New Build [All in one PC]

[sdas]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week

BUDGET RANGE: $500-600 After Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Programming, Research (Number crunching), Internet, Photo editing, Gaming, Movies and Music

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: HDD (I have 1 TB Seagate SATA HDD)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: ANY

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: A slim and good looking CPU case. Monitor as big as possible.

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: > 1024x768

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I would like a quiet PC. Would like to convert the system into media center or low-end server as it becomes obsolete.

 

[MadAdmiral]

CPU/Mobo: X4 635 and MSI 880GM-E43 $163
RAM/Case: Corsair XMS3 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 9 and NZXT M59 $120 after rebate
Optical/PSU: OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W and cheap SATA DVD burner $45 after rebate
Monitor: Acer 21.5" 1080p $150

Total: $478.

This will absolutely not play games, but will do everything else fairly well. I intentionally left out a GPU despite having budget left because anything that could fit into the budget that's left wouldn't be worth buying. Save a good $300-400 to buy a good gaming GPU, such as the HD 5850 or HD 5870. I'd say the GTX 460 would be good, but the board won't allow you to SLI it later, which means it wouldn't be a good choice for higher resolution gaming.

 

[Guest]

5770? I know it's not the best but the OP says he plans on doing some gaming and obviously you can't get anything done with integrated graphics.

 

[MadAdmiral]

That 5750 won't do for 1080p. I'd be more likely to recomend it if the board was able to Crossfire, but then the budet wouldn't allow for the 5750. A better strategy would be to wait and save until a GPU that's capable of gaming at 1080p.

You could drop the monitor to a lower resolution model, but I wouldn't buy a smaller resolution monitor right now. It's not a good buy for the future.

 

[sdas]

CPU/Mobo: X4 635 and MSI 880GM-E43 $163
RAM/Case: Corsair XMS3 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 9 and NZXT M59 $120 after rebate
Optical/PSU: OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W and cheap SATA DVD burner $45 after rebate
Monitor: Acer 21.5" 1080p $150

Total: $478.

This will absolutely not play games, but will do everything else fairly well. I intentionally left out a GPU despite having budget left because anything that could fit into the budget that's left wouldn't be worth buying. Save a good $300-400 to buy a good gaming GPU, such as the HD 5850 or HD 5870. I'd say the GTX 460 would be good, but the board won't allow you to SLI it later, which means it wouldn't be a good choice for higher resolution gaming.

Hi, thanks a lot for a quick reply. The build looks pretty decent.
That's right, I won't need a GPU right away.
I would be needing sub woofer/speakers (5.1), Webcam and headphones with mic too. Any suggestions?
Can I beautify/enhance my case and monitor for a few more bucks?

Thanks in advance.

 

[MadAdmiral]

I don't have any suggestions for the extras.

There are a few Asus monitors that are a few dollars more. I believe the 23" model is $170 and the 23.6" model is $180.

Other create cases are the Antec 300, Antec 300 Illusion, Coolermaster Centurion 5, and Coolermaster 690.

 

[sdas]

Best answer selected by sdas.