Need input for a PC to be used for Labs

Rosco2382 · Apr 8, 2013

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($187.28 @ TigerDirect)
Motherboard: Asus P8B75-M/CSM Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Blu 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($62.28 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Storage: Sandisk Extreme 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($119.99 @ TigerDirect)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 650 1GB Video Card ($117.28 @ TigerDirect)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($65.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS29 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer
Total: $625.36
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-15 17:23 EST-0500)

My current PC runs great but it is limited to 4GB of Ram, an old Processor. I am studying for a Microsoft exam, 70-680 and 685. It is recommended that I lab, to get hands on exp(to an extent). Its not going to be used for anything beyond Using Virtual Box, Visual Studio 2010 and watching movies.

FinneousPJ · Apr 8, 2013

Hi,

Seems nice. Some points

You don't need a GTX 650 for watching movies
That case seems expensive for a non-gaming build

Then you should have a look at AMD, if your software can utilize the compute resources AMD offers for the same cash it's a lot better value

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($164.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Zalman ZM-CNPS14X CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($72.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($42.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Sandisk Extreme 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($104.95 @ Adorama)
Video Card: Diamond Radeon HD 6450 1GB Video Card ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($30.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $611.38
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-08 11:41 EDT-0400)

Rosco2382 · Apr 8, 2013

Thanks for the input! I was wondering if I should go up to 12GB of RAM for use on the virtual PC's?

FinneousPJ · Apr 8, 2013

What's the price difference between 12 and 16 GBs? Not much, I think. Go with 8 or 16 IMO.