New Computer for $1300 Need Some Advice on This PC :)

LRnO on 15/06/2017 - 14:54
Last edited 15/06/2017 - 14:54

Hey guys!

I really need some advice… My laptop is on its last legs and I'd like to buy a new PC.
I have looked into building my own PC for hours online but find it really overwhelming as there are too many options and
it turns out that my knowledge of PC parts and building is quite outdated! haha
I think i would like to just buy an already built system.

Here's what I will use it for: Adobe PS/Lightroom, Music recording(Reaper digital audio interface and a few VST), basic video editing using Filmora Wondershare and some gaming capabilities would be nice though I mainly game on the PS4 nowadays. I guess a want something affordable that will run these software smoothly for a while.

I found this tower on ebay for $1300 (Top end of my budget as I'll have to buy a new screen) could anyone advise me if it's decent or have any other links or sources for other recommendations?

Thanks heaps in advance for your help and sorry for the long a$$ post ;)

here are the specs:

CPU:
6th Generation 'Skylake' Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz/4.0GHz Turbo, Quad-Core, 8MB Smart Cache

Motherboard:
Asrock B150M Pro4/D3 - SATA III 6Gbps, USB 3.0, PCI Express 3.0, CrossfireX

RAM:
16GB G.Skill Ripjaws X DDR3-2400MHz Low Latency Memory in Quad-Channel configuration

Graphics:
NVIDIA GeForce GT 630 4GB GDDR3 + LucidLogix Graphics Boost - Fully DX11 Compatible with PhysX

Primary HDD:
Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB, 64MB Cache SATA III 6Gb/s

Optical Drive:
LG GH22 SATA DVD+/-RW Dual-Layer DVD Burner

Audio:
Integrated 8-channel High Definition audio (Onboard)

LAN:
Integrated Gigabit Network Adapter (Onboard)

Computing

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 15/06/2017 - 15:02
    +2

    The 6th gen chips are no longer current… you can buy 7th gen desktops for almost the same price too. The machine you're looking at is slightly dated as it runs DDR3 memory.

    PC.Byte has a selection of desktops such as this and this) which you can consider (CLAP10 voucher code can be applied)

    • RnO on 15/06/2017 - 18:47

      Thanks a lot for the info and the ebay links.. I'm very interested in the PC Byte one with the Ryzen 5 1600X…however i'm i was a bit unsure after reading some of their negative feedback.. It a great deal though and i'm still considering it. Cheers :)

      • scrimshaw on 15/06/2017 - 18:49
        +1

        Pc byte did do some dodgy stuff regarding power supplies. Make sure you choose a better power supply.

        On the market, good ones start from $60, and cheaper ones less than $50 are a bit of a ticking time bomb. Best to avoid.

        • RnO on 15/06/2017 - 19:13

          Legend! thanks scrimshaw

  • StickMan on 15/06/2017 - 16:11
    +2

    I just did up something similar for friends.

    • i5 7th gen (or Ryzen)
    • <$180 mobo
    • 2x 8GB DDR4 sticks would be good, as mobo should have 4 slots for possible 32GB later
    • 256-500GB SSD - I'd suggest Samsung NVMe M.2 250GB for peak performance.
    • 1-2TB drive, or more. WD Black is best, though way more expensive than Seagates etc
    • <$100 for a decent case + PSU combo. Thermaltake do good ones.
    • GTX 1050 Ti GPU, will let you play bunch of games on high. Of course can go AMD or move up/down on GPU tiers as required.

    Buy from a reputable online store such as PC Case Gear, and maybe even pay them extra $60-100 to build it for you.

    I'm sure plenty of people here can chime in to help you finalise a part list.

    • RnO on 15/06/2017 - 18:48

      Thanks for the info and help Stickman, much appreciated :)

  • mrmc on 15/06/2017 - 16:20
    +2

    This might suit your needs better - Has an SSD, GTX 1060 6GB and a "free" wireless adapter AC1300.

    http://www.msy.com.au/SYSTEMS/intelgaming2.pdf

    http://www.msy.com.au/SYSTEMS/amdgaming2.pdf

    • StickMan on 15/06/2017 - 16:22
      +1

      Yeah, pretty much this. Though I recommended cutting down the GPU a little to invest in I/O and RAM.

    • RnO on 15/06/2017 - 19:12

      Hey! thanks heaps for that, they're both great options, I'm very tempted in getting the AMD Gaming 2 option and paying for the upgrade for the ryzen 5 1600… Thanks it's a big help, now I need to find a decent monitor, more research!

  • mrmc on 15/06/2017 - 19:17

    kogan has a 144hz monitor for $259 atm, cant speak to the quality but its reviews arent too bad.

    https://www.dicksmith.com.au/da/buy/kogan-24-led-144hz-gamin…

    • RnO on 15/06/2017 - 23:42

      Thanks mrmc… I'll check it out 👍

  • currentfad on 15/06/2017 - 19:29
    +2

    Please don't go anywhere near the tower you have in OP… GTX630 system for 1.3k? Wtf?

    Based on what you intend to use it for, go with Ryzen.

    Mate built this for ~$1.1k during 20% off ebay sales

    R5 1600
    ASRock AB350
    rx480 8gb <—-won't be possible for this price anymore, change this to 1060 6gb
    16gb 3200 vengeance
    1tb blue hdd
    120 sandisk ssd
    corsair 450cxm
    choose your own case

    • RnO on 15/06/2017 - 20:40

      Haha yeah I definitely won't be going for that one that I originally saw. Thanks for all the info you've just posted,I'll definitely look into that…looks like a great set up.

      • currentfad on 15/06/2017 - 20:47

        Also please don't be afraid to build it yourself. There are great resources out there and I watched a very informed build today here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y2P2uGWCGM

        Only thing I disagree with the video is the way they applied the thermal paste, but you don't need to do that since thermal paste is actually pre-applied onto the cpu fan. Good luck!

        • RnO on 15/06/2017 - 21:32

          Hey! I just checked out the link you sent me… I'm now seriously considering building my own with the exact parts and just follow the video. Thanks a bunch, Great stuff!

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