[SOLVED] $900 PC Build

[dragonfly22588]

I am finally looking at getting a new system on my 2012 system. I am a light gamer playing games like World of Warships on occasion, some strategy games like COH, Civilization, MS office products . I'm experiencing some performance issues in these games and not running on high settings, running out of space in my 1 T HD. I'm thinking of doing a new build, looking for reliable and practical performance. Are computer components at this time still way overpriced? 1-2 years ago I was thinking of doing it but people were saying at the time it was way to expensive. In the next few months is there any particular reason to wait or buy now? The system I have is in my signature and I live in the Los Angeles area. A few things about the recommendation I am looking for.

1. I would like to have a 2 TB SSD and only 1 storage drive
2. I would strongly prefer to keep my existing graphics card as it works but if it's to old or to much of a bottleneck then I would consider a total budget of $1100
3. I am looking for a reliable and stable system that I won't do any over clocking or upgrades except for the graphics card. I'm expecting this system to run me another 10 years.
4. I won't need an OS as I should be able to transfer mine to the new computer.
5. I won't be purchasing a monitor and I currently have a Asus VG356H.

Thanks.

 

[dragonfly22588]

@Why_Me @helper800 ok guys, I look a blend of different advice and wanted to get your final opinions on this list. I factored in pricing I can get at Micro Center into the price estimate as I've decided to make a trip over there. I also added my current monitor and the fact that I'm going to use a wireless card instead of a board with wifi. I also thought it might be a idea to use the gen 4 MV2 slot for storage with a Kingston SSD. I did see warning about a BIOS update I might need, can anyone confirm I will have to do this in order to use my CPU? I wanted to double check fit and compatibility. This appears to all be right at my budget but I wanted to throw out there if there was any more price optimization and if another $100 or less would significantly improve long term performance? If not I think I'm going to purchase the stuff. Also, is it going to be better to try to transfer my Windows license from my current computer or use a free Windows 11 someone said I could get?

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/bHhPW4

 

[Why_Me]

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1687331-REG/msi_pro_b660m_a_wifi_ddr4.html
MSI PRO B660M-A WIFI DDR4 $149.99

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/PRO-B660M-A-WIFI-DDR4

 

[helper800]

@Why_Me @helper800 ok guys, I look a blend of different advice and wanted to get your final opinions on this list. I factored in pricing I can get at Micro Center into the price estimate as I've decided to make a trip over there. I also added my current monitor and the fact that I'm going to use a wireless card instead of a board with wifi. I also thought it might be a idea to use the gen 4 MV2 slot for storage with a Kingston SSD. I did see warning about a BIOS update I might need, can anyone confirm I will have to do this in order to use my CPU? I wanted to double check fit and compatibility. This appears to all be right at my budget but I wanted to throw out there if there was any more price optimization and if another $100 or less would significantly improve long term performance? If not I think I'm going to purchase the stuff. Also, is it going to be better to try to transfer my Windows license from my current computer or use a free Windows 11 someone said I could get?

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/bHhPW4

I changed the PSU to a better quality unit for around the same price with a better warranty, I changed the SSD to a more mainstream brand with a DRAM cache which is important for a primary drive, and changed the the case to a different one that will still fit everything because the fractal design one lost its promo deal.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-12400 2.5 GHz 6-Core Processor ($159.99)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($19.89 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI PRO B660M-A WIFI DDR4 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($109.99)
Memory: Silicon Power GAMING 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($67.97 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($159.99 @ Adorama)
Video Card: ASRock Challenger D Radeon RX 6600 8 GB Video Card ($219.99 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Nova Mesh SE ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.90 @ Newegg Sellers)
Power Supply: Corsair RM650 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCIe x1 Wi-Fi Adapter (Purchased For $0.00)
Monitor: Asus VG245H 24.0" 1920 x 1080 75 Hz Monitor (Purchased For $0.00)
Total: $882.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2022-12-21 17:13 EST-0500

As a side note; The integrated wifi card on the motherboard will be better than the wifi card you have to install in the motherboard. It has faster dual band speeds, wifi6e, Bluetooth 5.2, and also comes with antennae for extra range. My advice would be to try the integrated wifi card on the motherboard before installing the 3rd party card into the motherboard.

 

[dragonfly22588]

@Why_Me I've decided I'm not going to need onboard wifi since I'm going to use the wifi card I found, so is the board you are recommending taking that into account since it would be more expensive than a non wifi board

@helper800 I just read up on the DRAM on SSD and didn't realize about it. Is it also worth getting that in PCI 4? I have the Fractal Case 2 on Newegg backorder but I might go for an alternative or pay more if it takes to long. Regarding the motherboard yes I'm aware the card is not as good as onboard wifi, The only benefit I could see with Bluetooth motherboard was wireless peripherals unless I'm missing anything else. From what I can tell and from other recommendations I the only one that people recommended from the Micro Center was

https://www.microcenter.com/product...r-wifi-d4-intel-lga-1700-microatx-motherboard

Unless you see another wifi one for less worth getting instead.

 

[helper800]

@Why_Me I've decided I'm not going to need onboard wifi since I'm going to use the wifi card I found, so is the board you are recommending taking that into account since it would be more expensive than a non wifi board

@helper800 I just read up on the DRAM on SSD and didn't realize about it. Is it also worth getting that in PCI 4? I have the Fractal Case 2 on Newegg backorder but I might go for an alternative or pay more if it takes to long. Regarding the motherboard yes I'm aware the card is not as good as onboard wifi, The only benefit I could see with Bluetooth motherboard was wireless peripherals unless I'm missing anything else. From what I can tell and from other recommendations I the only one that people recommended from the Micro Center was

https://www.microcenter.com/product...r-wifi-d4-intel-lga-1700-microatx-motherboard

Unless you see another wifi one for less worth getting instead.

Get the same motherboard without wifi built in if you must use the card, it will save you about 20 dollars.

 

[logainofhades]

If I value my time at 20-30 dollars an hour, you mind as well pay more online, but I definitely understand chasing these deals. I am only 25 minutes from this specific store myself.

Like I said, when I go, I make a day out of it. Enjoy some other places while I am in the area. I rarely just go there and come right back home.

 

[dragonfly22588]

@helper800 Thank you to you and everyone else for your advice. I decided to go ahead and go with a build that is probably closest to your recommendation. With the changes being the CPU being a i5-12400F, Fractal Design Focus 2, and going with on board Wifi board. Grand total going over budget slightly at a grand total of $1,019.77. I'm sure I will be back with more questions as I assemble it.

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/bLQZ3y

CPU: Intel Core i5-12400F 2.5 GHz 6-Core Processor ($161.99 @Newgg)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($21.63 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI PRO B660M-A WIFI DDR4 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Silicon Power GAMING 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($68.47 @ Newegg Sellers)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($154.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: ASRock Challenger D Radeon RX 6600 8 GB Video Card ($239.24 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Focus 2 ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.79 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair RM650 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($92.43 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VG245H 24.0" 1920 x 1080 75 Hz Monitor (Purchased For $0.00)
Grand Total: $1,019.77

 

[Why_Me]

@helper800 Thank you to you and everyone else for your advice. I decided to go ahead and go with a build that is probably closest to your recommendation. With the changes being the CPU being a i5-12400F, Fractal Design Focus 2, and going with on board Wifi board. Grand total going over budget slightly at a grand total of $1,019.77. I'm sure I will be back with more questions as I assemble it.

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/bLQZ3y

CPU: Intel Core i5-12400F 2.5 GHz 6-Core Processor ($161.99 @Newgg)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($21.63 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI PRO B660M-A WIFI DDR4 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Silicon Power GAMING 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($68.47 @ Newegg Sellers)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($154.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: ASRock Challenger D Radeon RX 6600 8 GB Video Card ($239.24 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Focus 2 ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.79 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair RM650 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($92.43 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VG245H 24.0" 1920 x 1080 75 Hz Monitor (Purchased For $0.00)
Grand Total: $1,019.77

Once you get that built you're going to think you went from a Volkswagen Beetle to a Porsche. ^^