Building new PC.. first timer

[wuzmaname]

Hi all,

Was hoping for some advice on my first PC (I used to live in many countries and always traveled light so always had laptops).. I read around in the sticky threads but thought to ask the community directly.

Looking for a decent (more than decent) build mainly for gaming. Something that can play FPS (Battlefield), games such as Assassin's Creed, Skyrim, WatchDogs, the new Dragon Age Origins when it comes out etc.

Budget is around SG$2k (can stretch to SG$3k if you think it's worth it, but have to bear in mind that I have to also buy the monitor, keyboards, mouse etc). Also where would be the best place to buy these things?


Recommendations and tips welcome! Also apologies if I didn't provide enough details...

Thanks in advance!

 

[royfrosty]

2.3k Everything in

MSI B85 G43 Gaming + i5-4460 ~ $380
GSkills Ripjaws 1600mhz 2x4gb kit Red ~ $110
WD Blue 1tb ~ $67
Crucial MX100 256gb ~ $155
ASus r9 290 4gb DCUII ~ $519 (happy hunting always OOS as it is on promo)
Superflower HX600 600w 80+ Gold Semi Modular PSU ~ $108
Fractal Design Arc Midi ~ $129
Samsung DVD Drive ~ $21
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit OEM ~ $110
Dell U2414H 23.8inch eIPS Panel ~ $340 (Can tilt, swivel, turn, narrow bazel, USB port, and multi video connectivity, last but not least up to 5 years warranty on site)
CM QuickFire TK Cherry Brown switch with full backlit white LED mechanical keyboard ~ $139
Mad Catz R.A.T 5 fully adjustable gaming mouse ~ $78sgd (AMAZON)
Swans m10 2.1 speakers ~ $109

Total ~ $2265. Buy at tradepac. DIY

Optional upgrade:

MSI H97 Gaming + i5-4460 ~ $404


I recommend you to invest on peripherals as is something that will last a lifetime.

Go for mechanical keyboard as it is lasting and meant for gaming purposes. Switches wise there are a few. Go to Cybermind and try the demo see how it goes.

 

[wuzmaname]

Many thanks! Completely agree with buying something which will last..!

Just one newbie question, why should I invest in an i5 and not an i7? Is there a significant difference? And what is the price difference?

2.3k Everything in

MSI B85 G43 Gaming + i5-4460 ~ $380
GSkills Ripjaws 1600mhz 2x4gb kit Red ~ $110
WD Blue 1tb ~ $67
Crucial MX100 256gb ~ $155
ASus r9 290 4gb DCUII ~ $519 (happy hunting always OOS as it is on promo)
Superflower HX600 600w 80+ Gold Semi Modular PSU ~ $108
Fractal Design Arc Midi ~ $129
Samsung DVD Drive ~ $21
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit OEM ~ $110
Dell U2414H 23.8inch eIPS Panel ~ $340 (Can tilt, swivel, turn, narrow bazel, USB port, and multi video connectivity, last but not least up to 5 years warranty on site)
CM QuickFire TK Cherry Brown switch with full backlit white LED mechanical keyboard ~ $139
Mad Catz R.A.T 5 fully adjustable gaming mouse ~ $78sgd (AMAZON)
Swans m10 2.1 speakers ~ $109

Total ~ $2265. Buy at tradepac. DIY

Optional upgrade:

MSI H97 Gaming + i5-4460 ~ $404


I recommend you to invest on peripherals as is something that will last a lifetime.

Go for mechanical keyboard as it is lasting and meant for gaming purposes. Switches wise there are a few. Go to Cybermind and try the demo see how it goes.

 

[wkweewee]

Many thanks! Completely agree with buying something which will last..!

Just one newbie question, why should I invest in an i5 and not an i7? Is there a significant difference? And what is the price difference?

Hi there hope I can help. i5 vs i7 (locked) quad core -the main difference will the the stock/turbo boost frequency and the amount of cache ability. Unless you are a king of multitasking, doing video rendering or scientific work, you can gladly just settle for an i5 for the price performance. Speed boost in game is minor, with smoother transition/fluidity being the small benefit. (One of the more significant component for gaming is gpu.) Price diff can range from 100+ to 200+ depending on which i5 and i7 you are comparing. No harm getting a higher frequency cpu though if your budget allows.

 

[wuzmaname]

Ok, understood.. so what would be the highest frequency cpu i should buy? i5-4690? Would anyone be able to provide a pricing?

Hi there hope I can help. i5 vs i7 (locked) quad core -the main difference will the the stock/turbo boost frequency and the amount of cache ability. Unless you are a king of multitasking, doing video rendering or scientific work, you can gladly just settle for an i5 for the price performance. Speed boost in game is minor, with smoother transition/fluidity being the small benefit. (One of the more significant component for gaming is gpu.) Price diff can range from 100+ to 200+ depending on which i5 and i7 you are comparing. No harm getting a higher frequency cpu though if your budget allows.

 

[Alternative X]

MSI B85 G43 Gaming + i5-4690 ~ $423

Your choice.

 

[wkweewee]

Ok, understood.. so what would be the highest frequency cpu i should buy? i5-4690? Would anyone be able to provide a pricing?

Pricing wise should be a low $400 (for the mobo mentioned in the earlier thread + i5-4690) or a mid range $500 (mobo + i7-4770/4790) if you really want an i7.

You will need to do your own homework by comparing the pricelists (@ the link above) and do note that the pricelists only serve as a general guide which you can ALWAYS haggle for lower prices as you are going for a full rig.

As a first timer, do protect yourself when you make your purchase. Check whether each individual component is intact together with their accessories and whether or not are they sealed. Mobo, gpu, psu, ram, hdd/ssd and etc must have local distros stickers. Remember to get a receipt/receipts for the components you buy (all must be in). Please don't be too excited only to realize that you have left out something in the process. The experience might be @.@...

Cheers!