- Sep 29, 2009
- 26
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Hey all..I was hoping to get feedback on what I've come up with. I haven't built a desktop since around 2008, so I'm way behind and trying to catch up. In other words...be kind.
My wife will be using this as her home work computer. She's a programmer, but she doesn't do anything overly taxing. A lot of database work and web development. She just wants something solid and reliable.
All of my gaming is done on my PS3/PS4, so it's really a non-factor here. I do play the occasional RTS (Starcraft II and old Age of Empires games), but they aren't taxing. My main interest is in blu-ray playback and audio. I have an external DAC and headphone amp, so my biggest priority in a motherboard is that it simply is able to get a clean USB and/or SPDIF signal to my external devices. The Gigabyte board I picked seems to be geared towards noise-free audio components.
I should also mention that I have ZERO interest in overclocking, which is why I opted against the Z87 boards.
As for video, my understanding is that I can rely on the integrated graphics to get good and reliable 1080p playback via HDMI. I would like to add a video card, but if I can get by without one then the cost-saving measure would be nice.
So, let me know what you think. If I can trim back in some areas to save money without noticing a hit in performance, then that would be fantastic. Or, if I'm seriously limiting myself and need to step something up to the next level, then I'm open to that as well.
Case: Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811352031 - $95
PSU: Fractal Design Integra R2 500W - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817580001 - $60
Motherboard: Gigabyte G1.Sniper B5 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128674 - $100
CPU: Intel i5 - 4670 Haswell 3.4 GHz - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116898 - $220
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Gaming Series 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 1600 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231609 - $150
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 1 TB 7200 RPM - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148840 - $65
BD Burner: Pioneer BDR-209 DBK - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827129075 - $80
Total: ~$760 without rebates or price hunting
I have several other cases on my list that I'm considering: Nanoxia NXDS1, Define R4, Obsidian 350D, Antech Three Hundred Two.
Thoughts? What am I missing here?
My wife will be using this as her home work computer. She's a programmer, but she doesn't do anything overly taxing. A lot of database work and web development. She just wants something solid and reliable.
All of my gaming is done on my PS3/PS4, so it's really a non-factor here. I do play the occasional RTS (Starcraft II and old Age of Empires games), but they aren't taxing. My main interest is in blu-ray playback and audio. I have an external DAC and headphone amp, so my biggest priority in a motherboard is that it simply is able to get a clean USB and/or SPDIF signal to my external devices. The Gigabyte board I picked seems to be geared towards noise-free audio components.
I should also mention that I have ZERO interest in overclocking, which is why I opted against the Z87 boards.
As for video, my understanding is that I can rely on the integrated graphics to get good and reliable 1080p playback via HDMI. I would like to add a video card, but if I can get by without one then the cost-saving measure would be nice.
So, let me know what you think. If I can trim back in some areas to save money without noticing a hit in performance, then that would be fantastic. Or, if I'm seriously limiting myself and need to step something up to the next level, then I'm open to that as well.
Case: Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811352031 - $95
PSU: Fractal Design Integra R2 500W - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817580001 - $60
Motherboard: Gigabyte G1.Sniper B5 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128674 - $100
CPU: Intel i5 - 4670 Haswell 3.4 GHz - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116898 - $220
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Gaming Series 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 1600 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231609 - $150
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 1 TB 7200 RPM - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148840 - $65
BD Burner: Pioneer BDR-209 DBK - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827129075 - $80
Total: ~$760 without rebates or price hunting
I have several other cases on my list that I'm considering: Nanoxia NXDS1, Define R4, Obsidian 350D, Antech Three Hundred Two.
Thoughts? What am I missing here?
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