Charity Build- Entry Level gamer/Audio Composer

[jwreeves88]

Ok.. I know I got a Gaming rig up right now on the forums for nit picking , but I am also doing a charity case computer for a friend of mine who is on hard times snd ahe wants to get her husband something for Christmas. I am building this out of my own pocket to give to her.. Know her husband is mostly a Audio composer, and before you complain and stuff about it being a weak computer.. Know that they still use a Pentium processor with only 1.5 gigs of ram and I believe XP.. I never di dget their full specs of their system, but I know its trash for running Xara Music Studio, it works but it crashes alot when saving songs and what not.

Lets not tarry any longer, here is this build I am putting together for them, trying to keep it under 1k.. Its entry level but It is SIGNIFICANTLY better than what they have and I know it would run Xara better. WHat does the geniuses of Toms Hardware think of zis~?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($108.09 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 550 Ti 1GB Video Card ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cougar Solution (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 400W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.90 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($56.23 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Acer V213HLBJbd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($96.00 @ Compuvest)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Keyboard: Logitech K100 Wired Slim Keyboard ($4.99 @ NCIX US)
Mouse: V7 M30P10-7N Wired Optical Mouse ($5.13 @ Amazon)
Total: $830.27
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-21 10:29 EST-0500)

 

[twelve25]

I can't imagine anyone would call your awesome gift crappy and low end. That's really cool of you!

If anything, I think you come down a bit. You've got a pretty high end motherboard, and "gamer" power supply that aren't really contributing anything to the build for their extra cost. No need for Z77 when you are running a 3470. I think you could get a quality b75 mobo for $40 less or so. I would say 3470 is overkill, but if you are getting it at microcenter for that price, it's not a bad deal.

I would go 650 over 550 Ti at that price. Same performance, but lower power usage. I think they had a free game with the 650, too.

One thing to watch for on cheap monitors is that a lot of new GPU don't have regular VGA ports, but most cheap monitors only have vga ports.

 

[jwreeves88]

I see. Thanks twelve. As long as I can keep the build under 1k, Ill be happy. I have abit of playroom.

If you know a Monitor that is better suited that wont murder the bank. It does need to be mega good, they are using it for entry level gaming.

Let me retool the build then.

The Power supply I was keeping it near Power wattage, and balancing price. i know its not suited for it, but thats the best I think could keep.. But I wonder , since they are not going to ever SLI it for hardcore gaming, I wonder if I could give them a PSU for headroom to upgrade if the need comes.. Mavbe a 550w ? If possible Modular to save on clutter..If not.. Ah well.

 

[twelve25]

The rosewill green series is pretty good. They have a 630W one on sale for like $45 right now at newegg.

That monitor you picked has DVI and is pretty decent. I was just speaking in general terms about $100 monitors.

Maybe you could find an SSD for a boot drive to really blow their mind!

If you have some more playroom, Maybe a 7770 or 650Ti wouldn't be out of the question. That's a huge step up from the 550TI/650 for about $30-50.

 

[jwreeves88]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Asus P8B75-V ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($102.31 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 650 Ti 1GB Video Card ($139.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cougar Solution (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Rosewill Green 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($55.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($56.23 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Acer V213HLBJbd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($96.00 @ Compuvest)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Keyboard: Logitech K100 Wired Slim Keyboard ($4.99 @ NCIX US)
Mouse: V7 M30P10-7N Wired Optical Mouse ($5.13 @ Amazon)
Total: $865.57
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-21 12:36 EST-0500)



Nah to the SSD, I got 2 computers to pay for and build. My budget is REALLY strained.

 

[twelve25]

I told you to go B75 to save money, that one's the same price as the Z77 you had!

I was thinking something like the ASRock B75M, or if you want full ATX, the Asrock Z75 Pro 3. There are plenty of boards in the $60-80 range that will work.

Hey, I was just throwing that SSD out there because you said you had $1000 to spend. I think you are being plenty generous with out it. If it were me, I'd probably even drop to an i3 because they won't know the difference. Coming from that old system.

BTW, the reason I mentioned the RW green 630W is because it is actually cheaper than the 430 or 530 right now. Might as well get the highest output one when it's the cheapest.

 

[jwreeves88]

Can you link the Parts to me if they are in PC part picker, Derpd erp x.x I am handicapable atm. Been up for 24 hours straight trying to do my research for 2 computers c.c
Getting alitle sleepy, Might be time to call it..and work on it tommorow.