BestConfigs: Intel-Based Office PC

[jpishgar]

It's that time again! Time to update the Tom's Hardware BestConfigs! Once again, we are opening the field to user recommendations to get the best consensus for the absolute best of the best in each category. Post the best configuration you can put together for the following build category and our editorial team will pick 5 of the best to be put up to a public vote right here in the Systems forum. The top-ranking build will go on to become one of Tom's Hardware BestConfigs and you'll get the credit for having put together a brilliant build with a special credit in the feature article.

Post your entries to this thread for the category of:
Intel-Based Office PC

Stay within $500 (without shipping) and no need to include OS, monitor, mouse/keyboard. To keep things fair and level the playing field, we ask that you restrict your product links to Newegg or Amazon. Please be sure to format your list of components as follows:

Joe's Office Chug-along Rig
Processor: Component Name and Component Price
Motherboard: Component Name and Component Price
RAM: Component Name and Component Price
Graphics Card: Component Name and Component Price
Hard Drive: Component Name and Component Price
Case: Component Name and Component Price
Power Supply: Component Name and Component Price
Cooling: Component Name and Component Price
DVD Burner: Component Name and Component Price

See below for quick-copy/paste text of the BBcode.

[cpp]
Joe's Office Chug-along Rig
Processor: Component Name and Component Price
Motherboard: Component Name and Component Price
RAM: Component Name and Component Price
Graphics Card: Component Name and Component Price
Hard Drive: Component Name and Component Price
Case: Component Name and Component Price
Power Supply: Component Name and Component Price
Cooling: Component Name and Component Price
DVD Burner: Component Name and Component Price
[/cpp]

We encourage users to use PCPartPicker's System Build for speedy construction. Do not post a link to your build, but rather please be sure to export as BBCode for a quick copy/paste as a response here, so users can easily see your component selections.

Good luck, and may the best builds win!

 

[AMD Radeon]

AMD Radeon's Intel Office Build

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($118.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI B75MA-P45 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.24 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card ($70.00 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill RANGER-M MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($45.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $468.18
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-05 13:02 EDT-0400)

 

[Rafeed Iqbal]

Rafeed's office build for actual work(sorry slackers)

CPU: Intel Pentium G2120 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor ($66.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M4 32GB mSATA Solid State Disk ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Toshiba 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 6670 1GB Video Card ($48.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $497.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-06 02:53 EDT-0400)

 

[refllect]

Refllect's office build for multitasking (no need to spend more than $30 on a video card if its for office purposes)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($183.97 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock B85M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($85.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 6450 1GB Video Card ($27.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($35.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $493.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-05 14:27 EDT-0400)

 

[geofelt]

Geofelt small office pc.
I recently built essentially this same pc for my son's mother-in-law who runs a small business.
Here are the salient reasons:
1. I used a large SSD. It is the critical component for performance. 240gb is sufficient for normal storage.
If necessary, a hard drive can be added for bulk storage.
2. Dual core is sufficient, the i3-3220 is actually more than you need but fits within 64 cents of the budget.
3. The lian li Q07 is a top quality case that is small enough to fit on a desktop without consuming excessive space.
4. I have used ECS before, and found them to be of decent quality. Partpicker warns of possible incompatibility with ivy bridge, but any new shipment since January will have the needed bios already installed.
This pc is capable of using dual monitors which I highly recommend.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($118.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ECS H61H2-I3 (v1.0) Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($174.70 @ Amazon)
Case: Lian-Li PC-Q07 Mini ITX Tower Case ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $500.64
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-07 11:12 EDT-0400)

 

[jinayhvora]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($72.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($95.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.95 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master NSE-200-KKN1 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $480.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-07 12:53 EDT-0400)

 

[g-unit1111]

G-Unit's "PC Load Letter? What does that mean?" Rig:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3225 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B75M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard ($95.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Prodigy (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($47.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $505.31
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-07 12:54 EDT-0400)

It's low power consumption with high processing power in a small form factor (perfect for cube rats) but just enough to get those spreadsheets and expense reports done - everything an HR manager could want! :lol:

 

[Sangeet Khatri]

Sangeet's Classy Office Build

+ It has i5 babes
+ It has a 120GB SSD babes

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B75M-HD3 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($62.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: PNY XLR8 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master NSE-200-KKN1 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $502.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-07 14:08 EDT-0400)

 

[ojas]

Work Efficiently

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220T 2.8GHz ($127.99 @ Amazon)

Motherboard: ASRock B75M R2.0 Micro ATX ($70.55 @ Newegg)

Memory: G.Skill ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 ($43.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Seagate Momentus XT 750GB 2.5" 7200RPM ($127.65 @ Amazon)

Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)

Case Fan: Fractal Design 92mm Fan ($8.49 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 450W 80 PLUS Gold Certified Modular Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)

Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $500.64
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-07 14:14 EDT-0400)

Note: $494 without shipping.

 

[mastrom101]

4 Cores, 3 Digits Office Build

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($54.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: PNY XLR8 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master NSE-200-KKN1 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $499.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-07 17:57 EDT-0400)

 

[Guest]

Just get it done, and let the other guy in line use the computer!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($118.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master RR-H101-22FK-RI 30.0 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($14.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($75.66 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($43.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Plextor M5P Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($127.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec VSK-3000 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 360W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $489.59
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-08 01:49 EDT-0400)

 

[lp231]

Processor:Intel Core i3 3245 @3.4GHz 2C/4T<$139.99@Newegg>
Processor Cooler:Intel Stock Cooler<$@Newegg>
Motherboard:Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3H<$72.99@Newegg>
Memory:G.Skill 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1333<$36.99@Newegg>
Graphic Card:Intel HD4000 integrated graphics<$@Newegg>
Hard Drive:Western Digital Blue 500GB<$59.99@Newegg>
Optical Drive:Lite-ON 24x DVD Writer<$17.99@Newegg>
Power Supply:Corsair CX430 80Plus! Bronze<$39.99@Newegg>
Case:Rosewill Line-M<$54.99@Newegg>
$422.93

 

[TheNumberOneShmuck]

Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($174.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI B85M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($60.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Agility 3 60GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill FB-04 ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq 350W ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $498.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-16 19:11 EDT-0400)

 

[ps3hacker12]

RAID1 for peace of mind rig:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($118.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI B75MA-P45 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($67.24 @ Amazon)
Memory: Mushkin Silverline 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($32.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Antec VSK-3000 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq 350W ATX12V Power Supply ($29.25 @ Outlet PC)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $403.43
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-13 21:13 EDT-0400)

 

[renzhe]

Situation Not Ideal

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Silverstone AR01 81.4 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B85M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Signature 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($88.99 @ Amazon)
Case: DIYPC FM08-B MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($31.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: OCZ Fatal1ty 550W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($29.50 @ Newegg)
Total: $541.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-16 09:56 EDT-0400)

Not only is this stretching our prescribed budget by $41, you're probably looking at the "B85" and thinking "Oh no...you wouldn't," and I say yes I would! Keep a heads up about BIOS and Windows updates. Intel just doesn't have the value that AMD has with its FX's. The next best thing was the 4670K, with much better per core performance, but no HT.

 

[Sangeet Khatri]

Situation Not Ideal

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Silverstone AR01 81.4 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B85M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Signature 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($88.99 @ Amazon)
Case: DIYPC FM08-B MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($31.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: OCZ Fatal1ty 550W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($29.50 @ Newegg)
Total: $541.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-16 09:56 EDT-0400)

Not only is this stretching our prescribed budget by $41, you're probably looking at the "B85" and thinking "Oh no...you wouldn't," and I say yes I would! Keep a heads up about BIOS and Windows updates. Intel just doesn't have the value that AMD has with its FX's. The next best thing was the 4670K, with much better per core performance, but no HT.

1. 4670K with B85?
2. B85 with 4670K?
3. Single Channel RAM?
4. Only 120 GB?

Question marks all around.

 

[g-unit1111]

Situation Not Ideal

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Silverstone AR01 81.4 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B85M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Signature 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($88.99 @ Amazon)
Case: DIYPC FM08-B MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($31.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: OCZ Fatal1ty 550W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($29.50 @ Newegg)
Total: $541.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-16 09:56 EDT-0400)

Not only is this stretching our prescribed budget by $41, you're probably looking at the "B85" and thinking "Oh no...you wouldn't," and I say yes I would! Keep a heads up about BIOS and Windows updates. Intel just doesn't have the value that AMD has with its FX's. The next best thing was the 4670K, with much better per core performance, but no HT.

1. 4670K with B85?
2. B85 with 4670K?
3. Single Channel RAM?
4. Only 120 GB?

Question marks all around.

Yeah I'm confused about this one as well, not to mention the POS case and that it goes $50 over budget. Although apparently I'm being told that B85 will allow overclocking with future BIOS updates but that's not necessary for a basic office PC.

RAID 0 for peace of mind rig:

What's the point of RAID on an office rig? Everything will be stored on a central file server anyways.

 

[ps3hacker12]

RAID 0 for peace of mind rig:

What's the point of RAID on an office rig? Everything will be stored on a central file server anyways.

I assumed a home office sort of PC for small local businesses.

 

[renzhe]

Yeah I'm confused about this one as well, not to mention the POS case and that it goes $50 over budget. Although apparently I'm being told that B85 will allow overclocking with future BIOS updates but that's not necessary for a basic office PC.

Actually it already does. You have to look out for updates that kill this feature. The processor might be overpowered for most offices, but I was still aiming for BFYB and expandability as always. As for the case, I don't like it either. Probably should have gone with a VSK-3000. Doesn't help that I'm spoiled by $40 Define R4's.

 

[renzhe]

I assumed a home office sort of PC for small local businesses.

The thing that got me was "peace of mind." Didn't you mean RAID1?

 

[renzhe]

Less CPU, More Elsethings

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G2120 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor ($67.24 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus P8B75-M/CSM Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($78.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Gaming Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($110.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($164.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Antec VSK-3000 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: OCZ Fatal1ty 550W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($29.50 @ Newegg)
Total: $481.21
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-16 16:54 EDT-0400)

Do you find this to be more balanced?

 

[Sangeet Khatri]

Less CPU, More Elsethings

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G2120 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor ($67.24 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus P8B75-M/CSM Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($78.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Gaming Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($110.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($164.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Antec VSK-3000 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: OCZ Fatal1ty 550W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($29.50 @ Newegg)
Total: $481.21
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-16 16:54 EDT-0400)

Do you find this to be more balanced?

1. 16GB? Are you sure about that?
2. 256GB is okay but not ideal for office.
3. At least an i3 for my taste.

 

[agarrity]

The Official Slacker's Office PC (Comes With a Free Game)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B75 PRO3-M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Signature 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($76.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card ($82.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill R379-M MicroATX Slim Case w/300W Power Supply ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Pioneer BDC-207DBK Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($45.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $490.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-02 13:29 EDT-0400)

 

[burritobob]

BurritoBob's "Work Work"

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-HD3 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($71.24 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($97.88 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($55.00 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 350D MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DVD-E818AAT/BLK/B/GEN DVD/CD Drive ($17.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $497.06

 

[enkideridu]

"Good enough for government work"

CPU integrates Intel HD Graphics 4000
Mobo has 2x USB 3.0 ports, 3x SATA 6 Gb/s slots, HDMI port


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3225 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B75 PRO3-M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.46 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Case: Rosewill FBM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($21.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Fractal Design Integra R2 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $492.38
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-30 05:30 EDT-0400)



I might end up getting this for my mom; minus the SSD and switch to a nicer-looking/quieter case instead, like the Fractal Design Define Mini Black Micro ATX. Doubt the speed increase from the SSD matters to her.