neophyte

[lambyduke]

I am considering building my next PC. I'm new to this, and not just a little intimidated and fuzzy brained, after reseaching the internet! I have a $1200 budget. I want the computer to last as long as I can (ie-upgradable). I need Wifi. I will be using it for gaming and school. Is there any way I can get an i7, Windows 8.1 64 bit OS and stay within my budget? I can't express my gratitude enough if you experts would give me a parts list, some good instructions, and where to order the parts for best bang for my buck! I need it simple and straightforward because I'm pretty much ignorant in this area! I'd also like some advice on what tools I'd need. Thank You,Thank you,Thank You!

 

[Cerb]

I am considering building my next PC. I'm new to this, and not just a little intimidated and fuzzy brained, after reseaching the internet! I have a $1200 budget. I want the computer to last as long as I can (ie-upgradable). I need Wifi. I will be using it for gaming and school.

Can we assume that, being all newbish, you have no overclocking intents?

Can we assume you're in the U.S.?

Do you like near a Microcenter?

Is there any way I can get an i7, Windows 8.1 64 bit OS and stay within my budget?

Depends. Do you need a monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers, etc.; or just the box?

 

[lambyduke]

I live in the US. I need a keyboard and mouse. I have a vague idea what overclocking is, but don't know advantages vs disadvantages. Is there a microcenter near Rochester,MN?

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I have a vague idea what overclocking is, but don't know advantages vs disadvantages. Is there a microcenter near Rochester,MN?

1) Welcome!
2) If your new to building just consider overclocking a topic and requirement that is low priority. Research and learn later, after you have sucessfully built at least one computer on your own.
3) Google is your friend. You need to use your research skills and find out the answer to this question on your own.

 

[lambyduke]

I appreciate the advice about searching on my own. I've already spent several days. and frankly I'm operating on" System Overload". I can't imagine that if you've searched lately( or any time, for that manner) that your not aware of the plethora of sites that have the best advice and are quite willing to take your money. If you don't want to give me advice. OK. If you want to help, that's great. If this forum doesn't work out I'll go back to the mind numbing search. Thanks. Again, I would appreciate any info.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I appreciate the advice about searching on my own. I've already spent several days. and frankly I'm operating on" System Overload". I can't imagine that if you've searched lately( or any time, for that manner) that your not aware of the plethora of sites that have the best advice and are quite willing to take your money. If you don't want to give me advice. OK. If you want to help, that's great. If this forum doesn't work out I'll go back to the mind numbing search. Thanks. Again, I would appreciate any info.

So finding out if there is a microcenter near you causes brain overload? Wow, uhmmmmm you might want to just call Dell. FWIW, there is one in St. Louis Park. Took me 5 seconds to figure that out. http://www.microcenter.com/#

As far as advice on how to build read this first: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=62434

Once you have some specific requirements do this: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=80121

I guarantee the crew here will ensure your parts will be compatible and the absolute best bang for the buck.

 

[Torn Mind]

$1200 for an i7 build should be doable without a graphics card.

Answering the questions in the sticky will help us get info on the computer. What you want it to do, your budget, where you are buying from.

 

[lambyduke]

That's a bit of a smart A.. answer. If you read my post, the brain numbing part was days that I spent looking for information on DIY building. Before you get worked up... you are forgiven, and thank you for the websites. It's good to know that I can come back with my build and get some good advise on compatability issues. again, thank you. I remain eager and appreciative of any helpful advise.

 

[JackMDS]

This is the typical Mid Range Computer that suggested this week in this forum (see the First post at the top).

2/16/2014 update:
i5 4670K + MSI Z87-G55 + G.Skill DDR3 1600 8GB combo $411 AR
Gigabyte GTX 770 $340
Crucial M500 120GB $75 AP
WD Blue 1TB $60
Lite-ON DVD Burner $20
Antec TP-650C $60 AR AP
NZXT H230 $50 AR
Total: $1016 AR AP
(courtesy of mfenn forum Moderator).

With your level of knowledge that might be a good solution.

You want to deviate from it, then be specific in what you ask, and use it as a frame of reference.

 

[Torn Mind]

That's a bit of a smart A.. answer. If you read my post, the brain numbing part was days that I spent looking for information on DIY building. Before you get worked up... you are forgiven, and thank you for the websites. It's good to know that I can come back with my build and get some good advise on compatability issues. again, thank you. I remain eager and appreciative of any helpful advise.

No, it was me being stupid and not carefully reading the post. I should be the one apologizing.

If you are dead set on an i7, I suggest just snatching one up right now from TigerDirect or Amazon. $280 deal on it does not come by often.

Here's a sample build with retail Win 8.1 Pro, an i7, and a GTX 770. Not sure if your budget is a hard limit or if you don't want to do rebates. I you don't want to, you can buy a different PSU that doesn't need a rebate to get the final price.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($72.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.58 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($359.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair Graphite Series 230T Orange ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.00 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) ($108.58 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1212.08
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-19 17:57 EST-0500)

 

[lambyduke]

Wow! This is a good place to start! Thank You. I hate to impose any further, but is there any advice about WiFi, mouse, and keyboard?

 

[Torn Mind]

Well, with WiFi, you should start with your current internet speeds, current networking equipment and what protocols they use. Pretty, you're looking to see if your wireless router is using 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802.11ac. Then, decide whether to upgrade now to wireless N or AC instead or just stay pat. Smallnetbuilder is the place to get yourself with the basics. I only discovered the site last week out of luck via Google. Adapters come in full-sized expansion cards, mini-PCIe adapters and USB dongles, and some other forms I'm probably not aware of. Just fair warning, those super-tiny adapters don't have much range or speeds because the size basically constrains them.

Keyboard and mouse aren't things I'm well-acquainted with. Might want to ask specifically in the peripherals section on this board for just those things or allow other members to take the floor.

 

[lambyduke]

Thanks so much. I'm also getting to know how to navigate this site. Hope some of you oldtimers will be patient with me. Who knows, I might be able to help some of you out sometime. I'm really getting jacked about doing this build!

 

[mfenn]

A question that should be asked since you seem to be new to all of this is: why do you believe that you need an i7?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Smallnetbuilder is the place to get yourself with the basics. I only discovered the site last week out of luck via Google. Adapters come in full-sized expansion cards, mini-PCIe adapters and USB dongles, and some other forms I'm probably not aware of. Just fair warning, those super-tiny adapters don't have much range or speeds because the size basically constrains them.

Not to mention, those "nano"-sized wifi adaptors have a bad tendency to burn themselves out, with constant usage (downloading, torrents, etc.). They simply lack the physical surface area for cooling. The ones that don't cook themselves, are throttled down to such a low power level as to have nearly useless signal strength.

So, in a nutshell, I advise avoiding "nano" wifi adaptors. (The kind that barely stick out any farther than the USB port itself.)