Working on a budget friendly sustainable desktop for at-home business. Thoughts?

HighlandKid55105

I've been tasked with helping a client replace their older Dell Optiplex used for personal use and an at-home business with a long-term and reliable desktop having the sustainability to upgrade parts as needed. I began this build and now I'm looking to wrap up loose ends and get parts ordered and appreciate any feedback.

Budget: Under $1k

Applications: Microsoft Office, Web Browser, Quickbooks, and Salesforce

Compatibility Requirements: Typical KVM connections including DVI or HDMI monitor, Logitech wireless keyboard, and mouse. A wireless HP printer already connected to the network.

Configure Your PC: https://www.microcenter.com/site/content/custom-pc-builder-intel.aspx?load=8988489d-c564-4fee-995f-b73e4fc100d6

https://www.microcenter.com/site/content/custom-pc-builder-intel.aspx?load=8988489d-c564-4fee-995f-b73e4fc100d6

CPU: (1) Intel Core i7-10700K Comet Lake 3.8GHz Eight-Core LGA 1200 Boxed Processor ($249.99 EACH)

Motherboard: (1) MSI Z490-A PRO Intel LGA 1200 ATX Motherboard ($169.99 EACH)

RAM: (1) TeamGroup T-FORCE VULCAN Z 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-3200 PC4-25600 CL16 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit TLZGD432G3200H - Gray ($149.99 EACH)

Case: (1) NZXT H510 Tempered Glass ATX Mid-Tower Computer Case - Black ($69.99 EACH)

Power Supply: (1) EVGA 500 Watt 80 Plus ATX Non-Modular Power Supply ($49.99 EACH)

2.5" SSD: (1) Inland Professional 1TB SSD 3D NAND SATA III 6Gb/s 2.5" Internal Solid State Drive ($89.99 EACH)

Optical Drive: (1) ASUS 24x Internal DVD±RW SATA Writer ($24.99 EACH)

Heatsink: (1) Thermaltake UX100 ARGB Universal CPU Cooler ($19.99 EACH)

Thermal Compound: (1) Corsair TM30 Performance Thermal Paste ($9.99 EACH)

Case Fans: (1) Corsair LL120 RGB Hydraulic Bearing 120mm Case Fan ($39.99 EACH)

Total: $874.90

Generated by Micro Center https://www.microcenter.com (3/14/2021 1:51:44 AM)

TSTDavey

Hello @HighlandKid55105 and thanks for posting on the Microcenter Community Forum. The Thermaltake RGB cooler may not fit the 10700K cpu as its socket type is LGA 1200. The Thermaltake doesn't look to fit LGA 1200.

You can look at the Cooler Master Hyper 212 RGB or the Noctua NH-U12A cooler.

Also you won't need thermal paste as the coolers already come with thermal paste. Last you'll need an Operating System unless you already have a license copy of Windows.

HighlandKid55105

Already have Win10, I assume the video card is optional, correct? The below link is the changes you advised. Anything else? Looks good?

https://www.microcenter.com/site/content/custom-pc-builder-intel.aspx?load=f2157390-7de4-4cbc-93b4-db6bc70e78ed

Ian

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/29391#Comment_29391

Yes, the Intel processor you have selected has built-in graphics so if you aren't doing any gaming, no need for an extra video card at this time.

That does looks good to me!

HighlandKid55105

Great!

The client is retired and wants this to be an affordable but psudo-sort-of "forever" computer.

Given that, I assume this build offers accessible hardware upgrades as time will inevitably deem necessary, correct?

The sustainability I was aiming for was another 11, 12 maybe 15 years given what would be DDR5 (or maybe even 6)128gb of supported ram and what would be either upgrade to whatever supported later edition i9 it can handle and perhaps as he may use it as a DIY roku-tv-type Kodi-isc media server. Maybe add that graphics card if for HD viewing or grandkids want to game on it.

I want to set expectations and adhere to his under 1k budget as much as I can while still ensuring viable longevity. If this has that, Ill order it today.

HighlandKid55105

If there is any other cost-cutting advice I can use to get it even more affordable but keeping it a solid choice without the need for upgrades any time soon, I know he'll appreciate that.

I'm going to have it out of the box turn-on-ready after reinstalling everything. The extra savings I figured might be used to invest in a larger hard drive or external drive.

Thanks!

HighlandKid55105

I shaved some dollars off but nothing noticeable. It's a good price for the hardware. I think this may be as low as I can get it. Thoughts?

Ian

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/29429#Comment_29429

It's hard to speculate on yet to release items like that. Typically newer processors and generations of RAM can require a motherboard swap. Typically every couple years or so it seems the socket type for processors (at least for Intel) changes which would require a motherboard swap to something new to be compatible.

With what you have, you can add on a video card at any time with what you have picked out however.

Ian

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/29543#Comment_29543

If you're still referring to this list: https://www.microcenter.com/site/content/custom-pc-builder-intel.aspx

Looks good to me!

HighlandKid55105

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/29573#Comment_29573

Would AMD be a better route for increased longevity?

HighlandKid55105

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/29574#Comment_29574

Here is the updated link.. https://www.microcenter.com/site/content/custom-pc-builder-intel.aspx

TSTDavey

@HighlandKid55105 just chiming in. For durability and longevity, both AMD and Intel are very stable processors. If anything were to go out it would be another computer component (ex., motherboard, PSU, etc.).

With that being said, I believe the AMD chips are described as lasting up to 5 years and the Intel chips are up to 6-10 years. You can't go wrong with either chip really. But if you're only focused on the CPU lasting many years and not the other components, than go with an Intel chip.