Tell me what to get - buying tomorrow!!!

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rinkerdink

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Oct 24, 2013
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Hi,

I have had a look and thrown parts lists together but it seems the more I research the more confused/ uncertain I get. Sooo I've decided to throw myself at the mercy of Toms Hardware resident expert forum goers (you guys). I need a pc to play games on: strategy like RTW2 & COH2 and 1st person shooters like cod MWII BF4 etc etc. It will also double as a family pc for kids homework so need to include Microsoft office (open office won't do for this reason I'm afraid) and Windows 8.1 home pro64. I have a mouse (G9 laser) but I'm open to changing this if there's a worthwhile alternative. I need everything else: Case, PSU, SSD, HHD, Mobo, GPU, CPU, RAM, Optical drive, wifi adaptor,keyboard and monitor (23-24"), OS and office. I'd like to not have to upgrade anything for at least 3 years and play games on very high if not highest settings for most of that time frame I'm not normally very fussy and have put up with terrible frame rates in the past as I got used to it. I've been advised to go intel for CPU and the research I've done so far seems to bear that out (don't shoot me :) ). For what it's worth once I've built this thing I will post a picture of it in action by way of reward for the advice :-D. I have AUD$1500-2000 to spend - tomorrow. I like getting value for money and this where I'm struggling - I don't know what is value for money...
Other complication is I want to buy the lot from MSY as a store is nice and local! the website is awful in my opinion but they do have a 4 page parts list with everything on it listed by part number. Here's the website http://www.msy.com.au/ For those familiar with components I reckon it won't take long to throw a system together.

This isn't my first build but its been a while... Please help!!!
 
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You might be hard pressed to get something that will play all games at max settings on that budget since you aren't just building the computer, you are building an entire system with peripherals and adding in the cost of software. I looked over the site and if you would like, I'll see if I can put something together within your budget, although with everything your wanting/needing it may not be able to play all games at max settings.
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animal

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You might be hard pressed to get something that will play all games at max settings on that budget since you aren't just building the computer, you are building an entire system with peripherals and adding in the cost of software. I looked over the site and if you would like, I'll see if I can put something together within your budget, although with everything your wanting/needing it may not be able to play all games at max settings.
 
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TheLastDoomguy

TheLastDoomguy

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Oct 23, 2013
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The ASRock Z87-PRO4 Motherboard is popular, and a very good value buy. (Although I traditionally avoided ASRock they have come a very long way).

The GeForce GTX 760 OC (overclock editions) from various manufacturers are popular.

The GeForce GTX 770's will last much longer, and the GTX 780's probably aren't worth the extra cost relative to just keeping the diff' and upgrading incrementally in 12 to 18 months time.

AMD/ATI also have some competitive cards which should be available here at attractive price points.

The Intel Core i5 4670K, 4440 and everything in-between are steals for the asking price.


As for the SSD &| HHD &| HDD, RAM, PSU, CASE, etc. they mostly come down to personal preference more than sensibility.

$2,000 AUD is bloody heaps mate, you could pocket the $500 and make some interest on it then replace the video card and migrate the 'old' GTX760 -for example- to an older system down the track... :wahoo:
 
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rinkerdink

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Oct 24, 2013
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Thanks animal that would be great, I realise I'm not looking at a super system but I was about to waste some money in areas of the build if left to my own devices. The software comes to around $290 so there is up to $1700 to play with and I'm not worried about a fancy gaming keyboard, it'll have to be wired too for the initial set up. The best you can do for $1700 or if I can spend less for marginally less performance would be fine too (bang for buck :) )

Appreciate the help, thank you
 
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rinkerdink

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Oct 24, 2013
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Thanks I'll have a look at the staticice site, keen to get building tomorrow though but maybe buy animals suggestions through static ice using a filter like you say.
I appreciate your help :)
 
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animal

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Not sure which location is closest to you, but you may want to check your stores clearance specials to see if anything is a better price.

On to my suggestion(s), but please keep in mind I was trying to stay within your $1700AUD budget for everything. I would normally hesitate to recommend anything below an i5/i7 "k" series cpu for their oc'ing ability and overall performance, however, to overclock the costs add up.......more expensive cpu , motherboard, aftermarket heatsink etc. Thus I was forced to choose alternatives in many areas, but the build shouldn't suffer too much. If you get any other advice, remember, I am just offering "a" solution/build.....not "the" best possible option(s). Here is what I came up with:

Case: Cooler Master HAF-XB
http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=11709 Cost - $117

CPU: Intel i5 4440
http://www.msy.com.au/default.jsp?category=249 Cost - $205

Mobo: MSI H87-G43
http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=11529 Cost - $145

Memory: G. Skill Sniper 8 GB Kit (4GB x 2) DDR3 1600
http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=7650 Cost - $ 96

SSD: Samsung 840 PRO Series 128 GB SATA3
http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=9903 Cost - $145

HDD: Western Digital Black 1 TB 7200 RPM SATA3
http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=7298 Cost - $ 92

ODD: LG Blu-ray Combo
http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=5531 Cost - $ 54

GPU: MSI GTX760 w/ 4 GB Video RAM
http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=11461 Cost - $395

Wifi: Asus PCE-AC68 Dual Band Wireless Adapter
http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=11664 Cost - $138

PSU: Antec HCG-620M 620W Modular
http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=10202 Cost - $115


The total cost is $1385. This will allow you ~ $300 to get a monitor, keyboard and possibly speakers. Don't invest in a sound card till you try out what comes already on the motherboard, can always add one in the future.

I know this was a lengthy response, but feel free to question any of my choices and I'll give you my reason(s) for choosing them.

 
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rinkerdink

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Oct 24, 2013
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Thanks for taking the time to select all that animal!

One question I have is regarding the wireless adaptor, I've never bought/ used one of these before - always been hardwired until now. It's quite expensive and there are adapters for around $20-30. What are the benefits of getting this obviously much better one?
 
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animal

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I wasn't sure what kind of wireless you had available, so I picked the best one that would fit most possibilities and Asus is a very reputable manufacturer. If you can find one that meets your needs and is less expensive, then go for it. My intent was not to tell you what to buy, just trying to cover all the bases.
 
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rinkerdink

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And I thank you very much for the time and effort you've gone to, you've helped me enormously!
 
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