Make a Gaming/Workstation PC, budget is around $500

jlyang

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Aug 27, 2014
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Hi! :)

I am hoping to make a Gaming/Workstation PC for around $500 and I need some advice. I'm a multimedia designer (it's basically a combination of graphic and web design, print layouts/information design, and basic video editing) so graphics is a priority.

Here are the details:

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Approximate Purchase Date: Within a month or two? I would prefer to get it within a month, but if there's a new part or something that's coming out that would be a better choice or would have a better price, I'm willing to wait. I'm not really in a rush to complete it yet.

Budget Range: Around $500 (hopefully it's enough) for CPU and $300 for 2 monitors (doesn't need to be the same size -- one can be smaller or have a mediocre display, since I'll most probably use the 2nd monitor for code work and all my design work on the 1st monitor). If it's not enough, I can shell out around $100 more? But only if it's necessary (or if it means a huge difference in performance, etc.)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: For work use and Gaming. Hoping that dual monitor support is possible with my budget?

Parts Not Required: I already have a keyboard, mouse and a Windows 7 OS.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I would like to try finding the parts locally first so if you have alternative suggestions per part, that would be great. But if it's necessary to purchase online, I have no preference as to which site to use. However, I would prefer if we stick to only 1 site so that it will only need to be ordered and shipped once/altogether. Customs here is a b**** so I'd like to avoid the hassle as much as possible.

Country: Philippines

Parts Preferences: None really, but I was hoping that I won't need to upgrade until after 2 or 3 years so I was thinking of maybe getting an i7 processor (or the AMD equivalent if the price difference is big, but if it's only like around $20, I'd go for the i7) instead of the i5.

Overclocking, and SLI or Crossfire: I'm not really that knowledgeable since this is the first time I'm building a PC from scratch so I don't really know how to answer. (I've usually just purchased laptops. The only thing I've done so far that's somewhat related is change the RAM of a really old PC for my dad.)

Monitor Resolution: The higher the better? Minimum 1900x1080 for my main monitor and then maybe 1600x900 for the second one--that is, only if it's possible. I don't mind a smaller resolution for the second monitor.

Additional Comments: I don't mind getting a smaller HDD if needed, however I would prefer to have programs installed on the PC itself. And since I will be using some large programs like Adobe CC, it can't be too small. But in terms of files (e.g. media like MP3s, videos, etc.), I have a couple of external HDDs so I don't really need much space for them.

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Thank you so much!
 
Solution
Ok, the most important parts are the cpu and video card. If you can't find the exact model for everything else in the build, just make sure it has similar specs and are compatible with your cpu and video card.

Asus, asrock, gigabyte, msi are popular brands for motherboards. Also make sure to get the z97 versions because those are the only ones that allow for overclocking. If you want to add another video card into your computer in the future, get a "sli" motherboard which usually goes for $10 extra.

Ram, just make sure it's at least 1600 mhz and get two sticks of 4 gb each. Actually for editing, some suggest 2 sticks of 8 gb each. But if you don't have the money, it's probably not a huge deal. Corsair, crucial, adata, g skill...

Teemi

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Aug 22, 2014
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http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2276237/building-gaming-rig-400-500-philippines.html

Check out that thread in which I was just helping another person from the Philippines with a similar budget. As you can see, there is basically no way you can afford an i7 or build for future proofing.

Edit: Maybe you and the user that I was helping can pm each other and help each other out. I don't know what the local bargains are, but an i7 and probably the i5 is out of your budget. You might have to get with the amd fx6300 tops.
 

jlyang

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Aug 27, 2014
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Hi! :)

I read the other thread you linked to but I'm not quite sure it would work out well? The reason why I wanted the i7 was actually because my laptop (which already has an i5 processor and runs dual monitors, although I'm not really utilizing this at the moment since I don't have a spare monitor at home) sometimes has trouble when I'm working with bigger or more graphics-heavy stuff. I was originally thinking of upgrading my laptop, but I'm hesitating because of 3 reasons, namely:

    1. Since my current laptop is actually working fine, I feel like it would be a waste to replace it?

    2. I think I'd get a better setup if I decide to build a PC instead of a laptop for almost the same price (or so they say? I don't really know if this is true or not.)

    3. And also, I thought that if I get a PC instead of a laptop, if ever I decide to upgrade in the future, I wouldn't need to buy a whole new CPU (just the part that I want to upgrade), as opposed to getting a new laptop which I would need to replace entirely.


If I were to get the i7, how much would the price difference be? If needed, I can postpone getting the monitors (or maybe get them via CC installments) which would free up/increase my budget to around $800. Would that be enough to work with? This is just the budget I'm comfortable with if I were to get all the parts in a month, but if I were to get the parts piece by piece on a longer time period, I can go higher. I'm also OK with getting some of the parts pre-used/second-hand if needed, since it's not urgent.

Or do you think it's better/more practical if I just go get an i7 laptop (ones around the $800 price range or lower)? Like I mentioned above, I would prefer not to, but if it's more practical to do so (I mean, if the reasons that I mentioned were not really that big of a deal as I originally thought), then I would. My priority is future proofing, for at least 2 or 3 years hopefully?

Thanks!
 

Teemi

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Laptops are always more expensive for less performance so go with a desktop. I don't really know what the local prices are or what's a good site to use in your situation. According to the site the other user gave me, the cheapest i7 is the i-3770k which goes for ₱13,800.00. I can try making a build for you with the US pcpartpicker, but then I don't know if you can get the same prices and parts in the Philippines.
 

Teemi

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Ok here's a build I made with the i7 using US prices and an $800 budget.

As you can see, if you want an i7 you will really have to sacrifice in the graphics card area.

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/eivuwan/saved/d8cG3C

CPU Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core $339.99
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-Z97-HD3 ATX LGA1150 $103.03
Memory Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 $77.15
Storage Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM $53.99
Video Card HIS Radeon R7 260X 1GB $109.99
Case Azza CSAZ-206 ATX Mid Tower $44.99
Power Supply Antec 620W ATX12V / EPS12V $66.48
Optical Drive Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer $13.99
Total: $809.61

The i5 build below is much better.

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/eivuwan/saved/hDvdnQ

CPU Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core $234.67
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-Z97-HD3 ATX LGA1150 $103.03
Memory Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 $77.15
Storage Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM $53.99
Video Card HIS Radeon R9 280 3GB IceQ OC $209.99
Case Azza CSAZ-206 ATX Mid Tower $44.99
Power Supply Antec 620W ATX12V / EPS12V $66.48
Optical Drive Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer $13.99
Total: $804.29
 

jlyang

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Aug 27, 2014
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Hi! :)

So adding another $100 would get me a good graphics card? Would I be able to use the graphics card that you gave for the i5 setup with the i7 without making other adjustments, e.g. power supply? I can probably cover this additional $100, I just have to extend my purchasing period by another month. Actually, if I extend it, I can probably cover up to $1000, if that would be better. As for the prices, it's ok to use US prices since I've also planned a little "contingency budget" (for the price difference).

Speaking of the power supply, PH uses 220V. I think in the US, you use 110V? Would that also make a difference? Or is the power supply you recommended an auto range PSU? (I've learned my lesson the hard way when I bought a hair dryer on sale in Amazon... but I forgot to check the voltage. Sigh.)

Also, would I need a cooling system? Or is the fan that goes with the case you recommended below already sufficient enough? PH is a tropical country so the day temp. here for summer is usually around 35C while cooler temps (this is for the rainy season) only go as low as around 28C. I use an A/C unit in my room, but only for evenings when I'm going to sleep. I would probably use the PC only during the evening on weekdays but for weekend (Sat-Sun), I may use them during the day. Would that make a difference with the build?

Thank again for the help, sorry if I have too much questions. @_@
 

Teemi

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Aug 22, 2014
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Yeah, adding another $100 will give you a very good card. But to be honest with you I am not sure how great of a graphics card you need for editing work. I just know that a $100 dollar card just isn't very good for gaming. Most quality psu should have a button in the back that lets you select between 220v and 110v. Just make sure you check the specs before you buy. Also, yeah you have to get a higher wattage psu for the new card. I didn't notice. You need to get 750 watts. It might only be a few dollars more expensive depending on which brand you buy. Hmm, I would get a cooling fan just in case. Or you can use software to keep track of the temperatures first. If you see the cpu getting too hot, then install a cpu cooler. If heat and energy costs are important to you, you might want to consider a nvidia card like the gtx 760. They are more expensive for the amount of speed they give, but they require less electricity and run cooler. That way you don't have to upgrade the psu to 750 watts and can stick with 600 watts of power. So many choices lol.

Edit: If you plan on overclocking your cpu, you should definitely get a cooling fan. If you don't want to overclock don't get the K versions of the i7's. You will save $30.
 

jlyang

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Aug 27, 2014
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Hi again! :)

I know, which is why it's so hard to decide.

So ok, I'll go with the NVIDIA card then. And for overclocking, I'm not really sure what's it for? I read up online so I have the basic idea but I'm not really sure what it really means, in terms of changing the build and/or other stuff. Would it make a big difference in actual user experience? Also, how complicated would it be to pull-off?

Thanks!
 

Teemi

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Aug 22, 2014
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It's really easy to overclock. There are plenty of guides/software online. It makes it a bit faster, but I don't know if you really need it because it's so fast already. I personally bought an overclockable version just in case I feel like overclocking it in the future when my computer starts getting outdated.
 

jlyang

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Aug 27, 2014
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Hi! :)

I see, you have a point. And besides, the difference is only around $30 right? I'll go get the K version then since it's more future-proof, and just tackle the "overclock" issue when I need to. Haha...

So just to double-check I got everything correctly, this is our final build right?

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97-HD3 ATX LGA1150
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM
Video Card: NVIDIA GTX 760
Case: Azza CSAZ-206 ATX Mid Tower
Power Supply: Antec 620W ATX12V / EPS12V
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer

...or a close alternative (for the storage, case, PSU and Optical drive only, since the rest are important to stay as is).
 

Teemi

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Aug 22, 2014
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Ok, the most important parts are the cpu and video card. If you can't find the exact model for everything else in the build, just make sure it has similar specs and are compatible with your cpu and video card.

Asus, asrock, gigabyte, msi are popular brands for motherboards. Also make sure to get the z97 versions because those are the only ones that allow for overclocking. If you want to add another video card into your computer in the future, get a "sli" motherboard which usually goes for $10 extra.

Ram, just make sure it's at least 1600 mhz and get two sticks of 4 gb each. Actually for editing, some suggest 2 sticks of 8 gb each. But if you don't have the money, it's probably not a huge deal. Corsair, crucial, adata, g skill, kingston, etc are fine.

For the hdd, seagate barracuda and western digital cavier blue are the most popular choices.

For the video card, most brands are fine. PNY and Powercolor are the cheaper ones and less popular. There aren't many reviews on them. EVGA, gigabyte, asus are more popular.

For the case, corsair, nzxt, and cooler master are nice for the less expensive ones. Finally for power supply, antec, seasonic, and xfx are good. Corsair is very popular for power supply and has good reviews, but some on this site question its quality. Quality of power supply is important because you can fry your whole pc if you get a bad one.

Anyway, if you're not sure, just enter the parts into pcpartpicker to see if it's all compatible and of course, try to buy parts with good reviews.
 
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