Looking for a good budget desktop.

[pinedaleave]

My fiancee is in dire need of a new computer so I'm looking to get her something ASAP!

Budget: $5-600.

Resolution: 1920x1080

Games / Settings Desired: She plays WoW(raiding and all that jazz) and Diablo 3, would prefer the best possible fps for the budget range.

Any other intensive software or special things you do (Frequent video encoding, 3D modeling, etc): She does like to stream WoW from time to time, but that's about it.

Country: USA

Parts that can be reused: Monitor and USB Wireless Network Adapter

Do you need an OS? She's got Windows 7 on the current computer which is dying so I suppose we'd reuse that unless 8.1 is better, can be squeezed in here.

Do you need peripherals (e.g. monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers, etc)?: She needs a USB mouse and keyboard.

Thanks for any help guys/gals/extraterrestrials.

[Rathimis]

PCPartPicker part list

CPU: Intel Core i3-4360 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($154.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-E33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Superclocked Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($32.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $544.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-30 01:44 EDT-0400)

That leaves you $55 for mouse/keyboard.

If you could salvage anything from your old build such as: keyboard, mouse, RAM, optical drive, hell anything... you could bump the processor up to this

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54670

Which puts it at $606

[Mercarcher]

http://www.logicalincrements.com/

Has buyers guide of parts of similar power so you can spend it so one part of your computer won't outshine the rest incuding links on where to buy each part. Best resource for PC builders. Includes every price range between $200 and $3300

[Rathimis]

That site is pretty bad and doesn't consider the application

[Deleted]

i3 setup:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4350 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($144.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI H97M-G43 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($88.99 @ Mac Mall)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($127.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: SteelSeries Apex [RAW] Wired Gaming Keyboard ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Cooler Master CM Storm Xornet Wired Optical Mouse ($20.96 @ NCIX US)
Total: $611.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-30 03:46 EDT-0400)


If you take mouse/keyboard away from the above you can fit an i5 in there.

[Deleted]

H97 doesn't really have anything over H87 or H81/B85 for that matter, depending on the model of course. Other than being more expensive really

[Deleted]

Do we know if they support the new gen i3/i5's tho?

- - - Updated - - -

they said that we might be able to flash the older mobo to support it but personally havent found a 100% answer to this.

[Deleted]

Yes, example:

http://www.gigabyte.com/support-down....aspx?pid=4679

...but some might need a BIOS update which, if you're buying new, might not be easily done. I guess in that event something like the H97 is preferred.

http://www.techpowerup.com/198326/gi...core-cpus.html

[Deleted]

Yes i've read those too, some models will support it, but as you mentioned ain't the easiest thing to do, especially someone that isn't good with pc's. Building a few parts together is one thing, flashing hardware can be tricky.

[Deleted]

Yeah I agree and that's why I looked into it.

[pinedaleave]

How does this look? I can go over the budget listed a bit so any thoughts?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($49.99 @ Mwave)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Superclocked Video Card ($149.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($32.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech K120 Wired Standard Keyboard ($8.99 @ B&H)
Mouse: Logitech G500s Laser Gaming Mouse Wired Laser Mouse ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $695.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-30 11:01 EDT-0400)

[Deleted]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($49.99 @ Mwave)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 270X 2GB PCS+ Video Card ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($32.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech K120 Wired Standard Keyboard ($8.99 @ B&H)
Mouse: Logitech G500s Laser Gaming Mouse Wired Laser Mouse ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $692.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-30 11:07 EDT-0400)

Changed in XFX 550W PSU and R9 270X. 270X trades blows GTX 760 so I'd get it any day over 750 Ti.

[Vermicious]

You might consider gettting an SSD for the boot/OS drive, they can be had pretty cheaply nowadays. Use the HDD from the old computer as your storage assuming it is still functioning.

When you say her old computer is 'dying'... can you be more specific? Sometimes all you need is a HDD wipe and OS reinstall, and the computer runs like new. Too many people replace the whole computer when it's only one part that is defective, or in the case of a 'slow' computer, it just needs a HDD format and OS reinstall.

OR just something as simple as 1) uninstall all old programs you don't need/use, and 2) do a DEEP defrag, and optimize using CCleaner or other similar utility. I like the cleanup/optimize done by Advanced SystemCare (free version).

[pinedaleave]

You might consider gettting an SSD for the boot/OS drive, they can be had pretty cheaply nowadays. Use the HDD from the old computer as your storage assuming it is still functioning.

When you say her old computer is 'dying'... can you be more specific? Sometimes all you need is a HDD wipe and OS reinstall, and the computer runs like new. Too many people replace the whole computer when it's only one part that is defective, or in the case of a 'slow' computer, it just needs a HDD format and OS reinstall.

OR just something as simple as 1) uninstall all old programs you don't need/use, and 2) do a DEEP defrag, and optimize using CCleaner or other similar utility. I like the cleanup/optimize done by Advanced SystemCare (free version).

Her current computer is about 5 years old, her screen flickers when viewing certain images and will eventually turn all black unless she gets rid of said image/page. We leave the computer on because rebooting or turning off/on it will chain blue screen before fully booting so I assume bad ram or something. I've formatted it once and the issue persists and performance has slowly gotten worse over time so I'm just wanting to start fresh for her.

[Deleted]

Here you go!

Add this link to your browser and It shows up correclty:

pcpartpicker.com/user/Tuuchen/saved/sC66Mp

Total: $560.31





EDIT: Would be amazing if PC parts were so cheap here europe, esp. in my country (high taxes).

[Baphomette]

If I were putting together a budget gaming system atm, I'd get something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($119.97 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($71.10 @ Newegg)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($127.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill FBM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft Keyboard 200 Wired Standard Keyboard ($7.99 @ NCIX US)
Mouse: Logitech M500 Wired Laser Mouse ($22.99 @ B&H)
Total: $566.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-30 11:54 EDT-0400)

You people building systems without SSDs in 2014 are crazy.

edit: if I wanted to spend more money, I'd bump the CPU up

[Deleted]

Pinedaleave, did the budget change? Cause i though you said up to around 600?
Anyway if you go up to that you are better server with a i5 4690 and H97. Personally even with 4670 i wouldn't pair it with a 50bucks mobo, but thats just me.

[pinedaleave]

Pinedaleave, did the budget change? Cause i though you said up to around 600?
Anyway if you go up to that you are better server with a i5 4690 and H97. Personally even with 4670 i wouldn't pair it with a 50bucks mobo, but thats just me.

Yes sir, the budget is pretty flexible really. Saving money is always ideal but I can go over the $600.

[Sinyc]

PCPartPicker part list

CPU: Intel Core i3-4360 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($154.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-E33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Superclocked Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($32.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $544.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-30 01:44 EDT-0400)

That leaves you $55 for mouse/keyboard.

If you could salvage anything from your old build such as: keyboard, mouse, RAM, optical drive, hell anything... you could bump the processor up to this

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54670

Which puts it at $606

You left out Windows OS

[Deleted]

snip

Well if you are going to buy an ssd at least buy a reliable one. This one ain't one of them, neither the psu.