Feedback on Current Workstation Builds

[deedubbadoo]

Hello everyone. I've been helping a local firm build new machines for their employees and I was hoping to get a little feedback and some suggestions to other options. I went through the part picker and selected what I've been using for builds.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-2120 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($118.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H61M/U3S3 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($66.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.98 @ Outlet PC)
Case: Cooler Master Centurion 5 ATX Mid Tower Case ($60.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer MK III 400W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($62.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($135.62 @ Outlet PC)
Other: Rosewill NEC 4+1 Port USB 2.0 PCI Card ($8.99)
Total: $561.31
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-13 11:20 EST-0500)

There are a few changes that I've made recently because I normally order everything from Newegg. Recently though, they have been out of the Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D power supply that I normally prefer to use, so I switched to the PC Power & Cooling model. Also they have recently been out of stock with the Antec 300 Steel Case, which I prefer over the Centurion. Basically I'm just looking for suggestions for a law office environment. I know that 500GB drives might be overkill, but it's relatively cheap, so why not.

Ideally I would like to keep the total right around $550-$590 out the door. Again, with Newegg being the primary vendor.

 

[michxymi]

Check my office Build at my blog (address is in my signature, look the 500$ all in one PC)

If you want to save some money tell me so I can made changes according to your needs!

 

[michxymi]

I would change the APU with either

AMD A8-5500 Trinity 3.2GHz (3.7GHz Turbo) Socket FM2 65W Quad-Core Desktop APU (CPU + GPU) with DirectX 11 Graphic AMD Radeon HD 7560D AD5500OKHJBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113288

or

AMD A8-5600K Trinity 3.6GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) Socket FM2 100W Quad-Core Desktop APU (CPU + GPU) with DirectX 11 Graphic AMD Radeon HD 7560D AD560KWOHJBOX

the memory with

Kingston HyperX XMP Blu Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Desktop Memory Model KHX16C9B1RK2/8X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104339

and either leave the SSD or add a smaller one just for OS

Kingston SSDNow V300 Series SV300S37A/60G 2.5" 60GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820721106

 

[deedubbadoo]

michxymi,

I think you responded to the wrong thread. I'm not using AMD APUs or an SSD.

 

[AMD Radeon]

btw is it by purpose you pick old sandy i3?
we all know ivy i3 is better and has similar price

 

[michxymi]

michxymi,

I think you responded to the wrong thread. I'm not using AMD APUs or an SSD.

In the build I told you to look up I have used AMD's APU and a SSD. I just give you some suggestions on how to make it cheaper without loosing perfomance

 

[deedubbadoo]

btw is it by purpose you pick old sandy i3?
we all know ivy i3 is better and has similar price

It isn't just a mistake on my part.

 

[deedubbadoo]

In the build I told you to look up I have used AMD's APU and a SSD. I just give you some suggestions on how to make it cheaper without loosing perfomance

Ahh sorry about that michxymi! I didn't click through your link yet.

 

[AMD Radeon]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B75M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($61.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($22.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 64GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill RANGER-M MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Other: Rosewill NEC 4+1 Port USB 2.0 PCI Card ($8.99)
Total: $566.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-13 12:03 EST-0500)

switch i3 and mobo to newest generation
get 1x4GB ram to leave room for upgrade (mobo has only 2 slots ram)
for office, it is important to use microATX compact size case
and i add an SSD for better multitasking, open/close programs+files

 

[deedubbadoo]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B75M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($61.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($22.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 64GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill RANGER-M MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Other: Rosewill NEC 4+1 Port USB 2.0 PCI Card ($8.99)
Total: $566.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-13 12:03 EST-0500)

switch i3 and mobo to newest generation
get 1x4GB ram to leave room for upgrade (mobo has only 2 slots ram)
for office, it is important to use microATX compact size case
and i add an SSD for better multitasking, open/close programs+files

That build looks pretty good AMD Radeon! My only concern is with the case. Since this is a law office, I try to shy away from a case with lights. Do you know if the lights can be disabled? If not, I could always try and find another case for around the same price.

 

[AMD Radeon]

as you wish

 

[AMD Radeon]

swap the case with fractal design core 1000

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B75M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($61.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($22.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 64GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($49.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Other: Rosewill NEC 4+1 Port USB 2.0 PCI Card ($8.99)
Total: $576.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-13 12:28 EST-0500)

 

[deedubbadoo]

swap the case with fractal design core 1000

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B75M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($61.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($22.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 64GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($49.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Other: Rosewill NEC 4+1 Port USB 2.0 PCI Card ($8.99)
Total: $576.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-13 12:28 EST-0500)

Thanks for all of the help AMD Radeon! The Fractal case does make a huge difference. I have one more machine to build with my current parts but moving forward, I will switch to this new setup. I love the inclusion of the SSD too. I've been thinking about integrating them somehow. I think it will make quite a difference in speeds.

Thanks again!

 

[deedubbadoo]

Best answer selected by deedubbadoo.