New build to replace 4yr old PC

[Downloaderz]

I'll be going to SG next week and am looking to get a new build @ SLS.

Budget +-2k.

For now, I've decided on the case only

Fractal Design Define R4 (Like the silent performance and hdd expansion though i have a server but its running out of space and cant expand anymore)
8gb or 16gb ram?
probably an i5 processor
gfx was thinking of 760/770gt earlier, but now got ATI new cards? not sure if they're better
require 1ssd for OS, and 1 hdd for general

Usage would be the usual surfing, multitasking (should be able to run many non-intrusive bg apps e.g. 10+ chrome tabs, spotify, skype, vlc and what not), movies, capable of gaming (at least when gtav comes out on pc..havnt played games in years though but would like the option to, like so many fun games now but my current pc cannot support). Also occasionally photoshop and cpu intensive applications like CRC verifications, simulations and calculations.

I also have dual dell u2412 (2x 1920*1200) atm, not sure how to spec the gfx card? I think if i plan to game on both screen, it'll increase the cost greatly? (will be fine with 1screen game and the other some other tasks).I plan maybe to get another 1x27" maybe AOC, so gfx with support for 3 monitors will nice (or dual cards if required).

Not planning to OC.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Ark Law]

GPU wise, can aim for AMD 280X. Basically a R7970 GE rebadged, which means it sits around GTX680-GTX770 kind of performance. Prices for 280X are $460 downwards

 

[royfrosty]

For 2k+

If you are buying tomorrow then no point getting nvidia for now. As ati cards are just out in market and cheaper.

MSI b85m g43 + i5-4570 ~ $356
Gskills ripjaws 1600mhz 2x4gb kit ~ $110
WD blue 1tb ~ $80
Plextor m5p 128gb ~ $159
Gigabyte r9 28xoc 3gb ~ $449x2 ~ $898 equivalent to gtx770.
Fractal design r4 ~ $159
Superflower golden green 80+ gold 850w ~ $169
Windows 7 home premium OEM 64bit ~ $115
Samsung odd ~ $21 (optional)

Total $2067 buy at tradepac diy.

 

[Jian19]

i7-4770 + Msi b85m g43 ~ $487
Kingston 8gb x 2 value ram ~ $180
Intel 335 240gb ssd ~ $275
Wd 1tb blue ~ $80
Samsung oem dvd drive ~ $21
Gigabyte 280x ~ $449
Superflower golden green 80+ gold 850w ~ $169
Fractal design r4 ~ $159
Win7 64 oem ~ $115

Total ~ $1935 buy and DIY @ tradepac ~ ask for discount..next time can add another 280x and crossfire if u need to ~

 

[voiceoflove]

superflower psu goos ma???
nv heard b4

 

[royfrosty]

superflower psu goos ma???
nv heard b4

Superflower made many various brands psu platinum or gold. This are a few good PSU made by them nzxt hale 90 or 92. Kingwin lazer platinum. Ocz PC power mkiii PSU. And various OEM brands.

The thing is its brand not many people know. Now they are trying to bloom out.

 

[Ark Law]

Superflower made many various brands psu platinum or gold. This are a few good PSU made by them nzxt hale 90 or 92. Kingwin lazer platinum. Ocz PC power mkiii PSU. And various OEM brands.

The thing is its brand not many people know. Now they are trying to bloom out.

They have been low-profile amongst DIY community, but you would know about them if you browsed on SPCR or looking for a silence-tuned build

 

[royfrosty]

They have been low-profile amongst DIY community, but you would know about them if you browsed on SPCR or looking for a silence-tuned build

Yeap I went to that forums and get to know about it.

 

[Downloaderz]

i7-4770 + Msi b85m g43 ~ $487
Kingston 8gb x 2 value ram ~ $180
Intel 335 240gb ssd ~ $275
Wd 1tb blue ~ $80
Samsung oem dvd drive ~ $21
Gigabyte 280x ~ $449
Superflower golden green 80+ gold 850w ~ $169
Fractal design r4 ~ $159
Win7 64 oem ~ $115

Total ~ $1935 buy and DIY @ tradepac ~ ask for discount..next time can add another 280x and crossfire if u need to ~

For 2k+

If you are buying tomorrow then no point getting nvidia for now. As ati cards are just out in market and cheaper.

MSI b85m g43 + i5-4570 ~ $356
Gskills ripjaws 1600mhz 2x4gb kit ~ $110
WD blue 1tb ~ $80
Plextor m5p 128gb ~ $159
Gigabyte r9 28xoc 3gb ~ $449x2 ~ $898 equivalent to gtx770.
Fractal design r4 ~ $159
Superflower golden green 80+ gold 850w ~ $169
Windows 7 home premium OEM 64bit ~ $115
Samsung odd ~ $21 (optional)

Total $2067 buy at tradepac diy.

Thanks for your suggestions guys. Just from your builds alone, I've come up with this
i7-4770 + Msi b85m g43 ~ $487
Kingston 8gb x 2 value ram ~ $180
Plextor m5p 128gb ~ $159
Wd 1tb blue ~ $80
Gigabyte 280x ~ $449
Superflower golden green 80+ gold 850w ~ $169
Fractal design r4 ~ $159

Total $1683

I think a 128gb ssd is more than sufficient if it's just for my OS+essential apps? Also, any reason why we're choosing a 2.5" hdd instead of 3.5" hdd? Seems like the 280x is the way forward, but I'm thinking of just getting one first to see how it holds up and then crossfire later if necessary. Also, any drawbacks with an i7 processor compared to i5? Ram wise, i would think the more the merrier. Any significant advantage of the ripjaws over the valuerams?

I am also looking to have the shop build the PC, would you recommend tradepac or pc themes?

 

[royfrosty]

Thanks for your suggestions guys. Just from your builds alone, I've come up with this
i7-4770 + Msi b85m g43 ~ $487
Kingston 8gb x 2 value ram ~ $180
Plextor m5p 128gb ~ $159
Wd 1tb blue ~ $80
Gigabyte 280x ~ $449
Superflower golden green 80+ gold 850w ~ $169
Fractal design r4 ~ $159

Total $1683

I think a 128gb ssd is more than sufficient if it's just for my OS+essential apps? Also, any reason why we're choosing a 2.5" hdd instead of 3.5" hdd? Seems like the 280x is the way forward, but I'm thinking of just getting one first to see how it holds up and then crossfire later if necessary. Also, any drawbacks with an i7 processor compared to i5? Ram wise, i would think the more the merrier. Any significant advantage of the ripjaws over the valuerams?

I am also looking to have the shop build the PC, would you recommend tradepac or pc themes?

We never recommend 2.5 we recommended 3.5.

lastly what I your needs of an i7 and 16gb ram? A normal 8gb ram is hard to fully utilize it.

 

[Downloaderz]

We never recommend 2.5 we recommended 3.5.

lastly what I your needs of an i7 and 16gb ram? A normal 8gb ram is hard to fully utilize it.

Ah okay sorry my bad I just googled and they were all 2.5

As for the i7, I suppose there's no 'real' caseuse other than the occasional editing but it seems like the i5 might be better as they'll be less power draw, heat etc.

I'm not sure how 8gm performs as I've been stuck with 1.5-2gb for years and loading 15+ chrome tabs causes significant lag. I was thinking of just utilising the full 16gb capacity to avoid any future upgrades.

 

[shadow84]

2.5" is ssd... 2.5" hdd is for laptops, 3.5" hdd is for desktops...

 

[royfrosty]

Ah okay sorry my bad I just googled and they were all 2.5

As for the i7, I suppose there's no 'real' caseuse other than the occasional editing but it seems like the i5 might be better as they'll be less power draw, heat etc.

I'm not sure how 8gm performs as I've been stuck with 1.5-2gb for years and loading 15+ chrome tabs causes significant lag. I was thinking of just utilising the full 16gb capacity to avoid any future upgrades.

Then you just need an 8gb ram. Its freaking hard to utilize fully. Not unless you do intensive photoshop and rendering at the same time heavy multi tasking.

Other than that just opening browser tabs 30- 40 tabs an 8gb is still more than enough.

 

[Sturtles]

Is the R9 280X that value for the money? It seems the GTX760 is going for about 340+, and only about 10% slower

 

[Downloaderz]

Then you just need an 8gb ram. Its freaking hard to utilize fully. Not unless you do intensive photoshop and rendering at the same time heavy multi tasking.

Other than that just opening browser tabs 30- 40 tabs an 8gb is still more than enough.

Thanks for the advice.

Ive just been reading on motherboards, and I just realised that b85m is a m-atx sized board. Shouldn't I get an atx board especially when i'm getting an atx case and probably dual gpus? (might consider the new 290x as well) Or should i just switch to the define mini.

Also just realised the boards doesnt have builtin wifi..what's a good solution?

 

[nannan82]

He might need lot of hdd.. h or z87 more sata port?

 

[NVDefender]

Is the R9 280X that value for the money? It seems the GTX760 is going for about 340+, and only about 10% slower

280x ~ GTX770. Good value for money or not, your judgement.

 

[royfrosty]

Thanks for the advice.

Ive just been reading on motherboards, and I just realised that b85m is a m-atx sized board. Shouldn't I get an atx board especially when i'm getting an atx case and probably dual gpus? (might consider the new 290x as well) Or should i just switch to the define mini.

Also just realised the boards doesnt have builtin wifi..what's a good solution?

There are some matx boards that can support dual gpu. That is one of them.

Build in wifi is actually mobo + wifi card.

You can always choose to buy a wifi card seperately. Usually that comes with it is an intel wifi N chip. But also not worth the price.