PC Build Recommendations (Budget ~ $1500)

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  ProspectiveDarkness on 25/12/2016 - 23:37

  +1

  Looks okay. My main concern is that you're spending to much on the optical drive, adapter and CPU cooler compared to the more core essentials. The CPU cooler isn't really necessary IMO, the stock cooler should be fine. That adapter looks a bit expensive, you should be able to find one somewhat cheaper. An optical drive isn't necessary for most, but if you specifically want it, I'll defer to you.

  Apparently, Dota 2 can be fairly CPU heavy, so if you're willing to part with some extra cash, it might be worth upgrading to an i5 instead. I'd also look to upgrade to a GTX 1060 3GB or RX 480 (4GB or 8GB), just in case (due to 1440p monitor). It should be pretty easy to find a better GPU for that price.

  • 

    mchoodie on 25/12/2016 - 23:49

    Thanks - fair comments!

    Will definitely be shopping around for better price than listed above (perhaps not to buy a CPU all together). That being said, will definitely consider an i5. a $100 bump up, partially subsidized by the CPU cooler.

• 

  Kangal on 26/12/2016 - 00:02

  +2

  Looks okay, but for a very little more money you could actually get much better performance:

  Upgrade the i3-6100 -> i5-6500
  I would try the Stock Coolers, and see the temperatures before buying the CM 212's.

  Upgrade the 1x 8GB -> 2x 8GB.
  8GB is pretty much the minimum these days, and 16GB will give you lots of overhead for work, multitasking, and play.

  Upgrade the RX 470 -> RX 480 (8GB).
  I think the RX 470 is great, in fact they should've named it the 480 and the RX 480 is actually more of a 480X.
  In a perfect world, I would tell you to stick with the RX 470 as its the current Value King.
  However, due to stock shortages its hard to find RX 470's at good prices. However there's heaps of 480's around.
  And I've also noticed sometimes the price difference between the RX 480 (4GB) and RX 480 (8GB) to be negligible.
  So you may as well go for the 8GB variant in such a situation. Also, the 480's are getting LOTS of attention and love from AMD's new drivers. So I believe its one of those cards, like the HD 7970 or the GTX 680, that will have a LOOONG work-life before it can be obsoleted.

  If you do decide on the RX 480 (8GB) and the Core i5, and you think, hey maybe in the future I might overclock somethings.
  If you think that is a possibility, then I would say you should also upgrade your PSU from a 430W to a 550W.
  Remember the things you can overclock are:
  - the cpu
  - the gpu
  - the RAM module
  - the SSD
  - the fan/cooling

  So a little bit extra and continuous power would probably be needed for each component.
  And it will also allow you to go crazy with extra Optical and Storage drives, and USB accessories in the future… if the PSU has enough headroom to power them all.

  • 

    mchoodie on 26/12/2016 - 00:18

    CPU - upgrade makes sense the more I look into it.

    RAM - would I really need it? I don't know…thats why I am going for 1x8gb for now. can upgrade to a second stick along with a xTB HDD a few months down the line.

    GPU - RX480 (8GB) is $379 and it seems to score better than the 1060 (6GB for $349). Prices from MSY http://edm.msy.com.au/26122016/online/aaa.html

    PSU - fair point. Will have to think about this. Might be a nice to have, but not essential as I don't intend on OC'ing since I'm a n00b.

    • 

      ProspectiveDarkness on 26/12/2016 - 00:27

      would I really need it? I don't know…thats why I am going for 1x8gb for now.

      I doubt it. I have 8GB DDR3 now, and I play much more demanding games just fine. You're right, if you really need 16GB, you can always upgrade later.

      Edit: also, be mindful that new CPU generations are incoming from both AMD and Intel within the next month or two. They won't be a significant improvement from this year's i3/5/7, but (a) old stock might be cheaper and (b) newer model numbers will likely hold their value a bit better if you decide to sell some time in the next few years. Not imperative, just a tip.

    • 

      Kangal on 26/12/2016 - 00:43

      RAM - it depends on which applications you use. 8GB like I said is totally serviceable, but 16GB would definitely give you the needed breathing space, and it would definitely future-proof your rigs for a while. And Dual-Channel RAM actually works a bit more efficiently than Single-Channel, just google it up. You could upgrade in the future, just as long as you upgrade to the same make and model of RAM, because they work best like that. I just thought it would be wise, and in your best interest to simply upgrade from the start because it would be cheaper, and you wouldn't have to worry about finding the available stock of the same model ram as you originally bought. You know, hindsight being 20/20.

      GPU - like I said, the RX 470 is the best bang-for-buck card out now. But I've noticed stock shortages and subsequent price hikes, that bring it close to RX 480 prices. The GTX 1060 (3GB) was a better card than the RX 480 (8GB) card, until the recent AMD drivers. Now the tables have turned, and the RX 480 (4GB) is faster than the GTX 1060 (6GB) card, depending on the title of course. The RX 480 (4GB) is actually the better (value wise) card, when compared to the RX 480 (8GB). However, like I said, there's some really good deals on the RX 480 (8GB) that actually brings it close in price to the RX 480 (4GB) and the RX 470 (4GB), so you may as well upgrade. And support wise, I can see AMD not caring much about the RX 470/460…. but they have to cherish the RX 480 as because it is their flagship Polaris. And it will be a card that is compared to Vega, and the next-gen cards. I mean the latest drivers are proof of this. It's also possible that some of the "life" of the RX 480 breathes in the PS4 Pro/Xbox Two Scorpio…. so even longer driver optimisations and support!

      No worries.
      Remember, when building a system it is all about balance.
      You don't want bottlenecks (eg/ RX 460 will bottleneck a Core i5-6600K graphically), (eg/ Core i5-2500K will bottleneck a GTX 1070 objectly).
      And you want as much value for money as possible, no need to buy a $700 cooler for a $1,000 PC.
      Just use a bit of research and common sense.
      Best of luck!

• 

  scrimshaw on 26/12/2016 - 00:48

  The RX 480 G1 (8GB) is $339+11 from Shopping Express

  meanwhile the RX 470 is $349 from PCCG

  I don't understand how the RX 470 can sometimes be more expensive than it's more powerful sibling. Australian pricing is odd simetimes.

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  universe on 26/12/2016 - 08:18

  Could get a quality 27" Benq gaming moitor for the same or less than that kogan one. And use the saved money on a better cpu or gpu. Depends on what youre going to be playing on it though.

• 

  [Deactivated] on 26/12/2016 - 11:26

  Just buy this

  https://www.centrecom.com.au/centre-com-fractal-1060-winter-…

  supercheap

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  mchoodie on 26/12/2016 - 20:08

  So I've made a couple of purchases now which are in bold in the original post.

  Also, am reconsidering the CPU to an i5 6500 and added in the gigabyte motherboard. Any thoughts on them? :)

  Would changing to a 2 stick RAM set up have an impact on which motherboard I select? Are there any obvious bottlenecks in my current set up?