A build for my Dad/Home office computer

[JWVT]

This build is for my Dad to use as a home office computer. He wants it fast (fast boot so SSD required) with lots of storage to replace his Dell.


1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing. Office tasks mostly. Will be working with large data files with picture attachments. Will want dual monitor capability (he already has one of the monitors, mice, keyboard, speakers, etc.)

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread ~$1000ish

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from. I would like to buy the processor and motherboard from Microcenter (It appears they have the best prices on that part of the build) everything else will be bought online.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc. Intel

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are. Need one screen; Have keyboard & mouse

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds. Overclock

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with. No gaming

9. WHEN do you plan to build it? This weekend

Thanks for your input!

 

[DominionSeraph]

Why are you going to overclock an office PC?

 

[JWVT]

I guess I don't have to. I assumed you got more speed for your money when overclocking. When I say office PC, he uses this PC at home for work and play. Now when I say play I don't necessarily mean gaming either. As a matter of fact most of the time he sleeps at his PC, eats at his PC, watches TV at his PC (lives there).

 

[DominionSeraph]

Don't know what bundles you're looking at at Microcenter, but that RAM and DVD-RW combo at Newegg is pretty darned good. (8GB for $40 after combo and DVD-RW for $7.)

 

[JWVT]

Those combos do look good, with the memory it is a very good deal!

 

[mfenn]

Don't know what bundles you're looking at at Microcenter, but that RAM and DVD-RW combo at Newegg is pretty darned good. (8GB for $40 after combo and DVD-RW for $7.)

:thumbsup::thumbsup: From me

 

[jaydee]

Maybe I'm missing the point, but what PC does he use currently, and why is it insufficient for "office tasks"?

If you're really set on filling out your $1000 budget, that's fine, but you can really save a decent amount of money on the above newegg shopping list and he'd probably not know the difference. There's no monitor in that list btw.

 

[Gigantopithecus]

$1,000 for an office machine is a waste of money. Why build to a budget instead of building to actual needs? This isn't 1990, computers are no longer expensive appliances, they're consumer electronics. An i3-2100 system like the one in my most recent builder's guide will run office and non-gaming recreation tasks just as well as an i5-2500K system and cost hundreds of dollars less.

Not to mention the fact that if you live in front of your computer, you should be spending a lot of money on a really nice monitor. Who wants to stare at a 20" TN panel all day?!

 

[mvbighead]

To some, $1000 is a waste of money. To others, it is an investment in improving productivity. Not every owner of an i5-2500k plays games. Hell, my work laptop has an i5 M 520. But I can damn sure tell you that is night and day faster than the old Core2Duo I used to have. Also, in the current age of components, $500 gets you a decent computer. $1000 can get you a really nice computer. If you don't intend to game, then don't buy a video card, and invest the money elsewhere.

To the OP, I'd aim for DominionSeraph's build, but cut out the video card and SSD mentioned. The video card should not be needed if your dad does not intend to game. I would replace the SSD with a smaller one such as:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-447-_-Product

Then, tie the SSD into SSD caching on the Z68 MB. 64GB should be plenty for that.

It does look as though you'll need a different MB as the Dominion recommended one that does not have built in video output, so perhaps this guy:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-319-_-Product
Plus this RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...CE&Pagesize=20

I guess I have a few too many changes to Dominion's build, but the idea being that you don't need a video card if gaming isn't necessary. And the built in HD3000 on the I5-2500k should be more than enough.

Take the money saved, and buy the best monitor you can get.

 

[Gigantopithecus]

To some, $1000 is a waste of money. To others, it is an investment in improving productivity. Not every owner of an i5-2500k plays games. Hell, my work laptop has an i5 M 520. But I can damn sure tell you that is night and day faster than the old Core2Duo I used to have. Also, in the current age of components, $500 gets you a decent computer. $1000 can get you a really nice computer.

Considering how far hardware capabilities have outpaced software requirements, buying a $500 computer today and replacing it with another $500 computer in two years is a far better investment than buying a $1,000 computer today. Adding an SSD makes the $500 mark difficult but an SSD is a great upgrade if you want a snappy system.

Sorry, but unless you're rendering videos, doing heavy Photoshop work, or performing compute-intense analyses on large databases, an i5-2500K isn't an investment in increased productivity, it's spending more money than necessary. "It's only $100 more" is a terrible reason to buy more than you need, especially when an i5-2500K will cost $100 in two years and is a drop-in upgrade. There are better ways to spend the money - like a bigger and/or nicer monitor.

Z68 makes an i5-2500K a drop-in, overclockable upgrade in two/three years when the i3-2100 starts to feel its age. Why not just go with an i5 now? Because it's $100 more than an i3 now. In two/three years, the i3 will still be worth at least $50 and the i5 will be worth $100, making it $50 more expensive then.

 

[mnewsham]

Here is my recommendation:

CD/DVD
HDD
Case
PSU
RAM
Motherboard
CPU
OS
SSD

Monitor

Total: $945.90

The monitor makes up for what it lacks in size with colour accuracy and good viewing angles.

 

[mvbighead]

Here is my recommendation:

CD/DVD
HDD
Case
PSU
RAM
Motherboard
CPU
OS
SSD

Monitor

Total: $945.90

The monitor makes up for what it lacks in size with colour accuracy and good viewing angles.

From what I see, your MB supports only 1 monitor, and HDMI only which would need to be converted to fit the monitor. Otherwise, not bad picks.

You can currently get a larger monitor from dell with the same specs for the same price:
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...4&sku=320-9270

 

[mnewsham]

From what I see, your MB supports only 1 monitor, and HDMI only which would need to be converted to fit the monitor. Otherwise, not bad picks.

You can currently get a larger monitor from dell with the same specs for the same price:
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...4&sku=320-9270

Yes i saw the monitor from dell for the same price but i was going with newegg only, if i were shopping around i could lower it another 10-20 bucks probably.

 

[mvbighead]

Considering how far hardware capabilities have outpaced software requirements, buying a $500 computer today and replacing it with another $500 computer in two years is a far better investment than buying a $1,000 computer today. Adding an SSD makes the $500 mark difficult but an SSD is a great upgrade if you want a snappy system.

Sorry, but unless you're rendering videos, doing heavy Photoshop work, or performing compute-intense analyses on large databases, an i5-2500K isn't an investment in increased productivity, it's spending more money than necessary. "It's only $100 more" is a terrible reason to buy more than you need, especially when an i5-2500K will cost $100 in two years and is a drop-in upgrade. There are better ways to spend the money - like a bigger and/or nicer monitor.

Z68 makes an i5-2500K a drop-in, overclockable upgrade in two/three years when the i3-2100 starts to feel its age. Why not just go with an i5 now? Because it's $100 more than an i3 now. In two/three years, the i3 will still be worth at least $50 and the i5 will be worth $100, making it $50 more expensive then.

Are you kidding me? Who mentioned anything about a $500 mark except for you? The OP said $1000 was his comfort zone, so why come up with imaginary numbers just because it fits your article?

You talk about later dropping in the i5-2500k... why? From the sounds of it, he'll "never" need it. Yeesh, when the cost difference is $100 but to go from mid-range to something that is pretty much top of the line (there are better, but not by much), I'd fork over the extra money and do it right, especially when the budget allows you to do so.

Additionally, a bigger monitor is not indicative of a better monitor. Mnewsham's suggestion would be much better on the eyes than a mammoth Acer.

When the guy says he has $1000 to spend, configure a system to suit what he is looking to spend. This isn't your typical mom/pop Internet/email cruiser, it's something that the dad is going to spend oodles of time on.

 

[jaydee]

Considering how far hardware capabilities have outpaced software requirements, buying a $500 computer today and replacing it with another $500 computer in two years is a far better investment than buying a $1,000 computer today. Adding an SSD makes the $500 mark difficult but an SSD is a great upgrade if you want a snappy system.

Sorry, but unless you're rendering videos, doing heavy Photoshop work, or performing compute-intense analyses on large databases, an i5-2500K isn't an investment in increased productivity, it's spending more money than necessary. "It's only $100 more" is a terrible reason to buy more than you need, especially when an i5-2500K will cost $100 in two years and is a drop-in upgrade. There are better ways to spend the money - like a bigger and/or nicer monitor.


Z68 makes an i5-2500K a drop-in, overclockable upgrade in two/three years when the i3-2100 starts to feel its age. Why not just go with an i5 now? Because it's $100 more than an i3 now. In two/three years, the i3 will still be worth at least $50 and the i5 will be worth $100, making it $50 more expensive then.

I agree with this logic 100%. I would not go with a low-end 32" LCD TV for a monitor though ($300 is a good price, just not for this application). I think that 32" would be a *little* overwhelming up close, especially at only 1080p. Something like the following would be better deals IMO:

SAMSUNG S27A350H ToC Rose Black 27" 2ms Full HD HDMI LED BackLight LCD Monitor + $20 GC for $300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...255&SID=204942

SAMSUNG FX2490HD ToC Mystic Brown 24" 5ms Full HD HDMI LED Backlight LCD Monitor w/ DTV tuner & Speakers for $300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...255&SID=204427

The new DellTM ST2420L 24" widescreen full HD monitor with LED for $190
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...-404255-204240

LG IPS226V-PN Black 21.5" 8ms IPS Panel Full HD LED BackLight LCD Monitor for $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...255&SID=204167

 

[mnewsham]

I agree with this logic 100%. I would not go with a low-end 32" LCD TV for a monitor though ($300 is a good price, just not for this application). I think that 32" would be a *little* overwhelming up close, especially at only 1080p. Something like the following would be better deals IMO:

SAMSUNG S27A350H ToC Rose Black 27" 2ms Full HD HDMI LED BackLight LCD Monitor + $20 GC for $300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...255&SID=204942

SAMSUNG FX2490HD ToC Mystic Brown 24" 5ms Full HD HDMI LED Backlight LCD Monitor w/ DTV tuner & Speakers for $300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...255&SID=204427

The new DellTM ST2420L 24" widescreen full HD monitor with LED for $190
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...-404255-204240

LG IPS226V-PN Black 21.5" 8ms IPS Panel Full HD LED BackLight LCD Monitor for $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...255&SID=204167

Going anything BUT IPS in a build for someone who spends most of their time at a computer seems wrong...

 

[JWVT]

Well I went ahead and pulled the trigger last night because I wanted to get this thing built this weekend. I did so knowing it didn't include a monitor. I hear what you are saying about amount of time spent at computer and wanting a nice monitor but I have a little different take on that. He currently has a 19" monitor he is happy with. The second monitor is used so that he can have a document/webpage open and his software open on the other for imputing information. I would think he would want somthing similarly sized sitting right next to the existing monitor. Not to mention leaving some desk space.

Now I am a bit worried from what you are saying that I didn't actually get support for two monitors. Don't I get that with the video card?

Certainly having the video card wont hurt even though it may be a bit of a waste for his use. He does have a digital video camera and puts together vacation videos using pinnacle on occasion so maybe he can get some use from it.

I want him to have the SSD. He complains that his computer takes 10 minutes to boot. He should be blown away with the SSD boot.

 

[mnewsham]

With integrated graphics you are sometimes limited to a single display for your motherboard i am not sure, however since you got the GPU you wont have to worry about it as all modern GPU's can support 2 monitors.

I currently use a 17" laptop monitor and a 42" IPS panel TV for my monitors and i must say i dont mind the size change and i tend to do most activities that require accurate colour on the TV. So if i were in your situation i would jump on an IPS panel just for the better viewing angles and colour.

 

[JWVT]

Good to know. I use dual monitors same sized at work so I was having trouble imagining a large size differential. I am going to let him look around and pick what he wants for the monitor, not critical at this point. But it is important that the capability is there for the dual setup. Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[DominionSeraph]

Now I am a bit worried from what you are saying that I didn't actually get support for two monitors. Don't I get that with the video card?

Yes. That's why I put it in there. The suggestion telling you to take it out because "no gaming" was way off base. The GT 430 isn't even a gaming card. (Although it could do some light gaming.)
And the suggestion to drop down to a dual-core was also off, IMO. You specified that you wanted a SSD, which ups the price of the computer to the point where the difference between a clock-locked dual-core and an unlocked quad is 10%. While most office tasks are not going to strain a dual-core, you didn't specify that his usage was limited to light tasks, so the uber i5 2500k was the safest choice for a suggestion. It's a blazing fast processor at an extremely reasonable price, and it fit within the budget with no need to skimp on any other component in any way.

You said he wanted fast, and this is gonna blaze.

 

[Gigantopithecus]

Are you kidding me? Who mentioned anything about a $500 mark except for you? The OP said $1000 was his comfort zone, so why come up with imaginary numbers just because it fits your article?

You're either not reading what I'm writing, you're trolling, or you're not very bright. OP said $1,000 is the limit, and then described tasks that can be performed on a $500 machine.

This is the problem with soliciting advice from enthusiasts. They're sometimes so far out of touch with what regular users do, or they're so enamored with flagellating their higher-end consumer electronics that they forget most people don't do much other than check their email and browse the web on a computer. OP said "Office tasks mostly. Will be working with large data files with picture attachments." Aside from the vaguery of the second sentence, yeah, that does sound like a mom and pop internet cruiser to me. Large data files with picture attachments could mean anything from a 10MB Access DB with 1GB of pics attached to 50GB flat text files linked to 1TB+ of pics. Sure, I like having an i7-2600K to analyze genetic data, but I sure as hell don't need it to run my small business's finances.

Also, Intel HD 2000 and 3000 iGPUs support dual monitors. I don't know if all LGA 1155 boards support them as well, but I know some do, so if you're willing to hook one up to the VGA port (and at 19", that's not going to make much of a difference) and one up to either the HDMI or DVI port, you will not need a discrete GPU to run dual monitors if you are not gaming.

 

[mfenn]

Large data files with picture attachments could mean anything from a 10MB Access DB with 1GB of pics attached to 50GB flat text files linked to 1TB+ of pics. Sure, I like having an i7-2600K to analyze genetic data, but I sure as hell don't need it to run my small business's finances.

The key is that you have to assume what the OP meant. Given the vague OP, some people decided that the OP had an idea of what budget was needed to meet his dad's needs. Others such as yourself, built to the other requirements. Neither becomes "wrong" until the OP clarifies the requirements.

EDIT: Or to be more precise, they are all wrong to some degree until the OP clarifies.

 

[Gigantopithecus]

EDIT: Or to be more precise, they are all wrong to some degree until the OP clarifies.

lol, one interpretation. Kinda like saying that believing the earth is flat and believing the earth is a sphere are both wrong...but one is more wrong than the other. Of course I do not know what kinda files OP's talking about, but odds are, we're not talking about astronomy logs and 100MP+ shots of the night sky.

 

[mnewsham]

we're not talking about astronomy logs and 100MP+ shots of the night sky.

Sounds like my dad's computer, damn astrophysicists.

 

[Zap]

[MOD VOICE] You guys need to chill out a bit. This isn't Video Cards and Graphics [/MOD VOICE]

Using only the limited info from the OP and trying to hit the $1000 mark, here's my attempt, with general recommendations and prices from memory.

Monitor $200 (should be enough for something decent)
Windows $100
mini ITX socket 1155 motherboard $100
Core i3 2100T CPU $130
8GB DDR3 $65
Antec ISK 300/310-65 case/PSU $65
slim ODD with adapter $40
Intel 160GB SSD $300

=$1000

My reasoning is that this will be small, power efficient and quiet, while providing what feels like a super fast system due to the SSD.