Need help building a gaming desktop

[BoredWithLife]

Mainly play Dota 2 and maybe trying out Archage. Other than that, mostly surf net and watch drama/anime/movies.

Budget will be around 1k to 1.2k, without keyboard/mouse. Preferred 2.0 speakers and windows 7.

Lastly thanks

 

[Alternative X]

CPU+ Mobo: ASROCK H81M-HDS+ i3 4150 (224)
RAM: 2X KINGSTON PC 12800/1600MHZ DDR3 CL11 VALUE RAM (4GB) (108)
GPU: POWER COLOR R9 270X 2GB PCS+ (299)
SSD: ADATA SP900 128GB (99)
HDD: TOSHIBA 1TB 7200RPM (69)
DVD-RW: LG 24X DVD-RW SATA OEM (25)
PSU: SEASONIC S12G-Non MODULAR 550W (105)
Case: C.M 344 MICRO CASE (55)
OS: WINDOWS 7 HOME PREM (120)
Speaker: CREATIVE SBS 220 2.1 (39)

Total cost: $1143

Buy at PC Themes, #04-15, and ask for discounts. DIY yourself. If you can't into DIY, go to PC Care & Solution at #02-32 and ask Nigel to help you assemble for a fee.

Notes:

1) As Archage is a more GPU intensive game than DOTA, this build includes a R9 270X for better gameplay in Archage.

 

[BoredWithLife]

Hi, thanks for the advice, but I got a noob question about why choose i3 instead of i5. I was hoping this could last me for 4-5 years. And one last thing, do you have any good monitor recommendation, maybe got cheap deals in Comex

 

[royfrosty]

Hi, thanks for the advice, but I got a noob question about why choose i3 instead of i5. I was hoping this could last me for 4-5 years. And one last thing, do you have any good monitor recommendation, maybe got cheap deals in Comex

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GLSPub4ydiM

Watch the video first before deciding an i5.

Do you really need an i5 for dota2? Paying more does not mean it will last long. Upgrading it once in a while will help you in future proofing the rig.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=I4PDoy-mi0A

 

[shadow84]

Can get Dell S2340L at $209 from SLS. Or see if Comex will be selling it at $199. Too bad u missed the Dell online promo 2 mths back at $179.

 

[Alternative X]

Hi, thanks for the advice, but I got a noob question about why choose i3 instead of i5. I was hoping this could last me for 4-5 years. And one last thing, do you have any good monitor recommendation, maybe got cheap deals in Comex

An i3 processor was chosen for these reasons:

1)You are on a tight budget.
2)Both games can be ran well with an i3 processor with any potential performance bottlenecks coming from GPU performance. Hence, GPU performance is priortised over processor performance.

True futureproofing is virtually impossible in the fast changing techonological enviroment today. Hence, one should build a rig that meets one's needs just nice and if the current rig proves insufficient, some small updates can then be simply be done(eg: GPU upgrade) at a small cost to keep the rig relevant for future needs. There is no point in throwing large sums of money on a overkill rig as the rig may become obsolete very fast and the money invested wasted.

I do not have much in the way of monitor recommendations as my standards are very low.(Got picture, can already.) However, the folks in this forum seems to swear by the Dell S2340L though.

 

[BoredWithLife]

An i3 processor was chosen for these reasons:

1)You are on a tight budget.
2)Both games can be ran well with an i3 processor with any potential performance bottlenecks coming from GPU performance. Hence, GPU performance is priortised over processor performance.

True futureproofing is virtually impossible in the fast changing techonological enviroment today. Hence, one should build a rig that meets one's needs just nice and if the current rig proves insufficient, some small updates can then be simply be done(eg: GPU upgrade) at a small cost to keep the rig relevant for future needs. There is no point in throwing large sums of money on a overkill rig as the rig may become obsolete very fast and the money invested wasted.

I do not have much in the way of monitor recommendations as my standards are very low.(Got picture, can already.) However, the folks in this forum seems to swear by the Dell S2340L though.

Okay, thanks for the quick guide videos. Didn't know my budget is that tight, let's say I am willing to increase my budget slightly higher by around 200, is there anything which can improve on. I know DOTA do not require high settings but I not sure about Archage. By the way, like to ask another noob question, I am planning to get creative t40 speakers, is it necessary to buy sound card?

 

[shadow84]

Okay, thanks for the quick guide videos. Didn't know my budget is that tight, let's say I am willing to increase my budget slightly higher by around 200, is there anything which can improve on. I know DOTA do not require high settings but I not sure about Archage. By the way, like to ask another noob question, I am planning to get creative t40 speakers, is it necessary to buy sound card?

Your motherboard alrdy gt on-board soundcard, and it is decent enough. You get those cheapo soundcard, makes no diff from on-board. Save the money would be better. Or get better speakers.

 

[Alternative X]

Okay, thanks for the quick guide videos. Didn't know my budget is that tight, let's say I am willing to increase my budget slightly higher by around 200, is there anything which can improve on. I know DOTA do not require high settings but I not sure about Archage. By the way, like to ask another noob question, I am planning to get creative t40 speakers, is it necessary to buy sound card?

Upgrade GPU to R9 280. Archage is not dependent on processor performance, i3 or i5 also same FPS.

 

[royfrosty]

That speakers arent hard to drive it. The onboard sound will do its job.

As for the increase in budget, it wont help much in the games you play. BUT however if you do have other games in mind such as FPS games and other grade AAA games title you can warrant an i5. That is provided you wanna game more. So BE realistic. Do you see yourself playing more games in the future? And do you intend to see eye popping graphics?

If so then 1.4k,

ASRock H81M HDS + i5-4460 ~ $302
Crucial 8gb 1600mhz Value Ram ~ $100
WD Blue 1tb ~ $67
Plextor m6s 128gb ~ $119
Powercolor r9 280X 3gb Turbo Duo ~ $438
Superflower HX600 600w 80+ Gold Semi Modular PSU ~ $108
Sharkoon MS140 ~ $54
LG DVD Drive with Cyberlink Software ~ $21
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit OEM ~ $115
Creative inspire T3130 2.1 Speakers ~ $65

Total ~ $1389. Buy at tradepac, DIY

Optional Purchase:

Dell S2340L 23inch eIPS Panel ~ $219 Comex should be slightly cheaper.

But if you really wanna save up more, buy everything from 1 shop and bargain your way thru. As a bundle deal you will average out the savings slightly more than comex deal.

 

[BoredWithLife]

That speakers arent hard to drive it. The onboard sound will do its job.

As for the increase in budget, it wont help much in the games you play. BUT however if you do have other games in mind such as FPS games and other grade AAA games title you can warrant an i5. That is provided you wanna game more. So BE realistic. Do you see yourself playing more games in the future? And do you intend to see eye popping graphics?

If so then 1.4k,

ASRock H81M HDS + i5-4460 ~ $302
Crucial 8gb 1600mhz Value Ram ~ $100
WD Blue 1tb ~ $67
Plextor m6s 128gb ~ $119
Powercolor r9 280X 3gb Turbo Duo ~ $438
Superflower HX600 600w 80+ Gold Semi Modular PSU ~ $108
Sharkoon MS140 ~ $54
LG DVD Drive with Cyberlink Software ~ $21
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit OEM ~ $115
Creative inspire T3130 2.1 Speakers ~ $65

Total ~ $1389. Buy at tradepac, DIY

Optional Purchase:

Dell S2340L 23inch eIPS Panel ~ $219 Comex should be slightly cheaper.

But if you really wanna save up more, buy everything from 1 shop and bargain your way thru. As a bundle deal you will average out the savings slightly more than comex deal.

Thanks for the advice. Since I not planning to play other FPS games, maybe will consider Alternative's build. Don't really wan to get 2.1 speakers due to lack of space. Currently waiting for Comex for cheap monitor deals.

 

[shadow84]

Thanks for the advice. Since I not planning to play other FPS games, maybe will consider Alternative's build. Don't really wan to get 2.1 speakers due to lack of space. Currently waiting for Comex for cheap monitor deals.

You can amend alternativeX recommendation by changing the mobo to MSI B85m g43. The asrock h81m-hds is a bit hard to handle, in the sense that the placement of components for some are weirdly done. Conflict with other parts.

You can also get a bigger SSD, samsung evo 250gb at $159.90 @qoo10 bizgram($149.90 if you have $10 coupon) or mx100 256gb at $165.

You can consider swans m10 2.1 speakers. Quite small, sub can put on table. Go to cybermind to take a look.

 

[BoredWithLife]

You can amend alternativeX recommendation by changing the mobo to MSI B85m g43. The asrock h81m-hds is a bit hard to handle, in the sense that the placement of components for some are weirdly done. Conflict with other parts.

You can also get a bigger SSD, samsung evo 250gb at $159.90 @qoo10 bizgram($149.90 if you have $10 coupon) or mx100 256gb at $165.

You can consider swans m10 2.1 speakers. Quite small, sub can put on table. Go to cybermind to take a look.

So my CPU+ Mobo will be MSI B85m g43+ i3 4150 (???) What is the price range for it?

Thanks for the SSD advice too. For the swans m10 2.1 speakers, i saw it recently in SLS, still find it too "square" and bulky.

 

[shadow84]

So my CPU+ Mobo will be MSI B85m g43+ i3 4150 (???) What is the price range for it?

Thanks for the SSD advice too. For the swans m10 2.1 speakers, i saw it recently in SLS, still find it too "square" and bulky.

Download pc themes pricelist and check.

 

[Alternative X]

MSI B85m g43+ i3 4150 (269)

 

[BoredWithLife]

MSI B85m g43+ i3 4150 (269)

Thanks for the quick info