First time builder, suggestions please!

[amartin28]

To Legit 2 Quit"

This is my first PC build. I am looking to use it for gaming. I don't have a particular game in mind I want to start with as I usually stick to sports games like "Madden" on PS3. Some friends who PC game have finaly convinced md to give it a try, so here I am. Be brutal about the build I've put together as I expect it to change numerous times before its ready for purchase. By the way my budget is approx $1500

Thanks

http://www.uthinkpc.com/build.html?buildId=246095

 

[krnmastersgt]

Errr, I don't see a rig set-up. Not sure if that's just for me or if the link doesn't really direct properly, maybe you need to the save the rig to an account and allow it to be viewed publicly?

Also PCPartPicker.com is a bit better at price comparisons.

Also please answer the questions in this sticky so we can better help you.

 

[amartin28]

Thanks, for the suggestions. I will check on my build link from UthinkPC, they are in beta still so you are right the pricing is a little limited, but they are offering a $1500 build experience for people who test the site and I'm trying to get my first build paid for. I will check out the site you mentioned for additional pricing and fill out the sticky so you can better help.

Thanks!

 

[krnmastersgt]

Well the sticky answers aside, for your budget you should probably just check out mfenn's mid-range build thread for the basic starting point of your build, adjusted for wherever you may live the amount leftover will vary. From there you can beef up specific components such as the video card, storage space, monitors, whatever you so choose.

 

[amartin28]

Ok, sounds reasonable I will check it out, Thanks!

 

[amartin28]

Here is the updated link to my build page:

http://www.uthinkpc.com/build.html?buildId=246112

 

[amartin28]

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

Gaming

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

1500

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

USA... Where I live, but I'm open to sites operated in other countries

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

No preference at this stage

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

From scratch
*

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

ummmm default

8. What resolution will you be using?

??? What should I use for gaming?

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

1-2 months
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.

*

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

Yes

 

[krnmastersgt]

Case: Antec 302 $55 AR
Hard Drive: Hitachi 1TB $65 AR
Video Card: MSI 7870 Twin Frozr $280 AR
PSU: Corsair TX650 $70 AR
RAM: G.SKILL Value 8GB $40
Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 $85
CPU: i5 3570K $230
CPU Cooler: CM Hyper 212+ $20 AR
Optical Drive: ASUS Blu-Ray Burner $65 AR
Solid State Drive: Crucial M4 128GB $120
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit $80 AP

Total: $1,234.89 - $35 in Promo Codes - $80 in MIRs =
$1119.89

This leaves you with a lot of room to get a nice mouse, keyboard, and a decent monitor (do note the promo code on the hard drive ends in a few hours).

As for keyboards I really enjoyed using the CM Quickfire Pro, as for mice I've gone between a few gaming mice. Really depends more on how you grip than the fan favorite mouse.
And for monitors, look for at least 1920x1080 for the resolution, I typically just get whatever is cheapest with my required resolution and minimum size (I can't stand displays smaller than 22") but you have room to go up from there by quite a bit.

Oh also you listed that you'd prefer to run default speeds, this set-up is designed for a moderate overclock which is actually very simple with modern boards. HOWEVER if you feel that you still don't want to, you could easily shave another $30 or more on the CPU by dropping to an i5 3450 or thereabouts, and then another $20-30 (depending on if you fill out the rebate) by not getting the CPU cooler as the stock cooler will be sufficient. Oh and another $20 from dropping the board to a B75 chipset.

 

[amartin28]

Wow, that is really helpful. I was told Forums would be a good source of information for building but I had no idea it would be this beneficial. Thanks, appreciate it! Just an FYI, that Uthink site i'm using for my build profile is having a contest where you can win I think $1500 for giving feedback during their beta launch. You seem to be pretty savy, you might have a shot.

Cheers!

 

[krnmastersgt]

Wow, that is really helpful. I was told Forums would be a good source of information for building but I had no idea it would be this beneficial. Thanks, appreciate it! Just an FYI, that Uthink site i'm using for my build profile is having a contest where you can win I think $1500 for giving feedback during their beta launch. You seem to be pretty savy, you might have a shot.

Cheers!

Thanks for the compliment

That aside that site has some pretty poor price tracking, it may evolve to something comparable to PCPartPicker but as of now it's just not worth using in my eyes.

I'm also quite content with my system, but out of curiosity and interest I guess I could try the $1500 build thing, do you have a link to more details on the matter?

 

[DSF]

Yeah I'd appreciate a link to the $1500 contest as well.

More to the point of the thread, krnmastersgt's build would blow the one you had on Uthink out of the water, and I mean that without any offense. I know you're new at this.

My few thoughts/questions:
1)Are you reasonably sure that you're going to be interested in gaming? $1500 is a lot to drop on something that you're just getting into. (I know you're hoping to get the build comp'ed, but are you prepared to buy it if that doesn't happen?)

2) Does this place put the PC together for you, or is it just a tool for designing the build?

3) Note that the sticky mentions that 1-2 months is a long time in the future in terms of picking specific parts. As a conservative guess, I'll say that if you don't actually buy the parts for 2 months, at least 3 of the items will be different than what krnmastersgt picked out, even though his build is solid right now. You're going to need to bump this thread when you actually get closer to buying.

4) I would strongly encourage you to do a little bit more research about what makes a good gaming build before you finally buy one. It will help you figure out why krn recommended the parts he did, and help you understand the different roles the CPU and GPU play and how to balance them.

5) Most people building gaming PCs right now are going for 1920x1080, commonly known as full HD. It's the resolution of 23-24" computer monitors and 1080P HDTVs. With monitors getting less and less expensive all the time, it's an attractive route. Back when I built my current gaming computer a 22" monitor of a slightly lower resolution (1680x1050) was around $200, so that's what I went with. I'm very happy with it and don't plan to replace it when I upgrade my computer, but that doesn't mean I'd go with a 22" in your case unless desk space is a concern or something.

 

[krnmastersgt]

DSF's first point is something I was wondering as well, $1500 is quite a lot to spend just to start getting into PC gaming (also the reason why most people prefer consoles). If you don't spend much time on the computer to begin with it's an awfully large investment for something you might not even find enjoyable.