$2000 rig for gaming/work.

[Soundaholic92]

Hi all, my old laptop is nearly dead and I'm getting a desktop to replace it. My budget is $2000 without peripherals. I'm aiming to play upcoming games at medium-high settings at 1080p (Witcher 3, Fallout 4, etc) and I also use it for photo/video processing and 3D modelling for work (Lightroom, Premiere Pro, Maya, etc). Below is what I currently have in mind. I plan to get it this weekend or the next and I thought I'll just get some input from you guys before heading out to buy. Prices are from Bizgram.

CPU: ASRock H97 Pro4 + i7-4790 | $577
GPU: Asus GTX970 STRIX DCII OC | $585
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 1600MHz 16GB | $225
SSD: Samsung EVO 850 256GB | $177
HDD: WD Blue 1TB | $72
PSU: Seasonic G-550 | $121
Case: Not sure | around $180
WiFi: Not sure | around $50

Total: $1987

Monitor: Asus VS248H | $249 (not part of budget)
I already have keyboard a mouse, and I'm transferring the Windows key from my laptop.

I'm not sure what to get for the case, I'd hoped to get the NZXT Noctis 450 but I don't think any local store stocks them? For the WiFi probably any USB adapter with decent latency would do, my router is single band.

Thanks for your input .

 

[Jian19]

Fractal deisgn R5 ~ $159
Win8 64 oem ~ $33 (g2a)

i dun think u can reuse ur laptop os

 

[monikernemo]

Get your 970 from rakuten on Tuesday with MasterCard discounts.

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[Fatfool]

highly suggest a better monitor btw. That monitor you mentioned has all sorts of 'features' that alter the colour.

 

[Soundaholic92]

Fractal deisgn R5 ~ $159
Win8 64 oem ~ $33 (g2a)

i dun think u can reuse ur laptop os

It's not the Windows that came with the laptop but one I installed later myself because my school gave me a free key. I'll need to check again if it's transferable but thanks for the G2A tip.

Thanks for the Rakuten tip too, it'll save me another $20 haha. Do you know how purchases from Rakuten work? Do I make the payment online and go to the shop to collect? They list Gameprosg which is a shop at Funan if I'm not wrong.

Fuwell has an offer for Samsung S24D300H at $228, is that a better monitor? The VS248H-P has a lot of good reviews online so I thought of getting it.

 

[SexMuffin]

Can try this monitor. http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...e_bnrank=0&baynote_irrank=0&~ck=baynoteSearch.

If im not wrong the IT fair now have!

 

[Soundaholic92]

Wow that's a sexy looking monitor. Love the thin bezels heh. It's quite out of my budget though, I think I might opt for the S2415H instead. BenQ's RL2455HM looks pretty good too.

 

[Soundaholic92]

Sorry for the double post, I'd just like to report the results of my purchase and thank those who contributed their advice .
I got a Z97X board and 4790k instead to keep my option for SLI open. Cut the budget for RAM and monitor slightly to compensate.
Decided to take home the parts and assemble it myself to be more familiar with my rig and also save another $30. It took a few hours because I'm unfamiliar with all the different cables and screws but it managed to boot on first try without problems. Absolutely loving the Define R5 right now , it's my first time building a desktop so I don't know how it compares to other cases but putting the rig together was a very enjoyable experience. The installation guide was really helpful, the back panel had a lot of space and the provided velcro strips made cable management a breeze. It's not as silent as I'd hoped but it's still very quiet. Overall I'm happy with this case.
Anyway I'd like to thank those who contributed their opinions here. My first experience with a desktop has been very smooth and I hope it stays this way. Installing Witcher 3 right now and looking forward to see how it performs later .

 

[jianrong]

Sorry for the double post, I'd just like to report the results of my purchase and thank those who contributed their advice .
I got a Z97X board and 4790k instead to keep my option for SLI open. Cut the budget for RAM and monitor slightly to compensate.
Decided to take home the parts and assemble it myself to be more familiar with my rig and also save another $30. It took a few hours because I'm unfamiliar with all the different cables and screws but it managed to boot on first try without problems. Absolutely loving the Define R5 right now , it's my first time building a desktop so I don't know how it compares to other cases but putting the rig together was a very enjoyable experience. The installation guide was really helpful, the back panel had a lot of space and the provided velcro strips made cable management a breeze. It's not as silent as I'd hoped but it's still very quiet. Overall I'm happy with this case.
Anyway I'd like to thank those who contributed their opinions here. My first experience with a desktop has been very smooth and I hope it stays this way. Installing Witcher 3 right now and looking forward to see how it performs later .

Post pic leh.

 

[lionheart80]

for the r5 to have proper air flow or ventilation, is it needed to open the front door and lift up the 3 moduvents on top of the casing if not installing any top fans

considering either getting the r5 or cm690iii but in terms of building which is more cable mgmt effective

 

[royfrosty]

Define that you cut the budget of your ram?

It seems that you are deviating from your list.

 

[gnowyx]

for the r5 to have proper air flow or ventilation, is it needed to open the front door and lift up the 3 moduvents on top of the casing if not installing any top fans

considering either getting the r5 or cm690iii but in terms of building which is more cable mgmt effective

No need. There is space for air to flow in from the front(sides) so no need to open. The moduvents more for water cooling as u will screw the fans blowing air out through the top. I use air cooling so everything is closed

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[lionheart80]

No need. There is space for air to flow in from the front(sides) so no need to open. The moduvents more for water cooling as u will screw the fans blowing air out through the top. I use air cooling so everything is closed

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thinking of adding another 140mm fan in the front together with the pre equipped 140mm

so for placement of the psu, the psu fan ideally shld be facing down right

 

[gnowyx]

thinking of adding another 140mm fan in the front together with the pre equipped 140mm

so for placement of the psu, the psu fan ideally shld be facing down right

Yup

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[lionheart80]

Yup

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thks bro

10 char