can someone help me out (i dont know anything about pc gaming)

this is me

Junior Member
Jan 7, 2015
2
0
0
Ok so currently I have Xbox, and I decided that consoles are awful and pc is bomb. However I literally know nothing about pc gaming. I want to build my own, that's all I know. I tend to really good with technology so I just need to know how build one. And I don't really have a budget because I am going to spend the year building it and I am going to buy the parts one at a time. Also I don't know what kind of monitor to use I know I can use my TV or something like that but can I use my laptop? I don't have a gaming laptop. I think its the Lenovo yoga 2 so I don't think I can use it for pc gaming. Anyways as you can probably tell I really don't know anything so any and all information and help would be wonderful, thanks.

also can I use a ps4 controller?
 

Dankk

Diamond Member
Jul 7, 2008
5,558
25
91
Some helpful links:

Choosing parts and components

Guide to PC Components

Resources to help you choose parts

"Logical Increments" PC parts guide

ChooseMyPC Build Generator

Building the computer

Assembling the components

Operating System Guide

Finishing touches

/r/buildapc is a good community for doing this, as well as our own General Hardware and Computer Help forums.

Keep in mind it's not really a good idea to spread out your PC purchase over the course of a long time. Unless it's on a really good sale, buying a new part (such as a video card) is a waste of money if you're going to wait a year until you can actually use it, when it will be lower in price anyway.
 

DigDog

Lifer
Jun 3, 2011
14,704
3,033
136
using a controller on a PC - while possible - takes away a good bit of the experience. keyboard and mouse are so much more responsive, and one of the main reasons why PC gaming is preferred over console gaming by PC enthusiasts.. not just graphics.

having said that, its totally possible to use a controller with a PC, even a PS4 one. just get a converter:
https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=playstation%20to%20pc%20converter

PC building is reasonably easy. A couple of hours spent watching youtube videos will teach you most of what you need to know.

TVs generally dont work well with PCs, because of both resolution (less likely today, but still possible), refresh rate, and response time.
You can buy a decent PC monitor for about a hundred bucks, give or take.

please tell us a few things about you:
where do you live/buy your hardware?
what games do you like?
what is your budget?
 

sweenish

Diamond Member
May 21, 2013
3,656
60
91
If they want to game on PC with a controller, let them.

It's about them having fun. Honestly, the kb/m superiority complex is a new thing. Controllers have been used on PC for a long time. There are enough niche cases on PC where a controller is preferred (racing, flight sim) that the kb/m complex is just a bunch of PC gamer newbies throwing fits.
 
Feb 6, 2007
16,432
1
81
Keyboard/mouse is clearly advantageous for FPS and RPG games, but I prefer a controller for action/adventure, racing and sports games, so it's a wash. Fortunately, you can alternate between both on a whim, which is extremely convenient. And, yes, you can use a PS4 controller on a PC.

I will say this; you would be a giant fool to buy PC parts one at a time in preparation of a future build. Let's say you buy a $300 graphics card; in 8 months when you're getting ready to build, that same card may only cost $250. You've wasted $50 and gotten absolutely nothing from it, since you couldn't use the part anyway. So outside of a really good deal coming around (a one-day 50% off sale on a part you were planning to get for example), you're much, much better off saving up your money until you have enough to buy everything all at once. You will likely find that the same budget you anticipated in the beginning can now buy slightly better components than when you first started saving, since prices on PC hardware routinely go down as newer parts get released.
 

runzwithsizorz

Diamond Member
Jan 24, 2002
3,497
14
76
IMO There are some parts you can start with now...
Computer case: I do not know how much room you have for the computer. Me, I would look at a larger rather than smaller one. I have a cooler master haf which is really a full size case $80.00-90.00 or sale
PSU: (Power supply unit) Important to get a GOOD one. Me, I would look for 650-750 or more watts. Better to be safe buying too much power than too little.
Rosewell or Seasonic -80PlusGold $100.00 plus or minus Sales
Hard Drive Start with a one TB 7200 rpm, 64 mb cache, SATA 6 , I like Western digital black Wait on the SSD $100.00 plus or minus for HD

All prices dependent on sales, etc. But should give you an idea where to start.
You can get parts cheaper, but the one item from the list I would never cheap out on is the PSU.
Good luck,

The Wife
 
Last edited:

TheSlamma

Diamond Member
Sep 6, 2005
7,625
5
81
Console isn't "awful" I have a PS4 and it does really well. My only complaints is while some online PC gamers can be immature the players online on PS4 I have yet to hear a SINGLE person on VoIP who is at all mature. Pretty sad too given I'm a random goofball myself but wow. The gansta rap playing on open mic, the 9 year old being babysat by the PS4 in a rated 17 game or the 16-24 year old crowd that refers to everyone who has a life outside of gaming and doesn't do perfect as a "toolbag" Oh also the price of games, I really just have my PS4 for exclusives as any cross platform game on PC is usually 1/2 to 1/3rd the price by the time I'm willing to purchase.
 
Last edited:

runzwithsizorz

Diamond Member
Jan 24, 2002
3,497
14
76
I love PC gaming...FPS, Adventure (from years ago) and RPG's, but I never never have nor ever will play on line multiplayer games for some of the same reasons listed by Slamma.

The Wife
 

Mai72

Lifer
Sep 12, 2012
11,562
1,742
126
using a controller on a PC - while possible - takes away a good bit of the experience. keyboard and mouse are so much more responsive, and one of the main reasons why PC gaming is preferred over console gaming by PC enthusiasts.. not just graphics.

having said that, its totally possible to use a controller with a PC, even a PS4 one. just get a converter:
https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=playstation%20to%20pc%20converter

PC building is reasonably easy. A couple of hours spent watching youtube videos will teach you most of what you need to know.

TVs generally dont work well with PCs, because of both resolution (less likely today, but still possible), refresh rate, and response time.
You can buy a decent PC monitor for about a hundred bucks, give or take.

please tell us a few things about you:
where do you live/buy your hardware?
what games do you like?
what is your budget?

Maybe he wants to play a sports game on his PC?

Anything else and you should use keyboard/mouse.
 

BurnItDwn

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
26,354
1,863
126
Just a bit of conflicting advice, TV will probably work fine for you, unless its an Old TV which doesnt have HDMI, VGA, or DVI connector. And, if TV is 1080P, it is enough resolution that you will get decent sharpness.

My bro games on a 52 inch Plasma, and it looks magnificent from about 4-5 feet sitting distance.

I game either on 3x 21.5 inch monitors, or on a 106 inch projector, and both have their merits...

I cant use a controller, but my fiancee has too much trouble with KB/Mouse and wants to use gaming controller for anything she does .. its all personal preference ... (she uses an a10 based Laptop, its only 720p, but can handle skyrim or just about anything smoothly, my PCs are 2x6870 with i5 on the triple headed display, and 1x4870 with phenom 2 on projector. I ordered a 290 for the triple head display, and will be sticking one or both 6870s on the projector PC..)

Anyhow, in todays era, there are tons of options, and in general, when it comes to Components, MOST of the options on the market at most price points are quite good ...

If you have a store called Microcenter near you, you may wish to visit them in person.
 

D DoUrden

Member
Jul 19, 2012
47
0
0

cmdrdredd

Lifer
Dec 12, 2001
27,052
357
126
If they want to game on PC with a controller, let them.

It's about them having fun. Honestly, the kb/m superiority complex is a new thing. Controllers have been used on PC for a long time. There are enough niche cases on PC where a controller is preferred (racing, flight sim) that the kb/m complex is just a bunch of PC gamer newbies throwing fits.

Exactly. More often than not people bitch about keyboard controls instead of just plugging in an Xbox controller. They'd rather cry on forums. There are games that are clearly superior to play on a controller for different reasons.