Building a computer for work.

[urbanemp]

Hi!

So I happen to have a question for the computer building community.

I'm still fairly new at building computers, (I've only managed to successfully build one gaming computer, so I still have much to learn,) but I was wondering whether it would be cheaper to build a computer that is used for work rather than just buying one from Dell.

Keep in mind this computer isn't for me, but a friend.

1 x EVGA 01G-P3-1556-KR GeForce GTX 550 Ti (Fermi) FPB 1GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card $134.99
1 x Intel Core i3-2120 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I32120 $124.99
1 x MSI Z77A-G43 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS $119.99
1 x Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM $99.99
1 x Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - OEM $74.99
1 x Rosewill CHALLENGER-U3 Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ,comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm Fan, 1x Rear 120mm Fan, front mounted dual USB 3.0 $59.99
1 x CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply $59.99
1 x G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBNT $39.99
1 x SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA Model SH-222BB/BEBE - OEM

This is currently what is inside my gaming computer. The computer I plan to build for my friend will most likely be the same specs seen here except a downgraded GPU and another 500GB Hard Drive.

So my question to you guys is would it be cheaper to just build this with what is above or just buy a computer from dell?

And if it is cheaper to just build another one, then what do you recommend for a downgraded GPU/other computers for a computer solely meant for work, to open and browse web pages fast and be able to hold a lot of work related programs.

I also, if you wouldn't mind, like answers for both just to see the price range and what not. Thank you for any and all answers!

 

[whatsthatnoise]

Since the other thread got closed I also PM'ed you my reply, but here it is again.



What kind of work exactly, besides browsing the internet?

If it's just office and browsing:
- an i3 is enough
- no need for a dedicated GPU, just use the i3's HD graphics
- 4GB of RAM are enough

If he's also video/picture editing:
- 8-16GB RAM are fine (depending on if he's doing it regularly or just occasionally)
- an i5 would be better
- still no need for a dedicated GPU, just use the i5's HD graphics
>>> however, if he's heavily into using programs like Photoshop, a cheap NVIDIA card can help processing things faster (because it features CUDA)

You can get away with a way cheaper motherboard (almost half of it), no need for a z77 chipset for an office pc, that's not going to overclock in any way.

In all cases, an SSD for the OS and programs speeds things up a lot for work. And they are very cheap these days, too. Spare cash from not using a GPU is almost enough. I'd definitely get one for this system.

A custom built PC should be cheaper than a factory one, any day.

 

[urbanemp]

Ah, didn't see your PM until now.

And it's work for appraising with video and picture editing for club related things.

Do you think you could post the items you're talking about? I don't want to by accident get the wrong items.

 

[runswindows95]

I agree with whatsthatnoise. I do a lot of Word processing, and there's no need for a gaming GPU. I can't tell the difference between a gaming system and my old Core2Duo laptop SAVE one system with a SSD. An SSD for any office system is a plus.

 

[urbanemp]

Are there any builds you guys recommend?

 

[g-unit1111]

Are there any builds you guys recommend?

What's it going to be used for? CS5? Rendering? Editing? Something else?

 

[whatsthatnoise]

Something like this: 1TB HDD for storage, a fast 128GB SSD for OS and programs, an aftermarket CPU cooler for better temps and low noise, a small but quality case and a reliable PSU


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ CompUSA)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($23.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($77.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($38.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-222BB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $581.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-21 21:29 EDT-0400)

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/i9en


debatable:
- 8 or 16GB of memory
- dedicated NVIDIA GPU for CUDA or just Intel HD graphics

not included:
- monitor
- keyboard mouse
- OS

 

[urbanemp]

What's it going to be used for? CS5? Rendering? Editing? Something else?

Browsing the web in general. A few programs for business. Some video editing.

That's about it.

 

[urbanemp]

Something like this: 1TB HDD for storage, a fast 128GB SSD for OS and programs, an aftermarket CPU cooler for better temps and low noise, a small but quality case and a reliable PSU


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ CompUSA)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($23.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($77.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($38.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-222BB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $581.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-21 21:29 EDT-0400)

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/i9en


debatable:
- 8 or 16GB of memory
- dedicated NVIDIA GPU for CUDA or just Intel HD graphics

not included:
- monitor
- keyboard mouse
- OS

With this build a dedicated GPU isn't required correct? And the intel HD graphics can run videos at 1080p also right with any major issues?

 

[whatsthatnoise]

With this build a dedicated GPU isn't required correct? And the intel HD graphics can run videos at 1080p also right with any major issues?

Yes and yes they should, according to Intel.

 

[urbanemp]

Yes and yes they should, according to Intel.

Alrighty, I may go with your build, but I do want some other feedback and hear what others have to say before spending money on it.

 

[willyroc]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Rosewill R101-P-BK MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($38.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $478.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Consider this. You could probably add like a 7750 or a GTX 650 to it and still come in under $600.

 

[g-unit1111]

Yes and yes they should, according to Intel.

Keep in mind that integrated video cannot fully support a multiple monitor setup and will heavily put stress on your RAM and CPU - it should be really used for diagnostic purposes only. Even a basic GPU like the Radeon 7750 will be better than integrated graphics.

 

[urbanemp]

Thank you for all the answers. I still have yet to decide but I'm now narrowing it down between the parts posted.

And I may just add a GPU to it instead of relying on integrated graphics.

 

[urbanemp]

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($77.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: VisionTek Radeon HD 7750 1GB Video Card ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill R101-P-BK MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($38.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-222BB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($90.85 @ Amazon)
Total: $689.76

So this is what I've chosen, but I kept most of the same from willyroc.

Any other suggestions or do you guys think I'm good to go?

 

[urbanemp]

No other suggestions?

 

[willyroc]

I'd say it's good to go.