Help build a system for a friend

[Wrick]

I am building a PC for a friend of mine. Tell me what you think. It is to be a home office and HTPC for under $1000. He does not think he will need a graphics card for any 3D work or gaming. I think I am going to talk him into buying a graphics card for gaming down the road but for now sans graphics card. My friend picked out the case. After seeing my PC open programs with a SSD he definitely wants an SSD in the build.

My concerns are...

Is the CPU overkill? The i5 2500 fits in the budget. Why not get the fastest CPU within budget right?

Is the PSU overkill? With out a GPU I think it really is overkill but if he adds one later 520W is a good minimum right?

I am nervous about buying a $95 motherboard. It just feels cheap. But there is not much to choose from for H67. I could get an Asus with the same features for $135 and feel better about the quality.

Intel Core i5 2500 $210
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115073

ASRock H67M $95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157233

G.Skil Value Series 8 Gb 1333 Mhz 9-9-9-24 1.5V $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231424

OCZ Vertex 2 120 Gb $210
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227551

WD Cavair Blue 500 Gb $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136073

Seasonic S12II 520W Bronze $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151094

Lancool PC-K59 $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112319

LiteOn BD player $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106326

Windows 7 Home Premium 64 $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116754

Total $970 minus $30 rebate for the Vertex 2 results in $940.

 

[rolli59]

Good build and that is a quality PSU that will be fine when he adds a GPU.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Before ya grab a Vertex 2 (60 / 120 GB Models), read this:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ocz-vertex-2-25nm-ssd,2867.html

I am nervous about buying a $95 motherboard. It just feels cheap. But there is not much to choose from for H67. I could get an Asus with the same features for $135 and feel better about the quality.

I would be too. Notice that the warranty is only two years.

This RAM has better spec (DDR3-1600) and is only $74 w/ MIR and 10 off w/ promo code EMCKFJA22, ends 4/20

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145324

PSU - Wth high quality 650 watters available for the same price, I wouldn't go smaller.
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story9&reid=216

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=XFX+Core+650&x=0&y=0

 

[rolli59]

Why 650watt PSU for a system that is going to consume about 200watts and 300watts in normal use when GPU is added?
Nothing wrong with Asrock well established budget manufacturer with great features on their boards, recommended both by Tom's and Anandtech.
(I have a couple of $75 - 90 boards that are still running after 6 and 3 years respectively without problems! It is not all in how much you pay for it)

 

[Wrick]

Thank you for the responses.

@JackNaylorPE The memory you choose may be faster but also uses 1.65V compared to the value memory I choose which only uses 1.5V. My friend is never going to notice the difference between 1600 MHz and 1333 MHz and will not be able to OC the i5 2500 so there is no need for head room on the memory.

As for a 650W. I think that is too much. I was already concerned about a 520W PSU being overkill. If anything I may look for a more efficient lower wattage PSU.

Thanks for posting the article about the Vertex 2. I had read that two months ago but had forgotten. Any suggestions at that price point? The Vertex 2 I picked is $180 with mail in rebate. That is pretty cheap for a fast fast fast SSD.

@rolli59 I know it is not all in how much you pay for it. But I can not help but feel strange pairing a $210 CPU with a $95 MB. I have noticed that ASRock has been receiving some very good reviews as of late though. ASRock does only offer a 2 year warranty compared to a 3 year warranty for Asus.

 

[rolli59]

@rolli59 I know it is not all in how much you pay for it. But I can not help but feel strange pairing a $210 CPU with a $95 MB. I have noticed that ASRock has been receiving some very good reviews as of late though. ASRock does only offer a 2 year warranty compared to a 3 year warranty for Asus.

I agree on the warranty difference but do not think it is a deal breaker since after 2 years they are not going to replace it with a new board and most people do not have the patience to wait for it coming out of repair and simply upgrade or replace if they can find a board.