computer build parts list circa 2010

Doing a "build" for a friend. Looking for good price/performance trade offs. Also, "come in around $700" was the request. To save $$$ went with a core i3 instead of core i5 and put that savings back into an SSD.


Here is the build:

$125 Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale 2.93GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor (link) 
$125 ASUS P7H55D-M EVO LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard (link)
$195 Crucial CT64M225 2.5" 64GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)  (link) - OMG blazing fast, good price
$15   StarTech BRACKET25 Adapter Kit to Mount 2.5" HDD in 3.5" Drive Bay - required adapter for SSD (link)
$121 Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600  (link)
$85   Thermaltake TR2 TRX-650M 650W ATX 12V  (link)
$40   COOLER MASTER Elite 341 RC-341C-KKN1-GP Black (link)
$109 LG Black 10X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM SATA (link) <



Optional:
WIFI card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833156243 $34
2nd HD   : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148397 $39  Good for storing your personal (non Operating system) data, rather than using your primary HD for that. This keeps the PC fast longer.


You told me about an old drive you wanted to transfer data off of from a different computer. Get one of these to do that: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182153 Bonus: you get to use this enclosure to do backups!


Since you said you might want to hook it up to your TV, I changed the drive from just DVD to a Bluray/DVD drive. It costs more, but plays Bluray HD disks as well as being able to burn DVDs and of course read DVDs/CDs. You could save $75 by switching back to the just DVD drive.... Note that the case chosen is not exactly ideal for living room use...


Finally, you said you might want a new screen. Here is a reasonable screen for $160. What I like about this one is that it has built in speakers - one less thing on your desk! http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236078

I think this would be a pretty good machine for windows7 or linux. What do you think?