Looking for The Best $750 Desktop

Lexposedleg on 07/01/2013 - 22:22

Hi all,

I'm looking for a decent desktop for around $750. I'd like to play games on it as well, but the primary use will be for everyday stuff. I already have a monitor, keyboard, mice etc.

I do not want to overclock or do further upgrades in the future.

I don't know how to build my own PC, so recommendations for a retailer that could help me do it would be excellent!

Also, I'm not too sure if this is a good deal: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/INTEL-Core-i7-3770-3-4GHz-DESKTOP…
I understand that it doesn't come with Windows 7 or a dedicated graphics card, but would it be worthwhile to buy that PC and pay for an upgrade? If so, which ones?

Thanks!

Computing

Comments

  • aerona on 07/01/2013 - 23:12
    +1

    The ebay link you supplied uses an INTEL HD4000 Graphics. Pretty horrible. Probably a $50 graphic card now.

    Please note: If the customer does not purchase the Windows 7 DVD, we will wipe off all the data on the hard drive after we finish testing.
    So the customer will receive a computer without any software installed. and the customer has to install the Windows himself/herself after he/she receives the computer.

    Lol

    Build your own, use whirlpool forums as a guide. It's simple to construct it but if you don't want to look at the gaming builds on there! :)

  • ProspectiveDarkness on 07/01/2013 - 23:23
    +5

    Don't even think about getting one from eBay. As aerona suggested, look at the Whirlpool wiki or make your own thread for tips on how to make your own. If you don't think you're up to the challenge (even though it's fairly straightforward), you can look at PCCG's list of pre-built systems here.

    What games do you plan on playing, and at what level?
    General tips:

    • An i5 will perform exactly the same, in terms of gaming, as an i7. Unless you're heavily into Photoshop and VM's, don't bother with the i7's. Hell, even an i3 would be suitable, if your budget can't accommodate.

    • If your budget allows for it, try to look for 1600MHz RAM… fortunately, RAM is relatively cheap. Try to go for Corsair of G.skill

    • Again, if your budget allows for it, try to squeeze in an SSD (solid state drive). A 120GB SSD is mainly used as the boot drive for your OS, and improves Windows startup times, game loading times, and general usage speed. If you can't fit in an SSD, do not use a 5400RPM (Green) drive as your boot drive. They are slow, and typically have reduced lifespans, compared to their 7200RPM counterparts.

    • You'll want a 64-bit operating system.

    • Try to stay away from generic power supplies, which most pre-built systems will have. If it doesn't list the specific name of the PSU, then chances are it's generic.

    • As above, don't trust a pre-built system's specifications if it doesn't list specific parts. A '1GB graphics card' could be anything from a 7570 to a 7950, and I think you can guess what they'll throw in there. At your price range, without info on what games you plan on playing, a 7870 / 660 or lower look to be suitable.

    As for retailers, PCCG and MSY are generally reliable.

    • 17833 on 08/01/2013 - 16:39

      Great advice, looking to build a PC, thanks for posting this.

  • scrimshaw on 08/01/2013 - 00:04
    +2

    Building a PC is pretty easy. Once you've done it once, you will know how to do it in the future. Good skill to have (saves you money down the road).

    This is my system recommendation — based off the WP Wiki Build, all I did was change the GPU from 7850 to 7870.
    CPU: Intel Core i5 3470 $185
    Mobo: AsRock B75M-DGS $59
    RAM: 8G Kit 1600 G.Skill-NT $49
    HDD: Seagate Barracuda 2TB (ST2000DM001) $94
    GPU: Radeon 2GB7870 MSI OC $217
    Case&PSU: Thermaltake V4 Black Edition w/ USB3 and 500W Litepower PSU $75
    OEM 32 bit MS Windows8 $99

    TOTAL $778

    Not including building fee ($70)

    • exposedleg on 09/01/2013 - 01:27

      Thanks for all the information. Do you know where would be the best (cheapest) place to buy these components / get it built?

      And seeing as you derived it from the forums, do you think I would I be expected to overclock it to get the intended performance? How would it perform without overclocking?

      Thanks again!

      • scrimshaw on 09/01/2013 - 02:05
        +1

        The prices I quoted are from MSY, which is the cheapest place to buy from. However, seeing that you're in Melbourne you could try PC Case Gear or Umart as fallback options.
        Also there's a mistake in the part list, it should be 64bit Windows 8 not 32 bit.

        I don't have a crystal ball, so I can't tell you how it performs.

        But for gaming, the GPU is more of a bottleneck in the system than the Core i5 3470 is, so you probably won't ever need to OC the CPU, unless you decide to upgrade the card.

        The graphics card is what dictates the performance in this particular build.

        Here's a benchmark and review of the card if you're so inclined:
        http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/4661/msi_radeon_hd_7870_2gb…

        • exposedleg on 10/01/2013 - 20:38

          MSY quoted me on this item:
          "Thermaltake VM350B1W2A V4-USB3.0 Case USB3.0 Black 1
          Edition with 450W PSU $75"

          Is this the right one?

          And do you know if MSY would be willing to discount items?

        • exposedleg on 10/01/2013 - 20:40

          And also, is there any warranty? 1 year, 2 years?

        • scrimshaw on 10/01/2013 - 20:56

          Yes that is the right case.

          No, don't haggle with MSY. They won't give you any discounts.

          The warranty is usually 1 year parts warranty. Within that 12 month period if anything goes wrong, you take it back to the shop and they RMA it for you.
          However past that period, you have to do the RMA yourself.

          Thermaltake offers 2 years warranty for their cases.
          http://warranty.thermaltake.com.au/

          Extra note
          Always, always keep the receipt. Scan it and save it, and keep the original copy. Also helps to save the original packaging too.

  • spammingb on 08/01/2013 - 01:01

    I think all the PCCG systems went up in price. Not as good value as they use to be. Best bet is to build your own computer.

  • ethereal88 on 08/01/2013 - 07:51

    Build your own. Prebuilts are trash.

  • nt on 08/01/2013 - 09:15

    I recently bought desktop computer from centrecom. they are well priced. Only thing you need to do is activate the windows once you connected to internet.

    http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/thunderstorm-thunderstor…

    I also upgrade the screen to 24" for additional $30 and bought wireless usb adapter for $30

    the performance is good so far with using adobe products.

  • WT on 08/01/2013 - 14:04

    Hardest part of building a pc is the cpu installation into the motherboard. You can google/youtube how to do it.

    Other then that, front in/out (power, reset, front USB 2.0) require opening of the instructions. Not hard, but time consuming. For a basic system its 6-8 pins usually.

    Everything else pretty much is plug in

    You cant future proof a pc unless you only intend to play a certain games.

    • scrimshaw on 08/01/2013 - 15:08

      Hardest part of building a pc is the cpu installation into the motherboard

      Slotting the CPU into a socket is the hardest part? I think that's because people are scared that they would break off pins in the socket, but that won't actually happen if you just dropped the CPU into the socket (and in the right orientation) and without using any force. The actual installation of the CPU is probably one of the easiest things you can do.

      Spreading the thermal paste correctly though, takes a few tries if you're new.

      For me, the hardest part of building a desktop is the cable management. Perhaps I'm just OCD, but it takes me around 30 minutes to get the damn thing neat and tidy.

      • aerona on 08/01/2013 - 16:17

        I think alot of the ivy bridges actually already have thermal paste installed.. I don't recall my 3770K needing any paste from the instructions or no paste was included.

        • ethereal88 on 08/01/2013 - 16:53

          If you use the crappy stock heatsink yes. If its i5 or i7 get an aftermarket heatsink.

        • scrimshaw on 08/01/2013 - 17:10

          In this hot weather, yeah you should look into getting some 3rd party coolers and Mx4 paste lol.

        • _Bruce_ on 08/01/2013 - 17:52

          Those who are recommending third party coolers, may I ask why? Have you ever found that your CPU clocks down due to the thermal limit? I haven't (excluding laptops).

        • aerona on 09/01/2013 - 06:51

          Stock one i've found runs about 45degrees-60degrees, my friends one has a aftermarket and runs about 1-5 degrees cooler. Someone a little more techy professional is running a CPU water cooler which runs about 36degrees. I think the water cooler makes a killer difference except it cost $200.

          My casing seems to do a good job keeping heat out though antec 1100 i think?. IMO fan to maximize the circulation around the case & an SSD card for less energy might be better before getting an aftermarket cooler i reckon, If you think a video card is more important than a CPU. Also i meant i'm running a 3570K not 3770K lol.

          The aftermarket heatsink cooler is a good idea though, esp in the 46 degree heat in SA, Felt bad for my computer so just left it off all day and used my netbook lol.

          Disclaimer: I am no computer expert

        • ethereal88 on 09/01/2013 - 10:50

          Must be a crappy cooler. My aftermarket Noctua runs at 50 max for my i7 3770 at stock.

      • WT on 10/01/2013 - 10:47

        yeah not hard but daunting for the first time

  • James101 on 10/01/2013 - 00:10

    A Mac Min, either the i5 or i7 processor models released under 2 months ago are great. But it depends on what games you want to play, since OS X doesn't have all the latest titles like Windows PC's do.

    Look out for the 10% discounts, or if your in a hurry I can tell you how to talk the sales guys at Apple retail into giving you 10% off. Heck they have a 14 day money back period too. Ram is easy to upgrade, and when you need more get 16GB (two 8GB paired sticks). 16GB G.skill Mac specific ram is under $100 right now. If you ever feel adventurous, you can follow the ifixit guides to swap or add a new SSD hard drive.

    I'd highly recommend getting the Magic Trackpad as it will let you swipe with three fingers to easily switch to your next virtual desktop. A truly invaluable feature I could not do without. The i7 models have a GeekBench score of 10-13,000, which is excellent. A quad core i7 would be my pick.

    Mac Mini i5 $630.00 (after 10%/$70 discount) or $810 for the i7 (after 10% $90 discount).
    Magic Trackpad $75.
    23" HP W2371d $174.00 @ Officeworks + $11.00 DVI cable @ Centercom

    • ProspectiveDarkness on 10/01/2013 - 01:19

      The Mac Mini is a terrible option for gaming: it only has integrated graphics, FFS. Add to that: it is a whole lot easier to customize a desktop PC, which are a lot better value for money than anything with an Apple logo on it. An i7 and 16GB of RAM will mean absolutely jack when it has no decent graphics to speak of.

      I'm sorry, but the personal bias in this astounds me. So you prefer Mac products and they suit your needs; that's great. But the Mac Mini is grossly inadequate for the OP's purposes, and is so far off his original suggestion that it borders on the ridiculous. Not to mention the base models are already more expensive than other suggestions,and are severely underspecced in comparison.

      • scrimshaw on 10/01/2013 - 02:55

        I'm even more amazed that he actually suggested a trackpad. For a gaming desktop, no less.

        I can't even fathom why you'd want a trackpad just for the sole purpose of switching between desktops, what happened to good old keyboard shortcuts? :) A mouse still offers the best in terms of productivity and precision.

        • James101 on 10/01/2013 - 12:38

          @scrimshaw

          Nonsense, in all the years of virtual spaces on Linux and Windows nothing tops the three finger swipe. It's the difference between using it occasionally or all the time. When your gaming just plug in a mouse?

          Gaming desktop? OP is wanting something mostly not for gaming

      • James101 on 10/01/2013 - 12:32
        -2

        "but the primary use will be for everyday stuff."

        You see.

        "I do not want to overclock or do further upgrades in the future."

        You see.

        "I don't know how to build my own PC"

        You see.

        I'm sorry, but the personal bias in this astounds me. So you prefer Mac products and they suit your needs; that's great.

        Sure I'm biased. If gaming is not your main purpose OS X is superior.

        Not to mention the base models are already more expensive than other suggestions,and are severely underspecced in comparison.

        Find me a similiarly speced desktop under 4cm high and then talk.

        • James101 on 10/01/2013 - 18:28
          -1

          It's just another opinion for the OP to consider. You're also underestimating what the mini is capable of. Yes you can do gaming and do it well. Not for all titles, but for whatever's available on OS X probably yes. Your not gonna crank the settings right up on some of them either.

          You fail to address the OP's main concern, which was posted in the title, FFS.

          "the best" does not rest on hardware specs alone. Power usage, portability, ease of use, an excellent App Store and OS, etc. At the end of the day your still using Windows, while I'm on OS X. Your opinion does not make something the best. Maybe for you. Not for everyone else.

          It's painfully obvious you know nothing about the world of desktop PC's outside your precious Apple, so why don't you let people who actually know something do the talking, m'kay?

          Hasn't anyone told you that assumptions are the mother of all f*** ups?

        • ProspectiveDarkness on 10/01/2013 - 18:43

          It's just another opinion for the OP to consider. You're also underestimating what the mini is capable of. Yes you can do gaming and do it well. Not for all titles, but for whatever's available on OS X probably yes. You not gonna crank the settings right up on some of them either.

          On a HD4000? Right. I'll play along for a second and accept that it can play games at an acceptable rate… what about future games? You have absolutely no ability to boost the Mac Mini's abilities in the future, and it would quickly become unable to keep up with most games on the market, within at least a year or two.

          There is no comparison between integrated graphics and a medium to high level graphics card. Such a card can last you at least 2 years at high settings on AAA titles, and you can always upgrade if it begins to fall behind.

          In the context of gaming, you're not grasping the determining factor in quality - the graphics card. As I said above (my very first comment), the processor really won't affect things a great deal, nor will an over-abundance of RAM. For a lasting solution, a desktop PC really is the best choice for all the requirements listed by the OP. If the OP had a larger budget, and were looking for a PC with a very small footprint for basic uses, I would agree with the Mac Mini as a logical choice… but he's not.

          Hasn't anyone told you that assumptions are the mother of all f*** ups?

          I admit, that part may have been unnecessary, but I prefer to think of it as an inference rather than an assumption (you haven't given me much of a reason to think otherwise)

    • ethereal88 on 10/01/2013 - 09:23

      Apple is rubbish. Back to your latte's and skinny jeans now.

  • ItsMeAgro on 21/01/2013 - 14:35

    www.reddit.com/r/buildapc has hundreds of people who love to put together good builds for strangers, as well as other help and advice. Ask there.

  • trishwhite on 28/02/2013 - 23:09

    Can you still get computers built to order with Windows 7? Not keen on Windows 8 heard to many problems with it
    cheers trish

    • scrimshaw on 01/03/2013 - 05:51

      Yes you can. Most computer shops will still stock the OEM packages and you can order them just by itself or ask the vendor to install it for you. E.g PC Case Gear, BudgetPC, VisionTech, UMART, Mwave and MSY.

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