Build Advice on $700ish PC

[csidog]

Hello,

I am building a computer for a friend and I just want your feedback on how I could maybe cut down on the price and maybe choose better parts than what I found so far.

Approximate Purchase Date: This week or next


Budget Range: Around $700


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Watching movies, surfing the internet, burning movies etc.


Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor ,speakers, OS


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: www.memoryexpress.com (I would prefer if I could use this website since it is my local computer store, but If I had to I could go to the following) , www.tigerdirect.ca, www.ncix.com


Country of Origin: Canada


Parts Preferences: It doesn't really matter, Intel has been reliable for me


Overclocking: No


SLI or Crossfire: No


Additional Comments: He would like a computer with some power but doesn't want a gaming PC

This is what I have so far:

Antec Three Hundred Versatile Mid Tower Gamer Case
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX20934%28ME%29.aspx

Samsung SH-S243D 24x DVD-Writer, SATA, Black
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX27133%28ME%29.aspx

Corsair VX 550W Power Supply w/ 120mm Fan
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX18515%28ME%29.aspx

Kingston HyperX Genesis 4GB DDR3-1600MHz CL9 Dual Channel Kit (2 x 2GB) w/ Intel XMP
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX26528%28ME%29.aspx

Sapphire Radeon HD 5670 512MB PCI-E w/ DVI, HDMI
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX27219%28ME%29.aspx

Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black 7200rpm SATA III w/ 64MB Cache
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX27676%28ME%29.aspx

Intel Core™ i5-2400 Processor Bundle w/ Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD4-B3 Motherboard
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-BDL_I52400_Z68UD4%28ME%29.aspx

Total including GST:
$752.78

It would be nice to cut down on price, but I don't need too. The bundle with the processor and motherboard only lasts till the 21st, so maybe there is a better way to go? I don't know I need some feedback please

Thank-you!

 

[Why_Me]

FREE SHIPPING for this entire order. These two companies (Direct Canada and Best Direct) are affiliated and are both out of Richmond, BC.

http://www.directcanada.com/contact/

http://www.bestdirect.ca/contact/

http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=10370AC8944&vpn=THREE%20HUNDRED&manufacture=ANTEC $54.69
Antec Three Hundred Mini Tower Gaming Case 300 ATX 3X5.25 6X3.5INT No PS Front USB & Audio

http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=15180AC2961&vpn=P1550SXXB9&manufacture=XFX $60.15
XFX 550W PRO550W Core Edition Single Rail ATX 12V 44A 24PIN ATX Power Supply 80PLUS Bronze

http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12980BD7253&vpn=H61M-P23%20(B3)&manufacture=MSI $61.23 MIR $10.00 - $51.23
MSI H61M-P23 (B3) H61 mATX LGA1155 DDR3 PCI-E16 3PCI-E VGA Audio GBLAN SATA2 Motherboard

http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/232637/BX80623I52400/Intel/ $187.09
Intel Core i5 2400 Quad Core Processor LGA1155 3.1GHZ Sandy Bridge 6MB

http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/232787/KHX1333C9D3B14G/Kingston/ $34.75
Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB 1X4GB DDR3-1333 CL9 Memory Module

http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/233111/ST31000524AS/Seagate/ $53.74
Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 7200.12 1TB SATA 32MB Cache 3.5IN Internal Hard Drive OEM

http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/225965/DRW-24B1ST%20Bulk/ASUS/ $17.79
ASUS DRW-24B1ST 24X SATA DVD Writer OEM Black

http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12980BD8066&vpn=N560GTX-TI%20Twin%20Frozr%20II/OC&manufacture=MSI $236.67 MIR $20 - $216.67
MSI GeForce GTX 560 Ti Twin Frozr II OC 880MHZ 1GB GDDR5 Dual DVI Mini-HDMI DX11 PCI-E Video Card

Total: $706.11 *not including $30 in mail in rebates

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2011/01/27/msi-geforce-gtx-560-ti-1gb-review/1 <------ MSI N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II/OC Review / Benchmarks

 

[ScrewySqrl]

why me has a great build there. MUCH more powerful video card

 

[csidog]

Thank you for the build Why_Me! I'm sure my friend will love it

 

[csidog]

Best answer selected by csidog.

 

[dalauder]

@Why_me--One MAJOR problem there: It's not a gaming build.

Why is there a $200 graphics cars when integrated will do?

It should be:

CPU: $130 i3-2100
Because he wants to save money and this CPU will do everything he wants admirably.

PSU: $40 Antec Earthwatts 380W

Graphics $0 Integrated

Then upgrade to a Radeon 5670 IF he decides integrated isn't adequate.


There, this saves you $50+$20+$200 = $270. That's a $430 build that does everything your friend wants to accomplish.

You can get the i5 if you want, but the $200 graphics is only useful for gaming (and professional graphics work?).

 

[Why_Me]

@Why_me--One MAJOR problem there: It's not a gaming build.

Why is there a $200 graphics cars when integrated will do?

It should be:

CPU: $130 i3-2100
Because he wants to save money and this CPU will do everything he wants admirably.

PSU: $40 Antec Earthwatts 380W

Graphics $0 Integrated

Then upgrade to a Radeon 5670 IF he decides integrated isn't adequate.


There, this saves you $50+$20+$200 = $270. That's a $430 build that does everything your friend wants to accomplish.

You can get the i5 if you want, but the $200 graphics is only useful for gaming (and professional graphics work?).

Ah I just saw that...nice on the heads up Also I would remove the H61 board for an H67 board. There's a nice Asrock one on that Best Direct site...or any decent H67 board. Also maybe the gt 430 1GB EVGA on Best Direct with the 450w XFX.

 

[dalauder]

I dunno about the GT 430 for video: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/hqv-2-radeon-geforce,2844-10.html

It's worth it if it's significantly cheaper than the GT 240, otherwise it's not. Also the 5670 is better if you can get it for nearly the same price. I figure they can all be found around:

$40USD GT 430
$40USD GT 240
$60USD 5670

At those prices, I'd go with a GT 240. If they're within $10, then the 5670.

I don't know Canadian prices too well or what's available. But if an Antec EA380 or EA430 is cheaper than the XFX, I'd go with that. This build won't use 300W of power anyways.

 

[csidog]

Ah I just saw that...nice on the heads up Also I would remove the H61 board for an H67 board. There's a nice Asrock one on that Best Direct site...or any decent H67 board. Also maybe the gt 430 1GB EVGA on Best Direct with the 450w XFX.

For the motherboard do you think I should get the
ASRock H67M B3 mATX LGA1155 DDR3 PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 SATA3 USB3.0 DVI HDMI VGA Sandy Bridge Motherboard
for $102.30
or
ASRock H67M-GE B3 mATX LGA1155 DDR3 PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 SATA3 USB3.0 DVI HDMI Sandy Bridge Motherboard
for $116.30?

Thanks for your help so far BTW

EDIT: NM I'll get the more expensive one, my friend told me today that he also wants a solid state drive, which one would you recommend?

 

[Why_Me]

For the motherboard do you think I should get the
ASRock H67M B3 mATX LGA1155 DDR3 PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 SATA3 USB3.0 DVI HDMI VGA Sandy Bridge Motherboard
for $102.30
or
ASRock H67M-GE B3 mATX LGA1155 DDR3 PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 SATA3 USB3.0 DVI HDMI Sandy Bridge Motherboard
for $116.30?

Thanks for your help so far BTW

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=H67M-GE <----- That second board you linked...it has 4 RAM slots which is a big plus if you ever decide to add more RAM later on.

 

[dalauder]

I can't justify suggesting spending $50 more for that ASRock board over the MSI one Why_Me initially linked. $50 would get you 8GB (2x4GB) right out on the RAM. Then you would never have to upgrade and the point of a more expensive motherboard is lost.

If you want to spend more than the $66 MSI, we should come up with some more reasons to do it--otherwise we're wasting money that could be useful elsewhere. $50 is half of a 60GB SSD (Vertex 2 on sales).

Btw, where are we at on the PSU, CPU, and the graphics?

I still say go with Integrated HD 2000 to start and then upgrade (same cost to end user) if he's not happy with the video playback. If you want to save money and only get what your friend will use/notice, go i3-2100, H61/H67, SSD, 380W PSU, integrated or media level graphics. That's about $550 TOTAL plus Windows (includes cheap discrete graphics).

EDIT: If 4 memory slots really is a big deal for some reason, what's wrong with this $81 Asus? http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=10530BD7161&vpn=P7H55-M%20PRO&manufacture=ASUS

 

[Why_Me]

I can't justify suggesting spending $50 more for that ASRock board over the MSI one Why_Me initially linked. $50 would get you 8GB (2x4GB) right out on the RAM. Then you would never have to upgrade and the point of a more expensive motherboard is lost.

If you want to spend more than the $66 MSI, we should come up with some more reasons to do it--otherwise we're wasting money that could be useful elsewhere. $50 is half of a 60GB SSD (Vertex 2 on sales).

Btw, where are we at on the PSU, CPU, and the graphics?

I still say go with Integrated HD 2000 to start and then upgrade (same cost to end user) if he's not happy with the video playback. If you want to save money and only get what your friend will use/notice, go i3-2100, H61/H67, SSD, 380W PSU, integrated or media level graphics. That's about $550 TOTAL plus Windows (includes cheap discrete graphics).

EDIT: If 4 memory slots really is a big deal for some reason, what's wrong with this $81 Asus? http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=10530BD7161&vpn=P7H55-M%20PRO&manufacture=ASUS

4 RAM slots is nice along with SATA3

 

[dalauder]

Okay--the SATA3 is worth it if he's planning on getting a SATA3 SSD.