[DIY] How's my build?

[Vautnex]

I decided to get a normal form factor and spend more instead for my PC in the end. Intend to buy this set this weekend or next weekend. What do you guys think of it ?

PC used for ---> League of Lesbians, Diablo 3, light video editing, surfing & watching movies.
Will definitely try out Skyrim next time.

Casing - Bitfenix Comrade Black - $59 (lazada)
CPU+MB - i3 4160 asrock H81M-HDS - $235 (pct)
GPU - Zotac GeForce GTX 750Ti 2GB - $215 (pct)
RAM - Kingston 12800/1600MHz 8gb - $100 (pct)
HDD - Western D. Green 64Mb - $74 (pct)
SSD - Crucial m550 128gb - $86 (owned already)
PSU - Corsair CX 500W 80+ Bronze - $85 (pct)
Internal DVD-RW -Asus 24x DVD SATA OEM - $26 (pct)
WiFi Card - Asus PCE N15 - $59 (pct)
Monitor - Dell 23'' S2340L - $199 (pct)
OS - Windows 8 (64bit) - $128 (owned already)
Anti Virus - McAfee Total Protection - $38 (pct)
Sub total ---> $1090

Keyboard - Ducky Zero DK2087 - $99 (x-tremesolutions)
Mouse - SteelSeries Kinzu v3 - $59 (x-tremesolutions)
Mouse Pad - Steelseries QcK - $19 (lazada)
Headset - Steel Series Raw Prism - $109 (x-treme solutions)
Sub total ---> $286

Grand Total ---> $1376

My windows 8 upgrade to 8.1 for free right?
I'm only getting Skyrim 1 or 2 months later. Should I only get the GPU then and use integrated gnu for now or should I just buy together?

Anywhere else can buy the stuff I listed for cheaper? ^.^

 

[Alternative X]

Revised parts list:

Casing - Bitfenix Comrade Black - (59) (lazada)
CPU+MB - i5 4460 + Asrock H81M-HDS (329) (pct)
GPU - Powercolor R7 265 2GB Turboduo (229) (pct)
RAM - Crucial PC 12800/1600MHZ DDR3 CL11 ValueRAM (99) (pct)
HDD - WD 1TB Blue (72) (pct)
PSU - FSP Aurum S 500W (89) (pct)
DVD-RW - LG 24x DVD SATA OEM (25) (pct)
WiFi Card - Asus PCE N15 (59) (pct)
Monitor - Dell S2340L (199) (pct)

Sub total: $1160

Notes:

1) If doing video editing, might be a better idea to get an i5 CPU instead unless your video editing software only uses 1-2 threads during operations.

2) Do note that the front panel IO ports on the Bitfenix Comrade is on the right side of the casing instead of being on the front or top like most casings. Hope you do not mind.

3) If you must have a WD HDD, would rather that you get WD Blue HDDs as WD Greens are more focused on low energy usage which results in the HDD being very slow and will have an adverse effect on the performance of any programs that is running from the HDD.

4) Would rather that you pay a bit more for a much more powerful Powercolor R7 265 for better performance in Skyrim at max settings in 1080p.

5) Would rather that you pay a bit more for a FSP Aurum, a more energy efficient PSU with a better build quality. Can also consider the Seasonic S12G 550W Non-Modular variant ($105) instead for an even better PSU than the Aurum.

6) Would rather that you get Avast or AVG for your antivirus. Free and works just as well.

7) You can upgrade to Windows 8.1 from Windows 8 for free at the Windows store.

8) State internet plan and model of router used.

9) No comments on your peripherals.

9) League of Lesbians? Sounds intriguing. Care to share details of this game?

 

[zenniz]

Why use a PCIE wifi card when you can get a 300mbps USB wireless adapter for much cheaper price. Performance difference is not noticeable.

You can also get FSP HEXA 450W at $58. Not as power efficient as FSP Aurum.

Some places like tradepac sell valueram 8gb 1600mhz for $95, WD 1TB blue for $69 and 24x DVD sata for $21. They might even give you discount if you ask.

 

[Alternative X]

Why use a PCIE wifi card when you can get a 300mbps USB wireless adapter for much cheaper price. Performance difference is not noticeable.

You can also get FSP HEXA 450W at $58. Not as power efficient as FSP Aurum.

Some places like tradepac sell valueram 8gb 1600mhz for $95, WD 1TB blue for $69 and 24x DVD sata for $21. They might even give you discount if you ask.

Actually, I think a PCI-E wifi card is a superior networking solution than a USB adapter. You see, the PCI-E slot offers far more data bandwidth than a USB port and thus more data from the internet can flow through a PCI-E connection when compared to a USB connection and thus helping to improve the quality of the internet connection.

Not to mention that PCI-E wifi cards do come with large antennas for better connectivity while most USB wifi adapters would usually have rather small ones.

 

[Vautnex]

Revised parts list:

Casing - Bitfenix Comrade Black - (59) (lazada)
CPU+MB - i5 4460 + Asrock H81M-HDS (329) (pct)
GPU - Powercolor R7 265 2GB Turboduo (229) (pct)
RAM - Crucial PC 12800/1600MHZ DDR3 CL11 ValueRAM (99) (pct)
HDD - WD 1TB Blue (72) (pct)
PSU - FSP Aurum S 500W (89) (pct)
DVD-RW - LG 24x DVD SATA OEM (25) (pct)
WiFi Card - Asus PCE N15 (59) (pct)
Monitor - Dell S2340L (199) (pct)

Sub total: $1160

Notes:

1) If doing video editing, might be a better idea to get an i5 CPU instead unless your video editing software only uses 1-2 threads during operations.

2) Do note that the front panel IO ports on the Bitfenix Comrade is on the right side of the casing instead of being on the front or top like most casings. Hope you do not mind.

3) If you must have a WD HDD, would rather that you get WD Blue HDDs as WD Greens are more focused on low energy usage which results in the HDD being very slow and will have an adverse effect on the performance of any programs that is running from the HDD.

4) Would rather that you pay a bit more for a much more powerful Powercolor R7 265 for better performance in Skyrim at max settings in 1080p.

5) Would rather that you pay a bit more for a FSP Aurum, a more energy efficient PSU with a better build quality. Can also consider the Seasonic S12G 550W Non-Modular variant ($105) instead for an even better PSU than the Aurum.

6) Would rather that you get Avast or AVG for your antivirus. Free and works just as well.

7) You can upgrade to Windows 8.1 from Windows 8 for free at the Windows store.

8) State internet plan and model of router used.

9) No comments on your peripherals.

9) League of Lesbians? Sounds intriguing. Care to share details of this game?

2) My pc will be on my left so its okay

4) If I use the cpu integrated graphics first then a month or 2 later then install a gpu, the gpu will automatically be used is it? No need to manually change which gpu is being used?

8) asus rt n56u 100mbps I think

I think maybe some parts I buy from tradepac but I see some very bad reviews(like they wanna eat on newbies to diy) online about it. Should I still buy from there save some money?

 

[Alternative X]

2) My pc will be on my left so its okay

4) If I use the cpu integrated graphics first then a month or 2 later then install a gpu, the gpu will automatically be used is it? No need to manually change which gpu is being used?

8) asus rt n56u 100mbps I think

I think maybe some parts I buy from tradepac but I see some very bad reviews online about it. Should I still buy from there save some money?

1) There is no need to do anything, the iGPU will disable itself when a GPU is inserted. You have got to install the drivers for the GPU before using the GPU though.

However, I am not very sure that it is a very good idea to be gaming with HD Graphics though, you are going to have very poor performance in games unless you are gaming at a very low resolution like 1366X768.

2) Consider the Asus PCE-N53 for $75. Comes with dual band support to go with your dual-band router. Can also consider the Intel PCI-E adapter for $79 at Laser Distributor instead if you don't mind pay a bit more for reliability. Also comes with dual-band support.

3) Would be best to buy most/all parts at a single shop to get better discounts. If you want to buy at Tradepac, it is recommended that you be firm about what you want and also to do more research on alternative parts in case they do not have a particular part in stock. Do not have them recommend parts for you. (Then again, it is best that you do not let any shop staff recommend parts for you anyway.)

If you do not want to DIY yourself, go to PC Care & Solutions instead and have Nigel assemble for you for a fee instead of having Tradepac assemble for you.