Sub $600 reliable i3 build for parents

[metaxas]

Trying to build a simple but reliable PC, with known brand names in the build, for parents' use. I might use it for programming (definitely) and gaming (sometimes) whenever I am visiting on vacation. Hope to get the parts ordered asap.

Approximate Purchase Date: This week
Budget Range: <$600
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Mostly internet, MS Word / Excel, some java programming, casual gaming (WOW / Crysis /BioShock)
Parts Not Required: Keyboard, mouse
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg
Country: US
Parts Preferences: by brand or type: Intel CPU, Asus monitor. No other preference
Overclocking: No
SLI or Crossfire: Maybe
Monitor Resolution: No big deal
Additional Comments: Price, Reliability since parents cannot fix it if broken, works well for surfing and word processing, some programming.

$16.99 SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-222AB - OEM
$54.99 Rosewill R101-P-BK-450W MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case, come with 1x 120mm Fan, 450W Power Supply
$89.99 ASUS VH197D Black 18.5" LED Backlight Widescreen LCD Monitor, VESA Compatible
$39.99 GIGABYTE GV-R645D3-512I Radeon HD 6450 512MB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card
$5.99 Arctic Silver AA-1.75G Thermal Compound
$34.99 G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBNT
$49.99 GIGABYTE GA-H61M-DS2 LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
$99.99 Intel Core i3-540 Clarkdale 3.06GHz LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics BX80616I3540
$99.99 Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
$84.99 Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Total price (all post-rebate): $577.89

Questions:
Any obvious incompatibilities?
Can the price be reduced further?
Do I need a separate fan for the CPU? Is the power supply enough for the build?
Does this system meet the requirements?

Would really appreciate any advice, responses to any of the questions, comments, suggestions.

Thanks!!

 

[GhislainG]

The retail CPU fan already includes thermal compound; Arctic Silver thermal compound is not required. 4 GB of memory would probably be enough, but you won't save a lot. The power supply definitely is enough. A quality 300W PSU probably would be fine.

 

[AM2A]

You have an LGA 1156 CPU paired with an LGA 1155 mobo. You should be looking at sandybridge CPUs like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078

 

[aznshinobi]

Check out my $550 build here:
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore
Just switch the HDD for this one and save some money:
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=59705&vpn=WD2500AAKX&manufacture=Western%20Digital%20WD
Cheap Windows 7
http://www.softwaresupplygroup.com/microsoft-windows-7-home-premium-64-bit-oem-branded.html

 

[metaxas]

You have an LGA 1156 CPU paired with an LGA 1155 mobo. You should be looking at sandybridge CPUs like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078

Excellent.. Good catch Am2a.. I have updated the build with the correct Mobo. Thanks!!

 

[metaxas]

Thanks for all the excellent suggestions and corrections. I have fixed the motherboard though I have elected to stick with newegg for the entire build for now. Its now a shade over $600. Please let me know if there are any further improvements that can be made:


$16.99 SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-222AB - OEM
$54.99 Rosewill R101-P-BK-450W MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case, come with 1x 120mm Fan, 450W Power Supply
$89.99 ASUS VH197D Black 18.5" LED Backlight Widescreen LCD Monitor, VESA Compatible
$39.99 GIGABYTE GV-R645D3-512I Radeon HD 6450 512MB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card
$34.99 G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBNT
$94.99 Intel BOXDH55TC LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
$99.99 Intel Core i3-540 Clarkdale 3.06GHz LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics BX80616I3540
$99.99 Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
$84.99 Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Total price (all post-rebate): $616.91

 

[AM2A]

If you aren't overclocking you'd get better performance out of the original mobo and an i3 2100. Also, I'd try to get a slightly better graphics card in there, maybe an HD 5570/6570 (I know, budgets suck).

 

[metaxas]

If you aren't overclocking you'd get better performance out of the original mobo and an i3 2100. Also, I'd try to get a slightly better graphics card in there, maybe an HD 5570/6570 (I know, budgets suck).

Done and done on the CPU and Mobo. Makes perfect sense to change these two. I may stick to the card though, I havent made a decision on it yet. May go with onboard graphics until I decide. I have upgraded the monitor a little.

Thanks!

$16.99 SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-222AB - OEM
$54.99 Rosewill R101-P-BK-450W MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case, come with 1x 120mm Fan, 450W Power Supply
$89.99 ASUS VW193DR Black 19" Widescreen LCD Monitor, VESA Compatible
$39.99 GIGABYTE GV-R645D3-512I Radeon HD 6450 512MB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card
$34.99 G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBNT
$49.99 GIGABYTE GA-H61M-DS2 LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
$99.99 Intel Core i3-2100 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I32100
$99.99 Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
$84.99 Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Total price (all post-rebate): $601.91

Any other suggestions are welcomed ....

 

[metaxas]

I will put in the order in a couple of hours if I don't hear anything else on this...

 

[metaxas]

Best answer selected by metaxas.