Advice Needed! DIY Home use Desktop with Multiple Screens

Lpeachesforfree on 02/06/2016 - 13:51
Last edited 02/06/2016 - 14:55

I intend to purchase parts from MSY (https://www.msy.com.au/Parts/PARTS.pdf) and put together a computer myself (first time trying!), budget under $1,000.

It will be used predominately for running a trading software, with multiple web browsers, a little YouTube video watching etc.

Some questions:

  1. Would I be better off getting one of those 'pre-made' computers OR are the savings substantial if I built myself?
  2. Is a minimum 2G graphics card required in order to support multiple screens?
  3. AMD or Intel?
  4. Would 16GB RAM be sufficient?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Computing

Comments

  • altomic on 02/06/2016 - 14:59

    dual monitors?

    I bought one of these cards for $30 delivered from ebay.

    runs 2 21" monitors just fine.

    • peachesforfree on 02/06/2016 - 15:09

      Nice. I'm planning on dual for now, potentially increasing to 3 later down the track

      • altomic on 02/06/2016 - 15:32
        +2

        super easy install. card in. download driver + install. maybe a reboot. done.

        my current main PC was a hard rubbish find - Dell pentium dual core E5500 @ 2.80ghz with 4.00GB.

        whacked in an old 500gb laptop drive. box came with a win7 sticker so installed that and upgraded to 10.

        I could upgrade the CPU and add another 4gb and better stuff. but it does everything I need. internetz and uni work.

        even look for a second hand ebay system. plenty of inexpensive options. look for something that might require a bit of upgrading - e.g. more ram, primary SSD. etc.

        I could never buy a "new" computer. I can't justify it with my requirements.

        • peachesforfree on 02/06/2016 - 16:05

          Thanks for the advice!

          Any thoughts on this set up?

          http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/331869737184

        • xeion on 02/06/2016 - 16:15
          +2

          @nixcorp:

          I wouldn't pay $500 for someones dust collector. Doesn't look well cared for, and anyone that uses all Caps in their eBay listing I'd avoid.

          It's safer to buy a ready made box in case you have any troubles unless you are prepared to resolve them yourself.

        • hashtagbargain on 02/06/2016 - 16:54
          +1

          @nixcorp: Doesnt hurt to go give it an inspection.

  • dassaur on 02/06/2016 - 15:37
    +1

    If it's an intel processor, it comes with inbuilt graphics which can run dual monitors. No need for additional gpu (graphics card)

  • peachesforfree on 03/06/2016 - 06:49

    Thanks heaps guys.

    I've more or less decided to go with the following set up with MSY

    ASUS H170M-E D3 (LGA-1151) Motherboard
    Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz (LGA-1151)
    Genuine Boxed Cooling Fan
    Genuine Intel H170 Chipset (LGA-1151)
    Genuine NVidia 2GB 730 PCI-Express Video Card
    Patriot 8GB DDR3 1600 Memory
    Seagate 2TB SATA3 Hard Disk
    SHAW DF2 USB3.0 Case with Power Supply
    High Definition Audio CODEC 5.1 Channel Sound
    Integrated)
    Gigabit 10/100/1000 Fast Network Card (Integrated)
    Genuine Microsoft Windows 10 64bit

    The entire system costs $1,135 including the following items which I won't need, hoping that getting them removed will reduce the build to under $1,000:

    Philips 23.6" 243V5QHABA 4ms 1920x1080 SPK HDMI D-SUB DVI LED Backlight LCD Monitor
    Rapoo NX1710 USB Desktop (Keyboard + Mouse)
    Genuine Asus DVD Dual Layer Writer
    Genuine Logitech Z213 2.1 Speakers System

    I will also request to upgrade to 32GB DDR3 1600 or DDR4 2133 Memory, and unsure about the Samsung 650 OEM 120GB SATA3 SSD option.

    Any comments would be appreciated!

    • scrimshaw on 03/06/2016 - 17:36
      +1

      Does the trading software require such a high end CPU? You'd better reconsider the i7 and think carefully about the actual spec requirements. The Core i5-6500 can perform just as well as the core i7 in some situations for a lesser price, as not every program out there is written to fully take advantage of Hyperthreading.

      ASUS H170M-E D3
      DDR3 memory

      No. Not a good idea, this is a lot less performance for a rather insignificant saving…. you don't want to bottleneck such a high speed CPU.

      Change this to DDR4 memory (any brand is fine so long as it is at least DDR4 2133mhz) and get a Gigabyte H110M-H instead.

      I would however, buy a full ATX motherboard though, because you get more slots, more ports and more SATA connections. ASUS H170 Pro is a good choice

      SHAW DF2 USB3.0 Case with Power Supply

      No, no no!!! Nobody in their right mind buys SHAW

      Please get rid of the SHAW branded crap and choose a budget Coolermaster or Aerocool case. Pick one that can be easily cleaned — cases with removable and washable dust filters will make your life easier when it comes to cleaning out the computer. Some cases USB 3.0 ports at the front, cheap ones only have 1, but better ones with have multiple. I suggest this Thermaltake for starters

      For the power supply, you should buy a 80 plus power efficiency rated PSU… like Antec VP500 for instance. If your computer is going to be turned on most of the time, power efficiency is important.

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