My first build. A multi-purpose home computer. To be used for web browsing, photos, development, home videos and testing software. No gaming. I plan to run multiple operating systems. The host O/S would be Windows 7 professional. The guest OS would be Windows 2008 server, Linux or another instance of windows 7 depending on what I am playing with.
Fortuntately I live close to a microcenter. My budget is $800-900. Would appreciate your feedback on the components.
CPU - i5-2500k $179
Probably overkill but 4 physical cores would bear the load of 2 OSes better. i5-2400 would also work as I don't plan to overclock but I like HD3000 and higher clock speed for the extra $30. Also microcenter currently has $60off on motherboard with i5-2500k only.
Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 $54.99 (and a $15 rebate)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364087
My three requirements are SATA 6GB, USB3 and 32GB/4 memory slots. Any H67 board would do but Microcenter which has a $60 off promotion doesn't have a good selection of H67 boards and between Gigabyte GA-H67MA-USB3-B3 ($49) and Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 ($54 with a $15 rebate), the Z68 seems to offer better value.
Graphics - Onboard HD3000. May add a low-mid end graphics card later if I feel the need but I expect HD3000 should be more than sufficient
Case - Antec 300 $50 (+$15 Rebate)
PSU - Corsair Builder Series 500 Watt - 59.99 (+$20 rebate)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0361422
Perhaps, overkill but this is the cheapest 80+ certified or better PSU, I could find at microcenter
Optical Drive - LG22x DVD±RW Burner $18.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0372836
Memory Corsair XMS3 8GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) CL9 $56.99 (+$10 rebate)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0347306
SSD - Crucial M4 128GB - $209
Wish 256 GB were cheaper but for now I'll manage. I don't need a data disk at this time. Have a spare one that I can use till the HD prices come down.
OS - Microsoft technet subscription - $199
Monitor, KB, mouse not required
Total comes to $830 before taxes and rebates (a whopping $60 - Don't know if I will see it!)
Have been buying Dells for the past 15 years. I have been a lurker on this forum for a few months and got motivated to to try a build myself. My goal was to build a clean computer with quality components and no clutter.
Thanks for your help.
Fortuntately I live close to a microcenter. My budget is $800-900. Would appreciate your feedback on the components.
CPU - i5-2500k $179
Probably overkill but 4 physical cores would bear the load of 2 OSes better. i5-2400 would also work as I don't plan to overclock but I like HD3000 and higher clock speed for the extra $30. Also microcenter currently has $60off on motherboard with i5-2500k only.
Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 $54.99 (and a $15 rebate)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364087
My three requirements are SATA 6GB, USB3 and 32GB/4 memory slots. Any H67 board would do but Microcenter which has a $60 off promotion doesn't have a good selection of H67 boards and between Gigabyte GA-H67MA-USB3-B3 ($49) and Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 ($54 with a $15 rebate), the Z68 seems to offer better value.
Graphics - Onboard HD3000. May add a low-mid end graphics card later if I feel the need but I expect HD3000 should be more than sufficient
Case - Antec 300 $50 (+$15 Rebate)
PSU - Corsair Builder Series 500 Watt - 59.99 (+$20 rebate)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0361422
Perhaps, overkill but this is the cheapest 80+ certified or better PSU, I could find at microcenter
Optical Drive - LG22x DVD±RW Burner $18.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0372836
Memory Corsair XMS3 8GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) CL9 $56.99 (+$10 rebate)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0347306
SSD - Crucial M4 128GB - $209
Wish 256 GB were cheaper but for now I'll manage. I don't need a data disk at this time. Have a spare one that I can use till the HD prices come down.
OS - Microsoft technet subscription - $199
Monitor, KB, mouse not required
Total comes to $830 before taxes and rebates (a whopping $60 - Don't know if I will see it!)
Have been buying Dells for the past 15 years. I have been a lurker on this forum for a few months and got motivated to to try a build myself. My goal was to build a clean computer with quality components and no clutter.
Thanks for your help.