Pc for my dad

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1

Hello everybody, I just got done putting together a list of parts for a home office pc for my dad. He wants the pc to be VERY quite, to be able to run Train Simulator 2013 (he loves trains), and be energy efficient. Will these parts do the job? btw he wants the pc to be no more than $600 (I'm willing to cover the extra $24)

here's the list:

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 Ivy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 55W Dual-Core Desktop Processor ($130)

 

GPU: EVGA 01G-P4-2650-KR GeForce GTX 650 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card (if this card is overkill for train simulator 2013, let me know) ($110 + $4 shipping)

 

HDD: Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive ($80)

 

CASE: Fractal Design Define Mini Black Micro ATX Silent PC Computer ($100 + $10 shipping)

 

CPU COOLER: XIGMATEK LOKI SD963 92mm HYPRO Bearing CPU Cooler bracket included dual fan push pull compatible ($25)

 

RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9B ($50)

 

MOTHERBOARD: ASRock H77M LGA 1155 Intel H77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard ($70)

 

PSU: CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 430W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply ($45)

 

TOTAL COST: $624

 

 

 

 

2

i would go with an amd and bumb my graffix or motherboard up.

3

I think you should get something with a AMD A10-5800K with fast memory and if his FPS is too low, crossfire it with a 6670.

 

The A10-5800K runs GTA IV at 1080p at 30FPS even without the 6670, so it should be fine.

4

If you really must have that case then here is my recommendation, pulls less than 75w with all components at full load, probably less than that but 75w is a good estament

that ram runs at 1.25v, HD4000 can play minecraft decently and is better than a 610, a GTX650 is overkill for MTS 2013 and will just draw more power and more noise

enter in the promo code newcustomer to get 10 bucks off in addition to the 5 from the PSU promo, set the fans to a low speed, the gaia could almost passively cool that i3

180GB should be enough for your dad if not go with that mechanical drive but a SSD uses 1w opposed to the 20w or more a mecanical one uses and its faster

I would get a cheaper but still appealling case and get a larger SSD just incase

I'm not saying mines the best route to take but it probably has some things in it to consider, you could go the APU route too.

 

Do whatever you think your dad will like, just from doing that he'll like it.

5

if train simulator is all hes gonna play you can save a bit and get a lower end gfx card. maybe even a fanless solution. although i would still recomend you add a fluid dynamic bearing fan (silent)

Be-Quiet do some excelent silent fans. i have 1 on my cpu and you cant hear it at all even when its going top tit.

with these you wouldnt be able to tell that the pc is actualy working there so quiet.

also spend an extra couple of bux and get a seasonic unit there quieter than the corsair 1s.

 

6

I would go AMD for the CPU. The AMD FX6300 has 2 more cores and is $10 more.

 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113286 ($140)

or the 4300 for the same price.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113287 ($130)

For the Motherboard I found this one that come pretty well built with alot of feature

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157323 ($55)

I also agree with gigabusterEXE with getting an SSD if you can spare it. Just maybe for his OS and some games/application to help them run better. It doesn' have to be bigger than the 64GB flavor, but ofcourse the bigger size helps.

7

Thanks for the advice! Now, about that 1TB HDD, he said that is something that he needs so I'm probably going to stick with the barracuda.