Building a Desktop in India

[GODMODE09]

Hello,
This is my 1st desktop PC, I have chosen all the parts and hope someone would suggest me better parts in the same range that I might have missed.



Approximate Purchase Date: 1-2 months.

Budget Range: ~<1200$ or <60,000 INR 1USD= 54 INR(I would extend it to 100$ more, although I have already stretched it from 1000$) .
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Playing online poker for ~10hrs/day with 2 Dell U2412M monitors @ full resolution. > Latest racing games (NFS,Dirt,etc) > Watching videos > music > browsing

Are you buying a monitor: Separate budget for Dell U2412M


Parts to Upgrade: All parts are new.

Do you need to buy OS: Yes/Separate budget (thought I'd buy a genuine Windows 8 ) (Don't think pirated version would keep me updated)


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: www.theitware.com , www.theitdepot.com . www.onlyssd.com
(If u know websites for other components like onlyssd.com where I found the cheapest SSDs plz suggest them to me. (Indian websites) )

Location: India, TamilNadu, Chennai (Think I'll but them from richie street).

Parts Preferences: None.

Overclocking: No (I'm a technical/hardware noob and am scared of system crashes/over heating/huge electricity bills)

SLI or Crossfire: Preferably not. I would like to have 1 card instead of two for the same above mentioned reasons.

Your Monitor Resolution: 1980x1600 16:10 (I'm pretty sure this is the Dell U2412M's resolution).

Additional Comments: I would like it not to look like my Big APC UPS/black box. Pretty cool would'nt hurt I guess..

Why Are You Upgrading: Old Dell Vostro Laptop is too old/lags with external monitor playing poker.

This is what I have chosen :
PS: Filters are'nt working in some links, so please add the filters in the left. Sorry for the trouble

Processor : Want theBest Intel i-5 Ivy Brigde (without K) - (Don't think I'll need i-7).
I have a doubt which is better i-5 3550@3.3Gnhz or i-5 3450@3.50Ghz ? (I guess 3550 is, but it is slower than 3450?
http://www.theitwares.com/intel-core-3550-bridge-33ghz-37ghz-turbo-1155-quadcore-desktop-processor-intel-graphics-2500-bx80637i53550-p-2833.html
http://www.theitdepot.com/details-Intel+Core+i5-3450+3.50GHz+Processor_C30P14802.html

Graphic card : HD 7850 2GB (this is why I stretched my budget from 1000$). (To support 2/3 Dell U2412M eyefinity.
Both websites have HD7850 from 16,000INR till 20,000+. I prefer the cheapest one. Help me choose in the 16,000-17,000 range please.
http://www.theitdepot.com/products-Graphic+Cards_C45.html
http://www.theitwares.com/graphic-cards-c-101_36_68.html?options_values_id=138&options_id=3

Mother Board : I really have no idea . I want it to have 7.1audio , usb 3.0 ports, and support everything. (If this is not the best for me , feel free to suggest a better one)
GIGABYTE GA-B75M-D3H LGA 1155 Intel B75 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

RAM= 8GB fastest (RAM is so cheap 😀 , I guess I don't need 16GB? (PC should be upgradable even to 32GB in the future)
They are from 3700 till 5500. Don't mind spending 1500 more if it's really worth it for me. I guess 2x4GB is better than 1x8GB?
Need some help in choosing the best one.
http://www.theitwares.com/memory-desktop-memory-c-30_53.html?options_values_id=93&options_id=2
http://www.theitdepot.com/products-RAM+(Memory)_C6.html

HDD= Nope. I have bought a 500GB external WD 3.0 HDD and will use it to store all vids/etc. (saving on HDD and upgrading from 120GB to 240GB SSD ) (my current laptop is only 160GB and 30% empty)

SSD = 240GB Again I need some help choosing the best one
http://onlyssd.com/ssd-capacity/buy-240gb-ssd (this website is cheaper than the other 2, but sells only SSD)

PSU = 650W (I don't know which brand/model to buy)
http://www.theitwares.com/computer-hardware-power-supplies-c-101_34.html?options_values_id=35&options_id=6
http://www.theitdepot.com/products-PSU+(+Power+Supply+Units)_C14.html

DVD writer = I need it to do everything except play blue ray.

Keyboard = Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 (instead of Razer Arctosa) What do u say?

Cabinet : Cooling>Performance>Upgrade space>looks
Still I would like it to look cool. Should have USB 3.0 ports and keep everything cool.
Antec 301 (although I feel it looks like a big black box)/ Cooler master 431
http://www.theitdepot.com/details-Cooler+Master+Elite+431Black+With+Side+Panel+Window+USB+3.0+and+Extrenal+SATA+Docking+Station+(RC-431P-KWN2)_C5P12949.html
How about the NZXT? Is it better than the above 2? I think it's worth it to spend 1000INR extra since it shows temperature and stuff and is really cool . I have to look at it everyday for the next couple of years 😀
http://www.theitdepot.com/details-NZXT+Gaurdian+921+RB+ATX+Cabinet+-+Blue_C5P11577.html


Wifi adapter= Edimax EW-7728In Wireless PCI Card N300 3 Antenna 3 Yr.

I have already bought a Razer death adder mouse, APC 1KV UPS, Belkin N150 modem .

Thanks in advance

 

[GODMODE09]

Hi guys,
This set-up comes costs me 85K + another HD7870 will cost me 20K , so total is more than 100K (2000$)
I guess this is way too expensive , and I'm starting to think , do I really need it.. as I will be paying from my own pocket.
I will surely buy the Logitech G27 and play seats. But I think just 1 24-inch monitor is enough to make me happy.
I will buy a secondary monitor for poker and have a 2 monitor set-up for poker.

I will stick with the same processor, graphic card and RAM but I want to cut down on the parts for eyefinity.

SO Here goes the Final Config :

Intel i-5 3570 Ivy bridge (not going to overclock) [No change in processor]
Sapphire HD 7870 2GB Factory Overclocked Graphic card [Will buy only 1 card (No cross fire ever)]
Coolermaster hyper 212 evo cooler ( Do I still need this ? Still I'll be using my PC for a good 15hrs stleast everyday Maybe a more appropriate cooler for this config? )
G.Skill RipjawsX DDR3 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) @1600Mhz (No change here)
Asus P8H77-m pro mother board ( Now that I'm not going to crossfire, a cheaper one ?
Cossair Carbide 300r case A smaller and cheaper one?
Seasonic 760W Modular Power Supply (SS-760KM) I sure we can cut down on this a lot ?
Razer Lycosa Keyboard (No change)
Cricial 256 GB m4 SSD (No HDD needed/bought) I have an external 500GB HDD and will buy an internal one when the prices come down (No change )
CD/DVD Drive = 1500
Wifi adapter.
No more changes.

I took this decision because I think I could save more than 30K INR / 550$+ by not going for 2 card set-up and could really use the money to buy something much more useful , like two Dell U2412M monitors

I still want to have quality parts from good brands . Only excluding the stuff that only cross-fire needs.
I will surely buy a logitech G27 and playseat in 2-3 months and play using 1 24-inch monitor.

PS : I'm really sorry for wasting your time, I guess I got a bit carried away by watching gamers playing racing games with eyefinity set-ups using this steering wheels on youtube .

Thank you very much.

 

[malbluff]

If you are ruling out crossfire, you certainly don't need 750w. 550w is more than enough, but you still need to ensure it is high quality. Seasonic, XFX, BeQuiet, PC Power&C (600w), Antec, all have good offerings. Obviously it's a question of what's available.
When considering other reductions, temperature is a consideration. If you are in a nice, air conditioned environment, then case, and CPU cooling are less critical, and you could use stock CPU cooler, and cheaper case. If you are more "exposed" to the obvious temperature issues, in India, I wouldn't recommend reducing much, other than the power supply. You could cut back on motherboard, as you're not having crossfire. It is a nice board, in many ways, so I'm not sure it's worth saving a small amount on a lesser board.

 

[GODMODE09]

Hi guys ,
I want to buy a 16:10 monitor (better for poker) and have Dell U2412M in mind. This has a 60hz refresh rate .
So I guess any game won't exceed 60FPS in this monitor ...
However when I check this , Dirt 3 (most demanding racing games till now ) runs @ 68FPS+ @ ultra setting on a 1920x1200 monitor even on a HD 5870 ...

So there's no point for me to buy a HD 7850/7870 now ? Since I won't get more than 60FPS ? Is there anything else extra that the HD7850 can offer when I use this monitor ?

Is it true that I won't notice any difference for racing games when it is above 60fps?

If all the above is true , I would go for a previous model/cheaper one than HD7850 and buy a motherboard that would be more future proof so that I can upgrade to a HD7850/7870 when racing games really need it and the prices would have come down for those cards as well then.

Is a 60hz monitor good enough to play using steering wheels ?

Thanks

 

[malbluff]

At 1920x1080 Dirt 3 @ Ultra, 4xAA, HD7850 gets 84fps ave, HD7870 gets 104fps ave.
The power cons &temps on old 5xxx were a lot higher than 7xxx.

 

[GODMODE09]

Hi.. I'll either buy HD7850 or 7870 Ghx edition..
About the case, How is NZXT Guardian 921 RB ??

http://www.nzxt.com/new/products/crafted_series/guardian_921_rb

I really like this case and is in the similar price as Cossair Carbide 300r.

Can I install 2 SSDs, @ HD7870 or better , evo cooler , etc?

Also does it have front/side USB 3.0 ports? It says USB 3.0, but I can't find any ports.

Thanks

 

[GODMODE09]

Hi guys,, This is the final config : I have made some changes to reduce the prices a bit :

If u find anything I have done wrong please let me know..

Intel i-5 3550 @3.3Ghz

Gigabyte GA-H77-DS3H 32GB DDR3 Intel Motherboard
http://www.theitdepot.com/details-Gigabyte+GA-H77-DS3H+32GB+DDR3+Intel+Motherboard_C13P15351.html

PSU :
http://www.theitdepot.com/details-Corsair+Enthusiast+Series+TX750+V2+750W+Power+Supply+(CMPSU-750TXV2)_C14P10725.html

2x4GB 1600 Gskill RAM

GPU : HD 7870 Ghz edition (might xfire in the future)

256GB Crucial M4 SSD

Will add a HDD in the future

CASE : Cossair 400r [no extra cooling added / evo 212 cooler removed from the list]

CD/DVD Drive

wifi adapter

Microsoft Sidewinder X4

Thanks in advance

This comes to 75K INR and I save 10K INR (200$).

If u don't like anything in my config, please feel free to tell me.

 

[malbluff]

All seems good. PSU is good quality, and ample power. The only slight drawback is that it is not modular. The modular version, or the Seasonic X, would be better, from that point of view, but more expensive. If you are happy with non-modular, stick with your current selection.

 

[GODMODE09]

Thanks, I have some doubt about the mother board :
http://www.gigabyte.in/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4316#sp


"1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16)
(The PCIEX16 slot conforms to PCI Express 3.0 standard.)
* For optimum performance, if only one PCI Express graphics card is to be installed, be sure to install it in the PCIEX16 slot.
* Whether PCI Express 3.0 is supported depends on CPU and graphics card compatibility. "

Will there be any compromise in the performance when xfire cards are installed in PCTe 8 slots ?

Also in the memory column, I read this :

"4 x 1.5V DDR3 DIMM sockets supporting up to 32 GB of system memory
* Due to a Windows 32-bit operating system limitation, when more than 4 GB of physical memory is installed, the actual memory size displayed will be less than the size of the physical memory installed."

Does this mean I can't install Windows 8 64-bit ?? I will use only 64-bit operating system .

If I buy a HD 7850 now, can I add a HD 7870 after a year or HD 7970 card to xfire with the existing HD 7850 or does it have to be the same cards in cross fire??

 

[malbluff]

I had thought you weren't interested in 2nd card,but yes, for OPTIMUM performance 2 slots @ x16 is ideal. In practice, a 2nd slot at x8 isn't a real issue.
The reference to RAM just means IF you have 32bit, only 4 GB can be utilised. For 64 bit there is no such restriction.

 

[GODMODE09]

Well that was because of budget problems, but I have cut down prices and like to keep my options open... Will surely xfire when the HD79xx series comes down to ~300$ after a year or so

Just no overclocking because I don't know how to do it and am paranoid about burning the processor + heat issues..

 

[itspriyank]

Okay take my suggestion:
Don't go for online websites in India, they charge too much. I have got my system built in Chandigarh for about 90K INR and it was about 23K less thatn online pricing. Either it be flipkart or thitdepot.


You should check with local distributer of various companies to buy the products. They sell at their offices.

Go for intel i5-3450 its cheap. Although both the models are not too much on overclocking side. But as you said you dont need. It cost around Rs. 10500 in chandigarh.

Get the Asus model of 7850 2GB DDR5 edition which has two fans for better cooling. Its cost around Rs. 17000.

And for motherboard go for ASUS P8H77-M Motherboard which costs about Rs. 8000.

For RAM get G.Skill Ripjaws (2 X 4GB) 1600MHZ, but dont get 8 GB stick, you wont be able to dual channel it. Two rams cost 2800 here.

So left is PSU, I believe you dont need 650W at all. You should go for 550W max. Get a corsair make model. It should not cost you more than 3900.

So the total of above goes to 42200 INR. And you are left with 11800 INR to choose cooling and cabinet. In my opinion don't buy SSD.

 

[GODMODE09]

Okay take my suggestion:
Don't go for online websites in India, they charge too much. I have got my system built in Chandigarh for about 90K INR and it was about 23K less thatn online pricing. Either it be flipkart or thitdepot.


You should check with local distributer of various companies to buy the products. They sell at their offices.

Go for intel i5-3450 its cheap. Although both the models are not too much on overclocking side. But as you said you dont need. It cost around Rs. 10500 in chandigarh.

Get the Asus model of 7850 2GB DDR5 edition which has two fans for better cooling. Its cost around Rs. 17000.

And for motherboard go for ASUS P8H77-M Motherboard which costs about Rs. 8000.

For RAM get G.Skill Ripjaws (2 X 4GB) 1600MHZ, but dont get 8 GB stick, you wont be able to dual channel it. Two rams cost 2800 here.

So left is PSU, I believe you dont need 650W at all. You should go for 550W max. Get a corsair make model. It should not cost you more than 3900.

So the total of above goes to 42200 INR. And you are left with 11800 INR to choose cooling and cabinet. In my opinion don't buy SSD.

Thanks for your suggestions.. I live in Chennai and have'nt cheked the local prices so far.. I'm quoting online because to be on the safer side ( I know local prices will be a bit more cheaper).
Is the Asus model really worth the extra 2K ?
About the PSU , I will cross fire it later .. so I need this big PSU..
And I really need SSD for my database involving work/poker.. It's the 1st component I really need it.. I even ditched a HDD to get a 256 GB SSD instead of 120GB HDD as I have an external HDD..

 

[GODMODE09]

Best answer selected by GODMODE09.