[mayukh42]

Between them, option #2 is better (wait for GPU - can be bought later). Don't go for GT 1030 as others suggested - it is neither here nor there. Consider at least a GTX 1050 Ti, if not a GTX 1650.

If going the dedicated GPU route, consider Intel - you can get much cheaper CPU + MB combo in that route instead (how things have changed between Intel and AMD now from 10 years back). In fact 5600x + GT 1030 is much higher than i3 10105F + GTX 1050 Ti, leaving apart possible savings in motherboard too, i.e. B550 (AMD) vs H410/ H510 (Intel).

The Intel path is still on PCIE3, but unless using a PCIE4 capable GPU (i.e. RTX 30 series and newer) and looking specifically for that delta performance (i.e. gaming at very high VRAM usage like 4k), I don't think that would be a deal breaker. PCIE3 bandwidth is enough for up to 1440p gaming, which combined with AMD's up-scaling tech (will work for NVIDIA cards too) is already at par or better than PS5/ XBOX Series X. Same for PCIE4 NVME SSD - the delta performance over the PCIE3 NVME being considered (surely, based on the given price) is not going to be useful unless mining certain crypto

Separate CPU cooler is not required unless overclocking.

You can go for a baseline case instead of pricey brands like Lian Li. Most cases will come with fans, if not you can buy them for like Rs. 400 - the shop might just give you for free! The Silverstone FARA R1 is good at 3.5k.

Don't go for "gaming" monitors like MSI/ Asus with either setup. A Full HD 75Hz/ 120Hz panel is enough; the GPU (integrated or dedicated) won't render games higher than that anyway. LG/ Samsung/ Benq/ Lenovo is decent at much lower price. Look for 3 years warranty.

While keyboard/ mouse quality are good to have, you can also consider starting with just a basic Dell/ Logitech - around 1k for both together should last around 2-3 years. Logitech G402 or G502 mice are overkill. If mechanical keyboard is required, consider TVS Gold - I have had a really good experience with it - around 2.5k but you can often get on sale like upcoming R-Day sale on Amazon.

While at it, do check online prices of all components - PrimeABGB, Vedant, MD Computers are some trusted shops (not Amazon/ Flipkart, they are never good in pricing of PC components) - they can give you a bargaining stance with the local shop, on top of much better deals for SSD/ PSU at least.

[Guite]

Originally Posted by Rodie09

Please take a look at the specs and pricing and suggest. Of course this is going way above my 55 K budget for a laptop or AIO initially. But if all this is really worth it, then am okay to stretch. This is now reaching 75-85 k range.

I am going to go a little bit in opposite direction to other recommendations. With due respect to other members who have responded, I would say those are opinions from very discerning users. Your son is 12 years old. He would not be able to discern the difference between a Rs 1000 keyboard and a Rs 3500 keyboard. As you said before, currently he will be using the PC for online classes. And you just wanted possibility of future upgrade for gaming, in case he becomes interested.

So my advise is to get a decent cabinet, SMPS, motherboard and CPU. Upgrade all else later, if required. Ryzen 5 3600 is a very popular CPU, it has decent performance. Over spec for online class, good enough for most games (I don’t have much gaming experience. My online research shows this CPU is quite popular among budget gamers). Motherboard is micro ATX. Most mATX boards have two PCIe slots, which should suffice basic gaming needs. Graphic card is very basic, gets the picture onto the screen.

Monitor, graphic card, keyboards, etc can be upgraded few years down the line, if required.

PS: All rates are from Amazon.in. Your assembler may even get it cheaper from wholesale market, depending on your location. Prime Abgb is a very good online seller. Their rates are sometimes less than Amazon, but they add delivery charge on check out. So depending on location, it can become more expensive.

[mav2000]

Originally Posted by Guite

So my advise is to get a decent cabinet, SMPS, motherboard and CPU. Upgrade all else later, if required. Ryzen 5 3600 is a very popular CPU, it has decent performance. Over spec for online class, good enough for most games (I don’t have much gaming experience. My online research shows this CPU is quite popular among budget gamers). Motherboard is micro ATX. Most mATX boards have two PCIe slots, which should suffice basic gaming needs. Graphic card is very basic, gets the picture onto the screen.

You can look at the Ryzen 3500 as well. Its still a 6 core, without the hyperthreading. makes a lot of sense and can further reduce the price by about 4k.

[Venky03]

Originally Posted by Guite

So my advise is to get a decent cabinet, SMPS, motherboard and CPU. Upgrade all else later, if required. Ryzen 5 3600 is a very popular CPU, it has decent performance. Over spec for online class, good enough for most games (I don’t have much gaming experience.

Ryzen 3600 is a popular CPU but 5k for 710 is a waste both in terms of money and a pcie slot. Would instead recommend going for the Ryzen 4650G, will cost you around 18k and offer performance similar to a 3600 but will also come with an integrated gpu much more powerful than discrete 710.

You can later opt for a discrete gpu when the prices settle down.

[Turbanator]

Need little help from members versed with Intel NUC. I plan to configure a ROON Server based on the suggestions here

https://help.roonlabs.com/portal/en/...rdware_support


Shall I go with something like this

https://www.amazon.in/Intel-Generati...%2C234&sr=8-21

Or instead pick a later version and get SSD + RAM separately?

https://www.amazon.in/Intel®-NUC-Per...s%2C234&sr=8-5

If someone can check the Roon link I mentioned and confirm about the compatibility of above or other suggested models, it will be great.

[RavenAvi]

Have updated my 8 year old machine after the older Asus Z87 MB I had went kaput.

Processor - 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700KF @ 3.6GHz
Motherboard - ASUS Prime Z690-P D4 ATX
RAM - Adata XGB 16GB @ 3200MHz
GPU - nVIDIA GeForce 1650GTX
Cooler - MSI MAG CoreLiquid 240R
SSD - WD S250G2B0C
Cabinet - Ant ESports Ice 521MT Gaming with full RGB
Combo - Logitech wireless (regular)
Soon to be added - HP external slim USB DVD-RW (have a huge DVD collection so this is a necessity, since the CPU doesn't have internal DVD drive slots)

Carried over:- Seagate Barracuda 2TB HDD, Western Digital 3TB HDD, Corsair VS650W PSU.

Still with me:- Altec Lansing MX5021 & Corsair SP2500 speaker systems. 12 years on the former and 9 on the latter - still going pretty strong.
Canon LBP2900:- workhorse.

Haven't got the final bill yet but should be around the 80K mark.

Plan to add an appropriate HiFi sound card to the setup when DDR5 memory becomes a bit cheaper and I update the MB & RAM accordingly. For now, using the onboard Realtek 1220 soundchip with 7.1 output support. Coming from an ASUS Xonar DX in my older rig, this one has semi-decent output but have to live with it for now.

Final desktop upgrade for me.

[sandeepmohan]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

If someone can check the Roon link I mentioned and confirm about the compatibility of above or other suggested models, it will be great.

I'd go with the second link. Its more recent hardware. The first link is a cpu from 2018!

If you have an old PC (~5 years) lying around, I'd try and dual reboot the machine, if its one thats not critical in your house. You don't need roon specified hardware to run Rock. Just about any Intel based system will run it. Throw in 8+ gigs of ram and a ssd of the size they mention and you should be good to go.

On a side note, I find it rather ridiculous than you need to spend so much on dedicated hardware to run music cataloging software. Seems a bit much to me. Once you head down the Roon path, I am guessing you're looking at >$100/year bills.

[tbppjpr]

Originally Posted by RavenAvi

Still with me:- Altec Lansing MX5021 & Corsair SP2500 speaker systems.
...
Plan to add an appropriate HiFi sound card to the setup when DDR5 memory becomes a bit cheaper and I update the MB & RAM accordingly. For now, using the onboard Realtek 1220 soundchip with 7.1 output support. Coming from an ASUS Xonar DX in my older rig, this one has semi-decent output but have to live with it for now.

Putting a dedicated soundcard like the Xonar not going to make any difference with those average quality speakers which produce overpowered one-note boomy bass to suppress the distortion in rest of the audio frequency band. Extreme ends of audible low and high frequency both are non existent in them where high end sound-cards/DACs make the difference. Stereo separation is also not exciting in such speaker systems with keeps getting muffled with increment in audio levels.

You need to consider a pair of proper stereo speakers from specialist audio brands like Q Acoustics, Wharfdale, Elac, Dali etc along with a dedicated amp. Even a class D amp based on TPA 3116/3118 will be more than enough if not any class AB amp. Ideally an amp with sub pre-output preferred so that you can add dedicated subwoofer in the future. Otherwise the investment in the Xonar is just a waste.

[audioholic]

Originally Posted by audioholic

Forgot to update on this matter. I got back the computer yesterday and my PC guy said the moment they started the PC, everything was running fine. I also have been using it from yesterday but it is running fine since then.

So I have no idea why this happened and what got fixed on the way to the shop which is not even a kilometer away and was ferried in my car without any bumps. Just relieved that I didnt have to buy a new graphics card.

Unfortunately, the issue is back guys. Looks like my four year old MSI graphics card is giving up. I removed the GPU and then used the onboard graphics to power one of the monitors and it is running fine since yesterday. Now I am stuck with one monitor, and a massive shortage of graphics cards in the market and WFH which means I use the desktop as a side PC for music, Youtube etc. Hence I am not sure of what to do. I checked on Amazon and realised that the same NV 1050 graphics card I purchased for 16k is now retailing at 23k today and this is not even the dual fan overclocked version that I have.

I need your suggestions on what to do currently. Would a cheaper graphics card below 10k rupees like the GT730 support running two monitors in 1920X1080 for video, browsing and other activities apart from gaming? If so then I would buy one of these for the time being and build a good setup once this semiconductor crisis improves. Otherwise I should think twice if I have to buy a Nvidia 1050 for 23k which is outrageous.

Speaking about speakers, I brought the Logitech Z906 5.1 THX setup more than a year ago and would swear by it. It is the best upgrade I have done to my PC setup till date. Be it music or movies, this thing gives a great experience. Currently it is fed by the onboard optical out of my motherboard and even though the onboard audio is nothing impressive, the final sound output is impressive for room standards.

[RavenAvi]

Originally Posted by tbppjpr

You need to consider a pair of proper stereo speakers from specialist audio brands like Q Acoustics, Wharfdale, Elac, Dali etc along with a dedicated amp. Even a class D amp based on TPA 3116/3118 will be more than enough if not any class AB amp. Ideally an amp with sub pre-output preferred so that you can add dedicated subwoofer in the future. Otherwise the investment in the Xonar is just a waste.

I use my rig for mostly office work with a bit of productivity in my spare time. Am a casual listener and not a serious audiophile so this present setup of mine works just fine.

The Xonar DX was a soundcard gifted to me back in 2012. It's outdated now hence moved on. But the output was beautiful. Made both my 2.1 systems shine beyond their capabilities.

Not stretching my budgets any more now. Plus both systems are working just fine so dumping a perfectly working duo doesn't make sense. Thanks for the suggestions anyway.

[mayukh42]

Originally Posted by RavenAvi

Motherboard - ASUS Prime Z690-P D4 ATX

Could you share the price of the motherboard? Online I see the ASUS TUF Z690-Plus D4 is almost same price as this, though it is $290 and Prime Z690-P is $230, and the TUF supposedly has better VRM phases.

[R2D2]

After nearly a decade I will be upgrading my old X79 and Ci7 3970x to something more contemporary on the x299 platform. I prefer Intel and I'd like to move from a Samsung 950 Pro SATA SSD to a an equivalent NVMe plus of course an upgrade to W11. Most of the stuff at home is woefully outdated including the 2nd desktop PC, monitors and my WiFi routers among other things. But heck! These things are getting expensive so they will be upgraded over in the coming months.

[RavenAvi]

Originally Posted by mayukh42

Could you share the price of the motherboard? Online I see the ASUS TUF Z690-Plus D4 is almost same price as this, though it is $290 and Prime Z690-P is $230, and the TUF supposedly has better VRM phases.

The Prime Z690-P cost me 21,200.

The TUF Gaming Z690-Plus D4 is available for 25,200. 95% of the hardware on both boards is almost same.

MSI is big over here. Got pretty tough getting an ASUS board actually.

I was initially thinking of getting the MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk but it would have been overkill for my kind of usage (plus I will replace it eventually when DDR5 memory becomes cheaper), plus it costs a cool 10,300 rupees extra just for the newer Realtec 3300 onboard sound chip, rest of the hardware remaining the exact same.

[mayukh42]

Yes, shifting to DDR5 platform when cheaper is a good idea.


MSI is killing it with this generation. The Tomahawk DDR4 also seems to have much better RAM support. Also, MSI boards (even the entry level Z690-A Pro) have BIOS flash button which ASUS does not have in any DDR4 model. That might not be a deal breaker, but it hurts when ASUS is not exactly cheap.

[Rodie09]

Hi All,

Thanks to the valuable suggestions from fellow T-Bhpians, I was finally able to close this configuration for my kiddo's desktop. Sorry for a delayed reply due to busy schedule at work. Just sharing a snapshot of final config and costs.

• Total cost turned out a shade above 70 k. I had to buy a set of budget speakers additionally.
• Yet to get the keyboard (Redgear mechanical @2.5k)

Sharing a pic of the final invoice and a shot of the set up. Thanks again!!