Advice on build for online computer science school

I would buy a smaller ssd for the OS, but thats personal preference. the 128gb m4 is about 100 bux, and is enough for the OS and a few games.


For a power supply 500w is adequate for a single card, maybe even smaller(that card only requires a 350w PSU). I would spend 75-85 on a modular PSU instead of 150.

Be on the lookout for good monitor deals for black nobemeber, you can probably get some 23 inchers for just a few bux more.

Good choice on the thermal paste.

The thing you failed to include is the OS (if you need to purchase one).

If you plan to overclock, get a CPU cooler for sure. If you do not want to overclock, you can go for a regular "non-K" i5 and a H77 motherboard to save money.

thanks for the advice  . Yea I see I forgot the OS. Going to be putting Windows 8 Pro x64 on it. Wasn't sure what I wanted before. Heres the new build

Case: Antec Three Hundred Two Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Upgraded 2 x USB 3.0 Price: 69.99

Motherboard: ASRock H77M LGA 1155 Intel H77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard Price: 64.99

CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 Ivy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.5GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2500 BX80637I53450 Price: 194.99

Video Card: EVGA 02G-P4-2643-KR GeForce GT 640 2GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card Price: 104.99

Hard Drive (OS): Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) Price: 104.99

Hard Drive (Storage/Data): Seagate Barracuda 7200.14 ST3000DM001 3TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive Price: 149.99

Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL Price: 39.99

DVD Drive: LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM Price: 17.99

Power Supply: RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-530SS 530W ATX12V V2.2/ EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Power Supply Price: 34.99

Keyboard/Mouse: Logitech Wireless Combo MK260 920-002950 Black USB RF Wireless Standard Keyboard and Mouse Price: 29.99

Monitor: Acer G205HVbd Black 20" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor Price: 109.99 * 2 = 219.98 total

Thermal Paste: Arctic Silver Arctic Alumina 1.75g Premium Ceramic, Polysynthetic thermal compound AA-1.75G Price: 4.90

New total: 1,182.77

Old total: 1,312.78

Total savings: 130.01  

So is this JUST for computer science?

You don't need the thermal compound either. The stuff on the cooler that comes with the processor will suffice.

@deemo13: Yea for the most part. Will use it for some light gaming and some programming too. Kind of want it to be future proof a bit too   . Thats why I have the usb3 on the mobo.

Well, if you want to lower the cost a bit, you can go with a Radeon HD7750, which should be around the same price, but is much faster.

Also, you probably don't need that big of a power supply for that computer.

Or the thermal paste.

ok changed the video card to the Radeon HD7750, couldnt find a cheaper power supply on newegg, and went with a different monitor to go with the video card. Also took off the thermal paste. Heres the new build...

Case: Antec Three Hundred Two Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Upgraded 2 x USB 3.0 Price: 69.99

Motherboard: ASRock H77M LGA 1155 Intel H77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard Price: 64.99

CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 Ivy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.5GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2500 BX80637I53450 Price: 194.99

Video Card: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card (11202-00-20G ) Price: 94.99

Hard Drive (OS): Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) Price: 104.99

Hard Drive (Storage/Data): Seagate Barracuda 7200.14 ST3000DM001 3TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive Price: 149.99

Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL Price: 39.99

DVD Drive: LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM Price: 17.99

Power Supply: RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-530SS 530W ATX12V V2.2/ EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Power Supply Price: 39.99

Keyboard/Mouse: Logitech Wireless Combo MK260 920-002950 Black USB RF Wireless Standard Keyboard and Mouse Price: 29.99

Monitor: : Acer S231HLbid Black 23" 5ms HDMI LED-Backlight LCD monitor Slim Design Price: 149.99 * 2 = 299.98 total

OS: Windows 8 Pro 64 Bit Price: 139.99

New total: 1,247.87

Change compared to last build: +65.10

Not bad considering Im getting 23" LED monitors compared to 20" LCD in the other build.

One more thing, please do not use that power supply. You can go with something like the Corsair CX500. Its more expensive, but many don't realize that the power supply is one of the most important components to a system. Its not something to skimp.

I was under the impression that you were still using the Corsair HX. You can go with a CX500.

I was going to ask if anyone knew about them power supplies. I switched it out to go with a less powerfull one. Switched power supply to the CX500 now..Build is as follows..

Case: Antec Three Hundred Two Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Upgraded 2 x USB 3.0 Price: 69.99

Motherboard: ASRock H77M LGA 1155 Intel H77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard Price: 64.99

CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 Ivy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.5GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2500 BX80637I53450 Price: 194.99

Video Card: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card (11202-00-20G ) Price: 94.99

Hard Drive (OS): Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) Price: 104.99

Hard Drive (Storage/Data): Seagate Barracuda 7200.14 ST3000DM001 3TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive Price: 149.99

Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL Price: 39.99

DVD Drive: LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM Price: 17.99

Power Supply: CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply Price: 59.99

Keyboard/Mouse: Logitech Wireless Combo MK260 920-002950 Black USB RF Wireless Standard Keyboard and Mouse Price: 29.99

Monitor: : Acer S231HLbid Black 23" 5ms HDMI LED-Backlight LCD monitor Slim Design Price: 149.99 * 2 = 299.98 total

OS: Windows 8 Pro 64 Bit Price: 139.99

New total: 1,267.87

Change compared to last build: +20

So compared to my original build Im still saving 44.91. Dont think that is too bad.