First PC Build for School

xerogamer89 · Jul 9, 2014

I have been using a Dell Inspiron 14R for the last 3 years and have noticed that it can't handle multiple web browsers and tabs open at the same time. It also is slow when using Office and slow in opening iTunes. Therefore, I will replace it with either an Intel Nuc with an i5 or attempt to build a mini-itx that is better than the NUC. I favor building a PC over getting the NUC because I would like to use the parts in building another PC in 1.5 years. My budget is $400-550 & I will mostly be using the PC for Microsoft Office and watching videos. Should I get an i3 or i5? Also, is the AMD kabini a viable option? Here are two possible builds:

Build#1:http://pcpartpicker.com/user/zgamer89/saved/jGLwrH

Build#2:http://pcpartpicker.com/user/zgamer89/saved/8xsnTW

xerogamer89 · Jul 9, 2014

I forgot to mention that I have already already bought a new copy of Windows 8.1 and that the stated budget does not consider operating system.

Francisco Costa · Jul 9, 2014

Just one question, do you already have a hard drive? Because only 120GB of storage probably won't be enough

xerogamer89 · Jul 9, 2014

I have a 500 GB Western Digital 7200 rpm SATA 2 hard drive from when I upgraded my PS3 to a 1 TB hard drive. I could use it, but my brother told me that I could use 120GB for the OS and programs and use my external 1 TB USB hard drive as the documents, music and movies. I currently have 250 GB in my laptop and am only using 162 GB.

I might use a 250 GB SSD Sandisk (SDSSDHP-256G-G25) which would be an extra $40 added to the price of both builds.

I am also looking at Tom's Hardware BestConfigs Poll for ideas.

Francisco Costa · Jul 9, 2014

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus H81I-PLUS Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($77.99 @ Mwave)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $412.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

I included a 256GB SSD, it's just around $35 more
And yes, you can use those hard drives, both the internal and the external.
Also, are you sure you don't need a dedicated graphics card? For gaming and such?

LookItsRain · Jul 9, 2014

Im assuming the cooler is needed because the boxed cooler wont fit in the case? If the stock cooler does fit, you dont need an extra cooler. For your builds.

Here is my reccomended build.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus H81I-PLUS Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($78.79 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M500 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($114.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 110 Mini ITX Tower Case ($50.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 450W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($52.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $477.73
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

xerogamer89 · Jul 9, 2014

I like the added memory in Franscisco Costa's & I will research the motherboard that you selected. I mostly play games on the PS3 even though I know that I could play at higher settings on a PC. The idea of this build to to have a good office PC that has parts that will be used in a future i7 build. The main components that are important to me are the motherboard and RAM, but the processor should be good for office work and watching videos.

I added the cooler because most builds using Thermaltake SD 101 use it.

The price of your selected parts will allow me to add a small graphics card in December. But I will need to add a wireless card to the list.

I like the Cooler Master Elite 120 & have thought about EVGA Hadron. But I was mainly thinking about small form factor. What are your thoughts on using the Thermaltake SD 101 & a 65-100 Watt CPU.

I have noticed that both builds use the Asus H81I-PLUS board. It is a good looking board & fits my needs. But how much should I trust the newegg reviewers who said that it only lasted 30 days before not working or having issues?

Francisco Costa · Jul 9, 2014

You don't need the expensive cooler, the i3 doesn't produce much heat, but I must warn you that the stock is noisy.
The EVGA Hadron is big and expensive. If you want a small form factor, that Cooler Master Elite 120 will be perfect, and it's really cheap right now.
The SD101 is also expensive and the PSU is pretty bad.
About the motherboard I wouldn't worry too much about it, since people usually write reviews when the experience is not good and when everything goes ok they don't bother reviewing it. But still, if you're worried, this is also a very good option, at the same level of the Asus or even better: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-b85mitx

xerogamer89 · Jul 9, 2014

The Cooler Master case and the motherboard suit my needs. I initially picked the GigabyteGA-B85N PHOENIX-WIFI mainly because it had built in wifi, but I can easily buy a usb or pci wireless card. I will most likely go for the i3-4150 since it is equal to the 4130 in performance & price. Both builds are similar except for the case & psu. The cooler master 110 is about the biggest that I would be willing to accept.

LookItsRain · Jul 10, 2014

The 4150 may have issues with some mobos so the 4130 is a safer choice for compatabilities sake.
Plus using one of those expensive cases with a piss ant psu will be bad, the psu will be very cheap and wont be able to power any graphics card.

xerogamer89 · Jul 10, 2014

Thanks for informing me about possible CPU compatibility issues. Also, psu problems was was one of my concerns with the psu+case combo, but I was almost willing to overlook it due to the small form factor.

LookItsRain · Jul 10, 2014

Either build posted above will work for your needs, but the psu i choose is higher quality unit and much more efficent.

xerogamer89 · Jul 10, 2014

Also, is the ram compatible with the motherboard. I ask because it is DDR3-2133, but the motherboard accepts up to DDR3-1600.

LookItsRain · Jul 10, 2014

xerogamer89 :

You can pick other ram, that was just the cheapest quality ram on pc part picker. 1600 mhz ram will be around the same price.

xerogamer89 · Jul 10, 2014

LookItsRain :

I changed the ram and it is only a $10 difference. I also added a wifi card to it and the price is $500 which is $43 cheaper than the NUC, but I will have the ability to upgrade the parts and maybe add a graphics card during Thanksgiving.

xerogamer89 · Jul 10, 2014

I reduced the SSD to 120 GB for OS & programs & I will use the 500 GB Western Digital 2.5 inch HDD for the folders. This has reduced the cost to $457. This would allow me to add a graphics card within $50-100 range. I am not looking for a high end GPU. Do you have any suggestions?

Revised Build #1:http://pcpartpicker.com/user/zgamer89/saved/ZYLwrH
Revised Build#2:http://pcpartpicker.com/user/zgamer89/saved/jGLwrH

LookItsRain · Jul 10, 2014

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107.html Pick one that fits your budget.

Francisco Costa · Jul 10, 2014

Honestly, I think the Elite 120 would be a better option, because it's $20 cheaper and supports bigger sized GPUs.
Also, that PSU may be overkill for such a system. Even with a GPU (not high end, of course) the Corsair CX430 is enough.
About the GPU, this probably would be a good option: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/powercolor-video-card-axr7260x2gbd5dhev2oc

LookItsRain · Jul 10, 2014

Those corsair psus arent known for thier quality, there quite cheap. Going cheap on a psu is bad.

Francisco Costa · Jul 10, 2014

But he's not going to overclock, doesn't have a GPU and even if he gets one, it isn't not going to be very powerful, so there aren't going to be any stressful situations. It's not like the PSU is going to explode out of nowhere, it's still supplies stable power to your system.

xerogamer89 · Jul 10, 2014

Francisco Costa :

I agree that I am not going to be overclock, but I would pick an 80+ certified psu. Also, the graphics card that you picked is great, but the minimum system requirement is 500 Watt.

Also, both cases are equally great and the 120 is only $4 more than the 110.

xerogamer89 · Jul 10, 2014

I went with Cooler Master 120 because it was $25 after a $20 rebate. I will also pick an 80+ Bronze or Gold power supply.

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