Computer Build/Laptop Suggestion for Work and Casual Gaming (~$1300)

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  CrispyChrispy on 20/05/2022 - 21:55

  Wouldn't reccomend the laptop if you're not carting it around with you to work, school, uni, etc. Better off with a PC if you're using it exclusively at home.

  Have you built PCs before? Can be quite a tedious task, though there are some good guides out there.

  That first option will play most/all of your Epic Games freebies just fine. Will be the least hassle out of all of them IMO, unless you decide to upgrade in a few years (not sure how easy it is to upgrade/swap out the components in it).

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  s1Lence on 20/05/2022 - 23:05

  +2

  am i blind or did you build a $1300 pc without a dedicated graphics card? for that price you should easily be able to swap parts around and get a decent gpu
  1) [saves $72] that psu is overkill, buy something cheaper like this https://www.amazon.com.au/Semi-Modular-Low-Noise-Connection-…

  2) [saves $113] rather get a slightly cheaper cpu (and use the stock cpu cooler) and save nearly $100 than not have a dedicated gpu, maybe get a 5600 for like $285 (they were on sale recently for less, maybe you missed out by now though) and pass on an aftermarket fan unless necessary down the line

  3) [saves ~$50] get a cheaper case, like a 4000d, for nearly $100

  4) [saves ~$100] get a cheaper mobo for around $150

  total savings will be nearly $400 which will get you a decent gpu, add a bit more and get something like a $499 6600xt if you find one, or you can risk it and get a used 1080 for nearly 400

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  smashman42 on 20/05/2022 - 23:40

  +3

  Echo Crispy, no laptop unless you really will move it around all the time.

  That said those tiny boxes are basically laptops without screens with almost all the same pitfalls as laptops with upgrade limits, munted CPU/GPUs, etc, just slightly more cooling than the laptop formfactor.

  IMO get a real pre-built box or DIY build, or at worst one of those mini-PCs if you understand the whole thing goes in the bin if you find you need a GPU upgrade.

  Your parts list you could save money on by going down to a B660 board and getting a cheaper CPU cooler as that isn't a very hot CPU
  eg: the Deepcool Gammax GT series 120mm towers where they vary from $30-80 depending on the fan/RGB are good bang for buck and have a not awful mounting mechanism, though they aren't as pretty as that be Quiet unit and with the case you've chosen a nicer looking cooler probably makes sense.

  Case is very personal taste but Lian Li is pretty much good quality no matter what.

  PSU is a good choice, massive overkill but gives you room to add a GPU later if you want and going smaller won't save you much. edit: the one s1Lence listed above is great bang for buck, larger saving than I thought

  Love those RAM kits, top value and great over-clockers if you're into that.

  SSD is a safe choice, you could go cheaper but nothing wrong with that unit.

  Basically it's a pretty decent selection, things I'd do different are all personal taste and needing a proper GPU rather than "you're doing it wrong"

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  freefall101 on 21/05/2022 - 10:32

  R5 5500 + B550M motherboard (and use the stock cooler)+6600XT is about $800 and will give a great 1080p gaming environment (and do all your browser stuff). You're spending $660 on a CPU/Mobo/cooler that basically can't game at all.

  I'd also have a look at what's wrong with your current web-browsing experience. I use an older laptop than yours and have never had a problem. Unless you're constantly running out of RAM, in which case you might want to look at more than 16GB.

  Alternatively - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/700961