Tips for a capable budget PC? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

GoinAllTheWay · 05-06-2016, 11:41 AM

Lo all,

My girlfriend has requested that I price out a new computer build for her as she's had it with her current Mac.

I'm trying to keep the cost down but keeping an eye on future upgrades as she has threatened to take up PC gaming again.

99% of its use will be email and web browsing so it doesn't need to be a beast but would like to start with a solid backbone that I could eventually install a reasonable video card on down the road if she does, in fact, start gaming again.

So looking for some advice on MOBO's and processors. Is Intel still preferable over AMD? I see a number of low cost ASUS MOBOs that will only use AMD.

PsYcNeT · 05-06-2016, 01:49 PM

AMD has relegated itself to the budget department for the time being (we'll see if Zen changes anything), so most "bargain" PCs run AMD chips/GPUs. Intel budget builds without a video card are generally in the ~$600 range for something not terrible.

A nice benefit of an Intel Build as an interim if/until a video card is bought, is the latest Intel chips have pretty decent integrated GPUs and can run a fair number of games on low.

GoinAllTheWay · 05-06-2016, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

A nice benefit of an Intel Build as an interim if/until a video card is bought, is the latest Intel chips have pretty decent integrated GPUs and can run a fair number of games on low.

Pretty much mine line of thought too.

I guess calling it a "budget"build is a bit misleading. I'm sure I could spend up to a grand and she'd be fine with that but want to keep cost under control and scale as necessary. I think I'll go with the best i5 processor I can and a good MOBO. Like you say, she can run off the integrated GPU until she actually needs a dedicated card.

DoubleF · 05-06-2016, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

Pretty much mine line of thought too.

I guess calling it a "budget"build is a bit misleading. I'm sure I could spend up to a grand and she'd be fine with that but want to keep cost under control and scale as necessary. I think I'll go with the best i5 processor I can and a good MOBO. Like you say, she can run off the integrated GPU until she actually needs a dedicated card.

Make sure to have a SSD. Even doing a 120GB or 250GB SSD with a 500GB slave drive for files is better than trying hybrid drives etc.

Vulcan · 05-06-2016, 07:21 PM

Here's a reference for a $1000 build. It includes a graphic card so you can save there.

http://forums.ncix.com/forums/?mode=...nt=5&subpage=1

You can check out their sales page for more individual deals. They will price match and will also build it for you for $50. Memory Express should be able to give comparable deals although I don't think they have as varied a stock.

Here's another tool.
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/

rbochan · 05-07-2016, 06:39 AM

There are a few CybertronPC models that are superb budget PC gaming rigs. Quality parts, plenty of balls to start with, and room for growth. Newegg sells them for $500-$700 USD.

I just set up one of their Borg-709 series machines for a client. It's superb, especially for the money.

Rathji · 05-07-2016, 10:51 AM

This image should give you what you need. Prices are USD. The 2 cheapest options are linked below.

Spolier for size

Spoiler!

http://pcpartpicker.com/guide/xxkcCJ...onsole-crusher

http://pcpartpicker.com/guide/88yp99...gaming-station

Scornfire · 05-07-2016, 10:58 AM

If she's not that picky I'd just get her a refurb and save yourself the trouble

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16883160700

ken0042 · 05-09-2016, 08:03 AM

You can just watch for sales. I bought this one for my mom on Black Friday for $400, and have seen it go on sale a few more times since then. (Usually for $500.)
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/...6143bdf8b5en02

Vulcan · 05-09-2016, 04:05 PM

The trouble with a lot of these pre-built computers is that they have a small (180 watt) power supply. The opening poster wants to have the ability to add a decent video card later, so I'd say you should have a minimum of 400 watts if you want to upgrade.

GoinAllTheWay · 05-10-2016, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vulcan

The trouble with a lot of these pre-built computers is that they have a small (180 watt) power supply.

Yep, just one of the reasons I want to build it myself. I LOVE the new modular power supplies they are putting out these days. Only use what you need and save a ton of clutter.

Quote:

Make sure to have a SSD. Even doing a 120GB or 250GB SSD with a 500GB slave drive for files is better than trying hybrid drives etc.

Spot on. I did the same thing with my gaming rig and haven't looked back.

DoubleF · 05-10-2016, 06:53 PM

Hmm... maybe one question should be... what's wrong with the Mac? If it's just general slowness, cloning a HDD to a SSD easily will go a long way in aiding performance without breaking the bank. If it's hardware issues, yeah, consider a budget build.

I'm just looking at your posts and it doesn't look like a new computer is truly necessary as at this point if it's just for email and web browsing. It's only necessary if she actually pursues gaming. (You can always rip out SSD from the Mac into a new build if ultimately she changes her mind about wanting a gaming rig).

DoubleK · 05-10-2016, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

Spot on. I did the same thing with my gaming rig and haven't looked back.

Can you post the specs?