New home PC

[MasterChuck]

The PC is a workstation, predominantly used for browsing the web, outlook, office and other minor tasks. Budget for the actual build is $700, cheaper is better but it needs to last. I'll be buying everything from PCCASEGEAR Australia (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=index) No brand preference.I'll be using my current HDD and a copy of windows 8.1 Might do some slight overclocking but probably run stock speeds. I'll be using a 1080p display (or 1200p if I can get it) Be building within the next couple of months, likely within the month. My big question is whether it's worth waiting 3 months until Broadwell comes out. Longevity is the primary concern, nothing will be pushing the bounds of the hardware.

Motherboard: ASRock H97M Anniversary $105
CPU: Intel i3 4160 $160
CPU Cooler: CoolerMaster Hyper 212X $50
RAM: Kinston ValueRAM KVR16N11/8 $90
SSD: Crucial MX100 128gb $100
HDD: Western Digital 1TB blue (free)
PSU: Corsair CX-430M $85
Case: Bitfenix Comrade $60
Case Fan: Noctua NF-S12B Redux $22

Also looking at a nice monitor ideally the Samsung S24D590P for $270 or a secondhand Dell U2412M for around $200-250

 

[Charlie98]

Parts look OK... couple of suggestions:

If you aren't going to OC, skip the CPU cooler and save $50.

I have used the CX430 Modular PSU, I prefer the standard non-modular because the wires are easier to work with. The modular ones are quite stiff. the standard CX430 should be a little cheaper as well.

If you are able to upsize your SSD to a ~256GB model, you'll pick up some write speed.

I would also go to a 2x 4GB set of RAM instead of a single 8GB stick and make the dual channel capability work for you.

 

[crashtech]

I agree with everything Charlie98 recommends. I would also probably skip the case fan, since the case you are buying includes one intake fan which could be moved to the rear as an exhaust fan. Your build won't be making a bunch of heat, so between the PSU pulling air from the case and one exhaust fan, you'll be fine. Between that and using the included Intel HSF, you should have nearly enough money for a 240-256GB SSD as suggested.

 

[MasterChuck]

Thanks for the responses, looking between the Samsung 850 Evo $175, the MX100 $160 or the MX200 $180. Any large difference between the three? I know they're all very good however. All 2x4gb sticks are $100 regardless of Mhz. PCCASEGEAR doesn't stock the non modular CX-430 and there was a bit spare so I splurged a bit on a better PSU.

Motherboard: ASRock H97M Anniversary $105
CPU: Intel i3 4160 $160
RAM: Kingston Hyper X Fury (2x4GB) $100 (1866Mhz)
SSD Samsung 850 Evo 250gb $175
HDD Western Digital 1TB blue (free)
PSU: Antec True Power Classic 450w $110
Case: Bitfenix Comrade $60
Total: $706

 

[crashtech]

I think the Samsung 850 Evo is giving really good performance per dollar right now. It's a class leader in many respects. I think you are doing well with your choices, though you might be just as well off with a motherboard like the ASRock H81M.

 

[Charlie98]

I think you are doing well with your choices, though you might be just as well off with a motherboard like the ASRock H81M.

I didn't even catch that... he doesn't have a K-CPU. He mentioned maybe OC'ing, that's what I was going off of.

OP, Crash is correct, you might be able to save a wee bit more with something like the H81M; I used a version of that board in a budget build for my inlaws about 18 months ago and it is working very well. Unless the Z97 board just has a feature set you need, that would be a reasonable choice.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

...though you might be just as well off with a motherboard like the ASRock H81M.

Primary advantages the H97M Pro4 ($119) has over the H81M ($79):

Prices here:

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=138_1491

Intel NIC

• 6 SATA ports (vs. 4)
• SATA ports are also right-angle mounted, which might make cable routing easier.
• 2 PCI-E x16 slots (vs. 1)
• 4/2 USB 3.0/2.0 ports on the back (vs. 2/4)
• Optical Audio output and generally better sound card.
• PCI slots for legacy cards.
• 4 DIMM slots (vs. 2)

None of which really matters for a boring home office PC.

The H97M Anniversary is a decent middle option, but getting the inexpensive mobo and spending $40 on MOAR SSD SPACE is probably going to make a bigger difference for the average home user, in the long run.

FWIW, I just built a Pro4/4690K rig for somebody - the only thing that mattered during setup was that the BIOS was smart enough to grab an internet connection and update itself "live." Which actually is pretty cool.

 

[Yuriman]

Some things to consider:

H97 supports four RAM slots, while H81 boards only have two. Dual channel provides noticeable performance benefits in a few select cases, but in the vast majority it's worth 0-5%. If going with a two RAM slot board, I would pick 1x 8GB stick to leave an upgrade path.

430w is massive overkill, considering you're probably not going to peaking 70w in torture testing. You can save a little on your electric bill by picking a smaller power supply, though the difference will probably not be very large.

Considering how little hardware is actually going into this build, a midtower seems almost a waste to me as it would be nearly empty. Would you consider ITX, OP?

 

[crashtech]

I think it's generally better to buy RAM in pairs for dual channel systems. The availability of any given RAM stick one or two years from now isn't guaranteed. Having four RAM slots is nice, though. If that matters to the OP, he could even get a B85 board like the ASRock B85M-PRO3 instead, which is still more economical than an H97 board.

EDIT: The OP does mention Broadwell and overclocking in his post, which might mean that a Z97 board is actually called for, or some reassurance that the H97M Anniversary supports not only overclocking but Broadwell also. I can't look into that right now.

 

[MasterChuck]

Thanks again for all the feedback. I'm open to going for a smaller case, looking at a micro atx case. I don't have much experience with smaller builds. Any advice on moterboards and cases? Also just ignore when I said overclocking, I forgot that I was buying a locked CPU. Kinda torn between 1x8 or 2x4, the difference will likely be negligible however.

Micro ATX build:
Motherboard: ASRock H81M $80
Case: Fractal Design Core 1100 $60 + Rear exhaust fan:
Noctua NF-B9 Redux 92mm $19
CPU: i3 4160 $160
RAM: G.Skills Ripjaws (2x4GB) $100
PSU: Antec True Power Classic 450w gold $110
SSD Samsung 850 Evo 250gb $175
HDD WD Blue 1TB free
Total: $700

 

[Yuriman]

Rosewill, Fortron and Seasonic have gold rated power supplies for around $50-60. 450w is a lot more than you need; the whole system will probably not top 90w under torture testing.

Otherwise, solid part selection. I'd consider going with a smaller case still, but you begin to limit how many hard drives you can take, if that's something you're interested in expanding later.

This should be about half the size of the case you picked:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352027

^ Has room for 6x 3.5" drives.

This is what I use. It's smaller still, though you can only fit 1x 3.5" and 2x 2.5", or 2x 3.5" in it:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811353044


Both would require an ITX form factor motherboard instead. With the fractal, I'd probably pull or massively undervolt the 92mm fans. You won't need all that much airflow and smaller fans tend to make more noise per the amount of air they push.

 

[MasterChuck]

I would get a smaller PSU but the only significantly smaller is the VS350 which doesn't have an 80+ Certificate. The first case you linked is over double the price of the one I've currently listed, the second one isn't on PCCASEGEAR where I'll be buying everything from. I'm also reluctant to go significantly smaller as it's my first small build.

 

[mfenn]

Rosewill, Fortron and Seasonic have gold rated power supplies for around $50-60. 450w is a lot more than you need; the whole system will probably not top 90w under torture testing.

Otherwise, solid part selection. I'd consider going with a smaller case still, but you begin to limit how many hard drives you can take, if that's something you're interested in expanding later.

This should be about half the size of the case you picked:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352027

^ Has room for 6x 3.5" drives.

This is what I use. It's smaller still, though you can only fit 1x 3.5" and 2x 2.5", or 2x 3.5" in it:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811353044


Both would require an ITX form factor motherboard instead. With the fractal, I'd probably pull or massively undervolt the 92mm fans. You won't need all that much airflow and smaller fans tend to make more noise per the amount of air they push.

Don't forget the OP is in Australia where prices are higher and selection is more limited.