Replacing a 6 year old Desktop, looking for build help.

ZombieRitual

Member
Apr 13, 2006
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1. What YOUR PC will be used for.
I will be using this computer for Gaming, web browsing, watching Twitch.tv streams, Netflix, and watching downloaded videos. I would also like to watch BluRay movies on this rig.

2. What YOUR budget is.

$1800

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

USA, California.

5. IF YOU have a brand preference.

No real preferences.

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

Reusing a HD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687 Also using my two old monitors, keyboard, mouse, receiver/speakers.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

I'm not interested in overclocking.

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?

Primary: 1920x1080, secondary: 1680x1050.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

As soon as possible, my current rig is 6 years old and starting to become unstable, not to mention lagging on a lot of more basic functions like browsing and watching flash videos.

X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?

I will need to buy Windows, I imagine 7 (don't want to deal with 8). BluRay playback software I can worry about in a few weeks.

It's been a few years since I really kept up with computer parts, so I don't necessarily know anymore what's compatible, parts-wise, and what might make the most sense price-wise. I'm interested in 16gb of RAM, and an approximately 250 GB SSD as well. I would like a case no taller than 20" and preferably 120mm or bigger case fans.

Thank you so much for the help!
 
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lehtv

Elite Member
Dec 8, 2010
11,897
74
91
CPU & Mobo - i5-4670K + MSI Z87-G45 Gaming $372 ($352 after rebate and gift card)
Cooler - Hyper 212 Evo $35
RAM - 2x8GB 1600 $130
GPU - MSI GTX 780 Gaming $520
SSD - Seagate 600 240GB $145 *shell shocker*
HDD - reuse $0
PSU - Seasonic G750 $115 ($100 AR)
Case - e.g. Corsair 500R White $95 ($70 AR)
OS - Windows 7 $89

= $1501 ($1441 after rebates)

I don't see any reason to spend more than this. Even this build is a bit overspecced: overclockable CPU, SLI-capable motherboard and PSU, better case than strictly needed, and 16GB of RAM even though you didn't list any uses that require more than 8GB. It'd be completely fine to spend about $1300 instead.

For the next upgrade, maybe consider a 144hz or a 1440p monitor, depending on what games you play
 
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ZombieRitual

Member
Apr 13, 2006
119
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Wow, this looks really good, thank you. One quick question: how much of a difference is there between the i5-4670K vs the i7 4770? Is it just the 2MB difference in L3 cache?
 

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
22,400
5
71
www.mfenn.com
CPU & Mobo - i5-4670K + MSI Z87-G45 Gaming $372 ($352 after rebate and gift card)
Cooler - Hyper 212 Evo $35
RAM - 2x8GB 1600 $130
GPU - MSI GTX 780 Gaming $520
SSD - Seagate 600 240GB $145 *shell shocker*
HDD - reuse $0
PSU - Seasonic G750 $115 ($100 AR)
Case - e.g. Corsair 500R White $95 ($70 AR)
OS - Windows 7 $89

= $1501 ($1441 after rebates)

I don't see any reason to spend more than this. Even this build is a bit overspecced: overclockable CPU, SLI-capable motherboard and PSU, better case than strictly needed, and 16GB of RAM even though you didn't list any uses that require more than 8GB. It'd be completely fine to spend about $1300 instead.

For the next upgrade, maybe consider a 144hz or a 1440p monitor, depending on what games you play

Looks good except that the 500R is right at 20" tall. If that 20" is a hard limit, the Fractal Design R4 would give the OP a bit more breathing room.
 

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
22,400
5
71
www.mfenn.com
Wow, this looks really good, thank you. One quick question: how much of a difference is there between the i5-4670K vs the i7 4770? Is it just the 2MB difference in L3 cache?

The i5 4670K is overclockable whereas the i7 4770 is not. The i7 4770K is overclockable though.

Otherwise, the difference is that the i7 is 100 MHz higher clocked, has HyperThreading, and has the additional 2MB of L3. IMHO the i7 is not worth the extra $100 for your uses.