PC Purchase ~$2000

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Hganavak

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Topic # 115413 25-Mar-2013 14:44

Hi guys,

My parents have offered to shout me a new PC for my 21st in two weeks for around ~$2000. I would like something that will continue to be upgrade-able and will remain good for the next few years to come.

I'm a pretty heavy gamer, and would like to be able to continue to play new games on full settings. I've been in contact with Computer Lounge, and here's what they've offered me for $2009:

Intel Core i5 3570K Ivy Bridge 3.40GHz 6MB 95W LGA1155
ASUS P8Z77-V LX Intel Z77 ATX Ivy Bridge Socket 1155
Mushkin BlacklineFrostByte 997055 16GB(2x8GB) DDR3-1600
Samsung 840 Series 120GB SATA3 SSD (MZ-7TD120BW)
Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001 2TB 64MB SATA3
Gigabyte GV-N670OC-2GD GeForce GTX670 OC 2GB
NZXT Phantom 410 Crafted Mid Tower Chassis Black/Orange
Seasonic G-550 550W 80Plus Gold Power Supply 1
Standard Hardware Installation + 2yr RTB Warranty + OS Config

I'm ready to go ahead with this purchase (and probably going to buy a couple of these while I'm at it (out of my own pocket) http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=17768 while I'm at it too.

However I really have a very limited knowledge of computer hardware, and have no idea if the above will do what I want it to, and if it is good value for money.

I would really appreciate any advice you guys could give me!

Cheers

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Reply # 786692 25-Mar-2013 14:48

strongly suggest upping the 120GB SSD to at least 240GB.

I purchased a 120GB (a couple years ago when they were more expensive), and I often full it, even with another 2TB hdd in the computer.

Krishant007

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Reply # 786697 25-Mar-2013 15:01

Good strong build. good specs overall. I am running something very similar to what is there (except i have a lower powered GPU).

I was looking at those exact screens as well. But I went with this one:

http://accessories.ap.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=nz&cs=nzbsd1&l=en&s=bsd&sku=210-40773&redirect=1

Bigger is better indeed. But for me, I do a lot of media stuff, and I am an amatuer photographer so I would prefer one larger screen - I also have a smaller 23 inch monitor as well right next to it.

But ya, one larger screen is much better than 2 smaller screens. I have gamed on it as well - i play L4D2 and COD and it is absolutely amazing. Reckon if you can gather the funds, try to go for a 27inch IPS high res monitor. This particular model, I got mine when it was on 30% off sale so i grabbed it for 736 bucks delivered!

If you can wait for the sale, it usually comes around every 6 weeks or so.

Other than the monitor, the specs of your machine look good.

Oh just a note, if you are not planning to overclock your PC (i dont recommend doing it if you are not very comfortable with it), then you can ask them to give you the i5 3570 CPU instead of the 3570K. The K means you can overclock. Should save you some bucks and you can put it towards getting an awesome keyboard, mouse and headset for your gaming!

Happy birthday!!

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Hganavak

13 posts

Geek

Reply # 786701 25-Mar-2013 15:07

reven: strongly suggest upping the 120GB SSD to at least 240GB.

I purchased a 120GB (a couple years ago when they were more expensive), and I often full it, even with another 2TB hdd in the computer.

Hi reven, I've never uesd a SSD before, but I was under the impression that it was just used for files you access frequently, e.g. the OS, Browser, and a game or two?

Hganavak

13 posts

Geek

Reply # 786706 25-Mar-2013 15:12

Krishant007: Good strong build. good specs overall. I am running something very similar to what is there (except i have a lower powered GPU).

I was looking at those exact screens as well. But I went with this one:

http://accessories.ap.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=nz&cs=nzbsd1&l=en&s=bsd&sku=210-40773&redirect=1

Bigger is better indeed. But for me, I do a lot of media stuff, and I am an amatuer photographer so I would prefer one larger screen - I also have a smaller 23 inch monitor as well right next to it.

But ya, one larger screen is much better than 2 smaller screens. I have gamed on it as well - i play L4D2 and COD and it is absolutely amazing. Reckon if you can gather the funds, try to go for a 27inch IPS high res monitor. This particular model, I got mine when it was on 30% off sale so i grabbed it for 736 bucks delivered!

If you can wait for the sale, it usually comes around every 6 weeks or so.

Other than the monitor, the specs of your machine look good.

Oh just a note, if you are not planning to overclock your PC (i dont recommend doing it if you are not very comfortable with it), then you can ask them to give you the i5 3570 CPU instead of the 3570K. The K means you can overclock. Should save you some bucks and you can put it towards getting an awesome keyboard, mouse and headset for your gaming!

Happy birthday!!

Hi Krishant007, that monitor's beautiful! I'm a computer programmer though, so I wanted the dual monitor setup because I often have lots of files/APIs etc open at one time.

I'll take it your responses indicate that the build would do what I'm after?

Cheers and thanks for the happy birthday wishes! :D

reven

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Reply # 786709 25-Mar-2013 15:17

Hganavak:
reven: strongly suggest upping the 120GB SSD to at least 240GB.

I purchased a 120GB (a couple years ago when they were more expensive), and I often full it, even with another 2TB hdd in the computer.

Hi reven, I've never uesd a SSD before, but I was under the impression that it was just used for files you access frequently, e.g. the OS, Browser, and a game or two?

it is, but for the price difference the speed is a huge bonus. for example i would install apps/games to the main SSD if I could. also for things like ripping dvds/bluray etc the speed improvement is huge.

replacing a OS HDD can be a PITA, so I would go for something a little bigger.

Krishant007

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Reply # 786710 25-Mar-2013 15:18

Hganavak:
Hi Krishant007, that monitor's beautiful! I'm a computer programmer though, so I wanted the dual monitor setup because I often have lots of files/APIs etc open at one time.

I'll take it your responses indicate that the build would do what I'm after?

Yup, I am a programmer too (hence the 23 inch monitor on the side :D). But as said, my main purpose was media consumption thats why i thought i should put in more money to get one large screen and one small screen instead of 2 smaller screens. But being a programmer, you are right that 2 monitors are indeed better than 1!

Yup, the build is good for what you intend to do with it.

For the SSD, I am personally running a 120gb SSD - actually the same one, in my computer. I have installed the Operating system and the key software that I use everyday on it. All of my Steam Games and my data files, I have it in my 2TB harddrive. That is one way of using the SSD, installing the OS on it.

The other way is to use Intels Rapid Store technology - which is very very similar to Apple's Fushion drive technology where the Intel Software will shift your frequently used files to the SSD. Apple has done this quite well. Have a google and read about it to get more of an understanding.

blair003

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Reply # 786711 25-Mar-2013 15:19

Hganavak:
reven: strongly suggest upping the 120GB SSD to at least 240GB.

I purchased a 120GB (a couple years ago when they were more expensive), and I often full it, even with another 2TB hdd in the computer.

Hi reven, I've never uesd a SSD before, but I was under the impression that it was just used for files you access frequently, e.g. the OS, Browser, and a game or two?

That's pretty much true in my opinion. As long as your OS+installed programs and games fit on it easily, you can chuck all your data on the 2TB drive.

The only problem is the OS and user profile etc can end up taking quite a bit of space, and depending on how much software you install that can take up a bit as well.

You should perhaps take a look at what you are using now, and of that space, how much would you be able to move to your second 2TB drive?

Hganavak

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Reply # 786722 25-Mar-2013 15:48

reven:
Hganavak:
reven: strongly suggest upping the 120GB SSD to at least 240GB.

I purchased a 120GB (a couple years ago when they were more expensive), and I often full it, even with another 2TB hdd in the computer.

Hi reven, I've never uesd a SSD before, but I was under the impression that it was just used for files you access frequently, e.g. the OS, Browser, and a game or two?

it is, but for the price difference the speed is a huge bonus. for example i would install apps/games to the main SSD if I could. also for things like ripping dvds/bluray etc the speed improvement is huge.

replacing a OS HDD can be a PITA, so I would go for something a little bigger.

Replacing a OS HDD? Not sure what you mean sorry!

Shouldn't an OS (Even Win 8 pro) + a few select apps fit comfortably on that? And when installing modifications you can simply specify to have them installed on your 2TB HDD?

I actually have no idea how much space newer OS take up come to think about it.

Krishant007

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Reply # 786725 25-Mar-2013 15:54

Replacing a OS HDD? Not sure what you mean sorry!

Shouldn't an OS (Even Win 8 pro) + a few select apps fit comfortably on that? And when installing modifications you can simply specify to have them installed on your 2TB HDD?

I actually have no idea how much space newer OS take up come to think about it.

Win8 takes about 10-15GB.

I am running a 120gb ssd - I have about 50gb free on it so far.

Most of the space is indeed the OS, user profiles. I have put quite a bit of software - not games, on it. Games I have all installed on the Hard drive. Games take up about 10gb+ so dont expect to have more than 2-3 games on the SSD.

I do see the appeal of a larger SSD. Again, its a price trade off.

reven

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Reply # 786728 25-Mar-2013 15:58

Hganavak:
Replacing a OS HDD? Not sure what you mean sorry!

I mean in a couple of years upgrading your now full 120GB SSD drive with a larger one. It's not that difficult, but can be a difficult if you haven't done it before.

Hganavak:
Shouldn't an OS (Even Win 8 pro) + a few select apps fit comfortably on that? And when installing modifications you can simply specify to have them installed on your 2TB HDD?

I actually have no idea how much space newer OS take up come to think about it.

120GB wouldn't fit everything comfortably, they should fit, but you may be left with 20GB left over, and get to the point where installing an update for 1 game requires more HDD space than you have, so you have to first move the game to the second HDD before you can download the update.

if you want 120GB buy 120GB. 240GB+ is just something to think about.

shrub

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Reply # 786730 25-Mar-2013 16:04

I've just ordered very similar computer wainting for delivery now and i chose the amd 7950 and went for a i7 3770. The ssd might be alright if you move the user profiles to the HDD so all the main data stays on the ssd and the junk/downloads goto the hdd.

Krishant007

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Reply # 786737 25-Mar-2013 16:10

shrub: I've just ordered very similar computer wainting for delivery now and i chose the amd 7950 and went for a i7 3770. The ssd might be alright if you move the user profiles to the HDD so all the main data stays on the ssd and the junk/downloads goto the hdd.

I just changed the location of all the libraries to folders on my Data drive. I also changed the default download location to a folder on my data drive. I think thats how i kept my ssd consumption low.

timmmay

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Reply # 786776 25-Mar-2013 16:48

IMHO a 120GB SSD is enough for most people. W7-64 + apps (office, photoshop, photography programs, a few development tools, iTunes library but not all the media) takes 40GB, not including swap space. Keep your bulk data on another drive. I have a 60GB and a 120GB SSD, the 120GB was for data but it's mostly empty.

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khull

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Reply # 786781 25-Mar-2013 16:59

Big no to a 120gb SSD especially for heavy gaming

1080p

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Reply # 786785 25-Mar-2013 17:23

I'm running a 80GB SSD in my main workstation and have no issues. I run Windows 7 and used to play a lot of BF3, Diablo, and Steam ofc. I never had any issues with space and could easily do just as well with a 60GB SSD.

The trick is to keep items like photographs, video and other large files on a different HDD. I have a RAID 1 (2x 2TB) configuration in case one of the drives dies on me.

Personally, I'd up your processor to the i7 and stick with stock Intel kit (motherboard, SSD, etc...) as they are the most reliable in my experience. The RAM could go to 32GB if you're potentially going to run several VMs (unsure what sort of programming you do) and I think the case should be from Fractal Design. Check out the Define R3 as a good option. That is just my opinion, of course. :)

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