Help on coming up with an odd yet sensible system? (I hope)

[vandreadstriker]

Long time no see OCC!

Gosh, I've only been inactive for ~4 months here and yet it felt like a whole year

 

Have been really busy for the last 4 months. Studies were a B**** and the exam period was a complete . I usually consider myself as "Smart-ish" (never had bad grades yet never had outstanding ones either) but this time, all my fingers are crossed.

Why am I telling you this? Well I'm planning on continuing my studies anyway and I'm pretty sure it'd be even more difficult to find some free time, especially during exam periods. I had barely used my system for anything and eventually gave it to my parents (their system went south and I couldn't care less what happened). Have been practically living off my notebook since the end of 2012 (hooked to my 22") and it's starting to get to my nerves. Its slow (seems like some issue with the OS and didn't have time to do a back-up and fresh install), runs incredibly hot (streaming youtube got it to ~80c and I don't even know how) and thus cannot be used for any games (Missed Tomb Raider, Black Ops 2, Metro Last Light, CRYSIS 3; just to name a few). And now, just when I completed my BottleHead Crack Amplifier, the drive won't spin my music CDs!

 

So, with my notebook being useless for any demanding task and my likely diminishing free time in the next couple of years, I've been contemplating on building a system that would at least allow me to game a bit and yet not be a complete waste if I can't use it on a regular basis. Something in the lines of:

 

- Can game on 1080p with moderate - high setting

- Cost effective (needless to say, money is going to be a bit tight)

- Compact (I'd likely be going abroad so being able to carry it with me could be a plus, but not necessary)

- Silent (As of right now, I've no space for a case so I'd set it up on my open shelf, along with my console, DVD/CDs, books, etc)

-> Essentially, a system that is powerful enough for things like Games, Word/Excel/Powerpoint/, Ripping videos, etc (those things you do day to day) and yet not so powerful as to waste money (am I making sense here?)

 

Guess I'll elaborate a little. I don't need games to run on Ultra with various AA/AF settings, etc. I just want it to run without stuttering and yet be good enough graphics wise that its pleasing to the eyes when I game (no rough edges, etc while I play through the story). As long as its playable and looks good enough to the naked eye (in the midst of all the actions etc of the games), it's not wasting money or resources IMO. I want it to launch Firefox quickly but not instantaneously, just that it doesn't take ages to open (like 1 minute, 2 minute, etc. I'd like it to be within a few seconds upon launching). Same goes for Word/Excel/Powerpoint/iTunes, etc. Video ripping, I don't need it to be ridiculously fast. (e.g ripping a 120 minute video in under 30 mins). I just need it to rip within reasonable time (1 hour, 2 hour, 3 hour; not 12-24 hours). Needless to say I want it to be cool enough to let me do some little overclocking if possible to 'future proof' the system it being silent is definitely a huge plus. I guess in some ways, I'm wishing for it to be similar to console. It can run games with beautiful graphics and smoothly, without being too expensive. (Really Psych about PS4! Finally, Kingdom Hearts 3!) But consoles wouldn't let me do presentations or rip DVDs or sync my phone.

 

I hope I'm doing a good job here in painting a picture... I've no budget in mind but I guess right now I'm sure I want it under $800. The cheaper the better.

 

Right now, I'm thinking of APU. The 5800K/6800K with a NH-U12S would definitely be very nice I suppose. Its able to play games at low-medium setting, with medium-high setting barely playable (30FPS or so... (?)). Adding a 6770 and do a hybrid crossfire would be nice in getting playable framerates at reasonable quality, I think(?)

I'm having trouble putting the pieces together. If I had $1000 to spend then I guess it wouldn't be a problem (4670K, any good Z87 board, GTX760/HD7950, 600W PSU etc. Done deal.) but it would be an overkill for me (I don't need 760, heck my old GTX 460 would do what I want) and therefore a waste of money.

Things like "What board should I get for the best combo?", "If I spent more on this, what should I skimp on?" and similar questions are preventing me from putting the pieces together. Also I may or may not build this system in the near future (I might even wait for Kaveri, depending on my situation) but I'm sure that I'd build a system be it next month or a year from now.

 

So guys, I'm really, really hoping that you can help me here. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks

 

[ccokeman]

What is the total budget?

[vandreadstriker]

What is the total budget?

 

Well, I've yet to decide on a budget.. It'll really depend on how much I have on me when I do build the system:

 

I've no budget in mind but I guess right now I'm sure I want it under $800. The cheaper the better.

 

But to be more clear, I guess I'd like it to be nearer to $500. So, if possible, let's assume that the budget would be $500 just for the essentials (CPU+GPU+PSU+RAM+SSD. Coolers and etc would be tomorrow's problem) but if it's impossible to get a decent spec, shoot for $800

 

Thanks

 

EDIT: I forgot to link to a store. Either would be fine:

http://www.waroengkom.com

http://www.nanokomputer.com

 

And the exchange rate is US$1 = IDR 10k so $500 is IDR 5mil.

Edited June 29, 2013 by vandreadstriker

[ohldboy]

Alright an A10-5800/6800 is an FX 4300 and HD 6670.  APU is the top of the line, so know if it will do ya good.

 

If you are contemplating gaming with a discrete card an ATHLON CPU (no video) and an HD 7770 or GTX650  might be better.

Roughly

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113328

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130663

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127703

 

That is perhaps large, mITX  would be more difficult

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mini-itx-do-it-yourself-game-console,3531.html

 

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/budget-mini-itx-gaming-pc,3513.html

Somewhere between the $400 and the $650, and usually you can do better Toms Marathon pricing.

[WarWeeny]

well, here is a build that is aimed at your needs

 

 

mini itx case: http://www.nanokomputer.com/product_info.php?cPath=33_69&products_id=5153

psu: http://www.nanokomputer.com/product_info.php?cPath=32_65&products_id=5378

processor: http://www.nanokomputer.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_38_358&products_id=5301

mini itx motherboard: http://www.nanokomputer.com/product_info.php?cPath=27_40_252&products_id=5577

ram: http://www.nanokomputer.com/product_info.php?cPath=28_50_132_398&products_id=2264

gpu: http://www.nanokomputer.com/product_info.php?cPath=29_54_307&products_id=5889

hdd: http://www.nanokomputer.com/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=3746

 

 

 

asuming you already have a dvd drive lying around i didnt add it.

price is roughly $555.40 excl shipping

 

if you have components you can currently use (the hdd comes into mind, then i would excange the hdd with an ssd), then i can re-do the build with those spare parts in mind

also keep in mind a small formfactor comes with a premium, if you go for a regular desktop size it could save you well over $50

Edited June 30, 2013 by WarWeeny

[VaporX]

You could go with the hybrid crossfire on the APU using a 6670 and reduce the cost some more. Will get you fairly solid performance.

[vandreadstriker]

Alright an A10-5800/6800 is an FX 4300 and HD 6670.  APU is the top of the line, so know if it will do ya good.

 

If you are contemplating gaming with a discrete card an ATHLON CPU (no video) and an HD 7770 or GTX650  might be better.

Roughly

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113328

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130663

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127703

 

That is perhaps large, mITX  would be more difficult

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mini-itx-do-it-yourself-game-console,3531.html

 

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/budget-mini-itx-gaming-pc,3513.html

Somewhere between the $400 and the $650, and usually you can do better Toms Marathon pricing.

 

I'm a bit sceptical on the 750K's performance. It seems to be on par with the 5800K and if so, I think I'd rather get a 6800K and a 6670 to crossfire with..

I'll take a look on those articles more thoroughly but I'm also sceptical whether getting an i3 or Pentium would be of much benefit as well...

 

From what I've gathered, the 5800K/6800K is about on par with i3 3xxx series? The benefit of the A10 would be they're overclockable and strong iGPUs.

If so, am I correct in taking the assumption that I'd gain better performance overclocking the A10 and doing a hybrid crossfire with a 6670? (instead of a stock i3 + 650)

 

well, here is a build that is aimed at your needs

 

 

mini itx case: http://www.nanokomputer.com/product_info.php?cPath=33_69&products_id=5153

psu: http://www.nanokomputer.com/product_info.php?cPath=32_65&products_id=5378

processor: http://www.nanokomputer.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_38_358&products_id=5301

mini itx motherboard: http://www.nanokomputer.com/product_info.php?cPath=27_40_252&products_id=5577

ram: http://www.nanokomputer.com/product_info.php?cPath=28_50_132_398&products_id=2264

gpu: http://www.nanokomputer.com/product_info.php?cPath=29_54_307&products_id=5889

hdd: http://www.nanokomputer.com/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=3746

 

 

 

asuming you already have a dvd drive lying around i didnt add it.

price is roughly $555.40 excl shipping

 

if you have components you can currently use (the hdd comes into mind, then i would excange the hdd with an ssd), then i can re-do the build with those spare parts in mind

also keep in mind a small formfactor comes with a premium, if you go for a regular desktop size it could save you well over $50

 

Well, like I said in my OP, don't bother with HDD, Monitors, Keyboard, etc. I have a few HDD lying around here so I'd definitely prefer getting an SSD instead. As for the case, I don't think I'd bother getting a case atm. My room is cramped and I'll be setting the system up on my open-shelf (kinda like an open test bench once completed)

 

Also, yeah it'd be nice to have a compact form factor. But it won't be a priority. Just that it'd be nice if I can get a good system specification that performs well and it just so happens that it's compact as well

 

You could go with the hybrid crossfire on the APU using a 6670 and reduce the cost some more. Will get you fairly solid performance.

 

I am considering doing using a 6670. Though after doing some digging, I found these:

 

http://www.overclock.net/t/1383583/first-hand-experience-performance-of-a8-5600k-crossfire-with-amd-hd6670/10

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=184989

 

As far as I'm aware, Trinity/Richland are VLIW4 based instead of GCN. How they're able to crossfire with a 7750, I have no idea. Does anyone have any idea how much of a boost I can get with a 8670D+7750 instead of say a 7660D+6770? Also, is it strictly 7750 only or can I crossfire it with a 7770 as well?