SFF for regular use + trading.

[Milo-Dino]

Been out of touch for 2 years and now helping gf build a rig for regular use and stocks trading. (no gaming.. just watching video)

Budget: ~$1500 all in

Minimum Requirements:
1) dual Dell 2312HM monitors
2) Windows 7
3) i5?
4) a pair of 2.1 speakers too
5) no need DVD drive

The system is for my gf so she's quite picky on casing. We are open to suggestions on other casing as long as it doesn't look like a normal shoebox or old-school VCR. (something like SG04-F will be nice)

Was wondering if motherboards such as Asus P8H77-M can support dual monitors without the need for a discrete graphics card.

Thanks in advance... I tried but came out to closer $1800 (maybe cosz i'm picky for value )

 

[RobinTeoHood]

Dual screen? Watch movie & monitor markets at same time? Btw, good luck for your yamada

 

[m3 th3 last]

Been out of touch for 2 years and now helping gf build a rig for regular use and stocks trading. (no gaming.. just watching video)

Budget: ~$1500 all in

Minimum Requirements:
1) dual Dell 2312HM monitors
2) Windows 7
3) i5?
4) a pair of 2.1 speakers too
5) no need DVD drive

The system is for my gf so she's quite picky on casing. We are open to suggestions on other casing as long as it doesn't look like a normal shoebox or old-school VCR. (something like SG04-F will be nice)

Was wondering if motherboards such as Asus P8H77-M can support dual monitors without the need for a discrete graphics card.

Thanks in advance... I tried but came out to closer $1800 (maybe cosz i'm picky for value )

Hey Milo,

The following are my humble suggestion

Monitors: Dual Dell 2312HM monitors - $279 x 2 = $558 (Fuwell)
CPU + Motherboard: i5-3450 + Asrock B75M-Pro3 $328 (Tradepac)
SSD: Plextor M5 Pro 128GB SSD Sata3 (5Yrs) $155
HDD: Seagate 2 TB 7200rpm $113
RAM: Kingston Value Ram 8gb $73
CASING: CM Elite 344 w/USB3.0 (MATX) Blue/Purple/Silver $55
WIRELESS CARD: TP-Link WN781N 150Mbps WL-N PCI Adapter $32
Windows 7: $110
Speaker: Altec Lansing MX6021 2.1 Speaker $249 < Not sure depends

 

[Milo-Dino]

Dual screen? Watch movie & monitor markets at same time? Btw, good luck for your yamada

i think you remember wrongly.... I never touch yamada greens before

 

[Milo-Dino]

Hey Milo,

The following are my humble suggestion

Monitors: Dual Dell 2312HM monitors - $279 x 2 = $558 (Fuwell)
CPU + Motherboard: i5-3450 + Asrock B75M-Pro3 $328 (Tradepac)
SSD: Plextor M5 Pro 128GB SSD Sata3 (5Yrs) $155
HDD: Seagate 2 TB 7200rpm $113
RAM: Kingston Value Ram 8gb $73
CASING: CM Elite 344 w/USB3.0 (MATX) Blue/Purple/Silver $55
WIRELESS CARD: TP-Link WN781N 150Mbps WL-N PCI Adapter $32
Windows 7: $110
Speaker: Altec Lansing MX6021 2.1 Speaker $249 < Not sure depends

kum sia!

I initially thought of just going for 1tb WB black instead of ssd+HDD

You reminded me of wireless card... i think i got spare TPlink N adaptor somewhere

Oh ya I think missed out the PSU or is it included in the casing? Was looking at FSP Hexa 500

 

[flamistro]

The 2.1 speakers can consider getting the Swans M10? About $120? Quite value for money though some feel that the bass is weak, i find it quite okay for movie watching. (I'm not a bass head though.)

 

[nippp0n]

CPU & Mobo: i3-3220 & Asrock B75M-ITX @ $276
I don't think your usage require a power of a quad core cpu.
Ram: G.Skill 1600mhz value ram 8GB @ $77
8GB is abundant for your usage.
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB @ ~$80 (Tradepac)
SSD: Plextor M5P 128GB @ $150
Install your OS and important programs for fast boot up and file access time.
Case: Bitfenix Prodigy (White/Black) @ $129
Not sure if this case interests your gf. IMO, this ITX case is pretty unique and is available in red as well. Unfortunately, i'm not sure if local distributor bring it the red one.
PSU: Seasonic G 360W @ $89
Gold effiency and modular PSU. Such system has low power consumption, 360W is sufficient to power the whole rig and leaving ample headroom.
OS: Windows 7 64bit OEM @ $110
Monitor: 2x Dell U2312HM @ $510
Speaker: Logitech Z313 @ $50
Assembly cost: $10

Total: $1471
Buy and build at PC Themes unless otherwise stated.

 

[Boltstorm]

CPU & Mobo: i3-3220 & Asrock B75M-ITX @ $276
I don't think your usage require a power of a quad core cpu.
Ram: G.Skill 1600mhz value ram 8GB @ $77
8GB is abundant for your usage.
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB @ ~$80 (Tradepac)
SSD: Plextor M5P 128GB @ $150
Install your OS and important programs for fast boot up and file access time.
Case: Bitfenix Prodigy (White/Black) @ $129
Not sure if this case interests your gf. IMO, this ITX case is pretty unique and is available in red as well. Unfortunately, i'm not sure if local distributor bring it the red one.
PSU: Seasonic G 360W @ $89
Gold effiency and modular PSU. Such system has low power consumption, 360W is sufficient to power the whole rig and leaving ample headroom.
OS: Windows 7 64bit OEM @ $110
Monitor: 2x Dell U2312HM @ $510
Speaker: Logitech Z313 @ $50
Assembly cost: $10

Total: $1471
Buy and build at PC Themes unless otherwise stated.

i wanted to buy the red prodigy but it's not available in sg so got the white one instead. After using it i think it's not that small just that it is shorter than midtower case and wider.
i recommend SilverStone FT03-Mini. a bit pricy at 225 but it's looks very good and is small. Alternatively can look at jonsbo.

 

[Milo-Dino]

CPU & Mobo: i3-3220 & Asrock B75M-ITX @ $276
I don't think your usage require a power of a quad core cpu.
Ram: G.Skill 1600mhz value ram 8GB @ $77
8GB is abundant for your usage.
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB @ ~$80 (Tradepac)
SSD: Plextor M5P 128GB @ $150
Install your OS and important programs for fast boot up and file access time.
Case: Bitfenix Prodigy (White/Black) @ $129
Not sure if this case interests your gf. IMO, this ITX case is pretty unique and is available in red as well. Unfortunately, i'm not sure if local distributor bring it the red one.
PSU: Seasonic G 360W @ $89
Gold effiency and modular PSU. Such system has low power consumption, 360W is sufficient to power the whole rig and leaving ample headroom.
OS: Windows 7 64bit OEM @ $110
Monitor: 2x Dell U2312HM @ $510
Speaker: Logitech Z313 @ $50
Assembly cost: $10

Total: $1471
Buy and build at PC Themes unless otherwise stated.

thanks for the recommendations.

I think she wants i5 so i'm just catering at least the mid range processor and I figured should get a bit better chip since we are already saving with onboard GFX

She's quite happy with the looks of the Elite 344 so I'll probably stick to that

 

[Milo-Dino]

The 2.1 speakers can consider getting the Swans M10? About $120? Quite value for money though some feel that the bass is weak, i find it quite okay for movie watching. (I'm not a bass head though.)

yea I know there's a following for Swans M10.. but she finds it ugly

I'm trying to get her to buy the Aego M like mine... but she's not willing to part with $299 at the moment lol... see how much budget left once we set up a right somewhere close to the end of the month

 

[t258jgn]

Classy case?

Cheap & niceee speakers

 

[t258jgn]

PSU: Seasonic G 360W @ $89
Gold effiency and modular PSU. Such system has low power consumption, 360W is sufficient to power the whole rig and leaving ample headroom.

G360 unfortunately is not a modular PSU

 

[Milo-Dino]

i wanted to buy the red prodigy but it's not available in sg so got the white one instead. After using it i think it's not that small just that it is shorter than midtower case and wider.
i recommend SilverStone FT03-Mini. a bit pricy at 225 but it's looks very good and is small. Alternatively can look at jonsbo.

Thanks bro... long time no see... should set up another lunch gathering sometime.

Ya I was looking at both FT03 and FT03mini... but out of budget.... so CM elite 344 looks the most viable.

 

[Milo-Dino]

Classy case?

Cheap & niceee speakers

speakers we gonna leave to the last... hivi is nice but she wants a subwoofer

 

[nippp0n]

G360 unfortunately is not a modular PSU

Oh yeah, i was wrong.

 

[m3 th3 last]

thanks for the recommendations.

I think she wants i5 so i'm just catering at least the mid range processor and I figured should get a bit better chip since we are already saving with onboard GFX

She's quite happy with the looks of the Elite 344 so I'll probably stick to that

Got purple colour lol

Hey buddy please please remember to check the slots available for ur wireless card, the MB only have PCI slots no PCI-E slots.

Cheers!

 

[Milo-Dino]

Got purple colour lol

Hey buddy please please remember to check the slots available for ur wireless card, the MB only have PCI slots no PCI-E slots.

Cheers!

thanks for the reminder. mine is USB adaptor so no issue

 

[m3 th3 last]

thanks for the reminder. mine is USB adaptor so no issue

USB 2.0 only can draw 0.5A of power, in other words limiting the strength of the connection.

I have tired 2 USB adaptor on my dad computer, and gived up as he always complain weak signal and stuff. Brought him a PCI based network card. No more complain since then.

However, now days got USB 3.0, not sure how if that might improve the strength of those USB adaptor. Since power output is increased.