Desktop Computer - Recommendation

[antidaoster]

Hi Bros,

Any kind soul can help advise my friend here what to look for when she get her new desktop computer? She is using it mainly for gaming and multimedia, watching video, etc.

Hmm......what a bad timing....the IT show just over and she tell me she want to get a PC....sigh...

Anyway....please contribute....

Thanks!

 

[closetspace]

When you say gaming, do you mean Crysis 3, Bioshock Infinite, Shogun II, or do you mean minesweeper, Hearts, online chess.

Just clarifying cause you said "she" and guys and girls have very different definition of "gaming."

 

[antidaoster]

i'm not too sure what kind of online fighting games she and her brother been playing.....me not into that....but she did say need high graphic... maybe i can ask her later...

 

[nippp0n]

Need OS, monitor, keyboard, mouse and wifi adapter? What is your budget?

Well, it's a good thing you didn't buy any "gaming" desktop in PC Show. Haha! So it's not a bad timing at all.

 

[antidaoster]

oh yeah...she say need everything....coz previously she using a laptop.... she also mentioned she need lots of disk space so that she can store her d/l dramas.... budget is about $2K....

So you think she can get something power with her budget?

 

[nippp0n]

oh yeah...she say need everything....coz previously she using a laptop.... she also mentioned she need lots of disk space so that she can store her d/l dramas.... budget is about $2K....

So you think she can get something power with her budget?

CPU & Mobo: i5-4570 & Asrock B85M Pro 4 @ $372
Ram: Kingston 1600mhz value ram 2x4GB @ ~$76
ODD: Samsung DVD RW @ $22
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 3TB @ ~$188
SSD: Plextor M5S 128GB @ $139
GPU: Powercolor 7970 OC @ $505
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 @ $154
PSU: FSP Platinum 650W @ $142
OS: Windows 7 Home 64bit OEM @ $110
Monitor: Dell U2312HM @ $250
KB & Mouse: Logitech MK120 @ $18
Wifi: TP Link WN722N High Gain @ $26

Total: $2002
Buy and build at Tradepac.

 

[GrimaH]

TradePac is damn cheap, if you can protect yourself from their tactics.

Alternative:

Intel Core i5 4570 + Asrock B85M-Pro 4 - $380
G.Skill Ripjaws-X 1600MHz CL9 4GBx2 - $95
Plextor M5S 128GB SATA-3 SSD - $139
Seagate 3TB 64MB SATA-3 HDD - $165
Powercolor HD7950 3GB PCS+ DDR5 - $399
Xigmatek Midgard II USB3.0 ATX - $89
Seasonic X-650W PSU - $179
Windows 7 Home Premium - $120
Dell U2412M IPS LED 24" - $399
Logitech MK120 USB combo - $22
Prolink PAN2001 USB ATP - $27
24X DVD-RW SATA - $25

Total: $2039

Off PC Themes pricelist, for comparison. $10 extra for assembly.

 

[antidaoster]

Thanks Bros!

Instead of buy and build....is there anything like those off the shelve type that she can grab from stores like challenger, havey norman, etc?

 

[Athrun88]

Thanks Bros!

Instead of buy and build....is there anything like those off the shelve type that she can grab from stores like challenger, havey norman, etc?

Doubt we can help on that as u have to go down and check them in the stores. We have no idea what assembled comps they are selling...
The suggestions given by nippp0n and GrimaH are good, and they are cheaper than "branded" desktops. PCthemes provides assembly of parts, probably better for u than tradepac.

 

[starbury]

Sorry don't mean to hijack the thread, but I'm hoping if one of the pros can give me some advice also.

I have an old Andyson 500W PSU

I'm planning to upgrade to Haswell 4570 + Asrock B85 Pro4 + Leadtek 660Ti 2GB

Do I need to upgrade my PSU or can I persist with my current one?

Thanks in advance!

 

[yukita]

is she and her brother really "blind" about computer? if yes, pls get branded PC such as Dell, otherwise you need to help them troubleshoot even the simplest things... of course if you somehow willing to help them troubleshoot ... then get custom build from simlim will be better (get from PcThemes better after sales at least for initial setup)

 

[Athrun88]

Sorry don't mean to hijack the thread, but I'm hoping if one of the pros can give me some advice also.

I have an old Andyson 500W PSU

I'm planning to upgrade to Haswell 4570 + Asrock B85 Pro4 + Leadtek 660Ti 2GB

Do I need to upgrade my PSU or can I persist with my current one?

Thanks in advance!

More than enough, unless u are going SLI/Xfire.

 

[antidaoster]

is she and her brother really "blind" about computer? if yes, pls get branded PC such as Dell, otherwise you need to help them troubleshoot even the simplest things... of course if you somehow willing to help them troubleshoot ... then get custom build from simlim will be better (get from PcThemes better after sales at least for initial setup)

oh yeah they are just user and know nuts about the pc....it would be better they buy something that provide them the necessary warranty sevice....

So which branded pc do you think is good for them? They are thinking to get HP or ASUS....

 

[xtNero]

Might as well just get Alien-ware if you are looking for a factory-made pc since it's the most customisable among the various brands.

 

[GrimaH]

I don't think pre-built is ever a good choice.

If they encounter problems just tell them to go onto HWZ forums and ask lol. They'd probably waste less time than if they had to bring a prebuilt to the service centre and back.