Which parts should I get?

[GigaDrillBreak]

I'm building a PC for gaming and I don't want to spend more than $800. I'm totally new at this so I need some help. Could somebody please tell me what are all the best possible parts that don't exceed $800 all together please?

I'll be buying parts from the US I think. I have no brand preference. I don't intend to be using any of my current parts. I've read a few threads but I really want somebody to just list out the best parts for the price range. I don't know how to overclock, I get guess it'll be running at default.

 

[Ken g6]

With thanks to [thread=2189795]udontneed2know[/thread], and the others who helped him...

$750-or-so build with MONITOR AND OS!

this PSU/HDD bundle

case/Win7 bundle

Mobo: $50 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138313

PNY XLR8 VCGGTX4601XPB-OC GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) OC 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBNS

ASUS VW193DR Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor

LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM

CPU: http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0354590

Pardon the haphazard nature of the links - they're gathered from several other threads. If you don't live near a Micro Center, that will likely put the total close to $800.

 

[mfenn]

Ken's build is probably quite close to the best that you can do if you need a monitor and OS. If you don't need one or both, we can fit a beefier machine into the budget.

 

[GigaDrillBreak]

Thanks for the info. Would this build be good for graphically-intensive games? Could I play games like Crysis 2 and Elder Scrolls V at good settings with this?

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Thanks for the info. Would this build be good for graphically-intensive games? Could I play games like Crysis 2 and Elder Scrolls V at good settings with this?

you can play them DECENTLY, not good, just okay

 

[GigaDrillBreak]

Okay, let's bring the budget up to $1000, and I don't already have an OS or monitor. What's the best I can get now?
Thanks.

 

[Blain]

you can play them DECENTLY, not good, just okay

Wouldn't that depend on the monitors resolution?

GigaDrillBreak you've given us very little information to go on.
We'd spend OUR time much more efficiently, helping YOU, if you'd supply us with more information.
Since you've read other threads, then you know what additional types of information we're looking for.

 

[Ken g6]

GigaDrillBreak you've given us very little information to go on.

Huh, I thought he'd answered all 10 (9) questions, but he's only answered 7. Let me break them out for you:

1. I'm building a PC for gaming
2. I don't want to spend more than $800 $1000
3. I'll be buying parts from the US I think.
4. I have no brand preference.
5. I don't intend to be using any of my current parts.
6. I've read a few threads but I really want somebody to just list out the best parts for the price range.
7. I don't know how to overclock, I get guess it'll be running at default.

So what resolution do you want in a monitor, how big do you want it, and when do you want to build?

 

[Blain]

* Does the budget cover PC, monitor, speakers, keyboard & mouse?
* Is "gaming" the primary usage for this PC or will there be other tasks, if so, what are those?
* Is there anyone locally that could offer help during your assembly and installation or are you 100% on your own?

 

[mfenn]

Okay, let's bring the budget up to $1000, and I don't already have an OS or monitor. What's the best I can get now?
Thanks.

Take Ken's build and do this:
- Swap the GPU for a 6950 2GB +100 AR
- Swap the monitor for a ASUS VH242H +65 AR
- Swap the PSU/HDD for a Samsung F3 1TB and an XFX Core 550W +50 AR
- Swap the RAM for this G.Skill DDR3 1333 8GB +18

 

[GigaDrillBreak]

So what resolution do you want in a monitor, how big do you want it, and when do you want to build?

I don't know what a good resolution is. The best possible for the price, I guess. Let's say 20" for the monitor. I'll build as soon as possible.

 

[GigaDrillBreak]

* Does the budget cover PC, monitor, speakers, keyboard & mouse?
* Is "gaming" the primary usage for this PC or will there be other tasks, if so, what are those?
* Is there anyone locally that could offer help during your assembly and installation or are you 100% on your own?

1. No, let's consider those things separate
2. Mostly playing games, but I also want to watch HD videos without any trouble
3.I could probably get somebody to help with assembly.

 

[lehtv]

I'd recommend a 23.6" 1080p monitor such as the Asus VH242H mentioned above. They seem to be the mainstream these days, so they have the most competitive prices. 20" is pretty small, to be honest.

also +1 on i5-2400 and HD6950. 2400 is fast enough to last for years to come, and 6950 has 2GB memory which you'll likely need for upcoming games at 1080p.

Also, snag in a cheap sound card. Especially if you use headphones. This would be my first choice on a budget: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132020

 

[titan131]

1. No, let's consider those things separate

I think it would be easier if you give us your overall budget rather than trying to budget separately for each item, is the overall budget still $1000?

 

[GigaDrillBreak]

I think it would be easier if you give us your overall budget rather than trying to budget separately for each item, is the overall budget still $1000?

Okay, let's say between $1,000 and $1,200 for everything.

 

[titan131]

ken's build with mfenn's alterations is a good one, but you could up the gpu to Nvidia 570, since your flexible on budget. As for adding a sound card, I'm no expert, but a lot of people swear by on board; if it were me I would see if on board sound is good enough before buying a sound card unless you know for sure that it wont be.

Edit: I just realised that ken recommended the 2400, I had assumed he had recommended a 2500k. If you want to go to the top end of your budget I recommend the 2500k with a 570 and a z68 mobo (like the Asrock pro3 z68) since you're only not overclocking because you don't know how I think you should because it is dead easy.

 

[mfenn]

Okay, let's say between $1,000 and $1,200 for everything.

Take what Ken and I recommended above and you will be set for right around $1000 with monitor. If you want to spend $1200, add an SSD like the Crucial M4 128GB.

 

[lehtv]

As for adding a sound card, I'm no expert, but a lot of people swear by on board; if it were me I would see if on board sound is good enough before buying a sound card unless you know for sure that it wont be.

If you're not used to dedicated audio, you won't be able to say what's wrong with onboard audio and it'll automatically seem good enough. But if you are, then it's obviously superior to onboard audio. The same can be said of any improvement that you just haven't experienced yet. Ignorance is bliss, I guess.

It's not just improved sound quality, but also customizable equalizer profiles. I use these on a day-to-day basis depending on what I'm listening to. Some games sound better with a different profile than others, same with movies and music. And you get juicy extras like Dolby Headphone on the Asus Xonar cards. Easily worth $20 on a budget of $1200

 

[T_Yamamoto]

on board is sufficiant

UNLESS

you do music producing
or
you just like having one :/

 

[mfenn]

If you're not used to dedicated audio, you won't be able to say what's wrong with onboard audio and it'll automatically seem good enough. But if you are, then it's obviously superior to onboard audio. The same can be said of any improvement that you just haven't experienced yet. Ignorance is bliss, I guess.

It's not just improved sound quality, but also customizable equalizer profiles. I use these on a day-to-day basis depending on what I'm listening to. Some games sound better with a different profile than others, same with movies and music. And you get juicy extras like Dolby Headphone on the Asus Xonar cards. Easily worth $20 on a budget of $1200

Or you just have a real listening setup and use S/PDIF or HDMI out.

 

[GigaDrillBreak]

How hard is it to build a computer if I've never done it before?

 

[Blain]

How hard is it to build a computer if I've never done it before?

Some people find it easy to follow building guides and others have a hard time with it.

Watch these serveral times. When you can explain to someone else how to build a PC, you're ready to tackle your own assembly.
10 Tips
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

One thing to keep in mind when assembling your own PC.
> YOU have the ability to kill some components if YOU don't assemble them correctly <

I and many others built our first PC without any cool video guides like those linked.
Remember... Take your time, be well rested when you begin and again take your time.

 

[lehtv]

Or you just have a real listening setup and use S/PDIF or HDMI out.

A real listening setup? I only use headphones.

 

[mfenn]

A real listening setup? I only use headphones.

Enjoy your fake listening setup!

But seriously, you should still be using S/PDIF out to an external DAC and amp if you want the best quality.

 

[lehtv]

Yep. My setup is what a Corvette is to a Ferrari.