About Ready to Build First Gaming PC

[jtown98]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Gaming, Word Documents, Web Browsing, Youtube, and maybe coding and programming down the road, and maybe a very small amount of video editing

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

About 600 though if its really good VALUE I'll go alittle higher

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

USA

4. IF you're buying parts OUTSIDE the US, please post a link to the vendor you'll be buying from.
We can't be expected to scour the internet on your behalf, chasing down deals in your specific country... Again, help us, help YOU.

5. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

Currently I like Intel/Nvidia, but I'm open to anything.

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

N/A

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

I may overclock if needed.

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?

I have a 1920x1080 screen

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Note that it is usually not cost or time effective to choose your build more than a month before you actually plan to be using it.

Within the next week.

X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?

No software included in this build.


I want to purchase fairly soon, so the sooner the help the better. Thank you

 

[Sleepingforest]

Try this:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($123.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Biostar H77MU3 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($41.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($73.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($169.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $572.71 after $50 back across 3 rebates
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-20 21:03 EST-0500)

Upgrade to an i5-3470 for another $60 (quad rather than dual core). Lot's of gaming power on this one (Crysis 3 may still present problems ).

 

[Torn Mind]

The Crucial RAM is out of stock, Sleepingforest.
This G.Skill RAM should do.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3938566&SID=

 

[Durvelle27]

Try this:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($123.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Biostar H77MU3 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($41.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($73.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($169.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $572.71 after $50 back across 3 rebates
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-20 21:03 EST-0500)

Upgrade to an i5-3470 for another $60 (quad rather than dual core). Lot's of gaming power on this one (Crysis 3 may still present problems ).

In this day and age i would recommend a FX-6300 & i5 nothing less

 

[Durvelle27]

AMD FX-6300 Vishera 3.5GHz $139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819113286

ASRock 970 EXTREME4 AM3+ AMD 970 $87.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157262

PowerColor AX7850 2GBD5-DH Radeon HD 7850 2GB $184.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131473

CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 430W $44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139026

Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB $74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148697

SAMSUNG DVD Burner 24X $17.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151256

Corsair Carbide Series 200R $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139018

Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1333 $41.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220557



Total: $613.92 after $40 back across 3 rebates

 

[jtown98]

Those builds look good, I'm just not sure if I should spend 600 on a low end build, when if I put another say 200 in I could build a beast: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ERS3

 

[jtown98]

You can subtract about 50 from that for discounts I could get from microcenter

 

[Durvelle27]

Those builds look good, I'm just not sure if I should spend 600 on a low end build, when if I put another say 200 in I could build a beast: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ERS3

i wouldn't consider either of our rigs low end. Mid-range is more of them but not low end. If you have a microcenter near you by all means you should opt for a i5

 

[jtown98]

I'm on edge because my microcenter is quite a ways away. I'm lost at what to do. If I go with the fx-6300 and gtx 660 I can build it for alittle over 600. Will I be able to play all games on atleast high, with Crysis 3 being the exception probably?

 

[jtown98]

i wouldn't consider either of our rigs low end. Mid-range is more of them but not low end. If you have a microcenter near you by all means you should opt for a i5

I feel like there is alot of value in this build:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ESdh

 

[jtown98]

Although I think I'll go with the gigabyte card instead of the evga

 

[Torn Mind]

The 1866 Mhz is out of stock, fyi.
For your consideration:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($210.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Biostar H77MU3 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($64.18 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill NS Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.12 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $741.23
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-20 22:12 EST-0500)

 

[Sleepingforest]

You can save $10 on that build by using this Z77 mobo + 8GB RAM offer. That should allow you to get a larger HDD.

That went up $10 in price, so is no longer good.

 

[Torn Mind]

If the gas and tax cost from the Micro Center is not too high, he definitely should get a 3570K+Z77 motherboard for about $235 or $245 before tax and rebates and ultimately pay less.

http://microcenter.com/search/searc...+4294918198&NTX=&NTT=&NTK=all&sortby=pricelow
Gigabyte, Asrock, and MSI all have mobos that are $84.99 after rebate. The Gigabyte board is more expensive, so tax is higher.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($201.38 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($104.98 @ Amazon)
Memory: GeIL EVO Veloce Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.49 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($297.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $808.79
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-21 02:30 EST-0500)
$50 off the combo savings, $20 rebate, and a potential $20 off if he gets a cheaper 7950 or GTX 660 Ti. Also, PSU was upgraded since the CX430 is pushing it if he overclocks the 3570K in the future.

There are cheaper 7950 alternatives and if brand preference is important, GTX 660 Ti in the same price range. I cannot attest to any flaws--I'm a video card n00b--that might pop up in the cheaper 7950s.

 

[Sleepingforest]

That's some serious power for $800.

 

[jtown98]

If the gas and tax cost from the Micro Center is not too high, he definitely should get a 3570K+Z77 motherboard for about $235 or $245 before tax and rebates and ultimately pay less.

http://microcenter.com/search/searc...+4294918198&NTX=&NTT=&NTK=all&sortby=pricelow
Gigabyte, Asrock, and MSI all have mobos that are $84.99 after rebate. The Gigabyte board is more expensive, so tax is higher.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($201.38 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($104.98 @ Amazon)
Memory: GeIL EVO Veloce Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.49 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($297.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $808.79
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-21 02:30 EST-0500)
$50 off the combo savings, $20 rebate, and a potential $20 off if he gets a cheaper 7950 or GTX 660 Ti. Also, PSU was upgraded since the CX430 is pushing it if he overclocks the 3570K in the future.

There are cheaper 7950 alternatives and if brand preference is important, GTX 660 Ti in the same price range. I cannot attest to any flaws--I'm a video card n00b--that might pop up in the cheaper 7950s.

That is a pretty sweet build, I'm definetly gonna consider it, but I'm alittle scared of the north side of 700 Also the more and more I look into it, the more I want to go nvidia because I always hear about driver issues and what not with amd.

 

[jtown98]

I know this isn't going to be playing Crysis 3 on high, but this seems pretty sweet for the price: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/F1PJ How is this, will I be playing most game on high atleast?

 

[Hubb1e]

Been running AMD for years and I've yet to have a major issue with AMD drivers. Rumor isn't truth and the new drivers for AMD address the frame latency issues everyone talked about, yet never seemed to affect my gameplay. But, Nvidia is fine too.

The Z77 i5 3570K combo at microcenter is hard to beat. I'm not sure how far away you are, but it's a killer deal for a system that will last the test of time.

 

[Sleepingforest]

That's below even your original budget . At that price point, I'd rather have a 7770 than a 650ti--but honestly, to play games at 1080p, you should spend the extra $70-80 to get a 7850, which can smoothly run most things maxed out at 1080p (not Crysis thoigh... )

 

[Torn Mind]

I know this isn't going to be playing Crysis 3 on high, but this seems pretty sweet for the price: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/F1PJ How is this, will I be playing most game on high atleast?

I am not qualified to say whether drivers will be an issue or not.

But, I can say that there is a substantial jump from the GTX 650 Ti and the GTX 660.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/660?vs=680

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($201.38 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($104.98 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.99 @ Compuvest)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($213.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Raidmax Tornado (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($38.83 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $730.12
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-22 20:55 EST-0500)
After $20 rebate and the $50 combo discount, this comes out to about $660 dollars. You can save a little more by getting cheaper RAM and case.

Alternative motherboards at Micro Center include http://microcenter.com/product/387627/Z77_Pro3_1155_ATX_Intel_Motherboard and http://microcenter.com/product/401769/Z77A-G41_LGA_1155_ATX_Intel_Motherboard

This Gigabyte card one requires one 6-pin PCIE connector, so you don't have to buy an molex-to-6pin PCIE adapter.

The GTX 660 is weaker than the 7950, but this should perform better than the 650 Ti.
The case is not set in stone. There are a wide variety of cases listed and pcpartpicker doesn't have every case. So, your free to choose something cheaper or more expensive depending on your needs.

 

[mfenn]

I know this isn't going to be playing Crysis 3 on high, but this seems pretty sweet for the price: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/F1PJ How is this, will I be playing most game on high atleast?

That machine will play console ports on high, but not much else. It's a perfectly good machine for $500 (though switch to the RAM that Torn Mind suggested), but isn't terribly powerful.