(Build Help) Budget Video Editing PC for Dad.

[Rockstar]

Hello all, my fathers birthday is in a couple days and i managed to save some money to upgrade his old Windows XP Core 2 Duo Build. Its about time he upgraded.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Basic video editing & daily web browsing. Stereo input is a must so he can record audio directly from the computer because he screencaptures youtube video's and what not.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Budget is max 500$
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
Citrus Heights, CA
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.
case, motherboard, processor, video card, hard drive, (ssd if manageable), Power supply, anything else a tower needs.
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
monitor and windows
6) Will you be overclocking?
no
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
1920 x 1080
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Asap, i am an amazon prime member so i would prefer to build entire build from there, but if parts are alot cheaper elsewhere i can manage
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)? UEFI? etc.
usb 3.0 would be nice for future upgrades. stereo input is needed as well, not sure if an audio card or certain drivers are needed to enable that
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?

yes, windows 7 64bit, but plan on upgrading to windows 10.

My dad doesnt play any video games but does what HD movies so a basic video card with hdmi input would be great. i am looking to spend anywhere around $300-$500 for a tower.
I am also open to purchasing a prebuilt system with a monitor if the value/ warranty is good. My dad swears by his old Pentium 4 Dell's lol. Heres a LINK to a desktop my dad is really interested in, I had to stop him and tell him it was a bad deal so i could surprise him with my own PC.

He also prefers Intel CPU's over AMD, but i am open to all suggestions, thanks for reading.

 

[the_servicer]

Maybe I'm not getting it, but what exactly do you not like about that samsclub deal?

 

[Rockstar]

Maybe I'm not getting it, but what exactly do you not like about that samsclub deal?

i just figured i could maybe build something for the price? And im unsure about the stereo mix and gpu on that pc. I heard the motherboards on prebuilt pc's are terrible.

 

[E4g1e]

i just figured i could maybe build something for the price?

Only if you can stretch the budget to about $700 or so. Most do-it-yourself builds that cost $500 or so are seriously deficient in one or more areas (for example, you can get fairly high-performance parts but a poor- to terrible-quality power supply and a flimsy, cramped, low-quality case with mediocre to poor airflow for such a lower price).

And as a matter of fact, a do-it-yourself build that includes all components that are comparable in performance and quality to that Dell will not cost any less than that pre-built, and may actually cost more money.

 

[Rockstar]

i wont be able to spend that extra $$$. Is going up really necessary? I already thought an i5 would be an overkill because my dad is coming from a core 2 duo. He primarily edits video that isnt even HD

 

[rive22]

i5, overkill, & video editing, don't belong in the same sentence.

 

[SpeedyVV]

That Dell looks really good for your needs.

 

[the_servicer]

They charge sales tax, right?

 

[Rockstar]

i5, overkill, & video editing, don't belong in the same sentence.

well considering he's video editing on a core 2 duo at the moment, yes it probably is an overkill. Hes simply editing 30 minute home video's not starting a hollywood studio.

They charge sales tax, right?

yes they do

 

[Dangman]

As E4g1e pointed out, a comparable quality DIY setup is going to cost more in this situation:
$189 - Intel Core i5-4460 CPU
$82 - ASRock H97M Pro4 Intel H97 mATX Motherboard
$80 - G.Skill 2 x 8GB DDR3 1600 RAM
$48 - Western Digital Blue WD10EZEX 1TB 7200RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$40 - Corsair 430CX V2 430W PSU
$46 - Coolermaster N200 mATX Case
$96 - Windows 8.1 64bit
$140 - BenQ GL2460HM 24" LCD Monitor
----
Total: $721 shipped

Yes that system would be $30 to $35 cheaper with 8GB of RAM but that's a really decent deal for 2 x 8GB of RAM. Nor does it include a keyboard and mouse like the Dell has. Bare minimum, a DIUY setup is going to cost an extra $90 to as much as $150 more than that Dell.

 

[SpeedyVV]

As E4g1e pointed out, a comparable quality DIY setup is going to cost more in this situation:
$189 - Intel Core i5-4460 CPU
$82 - ASRock H97M Pro4 Intel H97 mATX Motherboard
$80 - G.Skill 2 x 8GB DDR3 1600 RAM
$48 - Western Digital Blue WD10EZEX 1TB 7200RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$40 - Corsair 430CX V2 430W PSU
$46 - Coolermaster N200 mATX Case
$96 - Windows 8.1 64bit
$140 - BenQ GL2460HM 24" LCD Monitor
----
Total: $721 shipped

Yes that system would be $30 to $35 cheaper with 8GB of RAM but that's a really decent deal for 2 x 8GB of RAM. Nor does it include a keyboard and mouse like the Dell has. Bare minimum, a DIUY setup is going to cost an extra $90 to as much as $150 more than that Dell.

Mind you, I consider Pre Built Systems to include less than optimal quality, so here is an equivalent system.

The point of a DIY is to pick only the parts you need, and get some quality parts, and have the ability to upgrade later as needed.

Case in point, you already have a monitor an OS, so that is another $200 you can cut from the list below. Which allows you to get better parts for a similar build and stay under the $500 budget.

But the point is, it can also be cheap.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($176.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ECS B85H3-M9 (1.0) Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($36.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($38.50 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master TC102 ATX Mid Tower Case w/500W Power Supply ($37.99 @ Micro Center)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: AOC E2425SWD 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($119.99 @ Best Buy)
Keyboard: Microsoft Keyboard 200 Wired Standard Keyboard ($7.99 @ Directron)
Mouse: Microsoft Optical Mouse 200 for Business Wired Optical Mouse ($6.99 @ Directron)
Total: $558.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-16 06:02 EDT-0400

And if you only buy what you need, then you can get this OC bitch with both SSD and HDD!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Best Buy)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($86.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($89.97 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($38.50 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1100 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $585.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-16 06:32 EDT-0400

 

[Dangman]

Mind you, I consider Pre Built Systems to include less than optimal quality, so here is an equivalent system.

The point of a DIY is to pick only the parts you need, and get some quality parts, and have the ability to upgrade later as needed.

Case in point, you already have a monitor an OS, so that is another $200 you can cut from the list below. Which allows you to get better parts for a similar build and stay under the $500 budget.

But the point is, it can also be cheap.

Just because the DIY setup is cheap does not mean that it's actually good. While I agree that prebuilt systems do tend to include less than good qualtiy parts, the problem is that there are plenty of DIY setups that have parts that are worse than or at best equal to a prebuilt. Your choice of motherboard, case, and PSU are extremely poor quality parts for the money. In fact, I'd trust a Dell motherboard and the included Dell PSU over that setup.

 

[SpeedyVV]

Just because the DIY setup is cheap does not mean that it's actually good. While I agree that prebuilt systems do tend to include less than good qualtiy parts, the problem is that there are plenty of DIY setups that have parts that are worse than or at best equal to a prebuilt. Your choice of motherboard, case, and PSU are extremely poor quality parts for the money. In fact, I'd trust a Dell motherboard and the included Dell PSU over that setup.

No argument over your point, but if you noticed, I underlined "cheap".

My point is that DIY is worth it when is a combination of good parts and getting only what is needed.

That is what I was trying to do on the 2nd build.

 

[Dangman]

No argument over your point, but if you noticed, I underlined "cheap".

My point is that DIY is worth it when is a combination of good parts and getting only what is needed.

That is what I was trying to do on the 2nd build.

But your 2nd build doesn't prove your point either. Several of those parts are cheap yes but extremely poor value for the money. Basically a waste of money at that point. All that for overclock capability which isn't quite advisable with so many cheap parts. Not to mention that the OP mentioned no overclocking.

The Dell would save him money long-term since the unused Windows 7 key and spare monitor can go towards a different PC.

I understand your point completely (I actually did forget about the spare monitor and unused Windows 7 key) but you just weren't proving your point right. I'll do it:
$189 - Intel Core i5-4460 CPU
$82 - ASRock H97M Pro4 Intel H97 mATX Motherboard
$48 - Crucial Ballistix Tactical 8GB DDR3 1600 RAM
$85 - Crucial BX100 250GB SSD
$53 - Western Digital Blue WD10EZEX 1TB 7200RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$40 - Corsair 430CX V2 430W PSU
$46 - Coolermaster N200 mATX Case
----
Total: $543 shipped

Key differences:
- More reputable motherboard
- Better cooling case
- More popular/reputable hard drive (the Seller for that HDD seems fishy to me)
- Better bang for the buck value.

 

[Rockstar]

thanks for your input guys.

Dangman. a couple quick questions for you.
Would you go with this i5-4590 for the extra $?
Also, my dad may need dual dvd burners for burning dvd's and copying dvd's, do you know any other quality cases around the same price that has space for 2 drives? I came across this

Also, this power supply is only 5$ more, what do you think of it?

Sorry for the inconvinience, as a prime member im wondering if i can have the whole computer built from amazon items so i dont have to worry about the shipping time or cost.

I plan on ordering and building everything mid week next week. hopefully prices will lower or stay put...

 

[Chris_Lonardo]

If you're going to put upgrade dollars anywhere, I'd get a good SSD. Hard drives suck in spectacular ways for video and photo editing work: http://www.hardocp.com/article/2015/07/09/ocz_trion_100_series_entry_level_ssd_review/7#.VajmpHRVhBc

 

[SpeedyVV]

But your 2nd build doesn't prove your point either. Several of those parts are cheap yes but extremely poor value for the money. Basically a waste of money at that point. All that for overclock capability which isn't quite advisable with so many cheap parts. Not to mention that the OP mentioned no overclocking.

I leave the proper Builds to you. But I think you get my point.

On your build, don't you think a ssd would be an important component for a video editing system?

 

[Dangman]

thanks for your input guys.

Dangman. a couple quick questions for you.
Would you go with this i5-4590 for the extra $?
Also, my dad may need dual dvd burners for burning dvd's and copying dvd's, do you know any other quality cases around the same price that has space for 2 drives? I came across this

Also, this power supply is only 5$ more, what do you think of it?

Sorry for the inconvinience, as a prime member im wondering if i can have the whole computer built from amazon items so i dont have to worry about the shipping time or cost.

I plan on ordering and building everything mid week next week. hopefully prices will lower or stay put...

As of this post, the COre i5 4590 is the same price as the 4460. IN that case, yes definitely buy that 4590. However, at its normal $200 price tag, only get it if you have some extra cash to spare after getting optimal parts for the rest of the PC. Any higher than $200 and it's not worth it.

That particular Corsair case actually has worse cooling than the Coolermaster N200 since it lacks the second fan like the N200 has. In addition, its tear-off expansion slot covers are a dead-giveaway to the cheap quality of that Corsair case. Finally, it has a tiny bit less room for cable management than the N200 despite being a larger overall case. So definitely not a good buy unless you live in Europe.

The cheapest case that has two DVD bays AND mounts for a SSD that I can recommend is this case:
$70 - Corsair Graphite Series 230T Black ATX Case

In regards to the PSU, its performance isn't as good as the CX430 but it costs the same as the CX430 while providing a bit more power. So it's an ok choice. If $50 is all that you can spend on a PSU, it's not a bad choice.

As for making the entire PC from Amazon:
$190 - Intel Core i5-4590 CPU (BUY TODAY!
$90 - MSI Z97 PC MATE Intel Z97 ATX Motherboard
$50 - Crucial Ballistix BLS8G3D1609DS1S00 8GB DDR3 1600 RAM
$90 - Crucial BX100 250GB SSD
$53 - Western Digital Blue WD10EZEX 1TB 7200RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$50 - eVGA 500B 500W PSU
$70 - Corsair Graphite Series 230T Black ATX Case
----
Total: $593 shipped

$50 more than earlier but now you're getting a better built and better cooling case that supports two DVD drives while the rest of the parts are now from Amazon.com.

I leave the proper Builds to you. But I think you get my point.

On your build, don't you think a ssd would be an important component for a video editing system?

I included a SSD in the new build list.

 

[Rockstar]

OK some updates
1. Signed up for Newegg premier Trial, Updated some older links
2. Ordered the CPU
3. Changed the CX430 to the CX430M with 10% off promo
4. Removed the WD HD because my dad currently has 2x 1tb drives & DVD Burners i can salvage

What do you think so far? Anything i should change? Am i missing anything?

$189 - Intel Core i5-4590 (Already Ordered)
$82 - ASRock H97M Pro4 Intel H97 mATX Motherboard
$48 - Crucial Ballistix Tactical 8GB DDR3 1600 RAM
$85 - Crucial BX100 250GB SSD
$45 - CORSAIR CX series CX430M
$70 - Corsair Graphite Series Black 230T

 

[Dangman]

Looks good to me!

 

[Rockstar]

Looks good to me!

Everything ordered!

I just found out my dad has a Antec VP-450 power supply in his current pc, Do you think i should salvage that as well to save some cash or stick with the corsair? Its sunday so the item hasnt shipped yet so im sure i can still cancel it.

 

[Dangman]

Everything ordered!

I just found out my dad has a Antec VP-450 power supply in his current pc, Do you think i should salvage that as well to save some cash or stick with the corsair? Its sunday so the item hasnt shipped yet so im sure i can still cancel it.

No. It's not that great of a PSU.