Beginner Budget build - what mother board/CPU?

[colovaca]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Am I doing anything that matters or can I buy whatever (current generation) compatible components that are on sale when I order?

My usages will be MS Office. For spreadsheets I may want to set up dual monitors but don't know how yet.
general web surfing
Skype
video streaming including netflix etc to TV
recording ota TV for timeshifting then playing on tv
storing/viewing/ backing up/ copying family photos and videos (editing can happen elsewhere)
networked
I expect to keep this for about 5 yrs.


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

I see a suggestion in a another thread for a sandy bridge celeron system for under $400 and a recent back to school guide has a mITX sytem for the same. I question whether I would need to go higher. I can afford $600ish (not including monitor, keboard and mouse) but would probably prefer a warrantied pre-built system at that price.

3. USA - and near microcenter

4. brand preferences: Intel 2nd gen SB CPU and I want to stick to product with good reputions.

5. I have monitors, keyboards and a mouse. I also want to re-use a Dell mid-tower case. For my needs do I need to be choosy? This has two external bays and four internal and room for mATX board and standdard size PSU. don't need front usb/etc. Anything else I need to consider case-wise?

6. Have read lots of similar threads and guides.

7. No overclocking.

8. resolution - I assume bottom of the line is good enough? Or does it matter for on TV viewing,

9. plan to build within two - three weeks

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned. - HAve at it - I know I know nothing.

This would be a general purpose family/telework/HTPC computer. Are all my uses pretty simple/generic? I read the builing guides, but they get dated quickly. But the recent back to school guide mITX build and Titan 131's recommended under $400 build both seem likely to be sufficient with the addition of TV capturing.

Since I am not gaming or editing video, can skip a GPU? Do all second gen SB CPU's have integrated graphics? I am thinking that an i3 should easily serve my needs and is worth the extra over a Celeron. For the motherboard should I look in the H61 range?

Thanks for letting me know if I am on the right path.

 

[lehtv]

Yeah, this looks like a very basic computer but I chose a pretty capable CPU so that it won't become slow anytime soon. Hope you don't mind Also, all Sandy Bridge CPUs have integrated graphics that are pretty good for basic uses. No gaming of course. Video editing is a CPU intensive task, not GPU intensive, unless you're using professional applications that benefit from discrete GPUs.

Mobo MSI H67MS-E23 $70
CPU i5-2400 $150 microcenter
GPU i5-2400 IGP
RAM G.Skill Value 2x4GB 1333 $42
HDD Samsung F3 1tb $60
ODD LG DVD-burner $18
PSU Corsair CX430 V2 $25 AR
Case Dell

That's just $365 for the essentials. Now the extras:

1) If you want to quiet down the CPU, you could get this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835185097 $35 or even better this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185168&Tpk=scythe mugen 3 $50 but make sure it fits

2) You could add a cheap but nice sound card: http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0355812 $32

3) You could also upgrade your case to something better E.g. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119233 $50 AR

4) Could upgrade the motherboard to a full-size Z68 board for future compatibility with SSD caching, CPU overclocking (e.g. Intel ivy bridge) and more expansions cards if you go with the new ATX-case (you said the dell supports just microATX). E.g. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157251 $105

5) The Corsair PSU while great quality only has 3 year warranty. If you want 5 you need to pay $40: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817207018

If you want my recommendation on these extras, given that you said you can pay $600, get the cooler and the case. They are much nicer than the stock cooler and the dell case (the dell probably won't even allow the PSU to be bottom mounted). If you care about sound quality and especially if you use any decent set of headphones, get the sound card too.

 

[Slugbait]

You'll also need an OS, so add $100.

And you'll need a tuner, so add another $50 or so...I have two of these cards: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815116028 and have had great results.

Eight gigs is too much for what you wanna do, so get four for $20: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231423

I've had nothing but bad experiences with MSI over the years, and don't get a dedicated sound card that pushes you over $100 anyway...I just got this mobo for the wife: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131711 which not only gives you Toslink for your audio (as well as 6-jack analog) but also gives you HDMI and USB3 on top of it. Plus, it's one of the very few Sandy Bridge boards that supports IDE, LPT and COM. And because, of course, it's an Asus.

It's only been a couple of days, and I'm still installing software, but the G530 seems to me to be more than capable of handling what you need to do, and only costs $57: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116409

I would definitely go with the rebadged Seasonic lehtv linked instead of the Corsair.

For the optical, I would probably spend a couple more bucks for the Sammy just because of Lightscribe (and my old Sammy is still going strong).

I agree on the HAF case...my experience with Dell cases is that they go to PC Recycle with the rest of the innards, because they don't always conform to standards (in the old days, they never conformed to standards).

 

[Slugbait]

Forgot one...

1) If you want to quiet down the CPU, you could get this:

I don't know how loud the stock HSF for the i5-2400 is, but the stock HSF that came with the G530 is whisper quiet. Not too surprised, since the stock HSF that came with the old i7-965 is also pretty damn quiet...get an aftermarket HSF is you plan to O/C that mofo.

 

[lehtv]

Maybe fan noise on the stock cooler is different for a 65W TDP CPU than a 95W TDP one? I dunno. Best is probably for the OP to try out the stock cooler and upgrade if it's too noisy.

Good catch on the OS, always forget people actually buy Windows ;D

Eight gigs is too much for what you wanna do, so get four for $20: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231423

I have to disagree. He said he'd want to keep the PC for 5 years. Even if 4 gigs is enough now, that may not be the case in a couple of years. By then, we'll be in DDR4 territory and upgrading the memory will be more expensive than upgrading it now.

It's only been a couple of days, and I'm still installing software, but the G530 seems to me to be more than capable of handling what you need to do, and only costs $57: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116409

Disagree on this too. 2400 will offer more longevity.

 

[Slugbait]

Maybe it's different for a 65W TDP CPU than a 95W TDP one? I dunno. Best is probably for the OP to try out the stock cooler and upgrade if it's too noisy.

Doubtful...my i7-965 is 130. But I agree a wait-n-see period is prudent.

I have to disagree. He said he'd want to keep the PC for 5 years. Even if 4 gigs is enough now, that may not be the case in a couple of years. By then, we'll be in DDR4 territory and upgrading the memory will be more expensive than upgrading it now.

That's the way it has always been with memory. But the need for more memory would be accompanied by a much faster proc and dedicated performance card because his needs will have changed. But five years from now Sandy Bridge will be retired, and PCI-E will be dead for video.

 

[Slugbait]

Disagree on this too. 2400 will offer more longevity.

He'll be able to get a much faster proc than the 2400 for less money two years from now.

 

[lehtv]

Why would the need for more memory be accompanied by faster CPU or GPU? Not sure I understand. If Microsoft releases Windows 9 in 3-4 years, and suppose the OP's CPU meets the requirements for running it - he may not meet the RAM recommendation. So, when upgrading to Win 9 he'd need to not only pay for the OS but also for the then-outdated and overpriced RAM. That's just one example. Another one: if he decides to start doing some video editing, he will quickly run out of RAM with just 4GB installed.

He'll be able to get a much faster proc than the 2400 for less money two years from now.

Will that be compatible with the LGA1155 platform? No, Haswell probably won't be compatible with LGA1155. He'd need to upgrade the platform and the RAM to DDR4 too. If he wants this system to last 5 years, that obviously means no upgrading the CPU/mobo/RAM if possible.

 

[Zap]

near microcenter

Perfect!

Add this Core i3-2100 processor to your cart.

Add this MSI motherboard to your cart.

Proceed to checkout and purchase for in-store pickup. It should give you a discount, so that the combo runs $120+tax. Add $20 for a Micro Center house brand 4GB DDR3 dual channel RAM kit.

That should get you going, just figure out other parts.

 

[DominionSeraph]

Why would the need for more memory be accompanied by faster CPU or GPU? Not sure I understand. If Microsoft releases Windows 9 in 3-4 years, and suppose the OP's CPU meets the requirements for running it - he may not meet the RAM recommendation. So, when upgrading to Win 9 he'd need to not only pay for the OS but also for the then-outdated and overpriced RAM. That's just one example. Another one: if he decides to start doing some video editing, he will quickly run out of RAM with just 4GB installed.

I do image editing with 2GB. And who the hell cares about Windows 9? XP will still be running strong in 4-5 years.

Nothing he's doing is going to require more than a bottom-end Dell with a TV tuner. My Dell from 2006 will probably last me another 4-5 years and I do more heavy-lifting with it that he's going to with a system that'll be 50% faster.
He does not need to throw money at an i5 2400 and 8GB RAM to surf the web.

 

[lehtv]

I never suggested he would use 8GB to surf the web. And the 2400 will offer more longevity than a slower CPU, you simply can't argue with that. My recommendations were based on how much he's willing to spend. If he's willing to spend only $300 on the PC then by all means, downgrade the CPU and buy 4GB.

 

[mfenn]

Given your needs OP, I would just get a Dell from the outlet. You can get a Core i5 2300 with warranty and OS for $520. Add an HVR-1250 for $50 and you are right at $600 with no hassle.

 

[lehtv]

mfenn, is that really you? You're recommending him to spend $100 more on a Dell with a crap PSU, and a slightly slower CPU? O_O

 

[mfenn]

mfenn, is that really you? You're recommending him to spend $100 more on a Dell with a crap PSU, and a slightly slower CPU? O_O

Your build plus the required case, OS, and TV tuner comes out to $565 vs. $570 for the Dell. So yeah, I'd say the Dell is a better deal for somebody who just wants to do spreadsheets and stuff. Maybe it's the IT guy in me talking, but the single-point of contact for the warranty is really worth something, especially when the system requirements are so generic.

Oh and about the Dell PSU, they aren't really that bad. Dell figured out a while ago that it costs less to put an appropriately-sized, reasonable quality PSU in there than it is to constantly send techs out to customer sites. They're no world beaters, but I would expect them to do their job.

 

[lehtv]

Your build plus the required case

Not required, really.

OS, and TV tuner comes out to $565 vs. $570 for the Dell. So yeah, I'd say the Dell is a better deal for somebody who just wants to do spreadsheets and stuff. Maybe it's the IT guy in me talking, but the single-point of contact for the warranty is really worth something

Yeah, 1-2 year warranty isn't it? Versus 3 years for the components I picked (or lifetime for the RAM and 5 years for the PSU alternative).

It still doesn't have 8GB RAM (only 6GB as I understand), and the CPU is still 300MHz slower. As it's been discussed the 8GB isn't really required yet so he could just get a single 4GB stick for $20 less and be fine with that. If the OP is willing to build his own I'd say go for it. It's understandable though if he's not.

Oh and about the Dell PSU, they aren't really that bad. Dell figured out a while ago that it costs less to put an appropriately-sized, reasonable quality PSU in there than it is to constantly send techs out to customer sites. They're no world beaters, but I would expect them to do their job.

Well that's good to hear.

What's funny is how much discussion there's been here already despite not a single reply from the man himself ;P He's gonna arrive on the scene and be like "WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY THREAD!!"

 

[mfenn]

Not required, really.

Actually some sort of case is required. His Dell case isn't going to work very well (if at all) with normal parts. Dell spends a lot of money designing their cases for good airflow and low noise, but that usually requires them to deviate from ATX.

Yeah, 1-2 year warranty isn't it? Versus 3 years for the components I picked (or lifetime for the RAM and 5 years for the PSU alternative).

It still doesn't have 8GB RAM (only 6GB as I understand), and the CPU is still 300MHz slower. As it's been discussed the 8GB isn't really required yet so he could just get a single 4GB stick for $20 less and be fine with that. If the OP is willing to build his own I'd say go for it. It's understandable though if he's not.

"Single point of contact". Dell's warranty service is far superior to any individual component warranty because they warranty the whole computer. There is no blame game, they just show up at your house and fix it. Does that matter for an enthusiast who has lots of parts laying around? Probably not. Does it reduce the headache for an average user? Yes.

What's funny is how much discussion there's been here already despite not a single reply from the man himself ;P He's gonna arrive on the scene and be like "WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY THREAD!!"

:awe: Welcome to GH!

 

[lehtv]

^ Fair enough. I still don't trust dell though

 

[mfenn]

^ Fair enough. I still don't trust dell though

Yeah, I used to not like them either. Now I deal with them almost every day at work and they seem pretty decent. Granted, I deal with the enterprise products, so I might be unfairly biased if the consumer side isn't of similar quality.

 

[lehtv]

It's just the fact that the most important components in terms of reliability - mobo and PSU - are some unreviewed and unknown Dell OEM products. I wouldn't mind having a Dell case, I mean it's just the case, but at least give me a PSU and mobo I know I can trust.

 

[Gigantopithecus]

Yeah, I used to not like them either. Now I deal with them almost every day at work and they seem pretty decent. Granted, I deal with the enterprise products, so I might be unfairly biased if the consumer side isn't of similar quality.

You are, because it isn't. That said, I agree with you that Dell's component quality in general and for PSUs in particular is not nearly as bad as they used to be and the consumer products no longer warrant the truly maligned reputation they once had. Really, at the budget end of the spectrum, it all boils down to whether you value the experience of building and maintaining a computer yourself or Dell's service more.

 

[colovaca]

Thanks for all the comments and I apologize for not responding sooner. I hope it is true that things go wrong in threes because I scored the hat trick this weekend. I learned a lot and considered each recomendation. This is where I am coming down:

When build? - buying/ordering components Thursday or this weekend.

OS - Oh yea. I forgot. Makes Dell a better deal.

Build rather than buy.
I understand the logic of buying Dell outlet and value for non-power user but for this machine I am going to try my hand at building.

Keeping case.
PSU can only go on top, and only big enough for an mATX, but everything else looks standard. I think that airflow and sound insulation are good. The proprietary MB was not standard mATX size, but one will fit.

CPU/MB/memory - I will get all at the same time and place, probably Microcenter which will POST for me. If they don't have MB I want, I then Newegg.

Additional quiet cooling - wait and see.

CPU - I will probably go i3. The suggested i5 offers a lot for $50 but I gotta draw the line somewhere. The suggested Pentium is half the price but the i3 seems like a sweet spot for me. (especially with no graphics card?)

MB - Again, thanks for the suggestions. Weighing the recommendations/price of the MSI against the negative reviews, I guess I will skip them. (Although I had a Jetway AMD system that did ok for three years of daughter's high school.) Depending on how much money is still in my pocket, I will probably get an H67 or less likely H61 board from Microcenter. http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0362354 The supply seems to have changed since midweek. I thought their cycle was Wednesday to Tuesday midnight. I understand that you guys recomend Gigabyte and pan Intel. Those seem to be the choices.

 

[lehtv]

Did you mean your case can't fit a normal ATX size PSU? If that's the case then you'd be better off upgrading the case too, e.g. the CM HAF 912 or an NZXT Source 210. Should fit within your budget if you go with the i3-2100.

 

[colovaca]

Either PSU you recommended will fit. The old motehrboard was, I think, non-standard. I have room for a square (9.6x9.6) motherboard although the old one was rectangular, 9.6 on the long side.

 

[mfenn]

Keeping case.
PSU can only go on top, and only big enough for an mATX, but everything else looks standard. I think that airflow and sound insulation are good. The proprietary MB was not standard mATX size, but one will fit.

You need to check the details before committing to it:
- Do the standoffs work for MicroATX? If not, can you move them?
- Is the I/O shield removable? If not, does your chosen motherboard have the same jack configuration?
- Are the front panel connections standard?

 

[VirtualLarry]

I do image editing with 2GB. And who the hell cares about Windows 9? XP will still be running strong in 4-5 years.

XP will be totally unsupported. Who knows, MS might even take down the update servers. They no longer serve updates to XP SP2 machines right now, because SP2 is unsupported.

Then your XP will be even more unprotected than it is now, nevermind newer exploits developed for XP systems, which MS won't patch, because XP will be unsupported.