Budget PC Build

[glory]

I'm building a PC for my gf's parents and would like your guys' thoughts/comments on the build so far. Budget is $700 CDN (w/ taxes) for hardware, OS (win7), and monitor. The computer will be used for surfing the internet, e-mail, making movies/slideshows from family photos, light gaming, and word/excel. This is upgrading a few year old HP pre-built comp which runs off E7400 (I think), 6GB ram, 1TB HDD, etc.

CPU: Intel i3 3220 ($129.33 -NCIX)
PSU: CM GX 450W ($56.119 - NCIX)
RAM: Corsair XMS CMX8GX3M2A1333C9 8GB ($37.79 - NCIX)
HDD: WD 1TB Green ($89.98 - NCIX)
Motherboard: Gigabyte H77M-D3H ($99.99-NCIX)
Video Card: N/A
Case: Antec One ($52.34 - Local store)
Other: SD Card reader (still looking)

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit ($100.39 - Local Store)

Monitor: Asus VS208N-P ($117.77 - Local Store)

Total = $683.78

This is slightly over budget with taxes (10%) so looking to drop it a bit. Suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[Thumper]

Use Linux Mint for the OS, save $100.



Pretty good build, I generally don't use Cooler Master stuff, especially PSUs. If you can get a Corsair or OCZ that would be more reliable.

 

[nouse4aname]

For that budget and objective the pre-builts are hard to beat these days. Plus they have someone other than you to bug for support...

http://www.microcenter.com/product/392480/B634_Desktop_Computer
$515 US, which your quoted prices seem to match right up with US prices.
Intel Core i5-3450
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (64-bit)
8GB DDR3-1333 RAM
2TB 5,400RPM Hard Drive
SuperMulti DVDRW Drive
Multi-in-One Memory Card Reader
Intel HD Graphics 2500
10/100/1000 Network
802.11b/g/n Wireless

 

[Thunderfunk]

I was pricing out going AMD since it would be cheaper but even then at most a $60-70 savings. Any cheaper and you would start to have to compromise on performance. I also agree to stay away from Cooler Master PSUs, stay with Corsair, Antec, Seasonic.

I would consider what nouse4aname mentioned and check out pricing on some prebuilts.

Also nice to see some fellow Linux users on here

 

[lilfleck]

Personally, I would look at a better brand PSU in that price range (you don't want to skimp here). Maybe you can shave some $$ by going w/ a smaller HD. Doubt they will need 1tb.

 

[nouse4aname]

Reuse the existing monitor, hard drive, and OS(or use existing OS to upgrade to Win8 for cheap). Upgrade power supply, processor, and get a solid state drive to have this budget build flying.

Or is the existing PC being upgraded actually being given to someone else?

 

[glory]

Ya I don't know why I went CM for the PSU that will change. In Canada, AMD A10-5800K (which is the equivalent to i3 3220 pretty much) is pretty much the same price as the i3. So I will probably stay with the i3.

The old computer is being put out into the garage most likely so everything there will be moved along with it.

Linux is a no can do, since it just wouldnt work with the users.

As for pre-builts having a hard time finding any decent ones in Canada (most use older gen's of CPUs).

Gotta do more work on this - better PSU, smaller HDD (500-750GB), better deals.

 

[Thunderfunk]

You can get an AMD Phenom II X4 965BE for $89.99 on Newegg.ca. That will beat out an Intel i3.

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