Hello, i'm thinking of buying a pre built desktop pc for around the $300-400 mark. I'm hoping to be able to play a few game on it as well and hooking it up to my led lcd moniter. So can someone please help to find a desktop in this range.
thanks in advance :D
i already have the os but will add a D-Link DIR-632 Wireless-N300 with 8 Port Router for $39 so i can connect to my wireless network, also i'm think of getting this one: Intel Core i3-3225, is it any good? (idk anything about pc's :D)
thanks a lot of the help Bruce !!! :D
The i3 is a great CPU, but the video card in that is not as fast as the A8, so that will work much better for games. Still don't expect to play the big modern titles with this.
Here's an AMD system with built in APU graphics. Also includes equivalent Intel parts, if you wish to go the Intel route.
Prices derived from MSY's Parts.PDF
CPU A6-5400K $72 | Alternative Ivy Bridge G2120 $75
Motherboard AsRock FM2A55M-DGS $62 | Alternative AsRock B75M-DGS $59
Memory 8G Kit 1600mhz any brand $60
HDD Seagate SATA3 500G $57
Case and PSU combo Thermaltake V4 USB 3.0 $75
+$70 build fee
$0 No Windows
$396 dollars
So for just under $400, you can prebuild an AMD system which is capable of light gaming, or get an Intel system that has better CPU performance, but worse at graphics.
Never buy the "Value Packs" from MSY. A lot of horror stories about the SHAW PSU's and their reliability (or lack thereof)
is there much difference between 1600mhz and 1333mhz RAM? Is 1600 mhz worth the extra?
There isn't much difference, but often the extra cost is hardly anything anyway.
I always go for 1600mhz RAM regardless of the build, simply because the price increase is so tiny it's pretty much negligable.
The AMD's integrated graphics has a slight advantage when it's paired with 1600mhz RAM compared to 1333mhz ones.
Hi, Skyald.
Recently I bought a Msi desktop computer from Big W in Melbourne with LCD screen just under $400.00 . A wonderful and beautiful one.Easy to instal too. See the reviews in their website. I really love this computer. Go to Big W website and you can get all details of it.
I assume you mean this:
http://www.bigw.com.au/electronics/computers-office/computer…
Pro:
- Simple
- Cheap
Con:
- MUCH slower than other solutions mentioned
- Poor screen, if you already have a reasonable one this is just a waste
- Less modular/upgradable
These are the 2 builds i'm thinking of using:
The Intel Build ($414)
Case W/ PSU: SHAW GT-DF2 GT Defence Two Tower Case with PSU (http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=9562)
CPU: Intel BX80637I33220 i3-3220 3.3GHz LGA1155 IVY Bridge Boxed CPU Cores 3MB (http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=9550)
Motherboard: ASRock H61M-VG3 H612xDDR3/SATA2/USB2.0/D-Sub/GBLAN/mATX 1155 pin Motherboard (http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=10299)
Ram: Patriot Signature 4GB Kit(2Gx2) DDR3 1333 (For Intel 775pin, Intel 1156, AM3) (http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=5177)
Hard Drive: Seagate 3.5" Barracuda 500GB ST500DM002 SATA3 7200RPM 16MB HDD (http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=8477)
Keyboard/Mouse: Hyundai HY-218 Wireless Desktop (Keyboard + Mouse)(http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=8675)
Optical Drive: LG SATA Black DVD RW - 1 Year Warranty (http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=5540)
Wireless Network Card: D-Link PCI DWA-525 150M Wireless-N Network Adapter (http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=4184)
Build Fee: $70
The AMD Build ($394)
Case W/ PSU: SHAW GT-DF2 GT Defence Two Tower Case with PSU (http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=9562)
CPU: AMD AM3+ x4 FX-4100 3.6Ghz/Quad Core/12MB/95W Boxed CPU (http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=8501)
Motherboard: AsRock N68-VS3-FX DDR3 All-In-One Motherboard (http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=8618)
Ram: Patriot Signature 4GB Kit(2Gx2) DDR3 1333 (For Intel 775pin, Intel 1156, AM3) (http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=5177)
Hard Drive: Seagate 3.5" Barracuda 500GB ST500DM002 SATA3 7200RPM 16MB HDD (http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=8477)
Keyboard/Mouse: Hyundai HY-218 Wireless Desktop (Keyboard + Mouse)(http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=8675)
Optical Drive: LG SATA Black DVD RW - 1 Year Warranty (http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=5540)
Wireless Network Card: D-Link PCI DWA-525 150M Wireless-N Network Adapter (http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=4184)
Build Fee: $70
So can anyone suggest if these builds are good for around $400? Also which one is better, at the moment I think the AMD build is the best because of a quad core over a dual core.
To note most of the parts chosen were decided strictly in stock levels in the ACT. Also what do you think of the case? it was the only one available for that price margin
thanks in advance :D
So can anyone suggest if these builds are good for around $400?
Neither build are as good as the A6/A8 based builds for gaming, but this depends on your expected usage. Also note that the 3225 is $5 more than the 3220 and has much better video, which is totally worth it if you aren't getting a separate video card (still not as good video as A6 though). Not clear on the onboard video with the AMD build, but I expect it to be the worst.
Also which one is better, at the moment I think the AMD build is the best because of a quad core over a dual core.
Not that simple, because the i3 has hyper threading. They are similar, each will do better at a specific task. i3 will do it will less heat and power and generally more elegant, so that is what I would pick.
the main game i'll be playing would be dota to catch up with friends and maybe some counter strike go/source
so what build should i go for?
thanks again for the help everyone, you don't know how much you guys are helping me :D
At this budget, the number of cores isn't the primary concern. Right now you want a machine capable of DOTA and CS, so you'll need a semi-decent IGP.
Those 2 builds is OK — just don't expect to play at 1080p as the Intel HD2500 is fairly low end and so is the FX-4100's internal graphics.
Take Bruce's advice — If you invest in an AMD A8 series processor (this will require you to change to an FM2 socketed motherboard) you'll get a much better GPU for gaming.
Consider the AMD machine I mentioned above. You can get this machine built by simply emailling MSY and telling them you want to spec a custom box (list the parts). They will build it as per your request and email you back when it's ready for pickup.
I actually really wanted to that but would you help me incorporate this into it?
Keyboard/Mouse: Hyundai HY-218 Wireless Desktop (Keyboard + Mouse)(http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=8675)
Optical Drive: LG SATA Black DVD RW - 1 Year Warranty (http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=5540)
Wireless Network Card: D-Link PCI DWA-525 150M Wireless-N Network Adapter (http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=4184)
thankyou so much scrimshaw!!! :D
Here it goes again:
$70 Build fee
CPU A6 5400k $72
MB MSI FM2-A55M-E33 FM2 AMD A55 $63 (UPDATED - is now HDMI capable)
RAM Gskill or Kingston HyperX 4GB kit 1600mhz $37 or $38
HDD Seagate 500GB $57
Case and PSU ThermlTake V4 USB3.0 with power supply $75
ASUS Wireless Network 150mbps N card $15
Optical disk drive — don't need one really —- Just use a USB stick to install Windows. If you have a spare computer you can always make your own ISO images and mount them using Daemon tools.
TOTAL $404
thanks that's a very good price, but would it be better for me to go for the A8 or the A8?
Also what's the price difference?
and would I be able to use this ram: Ram: Patriot Signature 4GB Kit(2Gx2) DDR3 1333 (For Intel 775pin, Intel 1156, AM3) (http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=5177)
and the final question, would i be able to connect the desktop to most led lcd monitors and maybe my lg 47inch tv?
The AMD A8 costs forty more @$112 bucks. That extra $40 will get you a quad (not dual) processor and a slightly beefier graphics chipset.
I would recommend 1600mhz RAM at the very least. The performance of the processor tends to suffer a bit at 1333mhz. It doesn't cost that much extra anyway.
For LCD monitor or TV compatibility, you just need to buy an extra HDMI cable, that's it. I have updated the motherboard to one that includes HDMI port.
Go with what scrimshaw says.
That motherboard has HDMI and VGA, so if you are currently using a DVI cable for your monitor you will need an adaptor for HDMI/DVI (they are cheap).
Use these to work out what you have:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_connector
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface
As discussed, doesn't have the video capabilities for gaming.
http://www.visiontech.com.au/vision-tech-g-series If you use the customization options upgrade to the ATI HD6670 2GB + upgrade to 8GB RAM + http://www.visiontech.com.au/genius-km-110x-ps2 + http://www.visiontech.com.au/dlink-dwa-525-wireless-150-lan-… it comes in at $399 Delivered with better quality graphics :)
Do you have any idea what type of games? Some examples would help to get an idea of what you need.
Where are you located?
Edit: For reference if you use this:
http://www.msy.com.au/SYSTEMS/INTELAMD-UpgradeValue.pdf
You probably want to option in:
- 4GB Memory ($15)
- Optical Drive ($20)
- OS ($100)
End result is there isn't much in your budget. I would probably go with the G1610/G2020 if you need to stay in budget, but jump to the a4/a6/a8 for a (little bit) better video if you want more.