[Light Knight]

About 6 months ago I built a gaming PC, I love it. Now my father is looking to upgrade to a computer than he won't have to touch for quite a few years.

The computer will not be used for big gaming. Only he, and my mother, and my younger brother live in that house, though my brother will be moving out soon. So this is mostly for middle aged couple. My father does do some music recording, and enjoys watching movies (possibly HD) on the computer. He is looking for a long-term PC.

He has a new 1080p monitor, speakers, mouse and keyboard... all we need is the PC.

Here is what I have. I'm unsure about MoBos.

Budget: ~$1000

Case: XION XON-180
Mother Board: ASUS P8Z68-V ??
CPU: Intel Core i7-2600
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8GB
Power Supply: Antec NEO ECO 400C (May need more when all is said and done)
Video Card: GIGABYTE GV-N550D5-1GI GeForce GTX 550 Ti
DVD Burner: LG- GH22NS90B (If I can cut back somewhere else, I could maybe upgrade to a bluray.
Hdd: Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB
Card Reader: nMEDIAPC ZE-C68
OP: Windows 7

If you post newegg links, please go to the .CA store, as availability is not the same in all countries. Thanks.

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Hi Light Knight
The core components are both good and compatible but two improvements that could be made are 1: a better quality case that has better cooling and removable/washable dust filters http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16811129042 and 2: as you mentioned in your OP the PSU, the video card requires a PSU with a minimum 400W output so the one at your link would not give you any headroom, my suggestion http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16817139027

[phillpower2]

Hi Light Knight
The core components are both good and compatible but two improvements that could be made are 1: a better quality case that has better cooling and removable/washable dust filters http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16811129042 and 2: as you mentioned in your OP the PSU, the video card requires a PSU with a minimum 400W output so the one at your link would not give you any headroom, my suggestion http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16817139027

[Light Knight]

Thanks phillpower. I've added the parts, and I'm still in budget!

Do you think that Video Card is a little much for a non-gaming PC?

Also, will hardrives drop in the near future? I might just wait an other month or two.

[jimbilly211]

Phill I bought that case http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16811129042 and I would have to say that the front two fans come with filters the top rear and side panel are still just wide open. Just fyi on that. Still a nice case have no problems with it.

Edited by jimbilly211, 25 April 2012 - 06:17 AM.

[Macboatmaster]

I was looking at your topic when my good colleague phillpower2 replied just before me.


Yes I do think the graphics card is a little OTT for what your parents wish to do.
WHY not go with the integrated graphics provided by the i7 2600 in combination with the Z68 northbridge which will provide graphics and see how it goes.
You parents may decide they do not need the card.

I suppose it depends on - the importance of him watching the movies - of course the original quality of whatever he is watching it from, then comes into play.

My other thought is the ram - what operating system are you thinking of installing

VersionLimit on X86 Limit on X64
Windows 7
Ultimate4 GB

192 GB

Windows 7 Enterprise
4 GB

192 GB

Windows 7 Professional
4 GB

192 GB

Windows 7 Home Premium
4 GB

16 GB

Windows 7 Home Basic
4 GB

8 GB

Windows 7 Starter
2 GB

N/A

Because of course if you are considering a 32 bit system, Windows will only see and use 4Gb

[phillpower2]

Thanks for the valuable input to both jimbilly211 and Macboatmaster respectively
I concur with Mac regarding the add on video card but I was mindful that you mentioned the possibility of adding a BluRay player and watching HD movies as a pastime, with that in mind I found an Asus B/R burner that is on offer http://www.tigerdire...2604&CatId=3636

Regarding the present cost of HDDs, yes I do believe the cost will drop again once they are stockpiled in warehouses, couple that with the fact that many system builders are now fitting an SSD for the OS and other important programs + a secondary smaller HDD (500 GB for example) for data storage and I don`t see manufacturers and retailers with any other option than to drop the prices, an external USB HDD can be added later for backing up and storing media on.

[Light Knight]

Thanks you all!

My parents have a good home entertainment system, so most of the "serious" HD viewing won't be done on the computer. My father has requested to have a dedicated video card, I'm not sure why, I'll talk to him about it; so that may change. If we do stick in a dedicated, would the 450 1BG be a reasonable choice?

As for the RAM: I'll get Windows 7 Home Premium. 8 GB is definitely more than enough, I just want to make sure in 6 or 7 years he won't feel the need to get some more... I want him to always have plenty of RAM. He will use the computer for Microsoft Office, Pictures, Movies, and some sound editing. (I could see him playing Microsoft Flight or something). I could drop to 6 GB or a 4 GB (and 32 bit).

[phillpower2]

Hi Light Knight

Can you please list your questions in order as we will be able to provide the most appropriate answer and explanation

[Light Knight]

My father has requested a dedicated video card. I will ask him if he'll consider an on-board. If we decide to stick with a dedicated, would the GTX 450 1GB be a reasonable choice for his needs?

They will using Windows 7 Home (32 or 64 bit depending), using MS Office, sound editing software, and perhaps some light games. I would like them to have plenty of RAM for quite a few years as software gets bigger and bigger. What amount of RAM would you recommend?

[phillpower2]

My father has requested a dedicated video card. I will ask him if he'll consider an on-board. If we decide to stick with a dedicated, would the GTX 450 1GB be a reasonable choice for his needs?
Do you mean the GTX 550Ti that you list in your OP?
If yes then I suggest a better and less expensive alternative http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu.php?gpu=Radeon+HD+6790

They will using Windows 7 Home (32 or 64 bit depending), using MS Office, sound editing software, and perhaps some light games. I would like them to have plenty of RAM for quite a few years as software gets bigger and bigger. What amount of RAM would you recommend?
Please refer back to the informative post #5 of colleague Macboatmaster but also keep in mind the better performance of using 64-bit and that the sweet spot for Windows 7 64-bit is 8GB of Ram

[Light Knight]

"Do you mean the GTX 550Ti that you list in your OP?"
No, I meant the GTX 450 as an cheaper alternative to the 550ti. I've checked on newegg, and the HD 6790 is only slightly cheaper than the 550ti... any suggestion for something more in the $100 range?

"keep in mind the better performance of using 64-bit and that the sweet spot for Windows 7 64-bit is 8GB of Ram"
And this is what I though from the beginning. While I know he will not use the 8 GB, at least he will have more than enough, and he will have a 64 bit OS. Thank you.

[phillpower2]

A better less expensive alternative to the GTX 450 or GTS 450 as it is also known http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814161395 benchmark available @ http://www.videocard...=Radeon HD 6750 and the GTX/GTS benchmark http://www.videocard...GeForce GTS 450

Yes a wise choice with the 8GB of Ram as dual channel Ram works best in matching pairs so 2X4GB is perfect.

[Light Knight]

Thanks phillpower2, that vid card is perfect; the benchmarks and price are what was needed.

I've upgraded to a Bluray player/burner: http://www.tigerdire...2604&CatId=3636 , the one you linked to previously, but would there be a drawback to getting a Lite-on: http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16827106369 ? It's only $10 more, but without the hassle of a mail-in.

Last question: Would a non-gamer, casual home user ever notice the difference between the i7-2600 and the i5-2500? Even in 5 years.

[phillpower2]

You are welcome and I am pleased the card meets your requirements

The Bluray is purely down to what is the easiest for you as both are a good option.
The CPU, I have said many a time before that the i7 performance to price ratio is not justifiable IMO when you look at the i5 2500k in the same light - i7 2600 benchmark http://www.cpubenchm...-2600 @ 3.40GHz look where the i5 2500k is positioned and then look at the price difference between the two.

[Light Knight]

Hello all! It's been a while, but now I am ready to order in about a week or so.

Case Rosewill CHALLENGER
Mother Board ASUS P8H77-V LE LGA
CPU Intel Core i7-2600k
RAM Corsair Vengeance CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9
Power Supply CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2
Video Card HIS H675FS1G Radeon HD 6750
Bluray Burner LITE-ON Black IHBS112-04
Hdd Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001 2TB
Card Reader Rosewill RCR-IC001
Windows 7 Home edition

I went for the 2600k finally, but I understand for the price difference is $70, but my father is pretty sure about getting it.

I'm not sure about the motherboard, it seems alright to me. Any other recommendations?