Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Your question
Solved

Building a Computer

Tags:
  • Computers
  • Build
Last response: in Opinions and Experiences
Share
May 2, 2014 9:59:41 PM

So this will be my first computer, and I am looking to see if the build that I have come up with so far works, or if there are any parts in it that I could swap out for something cheaper that will have the same power as the previous part. I am hoping to keep it under 600, even though the build I am linking is above.

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/NMurray507/saved/4yNF

Thanks ahead.

More about : building computer

May 2, 2014 10:16:32 PM

For a build that low, you don't want to go with an i5 unless you plan on upgrading your graphics card later.

The rule of thumb is to spend twice on your graphics card what you do on your CPU.

I have a question for you - are you willing to overclock? Because if you are, Intel will be coming out with a Pentium that you can overclock very soon. Typically you can only overclock "k" marked chips, which are reserved to i5s and i7s.

Right now, with your build, you can scrap the DVD reader and install windows from a USB key, and you can also get rid of the CPU cooler; the stock cooler will be perfectly fine, since you can't overclock.

However, I would strongly suggest you look at a computer based around a cheap i3, or an overclocked AMD FX 6300, which would both allow you a MUCH more powerful graphics card.
m
0
l
May 2, 2014 10:17:33 PM

I would say go with a EVGA 650ti over the 750ti. they are all most the same and last time I was up at fry's looking they are cheaper. And if your not going to be overclocking then don't get the CPU cooler. the intel fan coolers work great for base clock
m
0
l
Related resources
May 2, 2014 10:17:47 PM

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($113.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87M-D3H 1.0 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($90.16 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($83.98 @ Best Buy)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Superclocked Video Card ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($32.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $606.04
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-03 01:16 EDT-0400)

Sorry, it's a bit over, but it's a bit fixed. You shouldn't use i5 for a $600 build.
m
0
l
May 2, 2014 10:23:23 PM

The 650ti is nowhere close to being almost the same as the 750ti. The 750ti is the first graphics card based on maxwell and gives a significant improvement.

Okcnaline's build isn't bad, but I would go with an even cheaper i3, ditch the cooler because there's no reason for it, and try to get a better graphics card if at all possible.

Again, if you're willing to overclock, the upcoming dual-core pentium or current tri-core FX 6300 are both far better options. (And overclocking really isn't that scary.)
m
0
l

Best solution

May 2, 2014 10:40:54 PM

Okay, but there isn't an Haswell i3 cheaper than the i3-4130.
And also, a FX-6300 is worse than an i3.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($113.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87M-D3H 1.0 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($90.16 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($83.98 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($169.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Zalman ZM-T1 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $598.06
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-03 01:39 EDT-0400)
Share
May 2, 2014 10:41:18 PM

having used both the 650ti and the 750ti and owning both, the 750ti is not that much better at all then the 650ti. both of them are the EVGA 2gb SC with that little plastic cooler case they have. And no, my 650ti is not the boost.
m
0
l
May 2, 2014 10:46:49 PM

Mmm, you're right, and there's no point in going to an ivy bridge. However, after the FX-6300 is overclocked, it performs basically the same, and gives you more money to put towards the graphics card, which makes a fair difference.

KiloWolf, I upgraded my media PC with a 750ti from a GT 650 non ti, and almost doubled my gaming performance. If the 650ti really gives that big of an improvement... Which none of the benchmarks say it does, by the way. The average framerate is only about 20% better, but the minimum framerates gain a huge improvement - 30-40%. That makes gameplay significantly better.


And my point about the upcoming pentium still stands. For gaming, there's not a big difference between a Pentium and an i3, and if you can overclock the pentium for less money...
m
0
l
May 2, 2014 10:51:05 PM

www.videocardbenchmark.com
Higher the better

GTX 750 Ti: 3637
GTX 650 Ti Boost: 3562
GTX 750: 3322
GTX 650 Ti: 2774
GTX 650: 1841

GTX 750 Ti COMPLETELY wins out.
m
0
l
May 2, 2014 10:55:05 PM

okcnaline said:
www.videocardbenchmark.com
Higher the better

GTX 750 Ti: 3637
GTX 650 Ti Boost: 3562
GTX 750: 3322
GTX 650 Ti: 2774
GTX 650: 1841

GTX 750 Ti COMPLETELY wins out.


Not sure I would trust that website, but it does produce the data roughly equivalent to what I would expect. That's also roughly what other benchmarks produce when it comes to the raw framerates and latency.
m
0
l
May 2, 2014 11:01:16 PM

Well, if it doesn't still convince, Maxwell is newer, and hence future-proof.
m
0
l
May 2, 2014 11:06:14 PM

okcnaline said:
Well, if it doesn't still convince, Maxwell is newer, and hence future-proof.


Read what I'm saying, man... I agree with you that the 750ti is significantly better. :p 

*(That being said, saying that because the 750ti is Maxwell and is therefore more future-proof makes no sense. Future proofing doesn't exist, and even if it did, the 750ti would be more future proof because it's more powerful - it being a Maxwell chip doesn't mean it's going to improve in the future or something like that.)
m
0
l
May 2, 2014 11:11:27 PM

Oh, sorry. Future-proof means that it's more ready for future software and games.
m
0
l
May 3, 2014 1:17:40 AM

okcnaline said:
Okay, but there isn't an Haswell i3 cheaper than the i3-4130.
And also, a FX-6300 is worse than an i3.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($113.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87M-D3H 1.0 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($90.16 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($83.98 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($169.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Zalman ZM-T1 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $598.06
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-03 01:39 EDT-0400)


Thanks for the build!
m
0
l
May 4, 2014 12:02:53 AM

So I have actually been able to up my budget to 1k (This includes operating system). So here is a newer build, what do you guys think of it, is there anything missing? Any upgrades that would keep it around the 940 that it is but upgrade performance?

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/NMurray507/saved/4zrd


CPU Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core $189.99
Motherboard MSI Z87-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 $139.99
Memory Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 $77.25
Storage Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM $56.98
Video Card Sapphire Radeon R9 280 3GB Dual-X $233.00
Case Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower $86.29
Power Supply Corsair 500W ATX12V $39.99
Optical Drive Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer $16.99
Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) $84.98
Wireless Network Adapter TP-Link TL-WN722N 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 $14.99
m
0
l
May 4, 2014 12:54:49 PM

1) No need to get an i5-4570, since it's just a few tenths of a GHz difference between it and the much cheaper i5-4440.

2) Scrap the z87 motherboard. The only time you need z87 is if you have a "k" CPU and are overclocking. Get an h87 motherboard for about $95 instead. Just as good quality, but without support for overclocking.

3) Good pick on the ram, but you can get Ripjaws X for $7 less if you're trying to shave.

4) Great choice on the hard drive, but I would strongly recommend adding a 120 GB Samsung Evo. I seriously can't give enough love to having an SSD as your primary drive.

5) The r9 280 is actually one of the few of AMD's current lineup that I like - the next step up would be a 7870GHz or GTX 670. If you can find a deal used, they'd only be a few bucks more expensive, and give a fair bit better performance.

6) If you like the tower, keep it, but there are other options that would be smaller and cheaper.

7) If that's a Corsair CX (I just checked, it is), ditch it. They have some serious issues with bad caps. I suggest Antec's 520w power supply or a Seasonic OEM... I believe XFX has a 550w Seasonic PSU that's quite good, and I love the Seasonic G 550.

8) You don't have to have a optical drive if you don't have games that need it - you can install windows from a USB stick faster than from CD.

9) I personally prefer windows 8 for a number of reasons, including a faster search, better file transfer, FAR better bluetooth support, and the ability to move the OEM key from one computer to another legally and painlessly. It's also slightly cheaper. If you're willing to take a few minutes to set up windows 8.1 so you don't use metro apps, then it's an improved version of windows 7.

10) Why the wifi adapter? You know that any wireless connection is going to be WAY slower and less reliable than a hardwired connection, right? And that guy isn't going to give you a very good connection...
m
0
l
May 4, 2014 7:20:31 PM

DarkSable said:
1) No need to get an i5-4570, since it's just a few tenths of a GHz difference between it and the much cheaper i5-4440.

2) Scrap the z87 motherboard. The only time you need z87 is if you have a "k" CPU and are overclocking. Get an h87 motherboard for about $95 instead. Just as good quality, but without support for overclocking.

3) Good pick on the ram, but you can get Ripjaws X for $7 less if you're trying to shave.

4) Great choice on the hard drive, but I would strongly recommend adding a 120 GB Samsung Evo. I seriously can't give enough love to having an SSD as your primary drive.

5) The r9 280 is actually one of the few of AMD's current lineup that I like - the next step up would be a 7870GHz or GTX 670. If you can find a deal used, they'd only be a few bucks more expensive, and give a fair bit better performance.

6) If you like the tower, keep it, but there are other options that would be smaller and cheaper.

7) If that's a Corsair CX (I just checked, it is), ditch it. They have some serious issues with bad caps. I suggest Antec's 520w power supply or a Seasonic OEM... I believe XFX has a 550w Seasonic PSU that's quite good, and I love the Seasonic G 550.

8) You don't have to have a optical drive if you don't have games that need it - you can install windows from a USB stick faster than from CD.

9) I personally prefer windows 8 for a number of reasons, including a faster search, better file transfer, FAR better bluetooth support, and the ability to move the OEM key from one computer to another legally and painlessly. It's also slightly cheaper. If you're willing to take a few minutes to set up windows 8.1 so you don't use metro apps, then it's an improved version of windows 7.

10) Why the wifi adapter? You know that any wireless connection is going to be WAY slower and less reliable than a hardwired connection, right? And that guy isn't going to give you a very good connection...


I need the wireless because the router is on the other side of the house, and the optical drive might or might not be something I get.
m
0
l
!