Building my first gaming/video editing computer (I'm a noobie)

[L3gendary92]

I apologize if this is the wrong section to post this in but I'm not entirely sure which one would be the most accurate to place it in. I understand if the mods have to move this/delete it.

So I decided I wanted to shell out around 1000 bucks for my first gaming/video editing computer! My current cpu is way out of date and it would be nice to get a new one as my editing is increasing using Sony Vegas 10.0! I would also like to play current-gen games that are coming out for the PC as well! I think it would just benefit me a lot to be able to use the software properly, cut render times down, and play some of the newer games that are coming out on highest graphics!

Here's the dilemma... I have no idea how to begin building a computer. I am sure I could research it a little bit but if you guys had a link/guide to throw at me that would be wonderful.

I'm also not sure what main parts I need. Here is what I think I need:
-Motherboard
-Graphics Card
-Sound Card
-RAM
-HDD (thinking of getting a terabyte
-Processor
-Case
-Power Supply

And I think using my monitor would be okay. I don't see the need in getting a new one (although if I could I would like to dual monitor it up. Not sure how that works though...)

So here's the thing... I'm not sure how to know if I get a motherboard that is compatible with everything. I know it's important to get the motherboard first then work the parts around it but I'm just not sure how.

If anybody could post some links from tigerdirect or newegg (which site is better to get parts from by the way...) that would be great! I am just so confused on where to even begin!

Thanks,
-L3


P.S. I am planning on overclocking the processor.

 

[Blitzvogel]

With a $1000 budget, and using Newegg, I'd opt for:

- Intel i5-2000 series quad core CPU - ~$200+

- LGA 1155 Socket Mobo - ~$100+

- 4 x 2 GB of DDR3-1333 Memory - ~$100+
Normally I would say 2 x 2 GB of memory here, but for video editing, the extra space is nice to have, as it tends to be memory intensive, but isn't necessary. I'm more or less playing with your budget here.

- Nvidia GTX 460 1 GB - ~$200
Good card for the money, plus support for Nvidia GPUs and CUDA tends to be more widespread than for AMD's graphics products, which will come in handy for video encode/decode. Not to mention, for gaming, it's still one of the best values out there. I have one myself, and I love the damn thing.

- 650 to 700W Power Supply Unit - ~$80
Go for a well known brand here like Antec, OCZ, Thermaltake. A funny general indicator of PSU quality is weight. The heavier, generally the better built. Honestly a 600W PSU would be more than enough, but if you expand, it's nice to have the extra juice.

- Windows 7 64 bit OEM - $100

Total: $780 before tax and shipping.

Everything else you need, such as a case, hard drive, dvd drive whatever can be had for within the rest of your budget. Also prices I mentioned tend to be in those ranges, but are not absolute. I was just laying out a guideline. Also I would build around a CPU first, not the mobo. Just make sure the socket matches, and the memory you choose is correct type (though every current Intel CPU is going to use a mobo using DDR3 memory). There are plenty of computer building guides on the interwebs. It's not that difficult.

 

[betasub]

Welcome to AnandTech Forums. A kind mod should be along soon to relocate your thread to a good home in the General Hardware section.

 

[L3gendary92]

Welcome to AnandTech Forums. A kind mod should be along soon to relocate your thread to a good home in the General Hardware section.

Thanks for the welcome betasub! I apologize for putting this in the wrong section! I should have known! My apologies!

 

[L3gendary92]

With a $1000 budget, and using Newegg, I'd opt for:

- Intel i5-2000 series quad core CPU - ~$200+

- LGA 1155 Socket Mobo - ~$100+

- 4 x 2 GB of DDR3-1333 Memory - ~$100+
Normally I would say 2 x 2 GB of memory here, but for video editing, the extra space is nice to have, as it tends to be memory intensive, but isn't necessary. I'm more or less playing with your budget here.

- Nvidia GTX 460 1 GB - ~$200
Good card for the money, plus support for Nvidia GPUs and CUDA tends to be more widespread than for AMD's graphics products, which will come in handy for video encode/decode. Not to mention, for gaming, it's still one of the best values out there. I have one myself, and I love the damn thing.

- 650 to 700W Power Supply Unit - ~$80
Go for a well known brand here like Antec, OCZ, Thermaltake. A funny general indicator of PSU quality is weight. The heavier, generally the better built. Honestly a 600W PSU would be more than enough, but if you expand, it's nice to have the extra juice.

- Windows 7 64 bit OEM - $100

Total: $780 before tax and shipping.

Everything else you need, such as a case, hard drive, dvd drive whatever can be had for within the rest of your budget. Also prices I mentioned tend to be in those ranges, but are not absolute. I was just laying out a guideline. Also I would build around a CPU first, not the mobo. Just make sure the socket matches, and the memory you choose is correct type (though every current Intel CPU is going to use a mobo using DDR3 memory). There are plenty of computer building guides on the interwebs. It's not that difficult.

Thank you so much for this list! I am going to look more into this now!

 

[Dizon]

NUSNA_Moebius' list is good. To answer your previous question on how to go about picking parts...

You start off by picking the CPU you want, then you pick the mobo that is compatible with that CPU (socket type). Then you pick appropriate ram for the motherboard and cpu (dual channel, triple channel, certain fsb ram that you think you need considering overclocking). The rest is easy peezy.

When picking these parts, look around for reviews and see what manufacturers offer that are special in these parts that fit your needs. Tons of mobos out there that can vary in price by quite a bit depending on the features you want. You could end up giving up your arm and leg and then realize you never needed those features to begin with. The same thing goes for CPUs and ram. Do you want to overclock? If not, you can avoid spending money on those things.

 

[Cerb]

-Sound Card

Since it has not been mentioned, yet: don't. Try the mobo's onboard sound. If the quality leaves a lot to be desired, then get a card (if just using stereo outs, a nice no-driver-needed USB DAC would be a good way to go, IMO). Unless you record, you don't get performance/feature benefits, these days, and about half of the mobos out there have acceptable onboard audio.

 

[BD231]

With a $1000 budget, and using Newegg, I'd opt for:

- Intel i5-2000 series quad core CPU - ~$200+

- LGA 1155 Socket Mobo - ~$100+

- 4 x 2 GB of DDR3-1333 Memory - ~$100+
Normally I would say 2 x 2 GB of memory here, but for video editing, the extra space is nice to have, as it tends to be memory intensive, but isn't necessary. I'm more or less playing with your budget here.

- Nvidia GTX 460 1 GB - ~$200
Good card for the money, plus support for Nvidia GPUs and CUDA tends to be more widespread than for AMD's graphics products, which will come in handy for video encode/decode. Not to mention, for gaming, it's still one of the best values out there. I have one myself, and I love the damn thing.

- 650 to 700W Power Supply Unit - ~$80
Go for a well known brand here like Antec, OCZ, Thermaltake. A funny general indicator of PSU quality is weight. The heavier, generally the better built. Honestly a 600W PSU would be more than enough, but if you expand, it's nice to have the extra juice.

- Windows 7 64 bit OEM - $100

Total: $780 before tax and shipping.

Everything else you need, such as a case, hard drive, dvd drive whatever can be had for within the rest of your budget. Also prices I mentioned tend to be in those ranges, but are not absolute. I was just laying out a guideline. Also I would build around a CPU first, not the mobo. Just make sure the socket matches, and the memory you choose is correct type (though every current Intel CPU is going to use a mobo using DDR3 memory). There are plenty of computer building guides on the interwebs. It's not that difficult.

Go with an ATI 6850/6870.

 

[L3gendary92]

I am having a bit of difficulty finding these parts. But just to double check make sure this is right for me please.

Motherboard :http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...3128482&cm_re=LGA_1155-_-13-128-482-_-Product (seems fishy to me there is no reviews) Here is the link to the direct list I am looking at
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...55+motherboard

Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-074-_-Product (Apparently this heats up pretty quick. Maybe I should invest in a liquid cooler?)

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-810-_-Product (is Kingston even a good brand? The feedback seems fine though)

Graphics Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-088-_-Product (some of the reviews seem iffy but it fits my budget and I am guessing it can still handle new games at highest graphics, eh?)

Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-072-_-Product

Harddrive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822145299


Computer case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021

Liquid Cooler (for overclocking and so my cpu does not overheat): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-086-_-Product

I'm not sure what else should be included really.


Everything look up to par you think? I was doing more research but this list seemed to fit my budget alot more

 

[nwo]

Sorry to quote you again but I am having a lot of trouble finding these parts on Newegg for some reason.

i5 2500k CPU: $220
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...Tpk=i5%202500k

P67 chipset motherboard: ~$150, none in stock right now, so here is a link to all of them:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...e=&srchInDesc=

Video Card: 5870 is the fastest video card you can get for $200 (after $20 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-326-_-Product

RAM: Here is a dirt cheap 4GB kit (2x2GB) for only $30 after $20 MIR:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145260
If you are going to get 8GB, I would personally go with 2x4GB because that leaves you with 2 open slots in case you ever need more.

PSU: 650W Antec True Power: $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-021-_-Product

Hard drive: 1TB 7.2k rpm Samsung Spinpoint F3: $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-185-_-Product

Total (if I added correctly) is $775 after mail in rebates. That leaves you with $225 for the case and operating system. If you have money left over, you can upgrade your CPU to an i7 2600k for $100, but that will only make your video editing slightly faster, it will not give you any noticeable gaming performance. I would recommend sticking with the i5, buying an aftermarket cooler, and overclocking it instead

 

[nwo]

Everything look up to par you think? I was doing more research but this list seemed to fit my budget alot more

If you plan on overclocking, you pretty much have to get an unlocked version of the CPU which means your choices will be limited between an i5 2500k and i7 2600k. Also, you have to get a P67 chipset motherboard since you cannot overclock on H61/67 motherboards.

Video card you chose is low end, a 768MB GTX 460 would be a much better choice for slightly less after MIR if you do not want to spend $200 on a significantly faster 5870 (which you should with your budget).

If you really want liquid cooling, go with the h50:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-010-_-Product

All you really need for a good overclock is a $30 cooler master 212+:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...20master%20212

You can easily get up to 4.5GHz on that $30 cooler, but if you really want to experience and push for 5GHz, then you should get something more expensive, which really isn't worth it in my opinion since it does not guarantee you better OC results.

Kingston is a very good brand, but that RAM you linked is not a very good price. Also, make sure you go with 8GB since you will probably need more than 4GB for the tasks you mentioned.

 

[Vette73]

Board P67 $143
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128476
CPU 2500k $220
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
Video Card 6870 $180 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150506
Ram 8gig DDR3 $65 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820178333
Power Supply 650 Watt $60 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207002
Hard Drive 1tb $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

DVD drive $20-25 (what ever is cheap with free shipping)
Case pick a good ATX one you like. $30-100
Sound Card USE ONBOARD SOUND $0.00

That would make a great system and be in the $800-900 area.

 

[L3gendary92]

Board P67 $143
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128476
CPU 2500k $220
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
Video Card 6870 $180 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150506
Ram 8gig DDR3 $65 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820178333
Power Supply 650 Watt $60 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207002
Hard Drive 1tb $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

DVD drive $20-25 (what ever is cheap with free shipping)
Case pick a good ATX one you like. $30-100
Sound Card USE ONBOARD SOUND $0.00

That would make a great system and be in the $800-900 area.

I like this list a lot. But if I am planning on overclocking my processor should I get this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687 that was mentioned above you think?

 

[Vette73]

I like this list a lot. But if I am planning on overclocking my processor should I get this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687 that was mentioned above you think?

Yea that is a good one. The factory one may get you to high 3 to maybe 4ghz. The one in yoru link will do 4ghz or higher and be cooler.

 

[L3gendary92]

Awesome! Seems like I have my computer all sorted and picked out! I can't wait to start getting the parts shipped here and start building it!

Now I need to look up some major tutorials on how to begin building a computer...

Thanks a lot for the help guys!

 

[L3gendary92]

Sorry to bump this but I am going to have to shell out money on an OS I suppose. I am guessing Windows 7 64-bit?

 

[mnewsham]

Windows 7 64-bit Home premium.

 

[Vette73]

Sorry to bump this but I am going to have to shell out money on an OS I suppose. I am guessing Windows 7 64-bit?

Yea that is what I use.

I got it pretty cheap from eBay. Its a OEM one but works and is legal.