First time with DIY rigs. Help needed!

[elzacwhy]

Hi guys,

As the title indicts, its my first time handling with DIY rigs. Have been dealing with stock computers/laptops since i could remember. Currently using a macbookpro and would like to get a rig for gaming. Prior to this decision, i had 0 knowledge on computer hardwares and whats not. But has since read about the different hardwares and slowly understanding what different parts do.

I'm currently looking to build a rig for the main purpose of gaming. So i need your kind advices on which parts i should get for the rig.

Purpose: Gaming/Torrenting/Watching Movies

Games: Dota 2/BF4/GTA v/Titanfall?
Hoping to play the above games at max settings.

Things needed: Rig, screen, kb/m, wifi card.
I have a speaker by sonicgear which i will be using with the rig. No sound card is needed for it right? And also, a graphic card that has hdmi output. (no idea if all graphic card has it now)

Budget: The minimum that is needed to play the games i mentioned at max settings.

Thanks to all in advance!

 

[Jian19]

All in minimum

i5-3350p + Asrock b75m dgs ~ $271
Crucial 8gb ddr3 ~ $90
Wd blue 1tb ~ $75
Powercolor 280x ~ $425
Samsung oem drive ~ $21
Seasonic s12g 550w ~ $99
CM n200 ~ $52
Win8.1 64 oem ~ $120
Dell s2340l ~ $220
Logitech g100 gaming combo kb/m ~ $45
TP-Link WN881ND 300Mbps Wireless N PCI Express Adapter ~ $45

Optional ~ Crucial m500 240gb ssd ~ $155 (amazon) or Plextor m5s 128gb ssd ~ $130

$1388 buy and DIY @ tradepac ask for discount. Can bring to gs shop ask him help u assemble @ a fee if u Duno how to DIY

 

[elzacwhy]

All in minimum

i5-3350p + Asrock b75m dgs ~ $271
Crucial 8gb ddr3 ~ $90
Wd blue 1tb ~ $75
Powercolor 280x ~ $425
Samsung oem drive ~ $21
Seasonic s12g 550w ~ $99
CM n200 ~ $52
Win8.1 64 oem ~ $120
Dell s2340l ~ $220
Logitech g100 gaming combo kb/m ~ $45
TP-Link WN881ND 300Mbps Wireless N PCI Express Adapter ~ $45

Optional ~ Crucial m500 240gb ssd ~ $155 (amazon) or Plextor m5s 128gb ssd ~ $130

$1388 buy and DIY @ tradepac ask for discount. Can bring to gs shop ask him help u assemble @ a fee if u Duno how to DIY

Pardon me but I have a couple of questions..

1. What's the difference between the CPU i5-3350p compared with i5-4570?

2. Difference between power color 280x and msi r9 280x? They are the same gpu but different brands? How does the two brands compare with each other?

3. The wifi adapter you recommended is plugged in directly to the mobo or plugged in as a USB?

4. I see you recommended win 8.1, any difference between that and win 7? As I've seen more recommending win 7 on other threads.

Sorry for the questions, just wanna learn more and know the differences about the different hardwares!

 

[shadow84]

Pardon me but I have a couple of questions..

1. What's the difference between the CPU i5-3350p compared with i5-4570?

2. Difference between power color 280x and msi r9 280x? They are the same gpu but different brands? How does the two brands compare with each other?

3. The wifi adapter you recommended is plugged in directly to the mobo or plugged in as a USB?

4. I see you recommended win 8.1, any difference between that and win 7? As I've seen more recommending win 7 on other threads.

Sorry for the questions, just wanna learn more and know the differences about the different hardwares!

1. Google.

2. Google.

3. U can plug into ur usb port and configure, if any.

4. Some not used to wins 7, but it depends on u.

 

[Jian19]

Pardon me but I have a couple of questions..

1. What's the difference between the CPU i5-3350p compared with i5-4570?

2. Difference between power color 280x and msi r9 280x? They are the same gpu but different brands? How does the two brands compare with each other?

3. The wifi adapter you recommended is plugged in directly to the mobo or plugged in as a USB?

4. I see you recommended win 8.1, any difference between that and win 7? As I've seen more recommending win 7 on other threads.

Sorry for the questions, just wanna learn more and know the differences about the different hardwares!

1.) 3350p is intel 3rd generation ivy bridge chip, it does not have a inbuilt gpu. 4570 is intel 4th generation haswell chip with inbuilt gpu. Both performs the same gaming wise

2.) Diff brand, the Msi is about $40 more , Msi has a better non ref cooler

3.) it's plug into ur pci-e slot just below ur gfx, u can also choose one that is the same brand with ur router to ensure easier troubleshooting if u have little knowledge on networking

4.) For latest game the win 8.1 performs better becos it's more optimize for direct x 11, it's up to individual if they preferred 7 or 8.

 

[gaoxing84]

win 8.1 sucks. lol. win 7 better.
IMO lolol

 

[elzacwhy]

1.) 3350p is intel 3rd generation ivy bridge chip, it does not have a inbuilt gpu. 4570 is intel 4th generation haswell chip with inbuilt gpu. Both performs the same gaming wise

2.) Diff brand, the Msi is about $40 more , Msi has a better non ref cooler

3.) it's plug into ur pci-e slot just below ur gfx, u can also choose one that is the same brand with ur router to ensure easier troubleshooting if u have little knowledge on networking

4.) For latest game the win 8.1 performs better becos it's more optimize for direct x 11, it's up to individual if they preferred 7 or 8.

Please correct me if I'm wrong..

1. It may seem the i5-4570 has a slight edge over i5-3350p performance wise based on the review comparison on cpuworld.com the only disadvantage i5-4570 has is that it consumes slightly more power. If that's the case, would I need a larger power PSU if I decide to go with the i5-4570? And what would be the price difference for i5-4570? (Tried looking tradepac price list myself but as I'm not home, it doesn't load properly on my phone)

2. Between the different brands of r9 280x, powercolor is the cheapest alternative? But what are the differences between powercolor, gigabyte and msi? From what I know different brands may have different power consumptions? But performance wise they should be the same? Trying to research more into the gigabyte r9 280x windforce. Idea of better cooling and quieter peformance kind of appeals to me. Does the gigabyte version comes with a copy of bf4?

3. Unsure of the brand of router I'm using. Have to check when I'm home.

4. As I've been using Mac for the past 4years? I would have to get used to either win 7 or 8 so both wouldn't quite make a difference. However which one will be more stable gaming wise?

 

[Jian19]

1.) performance wise yes slightly, but in gaming performance it's ur gpu that is more impt, both are quad core so the diff is not noticeable, and u dun need a higher watt psu even u choose the 4570

2.) cheapest, diff being their rma location etc, for the 280x a good 500-600w will do fine as long as u not overclocking or intend to run it crossfire, check urself on the bf4 bundles

3.) Well most ppl preferred win7 , but since u have no preference I think it's up to u

 

[w4rr3n]

i would love to trade my sapphire 280x + topup for your powercolor if you were to get them
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/g...hire-r9-280x-dual-x-4632416.html#post84754337

basically better cooling for after market coolers, powercolor one is referenced design which is what i need now lol also i think the BF4 expired already iirc

 

[Jian19]

I dun think its ref design and kindly dun post in ppl thread for sales or trading...

 

[w4rr3n]

my bad, the turboduo is ref apparently but anyways with reference to 280x handling max on titanfall is still ok on a single card

 

[shadow84]

Giga may have bf4 bundle, if there is still stock for it. But the bf4 may be expired.

 

[royfrosty]

Please correct me if I'm wrong..

1. It may seem the i5-4570 has a slight edge over i5-3350p performance wise based on the review comparison on cpuworld.com the only disadvantage i5-4570 has is that it consumes slightly more power. If that's the case, would I need a larger power PSU if I decide to go with the i5-4570? And what would be the price difference for i5-4570? (Tried looking tradepac price list myself but as I'm not home, it doesn't load properly on my phone)

2. Between the different brands of r9 280x, powercolor is the cheapest alternative? But what are the differences between powercolor, gigabyte and msi? From what I know different brands may have different power consumptions? But performance wise they should be the same? Trying to research more into the gigabyte r9 280x windforce. Idea of better cooling and quieter peformance kind of appeals to me. Does the gigabyte version comes with a copy of bf4?

3. Unsure of the brand of router I'm using. Have to check when I'm home.

4. As I've been using Mac for the past 4years? I would have to get used to either win 7 or 8 so both wouldn't quite make a difference. However which one will be more stable gaming wise?

Just go for the haswell based if you have the budget. Ivy is slowly taken off the shelves. The only thing about gaming is the gpu counts cpu is second.

As for the gpu. All brands are actually can say its the same. Is just the cooler being used. They all offer their own ways to cool the cards using their own heatsink and fans. They all have one thing in common is to cool their cards to their best. The clock speed all are factory overclocked out from the box (for those non reference model).

Name type for their brands cooler.

Msi - twin frozr
Asus - DirectCU
Sapphire - Vapor
Powercolor - PCS+
Gigabyte - windforce
Leadtek - Hurricane
Palit - Jetstream
Zotac - AMP! (iirc)

Among all so far i have used msi, asus, palit, powercolor.

Each have their own pros and cons.

Msi - twin frozr blades are helicopter structured. It is damn silent even at high rpms. Although yes it is audible but still very quiet among the rest of the other brands. Their cooling wise is a trade off between quiet and coolness. However their tri frozr for lightning edition is one of the best, it can hold up to 500w thermal output. Which can be found in r9 290x lightning edition.

Palit - Jetstream fans are the sexiest imo. It has white LED. Their heatsink is huge. It is 2.5slots thick. Which it is a disadvantage for SLI. Both cards will be too close to each other. The heatsink is thick. Bad point is the fan isnt that great to cool the heatsink down.

Asus - dcu is a unique cooling heatsink. It has one of the thickest heatpipe among the rest of the brands. They have 2 different kind of fans used in their new gpus. Overall asus wins on the components used. Quality components are used and also very well build. But bad point here is the pricing in sg is totally not favourable.

Powercolor - pcs+ has a unique heatpipe color. Its actually looked oxidized/dirty. It gives the old look. However their cooling is good and as comparable to other 3 major brands. However for their r9 280x pcs+ out of the box with the lowest clock speed among the rest of the brand.

 

[elzacwhy]

Just go for the haswell based if you have the budget. Ivy is slowly taken off the shelves. The only thing about gaming is the gpu counts cpu is second.

As for the gpu. All brands are actually can say its the same. Is just the cooler being used. They all offer their own ways to cool the cards using their own heatsink and fans. They all have one thing in common is to cool their cards to their best. The clock speed all are factory overclocked out from the box (for those non reference model).

Name type for their brands cooler.

Msi - twin frozr
Asus - DirectCU
Sapphire - Vapor
Powercolor - PCS+
Gigabyte - windforce
Leadtek - Hurricane
Palit - Jetstream
Zotac - AMP! (iirc)

Among all so far i have used msi, asus, palit, powercolor.

Each have their own pros and cons.

Msi - twin frozr blades are helicopter structured. It is damn silent even at high rpms. Although yes it is audible but still very quiet among the rest of the other brands. Their cooling wise is a trade off between quiet and coolness. However their tri frozr for lightning edition is one of the best, it can hold up to 500w thermal output. Which can be found in r9 290x lightning edition.

Palit - Jetstream fans are the sexiest imo. It has white LED. Their heatsink is huge. It is 2.5slots thick. Which it is a disadvantage for SLI. Both cards will be too close to each other. The heatsink is thick. Bad point is the fan isnt that great to cool the heatsink down.

Asus - dcu is a unique cooling heatsink. It has one of the thickest heatpipe among the rest of the brands. They have 2 different kind of fans used in their new gpus. Overall asus wins on the components used. Quality components are used and also very well build. But bad point here is the pricing in sg is totally not favourable.

Powercolor - pcs+ has a unique heatpipe color. Its actually looked oxidized/dirty. It gives the old look. However their cooling is good and as comparable to other 3 major brands. However for their r9 280x pcs+ out of the box with the lowest clock speed among the rest of the brand.

Wow, very detailed explanation. Helps me alot in understanding more about the different brands of graphic card. Cant thank you enough for that!

I've checked, and im using the singtel modem router so i guess the wifi adapter's brand doesnt really matter now?

So therefore i would go for this build,

i5-4570 + msi b85 g43 gaming ~ $384 (couldnt find Asrock b75m dgs + i5-4570?)
Crucial 8gb ddr3 ~ $90 (couldnt find this on tradepac's price list?)
Wd blue 1tb ~ $75
msi r9 280x gaming 3gb ~ $467 (dont see twin frozr edition on tradepac price list)
Samsung oem drive ~ $21
Crucial m500 240gb ssd ~ $155 (amazon)
Seasonic s12g 550w ~ $99
CM n200 ~ $52
Win7 64bit oem ~ $115
Dell s2340l ~ $220
Logitech g100 gaming combo kb/m ~ $45
TP-Link WN881ND 300Mbps Wireless N PCI Express Adapter ~ $45

total: $1768

Please advise if prices are accurate and if the build seems okay.

After reading through the threads about diy rigs here, i realize no one recommends anti virus programs. Are they even necessary for a new rig?

 

[hengheng220]

Wow, very detailed explanation. Helps me alot in understanding more about the different brands of graphic card. Cant thank you enough for that!

I've checked, and im using the singtel modem router so i guess the wifi adapter's brand doesnt really matter now?

So therefore i would go for this build,

i5-4570 + msi b85 g43 gaming ~ $384 (couldnt find Asrock b75m dgs + i5-4570?)
Crucial 8gb ddr3 ~ $90 (couldnt find this on tradepac's price list?)
Wd blue 1tb ~ $75
msi r9 280x gaming 3gb ~ $467 (dont see twin frozr edition on tradepac price list)
Samsung oem drive ~ $21
Crucial m500 240gb ssd ~ $155 (amazon)
Seasonic s12g 550w ~ $99
CM n200 ~ $52
Win7 64bit oem ~ $115
Dell s2340l ~ $220
Logitech g100 gaming combo kb/m ~ $45
TP-Link WN881ND 300Mbps Wireless N PCI Express Adapter ~ $45

total: $1768

Please advise if prices are accurate and if the build seems okay.

After reading through the threads about diy rigs here, i realize no one recommends anti virus programs. Are they even necessary for a new rig?

Nice build there, do post your build when you have purchase it. For price wait for those who frequents there advise you ba. Anti virus are mostly not needed ba... Personally never use it since 2008, until now never get virus before wor

 

[Jian19]

If u are getting b85 g43 gaming motherboard u will need a bigger case since coolermaster n200 is a micro atx case

U can consider Sharkoon bd28 @ $77 or t28 @ $86

Or u can get Msi b85m g43 motherboard which will fit nicely in n200

 

[royfrosty]

Wow, very detailed explanation. Helps me alot in understanding more about the different brands of graphic card. Cant thank you enough for that!

I've checked, and im using the singtel modem router so i guess the wifi adapter's brand doesnt really matter now?

So therefore i would go for this build,

i5-4570 + msi b85 g43 gaming ~ $384 (couldnt find Asrock b75m dgs + i5-4570?)
Crucial 8gb ddr3 ~ $90 (couldnt find this on tradepac's price list?)
Wd blue 1tb ~ $75
msi r9 280x gaming 3gb ~ $467 (dont see twin frozr edition on tradepac price list)
Samsung oem drive ~ $21
Crucial m500 240gb ssd ~ $155 (amazon)
Seasonic s12g 550w ~ $99
CM n200 ~ $52
Win7 64bit oem ~ $115
Dell s2340l ~ $220
Logitech g100 gaming combo kb/m ~ $45
TP-Link WN881ND 300Mbps Wireless N PCI Express Adapter ~ $45

total: $1768

Please advise if prices are accurate and if the build seems okay.

After reading through the threads about diy rigs here, i realize no one recommends anti virus programs. Are they even necessary for a new rig?

Nice build. Just need to swap out the chassis to either a sharkoon bd28 or t28. Alternative is you could try finding Corsair 230T or 730T.

As for gpu. Shops do not put the word twin frozr on their list. But definitely for sure it is a twin frozr edition. Not unless it is a Lightning Edition which is using the tri frozr. All their gaming cards are dual fans. The only difference is the size of the heatsink used in different cards.

As for antivirus, it is all up to individual. I could not be bothered by anti virus lol.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Hi guys,

As the title indicts, its my first time handling with DIY rigs. Have been dealing with stock computers/laptops since i could remember. Currently using a macbookpro and would like to get a rig for gaming. Prior to this decision, i had 0 knowledge on computer hardwares and whats not. But has since read about the different hardwares and slowly understanding what different parts do.

I'm currently looking to build a rig for the main purpose of gaming. So i need your kind advices on which parts i should get for the rig.

Purpose: Gaming/Torrenting/Watching Movies

Games: Dota 2/BF4/GTA v/Titanfall?
Hoping to play the above games at max settings.

Things needed: Rig, screen, kb/m, wifi card.
I have a speaker by sonicgear which i will be using with the rig. No sound card is needed for it right? And also, a graphic card that has hdmi output. (no idea if all graphic card has it now)

Budget: The minimum that is needed to play the games i mentioned at max settings.

Thanks to all in advance!

CPU+MB: Intel Core i5-3350P + ASRock B75M-DGS @ $271
RAM: Kingston ValueRAM DDR3-1600 CL11 8GB @ $92
GPU: PowerColor R9-280X 3GB @ $418
SSD: Crucial M500 240GB @ $155 (Amazon)
HDD: Western Digital Red 3TB @ $168
ODD: Samsung 24X CD/DVD Writer [OEM] @ $21
PSU: FSP Aurum S 500W [80 Plus Gold] @ $89
CASE: Deepcool Tesseract / Sharkoon MA-A1000 @ $59
DSP: Dell S2340L 23" LED [eIPS] @ $219
PHP: Cooler Master Devastator @ $69
WIFI: Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 Plus Bluetooth @ $35 (eBay)
ETC: Mini PCI-E to PCI-E Wireless Card w/ 3 Antennas @ $12 (Amazon)

Total: $1608

Buy others from Tradepac, #05-18.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Nice build there, do post your build when you have purchase it. For price wait for those who frequents there advise you ba. Anti virus are mostly not needed ba... Personally never use it since 2008, until now never get virus before wor

How sure are you? Never encounter weird Windows behaviour doesn't mean there's no virus on your PC. They (most) can run silently extracting all your sensitive data without you noticing...

For beginners, a top-notch paid AV such as ESET Nod32, BitDefender and Kaspersky will be a good start. Free alternatives such as Microsoft Security Essentials will be great as well.

My most trusted professional AV review site since 2007: AV-Comparatives Real-World Protection Test » AV-Comparatives

 

[hengheng220]

How sure are you? Never encounter weird Windows behaviour doesn't mean there's no virus on your PC. They (most) can run silently extracting all your sensitive data without you noticing...

For beginners, a top-notch paid AV such as ESET Nod32, BitDefender and Kaspersky will be a good start. Free alternatives such as Microsoft Security Essentials will be great as well.

My most trusted professional AV review site since 2007: AV-Comparatives Real-World Protection Test » AV-Comparatives

hmmm true, but doesn't matters to me ba... my com now only runs as HTPC and that I only transfer just enough money over to my debit card account to pay for whatever I need to buy. Other than that, the hacker can have my collection of movies, anime or manga ba... hahahaha or even maybe my steam account, in which I don't think they want it just to delete away my save files ba.

But to be honest nothing is safe now... Just read somewhere that there are new virus that can be spread the moment an infected com connects to the wifi, the rest of the users will kanna too. So in conclusion, there's nothing keeping you safe if you want to use the internet!