I am about to build a desktop. Can you advise me on my choices?

[Econdoc]

I am looking for advice, good or bad, on my build below. I am a newbie, although I have put some real work into my choices.
Things to note:
• I am not a gamer.
• I have no need to overclock.
• I am looking for a reliable, reasonably fast computer to do some spreadsheets (with macros), email, web browsing. I rarely watch a YouTube video, much less a movie.
• The build I have uses the on-board video. Therefore, no video card.
• I have a keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers already.
• I picked an ATX motherboard and full-tower case…just in case I wanted to expand someday.

One interesting issue is the M.2 port. The motherboard that I selected has an M.2 slot with PCIe x4. From what I have read, installing the SSD there would possibly be a real improvement. I have also read that doing so is very problematic. Has anyone done this? Did it work okay or was it a PIA? Recommend for or against?

Here is the parts list…it comes in just under $600.
In your expert opinion, what have I over-built?
What have I under-built?
Recommendations?


• Seagate 2TB Desktop HDD SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive (ST2000DM001)
• CORSAIR CXM series CX450M 450W 80 PLUS BRONZE Haswell Ready ATX12V & EPS12V Modular Power Supply
• Crucial MX300 275GB SATA 2.5 Inch Internal Solid State Drive - CT275MX300SSD1 & Corsair Dual SSD Mounting Bracket 3.5" Bundle
• Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 DRAM 2133MHz (PC4-17000) C13 Memory Kit - Black
• ASUS LGA1151 DDR4 DisplayPort HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.1 H170 ATX Motherboards H170 PRO GAMING
• Intel 3.70 GHz Core i3-6100 3M Cache Processor (BX80662I36100)
• Phanteks Enthoo Pro Full Tower Chassis with Window PH-ES614P_TG Titanium Green
• ASUS DRW-24F1ST - DVD SATA SUPERMULTI Burner - SERIAL ATA - BLACK - OEM Bulk Drive

 

[Isokolon]

looks good tbh.

two things I'd consider:

- you won't need a full tower case. get a mid tower. I suggest going for one with some sound dampening material, it will make your computer signifcantly quieter (I got one and my keyboard makes like 3 times the noise of my computer in a pretty much completely quiet room - no street noise, no neighbours, nothing). Even the clock on my wall ticks louder^^
a mid tower case is enough for most people, unless you need like 8 drives + 2 GPUs.
I suggest something like a Fractal Design R4 or R5 or a Thermaltake F31

- instead of the H170 Pro Gaming you could take a look at the Gigabyte G1.Sniper B7. it's sometimes a good bit cheaper than the ASUS while not sacrificing any performance in your case.

- since you're running the iGPU you could use a lower wattage but higher quality PSU like the Seasonic G 360W

 

[geofelt]

Your build is appropriate and can be used as is.

I have some suggestions:

1. M-ATX sized motherboard still has 4 expansion slots. You will not be using any of them initially.

2. For a more compact and quiet case, look at Silverstone TJ-08e or PS-07.
They have easy to change front washable air filters that will keep your case clean.

3. i3-6100 is excellent. It comes with a stock cooler. The stock cooler is tricky to install properly.
Under load, the 92mm fan will spin up and get noisy.
I might suggest you add a inexpensive aftermarket cooler with a 120mm fan.
cryorig H7 or scythe kotetsu will be about $35.

4. If you get new stock, the corsair CX line is ok, the old CX was prone to failure.
Seasonic 300w or better is good quality.

5. I favor Samsung 850 evo. It has a better reputation for performance and reliability. Warranty is 5 years vs. 3 for the crucial.
Some motherboards will have a m.2 ssd slot. The x4 slots can use a high performance ssd like the Samsung 950 pro.
For sequential access it is much faster, like 4x faster.
But for normal desktop work, the random times are most important, and for that, there is little difference.
I have used both and I see little actual difference and would suggest the 850 evo.
6. On the hard drive, wd is considered as more reliable.
You might look at WD red.
Here is a report on the differences:
https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Understanding-the-WD-Rainbow-674/

7. If you will be using windows 10, be aware of the instrumentation built in.
Here is how to control some of it:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2971725/windows/how-to-reclaim-your-privacy-in-windows-10-piece-by-piece.html

spybot anti beacon seems to make browsing faster.
https://forums.spybot.info/downloads.php?id=55

6. Any lga1151 motherboard will do.
Here is a list of the differences between chipsets:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGA_1151
H110 will do the job.
Only if you planned on a future upgrade to an overclockable I5-6600K would a Z170 motherboard be more appropriate.