Need help with building a mid ranged/ normal utility desktop!!

[xanxus9]

Hi pros, I'm seeking advices and help to build a mid ranged gaming desktop that can also be used for normal utilities.. I've a budget of around $850 and hope the build consists of a window 8 OS.
I've been looking in other threads and forums too. Can anyone advice on which shop to go to for a newbie (provided that I'll need them to assemble it for me)? Saw several good reviews on mynextcom at SLS.
Could any pros kindly share their thoughts and advice on what and where to get?

Your help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Alternative X]

Name all programs that you will be using with this rig.

 

[xanxus9]

Name all programs that you will be using with this rig.

Probably playing dota 2 & other steam games. And I do watch a lot of movies too! Thanks for the prompt reply!

 

[Jian19]

$850

i3-4160 + Asrock h81m hds ~ $230
G.skill 4gb ddr3 ~ $50
Wd blue 1tb ~ $72
Zotac gtx750ti ~ $219
Lg dvd rom ~ $21
Fsp hexa 450w ~ $58
CM n200 ~ $55
Win8.1 64 oem ~ $138

$841 buy and DIY @ pctheme ask for discount.

 

[xanxus9]

$850

i3-4160 + Asrock h81m hds ~ $230
G.skill 4gb ddr3 ~ $50
Wd blue 1tb ~ $72
Zotac gtx750ti ~ $219
Lg dvd rom ~ $21
Fsp hexa 450w ~ $58
CM n200 ~ $55
Win8.1 64 oem ~ $138

$841 buy and DIY @ pctheme ask for discount.

Hey thanks! Can I ask if i3 is preferred over i5 due to cost constraints? Because I saw several reviews indicating i5 is more suitable for gaming. Forgive me if I'm wrong. I'm really noob...

 

[royfrosty]

Yes although i5 is suitable. But the i3 is more than enough for your dota needs.

Dota isnt very hard to drive and also very less demanding on gpus.

Most steam games does not requires those high powered CPUs to play.

i3 is a dual core cpu with hyperthread. Of cause if you intend to play future games and all those AAA titles games, please up your budget further and also reconsider the gpu.

 

[xanxus9]

Hey thanks for enlightening me. Initially I set aside SGD$850 to build the PC and another 150 for the monitor. Let's say if I want to up the game to i5 processor with a good enough GPU, what would be the estimated cost?

 

[Alternative X]

Hey thanks for enlightening me. Initially I set aside SGD$850 to build the PC and another 150 for the monitor. Let's say if I want to up the game to i5 processor with a good enough GPU, what would be the estimated cost?

CPU+ Mobo: ASROCK H81M-HDS + i5 4460 (320)
RAM: G.SKILL PC 12800/1600MHZ DDR3 CL11 VALUE RAM (8GB) (98)
GPU: POWER COLOR R9 280 3GB TURBODUO (285)
HDD: WESTERN.D 1TB BLUE (72)
DVD-RW: LG 24X DVD-RW SATA OEM (25)
PSU: THERMALTAKE SMART SE 630W (85)
Case: CM K282 / K350 / K380 (55)
OS: WINDOWS 7 HOME PREM (125)

Total cost: $1065

Buy at PC Themes, #04-15, and ask for discounts. DIY yourself. If you can't into DIY, get PC Themes to assemble for you for a fee.

Notes:

1) The $200+ price jump is due to changes to RAM, CPU, GPU and PSU. Do note that this build is still considered a relatively budget build with most parts being as cheap as possible with a reasonable level of product quality.

2) 8GB RAMs is suggested as modern AAA games would require about 8GB of RAM to perform well.

3) The Powercolor R9 280 is suggested as it would be able to play most games at high-max settings at 1080p and is very cheap for its performance level.

4) A 630W PSU is suggested as a more powerful PSU is needed to power these more powerful parts and the Thermaltake Smart SE 630W will be able to power your rig with sufficient wattage headroom for good PSU reliability.

5) Do also note that $150 is only able to get you a monitor with a resolution of 1600X900 at most and 1080p monitors would cost you about $200+.

 

[Jian19]

i3 more then enough for steam games

Can consider grab

Powercolor 280 ~ $280
Fsp aurum s 500w ~ $89
8gb ddr3 ~ $98

Good to go

 

[xanxus9]

CPU+ Mobo: ASROCK H81M-HDS + i5 4460 (320)
RAM: G.SKILL PC 12800/1600MHZ DDR3 CL11 VALUE RAM (8GB) (98)
GPU: POWER COLOR R9 280 3GB TURBODUO (285)
HDD: WESTERN.D 1TB BLUE (72)
DVD-RW: LG 24X DVD-RW SATA OEM (25)
PSU: THERMALTAKE SMART SE 630W (85)
Case: CM K282 / K350 / K380 (55)
OS: WINDOWS 7 HOME PREM (125)

Total cost: $1065

Buy at PC Themes, #04-15, and ask for discounts. DIY yourself. If you can't into DIY, get PC Themes to assemble for you for a fee.

Notes:

1) The $200+ price jump is due to changes to RAM, CPU, GPU and PSU. Do note that this build is still considered a relatively budget build with most parts being as cheap as possible with a reasonable level of product quality.

2) 8GB RAMs is suggested as modern AAA games would require about 8GB of RAM to perform well.

3) The Powercolor R9 280 is suggested as it would be able to play most games at high-max settings at 1080p and is very cheap for its performance level.

4) A 630W PSU is suggested as a more powerful PSU is needed to power these more powerful parts and the Thermaltake Smart SE 630W will be able to power your rig with sufficient wattage headroom for good PSU reliability.

5) Do also note that $150 is only able to get you a monitor with a resolution of 1600X900 at most and 1080p monitors would cost you about $200+.

In that case I must consider monitors with 1920x1080 maximum resolution? Anyway thanks a lot!

 

[Alternative X]

In that case I must consider monitors with 1920x1080 maximum resolution? Anyway thanks a lot!

Not necessarily. You can also get a cheaper monitor with a lower resolution if you are really lacking in $$$, just that your videos and games would not look as sharp. However, I would strongly suggest getting a 1080p monitor at least as monitors are quite durable and I do not think that you would want to stare at lower resolution images all day long.

 

[xanxus9]

Ahh okay thanks guys
Last QN, is PC themes reliable? Really afraid to get scammed..

 

[shadow84]

Ahh okay thanks guys
Last QN, is PC themes reliable? Really afraid to get scammed..

PC themes is one of the last places to get scammed... But, they are very niao with their discounts de. So, dun expect too much when bargainning.

 

[xanxus9]

Alright thanks everyone!

 

[betaunknown]

i3 more then enough for steam games

Can consider grab

Powercolor 280 ~ $280
Fsp aurum s 500w ~ $89
8gb ddr3 ~ $98

Good to go

Yeah get the FSP over the thermaltake PSU.

 

[xanxus9]

CPU+ Mobo: ASROCK H81M-HDS + i5 4460 (320)
RAM: G.SKILL PC 12800/1600MHZ DDR3 CL11 VALUE RAM (8GB) (98)
GPU: POWER COLOR R9 280 3GB TURBODUO (285)
HDD: WESTERN.D 1TB BLUE (72)
DVD-RW: LG 24X DVD-RW SATA OEM (25)
PSU: THERMALTAKE SMART SE 630W (85)
Case: CM K282 / K350 / K380 (55)
OS: WINDOWS 7 HOME PREM (125)

Total cost: $1065

Buy at PC Themes, #04-15, and ask for discounts. DIY yourself. If you can't into DIY, get PC Themes to assemble for you for a fee.

Notes:

1) The $200+ price jump is due to changes to RAM, CPU, GPU and PSU. Do note that this build is still considered a relatively budget build with most parts being as cheap as possible with a reasonable level of product quality.

2) 8GB RAMs is suggested as modern AAA games would require about 8GB of RAM to perform well.

3) The Powercolor R9 280 is suggested as it would be able to play most games at high-max settings at 1080p and is very cheap for its performance level.

4) A 630W PSU is suggested as a more powerful PSU is needed to power these more powerful parts and the Thermaltake Smart SE 630W will be able to power your rig with sufficient wattage headroom for good PSU reliability.

5) Do also note that $150 is only able to get you a monitor with a resolution of 1600X900 at most and 1080p monitors would cost you about $200+.

Hello guys, I sent an email regarding the quotatation of this build with windows 8.1 OEM instead and inclusive of a ACER H226HQL monitor. Total bill is $1294.. Any experiences if they'll be willing to give discounts or throw in any free gifts?
Might need to purchase WiFi card too.

 

[shadow84]

Hello guys, I sent an email regarding the quotatation of this build with windows 8.1 OEM instead and inclusive of a ACER H226HQL monitor. Total bill is $1294.. Any experiences if they'll be willing to give discounts or throw in any free gifts?
Might need to purchase WiFi card too.

Not much i would say. Tradepac may be able to give more.

 

[xanxus9]

But saw several forums said that tradepac is for oldbirds or pros.. I'm afraid if I go kena chop haha.

 

[shadow84]

But saw several forums said that tradepac is for oldbirds or pros.. I'm afraid if I go kena chop haha.

Then, dun expect discounts lor. At most, pct give $10-30 off? Tp maybe can do $1250.

If u noe ur stuff well n stand firm, Wun kena chopped de.