I need a new desktop

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blackjack17

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#189032 14-Dec-2015 20:08

My gaming desktop of 7 years has just died, my guess is the motherboard. In it's day it was top of the line, i don't need anything like that anymore. I haven't been following the updates and haven't really played any pc games in the past 5 years.

What I do need is something that will drive two 1080p 24 inch screens, handle a number of torrents, play rpgs (fallout 4 diablo 3 etc) if i ever get a chance to play them again (I have a 2 year old), but most of all handle a large number of office documents.

I have no problem putting it together but just not sure what I want.

240 ssd drive
8gig ddr3 ram
motherboard?
cpu?
Graphics card?

I don't really have a budget but need to keep it under $1000 I already have a psu and case.

suggestions?

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Jase2985

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#1450323 14-Dec-2015 20:21

what do you have that you can use again?

blackjack17

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#1450325 14-Dec-2015 20:28

power supply and case, every thing else is too old (ddr2 ram, video card)

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Jase2985

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#1450328 14-Dec-2015 20:37

http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/components/motherboards/intel/auction-995054151.htm

something like that, could probably get similar bits to that and get them a little cheaper through other suppliers

~$140 for a 240gb SSD, and that leaves about 260 for a gfx card which wont get you much these days probably looking at about $300+ for a low spec 900 series nvidia card

jhsol

102 posts

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#1451126 15-Dec-2015 20:24

blackjack17: My gaming desktop of 7 years has just died, my guess is the motherboard. In it's day it was top of the line, i don't need anything like that anymore. I haven't been following the updates and haven't really played any pc games in the past 5 years.

What I do need is something that will drive two 1080p 24 inch screens, handle a number of torrents, play rpgs (fallout 4 diablo 3 etc) if i ever get a chance to play them again (I have a 2 year old), but most of all handle a large number of office documents.

I have no problem putting it together but just not sure what I want.

240 ssd drive
8gig ddr3 ram
motherboard?
cpu?
Graphics card?

I don't really have a budget but need to keep it under $1000 I already have a psu and case.

suggestions?

AMD
Mobo M5A970 ASUS @ $179 http://playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=261/ID=21018/SID=586318185/productdetails.html
RAM DDR3 2x 4GB @ $99 http://playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=254/ID=20877/SID=443972214/productdetails.html
FX6300 @ $179 http://playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=696/ID=19285/SID=244862891/productdetails.html
OR FX8320 @ $249 http://playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=696/ID=19284/SID=244862891/productdetails.html

Intel
Mobo Asus H170 @189 http://playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=1296/ID=26496/SID=270845325/productdetails.html
I3 6300 @ $219 http://playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=375/ID=26697/SID=745020713/productdetails.html
Ram 2x 4GB DDR4 @ $129 http://playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=1291/ID=26739/SID=740318512/productdetails.html

Or if you are wanting another computer to last you 7 years like your previous one the I5 6600K is on special
I5 6600k @ $385 http://playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=375/ID=26116/SID=325174342/productdetails.html
Z170 Asus Mobo @ $219 http://playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=1296/ID=26125/SID=966147194/productdetails.html
will give you a kick @ss system for the next 3-4 years. Only valid whilst on special, otherwise pair an i5-6400 ($329) with the H170 Mobo and youre good to go.

240GB Kingston V300 @ $129 (great price for an entry level SSD). http://playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=238/ID=20587/SID=352833847/productdetails.html
Otherwise a Samsung 850 240GB @ $168 http://playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=238/ID=24922/SID=950921415/productdetails.html (much faster write speeds than the Kingston)

Nvidia GTX960 @ $389 http://playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=1198/ID=25331/SID=745055636/productdetails.html
or AMD R9 380 @ $358 (special not in stock at playtech but orderable, $364 if ordered from ascent, in stock) http://playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=960/ID=25835/SID=125413623/productdetails.html

So keeping in budget would see an AMD FX8320+Mobo & Ram, Kingston SSD & R9 380 for $1014.
The i3 Intel build will set you back $1024 with the R9 380.
If however you want to have a PC that lasted 7 years like your previous one then the I5-6600k + Z170 is your best bet. This sets you back $1220 with the R9 380.

Personally, id save up the extra $200 and get the i5. The AMD Chipset, and CPU is pushing 3 years old. They have a new architecture coming out next year which will make your build look even more old.
The Intel Skylake however is already cutting edge. Faster single/multi threaded performance along with the ability to overclock this CPU (most users getting to around the 4.5Ghz mark) you will be towards the top of the pack straight out of the gate.

All 3 builds will handle your torrents, webpages, office documents and RPG needs as necessary. Keep an eye out on specials though.

timmmay

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#1451166 15-Dec-2015 21:06

I wouldn't spec a machine to last 7 years, pay half as much and get one that lasts 3 years, then in 3 years pay the same again and get a midrange machine of the time.

You should see if the i3 processors and the built in graphics will do what you need - I have no idea about gaming. Or just get built in graphics and get a graphics card if you ever have time to play, why spend the money if you don't need to. Also, buy the cheapest motherboard in a good brand that does what you need.

jhsol

102 posts

Master Geek

#1451263 16-Dec-2015 07:32

timmmay: I wouldn't spec a machine to last 7 years, pay half as much and get one that lasts 3 years, then in 3 years pay the same again and get a midrange machine of the time.

You should see if the i3 processors and the built in graphics will do what you need - I have no idea about gaming. Or just get built in graphics and get a graphics card if you ever have time to play, why spend the money if you don't need to. Also, buy the cheapest motherboard in a good brand that does what you need.

Id just add that the quotes above are for a mid range machine components. Double the price and you get better components, faster gfx cards and an i7 build and a top of the range machine. If Blackjack needs to shave off money then dropping the graphics card will save $350 but this makes playing games (at an enjoyable rate) impossible. Going for a cheaper discrete card will work as well but for the price of the R9 380 you get a card that will play all current gen games @ 1080p on full settings.

So his budget of $1000 will build him a computer that will last the next 2-3 years (either AMD or Intel i3). However for an additional 20% on top of his original budget he gains a computer that will increase the longevity of his Mobo,Ram and CPU to 4-5 years. Money well invested if you ask me.

But yea all parts listed above are either the cheapest (H170 Mobo, Kingston SSD, Ram) or the cheapest "decent" part (ie the i3, FX6300, FX8320 or either of the Gfx cards). All parts are from reputable brands as well (Asus, Kingston, Intel, AMD etc).

blackjack17

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#1457270 26-Dec-2015 07:05

Thanks for all the replies so far, after further discussion with my wife, I was thinking it might be best just to get a desktop and the money I save on getting a lower speced device saved up for an xbox.

Is something like this a good deal? $490

http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=KITPB21200&qr=ec_

INTEL CORE I5 6400 2.7GHZ QUAD Core/
Gigabyte H110 mATX Motherboard /
8GB DDR4-2133 RAM

I can throw in a 250gig ssd

To get dual screens (no gamining) can I just throw in a cheap video card or would that slow the whole system down

something like this $67

http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=VGASAP8230&name=Sapphire-R5-230-1G-DDR3-PCI-E-Video-card---HDMI-+-

Sapphire R5 230 1G DDR3 PCI-E Video card , HDMI + DVI+ VGA , Fanless Heatsink

cheers

James

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Jase2985

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#1457276 26-Dec-2015 07:40

if you dont want to game just use the onboard displays

blackjack17

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#1457277 26-Dec-2015 07:42

Jase2985: if you dont want to game just use the onboard displays

Can you output through both the hdmi and dvi ports on a motherboard?

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Jase2985

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#1457280 26-Dec-2015 07:55

i believe you can if the motherboard supports it, that motherboard only has DVI and DSub

the onboard graphics are more powerful than the card you listed

blackjack17

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#1457283 26-Dec-2015 08:08

It also has display port I think and you can get adaptors from display port to dvi right?

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blackjack17

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#1457289 26-Dec-2015 08:47

I see it can support two displays

Integrated Graphics Processor - Intel® HD Graphics support:
1 x D-Sub port, supporting a maximum resolution of 1920x1200@60 Hz
1 x DVI-D port, supporting a maximum resolution of 1920x1200@60 Hz
* The DVI-D port does not support D-Sub connection by adapter.
1 x HDMI port, supporting a maximum resolution of 4096x2160@24 Hz
* Support for HDMI 1.4 version.
Support for up to 2 displays at the same time
Maximum shared memory of 512 MB

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michaelmurfy

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#1457291 26-Dec-2015 08:48

blackjack17: It also has display port I think and you can get adaptors from display port to dvi right?

Yes - I would never install a cheap GPU only because performance is often worse than the onboard Intel graphics. Something else to look at is your power supply (if it is good enough) and for this build I'd recommend at-least a 450w PSU. I believe the Intel graphics on this motherboard is fine for running up-to 3 displays at 1080p.

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