Recommendations for new PC

[xiaozozo]

not much to add, if you are restricted on budget, just go with normal home theater system using mobo graphics. The SSDs and additional RAM will be much more useful in boosting speed for the pc. Below are rough estimates with no specific shop. If you need a shop thread there are plenty around

i5+mobo ~$250
16GB ram ~$120
SSD 240gb ~$90
PSU ~$90
Case ~$100
2TB HDD $120
Asus wifi card ~$50-90

However if you purchase a brand desktop/laptop, with ur budget of $1k you probably get 2-3yr warranty which is a big plus. Downside is, u need to constantly backup your files on a external HDD incase of pc failure (opening up and changing parts within a brand desktop might void warranty).

 

[TeethOfMidas]

Well, I wouldn't say my budget is restricted to $1k, it's more of just a rough guess-timate as I have no idea what is the expected cost of building one to fit my requirements. Also helps prevent the really enthu ones from suggesting super high-end builds that might end up costing 4k if I didn't state the budget I'm more comfortable with.

I'm of course hoping to get/build a PC that I'll be using most of the time and will last me a long time, without having to overspend on excessively high-end specs I might not even get to utilise. So if there is a need to stretch my budget to meet my usage requirements and at the same time have the advantage of being future-proof, I'm definitely open to it!

Shops-wise, I'm okay with no specific shop mentioned. I will almost certainly be getting the parts from PC Themes all at one go once I have the full list, since I'm more comfortable with that particular shop. And that's because every time I had to change a part for my currently dead PC I would get it from this shop as it's pretty much the only shop I know in SLS that's more.. umm known?

Thanks for the list btw! And just curious, as there are no particular brand/model stated would it be alright to just inform the shop that these are the specs I'm looking for, and then just have them decide on the brand/model? Because if not, I have totally no clue on which brand or model to get for each part, and I've heard that certain brands clashes/overwhelms another brand.. or like what the previous post by Krabs mentioned (in the end getting a part made up of cheap components based on suggestion by the shop) and that would be that last thing I'd wanna have to come across

not much to add, if you are restricted on budget, just go with normal home theater system using mobo graphics. The SSDs and additional RAM will be much more useful in boosting speed for the pc. Below are rough estimates with no specific shop. If you need a shop thread there are plenty around

i5+mobo ~$250
16GB ram ~$120
SSD 240gb ~$90
PSU ~$90
Case ~$100
2TB HDD $120
Asus wifi card ~$50-90

However if you purchase a brand desktop/laptop, with ur budget of $1k you probably get 2-3yr warranty which is a big plus. Downside is, u need to constantly backup your files on a external HDD incase of pc failure (opening up and changing parts within a brand desktop might void warranty).

 

[TeethOfMidas]

Bumps! Any more recommendations for a DIY rig?

 

[ZrE0_Cha0s]

Bumps! Any more recommendations for a DIY rig?

a build main focus on video editing system:

Gigabyte B85M-D3H-A + i7 4790 @576
Kingston 1600Mhz 16GB (2x8GB) @104
Techware F3 Mirco ATX @49
FSP HEXA+ 550W @68
Zota MLC 480GB @189
Toshiba 2TB @97

Total: 1083

all prices are quote from PCThemes.

add-on

wifi not sure u want a wifi card or adapter.
wifi card: PCE-AC68 @129
wifi adapter: USB-AC68 @119

quote from comex show price.

 

[TeethOfMidas]

Niceeeeeee! Thanks for the detailed list man, and prices are from PCThemes!!

Hmmm, as for the point on Card or Adaptor... I don't know whats the difference, but so happens I'll be going to the Comex show later on to walk around! I'll check out the 2 model mentioned and ask them about the differences too.
(I did a quick Google search btw, and it seems that this "PCI" has more positive feedbacks as opposed to USB.. I'll assume PCI = a Wifi Adaptor in this case?)

a build main focus on video editing system:

Gigabyte B85M-D3H-A + i7 4790 @576
Kingston 1600Mhz 16GB (2x8GB) @104
Techware F3 Mirco ATX @49
FSP HEXA+ 550W @68
Zota MLC 480GB @189
Toshiba 2TB @97

Total: 1083

all prices are quote from PCThemes.

add-on

wifi not sure u want a wifi card or adapter.
wifi card: PCE-AC68 @129
wifi adapter: USB-AC68 @119

quote from comex show price.

 

[ZrE0_Cha0s]

Niceeeeeee! Thanks for the detailed list man, and prices are from PCThemes!!

Hmmm, as for the point on Card or Adaptor... I don't know whats the difference, but so happens I'll be going to the Comex show later on to walk around! I'll check out the 2 model mentioned and ask them about the differences too.
(I did a quick Google search btw, and it seems that this "PCI" has more positive feedbacks as opposed to USB.. I'll assume PCI = a Wifi Adaptor in this case?)

yes pcie card is fixed inside the case.

well there are pro and cons between a card type and usb type.

card type is more powerful due to the fact it uses pci-e which gives more speed and power usage.

usb type is good to catch a good signal if u grab a long cable to attach the usb and u can adjust to any points u like to get a good stable signal.

 

[TeethOfMidas]

I see.. hmmmm.

Now then, that I have to think through a bit more..

yes pcie card is fixed inside the case.

well there are pro and cons between a card type and usb type.

card type is more powerful due to the fact it uses pci-e which gives more speed and power usage.

usb type is good to catch a good signal if u grab a long cable to attach the usb and u can adjust to any points u like to get a good stable signal.

 

[Rock-kun]

yes pcie card is fixed inside the case.

well there are pro and cons between a card type and usb type.

card type is more powerful due to the fact it uses pci-e which gives more speed and power usage.

usb type is good to catch a good signal if u grab a long cable to attach the usb and u can adjust to any points u like to get a good stable signal.

USB is convenient. PCIe is better performing.

The good thing about PCIe is that a notebook wifi card can be repurposed to work in a desktop using an M2-PCIe or mPCIe-PCIe adapter. Just attach your own antennas (some adapters even provide them). You can also get those antenna modules that allow for some flexibility in positioning them with a sufficiently long cable.

Also, if you ever intend to flirt with other operating systems like Linux, know that not a single wireless-ac usb wifi is compatible with Linux (but PCIe and M.2 wifi-ac are).

 

[TeethOfMidas]

Woah... that.. sounds like quite a bit to fiddle with.. probably something I'll never try

USB is convenient. PCIe is better performing.

The good thing about PCIe is that a notebook wifi card can be repurposed to work in a desktop using an M2-PCIe or mPCIe-PCIe adapter. Just attach your own antennas (some adapters even provide them). You can also get those antenna modules that allow for some flexibility in positioning them with a sufficiently long cable.

Also, if you ever intend to flirt with other operating systems like Linux, know that not a single wireless-ac usb wifi is compatible with Linux (but PCIe and M.2 wifi-ac are).

 

[TeethOfMidas]

Purchasing soon!

Hey guys! I went down to PCThemes yesterday to get the set-up ZrE0_Cha0s had recommended earlier, and had a pretty long-ish talk with a very helpful staff (long talk cus, I knew nuts so it took longer to explain to me the specs of the parts ).

Anyway, he was going through the list and he felt the list was good, but brought up a few things:

1) Motherboard and SSD

- Motherboard: Seems like there is a 'newer' one available, according to him performance-wise both are the same. The difference being this newer one has a 'Ram speed' of 2100, and something about 3.4GHz, while the one in the list has a Ram speed of 1600, with 3.6GHz. (The exact specs might be slightly off though, didn't copy it down. I should be getting the newer one, will update with the actual items when bought)

- SSD: They've run out of stock for the ZOTAC MLC 480GB. Wonder if you guys have any recommended alternatives for the SSD?

2) The list was lacking a DVD-drive and a Graphics card.

- DVD-drive: seeing that I would never need one, he also agreed that it's pretty unnecessary to have one. So we'll leave it as that.

- Graphics card: He was unable to recommend one seeing that it ranges from $75 to thousands of dollars. He did say though, that if I'm only rendering stuff on an adhoc basis, I could just skip the graphics card altogether since the Motherboard would already be able to cover the basic requirements (which would probably be the reason why it wasn't included in the list in the first place).

He suggested to seek more opinion and recommendations from you guys on whether a graphics card would still be required, and if so.. which would be the ones to consider/go for.


TL;DR: Any recommendations for Graphics card and alternative SSD?

Sorry for another long post, I've a TLDR line this time!

 

[MianBaoFren]

Hey guys! I went down to PCThemes yesterday to get the set-up ZrE0_Cha0s had recommended earlier, and had a pretty long-ish talk with a very helpful staff (long talk cus, I knew nuts so it took longer to explain to me the specs of the parts ).

Anyway, he was going through the list and he felt the list was good, but brought up a few things:

1) Motherboard and SSD

- Motherboard: Seems like there is a 'newer' one available, according to him performance-wise both are the same. The difference being this newer one has a 'Ram speed' of 2100, and something about 3.4GHz, while the one in the list has a Ram speed of 1600, with 3.6GHz. (The exact specs might be slightly off though, didn't copy it down. I should be getting the newer one, will update with the actual items when bought)

- SSD: They've run out of stock for the ZOTAC MLC 480GB. Wonder if you guys have any recommended alternatives for the SSD?

2) The list was lacking a DVD-drive and a Graphics card.

- DVD-drive: seeing that I would never need one, he also agreed that it's pretty unnecessary to have one. So we'll leave it as that.

- Graphics card: He was unable to recommend one seeing that it ranges from $75 to thousands of dollars. He did say though, that if I'm only rendering stuff on an adhoc basis, I could just skip the graphics card altogether since the Motherboard would already be able to cover the basic requirements (which would probably be the reason why it wasn't included in the list in the first place).

He suggested to seek more opinion and recommendations from you guys on whether a graphics card would still be required, and if so.. which would be the ones to consider/go for.


TL;DR: Any recommendations for Graphics card and alternative SSD?

Sorry for another long post, I've a TLDR line this time!

Go for the lower capacity one lo. It's about $99($90) if u buy from lazada today. The 240gb variant.

As for gpu, I haven't seen what u using it for so I can't recommend.... wall of text.

Sent from A Cat Who Does Not Need A Reason To Post using GAGT

 

[TeethOfMidas]

Go for the lower capacity one lo. It's about $99($90) if u buy from lazada today. The 240gb variant.

As for gpu, I haven't seen what u using it for so I can't recommend.... wall of text.

Alrights I'll check that out.

Haha I'll be doing some light rendering of photos + videos for now, intending to do more in future but not expecting any heavy rendering I guess

 

[ahwei91]

1) Motherboard and SSD

- Motherboard: Seems like there is a 'newer' one available, according to him performance-wise both are the same. The difference being this newer one has a 'Ram speed' of 2100, and something about 3.4GHz, while the one in the list has a Ram speed of 1600, with 3.6GHz. (The exact specs might be slightly off though, didn't copy it down. I should be getting the newer one, will update with the actual items when bought)

If have to buy new rams, go for Skylake DDR4 combo.....
i7 6700 + B150 DDR4 mobo $5xx
2 x 8gb gskill DDR4 2400 $100

 

[TeethOfMidas]

If have to buy new rams, go for Skylake DDR4 combo.....
i7 6700 + B150 DDR4 mobo $5xx
2 x 8gb gskill DDR4 2400 $100

Cool, any reason why you reco this ram specifically? Is it because the Kingston one would not be compatible with the slightly newer motherboard?

Btw, I have to choose between Win8.1 or Win10.. Hmm I'm considering 8.1 just to be on the safe side cos I've heard Win10 seems to be incompatible with certain softwares.

Not sure if it's a common occurrence or just a minority of people. Anyone has opinions on this? Or should I just get Win10?

 

[ahwei91]

Cool, any reason why you reco this ram specifically? Is it because the Kingston one would not be compatible with the slightly newer motherboard?

Btw, I have to choose between Win8.1 or Win10.. Hmm I'm considering 8.1 just to be on the safe side cos I've heard Win10 seems to be incompatible with certain softwares.

Not sure if it's a common occurrence or just a minority of people. Anyone has opinions on this? Or should I just get Win10?

Just checked pcthemes pricelist, kingston DDR4 2133 8GB and gskill DDR4 2400 8GB only $1 difference, so why don't just get the higher speed one??? Might be useful for future upgrade since next gen cpu supports 2400.....

I'm happy with my windows 10, no problems for me....

 

[TeethOfMidas]

Just checked pcthemes pricelist, kingston DDR4 2133 8GB and gskill DDR4 2400 8GB only $1 difference, so why don't just get the higher speed one??? Might be useful for future upgrade since next gen cpu supports 2400.....

I'm happy with my windows 10, no problems for me....

I see! That's true, $2 for future compatibility why not, haha.

Alright thanks again!

 

[ZrE0_Cha0s]

so are u gonna increase your budget? if u willing can add in a gpu else, just keep it that way.

 

[TeethOfMidas]

so are u gonna increase your budget? if u willing can add in a gpu else, just keep it that way.

Haha I'm okay to increase the budget if there is a need to.. in fact I've bought the set-up yesterday! It was $1400+- in total, I'll update with the list at a later date.. Was busy shifting place over the weekends, place's in a mess now.

I bought it w/o a GPU for now, and Mr Derek from the shop was kind enough to show me how to fix in the GPU when I do see a need to get one in future. So I'm still open to GPU recommendations

 

[ZrE0_Cha0s]

Haha I'm okay to increase the budget if there is a need to.. in fact I've bought the set-up yesterday! It was $1400+- in total, I'll update with the list at a later date.. Was busy shifting place over the weekends, place's in a mess now.

I bought it w/o a GPU for now, and Mr Derek from the shop was kind enough to show me how to fix in the GPU when I do see a need to get one in future. So I'm still open to GPU recommendations

den get a GTX 1080 then or titan X pascal, which will greatly help in video editing rendering

 

[TeethOfMidas]

den get a GTX 1080 then or titan X pascal, which will greatly help in video editing rendering

Sorry for the late reply, okay I'll keep those 2 in mind while I try out the current build first!