Need recommendation for $3K-4K pc

[GaaraOfTheSand]

My desktop of 7 years which I had built from parts bought at SLS and upgraded along the way had died. I hope to get a new pc within the next couple of months but I've totally lost touch with the latest hardware technologies. Totally hardware noob now.

I'm considering the following options:
#1. Get most things from a reputable shop at SLS and have it assembled by the shop. Then upgrade with parts (extra RAM, extra harddisk etc) bought locally and online from overseas.
#2. Get parts locally and online from overseas and seek help from others to assemble myself.
#3. Buy a new desktop online from sites like Aftershock etc. But I have to decide whether to take this option fast as Aftershock's current promotion is ending on 15 June. What is the cost premium of this option over #1 and #2 in %? Worth it?

Anywhere please recommend a build that will meet the following:
1. Budget of $3K to $4K for now.
2. Can play any game within the next 3 years. To last for at least 5 years for most games and other purposes.
3. Full specs including casing, monitor, keyboard, mouse etc. No need router.
4. Very quiet. Very fast. Very stable. Minimal maintenance. Energy efficient.
5. At least 32 GB RAM for now. As much extra RAM as possible in future.
6. At least 4 TB of hard disk space for now. Expandable to at least 16 TB hard disk space in future. I could also consider getting a disk array.
7. 2Gbps wired connection to internet. And fast wireless connection to my router until I've got my cabling done.
8. Fast and easy wireless connections to all sorts of home peripherals and mobile devices for streaming video, transfer files, surveillance etc.
9. Includes 64-bit OS.
10. I'm noob so not going to do chim chim stuffs like overclocking, open-looped water cooling etc, unless really easy to do or not done by me.
11. Other than games and home entertainment, other software applications that I'll be running on the pc.
a. Heavy p2p downloading
b. Database servers (Oracle, MS SQL Server, MongoDB etc) and clients
c. Video editing and photo editing software
d. Data analytics and visualization tools (Cloudera, SAS, Tableau Server, RStudio, ETL tools etc)
e. Other programming tools (Visual Studio, Python etc)
f. Office tools

 

[ZrE0_Cha0s]

My desktop of 7 years which I had built from parts bought at SLS and upgraded along the way had died. I hope to get a new pc within the next couple of months but I've totally lost touch with the latest hardware technologies. Totally hardware noob now.

I'm considering the following options:
#1. Get most things from a reputable shop at SLS and have it assembled by the shop. Then upgrade with parts (extra RAM, extra harddisk etc) bought locally and online from overseas.
#2. Get parts locally and online from overseas and seek help from others to assemble myself.
#3. Buy a new desktop online from sites like Aftershock etc. But I have to decide whether to take this option fast as Aftershock's current promotion is ending on 15 June. What is the cost premium of this option over #1 and #2 in %? Worth it?

Well i rather u go with option #1 and #3.

#1 Reasons: They should have most of the parts been reco over here, they could even give you valuable advice to assist you on your build. but just that any thing happens to your pc (those parts) are dmg, u will need to ownself troubleshoot and get them repairs or replace (whichever options u like to go for.) As for upgrades yup still up to u to get from either local or overseas.

#3 Reasons: Well only for the supports if ur PC happens to breakdown at any time of the contract and will be able to contact them to help solve your issues. (just that the support seems like not worth, but still u got a good support. other than that their items is abit pricier than SLS shops.)

Anywhere please recommend a build that will meet the following:
1. Budget of $3K to $4K for now.
2. Can play any game within the next 3 years. To last for at least 5 years for most games and other purposes.
3. Full specs including casing, monitor, keyboard, mouse etc. No need router.
4. Very quiet. Very fast. Very stable. Minimal maintenance. Energy efficient.
5. At least 32 GB RAM for now. As much extra RAM as possible in future.
6. At least 4 TB of hard disk space for now. Expandable to at least 16 TB hard disk space in future. I could also consider getting a disk array.
7. 2Gbps wired connection to internet. And fast wireless connection to my router until I've got my cabling done.
8. Fast and easy wireless connections to all sorts of home peripherals and mobile devices for streaming video, transfer files, surveillance etc.
9. Includes 64-bit OS.
10. I'm noob so not going to do chim chim stuffs like overclocking, open-looped water cooling etc, unless really easy to do or not done by me.
11. Other than games and home entertainment, other software applications that I'll be running on the pc.
a. Heavy p2p downloading
b. Database servers (Oracle, MS SQL Server, MongoDB etc) and clients
c. Video editing and photo editing software
d. Data analytics and visualization tools (Cloudera, SAS, Tableau Server, RStudio, ETL tools etc)
e. Other programming tools (Visual Studio, Python etc)
f. Office tools

As for your point 7. and 8. for fast wireless speed is hard to get when there could be any interference and distances from each devices u are connecting as well and may i ask how fast do u expect? 1GBps? Beside that is point 8. more of a router thing or u want ur pc to be able to connect so many devices via wifi?

 

[Piezoq]

Take a look at Dell's desktops. However, note that the internals may be customized (i'm not up to date with Dell) with proprietary/rare connectors that can't be replaced with off-the-shelf equivalents (e.g. PSU). However, Dell offers good service and are reasonably priced for what you get.

Aftershock... well, the premium is too high for what you get, essentially assembly service (and builder warranty) for SLS-available parts. Now, their laptops... that's a different story. Note there is an existential risk of putting money on small system builder products, if warranty support is what you're looking for.

As for building a system, take a look at the stickies on this sub-forum. The Asus Z170 Deluxe or something similar is suitable for your needs.

 

[GaaraOfTheSand]

Well i rather u go with option #1 and #3.

#1 Reasons: They should have most of the parts been reco over here, they could even give you valuable advice to assist you on your build. but just that any thing happens to your pc (those parts) are dmg, u will need to ownself troubleshoot and get them repairs or replace (whichever options u like to go for.) As for upgrades yup still up to u to get from either local or overseas.

#3 Reasons: Well only for the supports if ur PC happens to breakdown at any time of the contract and will be able to contact them to help solve your issues. (just that the support seems like not worth, but still u got a good support. other than that their items is abit pricier than SLS shops.)

How much more pricier ah? Thought they are claiming that they have very good support?

As for your point 7. and 8. for fast wireless speed is hard to get when there could be any interference and distances from each devices u are connecting as well and may i ask how fast do u expect? 1GBps? Beside that is point 8. more of a router thing or u want ur pc to be able to connect so many devices via wifi?

If up to 1GBps would be good but not necessary. Any manner as long as the pc can communicate wirelessly with other devices. I'm not well-versed in networking.

 

[GaaraOfTheSand]

Take a look at Dell's desktops. However, note that the internals may be customized (i'm not up to date with Dell) with proprietary/rare connectors that can't be replaced with off-the-shelf equivalents (e.g. PSU). However, Dell offers good service and are reasonably priced for what you get.

Aftershock... well, the premium is too high for what you get, essentially assembly service (and builder warranty) for SLS-available parts. Now, their laptops... that's a different story. Note there is an existential risk of putting money on small system builder products, if warranty support is what you're looking for.

As for building a system, take a look at the stickies on this sub-forum. The Asus Z170 Deluxe or something similar is suitable for your needs.

Don't like non non-replaceable proprietary parts.

Any idea how much is the premium in terms of percentage over a SLS-assembled pc? If within 15% and with hassle-free support I think still acceptable.

Hmmm the are you referrng to the thread "Buyer's Guide II"? The summary post of specs like last updated few years ago leh...

 

[eting72]

Don't like non non-replaceable proprietary parts.

Any idea how much is the premium in terms of percentage over a SLS-assembled pc? If within 15% and with hassle-free support I think still acceptable.

Hmmm the are you referrng to the thread "Buyer's Guide II"? The summary post of specs like last updated few years ago leh...

u can try to pm fotran

 

[ZrE0_Cha0s]

How much more pricier ah? Thought they are claiming that they have very good support?

If up to 1GBps would be good but not necessary. Any manner as long as the pc can communicate wirelessly with other devices. I'm not well-versed in networking.

the parts depends as well small items still not much differences other than that like CPU, mobo, those a bit bigger kind will cost maybe 30 or more.
As for the support u mean SLS shop or Aftershock?

ATM no devices can send up to 1GBps data, max in real life is 200mbps or abit more. but for your case of connecting all wireless devices still required a router to do that. So u might need to configure those devices.

 

[GaaraOfTheSand]

the parts depends as well small items still not much differences other than that like CPU, mobo, those a bit bigger kind will cost maybe 30 or more.
As for the support u mean SLS shop or Aftershock?

$30 right? Not 30% hor

I was referring to Aftershock's support.

 

[ZrE0_Cha0s]

$30 right? Not 30% hor

I was referring to Aftershock's support.

well my amt is est cost per parts and not the whole pc.

well i heard from my friends who had bought pc from them before and there is one time he has issues with one of the computer parts (he didnt tell me) and they just replace a brand new for him. But if u going for them, u can ask them for the pricing and support they giving.

 

[Piezoq]

Don't like non non-replaceable proprietary parts.

Any idea how much is the premium in terms of percentage over a SLS-assembled pc? If within 15% and with hassle-free support I think still acceptable.

Hmmm the are you referrng to the thread "Buyer's Guide II"? The summary post of specs like last updated few years ago leh...

Did a quick lookup at their model priced at $1950:

- Trend Micro Anti Virus + Intel Software Bundle Including Rainbow Six Siege and AFTERSHOCK M5 Gaming Mouse and Mousemat
- Glossy Black (NZXT S340)
- ASUS H170M PLUS (No SLi Support)
- Intel Core i7-6700 3.40GHz Processor (Up to 4.0 GHz)
- IC Diamond Thermal Compound CPU (Free Lifetime Thermal Compound Re-pasting)
- Standard Stock Fan Cooling (CPU)
- ZOTAC NVIDIA Geforce GTX 970 4GB GDDR5
- 8GB DDR4 2133Mhz (8GB x 1)
- 120GB Zotac T500 2.5" SSD
- TOSHIBA 1TB 3.5 INCH HDD (Buffer Size 32MB)
- Standard Chassis Fans
- Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
- 2 Years Parts Warranty (1st Year ONSITE)


The parts are about $1400-1500, less if one is clever and hardworking. This is a noisy rig with stock Intel cooler, so-so GPU, cheap SSD and unknown PSU. Poor deal.

As for the thread, read through the recent posts for a flavor.