Office Build - under $400

[mikecxt]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper N520 43.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G41 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Momentus 5400.6 320GB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Raidmax ATX-238WU ATX Mid Tower Case ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: CoolMax 400W ATX Power Supply ($17.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $310.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-26 10:50 EST-0500)

I am building 2 identical computers for my office. They will run Windows 7, and MS Office. They are replacing 12 year old computers, so I'm looking to get decade of use out of these. I want to keep them under $400 (this is the max, I'm happy with the current $310 if the system is good).

Is this a decent build? I want long term usability (hence a motherboard with 32GB capacity), and a decent CPU that while it won't be great in 10 years, will still be okay if you don't mind a slightly sluggish system.

Only issue encountered is Case does not have a USB 3.0 front port, but while trying different ones, they all had the same compatibility issue. I don't know if 400W is plenty, or not enough for the future 32GBs RAM.

Will be reusing DVD drives from current computers, I have Windows 7, and keyboard/mouse.

 

[cutebeans]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A6-3670K 2.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($80.66 @ Compuvest)
Motherboard: ASRock A55M-HVS Micro ATX FM1 Motherboard ($47.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital RE2 750GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill FBM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $253.59
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-26 11:14 EST-0500)

Hi, this would be a bit better for a lesser price.

A quad core would give you more help and it's cheaper than the i3-3220.

8gb is actually super overkill for Office work. 4gb is overkill as well but I got you 8gb because it's on sale right now.
At most, you would only need 2gb for office work

The PSU you picked out isn't good though and stock cooler will work fine on your build. No need to get cooler.

Finally, the HDD you picked out is a laptop drive and don't worry I picked out a better and bigger one.

 

[the great randini]

a faster hard drive would be better for the build (also its a 2.5" Internal Notebook Hard Drive),



http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148766

 

[mikecxt]

Best answer selected by mikecxt.

 

[mikecxt]

Thank you. I have purchased more or less what you had. You were very helpful.