First Desktop in 9 years

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SacrosanctFiend

SacrosanctFiend

Diamond Member
Oct 2, 2004
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So, I've been a laptop-only user for the past 7 years and haven't built a desktop in 9. Obviously, I'm a bit out of touch with the latest technology and would love for the AT crew to help me out with the new desktop I've decided to put together.

The PC will be used for mostly work (involves light photoshop use; mainly office suite, web, and e-mail) with moderate gaming on the side. I will need to have dual monitors simply because of the multitasking involved. Looking to spend somewhere around $1500-$1800, buying parts in the US with no brand preference. As stated, my current desktop is very old so I will not be utilizing any current parts.

Thanks in advance.
 
M

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
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www.mfenn.com
Should the price of monitors and OS be included in the budget? Also, can you define "moderate gaming" (examples of games would be great)?
 
SacrosanctFiend

SacrosanctFiend

Diamond Member
Oct 2, 2004
4,269
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mfenn said:
Should the price of monitors and OS be included in the budget? Also, can you define "moderate gaming" (examples of games would be great)?
Click to expand...

Good call. Monitors, yes. OS, I already have. By moderate gaming, I means games like Civ 5 and Dragon Age, with a desire to play DAO2 when it is released, but I don't have to play at the highest graphic settings, medium-level graphics is fine with me.
 
Sp12

Sp12

Senior member
Jun 12, 2010
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I like the above build with the caveat that you may want an IPS (even if it's e-IPS) monitor for light photoshop. Depends on how important the outputted image is.
 
F

FishAk

Senior member
Jun 13, 2010
987
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SacrosanctFiend said:
OS, I already have.
Click to expand...

What OS do you use/will have?

Also, are you not reusing any parts? Because, while mfenn's build is good, it doesn't include any type of backup. If your data is worth more than $0.05/Gb, you should include some backup storage.

And... comming from a laptop, you may miss having a card reader, or a battery backup. Unfortunately, the Three Hundred case doesn't have an external 3.5" slot for a card reader. Perhaps the blank for the 5.25" slot could be modified to accommodate one.
 
Last edited:
SacrosanctFiend

SacrosanctFiend

Diamond Member
Oct 2, 2004
4,269
0
0
FishAk said:
What OS do you use/will have?

Also, are you not reusing any parts? Because, while mfenn's build is good, it doesn't include any type of backup. If your data is worth more than $0.05/Gb, you should include some backup storage.

And... comming from a laptop, you may miss having a card reader, or a battery backup. Unfortunately, the Three Hundred case doesn't have an external 3.5" slot for a card reader. Perhaps the blank for the 5.25" slot could be modified to accommodate one.
Click to expand...

I'll be running Windows7 Professional. Don't have any parts to reuse, and I do have a 1TB external that I currently use as a backup.

Can you recommend a good case that would have slot for a card reader?

Thanks for all the help everyone.
 
F

FishAk

Senior member
Jun 13, 2010
987
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The Roswill Destroyer is a little shorter, and not as wide, but it weighs 5Lb less. I personally like the Three Hundred more, with it's 140mm top fan instead of the 120MM one of the Destroyer.

In the photos, look at the adapter plate the Destroyer uses for the 3.5" ext. bay. Perhaps it's possible to cut out the 5.25" blank on the 300 like that.
 
F

FishAk

Senior member
Jun 13, 2010
987
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0
mfenn said:

No custom modification necessary!
Click to expand...

In this case, even with the Antec $22 more, including the adapter, I think I would prefer it. With the 140mm top fan, and the option for 2 X 120mm front fans, you could get good airflow without much noise with some quiet fans. I doubt the stock fans in either case are very quiet, and would need changed if someone is going for quiet.
 
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