PC build ready - help pls!

[flyerfox]

Hi guys, I last chose my PC parts almost 1-2 months back, but did not have time to buy the PC. I did a quick review of what is available now as well as the recent prices and I've compiled the build below. It will be mainly for gaming and for light office work.

I also already have an SSD and RAM so I will be reusing them. I plan to buy and build it at PC Themes (given the good reviews I have heard) this Friday night:

CPU & Mobo: i5-4590 & MSI B85-G43 Gaming @ $413
Ram: Samsung 2 x 8GB DDR3-1600
SSD: Samsung 840 Pro 256GB
HDD: WD Blue 1TB @ $72
GPU: MSI R9 280 Gaming @ $419
PSU: Superflower HX 600W @ $108
ODD: Samsung DVD RW @ $25
Keyboard: CM Storm Quickfire XT (Blue/Brown)@ $148
Mouse: Logitech G400S @ $62
Monitor: Dell S2340L @ $239 from Cybermind
Wifi: Asus USB N-14 @ $45 from Cybermind

Total: $1531

Any cheap casings that can be recommended or slight changes to be made around my parts? My budget is around 1500 +/- 200 at most. Thanks!

 

[Ark Law]

Monitor: Dell S2340L @ $239 from Cybermind
Wifi: Asus USB N-14 @ $45 from Cybermind

If you want to pay extra $30 to get that monitor from Cybermind, go ahead.

As for wifi, I'd personally only recommend Intel wifi. A lot of non-Intel ones can be quite hit-&-miss in terms of reliability and consistency. Intel 7260HMWDTX1 Desktop Wireless Kit - $99 (Cybermind)

 

[Felfirez]

Curious. Where did you get the samsung rams?

 

[flyerfox]

Hey, thanks for the recommendation on the wireless adapter. Might check it out instead.

For the monitor, instead of Cybermind, where else should I go to get it?

 

[Ark Law]

Hey, thanks for the recommendation on the wireless adapter. Might check it out instead.

For the monitor, instead of Cybermind, where else should I go to get it?

Tradepac. PC Theme. Bizgram.

How much less you can get versus Cybermind's $239 depends on your bargaining skill. All I can say here is that $30 less is possible.

 

[Yureak]

Hey, thanks for the recommendation on the wireless adapter. Might check it out instead.

For the monitor, instead of Cybermind, where else should I go to get it?

Dont get that Asus n14. If youre paying so much for an intel wireless adapter that's low end and not blazing fast id rather u get a ripping Asus PCE AC68

 

[flyerfox]

Oh, thanks, will check that out too. Btw, is a PCI card always preferable to a USB adapter for wireless?

 

[Yureak]

Oh, thanks, will check that out too. Btw, is a PCI card always preferable to a USB adapter for wireless?

Yup pci is better for sure

 

[royfrosty]

$1500

MSI B85 G43 Gaming + i5-4460 ~ $383
Reuse RAM
WD Blue 1tb ~ $67
Reuse SSD
MSI R9 280X 4gb Twin Frozr ~ $467
Superflower HX600 600w 80+ Gold Semi Modular PSU ~ $108
Xigmatek Odin ~ $99
LG DVD Drive with Cyberlink Softwares ~ $21
CM Storm XT mechanical keyboard ~ $149
Steelseries Kinzu V2 ~ $49
Dell S2340L 23inch eIPS Panel ~ $219
Intel AC7260 PCIE Wireless Adapter ~ $99 (Last piece at Cybermind or alternatively buy from amazon)

Total ~ $1661. Buy at tradepac. DIY

Cheaper alternative

Powercolor r9 280X 3gb Turbo Duo ~ $408
Sharkoon BD28 Chassis ~ $74

 

[flyerfox]

Thanks Roy for the recommendation. Btw another qn: is the R9280X really worth it over the R9 280? I don't think I need such a powerful card right for most games

 

[royfrosty]

Thanks Roy for the recommendation. Btw another qn: is the R9280X really worth it over the R9 280? I don't think I need such a powerful card right for most games

Is a different tier card with better performance. And is justifiable the price paid.

R9 280 is a 7950 rebadge of the previous batch. On par with the gtx760 with some applications and games.

R9 280x is a 7970 ghz edition rebadge of the previous batch. On par or slightly faster with comparisons of the gtx770.

The price difference of a 280 vs 280x is very negligible and is best to go for 280x instead.

 

[Ark Law]

280X = 7970 GHz Edition
280 = 7950 Boost Edition

GTX780 > R290 > R280X > GTX770 > R280 > GTX760 > R270X > GTX660

 

[flyerfox]

Btw.. one more noob qn.. how long does it take for them to build the PC for me? Can I collect on the same day?

 

[shadow84]

Btw.. one more noob qn.. how long does it take for them to build the PC for me? Can I collect on the same day?

1-2 Hours if they not busy.. If not, 3-4 hours if they have other rigs to build.

I strongly recommend that you ownself assemble at home. No need Bachelor's with First Class Honours in DIY PC to assemble at home. Just some brain power in watching youtube and understand what they do will be more than enough.

Its more shiok when you assemble yourself and turn on for first time, as compared to asking someone to help u fix for a fee and turn on after that. All shiokness gone le.

 

[ykgoh]

Btw.. one more noob qn.. how long does it take for them to build the PC for me? Can I collect on the same day?

Last time my friend bought a rig at SLS. They told us to return after 2 hours to collect. But don't purposely go only near closing time, sure cannot finish assembling if you do.

 

[flyerfox]

Wah, still need to get anti-static wrist strap ah?

How To Assemble A Desktop PC/Assembly - Wikibooks, open books for an open world

Looks complicated leh

 

[ykgoh]

Wah, still need to get anti-static wrist strap ah?

How To Assemble A Desktop PC/Assembly - Wikibooks, open books for an open world

Looks complicated leh

If you're kiasi, just remember to touch your metal casing before you touch the parts.

Afaik, I heard many people dun care and just touch their parts and nothing got fried yet.

 

[Alternative X]

Wah, still need to get anti-static wrist strap ah?

How To Assemble A Desktop PC/Assembly - Wikibooks, open books for an open world

Looks complicated leh

No need for that. Singapore's tropical weather will help prevent much static buildup.

 

[shadow84]

ULTIMATE Build a Better $1500 Gaming PC Computer "How To" Guide - YouTube

Newegg TV: How To Build a Computer - Part 1 - Choosing Your Components - YouTube

Newegg TV: How To Build a Computer - Part 2 - The Build - YouTube

Newegg TV: How To Build a Computer - Part 3 - Installing Windows & Finishing Touches - YouTube

Watch this 4 videos at least 3-5 times each. And see what they do, why they do that.

If still cant understand, then maybe you should be getting pre-built OEM branded pcs.

 

[flyerfox]

Ok, thanks guys. I have made up my mind to build it myself. What stuff do I need for cable management?