Review/comment on ~Future Proof system for Dad

apcrews · Jan 26, 2014

I haven't built a system in several years and it's time for my father to get a new computer. He doesn't do this more than once a decade, so I'm trying to build the latest/greatest for him without going over $2,000. He only uses the system for home finance, email, and video streaming (no games), but I want it to last.

Here is my newegg wish list:

If anyone has any suggestions on the next best (and possibly cheaper) CPU/mobo combo I'm all ears!

Thanks!

1 Intel Core i7-4930K Ivy Bridge-E 3.4GHz LGA 2011 130W Six-Core Desktop Processor BX80633i74930K
Model #:BX80633i74930K
Item #:N82E16819116939
Return Policy:CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock $579.99 $579.99
1 ASUS Sabertooth X79 LGA 2011 Intel X79 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Model #:Sabertooth X79
Item #:N82E16813131801
Return Policy:Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock $329.99 -$15.00 Instant $314.99
1 Crucial Ballistix Tactical 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Gaming Memory Model BLT2KIT8G3D1869DT1TX0
Model #:BLT2KIT8G3D1869DT1TX
Item #:N82E16820148740
Return Policy:Memory Standard Return Policy
In Stock $199.99 $199.99
1 SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold ((SS-650KM Active PFC F3)) 650W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD ...
Model #:X650 Gold
Item #:N82E16817151088
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock $179.99 -$40.00 Instant $139.99
1 PNY VCGGTX660XPB GeForce GTX 660 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Model #:VCGGTX660XPB
Item #:N82E16814133470
Return Policy:VGA Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Mail in Rebate $209.99 -$20.00 Instant $189.99
1 Antec Sonata Series SOLO II Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Model #:SOLO II
Item #:N82E16811129177
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock $129.99 -$10.00 Instant $119.99
1 SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD256BW 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Model #:MZ-7PD256BW
Item #:N82E16820147193
Return Policy:Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
Out Of Stock
Auto-Notify $249.99 -$50.00 Instant $199.99
1 Intuit Quicken Deluxe 2014 - Download
Model #:421228
Item #:N82E16832109529
Return Policy

ownloadable Software Replacement Policy
In Stock $74.95 $74.95
1 Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
Model #:GFC-02050
Item #:N82E16832116986
Return Policy:Software Standard Return Policy
In Stock $99.99 $99.99
Subtotal: $1,919.87

aevm · Jan 26, 2014

Hell no, don't get a $600 CPU for email and Netflix

aevm · Jan 26, 2014

I'd do something like this:

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($154.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($169.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($146.93 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 650 Ti 2GB Video Card ($141.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($21.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1290.77

aevm · Jan 26, 2014

The choice between Windows 7 and 8.1 is your Dad's of course. 8.1 will still get updates 10 years from now, Windows 7 probably not. However, 8.1 has a learning curve and some people just hate its looks.

You may want a Blu-Ray reader too.

The case I picked is quieter than average, which is handy when you watch movies. Again, your Dad may prefer the looks of some other case.

g-unit1111 · Jan 26, 2014

aevm :

Seriously, you don't even need a 4670K for that. An AMD A10-7850K will be perfectly fine.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-7850K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.17 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75M PRO4+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($81.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($82.05 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($93.00 @ Amazon)
Case: BitFenix Prodigy M Arctic White MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($106.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($65.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($24.29 @ NCIX US)
Total: $727.45
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-26 21:44 EST-0500)

No need to spend $2K for that purpose.

apcrews · Jan 27, 2014

I'm not building a system to do internet duty today, I'm trying to build it to do everday stuff 8-10 years from now. Seems like even just internet with all the java and other things running to stream video, flash, etc takes so much more memory/power than 8-10 years ago. I think I'll probably knock it down to an i5 just because of the massive jump in price to the i7 and not so massive jump in performance

But will 6 cores make that much more of a difference over 4 in a bunch of years?

aevm · Jan 27, 2014

That's why I went with the i5 rather than i3 or APUs - didn't want to drop performance too much because you never know what you'll need in a few years.

The 6 cores will not help much unless your Dad likes to edit videos or wants to play with Photoshop, I don't know... If he's just watching movies and surfing and doing taxes he will end up using a single core most of the time.

apcrews · Jan 27, 2014

Thanks! Do you think you could suggest a motherboard for an i5 that would have decent on-board video? A graphics card should be an easy add-on down the road, perhaps I can cut costs there.. something with all the latest/greatest usb and hard drive hookups, and decent on-board video (if that exists)

aevm · Jan 27, 2014

If you get the Z87-A, it can use the integrated graphics inside the i5-4670k.

Aristotelian · Jan 27, 2014

My Celeron D + onboard graphics purchased in 2006 is still fine today for basic tasks. I agree with others, i7 is way overkill. I also do not think a video card is necessary. There are other ways to show your appreciation for Dad than going overboard on PC parts when he will not be able to tell the difference.

For future proofing, I would prefer a lower "ranked" Hasswell CPU over Ivy Bridge i7. That way you can get a Socket 1150 motherboard with most up to date chipsets.

Something like this would be a good combo:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1zuEF
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1zuEF/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1zuEF/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($119.97 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock B85M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($77.55 @ Newegg)
Total: $197.52
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-27 10:23 EST-0500)

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