BUILD COMPLETE - Time for a new system after 8 years!

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fretman

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BUILD COMPLETED BASED ON YOUR FEEDBACK!

Well folks, after 8 years, I do believe it's time for a new system. My current rig (Q6600, 4gb 800mhz ram, Nvidia 8800GTS) just isn't cutting it anymore. Things are just too bogged down and slow to the point of becoming unusable. I'm sure if I decided to do some clean up that I can get my system running faster, but again, after 8 years, I think it's time to treat myself to something newer.

So I had my mind set on an APU. In particular the AMD A10-7850K. And I was going to build my system around that.

I was going this route because I wanted a budget build. Preferably between 500 and 600 including Windows 8.1.

I also wanted graphics capability to play some of the newer games. I don't care about how much FPS I can get or things like that. I just need something so a game like "Wolfenstein - New Order" can be playable.

I do care more about things like fast boot up times, being able to surf the net while working on Word documents. I don't really use my computer to do anything like photo-editing or intense graphics related tasks.

Therefore, it got me to thinking. Is there a better alternative than an APU? Should I get a lower end CPU and couple that with a decent GPU. I researched and it looks like I can do that with a price point very close to the AMD A10-7850K.

I would really value your opinions as you can see I've been out of the PC market for the last 8 years and so much has happened since. I only stumbled upon APU's a few months back and it seemed like a good compromise at the time until I realized I would do more CPU related tasks than GPU related tasks.

Thanks for your help.

 
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AliRidha

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usually, yes but in your case i think its a fair amount ill get to work generating pc parts for you
;)
 
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AsadP2012

AsadP2012

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You're better off with a Windows 7 system due to compatibility issues being edgy in Windows 8.
APU is good if you're multi-tasking but Intel seems to do good in terms of gaming side (in my opinion and experience) as sometimes there are neck to necks with the AMD APU's and Intel CPU's so sometimes it is better to go with the Intel but it can be a bit more expensive.

Here is my opinion of a build:
i5-4570K £160-£170 - www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-Graphics-BX80646I74770-Generation-Technology/dp/B00CO8TBOW/

8GB DDR3 2133MHZ RAM - £70 - £80 - www.amazon.co.uk/G-Skill-F3-2133C10D-8GAB-2133MHz-Channel-Memory/dp/B00CMWRT08

1TB Hard Drive £40 - £50(can increase at your will) - http://www.amazon.co.uk/1TB-inch-Internal-Hard-Drive/dp/B0088PUEPK

P8H61 MX USB 3 MOBO £40 - http://www.amazon.co.uk/P8H61-MX-R2-0-Motherboard-Channel-8111F-VB-CG/dp/B008RPZ2G2

SAPPHIRE R9 280 Graphics Card 3GB - £170 - £180 - http://www.amazon.co.uk/SAPPHIRE-AMD-Graphics-Card-DDR5/dp/B00IRTXPBM/ref=sr_1_15?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1402843457&sr=1-15&keywords=R9+280x

Corsair 600W Modular PSU £60 - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ALYOTTI/
 
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fretman

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Thanks for the configuration. If I finally decide on going with the A10, I think I would get a minimum 2333 speed on the memory. Right now, it looks like I might be leaning toward a better CPU and a decent graphics card.
 
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fretman

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Thanks for the build. This one looks good. I was leaning towards Windows 8 because of the boot time. My co-worker has it and he says it takes about 2 seconds to boot. Instead of Intel, I'd like to stick with AMD. What would be a good AMD CPU. And the graphics card you recommended, is that considered top of the line these days?
 
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Mac266

Mac266

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no point getting an unlocked multiplier CPU with a H61 board
 
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Obnoxious

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Are you planning to upgrade your current computer, or create a new build all together? Will you be using parts from your old computer too? Such as your case, optical disk drive, PSU or any other component? If so that would reduce costs from building from scratch.

Personally I believe you will benefit more from an Intel processor and a dedicated GPU. Unfortunately in order to stay within your budget I did not include a SSD or 8GB RAM. Instead the build below has 4GB RAM. You would seriously benefit from a SSD if you are concerned with system boot up time, as well as how fast your programs/software load; however SSD's aren't cheap, hence I couldn't include one within your budget. However if you are using your old computer parts, such as your case, optical disk drive or any other components, please let me know, and I will create you another build removing your to-be-used to parts; hence I'll be able to spend more on RAM, on a SSD and perhaps even CPU too.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($118.48 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-DGS R2.0 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($48.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($36.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($138.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($50.99 @ TigerDirect)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $596.30
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-15 21:25 EDT-0400

Going with Intel however, you'll have better options when it comes to upgrades; you can upgrade the above build to an i5 or i7/Xeon later if you desire. AMD unfortunately have not been able to keep up the fight with Intel in terms of performance; instead they've been focusing on APU's. Regardless I believe a dedicated GPU, such as the GTX 750 Ti will take your further than relying on an APU.

All the best. :)
 
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Powerbolt

Powerbolt

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An excellent build, but I would change one thing however. If it's at all possible try to stick with dual channel RAM instead of single channel. (2 x 2GB vs 1 x 4GB)
 
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NBSN

NBSN

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PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FkLbCJ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FkLbCJ/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Biostar A960D+ Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($37.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Team Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.92 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 270 2GB TurboDuo Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Enermax ECA3310A-W ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $575.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-15 22:20 EDT-0400

We could probably save about $10-$20 by switching some parts. But still a decent build overall.
 
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fretman

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Sorry for the late response. For some reason, my automatic email notifications are not working.

Thanks to everyone for their input and build suggestions. I will be looking at the Intel I3 even though I thought I had my mind made up with the AMD A10-7850K. But I think a better CPU with a discrete GPU makes more sense with what I want to do with my system.



 
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logainofhades

logainofhades

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I think it is worth going a little over budget and going with 8gb of ram from the start.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($118.48 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-DGS R2.0 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($48.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: Avexir Core series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Enthusiast Edition Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H22 ATX Mid Tower Case ($33.03 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Micro Center)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $612.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-17 15:12 EDT-0400
 
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fretman

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Thanks for the build. 8gb of ram is what I'm going to go with. I heard 2 channels of 4 is better than 1 channel of 8. Not sure why though...seems like it's just using up an extra memory slot.
 
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fretman

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Thanks. Should I go with the maximum speed for the memory that my mobo or processor allows for?
 
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fretman

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Well folks, based on your feedback on this thread, I have come up with the following for my build. This will be my first build ever so it should be fun. Although, the Micro-ATX form factor might prove to be a bit of a challenge. I didn't know how to export my completed build from PCPartPicker into this forum post so I individually copied every line item separately. Therefore, the reason why there are no hyperlinks.

To recap, main purpose was a budget build to replace my 8 year old computer. I wanted the faster boot time, and the ability to play at low or medium settings, some of the newer games today. For example, "Wolfenstein - New Order".

As always, this is not written in stone. If you see something that is just a glaring mistake on my part, please let me know so that I can make changes before purchasing the parts.

PCPartPicker part list:
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/bgzxbv
CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($121.41)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($79.99)
Storage: Seagate 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive ($84.99)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 1GB Superclocked Video Card ($119.99)
Case: Antec NSK3180 MicroATX Mid Tower Case w/380W Power Supply ($69.99)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($105.84)
Total: $627.20 Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

I do have some concerns though. The final price will probably be more in the range of $650 because of the shipping charges. That's how much I would have to pay if I went and got all the parts locally.

The other big concern is that my Big Box store is selling an I7 system with 8gb of DDR3 ram at 1600mhz with everything else being included, except maybe for an inferior graphics card, and the price is about $150 more.

Thanks again for all your feedback. Please comment if you think I need to change a few things.
 
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logainofhades

logainofhades

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If you are willing to spend the extra, you can get i7 performance by going with a 1230v3. If you are willing to spend that much more, I would put it into an i5 and better GPU. Your build came out to $652 for me. You must of had mail in rebates on for when you did yours. This would be a nice bump, should you want to spend the money, and would be a well rounded system.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($197.58 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($82.69 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Seagate 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive ($84.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: Club 3D Radeon R9 270 2GB '14Series Video Card ($179.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H22 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.59 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.98 @ Amazon Canada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($105.84 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $795.65
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
 
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fretman

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OK folks...I decided to bump my budget to $875. I have settled on at least the following after taking into consideration everyone's postings and comments. Again, my main purpose was to have a machine that would boot up faster, be able to play some of the newer games on low or medium settings, and won't really need another upgrade for a few years.

I know that there will always be better or worst components that are available, but if I don't settle on some things right now, I'll probably never get this build off the ground.

So here goes. This is what I'm sure about getting. After also doing my own research too.

CPU = Intel Core i5-4690
Memory = 8 gb of 1600 ram. I think it's better to go with 2 sticks of 4gb.
Motherboard = Chipset H87. If I go with 4 slots of ram, I can do 2x4gb right now and expand to another 8gb later. If I go with only 2 slots for ram, I can do 1 stick of 8gb and expand later or do 2x4gb which won't leave me any room for expansion. MSI is out of the picture. I'll look mainly at ASUS and Gigabyte.
Storage = Smaller capacity SSD for the O/S and a Harddrive for everything else.
Video Card = GEForce GTX 750Ti
Windows 8.1

I think these are the main components. Everything else I can still pick and choose. Although I would still prefer a Micro-ATX form factor over a Mid Tower ATX factor.

Thanks.
 
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logainofhades

logainofhades

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This would be much better for games.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.79 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($108.00 @ Vuugo)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($82.44 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 2GB Dual-X Video Card ($217.00 @ Vuugo)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($47.95 @ Vuugo)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.98 @ Amazon Canada)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Memory Express)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) ($108.27 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $871.41
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
 
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