Need input for a Quickbooks Build

[Joyful_Family]

Budget: $500-750

Country: USA

 

Details:

My current 2015 computer is struggling (Intel i7-6700 3.40ghz, 16gb ddr4 1600 mhz, 2tb sata hard drive). Though I clean it weekly with utilities (Glary, Bleachbit, defrag, etc), there are issues. The psu fan is failing. Programs are taking too long to load. Sometimes programs freeze. There's only about 500gb being used on the hard drive. The plan is to build two new computers. The build regarding the post will be SOLELY for Quickbooks Desktop and Windows 10. The other build (most likely on an AMD 7-7700x will be for everything else used daily. 

 

Due to the fact I manage several entities with our local Quickbooks desktop version, it's too expensive to move them to any online provider. The Quickbooks Desktop was paid for about 6 years ago with no lingering fees, and the Desktop version gives me far more control over the accounting than online solutions. 

 

Use: This build will SOLELY be used to run Windows 10 and Quickbooks 2019 Desktop Accountant's version. The goal is for this build to last at least 7-15 years until I hire someone to do the accounting for us. This build will be a native Windows 10 install and will not be upgraded to Windows 11 because 2019 Quickbooks Desktop is targeted for Windows 10. The data files will be backed up weekly and Windows 10 will be updated about once a month. I don't need to update Quickbooks as most of their updates are on features like online connectivity which I never use. I have 2 1080p monitors that will be added to this from the current computer. The graphics must support at least 2 monitors (extended display), minimum 1080p each. 

 

I want high-quality components (maybe a bit of over-build here and there) so as not to have to deal with anything except Windows/drivers updates and using the cleaning utilities.

 

Planned Components:

• CPU  $82: AMD 3rd gen Ryzen 5-5500 3.6ghz. 6 cores, 12 threads, L1 384kb, L2 3mb, L3 16 mb. Max memory DDR4-3200.
• Motherboard  $125: Asus Prime B550-Plus ATX. 
• Case  $150: Fractal Torrent Compact black rgb, no glass.
• Memory  $79: G. Skill Ripjaws 2x16gb DDR4-3200 CL16.
• Storage  $50: Sabrent Rocket SSD 512gb M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 nvme.
• Video card  $114: haven't decided, maybe the Vision Tek SFF Radeon HD 7750.
• PSU  $135: Be Quiet SFX L Power 500 watt 80+ Gold. 

The wattage above is approx 230 watts. So a 500 watt psu should allow the components to run in the sweet spot around 50%. I had a bit of a struggle determining a good motherboard for the 5-5500. I'll be using a Fractal Torrent Compact case for the other new build and hence, want the cases to match. I want cases that will be very quiet and keep everything very cool. 

 

Please jump on in this discussion. Keep in mind that after I build this case and the other one for my daily driver, I don't want to deal with any problems. I'm not a tech guy. But I'm doing this to have far superior components in my build than what I can get from someone else for the same money. I do not want to drop in quality on a component just to save $25. 

[Joyful_Family]

• CPU cooler: I'll use the included Wraith cooler that comes with the cpu. But if it's too loud I'll get something from Noctura.

[brob]

The existing CPU should be more than enough for QuickBooks. You might consider replacing that SATA HDD with an SSD and getting a new CPU cooler. The SSD will greatly improve load times and eliminate the regular defrag, etc.

 

My choice of SSD would be https://pcpartpicker.com/product/7nsnTW/samsung-870-evo-1-tb-25-solid-state-drive-mz-77e1t0bam. But https://pcpartpicker.com/product/h3tQzy/crucial-mx500-1tb-25-solid-state-drive-ct1000mx500ssd1 is significantly less expensive and quite good.

 

Without knowing the case it's tough to suggest a new cpu cooler. Something like https://pcpartpicker.com/product/q6H7YJ/thermalright-assassin-x-120-refined-se-6617-cfm-cpu-cooler-ax120-se-d3 will fit many cases and should do a decent job cooling the CPU.

 

Replacing the CPU cooler is not difficult but will require care in removing the old heatsink and cleaning the CPU surface of old thermal compound.

[Joyful_Family]

1 hour ago, brob said:

The existing CPU should be more than enough for QuickBooks. You might consider replacing that SATA HDD with an SSD and getting a new CPU cooler. The SSD will greatly improve load times and eliminate the regular defrag, etc.

Indeed it is more than enough... I wanted something in the 3rd gen or after as the price from a 2nd gen is a very small difference.. Thank you for catching the SATA SSD! I definitely do not want that. And the other recommendations are very helpful! I'm sure I can "get by" for a few years by building a $500 or less build. But I don't mind having some nice things just in case I hire a bookkeeper sooner than later and will need to sell the build or part it out. Thank you!

[Joyful_Family]

Correction: the AMD 5-5500 3.6ghz is a 4th gen Cezanne. 

[rikitikitavi]

5 hours ago, Joyful_Family said:

Motherboard  $125: Asus Prime B550-Plus ATX.

You can go with a cheaper bottom of the barrel MOBO well under $100.

 

5 hours ago, Joyful_Family said:

Case  $150: Fractal Torrent Compact black rgb, no glass.

Too fancy for a budget / value proposition. You won't be overheating anything, so just get a cheap one, or reuse old one (unless it is garbage).

 

5 hours ago, Joyful_Family said:

Storage  $50: Sabrent Rocket SSD 512gb M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 nvme.

NVME, PCIe, SATA - does not matter for you - go for the better value. If you can save on MOBO that doesn't have a NVME then go for it and get a 2.5 SATA SSD.

 

1 hour ago, Joyful_Family said:

Thank you for catching the SATA SSD! I definitely do not want that.

I'm not sure what you mean... SATA SSD is what you need instead of HDD for main drive.

 

5 hours ago, Joyful_Family said:

Intel i7-6700 3.40ghz, 16gb ddr4 1600 mhz

Looks like a very capable machine. Refer to my answer from your other post.

 

So if you monitor your RAM usage and see it is not enough (you actually exceed 16GB) - adding extra RAM might be the solution. Otherwise SSD and fresh Windows10 and apps install is the bare minimum. Your weekly cleaning doesn't really matter.

 

Fixing your current setup looks like a way better solution than getting a brand new one.

[Joyful_Family]

rikitikitavi,

Thank you again. My response on the other post has more info about some of the specs on my current computer. Though I need Quickbooks desktop and it works on Win 10 without issue, I realized there's no need for a separate build. As of today, MS will continue Win 10 support until Oct 2025. From now until then, I'll do the new build that will include all the programs and run Win 10. I will not upgrade to Win 11 until Win 10 support has stopped. And, I will continue to use Win 10 after that as long as necessary. I don't need any of the frills offered by Win 11. I wish Windows would make two systems: one system for those of us who want a lot of control... bring back Xp and keep it going. Then have a social-media type Windows for those who want their computers to be like their social media accounts.

 

As I said in the other post, my current build cannot be upgraded. But, from 2016 it has served our family well. It was about a $500 purchase from Costco without monitors/peripherals. We're grateful. 

 

Thank you again for all of your support and wisdom. If the need arises where I have to put Quickbooks on a stand-alone machine with Win 10, then it makes sense to keep the build simple and affordable.