New Build to replace 8 year old rig

Z

Zallek

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jan 12, 2004
Messages
449
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Primarily gaming, but my wife and I will also edit large amounts of photos in Lightroom.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
I was hoping for the $1500 (CND) mark, but I want to replace everything as to have two stand alone systems. $1700 including shipping and taxes, although local pickup is an option for most things.

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.

Alberta, Canada. I will be purchasing from MemoryExpress here in Edmonton, but I will take prices from other sources as well due to their outstanding price matching in the past.
For things they do not carry, my second option is NCIX - after that I have zero preference.

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
CPU, RAM, GPU, Mobo, PSU (May reuse Corsair TX750), HDD/SSD, Keyboard (May reuse Logitech G15), Mouse, Fans, Thermal Compound, and a Case.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Will be requiring all new parts other than a display. Possibly PSU and Keyboard.

6) Will you be overclocking?
No

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
1920x1080 @ 24"

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Approximently 4 weeks from today.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
RAID options, do not require SLi or Crossfire, USB 3, m-Sata would be nice but not sure about availability yet.
mATX form factor (or mITX if can be achieved for less) would be prefered. Although I would entertain a full size ATX solution and would pick up a CM 690 III

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
I do not require an OS.


PCHound doesnt work on my work computer, so the following links is supplied via PCPart Picker;

-Edit-
Revised i5 Build
-End of Edit-

Core i5-4460 Base (mATX)
FX-8230 Base (ATX)
Core i3-4160 Base(ATX)

The builds above are what I've determined as applicable, but would like clarification if I can cut costs somewhere to achieve my $1500 budget mark.

I greatly appreciate the feedback I get from the [H]ard folks, so thanks once again!
 
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Remember MemoryExpress will beat any Canadian online competitor as long as the product is exactly the same, I've used that a few times.

I would stay away from the FX-series, those chips are really outdated now and run very hot. I'd also get a quad-core if I were you because games are starting to require them. The i5 option you posted looks out to me, except the power supply, which I just don't know if it's any good or not.

I think you might be able to save some cash on the video card if you look around for sales. Either that or maybe find a cheap 290x.

I also, personally would prefer a mechanical keyboard over the Razer DeathStalker, like the Razer BlackWidow (which I actually own). Disregard if you prefer dome keys.
 
Honestly, the keyboard choice was because I wanted to try something other than my trusty Logitech, and the green looked killer in store imo. Although my color scheme is black/red... But anyways.

I could hold off on the keyboard purchase to make room for the more expensive mechanical/backlit one if theres enough cause. I've never used a mechanical board before.

The prices on the 280x's looked as though they have risen quite a bit recently.. I was originally looking at a GTX 960 but have heard terrible reviews. Is there anything from nVidia that would compete price wise with the above 280x? The 290x's I've seen are in the GTX 970 price range and would rather cap video card cost to roughly $350 at the high end.

I would prefer the i5 over the i3, simply for my photo editing and transcoding, it was mostly there for comparison of what I think I can live with. The FX was tempting before but like you said, are out dated and hot.

As for the PSU, I've got a corsair....TX750 in my current rig and it hasnt shown any signs of age. I may reuse it and buy a lower wattage one at a later date for my old rig to keep it up if need be as well.

I'll edit my original post to detail the PSU and keyboard resuage.
 
Do not know Canadian memory prices, seems high for 1600 memory, Crucial or GSkill are often less in USA.
newegg shellshocker GSkill Ares $100 2x8 = 16 GB reg $130.
Build quality in low end Corsair power supplies seems poor (capacitor choices particularly).
Try XFX or Seasonic.
My go to in USA newegg on sale Rosewill Capstone power supplies (Super Flower platform).
 
Unfortunately, memory in Canada seems to be stuck at $100/8gb regardless of brand - thats what I've noticed over the last 2 years of browsing when I thought I could make a new rig lol
Is it worth working towards 16gb of ram? I don't feel like I've ever come close to using my current 8gb of DDR2, so its sort of my cash cut at the moment. I could get 1 8gb stick instead for instance at the moment.

I am unsure as to whether the Corsair CX is a low end product or not, I'll scratch it off and reuse my TX for the time being. I just wanted at least a semi modular since my TX is not. I'll look into XFX and Seasonic as well.

-EDIT-

Hmm, G.Skill is definitely cheaper.. I must have overlooked that. Is there a notable difference between Ripjaws, Ripjaws X and the Sniper series? 16gb can be had for $140 or so.
 
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Heres the adjusted i5 build, reusing the psu and keyboard until a later date. Anything worth changing? Better bang for buck gpu?

Is there a $100 value between the r9 280 and the r9 280x? Figured I'd look down a bit and found an MSI for $229. I was trying to stick in the 280x range as its slightly faster than the gtx 960 I was originally looking at, which is the same series as my gtx 260.. I just don't want to buy a GT style card, and I haven't been in the red corner since my 9800Pro.

Revised i5 build
 
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Zallek said:
Heres the adjusted i5 build, reusing the psu and keyboard until a later date. Anything worth changing? Better bang for buck gpu?
Click to expand...
Well how old is your TX750? I ask because this recent HardOCP article shows that it is possible for even high quality PSUs to degrade relatively badly over an extended period of time and use:
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2015..._1000w_power_supply_7_year_redux#.VP5uPvnF9Aw

So you might be looking at a new PSU there.

You're not overclocking so no point in getting that MSI mobo. You'll be fine with this cheaper motherboard:
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gaz97mxgaming5

Ditch the AS5: The stock thermal paste will do the job just fine. Besides there are significantly better thermal pastes out there anyway.

Ditch the slow Green drive and get a faster WD Red 3TB drive or a Seagate 3TB drive.

You're going a bit overkill with the fans there. Especially since there's a good chance that you may have to get a new PSU. DO you really need Red LED fans?

As for the video card....
Zallek said:
Is there a $100 value between the r9 280 and the r9 280x?
Click to expand...
Nope.
 
Wondering if the Z97 board is really necessary for your purposes. How about a H97 mobo? You're not overclocking or using more than one GPU, so may as well drop down to a H97 board and push the difference toward your GPU budget.
 
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I've been meaning to respond, but I got a little busy. I bought everything with a few changes mostly due to my wife having a few other requirements.

[PCPartPicker part list](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/FrFzsY) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/FrFzsY/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i34160) | $152.23 @ Memory Express
**CPU Cooler** | [Corsair H75 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-cpu-cooler-cw9060015ww) | $104.98 @ Memory Express
**Motherboard** | [Asus H97I-PLUS Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-h97iplus) | $141.73 @ Memory Express
**Memory** | [Kingston Fury Black Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/kingston-memory-hx318c10fbk216) | $178.48 @ Memory Express
**Storage** | [Samsung 840 EVO 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7te500bw) | $272.98 @ Memory Express
**Storage** | [Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st3000dm001) | $131.23 @ Memory Express
**Video Card** | [MSI Radeon R9 270X 2GB Video Card](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-r9270xgaming2gitx) |-
**Case** | [Cooler Master Elite 110 Mini ITX Tower Case](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-case-rc110kkn2) | $62.98 @ Memory Express
**Power Supply** | [Corsair CSM 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cs650m) | $115.48 @ Memory Express
**Wireless Network Adapter** | [Intel 7260 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Mini-PCI-Express Wi-Fi Adapter](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-wireless-network-card-7260hmwwbr) | $31.48 @ Memory Express
**Monitor** | [LG 24MP55HQ-P 60Hz 23.8" Monitor](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/lg-monitor-24mp55hqp) | $188.98 @ Memory Express
**Mouse** | [Logitech G700s Wireless Laser Mouse](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/logitech-mouse-910003584) | $94.48 @ Memory Express
| *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |
| **Total** | **$1475.03**
| Generated by [PCPartPicker](http://pcpartpicker.com) 2015-03-16 19:58 EDT-0400 |

The monitor I included is similar but is a 24MP56 model instead.

I haven't used it yet... Assembled it last night and the GPU was DOA, so I grabbed a new one today. Hopefully it doesn't go 2 for 2 otherwise there's a different problem.

Thanks again for the input guys, much appreciated.
 
That setup has a few issues:
1) That PSU isn't that good as the HardOCP review of its 550W brother shows:
http://m.hardocp.com/article/2014/01/15/corsair_cs550m_550w_power_supply_review/#.VPzigMUifa

Note that it performed worse than the old TX-M which did worse than the original TX.In other words, your current TX750 is better than that CSM650. I recommend getting another PSU from Seasonic (Specifically the SSR-550RM), XFX or Corsair's HX or AX line or Antec's HCG line.

2) Why that HSF?
 
I picked the PSU because I've only ever used corsair for as long as I can remember, and it appears to be functioning well so far with my abuse.
The AIO cooler I picked because I knew it would fit, and because a 140mm wouldn't. I read a few reviews and it seemed to fair decent. It was also readily available. Shipping in Canada isn't as luxurious as in the states, we end up paying out the ass on shipping.

The only thing I would change at this point, is I should have gave the 750Ti a shot first. The noise that r9 puts out is much louder than my old GTX 260, but performs great for my uses.

Overall I'm glad I finally made my purchase, the next upgrade will be easier if I just stay in the loop this time!

Again thanks for everyone's advice.
 
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