recommend a cheap haswell rig

[aerosmiths]

i intend to give my mum's friend's son a free computer. they are low income family and the boy has been dreaming for a computer for a long time now.

i was quite the tech geek 1 year back, but now busy with things and with the new haswell and mobo, and fluctuations in ssd and hdd prices (come on, 1tb hdd last year is still cheaper than now), i am a bit noob lol.

basically, my budget is $1200 for a gaming rig. i can stretch to $1400 if it is worth it. no need to include OS, keyboard, mouse because i just bought them.

i intend to go for the latest series, haswell chip, latest mobo series etc.

CPU
intel i5-4430 (is this the best bang for buck?)

MOBO
msi B85M-E33 (should be cheapest right? will it bottleneck CPU, RAM or GPU?)

RAM
ram would be either 1600hz either 2x4GB or single 8gb (whichever cheapest)

GPU
This is difficult because i do not know much cause i do not game extensively. but is there a $200 GPU that can handle all current games at 1920x1080 now?

PSU
cheapest platinum grade, should be FSP, but i don't know how many watts is best (depends on GPU right?). i spend more here so that the family spend less on electricity.

HDD
will give him 128 SSD and 1TB HDD. SSD probably will be plextor m5pro cause i heard great reviews. 1TB i still don't know one.

SPEAKER
Probably the cheapest 2.1 setup just for his games, he no listen music.

CASE
many would say its up to individual. but he does not care much about case design. so is there a bang for buck one that has good features, followed by design. I did show him some pics of cases, he did mention the NZXT predator caught his attention. but thats an overkill no?





I would really appreciate you experts help, and i will let that kid know that this forum helped him !!!
Thanks.

 

[royfrosty]

A good heart person you are.

I will recommend you a centric build. So that if the PC have an issue, that boy could just bring down the rig and get Corbell to handle everything for him.

This is to help him and help you from saving the trouble if he has an issue.

For 1.2k

MSI b85m-g43 + i5-4570 ~ $356
Gskills Ripjaws 2x4gb kit 1600mhz ~ $95
WD Blue 1tb ~ $81
Plextor m5p 128gb ~ $149
MSI gtx 760 2gb + Seasonic m12ii 620w ~ $499
Samsung ODD ~ $22
Sharkoon t28 red ~ $84

Total $1286 build at tradepac. List pricing. Can go cheaper if you bargain further.

Sadly the 2 storage drives RMA will be somewhere else. Its not from Corbell.

EDIT: Forgot add ODD.

yes like what grimah was saying. If your intention is to save more then you can get the 7850 at just $250.

Depends on what games he is playing also. If he play some of the latest games out there then the safest bet would be the gtx760. Yet future proof as for the near future games.

if hhis gaming isn't intensive then the 7850 will be the best for him.

 

[GrimaH]

What royfrosty said. If you need to cut down on the price, change the GPU to a HD7850 2GB (it sips power too).

 

[aerosmiths]

A good heart person you are.

I will recommend you a centric build. So that if the PC have an issue, that boy could just bring down the rig and get Corbell to handle everything for him.

This is to help him and help you from saving the trouble if he has an issue.

For 1.2k

MSI b85m-g43 + i5-4570 ~ $356
Gskills Ripjaws 2x4gb kit 1600mhz ~ $95
WD Blue 1tb ~ $81
Plextor m5p 128gb ~ $149
MSI gtx 760 2gb + Seasonic m12ii 620w ~ $499
Samsung ODD ~ $22
Sharkoon t28 red ~ $84

Total $1286 build at tradepac. List pricing. Can go cheaper if you bargain further.

Sadly the 2 storage drives RMA will be somewhere else. Its not from Corbell.

EDIT: Forgot add ODD.

yes like what grimah was saying. If your intention is to save more then you can get the 7850 at just $250.

Depends on what games he is playing also. If he play some of the latest games out there then the safest bet would be the gtx760. Yet future proof as for the near future games.

if hhis gaming isn't intensive then the 7850 will be the best for him.

What royfrosty said. If you need to cut down on the price, change the GPU to a HD7850 2GB (it sips power too).

thanks.

1. why bronze psu? i need platinum to save him a bit of electric costs.
2. most probably get the 7850 cause his gaming aint so extreme. but is the 660 ti boost any better?
3. what is a centric build?

thanks a lot

 

[lamtheboy]

thanks.

1. why bronze psu? i need platinum to save him a bit of electric costs.
2. most probably get the 7850 cause his gaming aint so extreme. but is the 660 ti boost any better?
3. what is a centric build?

thanks a lot

Hi can choose to use palit gpu but the warranty is only 2years,there is a fsp autumn plat 550w + 760 palit for a bundle price at tradepac if you don't mind the warranty kudos to kind hearted person!

Edit: I think if change then not a centric build already, sorry!

 

[royfrosty]

thanks.

1. why bronze psu? i need platinum to save him a bit of electric costs.
2. most probably get the 7850 cause his gaming aint so extreme. but is the 660 ti boost any better?
3. what is a centric build?

thanks a lot

it is cheaper to get the bronze. If you are talking how much can you actually save? Is very insignificant.

Cause most platinum I saw is higher power wattage other han the fsp platinum.

660ti is better than the 7850.

Basically its stack somehow like this
650, 7850/650ti, 7870 (non Tahiti)/660, 7870 tahiti /660ti.

So I leave it to you to decide. Basically the most bang for bucks right now is the Powercolor 7870 myst as it is Tahiti variant. Standing at $290.


Get everything an MSI build. This would be better for you and him. Cause if let's say he really got problems with his com he could bring the com down to Corbell to troubleshoot. Easier. I mean that if com got problem and you not there to attend to it at least he can go himself.

 

[Ark Law]

660ti is better than the 7850.

Basically its stack somehow like this
650, 7850/650ti, 7870 (non Tahiti)/660, 7870 tahiti /660ti.

So I leave it to you to decide. Basically the most bang for bucks right now is the Powercolor 7870 myst as it is Tahiti variant. Standing at $290.


Get everything an MSI build. This would be better for you and him. Cause if let's say he really got problems with his com he could bring the com down to Corbell to troubleshoot. Easier. I mean that if com got problem and you not there to attend to it at least he can go himself.

GPU Stack-Up: Titan > GTX780 > R7970 GHz Edition > GTX770 > GTX680 > R7970 > R7950|GTX760 > GTX660ti > R7870 LE (R7900 Tahiti-chip) > R7870 (R7800 Pitcairn-chip) > GTX660 > R7850 > GTX650ti Boost Edition > R7790 > GTX650ti > R7770 > GTX650

As for Corbell-centric build, with the exceptions of CPU+SSD+HDD+casing (well SSD still got ADATA), once you isolate that a problem/issue isn't with those 4 components, I'm pretty sure Corbell would accept the whole desktop to do further troubleshooting and fixing

 

[BlurKillerEX]

Wow, such a nice person, may I know how old is the boy? Do you know him? Just asking since you said he has been dreaming for a pc and that you have shown him pictures of cases, so i assume you know the kid?
If he is old enough like in secondary school already, and you know him well enough you can actually buy parts for him and teach him how to set up and maintain the rig. He'll learn to appreciate it too. This is all assuming you have the time and doesn't mind doing this.

By the way, you didnt mention what is the rig intended for. General purpose only like just using word doc, powerpoint etc to do sch work? Or is it intended to be a gaming rig?

 

[royfrosty]

Wow, such a nice person, may I know how old is the boy? Do you know him? Just asking since you said he has been dreaming for a pc and that you have shown him pictures of cases, so i assume you know the kid?
If he is old enough like in secondary school already, and you know him well enough you can actually buy parts for him and teach him how to set up and maintain the rig. He'll learn to appreciate it too. This is all assuming you have the time and doesn't mind doing this.

By the way, you didnt mention what is the rig intended for. General purpose only like just using word doc, powerpoint etc to do sch work? Or is it intended to be a gaming rig?

Yeah that is one way to educate him also.

If you have the time, try teaching him on how to maintain the PC. Basic troubleshooting stuffs like certain components that are faulty, what will you expect, and basic first level rectification work done.

At least let him have the feel of what is going on. As he grows older he would probably appreciate the rig more and eventually who knows one day he will build his own pc. haha.

 

[royfrosty]

GPU Stack-Up: Titan > GTX780 > R7970 GHz Edition > GTX770 > GTX680 > R7970 > R7950|GTX760 > GTX660ti > R7870 LE (R7900 Tahiti-chip) > R7870 (R7800 Pitcairn-chip) > GTX660 > R7850 > GTX650ti Boost Edition > R7790 > GTX650ti > R7770 > GTX650

Yeah thanks to sum up the whole thing.

Was on mobile. Lazy type all those <<<<<< sibei mahfan.

 

[aerosmiths]

Hi can choose to use palit gpu but the warranty is only 2years,there is a fsp autumn plat 550w + 760 palit for a bundle price at tradepac if you don't mind the warranty kudos to kind hearted person!

Edit: I think if change then not a centric build already, sorry!

ya, i would go for plat psu. don't really mind the warranty, just 1 year diff. most probably need a new rig in 2 years time anyway.

it is cheaper to get the bronze. If you are talking how much can you actually save? Is very insignificant.

Cause most platinum I saw is higher power wattage other han the fsp platinum.

660ti is better than the 7850.

Basically its stack somehow like this
650, 7850/650ti, 7870 (non Tahiti)/660, 7870 tahiti /660ti.

So I leave it to you to decide. Basically the most bang for bucks right now is the Powercolor 7870 myst as it is Tahiti variant. Standing at $290.

Get everything an MSI build. This would be better for you and him. Cause if let's say he really got problems with his com he could bring the com down to Corbell to troubleshoot. Easier. I mean that if com got problem and you not there to attend to it at least he can go himself.

oh, so centric build means to get core components from corbell distributor like MSI etc. then they will do free diagnose? or need pay?

GPU Stack-Up: Titan > GTX780 > R7970 GHz Edition > GTX770 > GTX680 > R7970 > R7950|GTX760 > GTX660ti > R7870 LE (R7900 Tahiti-chip) > R7870 (R7800 Pitcairn-chip) > GTX660 > R7850 > GTX650ti Boost Edition > R7790 > GTX650ti > R7770 > GTX650

As for Corbell-centric build, with the exceptions of CPU+SSD+HDD+casing (well SSD still got ADATA), once you isolate that a problem/issue isn't with those 4 components, I'm pretty sure Corbell would accept the whole desktop to do further troubleshooting and fixing

did not know corbell has such service.

Wow, such a nice person, may I know how old is the boy? Do you know him? Just asking since you said he has been dreaming for a pc and that you have shown him pictures of cases, so i assume you know the kid?
If he is old enough like in secondary school already, and you know him well enough you can actually buy parts for him and teach him how to set up and maintain the rig. He'll learn to appreciate it too. This is all assuming you have the time and doesn't mind doing this.

By the way, you didnt mention what is the rig intended for. General purpose only like just using word doc, powerpoint etc to do sch work? Or is it intended to be a gaming rig?

boy is 15. don't really have time to teach, neither am i good with such stuff.
like all boys in that age category, computer games are probably what he would be playing. of course, nowadays, school work all need a good computer.

Yeah that is one way to educate him also.

If you have the time, try teaching him on how to maintain the PC. Basic troubleshooting stuffs like certain components that are faulty, what will you expect, and basic first level rectification work done.

At least let him have the feel of what is going on. As he grows older he would probably appreciate the rig more and eventually who knows one day he will build his own pc. haha.

this i can do.

 

[royfrosty]

Yes if most of the things other than the CPU HDD and SSD if everything else is from MSI or Corbells related products. They can help you check the products if it is working fine.

No issues.

If you really inssist on platinum psu. Then the only option is to go for a Palit gtx760 2gb Jetstream + FSP Aurum 550W Platinum ~ $399 at tradepac.

That will bring up to $1186 slightly cheaper.

But take note, it belongs to Convergent Distro. So I leave it to you to let the boy know where he needs to go for each components.

So as of now
MSI mobo, Rams, Chassis ----> Corbell
PSU ------> Chamoxa
GPU & SSD ------> Convergent
HDD -------> Achieva

 

[xboxer]

A good heart person you are.

I will recommend you a centric build. So that if the PC have an issue, that boy could just bring down the rig and get Corbell to handle everything for him.

This is to help him and help you from saving the trouble if he has an issue.

For 1.2k

MSI b85m-g43 + i5-4570 ~ $356
Gskills Ripjaws 2x4gb kit 1600mhz ~ $95
WD Blue 1tb ~ $81
Plextor m5p 128gb ~ $149
MSI gtx 760 2gb + Seasonic m12ii 620w ~ $499
Samsung ODD ~ $22
Sharkoon t28 red ~ $84

Total $1286 build at tradepac. List pricing. Can go cheaper if you bargain further.

Sadly the 2 storage drives RMA will be somewhere else. Its not from Corbell.

EDIT: Forgot add ODD.

yes like what grimah was saying. If your intention is to save more then you can get the 7850 at just $250.

Depends on what games he is playing also. If he play some of the latest games out there then the safest bet would be the gtx760. Yet future proof as for the near future games.

if hhis gaming isn't intensive then the 7850 will be the best for him.

You want him to buy a SSD?

Most people don't need SSD. And that boy needs something that is functional and useable. TS is also giving a PC for free. Don't waste his money.

GTX 760 is also a waste of TS money. Not everyone needs to turn up the eye candy. MSI is also a waste of money compared to brands like Leadtek and Palit. The mobo can get a cheaper one from ASRock.

 

[xboxer]

I recommend the below. It's good enough for today's users. And most certainly a beginner PC. Since you are giving one for free then that kid should change to getter parts himself in future.

Intel i5 4570 & MSI B85M E33 $341 (Tradepac)
G-Skill Ripjaw X 1600 MHZ (8GB x 1) $92 (Tradepac)
Leadtek GTX 650 Ti $169 (Tradepac)
Samsung 24x DVD Writer OEM $21 (Tradepac)
Seasonic M12II 620W $117 (Bizgram)
Toshiba 1TB HDD $81 (Bizgram)
Antec One w/2 fans $65 (Bizgram)
Total: $886

This setup is more than enough for a medium/high setting on modern games at 1080p resolution. And most certainly enough for a poor kid's first PC.

The Seasonic PSU is bronze but it's good enough for an entry level PC. A platinum is a waste of money for most people. It won't save much in electricity bills at all, if any.

For speakers, a $30 or $40 Creative or Altec Lansing would do.

 

[tensaixp]

You want him to buy a SSD?

Most people don't need SSD. And that boy needs something that is functional and useable. TS is also giving a PC for free. Don't waste his money.

GTX 760 is also a waste of TS money. Not everyone needs to turn up the eye candy. MSI is also a waste of money compared to brands like Leadtek and Palit. The mobo can get a cheaper one from ASRock.

Actually the MSI boards cost about the same as asrock boards. MSI boards seems to have more functions, and looks nicer too. But I still believe for psu bronze will do, you won't see much difference, especially at a certain level of load. GPU you can source for 2nd hand ones. That would cut quite a lot of cost, and get really good gpu. And I agree, no need for SSD, especially if the boy is not really IT proficient, and dumps everything on desktop. 128Gb can't install too many games. Not sure if I missed, but no monitor?

 

[slayer2004]

I recommend the below. It's good enough for today's users. And most certainly a beginner PC. Since you are giving one for free then that kid should change to getter parts himself in future.

Intel i5 4570 & MSI B85M E33 $341 (Tradepac)
G-Skill Ripjaw X 1600 MHZ (8GB x 1) $92 (Tradepac)
Leadtek GTX 650 Ti $169 (Tradepac)
Samsung 24x DVD Writer OEM $21 (Tradepac)
Seasonic M12II 620W $117 (Bizgram)
Toshiba 1TB HDD $81 (Bizgram)
Antec One w/2 fans $65 (Bizgram)
Total: $886

This setup is more than enough for a medium/high setting on modern games at 1080p resolution. And most certainly enough for a poor kid's first PC.

The Seasonic PSU is bronze but it's good enough for an entry level PC. A platinum is a waste of money for most people. It won't save much in electricity bills at all, if any.

For speakers, a $30 or $40 Creative or Altec Lansing would do.

Hard disk maybe get wd or Hitachi. ..Toshiba also don't know where to rma.

 

[xboxer]

Actually the MSI boards cost about the same as asrock boards. MSI boards seems to have more functions, and looks nicer too. But I still believe for psu bronze will do, you won't see much difference, especially at a certain level of load. GPU you can source for 2nd hand ones. That would cut quite a lot of cost, and get really good gpu. And I agree, no need for SSD, especially if the boy is not really IT proficient, and dumps everything on desktop. 128Gb can't install too many games. Not sure if I missed, but no monitor?

Yes. So I included MSI in my recommendation above. I was looking at the 87 chipset earlier.

As for GPU, if TS can wait then 2nd hand would be better. But it takes time and effort to source for a used one.

For monitor I recommend Dell U2312HM. Still within TS's budget.

 

[xboxer]

Hard disk maybe get wd or Hitachi. ..Toshiba also don't know where to rma.

Toshiba warranty is by Kaira. Comes with warranty card.

Remember to ask where the stock is from before buying.

 

[royfrosty]

I recommend the below. It's good enough for today's users. And most certainly a beginner PC. Since you are giving one for free then that kid should change to getter parts himself in future.

Intel i5 4570 & MSI B85M E33 $341 (Tradepac)
G-Skill Ripjaw X 1600 MHZ (8GB x 1) $92 (Tradepac)
Leadtek GTX 650 Ti $169 (Tradepac)
Samsung 24x DVD Writer OEM $21 (Tradepac)
Seasonic M12II 620W $117 (Bizgram)
Toshiba 1TB HDD $81 (Bizgram)
Antec One w/2 fans $65 (Bizgram)
Total: $886

This setup is more than enough for a medium/high setting on modern games at 1080p resolution. And most certainly enough for a poor kid's first PC.

The Seasonic PSU is bronze but it's good enough for an entry level PC. A platinum is a waste of money for most people. It won't save much in electricity bills at all, if any.

For speakers, a $30 or $40 Creative or Altec Lansing would do.

This kid is gonna have a PC that most likely gonna last him a lifetime. Till he finds his money to buy a new one. You give him such a bare minimum PC. And plus the budget of 1.2k you gonna cut cost by giving $886 PC. Whao that's a budget pc you recommend. I bet with you you take the gtx650ti to fair the latest game, you won't get a decent experience for a 1080p display.

If this PC is gonna last him for a good 3-5years till he steps out to find a job I don't see why can't we recommend him a mainstream gfx card. Rather than each time his cards cannot support any new titles out there he has to crack his head to find a new card.

I'm sorry. But I don't buy your recommendations.

 

[slayer2004]

Toshiba warranty is by Kaira. Comes with warranty card.

Remember to ask where the stock is from before buying.

Damn. Last time go video pro buy my hdd never give warranty card.