Fast $500 machine

[tommatthews]

Hi All. This is build number 2 for me - one was a great success thanks to this forum. I want to build as fast a multi-tasking machine as possible with a $500 price tag. I would like to be able to drive two monitors (which I have) but will forgo this to stay at $500. This is a work computer, not a gaming computer so I don't need a lot of graphics.

Based on reading through different posts, I put this together. The problem is I am at $700 - $200 over budget (all pricing from newegg). Can you help? FYI, I do not need 500G of hard drive. 120 would probably be OK.


Intel Core i3-2100 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz 2 x 256KB L2 Cache 3MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I32100
124.99

Antec EarthWatts EA-500D Green 500W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
64.99

Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model CT2KIT25664BA1339
39.99

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
69.99

ASUS P8Z68-V LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
179.99


Western Digital Caviar Black WD5002AALX 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
59.99

ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM
20.99

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit - OEM
139.99

[glc]

Okay - let's sharpen the pencil!

Newegg.com - APEX PC-389-C Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Newegg.com - BIOSTAR TZ68A+ LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Newegg.com - Intel Pentium G620 Sandy Bridge 2.6GHz 2 x 256KB L2 Cache 3MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80623G620

Newegg.com - Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D Green 430W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD2500AAKX 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

[tommatthews]

Thanks GLC. I will order exactly as defined. Worked well for the last machine

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by tommatthews Thanks GLC. I will order exactly as defined. Worked well for the last machine

That was a well thought out build for your budget. Impressive.

[Preston]

I've never used a Biostar before...they have always felt like an 'off brand' to me.

Looks like decent reviews on Newegg though.

I think that is is the second time I've seen Biostar recommended here on the 'Mech. Every one pretty satisfied with them?

[glc]

Biostars are the only brand of cheap motherboards that I will consider. I prefer not to use them, but if there's a hard budget ceiling I'll take them over others in the same range such as Asrock, ECS, or Jetway.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by Preston I've never used a Biostar before...they have always felt like an 'off brand' to me. Looks like decent reviews on Newegg though. I think that is is the second time I've seen Biostar recommended here on the 'Mech. Every one pretty satisfied with them?

I have used quite a few in budget builds over the years. Now here is the kicker, I have never had one come back or have problems. They just flat out work. They also have very configurable BIOS's as well. The only thing that has kept me from using more is the board layouts are a little strange at times. Like the A770E3 (great entry level home server board), the 24 pin power connector is in the middle of the board and it is hard to manage that fat cable when the power supply is on the top or if you have a bottom mount PS, you have to run the fat cable over a video card... Not a deal breaker, just different or annoying. Other boards have strange placements for fan or front panel headers.

[Khalil]

Biostar are excellent low end motherboards, jdeb is right on the money, they rarely come back with a problem and if they do their tech support is very helpful.

[tommatthews]

Update. PC running perfectly. All multi-tasking issues from previous PC are gone. All programs load fast, no program conflicts that create that horrible lingering hour glass. This is really a good - economical office worker PC

[Preston]

Thanks for the update. Always nice to get the final outcome on a thread.