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Time to replace aging desktop

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  • 09-02-2016 2:32pm
    #1
    CiboC
    Registered Users Posts: 520 ✭✭✭


    Ok, as above I have decided it is high time to replace an aging 9 year old desktop. I am going to cannibalise some parts:

    DVD writer
    multi card reader
    newish 1TB HDD

    I have been out of the loop with PC hardware for years, so am out of touch with what is currently up to date of represents best bang for buck. Back in the day I would have built my own but honestly now, I don't have the time so am going to order a system from PC specialist and pop the few bits above into it when it arrives.

    Main use will be for photo storage and editing (Lightroom / photoshop), media server for the house and gaming. I want to get something that won't need much thought of upgrade for as long as reasonable (which probably means tomorrow, but hey ho...)

    I have specced up the following from their website

    - Intel core i7 quad core processor i7-6700 (3.4 Ghz 8MB cache)
    - ASUS® Z170-P: ATX, LG1151, USB 3.0, SATA 6GBs
    - 16GB HyperX FURY DDR4 2133MHz (2 x 8GB)
    - 4GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 970 - 2 x DVI, HDMI, DP - GeForce GTX VR Ready!
    - 120GB KINGSTON V300 2.5" SSD, SATA 6 Gb (450MB/R, 450MB/W)
    - CORSAIR 550W VS SERIES™ VS-550 POWER SUPPLY
    - CoolerMaster Hyper 212 EVO (120mm) Fan CPU Cooler

    Total including the case a sound card (necessary anymore?) and delivery is 1370 euro.

    Now I know I can get it cheaper by ordering components and building myself but I won't have the time (3 young kids in the house!), so I am more looking for thoughts on any bits that are over/underkill or bottlenecks.


Comments

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    #2
    challengemaster
    Registered Users Posts: 16,930 ✭✭✭✭challengemaster


    Ditch the i7, Z170 and cpu cooler. Get an i5 (either skylake or ivy bridge) or even a Xeon and that will more than suffice for gaming + editing. There's almost no difference between the CPU generations in terms of performance, so pick whichever is the best bang for buck. You also really won't need to overclock so you can further reduce the cost by getting non-K chips and non-Z series motherboards.

    Put that money back into getting a larger (240gb minimum) ssd and a 3-4TB HDD for storage. 1tb is fine but it fills up very fast with games, raw files & psds. That's not taking into account the fact you want a media server as well - HD video files again will see that 1tb go very quickly.

    No need for a sound card at all. You should come out significantly cheaper than that build you've specced up.


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