Build for my wife

Joined
Dec 13, 2005
Messages
3,588
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc

Primary document editing, and photo editing in GIMP. Casual gaming; nothing more demanding than Star-Craft II.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?

As inexpensive as possible; but around $500 no more than $650ish. We're flexible.

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
Aiken, SC 29801

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.

CPU, Motherboard, RAM, case, PSU, GPU, harddrives...keyboard & mouse... (LCDs are not included in the budget...)

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Nothing will be reused.

6) Will you be overclocking?
if need be. nothing too [H]...

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
open to suggestions... lol right now she has two old 17" Dell 4:3 LCDs, and my old 17 CRT... (all of which are running fairly low resolutions; really drives me nuts doing tasks on her computer, but she likes it...) I was thinking that perhaps a couple 20" 1080p LCDs would be suitable... but, we are open....

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
few weeks-month

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? etc. nothing

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?

Yes, Windows 7 64Bit Ultimate
 
Last edited:
You do realize you're asking for an entire computer plus TWO 1080p LCD monitors on a $650 max budget?

The CHEAPEST 1080P LCD you can get that won't be complete junk costs $120: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009306

Two of those is $240. That leaves $400 for the computer itself.

At that budget you're most likely looking at a pre-built Dell, or at most a bundle deal from Newegg. Some samples:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.752639
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.789240
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.753182
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.752648

If you can make the budget $650 WITHOUT the monitors, we'll be able to do a lot more then and spec out a full build for you.
 
Okay that makes it a lost easier then.

To start, the i3-2100 is a great processor, and more than enough for her needs.

Motherboard wise, it depends on if you plan on getting a discrete graphics card. If so, I'd say get a very basic board, such as:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130603
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131787
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130598

Add on 8 GB of RAM (no point in getting only 4GB, since the price difference is only like $10 or 20):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231422

A power supply:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371031


Graphics card wise, the HD6970 would be massive overkill for her needs, would be severely held back by your processor, and will also wipe out more than half your budget. I would say at best she'd need a 6870:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948

In fact, a 6850 would probably do her just fine too. Again, it all depends on what you have the budget for.

Finally, pick any good HDD, depending on how much budget you have left, we generally prefer hitachi as a brand, but WD, Samsung, Seagate are all good.
 
Is that Antec PSU pretty good? Ever since Corsair started producing PSUs (620HX that is still running today)... that's all I have ever used for all my builds.

Also, how good is the onboard gpu on the i3? I know it wouldn't cut it for the [H]-gamer that I am, but think it would be up to her needs?
 
Is that Antec PSU pretty good? Ever since Corsair started producing PSUs (620HX that is still running today)... that's all I have ever used for all my builds.
The Antec is a pretty good PSU. While Corsair does have PSUs in that price range, those particular Corsair PSUs are overpriced for the performance, quality, and output they have. So your best bet from a best bang for the buck standpoint in your price range is that Antec PSU.
Also, how good is the onboard gpu on the i3? I know it wouldn't cut it for the [H]-gamer that I am, but think it would be up to her needs?
Well with the exception of gaming, the onboard video is enough for her needs. However due to the gaming requirements and the mention of SC2, your wife is better off getting a dedicated video card.
 
The Antec is a pretty good PSU. While Corsair does have PSUs in that price range, those particular Corsair PSUs are overpriced for the performance, quality, and output they have. So your best bet from a best bang for the buck standpoint in your price range is that Antec PSU.

Well with the exception of gaming, the onboard video is enough for her needs. However due to the gaming requirements and the mention of SC2, your wife is better off getting a dedicated video card.
Thanks Danny Bui, you are always offer the best advice... I'll go with the Antec PSU then. For now, I'm thnking that I might just do onboard video for now.. I can always drop in a card later on down the road.. (the ability to play SC2 on it would just be an extra for my boys right now. lol)

So... do all H61 and H67 have the ability for video? Any other chipsets to look out for?
 
So... do all H61 and H67 have the ability for video? Any other chipsets to look out for?

More or less. Remember that with the SB CPUs, the video chip is now part of the CPU itself. As long as the mobo has onboard video outputs, you should be fine.
 
Just make sure you check the description of the MoBo when you go to choose one, some manufacturers actually disable the onboard video on the board itself, even if it's a H61 or H67 chipset. On average, ASUS and MSI should be good bets, just make sure the description specifically mentions onboard video support.
 
More or less. Remember that with the SB CPUs, the video chip is now part of the CPU itself. As long as the mobo has onboard video outputs, you should be fine.

Just make sure you check the description of the MoBo when you go to choose one, some manufacturers actually disable the onboard video on the board itself, even if it's a H61 or H67 chipset. On average, ASUS and MSI should be good bets, just make sure the description specifically mentions onboard video support.
Excellent. Thanks guys! I talked her into just one LCD for now; running off the onboard video for now... and buying her one LCD for now... Later on down the road, I'll get real gpu and another LCD later on... (might hand down my HD5850 to her and pick up an upgrade for myself!!!)

thanks again! I'll post pics when Git-R-Done...:D
 
Back
Top