My first PC build...ever.

[futurefields]

Doesn't the K just represent "unlocked" or " able to overclock"? If so (like it used to be), then there is zero need to buy the unlocked CPU if overclocking is not going to be performed.

I have an i5 2500 non K and the only difference is the ability to overclock the K. I also get well....WELL over 60 FPS on BF3 and probably around 60-70 on BF4. 1080

Where in the OP does it state he doesn't want to overclock?

He's posting on a tech forum.

Eventually he's probably going to want to overclock, even if he doesn't realize it yet.

 

[HeXen]

Hope the OP enjoys doing these kinds of things. Otherwise it can lead to a bad user experience if he never done this stuff before. Some noob's do fine on the hardware part up until they encounter a software issue of some sort and that kind of stuff can give one a sour experience.
Then you have the mechanically inclined types that lack sensitivity or get impatient and tend to over force everything and break them. I knew a guy like that...him and plastic did not mix.

 

[futurefields]

You can also go the ibuypower type route. I got my first gaming PC from them and it was a good experience. You only pay slightly more than you would building your own. Not sure if they support things like aftermarket coolers though. Also, it's been years since I used them, somebody correct me if I'm wrong at this point.

 

[DaTT]

Where in the OP does it state he doesn't want to overclock?

He's posting on a tech forum.

Eventually he's probably going to want to overclock, even if he doesn't realize it yet.

It was assumed because he states he knows very little about PC's.

I have been a member for a very long time on this tech forum...I don't O/C.

All I'm saying is, there is no reason to fork out the extra cash for an unlocked CPU if you don't plan on O/C'ing. Obviously though, if he wants to O/C, then get the K

 

[futurefields]

Another thing to consider is that K series processors come with quite a capable integrated GPU. This would allow him to use the computer while he saves up for a good dedicated GPU.

 

[nsafreak]

Problem is that we don't know a few things for sure:

1) Op's budget (we're guessing at this point based upon his initially posted build)
2) What games he intends to play (this will definitely affect the GPU recommendation)
3) Where he's located. We're assuming he lives in the US when he could just as easily live elsewhere and pay different prices for parts
4) Whether or not he needs things like a keyboard, monitor, mouse, etc.

Op, I recommend that you read this post and update your post with the answers. It will help a lot when making recommendations.

 

[escrow4]

Honestly, I don't recommend K CPUs but it does make sense for a gaming box as you can squeeze more minimum FPS with a few hundred MHz (if you want too). With a Z97 board you can also run MCE (Multi Core Enhancement) and "stock" overclock a 4670K to 3.8GHz all cores which is still within spec in the beginning too. I'm running my 5930K @ 3.7GHz like this for now.

 

[futurefields]

Honestly, I don't recommend K CPUs but it does make sense for a gaming box as you can squeeze more minimum FPS with a few hundred MHz (if you want too). With a Z97 board you can also run MCE (Multi Core Enhancement) and "stock" overclock a 4670K to 3.8GHz all cores which is still within spec in the beginning too. I'm running my 5930K @ 3.7GHz like this for now.

The part in bold seems at odds with the part not in bold.

 

[Diabetothewhale]

my budget is around what my first build costs, a little more wouldn't kill me

i plan to play the newer games like far cry 4, gat 5

i live in the US haha

i have a keyboard and mouse already but i guess i still need a monitor lol :/

 

[AgentUnknown]

This is the week to buy components and build. Lots of newegg vids on building it too. Build should be fine. I wish I could build a new pc, it's always fun.

 

[nsafreak]

Even with the deals this week it's going to be tight fitting a gaming build into that budget with a monitor. There are a couple of routes to go, build number 1 goes over your budget by about $100 (although if you search around a bit more you could bring it within budget) and looks like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB Tri-X Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair Graphite Series 230T Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) ($124.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: LG 22MP55HQ-P 60Hz 22.0" Monitor ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $819.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-30 15:36 EST-0500

This build will serve you well even if it does not overclock. One item I should clarify, the 4440 and 4690K have the same GPU built in, a HD 4600.

Build number 2, goes over budget by a pretty fair margin but does allow for overclocking:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z97 U3 Plus ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB Tri-X Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair Graphite Series 230T Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) ($124.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: LG 22MP55HQ-P 60Hz 22.0" Monitor ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $904.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-30 15:40 EST-0500

I would recommend getting an SSD and seeing if you can fit it into your budget for either build if it can be done. You can pick up a Crucial MX100 250 GB from many stores for around $100 or a bit less currently.

 

[mfenn]

Even with the deals this week it's going to be tight fitting a gaming build into that budget with a monitor. There are a couple of routes to go, build number 1 goes over your budget by about $100 (although if you search around a bit more you could bring it within budget) and looks like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB Tri-X Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair Graphite Series 230T Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) ($124.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: LG 22MP55HQ-P 60Hz 22.0" Monitor ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $819.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-30 15:36 EST-0500

This build will serve you well even if it does not overclock. One item I should clarify, the 4440 and 4690K have the same GPU built in, a HD 4600.

Build number 2, goes over budget by a pretty fair margin but does allow for overclocking:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z97 U3 Plus ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB Tri-X Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair Graphite Series 230T Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) ($124.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: LG 22MP55HQ-P 60Hz 22.0" Monitor ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $904.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-30 15:40 EST-0500

I would recommend getting an SSD and seeing if you can fit it into your budget for either build if it can be done. You can pick up a Crucial MX100 250 GB from many stores for around $100 or a bit less currently.

In my opinion, the R9 280X isn't enough of an upgrade over the R9 280 when the price differential is $70 ($130 to $200).

 

[nsafreak]

In my opinion, the R9 280X isn't enough of an upgrade over the R9 280 when the price differential is $70 ($130 to $200).

True, as long as you can find an R9 280 in stock although I'm guessing that the op doesn't necessarily plan to purchase immediately. I just put the 280X in since the 280 I typically recommend was sold out on newegg and I wasn't entirely sure of timeline.

 

[escrow4]

The part in bold seems at odds with the part not in bold.

True, but in this scenario K makes more sense.