Pre-Christmas Desktop sales?

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Batman

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# 136372 25-Nov-2013 11:52

I am looking for the cheapest thing that has/can do

- HDMI out 1080p video (onboard is fine)
- space for at least 3-4 3.5" hard drives
- USB 3
- LAN (pref gigabit)
- Win 7
- Can multitask (pref i5 but that usually cost a lot more ... but hey it's Christmas!)

Does not need monitor (will control it with remote desktop)

So far the best I can find is the AMD ones on trademe but they still cost a fair bit for a bare bone.
Budget $500-999 but as close to $500 as possible

Not sure if I've covered everything but will modify as I discover more ...

Involuntary autocorrect in operation on mobile device. Apologies in advance.

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# 940332 25-Nov-2013 13:29

Hmm $500ish budget you're looking at:

Intel
CPU: $169.00 Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz LGA 1155 55W
Mobo: $105.00 ASUS P8B75-M INTEL B75 DDR3 USB3.0 SATA3 PCI-E3.0
RAM: $59.00 Kingston 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 CL9
Case: $100.00 Generic Case with PSU i.e Cooler Master Elite 361 Mid Tower with 420W
DVD: $45.00 Samsung/Asus/LG/LiteOn 22X SATA Dual Layer DVDRW
HDD: $85.00 500GB Seagate Barracuda/WDigital Blue/Samsung Spinpoint F3 6Gb/s
= $563.00 Total inc gst, ex shipping

AMD
CPU: $155.00 AMD A8-5600K Trinity 3.6GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) Socket FM2 100W Quad-Core
Mobo: $105.00 GIGABYTE GA-F2A55M-DS2 FM2 MOTHERBOARD
RAM: $59.00 Kingston 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 CL9
Case: $100.00 Generic Case with PSU i.e Cooler Master Elite 361 Mid Tower with 420W
DVD: $45.00 Samsung/Asus/LG/LiteOn 22X SATA Dual Layer DVDRW
HDD: $85.00 500GB Seagate Barracuda/WDigital Blue/Samsung Spinpoint F3 6gb/s
= $549.00 Total inc gst, ex shipping

Source:
Default GP $500 to $2000+ PC Build Suggestions
http://www.gpforums.co.nz/thread/302905/?s=

Krishant007

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# 940352 25-Nov-2013 14:04

i have got something very similar to these specs as my current HTPC - but I am looking to sell it.

Here are some of the specs that i can remember off the top of my head:
Core i3 3220
Gigabyte Motherboard
MSI AMD 7770 GPU
1TB HDD
8GB Ram
Dvd RW
Cooler Master Elite case

PM me if you are interested

hashbrown

463 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 940774 26-Nov-2013 06:56

If you're on a budget, have you looked at ex-lease gear?

For around 400-500 you should be able to get something with a decent C2D or an i5. The downside will be fitting everything in as they are mostly SFF. You'll probably fill any available slots getttng HDMI and USB 3.0 cards in, and move some drives to an external e-sata/usb3 enclosure.

e.g. http://www.nzlaptops.co.nz/Product.aspx?ID=9166

Batman

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# 940782 26-Nov-2013 07:06

thanks, ii have.

but they tend to be lacking in a few things that makes life just that bit more of a hassle - no hdmi, need graphics card, no usb 3, short of drive bays, probably a lot slower too

Involuntary autocorrect in operation on mobile device. Apologies in advance.

browned

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Ultimate Geek

# 940827 26-Nov-2013 09:10

Those GP forum options are good.

I would change the AMD CPU for a
- AMD A6-6400K Black Edition 3.9 GHz, Socket FM2, 65W Richland $109.
- GA-F2A88XM-DS2 motherboard with USB3 $119 @ ascent.co.nz

That should still sit in the $500 range but have USB3 and a better APU that uses less power.

Batman

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# 940857 26-Nov-2013 09:56

which sites should i plug in the components to check out the build price?

i'd try maybe 3 and see which gives the best price :D

Involuntary autocorrect in operation on mobile device. Apologies in advance.

CapBBeard

202 posts

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# 940864 26-Nov-2013 10:11

joker97: which sites should i plug in the components to check out the build price?

i'd try maybe 3 and see which gives the best price :D

My goto sites are:

Computer Lounge www.computerlounge.co.nz
Ascent www.ascent.co.nz
Playtech www.playtech.co.nz

They aren't always the absolute sharpest on price but all three will look after you both before and after the sale.

Batman

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# 940904 26-Nov-2013 10:59

thanks very much

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Batman

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# 940912 26-Nov-2013 11:11

it appears computerlounge does not let me configure amd systems?

what is the best optimum haswell equivalent? (is celeron/pentium/i3 any different? i know i5 has hyperthreading ... is that right?)

thanks

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TwoSeven

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# 940939 26-Nov-2013 11:54

If you want to just run numbers, I can suggest going to ascent.co.nz and using their PC builder facility.

Also, if you are looking at a small system I would recommend using Micro-Atx mainboards (not mini-itx). They are basically fully functioned mainboards but limited in expansion slots (not required for HTPC) and are around the $100-150 mark. The one I use has built in WiFi, Bluetooth and Gigabit Ethernet.

Roughly, it comes down to CPU, Memory, Mainboard, Storage, Case, PSU, OS License.

If you use a halswell chipset (intel) and windows 8.1 pro you get WiDi support which means you can output to another monitor wirelessly (such as a TV) - there is another thread on here where people talk about how to do this.

If you are not planning on installing many applications, I would also look at using an SSD (or Micro SSD) - one assumes that your video library will be elsewhere on the network.

Also, I would consider looking at a Core i5 rather than an I3 if you are looking at HD content.

Software Engineer

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# 941042 26-Nov-2013 13:25

Ragnor: Hmm $500ish budget you're looking at:

AMD
CPU: $155.00 AMD A8-5600K Trinity 3.6GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) Socket FM2 100W Quad-Core
Mobo: $105.00 GIGABYTE GA-F2A55M-DS2 FM2 MOTHERBOARD
RAM: $59.00 Kingston 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 CL9
Case: $100.00 Generic Case with PSU i.e Cooler Master Elite 361 Mid Tower with 420W
DVD: $45.00 Samsung/Asus/LG/LiteOn 22X SATA Dual Layer DVDRW
HDD: $85.00 500GB Seagate Barracuda/WDigital Blue/Samsung Spinpoint F3 6gb/s
= $549.00 Total inc gst, ex shipping

Source:
Default GP $500 to $2000+ PC Build Suggestions
http://www.gpforums.co.nz/thread/302905/?s=

^ This

however use 2x2 GB DDR1666 or 2x4GB DDR1666. Using a single slot 1333 will gimp the iGPU. That system will only have USB3.0 via the rear ports, unlikely to get USB3.0 on a $100 case so you the front usb ports would only be USB 2.0 (however the rear ports would be usb 3)

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

Batman

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# 941097 26-Nov-2013 14:56

thanks. what about the i5 compared to the AMD A8-5600K Trinity ?

what are the benefits? thanks so much. i am guessing the i5 will cost a lot more ...

Involuntary autocorrect in operation on mobile device. Apologies in advance.

hashbrown

463 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 941099 26-Nov-2013 15:00

kiwijunglist:
Ragnor: Hmm $500ish budget you're looking at:

AMD
CPU: $155.00 AMD A8-5600K Trinity 3.6GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) Socket FM2 100W Quad-Core
Mobo: $105.00 GIGABYTE GA-F2A55M-DS2 FM2 MOTHERBOARD
RAM: $59.00 Kingston 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 CL9
Case: $100.00 Generic Case with PSU i.e Cooler Master Elite 361 Mid Tower with 420W
DVD: $45.00 Samsung/Asus/LG/LiteOn 22X SATA Dual Layer DVDRW
HDD: $85.00 500GB Seagate Barracuda/WDigital Blue/Samsung Spinpoint F3 6gb/s
= $549.00 Total inc gst, ex shipping

Source:
Default GP $500 to $2000+ PC Build Suggestions
http://www.gpforums.co.nz/thread/302905/?s=

^ This

however use 2x2 GB DDR1666 or 2x4GB DDR1666. Using a single slot 1333 will gimp the iGPU. That system will only have USB3.0 via the rear ports, unlikely to get USB3.0 on a $100 case so you the front usb ports would only be USB 2.0 (however the rear ports would be usb 3)

I love it how some people never include the cost of the OS license. Pure forgetfulness I'm sure ;)

sonyxperiageek

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# 941127 26-Nov-2013 15:35

CapBBeard:
joker97: which sites should i plug in the components to check out the build price?

i'd try maybe 3 and see which gives the best price :D

My goto sites are:

Computer Lounge www.computerlounge.co.nz
Ascent www.ascent.co.nz
Playtech www.playtech.co.nz

They aren't always the absolute sharpest on price but all three will look after you both before and after the sale.

PB Tech (www.pbtech.co.nz) are also pretty good..

Sony

NZ TechBlog | Follow me on Twitter | My Geekzone blog |

Batman

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# 941156 26-Nov-2013 16:40

some dumb questions after sneaking into those sites during work ...

1) the cheap cases say no front usb 3 but doesn't actually say there is rear usb 3 - is that a given?
2) can a mini atx mobo fit mini itx
3) do the trinity/richland in general use less power than the i3/i5?
4) will the haswell/ivy bridge i3s be good enough for 1080p video?

Involuntary autocorrect in operation on mobile device. Apologies in advance.

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