Build from Ground Up

[mike8675309]

The last Desktop unit I've ever built was when the first Pentium processors came out. Since that time it has been company supplied machines or laptops. My current laptop was 2 years old when I purchased it from the Dell outlet, so its showing it's age. A Latitude E6500 with 4 gig of memory and Intel Core 2 Duo cpu at 2.4GHz.

I want to start playing some games.

1. I would like to start with Eve Online I'm not looking for cutting edge but instead good value. I'm a software developer also so I need something that can multi-task with good memory (SQL Server, Visual Studio, Eclipse, IIS etc...)
2. My budget for the box (not including monitor) is no more than $1K but if it could be closer to $700 I would be happy.
3. I'm in the US within 40 miles of a Microcenter, so that's an option, though I have purchased from Newegg before.
5. Best value is my favorite not particular about any brands.
6. The only existing parts I have is a wireless printer. Anything else I have is too old to consider. (I have a Dell Precision 410 on a shelf)
7. I have no plans to overclock unless there is a good reason to do so.
8. Screen size will be minimum 1920 x 1200 resolution though likely will be 2560×1600. Likely whatever is the best value at a resolution around. I prefer 16:10 resolutions over 16:9 as I work more than I watch movies.
9. Funds are currently being set aside, I'm looking to spread out my purchases over time with a goal of being built during July.
X.I don't need a blueray drive or player, I will want a Windows license.

Again, I'm looking for good value with bang for your buck. Not trying to win any benchmark wars, just need something that will give me enough power to be usable with games today and tomorrow. Not necessarily at the highest resolution. I don't want to get into a price war with coin miners either.

Any good ideas?
Thanks.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Start here: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2192841

 

[Cerb]

Must the $1000 include a keyboard, mouse, and monitor?

9. Funds are currently being set aside, I'm looking to spread out my purchases over time with a goal of being built during July.

There's rarely any value in doing that, compred to builindg all at once.

 

[Torn Mind]

Must the $1000 include a keyboard, mouse, and monitor?

There's rarely any value in doing that, compred to builindg all at once.

IMO, it depends on how much one can get by with the bare minimum before getting an additional part that happens to be on sale. Definitely not worth it for RAM, a 1TB HDD, or optical disk drive, as prices for these parts are stable, or for RAM, increasing.

I'd definitely pounce on the Micro Center i5+mobo combo. Even with an 80 mile drive, the prices are well below retail.

 

[krnmastersgt]

MicroCenter combos are insanely good and definitely worth an 80 mile drive, unless you don't trust your car to make the trip and back 😛

And I agree with Torn in that cases, power supplies, etc. can often have a very good sale every once in a while though I wouldn't plan around getting it. If you have an operation system or something that can hold you over till you finish a new build I'd say wait it out and see what deals pop up. That being said I'm impatient and once I see more than half the parts I just get the mad itch to pull the trigger on everything else usually.

 

[mfenn]

Must the $1000 include a keyboard, mouse, and monitor?

Looks like "no" on the monitor based on his answer to #2. However...

There's rarely any value in doing that, compred to builindg all at once.

I agree with this. There's nothing worse that finding out that part you got a good deal on 3 months ago was DOA but you didn't have a way to test it. I recommend saving your money and buying everything over a short time period (1-2 weeks). July is right in the thick of back-to-school season, and Newegg has good pricing then.

EDIT: Also, any specific recommendations that we make right now would be horribly outdated by July.

 

[mike8675309]

$1000 max is the box and things included in it. Monitor, keyboard, mouse are not included.

O.k. So I see the point on waiting. Perhaps what I need to do is not set a fixed completion date, but call it done by Fall 2014 and then look for the best moment. Going back to school sales is a good thought.