Aussie $700 First Build

[Biggles_]

Hello,

I am looking to build a new PC for the coming holidays for around $700. I have not built a PC before, though I have done a lot of research. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated!


Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: Before the 30th November

Budget Range: Around $700, give or take a bit of course. The cheaper the better.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (specific games listed below), Browsing, Movies, Word processing

Are you buying a monitor: If you can fit it into the budget, yes! If not, I will use a TV until I can afford one.

Parts to Upgrade: All, new build.

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: umart.com.au sunshine coast branch only. I can't buy off newegg, microcenter etc.

Location: City, State/Region, Country - Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Australia

Parts Preferences: Intel CPU without a doubt. Would like a full sized ATX motherboard for upgrades in the futures if possible, though I understand if it cant fit in budget. Possibly the ASRock Extreme4?

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI/Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: I'm on a tight budget so I will most likely be using a tv at 1366 x 768, but will hopefully upgrade to a 1080 monitor when I have the cash. If you can fit a monitor in the budget, then that would be great.

Additional Comments: Definitely want at least one USB3 port. Primarily a flight sim rig, though obviously web browsing, media etc.
Games I would like to play:

Flight Simulator X
XPlane
Digital Combat Simulator: Mustang and Warthog
Realflight G4.5
Battlefield 3
Minecraft
Grand Theft Auto IV
Arma II (DayZ mod)


And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: My laptop cannot run any of these games well, I want a good pc that will last a few years and be easily up gradable.

Thanks for your help!

 

[bigcyco1]

Going to contact my buddy from Australia.He is a member here and will know best pricing for you and what you should get hopefully he reply's soon.

 

[Biggles_]

Going to contact my buddy from Australia.He is a member here and will know best pricing for you and what you should get hopefully he reply's soon.

Thanks very much!

 

[kitsunestarwind]

G Skill 8G(2x4G) DDR3 1600Mhz PC12800 RL 9-9-9-24(CL9D-8GBRL) $45.00
Antec One Hundred Gaming Case- Black NO PSU $64.50
Gigabyte ATI HD 7770 OC Edition 1G $120.00
Asrock H77-PRO4-MVP 4 x DDR3 PCI-E3.0 4 x SATA3 4 xUSB3.0 HDMI D-SubDVI-D GLAN RAID QuadCrossFireX A $95.00
Intel Core i5 3470 LGA1155 CPU 3.2Ghz 6Mb Cache Ivy Bridge $193.00
Western Digital 1TB SATA3 HDD 64M Caviar Blue WD10EZEX $79.00
Corsair VS650 650W ATX Power Supply $96.00


Total $692
Not including keyboard/mouse/dvd drive
all from umart at maroochydore

 

[Biggles_]

G Skill 8G(2x4G) DDR3 1600Mhz PC12800 RL 9-9-9-24(CL9D-8GBRL) $45.00
Antec One Hundred Gaming Case- Black NO PSU $64.50
Gigabyte ATI HD 7770 OC Edition 1G $120.00
Asrock H77-PRO4-MVP 4 x DDR3 PCI-E3.0 4 x SATA3 4 xUSB3.0 HDMI D-SubDVI-D GLAN RAID QuadCrossFireX A $95.00
Intel Core i5 3470 LGA1155 CPU 3.2Ghz 6Mb Cache Ivy Bridge $193.00
Western Digital 1TB SATA3 HDD 64M Caviar Blue WD10EZEX $79.00
Corsair VS650 650W ATX Power Supply $96.00


Total $692
Not including keyboard/mouse/dvd drive
all from umart at maroochydore

Thanks, made a few adjustments, not sure if its still okay. I really do want a full sized ATX board though, any chance someone can find one suitable for around the same price?

G Skill 8G(2x4G) DDR3 1600Mhz PC12800 RL 9-9-9-24(CL9D-8GBRL) $45
Antec One Hundred Gaming Case- Black NO PSU $64.50
Seagate SATA3 1TB 7200RPM 64mb Cache $76
Gigabyte ATI HD 7770 OC Edition 1G $120
ASRock H77M.H77 2xDDR3 2*PCIex16 GBL RAID DVI HDMI VGA USB3.0 SATA3 uATX $80
Intel Core i5 3470 LGA1155 CPU 3.2Ghz 6Mb Cache Ivy Bridge $193
Corsair VS650 650W ATX Power Supply $96

$674.50. From umart.com.au sunshine coast branch

 

[Biggles_]

Also, wondering if the 7770 is bottle necking the i5 3470? Perhaps something from nvidea would work? I would have liked to get the 3570K, though I know I would have to upgrade the gpu to keep them even. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[bigcyco1]

My buddy has not answered wait till tomorrow he will fix you up no worries.

 

[manofchalk]

Going to contact my buddy from Australia.He is a member here and will know best pricing for you and what you should get hopefully he reply's soon.

So I am the resident Aussie here it seems.
OK, there are three stores I know of in Queensland/Brisbane.

Umart you have already mentioned.
MSY, they have a four physical stores around Brisbane you can go to, the closest to you would be Brendale.
Heres the parts list.
http://www.msy.com.au/Parts/PARTS.pdf
And the contact details of the various stores. Just ring up a store and ask if they have the item in stock.
http://www.msy.com.au/locate.jsp
And Gamedude, these guys only have one store just south of the Brisbane CBD in Springwood.
http://www.gamedude.com.au/

Then there are your inter state options if your willing to pay the shipping cost.

PC Case Gear which is located in Melbourne, pretty much have the widest stock in Australia and will mail anywhere.
http://www.pccasegear.com/

But for now I will assume you can only use Umart. Though have a look through the other stores to see if you can get components cheaper.
Also being Australian tech prices, $700 doesn't carry you as far as in the US. My rig when I bought it cost $1700, same parts if bought in America would have been ~$1500.

CPU: Intel i5-3570k. $230
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=13&bid=6&sid=92173
Mobo: AsRock Z77 Extreme4. $135
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=177&bid=6&sid=89525
I have a feeling that Flight Simulator will be CPU limited rather than GPU, as it is a simulator and all. So I have given the rig overclock capability to help alleviate this. However, it has lead to compromises elsewhere.

Cooler: Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO. $37
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&bid=6&id2=185&sid=81503\
Good cooler, should be able to get the 3570k to an easy 4.2Ghz, higher if you can live with higher temps.

RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 8GB (2x4GB) 1600Mhz CL9 1.5v. $45
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=153&bid=6&sid=73304
8GB of fairly standard RAM. Have this kit myself and had nothing wrong with them.

PSU: Antec High Current 520W, 80+ Bronze. $84.50
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=140&bid=6&sid=65241
Unfortunately PSU's are where there is the biggest price increase compared to the US and we also have lesser variety. This is the unit I suggest you go with, everything else is too expensive or not reputable.

Case: Coolermaster Storm Enforcer. $90.50
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=209&bid=6&sid=75053
A good case that will last you a fair bit, has USB3. When speccing out a rig with upgradability in mind, a good case is important. It will last longer than any of the hardware in it.

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200RPM. $77
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=129&bid=6&sid=82928
Hard drives are one of the few components you will find cheaper here, I suspect due to the fact we are only just next door to Taiwan where all these are made (though nearly all tech components are made in South-East Asia).

Total: $699
Now, there is no GPU in the rig. So your gaming performance will be fairly weak as the HD4000 on the CPU isnt that great. You will have to add in a GPU to the rig later.
The reason I didnt include one initially was because if I did, you would have a crummy case and a non-overclockable CPU and low-end motherboard, and the GPU wouldnt even be that strong anyway (~HD7770 level). This way you have a very good setup that will last ages and can overclock to alleviate the CPU bottleneck that will come with Flight Simulator X. I advise when you can afford it you sub in at least a HD7850.
Gigabyte HD7850. $221
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=248&bid=6&sid=89027

EDIT: Nvidia cards are pretty much not an option in Australia. They are way too expensive here, a reference design GTX660 (roughly equivalent to the 7850) fetches ~$230 here, which is more than the custom design 7850 I referenced above. To get a custom design one and your looking at ~$260. Its pretty much the same the higher you go as well,

 

[bigcyco1]

^ All solid good advice.

 

[Biggles_]

So I am the resident Aussie here it seems.
OK, there are three stores I know of in Queensland/Brisbane.

Umart you have already mentioned.
MSY, they have a four physical stores around Brisbane you can go to, the closest to you would be Brendale.
Heres the parts list.
http://www.msy.com.au/Parts/PARTS.pdf
And the contact details of the various stores. Just ring up a store and ask if they have the item in stock.
http://www.msy.com.au/locate.jsp
And Gamedude, these guys only have one store just south of the Brisbane CBD in Springwood.
http://www.gamedude.com.au/

Then there are your inter state options if your willing to pay the shipping cost.

PC Case Gear which is located in Melbourne, pretty much have the widest stock in Australia and will mail anywhere.
http://www.pccasegear.com/

But for now I will assume you can only use Umart. Though have a look through the other stores to see if you can get components cheaper.
Also being Australian tech prices, $700 doesn't carry you as far as in the US. My rig when I bought it cost $1700, same parts if bought in America would have been ~$1500.

CPU: Intel i5-3570k. $230
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=13&bid=6&sid=92173
Mobo: AsRock Z77 Extreme4. $135
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=177&bid=6&sid=89525
I have a feeling that Flight Simulator will be CPU limited rather than GPU, as it is a simulator and all. So I have given the rig overclock capability to help alleviate this. However, it has lead to compromises elsewhere.

Cooler: Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO. $37
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&bid=6&id2=185&sid=81503\
Good cooler, should be able to get the 3570k to an easy 4.2Ghz, higher if you can live with higher temps.

RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 8GB (2x4GB) 1600Mhz CL9 1.5v. $45
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=153&bid=6&sid=73304
8GB of fairly standard RAM. Have this kit myself and had nothing wrong with them.

PSU: Antec High Current 520W, 80+ Bronze. $84.50
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=140&bid=6&sid=65241
Unfortunately PSU's are where there is the biggest price increase compared to the US and we also have lesser variety. This is the unit I suggest you go with, everything else is too expensive or not reputable.

Case: Coolermaster Storm Enforcer. $90.50
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=209&bid=6&sid=75053
A good case that will last you a fair bit, has USB3. When speccing out a rig with upgradability in mind, a good case is important. It will last longer than any of the hardware in it.

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200RPM. $77
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=129&bid=6&sid=82928
Hard drives are one of the few components you will find cheaper here, I suspect due to the fact we are only just next door to Taiwan where all these are made (though nearly all tech components are made in South-East Asia).

Total: $699
Now, there is no GPU in the rig. So your gaming performance will be fairly weak as the HD4000 on the CPU isnt that great. You will have to add in a GPU to the rig later.
The reason I didnt include one initially was because if I did, you would have a crummy case and a non-overclockable CPU and low-end motherboard, and the GPU wouldnt even be that strong anyway (~HD7770 level). This way you have a very good setup that will last ages and can overclock to alleviate the CPU bottleneck that will come with Flight Simulator X. I advise when you can afford it you sub in at least a HD7850.
Gigabyte HD7850. $221
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=248&bid=6&sid=89027

EDIT: Nvidia cards are pretty much not an option in Australia. They are way too expensive here, a reference design GTX660 (roughly equivalent to the 7850) fetches ~$230 here, which is more than the custom design 7850 I referenced above. To get a custom design one and your looking at ~$260. Its pretty much the same the higher you go as well,

This all looks excellent, but I really cant afford $824 when I add a gpu. I know I'm going to have to skimp in areas, I really would like ocing ability, though I dont know if I can fit it in with my budget. All the while I need to keep the price as low down as possible. It really needs to be around $700 total (no monitor). I was thinking possibly an i5 2470 and a 7850? You're the genius though, please help!

EDIT: I really would like to keep the motherboard ATX and 1TB storage however.

 

[Biggles_]

Made up a new build if someone could have a look over it. If someone could find somewhere to save money anywhere without losing too much functionality that would be great. I really would like to keep away from mATX though. Also, I feel as though the 7850 might get bottle necked by the 2120, is this the case?

Build:

G Skill 4G(2x2G) DDR3 1600Mhz PC12800 9-9-9-24(CL9D-4GBNQ)
Antec VP-550P 550W Strictly PSU
Seagate SATA3 1TB 7200RPM 64mb Cache
Sapphire HD7850 OC 2G 256Bit GDDR5 PCIE3.0 DVI HDMI 2*MiniDSP
Asrock Z77-EXTREME4 Z77/4 x DDR3/2 x PCI-E3.0/4 x SATA3/6 x USB3.0/HDM
Sharkoon T28 ATX Midi Tower Blue USB3.0
Intel Core i3 2120 3.30Ghz 3MB Cache LGA1155 CPU

$710.00

This seems to be really expensive for an i3 build. Can anyone find areas to reduce/improve? Thanks!

 

[Outlander_04]

Its pointless paying for a top end cpu in a build with this budget .
Your graphics card will determine gaming performance .

spend your money on an AMD FX 6300
asrock 970 extreme4 motherboard
2 x4 gig of RAM
and a Radeon 7850 as the minimum to get playable frame rates and decent images at 1080p

 

[bigcyco1]

It looks fine to me.The 7850 will not be bottle necked by the 2120.There really no way to save any money other then get a cheaper motherboard and a 500gb hard drive.I recall you mentioning you did not want to do that.

 

[bigcyco1]

AMD would be a cheaper route.If your willing to go there.

 

[Outlander_04]

and the FX 6300 will smash any of the intel dual cores

 

[bigcyco1]

I think i would go with a 965 BE on his budget and oc it.

 

[manofchalk]

Made up a new build if someone could have a look over it. If someone could find somewhere to save money anywhere without losing too much functionality that would be great. I really would like to keep away from mATX though. Also, I feel as though the 7850 might get bottle necked by the 2120, is this the case?

Build:

G Skill 4G(2x2G) DDR3 1600Mhz PC12800 9-9-9-24(CL9D-4GBNQ)
Antec VP-550P 550W Strictly PSU
Seagate SATA3 1TB 7200RPM 64mb Cache
Sapphire HD7850 OC 2G 256Bit GDDR5 PCIE3.0 DVI HDMI 2*MiniDSP
Asrock Z77-EXTREME4 Z77/4 x DDR3/2 x PCI-E3.0/4 x SATA3/6 x USB3.0/HDM
Sharkoon T28 ATX Midi Tower Blue USB3.0
Intel Core i3 2120 3.30Ghz 3MB Cache LGA1155 CPU

$710.00

This seems to be really expensive for an i3 build. Can anyone find areas to reduce/improve? Thanks!

Reduce the mobo to an AsRock H77 Pro4 (you cant overclock that CPU anyway), then use the saved cash to up the RAM to 8GB. if you can afford the 7870 by doing that as well, go for it.
Otherwise, thats about the best you can afford without doing something radical like I suggested.

 

[Biggles_]

Thanks for all the help guys,

I have nothing against AMD CPUs, but I admit I am an Intel CPU fanboy, so thats what I want. Anyhow, my budget has now been reduced, needs to be as cheap as possible under around $650, which in a way makes things easier. Here is my new proposed build:


RAM: Skill 8G(2x4G) DDR3 1600Mhz PC12800 RL 9-9-9-24(CL9D-8GBRL)

PSU: Antec VP-550P 550W Strictly PSU

Storage: Seagate SATA3 1TB 7200RPM 64mb Cache

Motherboard: Asrock Z77-EXTREME4 Z77/4 x DDR3/2 x PCI-E3.0/4 x SATA3/6 x USB3.0/HDM

Case: Sharkoon T28 ATX Midi Tower Blue USB3.0

CPU: Intel Core i3 2120 3.30Ghz 3MB Cache LGA1155 CPU

GPU:
This: Gigabyte ATI HD 7770 OC Edition, PCI-E 3.0, 1GB 128-bit GDDR5, DVI,HDMI,2x Min - http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=248&bid=6&sid=87781

or this: Power Colour AX7770-1GBD5-DH HD7770,1G DDR5 - http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=248&bid=6&sid=95254

Total with either of those cards: $629

If you need links to any of the other components let me know. I understand the motherboard is overkill and the ram is 1600mhz, but I want an ATX board and 1600mhz ram so I do not need to replace them in the future with other upgrades. Also, is 550W enough for future upgrades (never Xfire) ?

 

[manofchalk]

The H77 Pro4 I recommended is of ATX size and supports most of the features of the Extreme4 (major difference is overclocking and Crossfire/SLI support).
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=177&bid=6&sid=91767

550W (if it can supply it, though the Antec Vipers are very good budget PSU's) is enough for any single card rig, should be fine for non-major upgrades.

Also for the same price get the Core i3-3220 instead. Ivy Bridge over Sandy Bridge, should bring a ~10% performance increase.
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=13&bid=6&sid=97777

 

[Outlander_04]

Thanks for all the help guys,

I have nothing against AMD CPUs, but I admit I am an Intel CPU fanboy, so thats what I want. Anyhow, my budget has now been reduced, needs to be as cheap as possible under around $650, which in a way makes things easier. Here is my new proposed build:


RAM: Skill 8G(2x4G) DDR3 1600Mhz PC12800 RL 9-9-9-24(CL9D-8GBRL)

PSU: Antec VP-550P 550W Strictly PSU

Storage: Seagate SATA3 1TB 7200RPM 64mb Cache

Motherboard: Asrock Z77-EXTREME4 Z77/4 x DDR3/2 x PCI-E3.0/4 x SATA3/6 x USB3.0/HDM

Case: Sharkoon T28 ATX Midi Tower Blue USB3.0

CPU: Intel Core i3 2120 3.30Ghz 3MB Cache LGA1155 CPU

GPU:
This: Gigabyte ATI HD 7770 OC Edition, PCI-E 3.0, 1GB 128-bit GDDR5, DVI,HDMI,2x Min - http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=248&bid=6&sid=87781

or this: Power Colour AX7770-1GBD5-DH HD7770,1G DDR5 - http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=248&bid=6&sid=95254

Total with either of those cards: $629

If you need links to any of the other components let me know. I understand the motherboard is overkill and the ram is 1600mhz, but I want an ATX board and 1600mhz ram so I do not need to replace them in the future with other upgrades. Also, is 550W enough for future upgrades (never Xfire) ?

yeah but that build is way out classed by the AMD build , and its already out of date

 

[Biggles_]

The H77 Pro4 I recommended is of ATX size and supports most of the features of the Extreme4 (major difference is overclocking and Crossfire/SLI support).
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=177&bid=6&sid=91767

550W (if it can supply it, though the Antec Vipers are very good budget PSU's) is enough for any single card rig, should be fine for non-major upgrades.

Also for the same price get the Core i3-3220 instead. Ivy Bridge over Sandy Bridge, should bring a ~10% performance increase.
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=13&bid=6&sid=97777

Okay, so the Pro4 is pretty much the same as the Extreme4 but without overclocking? Do you think I should spend an extra $40 for when I upgrade to an overclock able pc in the future. How hard is it to swap out a motherboard? Thanks for the recommendation of the 3220, I didn't even consider it. Do you think I will be able to run the games I listed at the top of the list? Sorry for all the questions.

 

[Biggles_]

Looks like the guy helping me has gone. If anyone can help it would be appreciated!

 

[bigcyco1]

I think it's best you just wait until you can afford a decent gaming rig buying this now is going to be a waste of time as you'll want to upgrade it and that will in turn cost you even more money i would wait until you have a thousand saved then buy.