Building a workstation PC

[sixseater]

Hey everyone! My mom is in need of a new computer and I offered to build her one. Only problem is that I've never actually built a computer before, so any help would be much appreciated.

 

I'm looking to keep the build around $1,000CAD sans peripherals. She's going to be doing work on it (and running into some RAM or CPU issues on her current laptop--not really sure which, but she's been having some crashes) but nothing graphics intensive. It's also not going to be overclocked. Basically willing to compromise on anything that's not the CPU/RAM and I am very much open to suggestions. Oh, it also needs to be able to support two or three monitors. I'm also completely unsure if I should get a sound card so advice about that would be great, as well.

 

Anyway, here's what I have now (partpicker link here)

 

CPU: Intel i5 4690K @ 3.5 GHz Quad Core

CPU cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO

Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX Motherboard

Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 16 GB

Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 256 GB SSD + Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200 RPM Hard Drive

GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB (I'm unsure if this is even necessary--is integrated CPU graphics enough to support two or three monitors?)

Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower

Power supply: Corsair CX 500W 

Total cost: $998.87 CAD

 

Thanks in advance!

[TheAmazingCookieFromSquare]

Get rid of the 750Ti.

The Z97-A can support 3 monitors from onboard graphics.Just going to need a adapter or two to plug in 

[shypin]

if you are not overclocking then you probably wont need the K version of 4690

probably wont need a z series board either

 

also corsair cx series is not very good

[Mao_Zedong]

This one would be a little nicer. The CPU has hyperthreading, which will make it better for productivity. I also got a cheaper 750ti, but you could easily get by with a normal 750.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($315.98 @ Newegg Canada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($38.98 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($99.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($109.98 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($104.99 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($58.98 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card  ($149.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($59.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $998.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-30 23:13 EDT-0400

[Guest]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($224.50 @ shopRBC) 

Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($84.75 @ Vuugo) 

Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($109.98 @ DirectCanada) 

Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($104.99 @ DirectCanada) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($58.98 @ DirectCanada) 

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 390 8GB Nitro Video Card  ($421.95 @ Vuugo) 

Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($59.99 @ Memory Express) 

Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($54.99 @ NCIX) 

Total: $1120.13

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-30 23:16 EDT-0400

[Inception9269]

Hey everyone! My mom is in need of a new computer and I offered to build her one. Only problem is that I've never actually built a computer before, so any help would be much appreciated.

 

I'm looking to keep the build around $1,000CAD sans peripherals. She's going to be doing work on it (and running into some RAM or CPU issues on her current laptop--not really sure which, but she's been having some crashes) but nothing graphics intensive. It's also not going to be overclocked. Basically willing to compromise on anything that's not the CPU/RAM and I am very much open to suggestions. Oh, it also needs to be able to support two or three monitors. I'm also completely unsure if I should get a sound card so advice about that would be great, as well.

 

Anyway, here's what I have now (partpicker link here)

 

CPU: Intel i5 4690K @ 3.5 GHz Quad Core

CPU cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO

Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX Motherboard

Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 16 GB

Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 256 GB SSD + Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200 RPM Hard Drive

GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB (I'm unsure if this is even necessary--is integrated CPU graphics enough to support two or three monitors?)

Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower

Power supply: Corsair CX 500W 

Total cost: $998.87 CAD

 

Thanks in advance!

 

I put this build together,

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A10-7850K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($149.99 @ Canada Computers)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($38.98 @ DirectCanada)

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88X-UP4 ATX FM2+ Motherboard  ($89.99 @ Memory Express)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($64.99 @ NCIX)

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($127.98 @ DirectCanada)

Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($59.99 @ Memory Express)

Power Supply: Corsair CSM 450W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($74.99 @ Canada Computers)

Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer  ($19.99 @ Memory Express)

Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($39.98 @ DirectCanada)

Total: $666.88

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-30 23:26 EDT-0400

 

Since it's just a work computer and your mom most likely won't be gaming, there's really no point in getting a graphics card. An APU should work plenty for her.

As for the storage, same thing. Since it isn't gaming, depending on what kind of work it is a simple ssd should be plenty.

I added an optical drive in case she still prefers having those.

Added a wifi adapter in case you don't have a wired connection.

I recommend buying a 8.1 pro key from reddit or g2a for $20 and then getting a free upgrade to 10 pro.

[Inception9269]

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($224.50 @ shopRBC) 

Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($84.75 @ Vuugo) 

Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($109.98 @ DirectCanada) 

Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($104.99 @ DirectCanada) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($58.98 @ DirectCanada) 

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 390 8GB Nitro Video Card  ($421.95 @ Vuugo) 

Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($59.99 @ Memory Express) 

Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($54.99 @ NCIX) 

Total: $1120.13

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-30 23:16 EDT-0400

 

 

His mom most likely won't be gaming at all, or at most very light demanding. so a $400 gpu is overkill majorly

[Guest]

His mom most likely won't be gaming at all, or at most very light demanding. so a $400 gpu is overkill majorly

Then he could just lower the budget then

His budget is quite high for someone who won't need to game

[sixseater]

Get rid of the 750Ti.

The Z97-A can support 3 monitors from onboard graphics.Just going to need a adapter or two to plug in 

Hmm, okay, thanks. That's probably what I'll go with

 

if you are not overclocking then you probably wont need the K version of 4690

probably wont need a z series board either

 

also corsair cx series is not very good

Great, I've downgraded to the 4690 and switched power supplies, thanks. Looking into some other motherboards as well.

 

This one would be a little nicer. The CPU has hyperthreading, which will make it better for productivity. I also got a cheaper 750ti, but you could easily get by with a normal 750.

 

Is hyperthreading useful outside of video rendering?

[Mao_Zedong]

Is hyperthreading useful outside of video rendering?

Yes, it helps with all highly threaded applications and with multitasking. I personally have one and it's amazing.

[sixseater]

 

 

Since it's just a work computer and your mom most likely won't be gaming, there's really no point in getting a graphics card. An APU should work plenty for her.

As for the storage, same thing. Since it isn't gaming, depending on what kind of work it is a simple ssd should be plenty.

I added an optical drive in case she still prefers having those.

Added a wifi adapter in case you don't have a wired connection.

I recommend buying a 8.1 pro key from reddit or g2a for $20 and then getting a free upgrade to 10 pro.

Great, thanks. Is the Samsung SSD worth the upgrade over the same size Sandisk one? And don't motherboards usually have built in wifi? 

edit: oh, and thanks for the OS tip, much appreciated (I thought I had free Windows from my school but clearly I was mistaken, so saving on the OS is definitely a plus)

 

Then he could just lower the budget then

His budget is quite high for someone who won't need to game

Yeah, she's not going to be gaming at all. This is the budget she game me so that's what I'm going with here.

 

Yes, it helps with all highly threaded applications and with multitasking. I personally have one and it's amazing.

Okay, sweet, I'll look into it, thanks.

[Inception9269]

Great, thanks. Is the Samsung SSD worth the upgrade over the same size Sandisk one? And don't motherboards usually have built in wifi? 

edit: oh, and thanks for the OS tip, much appreciated (I thought I had free Windows from my school but clearly I was mistaken, so saving on the OS is definitely a plus)

 

I don't have any knowledge or experience with sandisk ssds.

 

What i do know is Samsung and Intel ssds are very reliable and high quality. Although I think Intel charges too much for theirs.

As for wifi, some offer built in wifi, mostly itx boards, and not so much for ATX or micro ATX boards. Store bought desktops include integrated wifi, but store bought desktops are a rip off.

[BigDay]

what will your mother be doing with the pc exactly? word processing, excel, what?

[BigDay]

added a fully modular psu because i hate ones that aren't modular. motherboard has wifi built in

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($224.50 @ shopRBC)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! PURE ROCK 51.4 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($35.53 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($128.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury White 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($59.99 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($85.98 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Seagate  1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive  ($79.99 @ Memory Express)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($52.25 @ Vuugo)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($85.97 @ Amazon Canada)
Total: $753.19
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-31 00:35 EDT-0400

[sixseater]

I don't have any knowledge or experience with sandisk ssds.

 

What i do know is Samsung and Intel ssds are very reliable and high quality. Although I think Intel charges too much for theirs.

As for wifi, some offer built in wifi, mostly itx boards, and not so much for ATX or micro ATX boards. Store bought desktops include integrated wifi, but store bought desktops are a rip off.

Ah, okay, good thing you mentioned the wifi because I assumed built in was standard at this point.

 

added a fully modular psu because i hate ones that aren't modular. motherboard has wifi built in

 

thanks for mentioning the modular vs. nonmodular psu thing, just looked it up and yeah, would not have wanted to deal with a nonmodular power supply.

 

Also: I've never heard of ASRock before and you're the second person to include them in suggestions. I'm assuming that means that I should give them a look. Are there any issues I should know about regarding reliability and quality?

[BigDay]

Ah, okay, good thing you mentioned the wifi because I assumed built in was standard at this point.

 

thanks for mentioning the modular vs. nonmodular psu thing, just looked it up and yeah, would not have wanted to deal with a nonmodular power supply.

 

Also: I've never heard of ASRock before and you're the second person to include them in suggestions. I'm assuming that means that I should give them a look. Are there any issues I should know about regarding reliability and quality?

 

no idea. haven't heard anything negative about asrock yet. msi and asus are good too. same with gigabyte if you're going with theh h97 boards

[Inception9269]

Ah, okay, good thing you mentioned the wifi because I assumed built in was standard at this point.

 

thanks for mentioning the modular vs. nonmodular psu thing, just looked it up and yeah, would not have wanted to deal with a nonmodular power supply.

 

Also: I've never heard of ASRock before and you're the second person to include them in suggestions. I'm assuming that means that I should give them a look. Are there any issues I should know about regarding reliability and quality?

 

I don't really like Asrock motherboards. My first budget build used an asrock and it just seemed very cheap all over and I didn't really like it. I've seen others say similar things about asrock motherboards