Solved Girlfriend wants a new computer!

[Maesen]

Hey guys,

my girl has been raging quite a bit about her actual computer being now too old to play recent games. She wants something new.

She has 800$ to throw on a fresh build. Building rigs isnt my thing. My kinda rigs are on 4 wheels, ha!

I'd appreciate if you could help me get her a good computer on her budget.

She mostly plays World of Warcraft, but likes games such as Assassin's Creed and other Steam games.

Thanks for the input, I'll be nearby waiting for replies.
Maesen

 

[DMHolt57]

Look around here... http://www.tigerdirect.ca/

 

[ignatzatsonic]

She has 800$ to throw on a fresh build.
I'd appreciate if you could help me get her a good computer on her budget.

Does she have any intention of overclocking?

Is this just a gaming machine, with no other significant purpose?

You're in Canada. What online dealers will you consider?

Which of the following components need to come from that $800?

Case
Motherboard
RAM
CPU
Internal hard drive; if yes, how many?
External hard drive
Video card
DVD drive
Operating system; if yes, which?
Monitor
Keyboard
Mouse
Aftermarket CPU cooler
Case fans
Cable modem and/or router

 

[Maesen]

Hi

She has no intention to overclock. This computer will moslty be a gaming rig but will also be used for work (photoshop, illustrator and such).

As far as components needed, it would be;

• Case (well vented if possible)
• Motherboard
• CPU
• Ram
• GPU
• Power supply
• 1 Internal HDD (would like WD Caviar Black). May have an SSD for Windows only, too
• Aftermarker CPU cooler (just a good rad/fan combo would be good)

She already has the other parts and will re-use them. Since we are from Canada, she will either buy from NCIX or TigerDirect.

Thanks for your help.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Following just gives you some ideas, a baseline to look at.

We don't know if she likes flashy cases with windows and bling. I'm assuming no.

We don't know if there is any reason to go with an ATX case rather than micro ATX. I assumed ATX mid tower.

Another $100 in the budget would be helpful, but that's up to you.

I omitted CPU and video card. I'm assuming an Intel i5 or i3 CPU.


http://www.ncix.com/detail/seasonic-s12ii-520-bronze-520w-eps12v-6d-52173.htm

70 for Seasonic 520 watt PSU; should be fine for any single video card build.

http://www.ncix.com/detail/western-digital-caviar-blue-1tb-87-74462-1286.htm

60 for WD Blue 1 TB drive; I don't see the black at NCIX; if you get an SSD, the blue should be fine.

http://www.ncix.com/detail/crucial-mx100-128gb-sata-6gbps-56-97622.htm

90 for Crucial MX100 128 GB SSD for Windows.

http://www.ncix.com/detail/g-skill-ripjaws-x-f3-12800cl7d-8gbxm-8gb-21-70119.htm

96 for two 4 GB sticks of GSkill DDR3-1600 1.5 volt RAM


http://www.ncix.com/detail/nzxt-h230-atx-3x5-25in-6x3-5in-2f-89487.htm

80 for NZXT H230 ATX midtower case

Motherboard: any of several Gigabyte, Asrock, or Asus ATX or micro ATX socket 1150 Intel motherboards, depending on the features you need: 80 to 120

That's 476 to 516 so far.

Leaving the rest for a CPU and graphics card.

She should be fine with the stock Intel cooler as long as she is not overclocking and is not particularly sensitive to fan noise.

 

[Maesen]

Thanks for the links. I'll see with her if she's willing to put an additional 100$.

As far as I know, she doesnt care what the case looks like. It will be under the desk anyways. Her actual case is mid tower size. Her computer fans are already loud enough so unless you planned to add a fan spinning 32,000rpm it will be alright!

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Thanks for the links. I'll see with her if she's willing to put an additional 100$.

As far as I know, she doesnt care what the case looks like. It will be under the desk anyways. Her actual case is mid tower size. Her computer fans are already loud enough so unless you planned to add a fan spinning 32,000rpm it will be alright!

I didn't scrimp on that case. It's well regarded and well designed, just no bling. You can get decent cases for less, like the Antec 300 if you need to cut back somewhere.

I know little about gaming, so I can't tell you what level of video card you need for those games. If she needs only a low to mid level video card, then maybe she doesn't need the extra 100 bucks. A mid level Intel i5 processor should do well. You just have to decide how to split up the last 300 or 400 bucks. If those are demanding games, then maybe you have to emphasize the video card and de-emphasize the CPU. Or kick in the extra 100.

I'd say at that budget, an SSD should nearly always be included. The MX100 is a new model, well thought of, and less expensive than most. You have to come to a decision on how much total storage she needs. Windows alone takes up no more than 20 GB.

You might be able to find RAM for 10 or 15 less than the one I picked; but I'd try to stay with DDR3-1600. Make sure it's 1.5 volt. No need to go beyond 8 GB.

The stock Intel cooler is unobtrusive at low and mid RPM, but would annoy me at high RPM if I was close to it, but you say it's under a desk, so probably would be OK. You could change it later if she decides it's too noisy.

The Seasonic PSU is excellent, but not modular. Modular is an added bonus that you might consider if you can fit it in. No need to go beyond 500 watts. Seasonic and XFX are good brands to look at.

Those prices don't include taxes and shipping as far as I know. I've never dealt with NCIX.

 

[Phill3990]

Hello,

Thought I would pop in on this as I know Gaming quite well. You would probably be looking for a mid range GPU for this build. WoW is a large game, so are games like assassins creed. If she plans on playing newer games such as WatchDogs etc then a decent GPU will be needed. Unfortunately GPUs are not cheap and alongside CPUs can cost a fair bit. Even though its a USA site I have looked and found 2 GPUs I feel would be suitable on NCIX.

ASUS Radeon R9 270 - http://www.ncix.com/detail/asus-radeon-r9-270-oc-18-92748-1286.htm

This ones a bit more expensive but its a good card:

MSI GeForce GTX 770 - http://www.ncix.com/detail/msi-geforce-gtx-770-oc-c4-84358-1286.htm

Feel free to add any input on my comments

Phill3990

 

[kbrady1979]

If you can find an EVGA GTX 750 Ti FTW graphics card on sale, that would be a good card to look at. Won't break the bank and will game just fine @ 1080p. WoW is more balanced as far as CPU/GPU, but most other modern titles lean towards the GPU. An Intel Core i5 quad core CPU and a GTX 760 would be a great combo IF you can fit it in the budget.

 

[rvcjew]

Hello,

Thought I would pop in on this as I know Gaming quite well. You would probably be looking for a mid range GPU for this build. WoW is a large game, so are games like assassins creed. If she plans on playing newer games such as WatchDogs etc then a decent GPU will be needed. Unfortunately GPUs are not cheap and alongside CPUs can cost a fair bit. Even though its a USA site I have looked and found 2 GPUs I feel would be suitable on NCIX.

ASUS Radeon R9 270 - http://www.ncix.com/detail/asus-radeon-r9-270-oc-18-92748-1286.htm

This ones a bit more expensive but its a good card:

MSI GeForce GTX 770 - http://www.ncix.com/detail/msi-geforce-gtx-770-oc-c4-84358-1286.htm

Feel free to add any input on my comments

Phill3990

I have the 780 variant of that card and that cooler IMO is extremely good for it size, very quiet. Easily plays most games maxed out at 1440p no problem. I would say the 770 version will do just fine at 1080p.

 

[Maesen]

Sorry for late reply, very late actually!

So we talked about it and she's willing to add another 100$ for a total budget of 900$. She wants to buy asap. I am still unsure as to what I should build for her with all the parts you guys recommended me.

It is important that the computer can handle large programs such as Adobe Suites along with some smooth videogames (World of Warcraft as the same example). She bought a computer barely 4 years ago and it became really slow over the last few months so she wants her new rig to last quite a while. She is a graphic designer so she uses quite alot of imaging programs and what not.

Thanks

 

[ignatzatsonic]

As a starting point, get current prices on the stuff I mentioned in post 5 at NCIX or Tiger Direct, or both.

Should be somewhere around 500 excluding video card and CPU.

Split the remaining 400 about equally between a 200 dollar Intel i5 and a 200 dollar video card

Post a link to that shopping cart or wish list with prices in this thread.

Let the gaming guys (not me) see if they might instead NOT split the 400 equally between CPU and video card. I don't know gaming. If she needs a stout processor for non-gaming work, you'd normally want to emphasize CPU, but if gaming is highly important to her, maybe she would split it 60 percent on the video card and 40 percent on the processor.

Just get a list of parts you are tentatively willing to buy with actual prices in this thread.

 

[Maesen]

Okay so I gathered pretty much everything on Neweggs (best deals around for most). Here's the list:

• Case
• Motherboard
• CPU
• Ram
• GPU
• Power supply
• HDD
• SSD
• SSD Rack

So, what do you guys think?
Thanks

 

[Dude]

Okay so I gathered pretty much everything on Neweggs (best deals around for most). Here's the list:

• Case
• Motherboard
• CPU
• Ram
• GPU
• Power supply
• HDD
• SSD
• SSD Rack

So, what do you guys think?
Thanks

The motherboard supports socket 1150, and the cpu is socket 1155.

Try this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116899

 

[Maesen]

Okay so I gathered pretty much everything on Neweggs (best deals around for most). Here's the list:

• Case
• Motherboard
• CPU
• Ram
• GPU
• Power supply
• HDD
• SSD
• SSD Rack

So, what do you guys think?
Thanks

The motherboard supports socket 1150, and the cpu is socket 1155.

Try this

Intel Core i5-4670K Haswell Quad-Core 3.4GHz LGA 1150 84W Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics BX80646I54670K - Newegg.com

Correct. Thank you

Replaced CPU by THIS ONE

 

[ignatzatsonic]

No need to get a K processor if she's not overclocking. Saves 15 or 20 bucks.

Power supply is overkill. You need 500 to 550 watts max from a good brand. Look at Seasonic or XFX. Maybe save another 15 or 20.

Not sure why you need the SSD rack. All you need is an ordinary mounting bracket.

That SSD does not include cables, so be sure you buy separately if you don't already have them.

 

[Maesen]

No need to get a K processor if she's not overclocking. Saves 15 or 20 bucks.

Power supply is overkill. You need 500 to 550 watts max from a good brand. Look at Seasonic or XFX. Maybe save another 15 or 20.

Alright, took this CPU.
How about this PSU?

Going to bed, will be back tomorrow.
Thanks for help gents!

 

[ignatzatsonic]

No need to get a K processor if she's not overclocking. Saves 15 or 20 bucks.

Power supply is overkill. You need 500 to 550 watts max from a good brand. Look at Seasonic or XFX. Maybe save another 15 or 20.

Alright, took this CPU.
How about this PSU?

Going to bed, will be back tomorrow.
Thanks for help gents!

Power supply OK. You might look for a review of it at jonnyguru.com

Re the processor: newegg canada has the 4670 at 245 shipped and the 4670K (which she doesn't need) at 235 shipped. No reason to take the 4670 when it's more expensive. May as well get the 4670K as it might have more resale value later on. Or step down to something like the 4570 for 227 shipped or the 4590 at 218 shipped. Or go with a 4690 at 236 shipped---it's 3.5 GHz rather than the 3.4 of the 4670. May as well take that if not overclocking and willing to spend 235 or 236 on a CPU.

Then hope for input on the proper balance for gaming between the CPU and video card. Right now, you are emphasizing CPU, which may be the best move considering her gaming requirements?



Check my earlier comment regarding the SSD mounting bracket and cables. Maybe she needs that rack thing for portability?

 

[Maesen]

Alright for the i5-4690! Better and cheaper, I like that!

As for the SSD rack, I just went with this one because it is the one I am using. Could be any other rack. And for the cables, what cables would she need to buy?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

She needs a SATA power cable and a SATA data cable, the same as any standard modern spinning drive would use.

Usually they are included with the motherboard package. You'd need to buy separate cables only if you were buying a new drive without a motherboard. So you are probably OK.

Re the rack: that thing is needed only if you need some type of removable enclosure. Do you?

Most people would just buy a $5 internal mounting bracket which is all you need if the drive is going to be permanently attached to the case interior as you would normally find in any desktop PC. Your case may even be able to mount an SSD with no additional bracket. I didn't check.


I'm assuming you need a removable enclosure for some reason.