Building a new PC, July 2012 Edition¶

Things I’ll need:

• Intel i5-3570K CPU because it’s the cheapest one that comes with HD Graphics 4000 ($282.15)
  • Requires DDR3-1333 or DDR3-1600 RAM
  • Requires LGA1155 socketed motherboard
• 3×500GB hard-drives; a Seagate ($88.90), a Hitachi ($91.25) and a WD ($93.35) to put into a RAID5 for maximum reliability. I quite likely won’t be able to fill these before they break.
  • Requires 3×SATA connectors on the motherboard
  • Requires 3×3.5” internal drive-bays in the case
• Kingston 2×4GB DDR3-1333 RAM because hey, why the hell not. ($62.90)
  • Requires two RAM slots on the motherboard
• Gigabyte GA-H61MA-D2V motherboard because it’s cheap and has 4 SATA-II connectors. ($67.75)
• Fractal Design ‘Define Mini’ case is smallish and has been recommended to me as quiet, and has a decent number of internal drive bays. ($153.55)
  • Requires PSU “with a depth of maximum circa 170mm, when using bottom 120/140mm fan location.”
• Antec 450W Basiq PSU is cheapish and has 4 SATA power connectors. ($58.20)

Intentionally omitted:

• optical drive: We have boot-from-USB-stick technology these days!
• third-party fans/heatsink: I’m given to understand that the case in question comes with case-fans, and the CPU should come with a heat-sink. I don’t intend to tweak for performance or anything, and I assume that if it runs hot I can buy better fans or a better heat sink later.

Remaining questions:

• What’s missing from the list above (cables, screws, etc.)?
• Is there a better place to buy computer parts from?