Question Simple desktop to replace 2016 PC, reusing a couple things

Juked07

Golden Member
Jul 22, 2008
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1. What YOUR PC will be used for: Mostly web browsing, watching videos up to 4k, microsoft office work. I play some very old games sometimes, eg starcraft broodwar. I play a lot of chess but that is basically just web browsing.
2. What YOUR budget is: I'm guessing I don't need to spend more than $600-700, but not too concerned about budget as long as the value is there.
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from: US
4. n/a
5. IF YOU have a brand preference: I'm probably biased a bit to stick with brands I've used in the past but don't feel strongly
6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts: I'm planning to reuse my corsair 350D case. I may grab a new video card at some point but given that I don't do anything graphics intensive and my old gtx 1060 is still working okay, I'll just use that for now. Also will "reuse" my optical drive, which I haven't used for years anyway.
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds: default speeds
8. What resolution: 4k monitor. I may connect a second 4k monitor at some point, but still mostly just web browsing and other non-graphics intensive tasks.
9. WHEN do you plan to build it? ASAP
10. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system: Think I got an oem copy of windows 10 for my previous build, so I do need to replace that. I have an office 2016 pro license from my previous build which I think I can reuse.

Here's a draft part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/mVy6JM
CPU: Intel Core i3-13100F 3.4 GHz Quad-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B660M DS3H AX DDR4 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GAMING X GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6 GB Video Card (Already Own)
Case: Corsair Obsidian Series 350D Window MicroATX Mid Tower Case (Already Own)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 650 GT 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer (Already Own)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM - DVD 64-bit ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Peripherals: (Already Own)
Total: ~$660

How does it look? Thanks in advance!
 
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VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
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Unless you're using your PC for a home-based business, and need to fear being audited, then skip paying full retail for a Windows 10 license, and just grab a Win10 Pro key off of a key seller, for personal usage. What's the worst that can happen? They revoke the key, and you have to buy another one?

I use vip-scdkeys.com , personally, but there are others. BFTYC gets you 20% off. (and check out TechYesCity on YouTube for that.)

They're around $20.
 
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Juked07

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Jul 22, 2008
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Hm, where do the keys come from? Could they sometimes be sold more than once and then buyers run into an issue with someone else using the same key? I'm not running a home-based business, and I'm not necessarily against trying that, but would rather avoid any potential headaches.
 

In2Photos

Platinum Member
Mar 21, 2007
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Hm, where do the keys come from? Could they sometimes be sold more than once and then buyers run into an issue with someone else using the same key? I'm not running a home-based business, and I'm not necessarily against trying that, but would rather avoid any potential headaches.
I've read that they are excess OEM keys from large corporations. I have purchased 3 keys within the last 18 months and had zero issues.

Regarding your parts list. No real issues, but I will say it seems weird to see the NVME cost more than the CPU! :p
 
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AnitaPeterson

Diamond Member
Apr 24, 2001
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Even if you don't do "hard" gaming, your system would benefit from having more cores later. Quad-core is puny in 2023, no matter how fast it runs in single-core mode. I would rather get a Ryzen 5600 plain/G/X coupled with ANY AM4 motherboard with 4 RAM slots under $100 (something like the ASRock B450M PRO4 R2.0), and you have something that will age better than that i3, using the rest of the hardware you listed.
 

Juked07

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Jul 22, 2008
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Thanks for the replies

I'll probably pull the trigger in a couple hours unless anyone has last second tips
 

JWMiddleton

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2000
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I've also used grey-market windows license in the $20 to $30 range for Win 10 Pro. I've purchase at least 5 products from them in the past year. One I upgraded to Win 11 Pro. I used www.kinguin.net. Generally the code doesn't work and I've had to activate on with my cellphone. It is a PITA, but it works and saves a lot of money.

Good luck with the build!

John
 

JWMiddleton

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2000
5,686
172
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Even if you don't do "hard" gaming, your system would benefit from having more cores later. Quad-core is puny in 2023, no matter how fast it runs in single-core mode. I would rather get a Ryzen 5600 plain/G/X coupled with ANY AM4 motherboard with 4 RAM slots under $100 (something like the ASRock B450M PRO4 R2.0), and you have something that will age better than that i3, using the rest of the hardware you listed.
Along those same lines, if you have a Micro Center near, then they have some killer deals. I recently bought the following 6-core system:

System Price 3600.png

John
 
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