New build in 3 months (long-ish post)

[Rain08]

So I'm planning to replace this aging machine since it's been nearly 4 years of using it. I was amazed that the 250W power supply managed to power the GT 610 (the recommended is 300W) for 2½ years with no problems. Now, technically this is not a build that I would do but instead, I'll mod a pre-built desktop. Now, you'll say that if I am going build it, it would be cheaper; however, it turns out that buying a pre-built one is actually cheaper. I'll divide my "build" into phases since I also need money on other things. Please note that I'm choosing these based on the prices and availability on the market in the Philippines, but you can still suggest other components and I'll try to find them here.

Phase 1 will happen around 2nd week of July (with budget of $390):
Option A ($383):
Intel Core i3-4160 3.60GHz Processor
Asus H81M-K or Gigabyte GA-H81M-DS2 Motherboard
4GB DDR3 1333MHz Memory* + 4GB (same specs that I already have)
Palit Geforce GT 740 2GB GDDR5 128Bit (NE5T74001341-1073F)
WD Caviar Blue 500GB Hard Disk
600W PSU*
A case*
Keyboard and Mouse**
Headset or Speaker**

Option B ($385.25):
Intel Pentium G3258 3.20GHz (Dual Core) Processor
MSI Z87-G41 PC Mate Motherboard
4GB DDR3 1333MHz Memory* + 4GB (same specs that I already have)
Palit Geforce GT 740 2GB GDDR5 128Bit (NE5T74001341-1073F)
WD Caviar Blue 500GB Hard Disk
600W PSU*
A case*
Keyboard and Mouse**
Headset or Speaker**

*I get to choose my preferences, but you can suggest what should I get
**I don't know what brand are these, but I already have the peripherals

The funny thing that I found is that if you buy (if CPU only) the Pentium, it costs $73.21 while the i3 costs $117.50, that's a difference of $44.29 while if it's on the pre-built, there's like $2.25 difference.

Phase 2 is after 2 months of Phase 1 (Budget of $250):
Upgrade to GTX 960 ASUS Strix/Palit Super JetStream (I don't know yet, but what's better?)

Phase 3 is after 2 months of Phase 2 (Budget of $200):
Upgrade CPU to i5-4460

Now, 3~7 months is a long time for new releases of products and prices could also go lower, which means that I may change the components that I chose now.

You may find my build style a bit different since I could just buy everything in one single go, but I also took this opportunity to do this because I'll give this current system to an old classmate once I get to Phase 1 and give my GT 740 and G3258 to my cousin (I'll also buy him the other necessary pieces if needed) after Phases 2 and 3.

Also, I've heard that if an HDD with an OS installed is put on a new build, you can just use the OS of that HDD that you've put; however I've also heard that if you did that, it would render your OS invalid since it's a difference MoBo.

 

[AddRAM]

I see no point in buying parts now, just to replace them in a few months.

It`s a total waste of money

 

[Rain08]

I see no point in buying parts now, just to replace them in a few months.

It`s a total waste of money

The reason why I'm immediately upgrading my CPU and GPU after a couple of months is because my cousin is also in need of new parts. I'm just helping him out plus I also need to get a new one because I edit videos and images from time to time and my current specs ain't cutting it.

 

[AddRAM]

Well then, the only recommendation I see to make is for the power supply.

I recommend EVGA

http://www.evga.com/default.asp

As far as the motherboard, MSI or Asus are ok choices. But set your sights on upgrading to a Z97 not a Z87 and an i5, not an i3.

Just remember, when buying a pre built computer then upgrading the motherboard, you will more then likely have to do some custom wiring.

 

[Rain08]

Well then, the only recommendation I see to make is for the power supply.

I recommend EVGA

http://www.evga.com/default.asp

As far as the motherboard, MSI or Asus are ok choices. But set your sights on upgrading to a Z97 not a Z87 and an i5, not an i3.

Just remember, when buying a pre built computer then upgrading the motherboard, you will more then likely have to do some custom wiring.

A quick search gave me a EVGA 500B 500W 80+ Bronze PSU, I'll look for more tomorrow. The i5 was the first thing that came into my mind when planning the new build. I'm not really into MoBo's and I'm not gonna spend much on it. Will any brand do? So far I was able to find ASUS, ASRock, Gigabyte and MSI for the Z97.

 

[AddRAM]

Yes, any brand will do.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

So far I was able to find ASUS, ASRock, Gigabyte and MSI for the Z97.

Those are all decent brands, but there's no reason to get a Z97 unless you intend to buy a K series (overclockable) Intel CPU (such as 4690K, for instance).

You haven't mentioned any interest in a K series processor.

On a low budget system, you probably would not be overclocking.

If you want to overclock, get a K processor and a Z97 board.


If not, get an H97 board and save some money.

If you buy a pre-built with an OS installed and later switch motherboards, you may later have Windows activation issues.

Other good PSU brands you can look for would be Seasonic, Super Flower, and XFX.

Some models of Antec and Corsair are OK.

Something in the 450 to 550 watt range should be fine for a single GPU mid-level system. Even lower if you have a low-powered GPU.

A lot of PSU brands available in Asia are of questionable quality, so be careful on the PSU.

 

[AddRAM]

You don`t have to put a K series chip in a Z97 board.

I was just suggesting he get a good board for himself now, so he has cpu options in the future.

Here are some Asus H97 boards. You`ll have to choose H97 once you get to the site.

I don`t know why but it keeps defaulting to Asus US

Motherboards | Intel Platform | ASUS USA

It looks like you`re leaning toward Micro ATX ?

 

[Rain08]

so far i was able to find asus, asrock, gigabyte and msi for the z97.

those are all decent brands, but there's no reason to get a z97 unless you intend to buy a k series (overclockable) intel cpu (such as 4690k, for instance).

You haven't mentioned any interest in a k series processor.

On a low budget system, you probably would not be overclocking.

If you want to overclock, get a k processor and a z97 board.


If not, get an h97 board and save some money.

Well, I'm not gonna do some extreme things with my computer so anything with 3.5+ GHz is fine for me. Also, I found the Z97 and H97 prices are close to one another so I might opt for the Z97.

a lot of psu brands available in asia are of questionable quality, so be careful on the psu.

Yeah, the ones that I frequently find here are the unheard of but I was able to find good ones like Cooler Master, Corsair, Cougar, EVGA, Seasonic and Thermaltake.

Here are some Asus H97 boards. You`ll have to choose H97 once you get to the site.

I don`t know why but it keeps defaulting to Asus US

Motherboards | Intel Platform | ASUS USA

It looks like you`re leaning toward Micro ATX ?

Looking at the prices of the ASUS H97M-E and H97M-Plus ($100~$125), they're almost close to the prices of some Z97 boards of ASUS, ASRock, Gigabyte and MSI. Like $15~$20 difference.

Yeah, I'm towards mATX (like my current one). At first, I wanted a full ATX system but later, I found it unnecessary.

 

[Solarstarshines]

so far i was able to find asus, asrock, gigabyte and msi for the z97.

those are all decent brands, but there's no reason to get a z97 unless you intend to buy a k series (overclockable) intel cpu (such as 4690k, for instance).

You haven't mentioned any interest in a k series processor.

On a low budget system, you probably would not be overclocking.

If you want to overclock, get a k processor and a z97 board.


If not, get an h97 board and save some money.

Well, I'm not gonna do some extreme things with my computer so anything with 3.5+ GHz is fine for me. Also, I found the Z97 and H97 prices are close to one another so I might opt for the Z97.

a lot of psu brands available in asia are of questionable quality, so be careful on the psu.

Yeah, the ones that I frequently find here are the unheard of but I was able to find good ones like Cooler Master, Corsair, Cougar, EVGA, Seasonic and Thermaltake.

Here are some Asus H97 boards. You`ll have to choose H97 once you get to the site.

I don`t know why but it keeps defaulting to Asus US

Motherboards | Intel Platform | ASUS USA

It looks like you`re leaning toward Micro ATX ?

Looking at the prices of the ASUS H97M-E and H97M-Plus ($100~$125), they're almost close to the prices of some Z97 boards of ASUS, ASRock, Gigabyte and MSI. Like $15~$20 difference.

Yeah, I'm towards mATX (like my current one). At first, I wanted a full ATX system but later, I found it unnecessary.

To be honest at least try to shoot for a Quadcore you will be going back in time getting a Dual core

For the life of me i have no idea why they still push dual core for PC builds simply put you will be repeating your current set up in a way using a underpowered CPU at least with a Quad it will not be that much of a struggle

 

[RoasterMen]

Quad Core's all the way in, you don't want to be finding yourself upgrading from a dual core because that is a waste of $.

 

[Rain08]

Quad Core's all the way in, you don't want to be finding yourself upgrading from a dual core because that is a waste of $.

During the making of the plan of the build, I already set my mind to get a quad core CPU. The reason why I'm getting dual core CPU is because I will not have the money to spend on the other parts.

 

[AddRAM]

And you will be giving the dual core to your Cousin anyway, correct, so that`s fine.

And on the next upgrade you`ll get the quad core and keep it, correct ?

 

[Rain08]

And you will be giving the dual core to your Cousin anyway, correct, so that`s fine.

And on the next upgrade you`ll get the quad core and keep it, correct ?

Yes, that would be the last thing and it will stay there for years to come. If I would be able to save more money, I might push it to an i5-4690K (most likely) or a i7-4790K.

 

[AddRAM]

Either of those 2 would be great choices, if you`re not going to OC, you don`t need a K series chip, and for gaming all you need is the 4690.

But the price difference is very minimul.

Intel Core i5-4690 Haswell Quad-Core 3.5GHz LGA 1150 84W BX80646I54690 Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4600 - Newegg.com

Intel Core i5-4690K Haswell Refresh Quad-Core 3.5GHz LGA 1150 Desktop Processor BX80646I54690K - Newegg.com - Newegg.com

Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz LGA 1150 Boxed Processor 301283 - Micro Center

Compare prices at a dealer near you.

 

[Rain08]

Either of those 2 would be great choices, if you`re not going to OC, you don`t need a K series chip, and for gaming all you need is the 4690.

But the price difference is very minimul.

Intel Core i5-4690 Haswell Quad-Core 3.5GHz LGA 1150 84W BX80646I54690 Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4600 - Newegg.com

Intel Core i5-4690K Haswell Refresh Quad-Core 3.5GHz LGA 1150 Desktop Processor BX80646I54690K - Newegg.com - Newegg.com

Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz LGA 1150 Boxed Processor 301283 - Micro Center

Compare prices at a dealer near you.

Thanks for the links. I'm actually surprised that the prices on those sites are almost same here (cheaper/more expensive by $1). Probably I'll get a K series, just in case I would need in the future though I'm not doing anything extreme with my computer right now. Plus, so that I may not replace it with a new one. I'm not really a fan of buying anything and replacing it right after (Though there are some exceptions where I do it since someone also needs it. Also, if it's cheap though). And my goal here is future-proofing my PC. Anyway, thank you again.

 

[AddRAM]

The Micro Center price for the 4790K is awesome too.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/434176/Core_i7-4790K_40GHz_LGA_1150_Boxed_Processor

Could you post the link you are using for comparison?

I`m curious, Thanks

 

[Rain08]

The Micro Center price for the 4790K is awesome too.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/434176/Core_i7-4790K_40GHz_LGA_1150_Boxed_Processor

Could you post the link you are using for comparison?

I`m curious, Thanks

Here's what I use:
DynaQuest PC

BenStore PC - Your #1 Source of latest gaming and professional gadgets

I would be buying at DynaQuest for my parts since it's also near me (walking distance). Though they don't ship internationally.

I haven't found a store here in PH where every part is available (like New Egg or other known seller). Probably because they can't acquire it due to taxes or some other reason. But luckily, I was able to find them and find what I need.