Need help building a PC with $2500.

[_mhata4_]

Hello guys. I'm building a gaming PC for the first time and I have a budget of $2.5k (includes monitor and keyboard also). Can top up a 1 or 2 hundred if really needed but prefer it to be $2.5k max. I went to reddit to get some feedback and one of the commenters suggested asking the question here since people at hardwarezone know the local market better

Anyway this was my initial build but without monitor and keyboard:

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Storage: Toshiba 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: 2 X Sapphire Radeon R9 290X 4GB Tr-X OC Video Card (2-Way CrossFire)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000G2 1000W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit)


But another redditor suggested this instead:

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Gigabyte G1.SNIPER H6 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($69.00 @ B&H)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB SSC ACX 2.0 Video Card
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: SeaSonic 760W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit)
Monitor: Acer GN246HL 144Hz 24.0" Monitor
Keyboard: Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Rapid Wired Gaming Keyboard

So im not so sure which one is better for me. :/ My concern is mostly how much are the parts here and where should I buy my parts? Sim Lim Square or buy online is better? And which shops in Sim Lim are the better ones? So anyone can recommend me what parts to buy and where to buy them from?


PS. I wanted to post hyperlinks but for some reason I'm not allowed to. Oh wells.

 

[deepblue_82]

u dont really need xfire or x2 gfx card... thats for sure..
u have buy them from https://www.facebook.com/PCThemes and
http://www.tradepac.com.sg/
all at sls......

 

[_mhata4_]

What parts do you think I should buy? Are the parts I listed ok and under $2.5k?

 

[Nitrile]

Less ram and go for K processor and Z platform. Or bigger SSD.

 

[_mhata4_]

Less ram and go for K processor and Z platform. Or bigger SSD.

yeah thought so too. I think 12 or 16 GB is the sweet spot for me. 32gb seems alot. I use it for gaming and programming and a little of photoshop and maya (but not so much).

But so is which build you think is better value? My i5 one or the i7 one?

 

[klap_hanz]

I juz build a $2000 rig without monitor and my specs are as below over last weekend....

I bought all from Tradepac with discount except for the rams and ssd which I bought from Amazon :

• Asus B85 Vanguard + Intel 4790

• Patriot Extreme Performance 32GB DDR3 (4 x 8GB) 1600 (PC3 12800) Memory Kit PV332G160C9QKBL

• MSI GTX970 4GD5T OC

• Samsung 850 EVO 500GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Internal SSD

• Seagate 3TB HDD Internal SATA

• Fractal Design Core 1500 Casing

• SuperFlower Leadex Gold 550W PSU

• Samsung 24X DVD-RW SATA(OEM)

• CoolerMaster Hyper 212X CPU Cooler

 

[avsquare]

You can refer to my rig specs listed on the right side of this post, of course minus off the monitors cos that's another story. Without monitors I paid $1.8K at tradepac.

Don't need water cooling if you ain't overclocking. Stock cooling is actually sufficient for a normal non-OC system.

CPU: really subjective. i5-4570 is enough to play most games but if you do use some intensive stuff for things like photo/video editing, rendering or you just want a better CPU then i7-4770 or i7-4790 then.

GPU: hoot the GTX 980 and don't look back since you have that budget. don't need SLI unless you running 4K reso or what.

Mobo: Check around the H81/H87/H97 boards from Asus (I'm biased for Asus mobos cos they are good and they have a name for making good mobos, and the top tier mobos come from them) for the different features and choose what you need. Things like all USB 3.0 ports? How many DVI/HDMI do you need, or do you want Surround 5.1/7.1 etc? That's for you to decide - price diff not that much also given your budget.

Main drive: Samsung EVO 850 250GB

Storage drive: can reuse yours if you have, if not hoot a WD Green 2 or 3TB

PSU: 550W should be enough. Forum ppl like to recommend FSP, up to you. But since you have the budget, get a modular one.

Optical Drive: Samsung or whatever cheap OEMs, like $20 bucks only lol.

Casing: Entirely your choice. Ideally a mid-tower at least for space and of course airflow. Aesthetics I guess can be important but more importantly look for one with good airflow and also, good meshing. I like the NZXT designs which looks futuristic and the meshing is gud. After 1 year plus of not cleaning the interiors I find no floss of dust or dust webs and shits, just tiny speckles of dust on surfaces that are not even obvious unless you beam a torchlight and scrutinize it.


All in all I think it should prob cost you around $2,000 or so, so your remainder can go for monitor/kb/mouse of your choice.

 

[mdhasan]

I juz build a $2000 rig without monitor and my specs are as below over last weekend....

I bought all from Tradepac with discount except for the rams and ssd which I bought from Amazon :

• Asus B85 Vanguard + Intel 4790

• Patriot Extreme Performance 32GB DDR3 (4 x 8GB) 1600 (PC3 12800) Memory Kit PV332G160C9QKBL

• MSI GTX970 4GD5T OC

• Samsung 850 EVO 500GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Internal SSD

• Seagate 3TB HDD Internal SATA

• Fractal Design Core 1500 Casing

• SuperFlower Leadex Gold 550W PSU

• Samsung 24X DVD-RW SATA(OEM)

• CoolerMaster Hyper 212X CPU Cooler

Hey could you tell us how much discount did you get exactly? I am hoping to get my rig soon. Will definitely help me!

 

[Swiftbladez]

CPU + Mobo: i7 4790 + MSI H97 Gaming 3 = $542
GPU: Zotac GTX 980 Amp = $780
RAM: Adata/Crucial/Kingston 8GB 1600MHz x 2 = $160
SSD: Lite on S900 256GB = $138
HDD: Toshiba 2TB = $94
ODD: LG 24X DVDRW OEM = $22
PSU: Superflower Leadex Gold 650W = $149
Casing: Anything ~$150
OS: Windows 8.1 = $120
Keyboard: Any mechanical switch one ~$100 (get the cheaper brands like tesoro, rosewill)
Monitor: If you dare to try I highly recommend the Korean 27" 1440P monitors (~$280 from qoo10)

Total: ~$2535

Everything from Tradepac except for monitor and possibly keyboard if they don't have.

 

[royfrosty]

What do you wanna do with this pc? And you wont need till dual gpus nor an i7.

 

[klap_hanz]

Hey could you tell us how much discount did you get exactly? I am hoping to get my rig soon. Will definitely help me!

the asus b85 vanguard + i7 4790 bundle was $517 on their pricelist and yet that **** uncle quoted me $575 for it, I haggle him down to $519 for it...the rest of the items, I get discount of $5 to $10...total discount up to $110 lidat...and I paid for all in cash too...

 

[mdhasan]

the asus b85 vanguard + i7 4790 bundle was $517 on their pricelist and yet that **** uncle quoted me $575 for it, I haggle him down to $519 for it...the rest of the items, I get discount of $5 to $10...total discount up to $110 lidat...and I paid for all in cash too...

Wow, you have to haggle with them to match their own price lists? Was it the only item they asked higher price than the advertisement?

Also, did you have to haggle for the $5-10 discounts on each item like that?

 

[avsquare]

Wow, you have to haggle with them to match their own price lists? Was it the only item they asked higher price than the advertisement?

Also, did you have to haggle for the $5-10 discounts on each item like that?

mobo+CPU bundle on their pricelist is only valid for full system purchase.

non full system purchases they will quote you higher.

 

[sglords]

If really wan sli with 144hz

BLUE/BLACK THEME?
CPU: I5 4460 + MSI Z97 SLI PLUS @ $396
RAM: GSKILL RIPJAWX 1600MHZ 4GBX2 @ $114
GPU: MSI GTX 970 4GB ARMOUR OC @ $485 X2
ODD: SAMSUNG 24X DVD-RW @ $21
SSD: LITEON S900 256GB @ $138
HDD: TOSHIBA 2TB 7200RPM @ $94
CASE+PSU: FRACTAL DESIGN R5 + CORSAIR RM 750W @ $295 (PCTHEME)
OS: WINDOWS 8.1 OEM @ $120

MONITOR: BENQ XL2411Z 144HZ @ $448 (GAMEPRO)
KB: DUCKY ZERO @ $100 (XTREMESOLUTION)
T: $2696
PRICE REF - TRADEPAC

 

[_mhata4_]

What do you wanna do with this pc? And you wont need till dual gpus nor an i7.

I would use it mainly for gaming and programming. I want to be able to play games like skyrim, civ 5, bioshock, borderlands on high settings. The programs I use mostly are Visual studios 2010, Unity, Eclipse, for programming purposes and occasionally Photoshop and Autodesk Maya (very occasionally).

 

[_mhata4_]

If really wan sli with 144hz

BLUE/BLACK THEME?
CPU: I5 4460 + MSI Z97 SLI PLUS @ $396
RAM: GSKILL RIPJAWX 1600MHZ 4GBX2 @ $114
GPU: MSI GTX 970 4GB ARMOUR OC @ $485 X2
ODD: SAMSUNG 24X DVD-RW @ $21
SSD: LITEON S900 256GB @ $138
HDD: TOSHIBA 2TB 7200RPM @ $94
CASE+PSU: FRACTAL DESIGN R5 + CORSAIR RM 750W @ $295 (PCTHEME)
OS: WINDOWS 8.1 OEM @ $120

MONITOR: BENQ XL2411Z 144HZ @ $448 (GAMEPRO)
KB: DUCKY ZERO @ $100 (XTREMESOLUTION)
T: $2696
PRICE REF - TRADEPAC

The thing is Im not sure whether to get SLI/XFire or to go with single GPU. Lols

 

[Mikiberry]

The thing is Im not sure whether to get SLI/XFire or to go with single GPU. Lols

970 already have micro stutters on 1440p reso liao due to 3.5 vram issue. If you SLI 2 970, you potentially getting helluva joy ride.

Get either CF 290x or 980, or Titan X if you die die want 980 SLI.

 

[babychimz]

Imho, single card is the practical choice. Given your budget and needs, i think a single gtx 980 would be good.

 

[Maximus_XXVIII]

The thing is Im not sure whether to get SLI/XFire or to go with single GPU. Lols

Not recommended to get 970 SLI. With most recent AAA games having high quality textures, the 970 easily hits the 3.5 GB VRAM limit and you'll get micro stuttering.

I'm using single GTX 970 on 1080p monitor and I can't max Shadow of Mordor (with UltraHD pack) and GTA V due to the VRAM issue and the game starts to stutter. FPS is good but stuttering is unbearable.

 

[royfrosty]

I would use it mainly for gaming and programming. I want to be able to play games like skyrim, civ 5, bioshock, borderlands on high settings. The programs I use mostly are Visual studios 2010, Unity, Eclipse, for programming purposes and occasionally Photoshop and Autodesk Maya (very occasionally).

All those mentioned dont justify a i7 nor 32gb ram.

You just need a regular i5 with 16gb ram will do.

And you dont even need to go 2 gpus. A single one will do.

Take the money and save up.

Paying more does not justify any of your current needs. Neither does it gonna benefit you in any ways.

Spend more on a single gpu than multi gpus.

Keep the rest of the money and constantly upgrade so that you are sure to run the latest games without a hitch.

Not by spending more now and hoping to "futureproof" it. Cause theres no such thing as futureproof.