Need advice on a computer

[KrAlex]

I'm planning, in fact I was planning on buying a desktop for a while now but my budget isn't a lot these days. I plan on paying max 600 for a 2nd hand one depending on how good it is. But they are still expensive around 400 especially the i3,i5,i7 ones older generations with barely 8gb and very mediocre parts and you won't have warranty imagine paying that much and the cpu gives up on you after weeks. So maybe buying the parts new would be smarter ? Thoughts ?

I have a friend willing to build me the pc if I get the parts.
So my desire is to buy a desktop that will be of use to me for years and one which should have a base so I have the option to only upgrade for example videocard or memory in the long run instead of buying a new pc.


So which parts are important in the long run that I can build on them for years to come ? My goal is to have a desktop for a long while and when I need to upgrade I can replace parts 1 by 1 without having to buy a new one. I don't know if I was able to explain myself well here.

 

[ShadowRez]

The thing about building a computer is that you don't really want to buy to upgrade because it will waste a lot of money, make sure you get a good PSU as this is the powerhouse of your computer and if it fails all else will as well, it is also a good idea not to go for cheap parts if the price seems to go to be true it probably is.

Feel free to add me on skype @ shadowrezz and i would be happy to answer any questions for you.

 

[KrAlex]

Cheers mate I will skype you as soon as possible.

When you say make sure you get a good psu, what's a psu ? Like motherboard or processor ? Oh just googled it...power supply ? A great one costs around 70 which is good enough for me.

I think I wasn't able to express myself well. I meant to say I want to buy a computer that will last me a while but I can't buy the best of the best parts so sacrifices will be made. My question was which parts can I cut back on a lot so I can replace them later down the line when I save up more money, so I won't have to buy a new cpu every 2 years. I don't plan on gaming much atm mainly for full hd video editing so I was wondering which parts should I invest the most in and which parts can I buy the cheapest of but still have the option to replace them in the future step by step 1 at a time without having to buy a whole new system.

 

The thing about building a computer is that you don't really want to buy to upgrade because it will waste a lot of money, make sure you get a good PSU as this is the powerhouse of your computer and if it fails all else will as well, it is also a good idea not to go for cheap parts if the price seems to go to be true it probably is.

Feel free to add me on skype @ shadowrezz and i would be happy to answer any questions for you.

What are you talking about? I've been upgrading mine consistently for the past few years and it works out great.

@ OP - With a 600 budget you might be stuck getting a few low-tier parts that you can replace later when you have more money and when you need to. I'm not saying that you buy the shittiest processor you can find and spend $60 on a temporary piece, but rather get a few parts that will let you slide for at least 1-2 years, then go all out on the ones you want to last like the graphics card and the motherboard.

I personally went with this route and didn't need to upgrade until 2 years after I built my PC. I'm even still doing it - I bought a low-tier motherboard (sort of a mistake, but I didn't know much back then) about 4 years ago and am still using it today. When I replace my Phenom II x6 (which works great for everything btw) I'll also be replacing the motherboard. I suspect I won't have to for another year or so, which means I managed to squeeze up to 5 years out of a part that was meant to last only 1 or 2.

I'd also suggest buying a graphics card and other expensive parts off kijiji or craigslist. You have to be careful, and should probably get the seller to let you test it before buying it, but this is what I did and I scored a hardly used $500 card for only $150. I can run any game maxed at 60FPS with my build and I didn't spent over $800 for the entire thing.

 

[BamZam]

Your fans + PSU can last you for quite some years. Not sure about RAM though, I think Kingston RAM could last around for about 2-4 years? (Mine is closing in on its 3rd year)

When you want to build a desktop, always buy the casing first. If you can't fit your motherboard or graphics card into it, it's pretty much useless. Go for those large tower cases from CoolerMaster, if you want to upgrade and put a ton of fans inside, you can gladly do it.


P.S I am only speaking from my own experience of building my rig in an almost-way-too-small-for-my-GTX650 casing.

 

[ShadowRez]

What are you talking about? I've been upgrading mine consistently for the past few years and it works out great.

@ OP - With a 600 budget you might be stuck getting a few low-tier parts that you can replace later when you have more money and when you need to. I'm not saying that you buy the shittiest processor you can find and spend $60 on a temporary piece, but rather get a few parts that will let you slide for at least 1-2 years, then go all out on the ones you want to last like the graphics card and the motherboard.

I personally went with this route and didn't need to upgrade until 2 years after I built my PC. I'm even still doing it - I bought a low-tier motherboard (sort of a mistake, but I didn't know much back then) about 4 years ago and am still using it today. When I replace my Phenom II x6 (which works great for everything btw) I'll also be replacing the motherboard. I suspect I won't have to for another year or so, which means I managed to squeeze up to 5 years out of a part that was meant to last only 1 or 2.

I'd also suggest buying a graphics card and other expensive parts off kijiji or craigslist. You have to be careful, and should probably get the seller to let you test it before buying it, but this is what I did and I scored a hardly used $500 card for only $150. I can run any game maxed at 60FPS with my build and I didn't spent over $800 for the entire thing.

About the Upgrading im talking about money wise, you will save money in the long run if you just out right buy the parts u want other then buying shit ones just to replace thats what i was getting at.

 

i recommend looking at Digital Storm

http://www.digitalstormonline.com/

 

I honestly think eBay is worth a shot. I got my first decent spec PC on eBay for ~£300 ($490 USD) and it was a real bargain.

I've done exactly what you described in only upgrading the occasional part. I'm still using the same processor and hard drive but I've upgraded the gfx card, power supply, replaced the motherboard as it crapped out on me and I ended up buying a new case because the one I had was pretty ugly.

All-in-all, I've spent probably £600 total on the PC and I've had it for about 3 years.