Budget Computer Build (for office tasks)

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

1. Basic office/school tasks (surfing the web, word/excel/powerpoint).
2. $500-600
3. US
4. Preferably Intel for CPU
5. No current parts
6. Running at default speeds
7. 1600x900
8. ASAP
9. Need Windows 8 and Office (probably using Libre Office)

Here's what I have so far, most of this is from arstechnica's bargain box guide (http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/04/ars-technica-system-guide-bargain-box-april-2014/):

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI B85M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($62.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.24 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($42.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($102.98 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $537.13

 

[DaveSimmons]

Newegg, Amazon, etc. have. i3 - 4GB - 1 TB prebuilts for $400. Sizes are mini-ITX and up.

ex: DELL i3647-2309BK mini-ITX - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883156230

I have an Acer mini-ITX I got several years ago I use as a music jukebox, it's quiet and has been problem-free.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Newegg, Amazon, etc. have. i3 - 4GB - 1 TB prebuilts for $400. Sizes are mini-ITX and up.

ex: DELL i3647-2309BK mini-ITX - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883156230

I have an Acer mini-ITX I got several years ago I use as a music jukebox, it's quiet and has been problem-free.

Anyway to upgrade the 4GB to 8GB post purchase?

 

[pw257008]

looks like 2 slots for RAM, and it comes single channel on that model I think, so yes: http://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-pro...n-3647-small-desktop_Owner's Manual_en-us.pdf

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Anyway to upgrade the 4GB to 8GB post purchase?

Yes.

http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compat.../inspiron-3647

8GB kit is down the page a bit. It probably only has 2 DIMM slots though, so upgrading will mean discarding the memory you already have.

Given the choice I'd rather upgrade to an SSD and stick with 4GBs of RAM. Even for "light" use.

 

[escrow4]

I'd rather an H97 board and a 4330, but you are just missing a base SSD.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

I'd rather an H97 board and a 4330, but you are just missing a base SSD.

Why an H97 and 4330 over the 4310?

It looks like there is only one slot for HDD, so I would have to replace the HDD with an SSD later on.

 

[pw257008]

Yes.

http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compat.../inspiron-3647

8GB kit is down the page a bit. It probably only has 2 DIMM slots though, so upgrading will mean discarding the memory you already have.

I don't think so... It comes single channel in the i3, 4GB model: http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/i...ynote_irrank=0&~ck=baynoteSearch&isredir=true

 

[mfenn]

Why an H97 and 4330 over the 4310?

It looks like there is only one slot for HDD, so I would have to replace the HDD with an SSD later on.

How much storage do you need? If you don't store a lot of stuff locally, you could remove the HDD from the build and put in a 256GB SSD like the Crucial MX100 for $112. That'd be a net increase of ~$55 which is still under budget and would increase the system's overall responsiveness by a large margin.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I don't think so... It comes single channel in the i3, 4GB model: http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/i...ynote_irrank=0&~ck=baynoteSearch&isredir=true

Oh handy, so drop in another single 4GB DIMM and you're off to the races. :awe:

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

How much storage do you need? If you don't store a lot of stuff locally, you could remove the HDD from the build and put in a 256GB SSD like the Crucial MX100 for $112. That'd be a net increase of ~$55 which is still under budget and would increase the system's overall responsiveness by a large margin.

Then probably put the 1TB drive in a USB 3.0 external enclosure.