Office build - How does this look, about to order.

[real world]

Building a replacement for my current office PC. No gaming, and just office programs with some internet surfing. I just ordered this CPU & Mobo special at the local Microcenter for $65, and I'm picking it up tomorrow.

AMD Athlon™ II X2 250
$64.99
+
Biostar A760G M2+ mATX Motherboard**
FREE

http://www.microcenter.com/specials/promotions/0427.AMDbundle.html?utm_source=mcol&utm_medium=leader_bnr&utm_campaign=hmpg_0427_AMDbundle

To complete my build, I plan on ordering these today, as well as buy this PSU at the Microcenter, when I go pick up the cpu/mobo combo. What do you guys think? This is for an office build, that will replace my current P4 1.5 that's about 8+ years old. I already have a Windows 7-64 OS disc.


Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit - $95 AR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220315


COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power Plus RS-500-PCAR-A3 500W ATX12V V2.3 Power Supply - $29.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0295037


Rosewill R102-P-BK 120mm Fan MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $25 F/S
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147111&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL042710&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL042710-_-EMC-042710-Latest-_-ComputerCases-_-11147111-LC1D


Samsung SpinPoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB - $44 (promo code ILOVEMOM)
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=HD-HD502HJ&title=Samsung-SpinPoint-F3-HD502HJ-500GB-SATA2-7200rpm-16MB-Hard-Drive&c=CJ


I'm considering buying a stand alone GPU, but I've read that this boards IGP scores about a 3.9 - 4.6 in Windows 7. Would a Radeon HD 4350 be that much of an upgrade? I'm guessing it would be. Worst case, I can add a GPU later, if I think the graphics blow. I was considering one of these Radeon HD 4350 GPU's, but people warn about recieving rebates from each of these companies, while one reviewer said he gets a Win 7 score of 4.6 with it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%201069633099%201305520549&bop=And&CompareItemList=48%7C14%2D127%2D436%5E14%2D127%2D436%2DTS%2C14%2D121%2D310%5E14%2D121%2D310%2DTS%2C14%2D125%2D251%5E14%2D125%2D251%2DTS


Total without GPU - $265

What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance.

 

[MadAdmiral]

That PSU is a POS. Grab a decent unit like the Antec Earthwatts 380W. You don't want to skimp on quality with the PSU.

Windows scores mean absolutely nothing. That said, a discrete GPU is completely unnecessary for your stated uses. IGP will do fine.

Everything else is alright.

 

[coldsleep]

Agree with MadAdmiral, unless you need to drive 2 monitors. In that case, you would be well-served to get a discrete GPU.

 

[real world]

Thanks for the advice Mad. I just found that Antec PSU at Ewiz for $41 delivered.

http://www.ewiz.com/shopcart.php

Cold, I do plan on using two monitors. I use one currently, but will be adding a second once this build is complete. I read that this IPG will support 2 monitors. I take it you'd prefer a stand alone GPU though, if I go dual monitor? If so, is that 4350 a good enough buy?

Again fellas, thanks.

 

[coldsleep]

Cold, I do plan on using two monitors. I use one currently, but will be adding a second once this build is complete. I read that this IPG will support 2 monitors. I take it you'd prefer a stand alone GPU though, if I go dual monitor? If so, is that 4350 a good enough buy?

If the integrated graphics claims to support 2 monitors, you should be ok. It's just something to keep an eye out for, as that's not a common feature, to my knowledge.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

It's common for many on-board GPU's to support two displays. The only problem is that one has to be analog (VGA) and the other has to be digital (DVI or HDMI).

 

[apache_lives]

hmmmm whenever i think office, i always think Intel.....

Dont skimp on the motherboard - get something decent like from ASUS or GIGABYTE, and definitly not MSI btw

Thats also overkill on the ram for an "office pc" and you should be getting a DDR3 build if anything seriously

PSU - garbage

If your data is important, maybe you want to concider RAID1/Mirror or an external hdd or even another seperate HDD, and i dont usually rely on any samsung product either - i stick to Western Digital for mechanical drives.

 

[MadAdmiral]

@apache: The board is free. I'd say at that price, it's an excellent choice.

 

[real world]

That PSU is a POS. Grab a decent unit like the Antec Earthwatts 380W. You don't want to skimp on quality with the PSU.

Windows scores mean absolutely nothing. That said, a discrete GPU is completely unnecessary for your stated uses. IGP will do fine.

Everything else is alright.

Mad, I know you recommended that Earthwatts, but how about this Corsair PSU? It's $35 AR with free shipping.


CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

 

[MadAdmiral]

That's another good one. The 380W is just my go to for low powered builds.

 

[real world]

Thanks again Mad.