Mid range PC - Budget 30-35K

[1manshow]

Mid range PC - Budget 45K

1. What is the purpose of the computer? What all applications and games are you going to run? (Stupid answers like 'gaming' or 'office work' will not work. Be exact. Which games? Which applications? Avoid the word 'et cetera.')

Ans: Better multi-tasking (my job requires use of VMs and remote assistance tools), plus I want to be able to watch Full HD movies on it. Gaming is optional as I have Xbox 360 and I love it. Applications would be Virtualbox, VMWare, Teamviewer etc.

2. What is your overall budget? If you can extend a bit for a more balanced configuration, then mention this too.

Ans: 45K at max.

3. Planning to overclock?

Ans: Not really if it can do just fine. But I want my rig to be as fast as possible for my work.

4. Which Operating System are you planning to use?

Ans: I have Win 7 Pro 64 bit license. I use Linux as well.

5. How much hard drive space is needed?

Ans: As hard drive prices are high, I would satisfy with only 160 GB Or less, will be used for OS and my job work only, for movies, I've 2TB external drive.

6. Do you want to buy a monitor? If yes, please mention which screen size and resolution do you want. If you already have a monitor and want to reuse it, again mention the size and resolution of monitor you have.

Ans: Yes, Full HD 1080p enabled 27 inch or more LCD/LED monitor. I would prefer to have multiple digital inputs (hdmi, dvi, vga) as I want to connect my Xbox 360 to it as well and game on 720p/1080p if possible. Plus I want to watch full HD Movies too as mentioned before.

7. Which components you DON'T want to buy or which components you already have and plan on reusing?

Ans:
a) I can skip discrete GPU purchase as I want PC for work, movies only.
b) I have Intex UPS 600 VA, Typhoon Maxima 2.1 Speakers.
c) DVD drive can be skipped, as I seldom use it anyway.
d) Keyboard and Mouse must be comfortable as I need to use computer for long duration.

8. When are you planning to buy the system?

Ans: As soon as possible, within 1-2 weeks.

9. Have you ever built a desktop before or will this be done by an assembler?

Ans: Yes, I can do it myself. I have an assembler friend as well.

10. Where do you live? Are you buying locally? Are you open to buying stuff from online shops if you don't get locally?

Ans: I live in a small district town in Madhya Pradesh. So I would prefer buying from online shops mostly. My place is 500 kms far from Mumbai though.

11. Anything else which you would like to say?

Ans: Emphasis on -
a) CPU and RAM (Better multi-tasking is most important requirement, 8 GB RAM would be good?)
b) I need preferably big size monitor (27'' or more) if possible (for better windows/desktop management, better movies experience on PC and better gaming experience on Xbox 360)

If more details are needed, please ask away and I'll provide. Thanks.

 

[thetechfreak]

Processor: AMD A6-3500 @4650
Mobo:Gigabyte GA-A55M-S2H @4500 RAM: G-skill Ripjaws X F3-12800CL9S-4GBXL @1665
WDC 250GB Blue WD2500AAKX @3766
ASUS 24X Sata Black DVD @1150
PSU: FSP Saga II 500W @2200
Zebronics Bijli(w/o psu) @1200
Monitor: Benq G2222HDL@ 7650
Keyboard & Mouse: Amkette ClASSIC DUO @406
UPS: Intex 1KVA @1800
Altec Lansing BXR1221 @1000
Total 31400 approx.

 

[1manshow]

Thank you thetechfreak for the quick response.

I think I need to edit my first post. I need big size monitor, preferably 27 inches or more.

I can cut down costs on DVD drive (not necessary), UPS (I have one 600VA lying around), Speakers (2.1 subwoofer)

Thanks a lot.

 

[RiGOD]

Component Make Price
CPU AMD FX 4100 3.6GHz 6140
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-880GM-D2H 4020
RAM 2 x G.Skill Value DDR3 4 GB 2300
GPU Sparkle GeForce GT 520 2646
HDD WDCaviar Blue 250GB 3750
Case Zebronics Bijli 1200
PSU FSP Saga II 500 2300
Monitor AOC 27" LED Monitor 17000
KB + Mouse Amkette Classic Duo 390
TOTAL 39746

>If you can settle for a 24" monitor then grab the Phenom 960T with the extra bucks you save.(just let me know, will rewrite the config)

>For HD content playback atleast a GT 520 is recommended.

 

[Cilus]

RiGod has given a very good config but even I'm with 960T at 7K. It provides better performance for the type of apps you're working on. FX4100 has some issues.

 

[1manshow]

RiGOD and Cilus, thank you very much for your valuable suggestions. Though I have some doubts.

>For HD content playback atleast a GT 520 is recommended.

How about recent APU from AMD like A6-3650? Can't it play full HD content on HD Monitors? Do I really need a discrete GPU to watch HD movies?

>If you can settle for a 24" monitor then grab the Phenom 960T with the extra bucks you save.(just let me know, will rewrite the config)

Please reply with new config so I can get better idea of prices. But would it really be worthy to opt for Phenom processor? Can't AMD A6 APU cut the bargain (it has 4 cores as well with decent inbuilt GPU) and allow me to use big monitor size to advantage? How much more it could impact the performance on the type of applications I intend to work on?

I really appreciate the kind of help I'm getting from TD forum. I'm happy to be here Thank you very much mates

 

[topgear]

for running VM apps it's better to have more the cpu cores and ram. A6-3500 is a tri core APU running at 2.1Ghz which ain't enough to run VM like apps.

FX-4100 / 960T - both are quad core cpus with decent stock clock speed and will perform good in VM apps.

If you need a good APU which can perform good in both gfx and VM apps - get A6-3650 ( HD6530) @ ~5.5k with a decent A75 mobo which should let you OC the APU later if needed and give you a chance to upgrade to trinity in the future too

 

[RiGOD]

Check out this too. Using a 24" monitor here.

Component Make Price
CPU AMD Phenom II 960T 6960
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-880GM-USB3L 5150
RAM 2 x G.Skill Value DDR3 4 GB 2300
GPU Sparkle GeForce GT 520 2646
HDD WDCaviar Blue 250GB 3750
Case CM Elite 310 1750
PSU CORSAIR CX500 3200
Monitor Dell ST2420L 12600
KB + Mouse Logitech MK200 700
TOTAL 39056

 

[1manshow]

for running VM apps it's better to have more the cpu cores and ram. A6-3500 is a tri core APU running at 2.1Ghz which ain't enough to run VM like apps.

FX-4100 / 960T - both are quad core cpus with decent stock clock speed and will perform good in VM apps.

If you need a good APU which can perform good in both gfx and VM apps - get A6-3650 ( HD6530) @ ~5.5k with a decent A75 mobo which should let you OC the APU later if needed and give you a chance to upgrade to trinity in the future too

Thank you topgear for explaining. I actually got confused with A6-3650 and 3500. LOL my bad!

Can you please suggest the complete configuration you are talking about? I wish I can skip GT 520 GPU then, and be able to get 27 inch monitor as planned.

Thank you RiGOD. I'll take a look into it.

 

[RiGOD]

I dunno why you want to skip the GT520 so badly. Anyways here's an A6 config skipping the GPU as you told.

Component Make Price
CPU AMD A6 3650 6470
Motherboard ASUS F1A75-M LE 6100
RAM 2 x G.Skill Value DDR3 4 GB 2300
HDD WD Caviar Blue 250GB 3750
Case Zebronics Bijli 1200
PSU FSP Saga II 500 2300
Monitor AOC 27" LED 17000
KB + Mouse Logitech MK200 700
TOTAL 39820

 

[1manshow]

I dunno why you want to skip the GT520 so badly. Anyways here's an A6 config skipping the GPU as you told.

Thanks again. I don't want to skip mate, but I don't want to loose big 27'' screen estate due to it. Mostly PC is for work/internet related purposes and watching movies. Gaming would be done on my jtagged Xbox 360 which I bought last year. But Xbox would also use the same monitor!

Another query - So will this APU A6-3650 be able to play Full HD movies on that big display? Is that HDCP capable? I heard it's powerful enough to play most modern games at lowest settings. I want to confirm this before purchase to avoid unnecessary hassles later.

How about A8-3850? Does it improves the performance significantly over A6? Also I'm wondering why no Intel recommendations here? Is it because they are costly or not fitted in my provided criteria?

Some more queries -

1) How about these PSU options instead - Corsair CX430v2 430w or Antec VP 450? Or is FSP Saga II better than those?

2) I have heard NZXT Gamma is better case? or Bijli is good enough for my rig?

3) I think I can arrange for a second hand hard disk from my friend which he doesn't use. So what else I can opt from those savings? Phenom II 960T with GT520 GPU. That way I can get best of all, great CPU, GPU and 27'' monitor all in one package

Sorry for so many questions. But I want this PC to be able to serve me for at least 2-3 years. So I want a little future proof option

 

[Cilus]

Video game's or HD movie playback performance doesn't depend upon the size of the display, it depends upon the resolution you're using. The 27" display you can get at your budget will be of 1080P (1920X1080) resolution and on that resolution the IGP of A6-3650 can handle HD playback as well as casual gaming with ease. It has all the digital display output ports like DVI and HDMI.
And you're right, at your budget good Intel config isn't possible.

For PSU, Corsair CX430 V2 and FSP SAGA II 500 is more or less same but you'll get 3 yrs of warranty with Corsair compared to 2 years of FSP. I don't think Antec VP450 comes at cheaper price.

At your budget getting a good cabinet is little difficult. The price of NZXT Gamma is 2.3k and NZXT Source 210 Elite is 2.4K. Better get a good case like Cooler Master Elite 300 or 311 whic are available within 2K.

If you want a future proof PC then get 960T and add a GPU later. But I would recommend you to get a good board like Gigabyte GA-880GM-USB3 @ 4.8K with 960T. Then you can unlock the extra two cores safely.

 

[mayurthemad]

Video game's or HD movie playback performance doesn't depend upon the size of the display, it depends upon the resolution you're using. The 27" display you can get at your budget will be of 1080P (1920X1080) resolution and on that resolution the IGP of A6-3650 can handle HD playback as well as casual gaming with ease. It has all the digital display output ports like DVI and HDMI.
And you're right, at your budget good Intel config isn't possible.

For PSU, Corsair CX430 V2 and FSP SAGA II 500 is more or less same but you'll get 3 yrs of warranty with Corsair compared to 2 years of FSP. I don't think Antec VP450 comes at cheaper price.

At your budget getting a good cabinet is little difficult. The price of NZXT Gamma is 2.3k and NZXT Source 210 Elite is 2.4K. Better get a good case like Cooler Master Elite 300 or 311 whic are available within 2K.

If you want a future proof PC then get 960T and add a GPU later. But I would recommend you to get a good board like Gigabyte GA-880GM-USB3 @ 4.8K with 960T. Then you can unlock the extra two cores safely.

@cilus: is gigabyte ga-880gm-usb3 can safely unlock the two cores or it would be wiser to go for asus m5a97 ?

 

[coderunknown]

^^ 2 extra core means more power. even if TDP will remain at 95W, it'll need more power. so M5A97 is a safe bet. also with it you can overclock without worrying about PC shutting down, crashing cause of lack of power.

 

[whitestar_999]

Asus M5A97 has 4+2 phase design while 880GM-USB3 has 4+1 phase design which means M5A97 has better power delivery mechanism.according to many a 4+2 phase design is minimum for safe unlocking & overclocking of 960T/6 core phenom.

 

[topgear]

@ OP - if you're going to get M5A97 ( the mobo has no IGP ports ) just make sure you get the GT520 GPU along with it

 

[Cilus]

But Gigabyte 880GM-USB3 does support 125W processor and lot of people are running it with phenom II X6 processors, including couple of my friends. So I guess 960T can be unlocked safely with this board.

 

[whitestar_999]

if that's the case then it is good.after all real world performance always has a higher priority over theoretical performance.if 4+1 phase of 880GM is running fine with x6 then it is the only option for ~5000 as M5A97 costs ~6200.

P.S.btw 4+1 phase design is minimum for a 125W TDP processor support.even GA78LMT-S2P(rev 3.1) has 125W TDP processor support because of 4+1 design.though quality of VRM also matters so it seems like 880GM-USB3 has good quality VRM components.

 

[1manshow]

Thank you all contributors. Your posts were very enlightening and informative. I really appreciate your efforts to explain in detail.

I have this rig in mind based on all above contributors suggestion. Please let me know if it's compatible or not.

CPU - AMD Phenom II 960T - 6960
Motherboard - Asus M5A97 - 6200
RAM - 2 x G.Skill Value DDR3 4 GB - 2300
GPU - Sparkle GeForce GT 520 - 2646
Case - NZXT Gamma/Bijli ? - 2300/1200
PSU - FSP Saga II 500/Corsair CX 430 V2 ? - 2300
Monitor - AOC 27" LED - 17000
KB + Mouse - Logitech MK200 - 700
TOTAL - 40406/39306

Sorry, I don't know how to create table here

How is it? I have doubts about PSU and Case so dunno which one to opt. I can go over 40k if only a matter of few hundred bucks to get a better rig

Also please suggest me where to get the components, links to the best price online shops would be really helpful

Edit : I have Asus NVidia 7300 GS PCIEx graphics card from my previous PC which I sold 1 year ago. I'm wondering if it could be useful or I throw it away?

 

[Mr.V]

I think the 500 W Psu would do good.
The bulldozer series are good if you do a lot of virtual machines
but fx 4100 is no good.
fx 6100 makes more sense.....