New mid-range build

[afawzy316]

My 8 year old PC is finished and I'm looking to replace it. I'm not a gamer and will only be using the PC for internet, office, SAS and maybe photo/video editing software occasionally. Below is what I have so far...I would really appreciate it if you guys could fill in the blanks, let me know if there are superior components that are similarly priced or whether there are any incompatibilities. I would love to keep this under $500

Processor: Core i5 2500K ($180) http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0354589

Motherboard: I'd like some suggestions ....if there is a mobo that supports both ATA and SATA hard drives that would be excellent. I don't know much about mobos but for now I have my eye on the MSI H67MA-E45-B3 ($99 after MIR)

Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS 1024MB ($20 after MIR)

Power Supply: Already have a Corsair CX430 (or something like that)

RAM: will depend on the mobo I guess but probably 8GB for ~$80

Case: no clue, but preferably something small and cheap with no lights

OS: Windows 7 Pro (institutional license)

Other than that i have a 500GB SATA drive and 2 ATA drives (which I wouldn't mind getting rid of and replacing with a 1TB SATA) and a PCI wireless card (which I might need to replace depending on the mobo). I'll finish it off by buying some cheap (~$20) optical drive.

Finally, any thoughts on how to make this computer as quiet as possible. My current one sounds like there's an airplane taking off in it.

Thanks!

 

[DesiPower]

Good mobo choice!

I don't think you need a GPU, the HD3000 IGP should be enough, specially since you are going with something like 8400 GS. mobo has D-SUB, DVI and HDMI ports, I am sure it can handle 2 monitors atleast

There's a great deal on a 8GB RAM at shell shocker today! not sure how long it will last though

For Case look at the Antec 300 at newegg, after MIR I think its $44, no lights!

The case has 2 relatively quiet fans, you can buy aftermarket quiet CPU coolers, like "Scythe SCRT-1000" (I dont know much about them..) to replace the stock fan. With no GPU, you should have a quiet machine overall.

 

[afawzy316]

Good mobo choice!

I don't think you need a GPU, the HD3000 IGP should be enough, specially since you are going with something like 8400 GS. mobo has D-SUB, DVI and HDMI ports, I am sure it can handle 2 monitors atleast

There a great deal on on a 8GB RAM are shell shocker today! not sure how long it will last though

For Case look at the Antec 300 at newegg, after MIR i think its $44, no lights!

Thanks for the input.

I was actually hoping to get a mini ATX case. Anyone know of any good ones?

 

[DesiPower]

COOLER MASTER Elite 360 is a small case. but might be crammed... LIAN LI - A05 are nice too and good looking but expensive

 

[mfenn]

Definitely ditch the PATA drives. You're off to a pretty good start, so here's what I would suggest to fill it out:

- CPU: That's a good deal at MC
- Mobo: The H67MA-E45 will do what you need it to and can be picked up at MC
- GPU: No need for one as Desi said
- PSU: What you have is fine
- RAM: This Mushkin DDR3 1333 8GB shellshocker deal is pretty good.
- HDD : Look no further than the Samsung F3 1TB.
- ODD : Any $20 one will be fine like this Samsung
- Case: The Cooler Master Elite 343 is inexpensive (ok, cheap) and can be picked up at MC to avoid shipping charges

 

[afawzy316]

Definitely ditch the PATA drives. You're off to a pretty good start, so here's what I would suggest to fill it out:

- CPU: That's a good deal at MC
- Mobo: The H67MA-E45 will do what you need it to and can be picked up at MC
- GPU: No need for one as Desi said
- PSU: What you have is fine
- RAM: This Mushkin DDR3 1333 8GB shellshocker deal is pretty good.
- HDD : Look no further than the Samsung F3 1TB.
- ODD : Any $20 one will be fine like this Samsung
- Case: The Cooler Master Elite 343 is inexpensive (ok, cheap) and can be picked up at MC to avoid shipping charges

Thanks for the input. That HDD looks great. For optical drive i was considering this Lite-ON (http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0322335). I'm really shocked that there is such a poor selection of microATX cases but that cooler master you mentioned should do the trick.

I'm having a bit of trouble finding a wireless PCIe card ...any suggestions?

 

[afawzy316]

I'm having a bit of trouble finding a wireless PCIe card ...any suggestions?

Actually I guess this one will do: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833320048

Final question ...how can I tell whether the case comes with fans?

 

[fffblackmage]

^By looking at the specs:

Case Fans (1) 120mm Fan

 

[mfenn]

Actually I guess this one will do: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833320048

Should be fine.

Final question ...how can I tell whether the case comes with fans?

Either look at the specs, find pics on other websites, or since you will be buying it in person open it up before you buy (or look at a demo model).