1K i5-2500k Final Build- Critiques and Suggestions

[mfenn]

For a "parent" computer with little to no gaming, how about something like:

SILVERSTONE SUGO SG02-BF $74.99
Intel Core i5-2500 $209.99
ASUS P8H67-M PRO $124.99
G.SKILL Value Series 4GB $39.99
Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D $49.99
Crucial RealSSD C300 128GB $254.99
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB $54.99
And then pick out a monitor that will suit there needs. I would go with the HP ZR22W but that's just me.

With the C300, and 2500, it will be blazing fast (you could probably get away with using the i3 2100, and then get the ZR24W or equivalent 24" IPS panel). They get a computer with a small foot print, gorgeous monitor, that is substantially faster than what they have now.

*edit*
One last note about overclocking. You will see real world benefit of maybe 10-15%, at the cost of stability and BIOS tweaking that you will always be on the hook for. As others have stated, in the long run, simply not worth it IMO.

I'd probably get a less spendy mobo like the ASRock H67M. Likewise, I would change the SSD to a Corsair Force 120GB for $210. Both of these items trade blows with the ones that you specced, but are cheaper. Otherwise, that build looks pretty good.

 

[WTFO]

Lessons I've learned over the years: 1. Never build a computer for relatives. It's your fault if they screw something up, and it's your responsibility to fix it for the life of that computer (and then some) ;p 2. When a non-techy person says they want a fast computer (and especially if they don't really play games beyond farmville) what they really mean is they want to browse the web fast. No amount of overclocking is going to help them once they start downloading all the crap they download and the 30+ browser "helper" toolbars, malware, etc. They don't know how to differentiate computer speed versus network speed. It is all the same to them. 3. In addition to #2, they won't ever actually look at their virus scanner/malware scanner to verify it is working, until they get a virus and/or their pc crawls to a halt. 4. Never build a computer for relatives.

Too true, i started building my gaming computer after awhile of looking and forgot that i was building a computer for people that really dont know what a 'fast' computer is.

 

[mfenn]

Too true, i started building my gaming computer after awhile of looking and forgot that i was building a computer for people that really dont know what a 'fast' computer is.

No worries, we've all gotten carried away before.