're asking of it. The motherboard has a DVI-D and an HDMI port.
https://www.asus.com/uk/Motherboards/Z170-P/specifications/

You might consider a 23-24" monitor as the extra space makes quite a big difference to how it feels with documents side by side. You could also consider the AOC i2369vm monitor as the IPS panel is quite a nice treat even just looking at stuff on the web.

 

[mantadog]

The GPU on the i7 6700 is Intel® HD Graphics 530, it is capable of driving up to 3 displays so id ditch the low end GPU. Its actually quite a powerful GPU if paired with fast RAM so will have no issues outputting video to a couple of displays.

The ASUS®Z170-P and just about every other board has some kind of fan control software built in these days. ASUS call it fan expert, you can control it through software on the desktop or via the BIOS to set custom profiles and get the best cooling/acoustics ballance. The board you have selected only has 2 chassis fan connectors and most stop at 3 or 4 if you use the 2nd CPU fan connector for a chassis fan. Personally id just opt for 2 fans, even in a warm climate its not going to trouble a couple of 120mm fans, especially considering you wont have a high end GPU in the machine. But perhaps a physical fan controller is easier to use so might be an option, one of those personal choise things as the cost comes out the same for a fan controller as it does for a mobo upgrade. I'd opt for the motherboard control so i can set custom fan profiles but your mileage may vary.

Most monitors come with cables, i dont know for sure but i dont remember the last time i got a monitor without a cable more often than not they have had multiple cables.

 

[Rakk]

Most monitors come with cables, i dont know for sure but i dont remember the last time i got a monitor without a cable more often than not they have had multiple cables.

True, they all come with at least one cable, however whether it's one you can use is quite something else - and bizarrely it's often quite tricky to find out which ones they do come supplied with.
I know when I was last looking (2 years ago) a lot still only came with a VGA cable.

 

[ubuysa]

Very many thanks people, I love this forum! Another question....

Thanks for the link to the mobo Oussebon, I see that the on-board graphics supports HDMI and DVI-D but are we certain they support both at the same time (and not one OR the other)? I've searched the web for answers to this and not found a definite answer, mind you, nowhere does it say either-or.

I'll order a DVI-D cable for the monitor (just in case) - I have HDMI cables.

Thanks for the details on fan controllers, I'll drop the fan controller and the extra fans then. I've found a manual for the Z170-P and seen the fan control available.

I've also been persuaded on the 24" monitor, what do you think of the ASUS VE247H 24" LED DISPLAY? That seems to tick all my boxes.

I'd welcome any more observations.

 

[Oussebon]

Ah, sorry if the above wasn't as clear as it could have seen. I meant that I doubt HD 530 would have any trouble powering both at the same time. I've seen an old E6550 + misc Dell mobo power a pair of FHD monitors no probs. I only mentioned the connections to say that it has the two connectors most relevant to you.

Would PCS connect the fans up to the mobo or directly to the PSU? My guess would have been the PSU. Though if they do it's no rocket science to plug them into the fan headers on the board.

I didn't immediately find a professional review of the monitor, but it seems available on a number of websites and has large numbers of overall very positive consumer reviews across the board. Though splitting hairs it's actually 23.6". https://www.asus.com/uk/Monitors/VE247H/specifications/

 

[ubuysa]

Ah, sorry if the above wasn't as clear as it could have seen. I meant that I doubt HD 530 would have any trouble powering both at the same time. I've seen an old E6550 + misc Dell mobo power a pair of FHD monitors no probs. I only mentioned the connections to say that it has the two connectors most relevant to you.

Would PCS connect the fans up to the mobo or directly to the PSU? My guess would have been the PSU. Though if they do it's no rocket science to plug them into the fan headers on the board.

I didn't immediately find a professional review of the monitor, but it seems available on a number of websites and has large numbers of overall very positive consumer reviews across the board. Though splitting hairs it's actually 23.6". https://www.asus.com/uk/Monitors/VE247H/specifications/

Thanks for this. I asked the on-board GPU question on Tom's Hardware and was told there would be no problem driving both DVI-D and HDMI at the same time, now you've confirmed it for me I'm happy.

I've taken your advice re an IPS monitor, I now plan to get the ASUS PA238QR 23" PROART SERIES MONITOR after doing a bit of research, including a YouTube review that made it look very good.

I'm happy to move the fan connectors to the mobo if needs be. I guess if I decide I want a fan controller later I can do that via the upgrade service?

I'm wondering whether to go for the CORSAIR 650W CS SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET PSU to give me upgrade room. What do you think?

We don't get the keys to our apartment until September so I don't dare order it before then - the boxes won't fit on the boat!

 

[mantadog]

i thought i replied to this last night but i didnt post.

i will now double confirm that the onboard gpu will drive hdmi and dvi at the same time quite hapily, would cause far too much trouble if it didnt work, basically they would need to print it in red letters on the box. My ancient board did it hapily until i upgraded to a dedicated GPU.

PCS will not connect fans directly to the PSU unless you run out of fan headers on your motherboard, the built in fan control is too good to waste. (and my opinions on people who insist on connecting directly to the PSU probably dont need stating here)

i also asked if you might consider the CS 650 PSU as its quieter and gives you room to add anything you liked later. Im starting to wonder if you just deleted my post and stole all the ideas for yourself actually ...

Speaking of bright ideas, do you not have a tarpaulin and some bungee cord you can lash the box to the main deck?

 

[ubuysa]

i thought i replied to this last night but i didnt post.

i will now double confirm that the onboard gpu will drive hdmi and dvi at the same time quite hapily, would cause far too much trouble if it didnt work, basically they would need to print it in red letters on the box. My ancient board did it hapily until i upgraded to a dedicated GPU.

PCS will not connect fans directly to the PSU unless you run out of fan headers on your motherboard, the built in fan control is too good to waste. (and my opinions on people who insist on connecting directly to the PSU probably dont need stating here)

i also asked if you might consider the CS 650 PSU as its quieter and gives you room to add anything you liked later. Im starting to wonder if you just deleted my post and stole all the ideas for yourself actually ...

Speaking of bright ideas, do you not have a tarpaulin and some bungee cord you can lash the box to the main deck?

Very many thanks mantadog!

I'm now quite certain the onboard GPU will do for what I need. Thanks for that.

That's good to hear about the fans and the onboard controller, and that PCS are sensible enough to connect them to the board (no surprises there though).

Thanks for suggesting the CS 650 PSU, it's through reading your (and others) recommendation for this PSU that I decided to go for it.

Delete your post and steal your ideas? Perish the thought.

I'm starting to worry that we may have some mental connection here though. As it happens I do have a large tarpaulin - actually I have two - and lots of bungee cord (there's always lots of bungee cord on a boat). One of the tarpaulins is currently over the boom keeping the sun off the coachroof (it's cooler below that way). If it put my two dinghies in the water I could probably fit the boxes under there. Good thinking......

 

[ubuysa]

I've been wondering whether to go for the Asus Z170-E board rather than the Z170-P so I did a side-by-side comparison of them on the Asus website. I noticed that under the Graphic section, the Z170-E specifically states that "Supports up to 2 displays simultaneously". This sentence is noticeably absent on the Z170-P board spec.

So I'm going to opt for the Z170-E, principally because Asus say it supports two displays but also because it gives me USB 3.1 (which I don't need now, but might) and because it gives me better upgrade options.

 

[ubuysa]

Another question.

The Asus Z170-E motherboard has a PS/2 combo port for keyboard or mouse. I'm getting a USB keyboard, will there be any problems in using a USB to PS/2 adapter to connect the keyboard to the PS/2 port and save a USB port?

Thanks people, I appreciate the help.

 

[mantadog]

Another question.

The Asus Z170-E motherboard has a PS/2 combo port for keyboard or mouse. I'm getting a USB keyboard, will there be any problems in using a USB to PS/2 adapter to connect the keyboard to the PS/2 port and save a USB port?

Yes and no, it should work fine for most people. However as with most thinsg tech related it gets annoying when you cant do that one or two things you did before. PS/2 dates back into the dark ages (almost before i was born) and as such you could run into some issues with more complicated keystrokes that modern keyboard and windows are set up to use. For everyday typing it wouldnt be an issue, but if you are someone who like to use keyboard shortcuts you could come unstuck at some point. That is if you buy an ADAPTER (just changes the wire pairings), if you buy a CONVERTER(converts the signals too) you should have no issues but its not always easy to tell which is which as it seems many sellers dont recognise the difference.

Pro tip, if you need more USB ports just buy a usb 3 hub and use that for things you dont use at the same time but want to leave plugged in.

 

[ubuysa]

Yes and no, it should work fine for most people. However as with most thinsg tech related it gets annoying when you cant do that one or two things you did before. PS/2 dates back into the dark ages (almost before i was born) and as such you could run into some issues with more complicated keystrokes that modern keyboard and windows are set up to use. For everyday typing it wouldnt be an issue, but if you are someone who like to use keyboard shortcuts you could come unstuck at some point. That is if you buy an ADAPTER (just changes the wire pairings), if you buy a CONVERTER(converts the signals too) you should have no issues but its not always easy to tell which is which as it seems many sellers dont recognise the difference.

Pro tip, if you need more USB ports just buy a usb 3 hub and use that for things you dont use at the same time but want to leave plugged in.

Thanks mantadog, I'll stick with a USB port then.