What Do You Think about This Build?

misterpotatomato on 07/02/2016 - 15:24
Last edited 07/02/2016 - 15:43

Hey guys,

I've had a family friend ask me to build them a PC. I haven't done one in a while but I'm trying to build one on the cheap while making it actually bearable to use. They mainly do dictation (so nothing too demanding etc).

This is what I have so far. I'm quoting for a Celeron because apparently they're okay for this kind of business use (not waiting for days for things to happen etc) but I could be wrong. I also put a SSHD in there because I figure that IO wait on a mechanical drive could make it lag on startup etc.

Thoughts? Here it is. I'm already about $44 over budget lol.

Intel G1840 $59
ASRock H81M-DGS $69
AOC E2260swda(SPK) 21.5" $149
Seagate 1TB SSHD $105
Antec 500W PSU VSK3-500 $79
4GB 1600 ValueRam $32
SATA DVD RW Samsung $19
oem MS Windows Home 10 $139
Partlist card reader $19
Logitech MK550 $74

            $744

I've changed it to this to penny pinch…

Intel G1840 $59 (add $110 for faster processor - i3 4170)
ASRock H81M-DGS $69
AOC E2260swda(SPK) 21.5" $149
Seagate 1TB SSHD $105
Aerocool CS-1301 with Card Reader $79
4GB 1600 ValueRam $32
SATA DVD RW Samsung $19
oem MS Windows Home 10 $139
Logitech MK345 $41

$692

Thanks

Computing

Comments

  • spackbace on 07/02/2016 - 15:34

    Buy windows key, save $100 right there.

    Otherwise the box looks like something you could easily buy 2nd hand.

    Or during an eBay sale it would be easy to find an i5 with 8gb for about $550-600, then add the monitor and kb/mouse.

    Family friend could really benefit by upping the budget to ~1k, getting an i5, 8gb ram and a bigger hdd. Otherwise they'll probably be crying to you in 6 months saying it's too slow!

    What's the main use of the build?

    • misterpotatomato on 07/02/2016 - 15:40

      Where would I get the Windows key from?

      Main use is dictation, so, listen to people talk and then write it into Word. Pretty basic.

    • misterpotatomato on 07/02/2016 - 15:43

      What do you think of the edit :)

      • ozhunter on 07/02/2016 - 17:31
        +1

        https://www.reddit.com/r/microsoftsoftwareswap/comments/44e4…

        You could buy Windows7/8(and upgrade to 10) from there for USD $20. I'm not 100% sure if it's genuine but a lot of people seem to be happy with it.

        • ians4220 on 08/02/2016 - 11:46
          -3

          Buying a Windows OS any version licence key is illegal and you will find that Microsoft will block the licence key while trying to activate. Stay away from any place that is selling a Windows OS licence key only. They are not worth the trouble.

        • spackbace on 08/02/2016 - 12:13

          @ians4220:

          Interesting you created an account just to say that…

        • ians4220 on 08/02/2016 - 22:31
          -1

          @Spackbace: And your point is. I'm not the worlds greatest fan of Microsoft but still it is illegal to be selling Windows OS licence keys by them selves. If you don't like the truth then don't make any comments or are you a fan of doing a business out of business.

        • spackbace on 08/02/2016 - 22:42

          @ians4220:

          Yep Microsoft is really at risk of closing down…

          Lol are you a stand up comedian? Coz damn you've got some good material!

  • Geekomatic on 07/02/2016 - 15:40

    Looks good to me. You might get comments about using other bits, but what you have is all good stuff, good reviews. CPU is on the approved list, not able to check your RAM…but you can on the Asus site. I also use Asus MB's & have had good luck with them.

    Other than that, about the only thing I'd change is Linux Mint instead of forking out for (ugh) Win 10…but that's just me… ;)

    Cheers

    • misterpotatomato on 07/02/2016 - 15:41

      It's an ASRock mobo, not ASUS, but it has good reviews :)

      • Geekomatic on 07/02/2016 - 15:47

        Well, technically a "spin-off"…At any rate, your build is fine. As per Spaceback, you might consider a pre-built to have a warranty. Otherwise, it's all on you, should the build somehow go pear-shaped.

        Just a thought. But I do like building. :)

        • misterpotatomato on 07/02/2016 - 16:36

          Oh really? I suspected spin off but I never really knew.

          I know if it breaks it'll be my baby… but they're really good friends of ours. And I do like building!

        • scrimshaw on 07/02/2016 - 19:25

          @misterpotatomato:
          ASROCK was part of ASUS. They spun off and became a low cost alternative to ASUS back in 2002.

          But ASROCK actually became pretty big and they now enjoy a pretty large market share.

  • [Deactivated] on 07/02/2016 - 19:24

    You can add ~40 and get a G3258 and OC it, the thing is a beast even on stock cooling (Core 2 Duo tier of easy OC).

  • scrimshaw on 07/02/2016 - 19:57
    +6

    From Shopping Express

    Lenovo M73 SFF Desktop PC i3-4160 4GB 500GB

    Free Shipping, 20 units available, 1 per customer

    $469.00

    Sale Time — starts at 9PM tonight!

    core specs
    i3-4160, 4GB RAM
    Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
    DVD-ROM
    240W, autosensing, 85% PSU
    Mouse plus KB

    If I were you, I'd buy this and give the receipt to them, and if they have any technical issues that's for the shop to sort it out, not you :)

  • p1 ama on 07/02/2016 - 22:35

    I just think it's ridiculous that you're spending like 20% of your budget on Windows. If you're building it for someone who don't use computers a whole lot and they don't have a lot of Windows habits, it might be worth getting them to try Linux. Ubuntu is a good starting point, though you might want to look at Xubuntu as that runs a little quicker. Some of my friends use Mint and they love that.

    I know that almost sounds counter-intuitive, but the less experienced you are, the less Windows habits you have and the easier it is to just pick up anything and use it. Linux is pretty user friendly these days and arguably works as well as Windows. I'm assuming that by "dictation" you mean like word processing? Linux has the great (and free) LibreOffice suite, which is comparably to MS Office and works in a very similar fashion.

    As for the rest of your components, I think they're pretty decent.

    I'd personally ditch the SSHD and get a 250GB SSD for the same price, much faster and more reliable, doesn't sound like they're storing all too much anyway. I'd invest in a slightly better monitor. I think MSY have a 23" AOC (or maybe it was ASUS) 1080p panel for $165. Hurry up and get that instead.

    • mattyman on 08/02/2016 - 12:02

      Because most people don't use Linux. If the OP doesn't use it, it's going to be pretty hard for him to support going forward (becuase when you build a PC for someone, you will inevitably provide support for them).

      "Hey. I installed Linux for you. I don't know how to use it but I'm sure you'll manage."

      Also … most people use Windows at work. Giving them something familiar is going to cause less stress for the OP in the future.

      • p1 ama on 08/02/2016 - 16:21

        For 99% of basic every day tasks, Linux is just as easy to use as Windows. Most people who crap on about Linux have never even used Linux. I use both Windows and Linux on a regular basis. I recently built a computer for an elderly family member who had never really used computers before, so was unfamiliar with either Linux or Windows. I installed Linux for him and it works great. He uses it for web browsing, word processing and watching a few movies.

        Familiarity is an overrated concept, learning how to use Linux on a basic level is no harder than learning how to use a different smartphone or tablet or trying to work out how to use a new TV. If you are a power user, then fair enough, but it's just silly to spend 20% of your budget on something that makes little difference ultimately.

    • [Deactivated] on 08/02/2016 - 15:13

      Because teaching people Linux, and dealing with their problems is a lot more troublesome than just forking out the cash and buying Windows.

  • jonathonsunshine on 08/02/2016 - 00:10
    +2

    Why not just get one of the many laptops that get posted here?

    5th gen i3 HP $408
    6th gen i5 Lenovo $736

  • deltakilo on 08/02/2016 - 16:45

    Why not go 2nd hand from Gumtree or similar, cheaper and/or better spec than building?

    • scrimshaw on 08/02/2016 - 18:28

      Better to buy a Dell refurbished pc from the Dell Outlet if you want a used pc.

      At least the Dell has warranty which means the OP is not personally responsible. Less hassle basically in case of breakdown.

      I wouldn't buy anything second hand for another person, as you lack any proof of purchase (receipt) and this can lead to arguments down the track.

      • misterpotatomato on 08/02/2016 - 19:10

        Yeah good call. Handily, I have my DELL outlet website scraper thing that helps find cheap DELL outlet refurbs. I checked, and theres not a lot there unfortunately.

  • spackbace on 09/02/2016 - 11:36

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/233951

    $540, then need screen/mouse/kb/windows

  • theHMASfriendship on 10/02/2016 - 09:40

    Hi, some more price saving opportunities.

    I noticed the i3-4160 was $152 at computer alliance the other day (seeing as though you're in Bris)
    http://www.computeralliance.com.au/intel-s1150-core-i3-4160-…

    If you (or they) have an old laptop or computer running windows (vista or above I think) and don't have the original disk, you can see if you can retrieve the key, find out the right windows version (i.e. vista/7/8 etc and home/professional..) and download it from microsoft and use the key. Then you should be able to upgrade for free to 10.

    Alternatively 8.1 looks to be $119 from MSY and umart, you can get that and upgrade to 10.

    You could go for the logitech mk120 for keyboard/mouse; I picked this up for $24 at officeworks the other day. Basic but decent enough.

    There's another $54 off the build (or $173 if you can find a windows key) :)

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