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Anyone good with comps? Interested in advice on building a desktop

Sublime

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Sublime

Sublime

Posted
Posted

I want to run VR but this isnt a necessity. More of a necesssity is my.laptop shouldnt run this or dcs and does.. well. But its getting older.

So id like a 

Good desktop

Affordable (400-700$ range) this doesnt include vr.. obv vr becomes mich harder if we go higher on price. But vr is so very tempting.  Otherwise tho i could be convinced track ir,  real hotas knstead of my 40 dollar joy, plus BoN and some games could be better.

Advice?

cardboard_killer

cardboard_killer

Posted
Posted (edited)

You can do it yourself, but it might be easier to find a local shop to build it for you. Research (I like Tom's Hardware's site) and then buy all the components yourself online (I like newegg). Take everything down to the local shop and they will put it together for you, probably around $100. Not sure if your budget can stretch, but for a few hundred dollars more I think you could get a pretty fast machine, although even $700 will be light years ahead of most (all?) laptops. JMO.

 

You will want:

 

  • case (bigger is always better IMO)
  • Power supply (650+watt IMO)
  • Motherboard (7-8 USB ports)
  • cpu
  • gpu
  • memory (16 Megs, IMO)
  • cpu cooling fan(s) if cpu doesn't come with robust enough fan
  • Windoz
  • Monitor/mouse/keyboard if you don't already have them (edited in as I always have them around when I build)
Edited by cardboard_killer
  • Thanks 1
Soarfeat

Soarfeat

Posted
Posted (edited)

Hey Sublime,

This may help you a bit. PCPartpicker is a very good resource for building a pc and has many varieties of builds depending on your budget. You can also use them to help find the parts to purchase at a good price. Also, they choose the proper compatible parts for you that really helps for a first time build.

pcpartpicker

Happy building !!

-S- 

  

Edited by WWSoarfeat
error
  • Thanks 1
Bernard_IV

Bernard_IV

Posted
Posted

$700 is a pretty tight budget for VR, but you could build a system that will run the game well normally for that.  I'd look for some good used parts, especially the GPU and the DRAM.  I play ClOD for a few years with an old retired dual core workstation that I put a graphics card and DRAM in, $200 spent. 

  • Thanks 1
  • 1 month later...
Sublime

Sublime

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

thanks guys! gotta read later  EDIT I MEANT 1k LOW 1500 IDEAL 2k TOPS I WAS Fd UP OR SOMETHING SRY !! USD

let me add

I have track ir but want vr

it doesnt have to look amazing

I want decent looks and good frames AND SOMETHING TO LAST

problem 1

some have heard me say i may not sim anymore soon

this is because I may be homeless / couchsurfing in 6 mnths to a year. Im not asking for sympathy this is a result of life choices and mistakes when i was young.

 so why buy a comp if this situation is impending?

well I wasnt. but the pandemic unemployment is.. generous.  And.. you only live once.  Ill never be able to play VR il2 or f14 again.  so frankly Im saying 'f it Im going to do something for myself'

ill admit - the 7k i got initially was the most money i ever have had at one time. ever. and im 35. Im an epic f up.   i dont even know what to do with it! only after 1 month did I order a used hotas ( lol ) and 2 dcs modules.  Im burnt out on Il2. I was gonna get the yak 9.. but I cant justify it to me. I wnt fly it rlly tbh.

the spit ii may be diff. If im arnd for BoN ill do it when the P51C is out

Heres what I angled for before my rant -

 i use a laptop now

a.. tower  I probably could mostly make myself. I havent in decades but I did before  And I know i can upgrade it more easily.

OTOH I may have to put it in family storage if I have nowhere to live.  this is tempered however with the doubt Id carry my precious laptop around - homeless/ Being homeless is HARD on your posessions obviously. I doubt a comp-  even in protective cases etc, would survive more than a month of true homelessness.

Anyways please all -  Ill deal with the 'building om fire' but while we burn to death, shall we actually burn (tower) or die from smoke (laptop)? ;)

other advice welcome

On 4/21/2020 at 10:38 AM, Bernard_IV said:

$700 is a pretty tight budget for VR, but you could build a system that will run the game well normally for that.  I'd look for some good used parts, especially the GPU and the DRAM.  I play ClOD for a few years with an old retired dual core workstation that I put a graphics card and DRAM in, $200 spent. 

Ok I wont lie - I smoke a lotta weed.  god only knows if I was drunk too last night , idk WHERE 700 came from

 I MEANT

ideally 1500 ABSOLUTE TOP 2k (And Id be PMing you asking if you knew if theyd trade a testicle or kidney for 200 off)

the game runs decent now with trackir, at medium to high settings.

dcs on lower settings runs.. decently...

but its a laptop and a few years old

On 4/19/2020 at 3:06 PM, cardboard_killer said:

You can do it yourself, but it might be easier to find a local shop to build it for you. Research (I like Tom's Hardware's site) and then buy all the components yourself online (I like newegg). Take everything down to the local shop and they will put it together for you, probably around $100. Not sure if your budget can stretch, but for a few hundred dollars more I think you could get a pretty fast machine, although even $700 will be light years ahead of most (all?) laptops. JMO.

 

You will want:

 

  • case (bigger is always better IMO)
  • Power supply (650+watt IMO)
  • Motherboard (7-8 USB ports)
  • cpu
  • gpu
  • memory (16 Megs, IMO)
  • cpu cooling fan(s) if cpu doesn't come with robust enough fan
  • Windoz
  • Monitor/mouse/keyboard if you don't already have them (edited in as I always have them around when I build)

thanks man. Idk wtf was running thru my head but 700 was WRONG

i meant to say 1k low, 1500 ideal, 2k absolute TOP (and someone would need to convince me, as in like 'this will work in 5 yrs and has a warranty for 2.5'

ill add I got a used cheap hotas.. on the way.  I need to know what requirements a rift s needs. I didnt even know before you needed a certain speed to run VR. I need a new mike too I think - or I somehow disabled my headphones mike. -shrug-

nothing super fancy but I suspect way better than my 40 dollar logitech 3d pro I make use of now.

more buttons cant hurt.

On 4/19/2020 at 3:06 PM, cardboard_killer said:

You can do it yourself, but it might be easier to find a local shop to build it for you. Research (I like Tom's Hardware's site) and then buy all the components yourself online (I like newegg). Take everything down to the local shop and they will put it together for you, probably around $100. Not sure if your budget can stretch, but for a few hundred dollars more I think you could get a pretty fast machine, although even $700 will be light years ahead of most (all?) laptops. JMO.

 

You will want:

 

  • case (bigger is always better IMO)
  • Power supply (650+watt IMO)
  • Motherboard (7-8 USB ports)
  • cpu
  • gpu
  • memory (16 Megs, IMO)
  • cpu cooling fan(s) if cpu doesn't come with robust enough fan
  • Windoz
  • Monitor/mouse/keyboard if you don't already have them (edited in as I always have them around when I build)

id like to add that we have had words in the past though I like you personally, and I appreciate you acting like it never happened

Edited by Sublime
Sublime

Sublime

Posted
  • Author
Posted

i ordered at a local - microcenter and the cost was insane

SOme of the stuff I obviously DONT need, yet Im unsure what I do need

Im sorry to do this to you - but any idea of a template for a 1000 or 1500 usd comp (1k Infinitely preferable) tower and THEN VR (ill add vr seperate) ?

On 4/20/2020 at 12:51 PM, Jaws2002 said:

 

 

Times are changing....

 

https://bestware.com/en/xmg-apex-15.html

 

thankks this was very useful

My god, ( btw this is mostly for the other sim ) theyre all about 1500!!!

For 1 grand, then a VR, how bad performanc are we talking?

for example alineware isnt a custom build. but they got a good rep... Theyre going for 8 something rn

alienware aurora ryzen edition 10

1g - anyone know if this is a good choice?

Jaws2002

Jaws2002

Posted
Posted (edited)

     Alienware is a glorified Dell. They were bought by Dell years ago. They are decent but you pay a premium for a name. 

Get your parts at the cheapest online store, and put it together yourself. Even having a good, local, computer store installing it for you will get you a lot more for your money than buying Alienware. 

 I had a quick look at their alienware aurora  Ryzen edition and they are way overpriced for what they offer. If you go AMD CPU skip the 3500x. Get the 3600 at minimum. The R5 3600 is  just $164 at newegg.   Alienware doesn't even offer it in their R5 selection. Only the weaker R5 3500. They also offer just slow memory.

 

 Read a lot of reviews and watch a lot of benchmark and make your decision on parts YOURS  and not buy what Alienware wants to sell you. 

 

Edited by Jaws2002
dburne

dburne

Posted
Posted
30 minutes ago, Jaws2002 said:

     Alienware is a glorified Dell. They were bought by Dell years ago. They are decent but you pay a premium for a name. 

Get your parts at the cheapest online store, and put it together yourself. Even having a good, local, computer store installing it for you will get you a lot more for your money than buying Alienware. 

 

 

There is nothing like putting together your own PC. No you won't really save money, but you learn a lot and feel really good when you turn that 

power on the first time and watch it spring to life. I started doing it in the mid 90's and have built every one since. 

  • Upvote 3
unlikely_spider

unlikely_spider

Posted
Posted
4 minutes ago, dburne said:

 

There is nothing like putting together your own PC. No you won't really save money, but you learn a lot and feel really good when you turn that 

power on the first time and watch it spring to life. I started doing it in the mid 90's and have built every one since. 

Agreed. It will instantly become a new hobby. And then when upgrade time comes you can do it yourself instead of buying a whole new PC.

My general model is to alternate separate portions every year or two. For example, mobo and CPU one year, then GPU the next. Not every year on the dot, but you get the picture. PCs that you put together yourself are amazingly modular. That way, you can keep a modern, near top-of-the-line PC indefinitely for just a couple hundred dollars per year after the initial build. My main chassis has been going strong for maybe 12 years using these incremental upgrades over time.

  • Upvote 1
Jaws2002

Jaws2002

Posted
Posted (edited)

Here's what you could get for about  $1250. I didn't select a case, that's something you can look for, based on your preferences.

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/wCzpvW

 

  If you look at the individual parts, It's a much more powerful PC than what alienware is willing to offer.

 Faster CPU and you can go even higher. Much, much faster memory, powerful graphics card, very fast NMVE SSD and a very solid power supply. You can change the motherboard for the x570 version if you want PCIE  gen 4.0, but for most things the B540 is good enough.

    However, many people in VR forum are saying that Intel CPUs are better for VR, so you have to make your own decision on that.

  This list is just a quick reference, so you know what you can do with $1300 if you stay away from this big sharks, like Alienware.

31 minutes ago, unlikely_spider said:

PCs that you put together yourself are amazingly modular. That way, you can keep a modern, near top-of-the-line PC indefinitely for just a couple hundred dollars per year after the initial build. My main chassis has been going strong for maybe 12 years using these incremental upgrades over time.

 

   I go the same route. I got this case in 2008 and it's still happy after few partial upgrades. I upgraded the CPU/Mobo/SSD last fall and sometimes this fall I should upgrade the Graphics card. 

 

 

Edited by Jaws2002
  • Upvote 1
Sublime

Sublime

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)
18 hours ago, Jaws2002 said:

Here's what you could get for about  $1250. I didn't select a case, that's something you can look for, based on your preferences.

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/wCzpvW

 

  If you look at the individual parts, It's a much more powerful PC than what alienware is willing to offer.

 Faster CPU and you can go even higher. Much, much faster memory, powerful graphics card, very fast NMVE SSD and a very solid power supply. You can change the motherboard for the x570 version if you want PCIE  gen 4.0, but for most things the B540 is good enough.

    However, many people in VR forum are saying that Intel CPUs are better for VR, so you have to make your own decision on that.

  This list is just a quick reference, so you know what you can do with $1300 if you stay away from this big sharks, like Alienware.

 

   I go the same route. I got this case in 2008 and it's still happy after few partial upgrades. I upgraded the CPU/Mobo/SSD last fall and sometimes this fall I should upgrade the Graphics card. 

 

 

Ooh thx.  Look im clueless on parts.

With vr what do i need to run this and dcs well at arnd 1500? Is it doable? Monitor can be skipped as can dvd rom.

I dont know whats impportant besides basic shit . But i dont know how they interact etc.. advice would be appreciated.. well further advice lol

19 hours ago, Jaws2002 said:

     Alienware is a glorified Dell. They were bought by Dell years ago. They are decent but you pay a premium for a name. 

Get your parts at the cheapest online store, and put it together yourself. Even having a good, local, computer store installing it for you will get you a lot more for your money than buying Alienware. 

 I had a quick look at their alienware aurora  Ryzen edition and they are way overpriced for what they offer. If you go AMD CPU skip the 3500x. Get the 3600 at minimum. The R5 3600 is  just $164 at newegg.   Alienware doesn't even offer it in their R5 selection. Only the weaker R5 3500. They also offer just slow memory.

 

 Read a lot of reviews and watch a lot of benchmark and make your decision on parts YOURS  and not buy what Alienware wants to sell you. 

 

I havent made a comp since y2k friend.  I agree its maybe cheaper and def more customized but itd suck to lose 1500 bc i dont know what im doing.

I dmt want making this comp.to be a 6 month project. I may only have 6 or 12 mnths left before i cant game anymore which is why my broke ass is doing this.  But yeah if I xould assemble one I would. I DO NOT trust myself to do that

18 hours ago, Jaws2002 said:

Here's what you could get for about  $1250. I didn't select a case, that's something you can look for, based on your preferences.

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/wCzpvW

 

  If you look at the individual parts, It's a much more powerful PC than what alienware is willing to offer.

 Faster CPU and you can go even higher. Much, much faster memory, powerful graphics card, very fast NMVE SSD and a very solid power supply. You can change the motherboard for the x570 version if you want PCIE  gen 4.0, but for most things the B540 is good enough.

    However, many people in VR forum are saying that Intel CPUs are better for VR, so you have to make your own decision on that.

  This list is just a quick reference, so you know what you can do with $1300 if you stay away from this big sharks, like Alienware.

 

   I go the same route. I got this case in 2008 and it's still happy after few partial upgrades. I upgraded the CPU/Mobo/SSD last fall and sometimes this fall I should upgrade the Graphics card. 

 

 

Hey dude thanks for taking the time.to assemble that. Im gonna save that build.

Questions

What if anytbing can be shaved off price?  Is this vr capable?

BecUse this looks like my choice more and more

18 hours ago, Jaws2002 said:

Here's what you could get for about  $1250. I didn't select a case, that's something you can look for, based on your preferences.

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/wCzpvW

 

  If you look at the individual parts, It's a much more powerful PC than what alienware is willing to offer.

 Faster CPU and you can go even higher. Much, much faster memory, powerful graphics card, very fast NMVE SSD and a very solid power supply. You can change the motherboard for the x570 version if you want PCIE  gen 4.0, but for most things the B540 is good enough.

    However, many people in VR forum are saying that Intel CPUs are better for VR, so you have to make your own decision on that.

  This list is just a quick reference, so you know what you can do with $1300 if you stay away from this big sharks, like Alienware.

 

   I go the same route. I got this case in 2008 and it's still happy after few partial upgrades. I upgraded the CPU/Mobo/SSD last fall and sometimes this fall I should upgrade the Graphics card. 

 

 

Hey dude thanks for taking the time.to assemble that. Im gonna save that build.

Questions

What if anytbing can be shaved off price?  Is this vr capable?

BecUse this looks like my choice more and more

i can delete the dvd rom

Now most sites have many more parts. Am i missing a section or are they unneeded?

It also warned of conflicts with wattage?

Edited by Sublime
Jaws2002

Jaws2002

Posted
Posted (edited)

Here's a cheaper version:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/PwW6f9

But take this as a suggestion, don't just go and buy it. 

Some of the conflicts are for the motherboard because B540 chipset is older and you need fresh BIOS for it fully support the newer Ryzen CPUs. You could get the X570 version of that board and the conflicts in the part picker will disapear, but that chipset is a bit more expensive, because of the improved up power delivery required for the PCIE gen 4.0 support.  Another option here is to wait until next month, when they release the B550 motherboards that will be cheaper than X570 but have full support for this new CPUs.  https://www.tomshardware.com/news/amd-b550-motherboards

 

I don't know how this works with VR, you would need to ask that in the VR forum. i don't have VR.

 

But most importantly, you need to make your own mind about this. And going by what you posted above, with the risk of falling on financial hard times, is spending a thousand bucks on a gaming PC a good decision? 

If i were you, I'd put that towards rent or food and the gaming time towards a better job or overtime at your current work place. We are heading towards really hard times and a new gaming PC won't feed you, or keep you warm in the winter.

 

Edited by Jaws2002

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