Would this make a good build ?

[Franicelcha]

Hi folks

Here are the parts I have carefully chosen (several parts suggested by folks on Tom’s Hardware) for my first PC build. It is the first time I will try to build my own PC.

I am trying to build a high quality NON GAMING computer for general use (Internet-email-paying bills online-watching movies-burning dvds etc…No photo or movie editing). I live in Canada so prices are not the same as for you guys in the USA. So, I do not want to talk prices at this time.

My questions follow the parts descriptions.


Case
Antec Three Hundred Two Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Upgraded 2 x USB 3.0

PSU
Antec HCG M Series HCG-620M 620W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Intel Haswell Fully Compatible

Motherboard
GIGABYTE GA-H81M-HD2 LGA 1150 Intel H81 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

CPU
Intel Core i3-4150 Haswell Dual-Core 3.5GHz LGA 1150 54W Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4400 BX80646I34150

Memory
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

Storage
Western Digital WD Blue WD10EZEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive Bare Drive - OEM

OS
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit – OEM
Optical Drive
No cd/dvd burner listed above. I have one here at home which is almost new

Questions
1- Would this set up make a good reliable high quality home PC for general use with some room for possible future upgradability (I am not planning to play any games, remember) ?

2- I intend to use the stock cooler that comes with the processor. Any chance of overheating ?

3-Given that my Windows 7 OEM licence will be tied to the motherboard I choose, is this mobo a decent choice (I tried to choose one that was decent, from a reliable manufacturer but at the same time, is not going to break my wallet. I tried to avoid features I am not going to use ) ?

Important-Important-Important

Could you please check to make sure there are no incompatibilities between the parts. I would like you to answer ALL the questions please.

Thank You

 

[bccorrupt]

Most of these parts are massive overkill for a basic web-browsing/online video playing machine, but you're missing the most important part. An SSD will make more of a difference than anything else. Everything not involving games becomes instantaneous. Programs load immediately and if your internet is fast enough, browsing becomes immediate, almost irregardless of the CPU used.

If your budget is a specific amount you'd have a much more enjoyable machine by pulling $50 out of the CPU to a pentium and dropping down to 4GB of ram to spend it on a 120GB ssd for the main drive.

Also, the power supply is major overkill. Your setup will use about 125w, so there's no reason to go with a 600w power supply. You'd be better off spending $40 on a 400w power supply or spending the same $60 on a high end 400w that will be more efficient than the one you picked, which will generally be quieter and use less electricity. All of these are gold certified and more than enough for your setup.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151117
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104172

 

[Franicelcha]

Most of these parts are massive overkill for a basic web-browsing/online video playing machine, but you're missing the most important part. An SSD will make more of a difference than anything else. Everything not involving games becomes instantaneous. Programs load immediately and if your internet is fast enough, browsing becomes immediate, almost irregardless of the CPU used.

If your budget is a specific amount you'd have a much more enjoyable machine by pulling $50 out of the CPU to a pentium and dropping down to 4GB of ram to spend it on a 120GB ssd for the main drive.

Also, the power supply is major overkill. Your setup will use about 125w, so there's no reason to go with a 600w power supply. You'd be better off spending $40 on a 400w power supply or spending the same $60 on a high end 400w that will be more efficient than the one you picked, which will generally be quieter and use less electricity. All of these are gold certified and more than enough for your setup.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151117
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104172

Thank you bccorrupt for your suggestions. You did not answer all my questions however. Example: is my memory compatible with my mobo selection ? This is important. Did I make the right choice for the mobo ?

As far as PSU is concerned, unless it would be damaging to my PC to have a higher wattage PSU which is not used to its full potential, i'd rather stick to my choice because I can get this PSU for $69.99 CDN on newegg.ca after a $20. rebate card (check it out if you do not believe me). I know it is a good PSU and one of the reason for my choice is that it is modular. Keep in mind this is going to be my first build and I am trying to minimise my problems with wire management. Besides, the suggestions you made will not save me any money. I mentioned before that I am canadian and here, as far as prices go, we always get shafted on a lot of things (Newegg.ca prices higher than newegg.com, we pay a lot more for gas than you guys in the USA etc..etc...) So, as far as PSU is concerned, there is a good deal on newegg.ca for the Antec and the prices for the PSU's you suggested are not in CDN currency and are therefore more expensive. So, again I repeat that unless it would be damaging to my PC to have a higher wattage PSU which is not used to its full potential (you can tell me if it could be damaging) i'd rather stick to my choice because the price is great and it is modular.

As far as the ssd drive, I go along with your suggestion and I've added a Samsung 128GB 840 Evo. I am keeping the western digital HDD for data.

For the CPU, I changed it for a pentium G3420.

Is that any better ?

Thanks

 

[bccorrupt]

Your memory is compatible with your motherboard.

Some power supplies have trouble driving a load of less than 20% of the rated power with decent efficiency, but yours isn't one of them. That power supply will work fine and won't damage your system.

The Samsung is a good choice and so is keeping the WD for file storage.

I honestly don't think you'll miss the i3 because no program you listed takes advantage of more than 2 cores or hyperthreading and the i3 is just a pentium with hyperthreading. I think you'll be impressed with how snappy the pentium works matched with an ssd.

1. Upgradablility will be good. You can drop in any 1150 i3, i5, or i7 if you want later on.
2. The stock cooler will work fine. If you're looking for perfect silence you might swap to an aftermarket, but otherwise there won't be any problems with cooling.
3. Windows 7 will be tied to that motherboard, but in my experience if explain to the rep that you are replacing a faulty or replaced under warranty board they won't have a problem giving you the code to activate Windows again even if its been years.

 

[Franicelcha]

Your memory is compatible with your motherboard.

Some power supplies have trouble driving a load of less than 20% of the rated power with decent efficiency, but yours isn't one of them. That power supply will work fine and won't damage your system.

The Samsung is a good choice and so is keeping the WD for file storage.

I honestly don't think you'll miss the i3 because no program you listed takes advantage of more than 2 cores or hyperthreading and the i3 is just a pentium with hyperthreading. I think you'll be impressed with how snappy the pentium works matched with an ssd.

1. Upgradablility will be good. You can drop in any 1150 i3, i5, or i7 if you want later on.
2. The stock cooler will work fine. If you're looking for perfect silence you might swap to an aftermarket, but otherwise there won't be any problems with cooling.
3. Windows 7 will be tied to that motherboard, but in my experience if explain to the rep that you are replacing a faulty or replaced under warranty board they won't have a problem giving you the code to activate Windows again even if its been years.

Many thanks bccorrupt. A great day to you