Need Advice on a mid-range work/gaming PC

[sethro]

Hi PC gurus,

I've been lurking this thread for the past 2 months trying to get some starter builds for a new desktop. I only understand a few things and some basics about PC components and could not grasp the in-depth technical details. Thus, I have decided to make a new thread instead of reading, as every poster have different user requirements.

- minor photoshop/ CAD works. I am not using any 3D rendering software except for some Sketchup works.
- I like to game as well (dota 2, LOL, Call of Duty).
- I won't do any overclocking.
- Need Wi-Fi as router is too far away from my room. also for convenience.
- Need HDMI port to connect to my full HD tv.
- Don't need SSD for now. I have spare mice/keyboards as well.
- Budget 1k-1.5k. Prefer not to max out unless really necessary.

I hope I can land at least 4570/4670 CPU and a GTX760. Kindly advise me on the rest. Doesn't have to be top-of-the-line. TIA!

 

[iKoori]

Hi PC gurus,

I've been lurking this thread for the past 2 months trying to get some starter builds for a new desktop. I only understand a few things and some basics about PC components and could not grasp the in-depth technical details. Thus, I have decided to make a new thread instead of reading, as every poster have different user requirements.

- minor photoshop/ CAD works. I am not using any 3D rendering software except for some Sketchup works.
- I like to game as well (dota 2, LOL, Call of Duty).
- I won't do any overclocking.
- Need Wi-Fi as router is too far away from my room. also for convenience.
- Need HDMI port to connect to my full HD tv.
- Don't need SSD for now. I have spare mice/keyboards as well.
- Budget 1k-1.5k. Prefer not to max out unless really necessary.

I hope I can land at least 4570/4670 CPU and a GTX760. Kindly advise me on the rest. Doesn't have to be top-of-the-line. TIA!

asrock b85m dgs
i5 4670
~300
kingston ram 2 x 4gb cl9 1600mhz (if need more ram get 2x8gb)
~80
gtx760 (I like ASUS but it comes with a price, probably MSI/Gigabyte) - more than enough to max Dota/LoL/CoD @ 1080p
~400
2tb WD Blue
~100
Casing... (sharkoon t28?)
~80
wireless adaptor
~20
seasonic m2ii-500w
~80
Monitor you need ma? (I saw a 21" 1080p de @ around 180, forget brand though [higher PPI than those 23" and cheaper])
~200
DVD Drive
~20

windows 7 hp / 8 64bit
~120

sorry ah no exact price here... maybe you can wait for someone's else suggestion too.
the above build should be around 1.4k with monitor and os

 

[tensaixp]

Hi PC gurus,

I've been lurking this thread for the past 2 months trying to get some starter builds for a new desktop. I only understand a few things and some basics about PC components and could not grasp the in-depth technical details. Thus, I have decided to make a new thread instead of reading, as every poster have different user requirements.

- minor photoshop/ CAD works. I am not using any 3D rendering software except for some Sketchup works.
- I like to game as well (dota 2, LOL, Call of Duty).
- I won't do any overclocking.
- Need Wi-Fi as router is too far away from my room. also for convenience.
- Need HDMI port to connect to my full HD tv.
- Don't need SSD for now. I have spare mice/keyboards as well.
- Budget 1k-1.5k. Prefer not to max out unless really necessary.

I hope I can land at least 4570/4670 CPU and a GTX760. Kindly advise me on the rest. Doesn't have to be top-of-the-line. TIA!

Need to add in if need OS and monitor and MS Office. I guess its home use right? Here not guru, but I can try and help with some for starters.

Mobo and CPU: MSI B85-G41 PC MATE + 4570 -> $375
Ram: Kingston Value Ram 1 x *GB -> $92
GPU: MSI 760 4GB Twin Frozr -> $455
HDD: Western Digital 1TB blue -> $85
ODD: Samsung 24X -> $25
PSU + Casing: Seasonic M12II 520W+ sharkoon T28 -> $150? Not sure about the price, ask shop

Total: $1182

Additional
Win 7 HP: $120
Monitor: around $160-$200

 

[sethro]

Thanks iKoori and tensaixp! I don't need a monitor. I am happy playing on my HDTV. =) Oh yeah I forgot about the OS. Win7 64bit.

 

[Jian19]

Need OS ? Keyboard ? Mouse ?

i5-4570 + Msi b85m g43 ~ $356
Gskills ripjaws 1600mhz 2x4gb kit ~ $100
Wd blue 1tb ~ $80
Msi gtx760 + Seasonic m12ii 620w ~ $499
Samsung 24x DVD drive ~ $21
Sharkoon t28 ~ $85
Win 7 64 oem ~ $115
TP link usb wireless N 300mbps ~ $25
Logitech keyboard + mouse ~ $20-30

Total $1306 buy and built @ tradepac ~ ask for discount

 

[sethro]

Need OS ? Keyboard ? Mouse ?

i5-4570 + Msi b85m g43 ~ $356
Gskills ripjaws 1600mhz 2x4gb kit ~ $100
Wd blue 1tb ~ $80
Msi gtx760 + Seasonic m12ii 620w ~ $499
Samsung 24x DVD drive ~ $21
Sharkoon t28 ~ $85
Win 7 64 oem ~ $115
TP link usb wireless N 300mbps ~ $25
Logitech keyboard + mouse ~ $20-30

Total $1306 buy and built @ tradepac ~ ask for discount

Thanks Jian19. I don't need the mouse/keyboard. I have a spare wireless ones, which are good enough for me.

@all

Thanks for the advice. Will collate all your rec's and review in detail. Appreciate it.

 

[Jian19]

U can see which casing u like and top up abit..be thick face and bargain and I believe below $1300 can get wad u need

 

[royfrosty]

What a waste 1.5k can include an ssd.

MSI b85m g43 + i5-4570 ~ $356
Kingston value ram 8gb ~ $90
WD blue 1tb ~ $81
Plextor m5s 128gb ~ $139
MSI gtx760 2gb Twin frozr + seasonic m12ii 620w ~ $499
Nzxt h230 black ~ $109
Samsung ODD ~ $21
Windows 7 Home premium 64bit OEM ~ $115
TP link wireless N600 pcie ~ $45

Total $1410 buy at tradepac and diy

Get the ssd. You won't regret having a buttery smooth Os. There isn't any other things you probably can splurge on so an ssd is the way to go.

You need an internal pcie WiFi card. I assume that what you say is true that your router is far from the PC placed. A USB type has poor signal if it is gonna place quite a distance. Best is the internal ones and comes with an proper antenna. USB type is only good for close distance.

I recommend you the nzxt h230 as a silent chassis. Comes with noise dampening material yet not so expensive. It should be below $109.

 

[sethro]

What a waste 1.5k can include an ssd.

MSI b85m g43 + i5-4570 ~ $356
Kingston value ram 8gb ~ $90
WD blue 1tb ~ $81
Plextor m5s 128gb ~ $139
MSI gtx760 2gb Twin frozr + seasonic m12ii 620w ~ $499
Nzxt h230 black ~ $109
Samsung ODD ~ $21
Windows 7 Home premium 64bit OEM ~ $115
TP link wireless N600 pcie ~ $45

Total $1410 buy at tradepac and diy

Get the ssd. You won't regret having a buttery smooth Os. There isn't any other things you probably can splurge on so an ssd is the way to go.

You need an internal pcie WiFi card. I assume that what you say is true that your router is far from the PC placed. A USB type has poor signal if it is gonna place quite a distance. Best is the internal ones and comes with an proper antenna. USB type is only good for close distance.

I recommend you the nzxt h230 as a silent chassis. Comes with noise dampening material yet not so expensive. It should be below $109.

Thanks for the reply royfrosty. My spot and the main router is just back-to-back just separated by a wall. However, there is no viable way to wire it all the way as it requires passing through a door or window, both of which are completely sealed off when closed. I can consider the SSD. I just think that those are one of the few components which I can hold off spending for now, and get a better/bigger one when I can save up.

 

[shadow84]

Would it be possible to drill through the wall? Create a hole at some corner? Coz that's wad i did...

 

[royfrosty]

Thanks for the reply royfrosty. My spot and the main router is just back-to-back just separated by a wall. However, there is no viable way to wire it all the way as it requires passing through a door or window, both of which are completely sealed off when closed. I can consider the SSD. I just think that those are one of the few components which I can hold off spending for now, and get a better/bigger one when I can save up.

Then it is still better to get the internal type WiFi. A USB type will probably give you a high latency because of that wall.

Ssd just grab the 128gb. No point going so high capacity and store all the unnecessary stuffs.

If need be 256gb at $259 is the sweet spot.

128gb is sufficient for os installation only. Leaving at least 90gb plus for space like temp downloads and other applications to load.

 

[sethro]

Would it be possible to drill through the wall? Create a hole at some corner? Coz that's wad i did...

Unable to do so, opposite wall is tiled up all the way.

 

[sethro]

Then it is still better to get the internal type WiFi. A USB type will probably give you a high latency because of that wall.

Ssd just grab the 128gb. No point going so high capacity and store all the unnecessary stuffs.

If need be 256gb at $259 is the sweet spot.

128gb is sufficient for os installation only. Leaving at least 90gb plus for space like temp downloads and other applications to load.

Noted. Will surely consider the 128gb ssd as my OS drive and the internal Wi-Fi. Thanks for the latency tip!

 

[tcg170980]

i used a wifi card for my recent upgrade.. asus n15.. its crap.. in the end bought the usb adapter type.
but my router is in the living room and my room is at the end ..something like a L-shape -end to end..

 

[sethro]

i used a wifi card for my recent upgrade.. asus n15.. its crap.. in the end bought the usb adapter type.
but my router is in the living room and my room is at the end ..something like a L-shape -end to end..

Wifi card is the built-in type as what royfrosty described? Sorry I am confused with the terminologies.

 

[royfrosty]

i used a wifi card for my recent upgrade.. asus n15.. its crap.. in the end bought the usb adapter type.
but my router is in the living room and my room is at the end ..something like a L-shape -end to end..

That Asus n15 is crap. That one the antenna power is useless.

 

[tcg170980]

N600 better than those usb adapter?using the aztech ones now

 

[celestial517]

with regards to ur wifi prob, why not use those plug that convert ur electrical wiring into lan?

 

[tensaixp]

with regards to ur wifi prob, why not use those plug that convert ur electrical wiring into lan?

Homeplugs? I heard they are very susceptible to interference.

Unable to do so, opposite wall is tiled up all the way.

You can try using flat wire. go under the door. I'm using a 30m cat 6 wire from my fibre point because I'm sick of wireless connection.

 

[sethro]

Homeplugs? I heard they are very susceptible to interference.



You can try using flat wire. go under the door. I'm using a 30m cat 6 wire from my fibre point because I'm sick of wireless connection.

Thanks for the tip. Never knew such thing exists.