Looking for Final Advice Before Purchase

(Full disclosure, I posted this exact same message on a different board as well; in case you're having some deja vu.)

Hello again. I used these wonderful forums roughly 3.5 yrs ago to build a PC for myself and I'm proud to say it's still going strong (though it could use a memory bump). Anyway, my parents have asked that I build them a replacement for their 5 year-old Dell. I haven't built any PC's since my build in `08 so I'm incredibly out of touch and rusty when it comes to putting a system together. On to the build...

My father would like to be around $650-$700 with a hard cap at $800. I'm hoping you all can have a look at my choices and let me know if all the components will play nicely with each other, if there are any better choices for individual components based on your experiences, and finally, to let me know if I'm simply overdoing it in certain areas. My Dad dropped the horrible phrase "future proof" many times. So, I tried to choose components that would allow this machine to be at least somewhat functional 5 years from now and/or allow for upgrades that will keep it relevant.

Since this is a replacement tower, I will be reusing the monitor, keyboard, and mouse. For some reason he loves the look of the case, so if at all possible, I'd like to keep that in there as is, though I'm open to suggestion. Finally, as far as uses, this machine will be used mostly for internet browsing/mail, iTunes (heavily), and photo storage and small-scale editing (think intermediate Photoshop user).

Now for the components. I'd really like to add a second HDD for them because I think they'd use it with their music/photo collection, but it's not in the budget right now based on the components I've chosen (not a big deal if it simply needs to come later):

CASE: RAIDMAX SMILODON - $64.99 after rebates

PSU: Antec BP550 - $69.99 after rebates

MOBO: ASRock Z68 - $101.99 after rebates

CPU: Intel Core I3-2120 - $129.99 after rebates

HDD: 1TB Western Digital Caviar Green - $129.99

RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (4GBx2) - $48.99

OPT(x2): LITE-ON DVD Burner - $19.99

GPU: ASUS EAH5450 - $34.99

OS: Windows 7 Professional (OEM) - $139.99

I show these components coming in at $790.73 after rebates and shipping. Again, that's within his budget, but I was hoping to optimize the cost a bit to include a second HDD and/or just bring the cost down some if I'm using unnecessary components.

Also, do you think I need an aftermarket CPU fan? I'm thinking the stock fan will be enough for this application.

I would very much appreciate any advice you can provide.

Thanks in advance for your assistance,
Chappy

For a system that is for parents, ie internet, word processing, movies, music, etc, a separate GPU is unnecessary. Try looking into the AMD APUs, which is the CPU and GPU in one. Here's a MoBo and CPU option:

Combo - $180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.797288

That'll knock off $87.

Any reason for win7 pro? Home is just the same except pro has a little more networking/business applications. Home would be just fine with your parents' uses.

A little cheaper RAM with same performance and quality:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416

This PSU has enough power for this system:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026&Tpk=cx430

A little more oomph:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

It's an interesting case, but I'd go with one that has more cable management.

Thanks for the thorough response.

Honestly, I've just been comfortable with Intel in the past and was completely clueless about AMD. I'm open to that bundle you proposed if you feel it's a better option for them.

No reason in particular for Windows 7 Pro, just thought it might have a few extra worthwhile features, but again, my lost build was Vista so I'm out of the loop. I'm also open to the RAM and PSU suggestions you provided and have had previous luck with Corsair.

Do you feel as though if I kept the PC clean (software) throughout the next 4-5 years they could feasibly have good luck with it lasting that long? Granted, I fully realize that it will technically be outdated 6 months from now.

Is there any particular case you would suggest? This new Corsair caught my eye, especially for its cable management system, but I figured it was overkill for this build. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139005

Thanks again for lending your expertise.

Another thought that just occurred to me, would the components I chose actually work together?

I realize they're not the best choices, hence the reason I'm strongly considering going with your suggestions, but just for my own future knowledge, had I chosen a system that which its components would function together properly?

Thanks again.

Yes, everything will work together just fine.

For the case, corsair is one of the best. You could also look into the 400R or 500R:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139008

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139010

Another popular choice is the coolermaster HAF 912. Any of the coolermaster cases are good, too. Lian Li and NZXT are other good brands.

For the AMD/Intel debate, many people have their opinions. Intel is faster, but only a few programs would really benefit from the extra speed, things such as photoshop and other programs that require extra power. But for Internet, movies, and things like that, AMD is perfectly capable and cheaper.

I've had intel builds in the past and with my new build, I went with AMD, and couldn't be happier.

Get Win7 home premium instead of pro. I doubt your parents will use the features pro comes with.

Another things I missed was your hard drive. You got a 5400RPM drive, which is slower than most. Look for a 7200RPM. I know they're expensive, but windows will take forever to load with that drive.

And you did pick good parts, and they are some of the top choices. With the Intel chip, it is very fast and could upgrade to the best gaming CPU out there in the future. But your parents wouldn't need that. And yours can upgrade to a tricore and a quadcore with the AMD setup, but I doubt they'll need it.

i3 2120 has built-in graphics so you don't need a separate GPU