~$500 Desktop PC

[zelonox]

Need some advice on putting together a desktop PC which will be used for web development work, homework, running 1-2 virtual machines at a time, and occasional graphics/video editing. This is not a gaming machine, but should be able to multitask and handle many programs open; I can't have a slow computer (I have enough of those). I'm new to building my own computer, so please bare with me.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: in the next month or so
BUDGET RANGE: $500-700

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS/software, optical drive, floppy drive

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: NCIX, NewEgg.ca or another Canadian-based company

OVERCLOCKING: No
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050 x 2

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
- Quiet PC is preferable
- Capable of dual monitor output

So the parts I've looked at so far are as follows:

■Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Dual Core Processor LGA775 3.0GHZ Wolfdale 1333FSB 6MB Retail
■Gigabyte EP45-UD3L ATX LGA775 P45 DDR2 PCI-E 2PCI SATA2 HD Sound GBLAN Motherboard
■Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X4096-6400C5 4GB DDR2 2X2GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 CL 5-5-5-18 240PIN Memory Kit
■ASUS Radeon HD 3450 600MHZ 512MB 800MHZ DDR2 PCI-E DVI-I HDCP VGA HDTV Out Fanless Video Card
■Corsair VX450 450W ATX 12V 33A 24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 120MM Fan
■Western Digital Caviar SE16 640GB SATA2 7200RPM 16MB Hard Drive OEM 3YR MFR Warranty
■(ASUS TA-B32 Black Yellow Mid ATX Tower No PS with USB Audio )

Any way I can slim it down further without compromising the power?

TIA.

 

[xthekidx]

I think for your intended uses, you should be trying to get as many processing cores as you can. A Phenom II X3 720 would be better and cheaper for you.

 

[batuchka]

Aha suggested a config actually recently for the ultimate el cheapo quadcore work station. The GF8300 IGP is CUDA enabled and would serve you well and be ultra low power at the same time. SFF/small footprint FTW hehe PSU ain't a gamer's choice but this is an IGP rig after all 😛

$672.93
-159.99 LCD
- 99.99 OS
$412.95

 

[xthekidx]

Here is how I think I would build on that budget...

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB
MB: Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3 ATX AM2+/AM3
CPU: AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition Triple Core Processor
PSU: Seasonic SS-400ET 400W <==combo with CPU $25 off
GPU: Gigabyte Radeon HD 4350
Ram: OCZ Reaper Hpc Edition PC2-8500 DDR2 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-1066
And then just a cheap case, pick it up locally so you don't have to pay S&H. Those components above come to $558CAD. If you have money left at the end you might consider upgrading to a PII 810 or 920 if you can afford it.

 

[xthekidx]

Aha suggested a config actually recently for the ultimate el cheapo quadcore work station. The GF8300 IGP is CUDA enabled and would serve you well and be ultra low power at the same time. SFF/small footprint FTW hehe PSU ain't a gamer's choice but this is an IGP rig after all 😛
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q205/batuchka/elcheapowkstn.jpg
$672.93
-159.99 LCD
- 99.99 OS
$412.95

Canadian...and with two displays, you need a discrete GPU anyways.

 

[dragoon190]

I think the case he's getting is already the cheapest.

I believe Corsair PSU is manufactured by Seasonic, so the quality should be the same and seasonic is cheaper.

It seems that the Foxconn motherboard would be slightly cheaper on NewEgg.ca. Not sure about the quality, though, never used it before.

Anyway, couldn't think of anything else to take out without influencing the performance, good luck.

 

[sub mesa]

Just pick a chipset with integrated graphics (like AMD 780G or 790GX) so you can save alot of money on a videocard you don't need and spend it on your CPU, memory, monitor/mouse/keyboard/audio or maybe even SSD. You can always keep the money in your pocket. Though, if you don't want a slow PC, that kind of mandates the use of solid state disks IMO. 😛

 

[Onus]

The AMD options are the lowest cost, but wouldn't a Q9400 perform better on VMs and the other tasks the OP listed? Mobo could be cut down to a P43 or even a G31.
I do agree with xthekidx that more cores are better here.