Final build list. For $100, would you make any changes?

[DMills1553]

Been through a few changes, but here's the final parts list I've come down to. Thing is, I was able to shave a good little chunk of change off, as compared to when I started. So....if you had an extra $100 to drop in this build, would you and where would you put it?

This is home set-up type build. NON-gaming, no overclocking. Running all the basics plus PS, Lightroom (basic stuff) and doing some basic video editing (from a GoPro). Windows 8.1 is taken care of as well.

What are your thoughts on the MB? I was maybe thinking of going to something like an ASUS Z87M-PLUS LGA 1150, for the memory expansion options. Or maybe keeping the Gigabyte and doing two 8GB sticks?

I'm probably just over thinking it all.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-HD3 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($57.49 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V2 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.17 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk (Purchased For $50.00)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($87.50 @ Amazon)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN781ND 802.11b/g/n PCI Wi-Fi Adapter ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: Rosewill Line-M MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($38.99 @ Staples)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (Purchased For $32.98)
Other: nMEDIAPC ZE-C68 USB 2.0 3.5 Drive Bay, All-in-one Card Reader w/ USB Port ($12.99)
Total: $579.08
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-18 22:10 EST-0500)

 

[realchaos]

You'll be fine with that motherboard for your uses. I would downgrade the processor to an i5-4440/4430 (whichever is cheaper) because they will practically perform the same at a cheaper price.

A possible upgrade would be to grab 2x8gb because your needs can actually utilize 16gb of ram. This is pretty cheap for good 16gb of ram: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-memory-bls2kit8g3d1609ds1s00

Or you can put in a low-end gpu because some programs may actually utilize open CL or cuda cores.

 

[DMills1553]

I definitely agree I need to go with 16gb of RAM. The more I look at it, for what I'm doing RAM seems more important than the GPU at this point. If I eventually need to put in a GPU I can down the road. Kind of the same reason I second guessed the original MB choice.

I see the specs on the chips you suggested are pretty much equal to the 4670....so what's the actual difference besides the 3.4 vs 3.1 Ghz speed? I know I'm not spending a ton on a future-proof system...but I would like the option to upgrade and tweek as time goes on.

You'll be fine with that motherboard for your uses. I would downgrade the processor to an i5-4440/4430 (whichever is cheaper) because they will practically perform the same at a cheaper price.

A possible upgrade would be to grab 2x8gb because your needs can actually utilize 16gb of ram. This is pretty cheap for good 16gb of ram: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-memory-bls2kit8g3d1609ds1s00

Or you can put in a low-end gpu because some programs may actually utilize open CL or cuda cores.

 

[realchaos]

The only difference is the slight speed difference. They will not affect the ability to upgrade, and the speed increase is very minimal so you won't notice it.

 

[Whammy]

I'd go for a better PSU, as well as a Samsung 840 EVO, it's the best SSD price to performance.

 

[DMills1553]

Ok, cool. That'll save me another $25 as well, and help offset the additional RAM costs.

The only difference is the slight speed difference. They will not affect the ability to upgrade, and the speed increase is very minimal so you won't notice it.

 

[DMills1553]

Figures...you point out the two components that are being delivered today. I was originally waiting on an EVO, but then the m500 hit $50 AR over the weekend, so I couldn't pass it up. EVO is about 40 MB per sec faster than the m500 on the read end (write won't really matter after installs), so I figure it's negligible.

Even with a simple GPU, I think the 430W PSU can handle it. I could definitely find a better one, but the Corsair CX was by far, the most suggested. Of course I missed the $20 AR price that TigerDirect had going yesterday.

I'd go for a better PSU, as well as a Samsung 840 EVO, it's the best SSD price to performance.

 

[Aristotelian]

Just for aesthetic considerations it might be worth it to spend some money on the case. This is a machine that is going to be in your workspace and you will have to look at it every day.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112378
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352011
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147212

 

[DMills1553]

Thanks for the suggestions. I hadn't seen the Fractal Define Mini....that is a nice case if I could find it for a good price. I actually started with the Fractal 1000 but realized the side mounted USB ports won't work for me. As of right now, this will be in a (vented) cabinet so top or front mounted USB 3.0 is a must.

I really like the Fractal 3000 as well, but it's just too big for this build. It's not in my part list, but I will be putting in a DVD drive that is being taken from my old pre-built, along with a drive mounted card reader...so I need that option as well.

I do plan to airbrush the majority of the case though. I do Duracoat work on the side and I haven't decided on a scheme... but I'm between a camo (probably digital or tiger striped), 2-tone OD green and Dark Earth, or a skull pattern. So that will definitely help with aesthetics. I'll keep an eye on the pricing for that Fractal Mini though.

Just for aesthetic considerations it might be worth it to spend some money on the case. This is a machine that is going to be in your workspace and you will have to look at it every day.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112378
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352011
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147212