Non-Gaming Workstation Complete Build <1500

[mayan50]

Can I get your comments on a new build? Thanks!!!

My budget has a $1500 limit, including all components.

This is for a work system for my office. I am not a gamer and plan to use integrated graphics. The single most important thing is speed. I am an economist and my main software package is STATA, which loads analytical datasets into RAM--much faster than SAS in this regard. As a consequence RAM must run stable and I must have at least 16GB.

Other software will be Office, browsing, and watching the occasional movie (although rare--I should be working!).

Here is what I've built so far after a lot of reading... Add in thermal paste, decent speakers, and possibly a cam; and I will be at $1500. I live near a MicroCenter, so hoping I'll get the IB/Mobo discount.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/7wQA

 

[mayan50]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/7wQA
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/7wQA/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/7wQA/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($249.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.90 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V PRO ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($212.60 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($95.99 @ Amazon)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Hard Drive: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Midi Tower ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($25.97 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VS248H-P 24.0" Monitor ($186.13 @ B&H)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (64-bit) ($138.99 @ B&H)
Keyboard: Logitech K800 Wireless Slim Keyboard ($79.95 @ B&H)
Mouse: Logitech M570 Wireless Laser Mouse ($46.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1450.96
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-04-30 12:49 EDT-0400)

 

[l0v3rboi]

I don't know that much about STATA but if it really is that RAM intensive, maybe you should get 8 Gb x 2. That way you still have ports free to upgrade in the future.

Without a GPU, I think you only need a 500W PSU max. Even a 430W PSU will do you fine.

The cpu cooler you have there should come with a thermal paste.

The rest of your components look good.

 

[mayan50]

Thanks.
I've thought about a 32gb set, but haven't seen a lot of posts for stable sets. I personally don't like to buy 2 sticks and then 2 more because I've had problems in the past getting them to work together. So I usually buy it all matched. Isn't that still the case?

Several people have told me that about the PSU. I'm going to looking at dropping it down, but there is a chance I might add a single GPU later for a dual monitor setup. Will this mobo allow 2 monitors?

 

[po1nted]

Also, for that type of work I would use an i7 CPU.

 

[l0v3rboi]

Thanks.
I've thought about a 32gb set, but haven't seen a lot of posts for stable sets. I personally don't like to buy 2 sticks and then 2 more because I've had problems in the past getting them to work together. So I usually buy it all matched. Isn't that still the case?

Several people have told me that about the PSU. I'm going to looking at dropping it down, but there is a chance I might add a single GPU later for a dual monitor setup. Will this mobo allow 2 monitors?

I've heard of people doing that (haven't tried it however). I don't see it being a problem though as long as you buy the exact same model.

For your question about the monitors, looking at the hardware, that MoBo can connect 2 monitors. One at the HDMI port and the other at the VGA port. As if it actually can, I'm not sure. I don't see why it shouldn't be able to though.

 

[Tavo_Nova]

getting 8gb g.skill and another 8gb using everything else the same should pose no problem, imo your lucky you live near a micro center

 

[mayan50]

I went with the following components, a power strip (to replace my APC Back Up which I'll move to this new system), Logitech Z523 speakers, 4 blue SATAIII cables (for extra), Arctic Silver Thermal Paste, and:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/7Er3
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/7Er3/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/7Er3/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($240.27 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.90 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V PRO ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($212.60 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Crucial M4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($244.99 @ Adorama)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Midi Tower ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VS248H-P 24.0" Monitor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (64-bit) ($138.99 @ B&H)
Keyboard: Logitech K800 Wireless Slim Keyboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Logitech M570 Wireless Laser Mouse ($46.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1471.16
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-05-02 17:20 EDT-0400)


All in, I paid $1498.31 which includes one $20 MIR.
I did physically go to MicroCenter for the CPU/MOBO and Case.
Thanks, everyone for the help. In all pretty solid. Note, I bought the 750W PSU because the NE sale price was lower than the 650W. I know I wasted a few dollars there, but wanted to future proof for GPU add on.

 

[mayan50]

Best answer selected by mayan50.