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Started By
Message
Need Help Building a PC - Gaming Edition
Posted on 6/19/13 at 4:06 pm
Posted on 6/19/13 at 4:06 pm
Gods of the Master Race,
I am a humble neophyte seeking assistance in selecting parts for a gaming rig. I will be buying parts and assembling my own PC which will run windows 7. I am looking for help from you guys on part selection.
My budget is relatively loose, but I am hoping to get all the parts I need for the tower and monitor (not keyboard, mouse, or OS.
So to be clear I would need:
CPU
Mobo
RAM
Hard drive
Video Card
Power Supply
Montior
Optical Drive
Cooler?
I would really like to be able to play all the current games at maximum settings for 1080p. The goal of this build is for when Battlefield 4 releases, and I will be using it for solely gaming. I have other computers to use for personal matters.
What I value most will be the graphics and games running smoothly.
Whatcha got?
MY Budget is loosely at $1300, but if one component is far and above another for more money I would consider it.
TIA
I am a humble neophyte seeking assistance in selecting parts for a gaming rig. I will be buying parts and assembling my own PC which will run windows 7. I am looking for help from you guys on part selection.
My budget is relatively loose, but I am hoping to get all the parts I need for the tower and monitor (not keyboard, mouse, or OS.
So to be clear I would need:
CPU
Mobo
RAM
Hard drive
Video Card
Power Supply
Montior
Optical Drive
Cooler?
I would really like to be able to play all the current games at maximum settings for 1080p. The goal of this build is for when Battlefield 4 releases, and I will be using it for solely gaming. I have other computers to use for personal matters.
What I value most will be the graphics and games running smoothly.
Whatcha got?
MY Budget is loosely at $1300, but if one component is far and above another for more money I would consider it.
TIA
2
Posted on 6/19/13 at 4:10 pm to TexasTiger39
PCPartPicker part list: LINK
Price breakdown by merchant: LINK /
Benchmarks: LINK /
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($127.86 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($252.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $930.75
This doesn't include a monitor but leaves you plenty of room.
Do you plan to crossfire/sli at some point? I planned for you not to. This could be beefed up but for 1080 this would do great. Also the mobo comes with free memory right now so that's why it is not linked
Price breakdown by merchant: LINK /
Benchmarks: LINK /
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($127.86 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($252.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $930.75
This doesn't include a monitor but leaves you plenty of room.
Do you plan to crossfire/sli at some point? I planned for you not to. This could be beefed up but for 1080 this would do great. Also the mobo comes with free memory right now so that's why it is not linked
Posted on 6/19/13 at 4:18 pm to Mr Gardoki
Thanks for the quick response!
what are the negatives to crossfiring? I'm sure the parts are more expensive because you have to buy crossfire compatible mobo and such, but are there negatives?
what are the negatives to crossfiring? I'm sure the parts are more expensive because you have to buy crossfire compatible mobo and such, but are there negatives?
Posted on 6/19/13 at 4:22 pm to TexasTiger39
well you don't need to for 1080 at 60fps except for maybe crysis 3. Usually you can just lower a couple of settings that aren't very noticeable and it will be fine if it does come to that.
Crossfire is AMD, SLI is nvidia. For one it is a more expensive setup. If you were to do it down the road I would recommend beefing up a few parts now to make it easier later.
Crossfire has a lot of performance issues I have read about which stopped me from recently doing it myself. SLI is much more dependable so if it is something you really wanted to do I would go nvidia. However with single gpu's amd is a better deal right now in your price range. Like I said, I wouldn't worry about it right now, it is just something you want to plan for if you plan on doing it.
Also, I am by no means the most experienced and knowledgeable person here so make sure you take in everyones input. I think everyone comes from a different perspective too which helps and makes it more confusing.
Crossfire is AMD, SLI is nvidia. For one it is a more expensive setup. If you were to do it down the road I would recommend beefing up a few parts now to make it easier later.
Crossfire has a lot of performance issues I have read about which stopped me from recently doing it myself. SLI is much more dependable so if it is something you really wanted to do I would go nvidia. However with single gpu's amd is a better deal right now in your price range. Like I said, I wouldn't worry about it right now, it is just something you want to plan for if you plan on doing it.
Also, I am by no means the most experienced and knowledgeable person here so make sure you take in everyones input. I think everyone comes from a different perspective too which helps and makes it more confusing.
This post was edited on 6/19/13 at 4:25 pm
Posted on 6/19/13 at 4:26 pm to Mr Gardoki
I see. I don't think I would crossfire in the future. The parts you had listed were some I was considering. Thanks again for the input.
Posted on 6/19/13 at 4:37 pm to Mr Gardoki
Okay, I know Haswell is taking some heat (literally) for its poor overclocking ability... But I really wouldn't suggest anyone buy into an end of life socket. And there are no Microcenters in Baton Rouge. 
I also want to add that Crossfire has improved greatly even over the past year. I had all sorts of issues with my crossfired 6950s, but my 7970s have run beautifully. The only disadvantage is that I can't overclock both of them nearly as high as I could clock a single one.
And also Skyrim hates crossfire, and that will probably never be fixed.
I also want to add that Crossfire has improved greatly even over the past year. I had all sorts of issues with my crossfired 6950s, but my 7970s have run beautifully. The only disadvantage is that I can't overclock both of them nearly as high as I could clock a single one.
And also Skyrim hates crossfire, and that will probably never be fixed.
This post was edited on 6/19/13 at 4:41 pm
Posted on 6/19/13 at 4:44 pm to ILikeLSUToo
skyrim doesn't like AMD. I knew someone would call me out for the lack of haswell. I just went with that because it is cheaper and there won't be much for gaming performance gains. There is plenty of room in the budget that he could get haswell though and be fine.
With Haswell upgrade... It will be a bit more too since you can't get to microcenter. Newegg has a combo discount on the cpu and mobo though
CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($127.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($57.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($252.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $993.88
With Haswell upgrade... It will be a bit more too since you can't get to microcenter. Newegg has a combo discount on the cpu and mobo though
CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($127.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($57.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($252.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $993.88
This post was edited on 6/19/13 at 4:50 pm
Posted on 6/19/13 at 4:49 pm to ILikeLSUToo
if you are worried about end of life socket just go AMD. AM3+ still has at least one more update out there, and the current 8350 will not bottleneck your gpu on any game @ 1080p.
added bonus, a 990FX board and 8350 combo will save a couple bucks vs a comparable intel build
added bonus, a 990FX board and 8350 combo will save a couple bucks vs a comparable intel build
This post was edited on 6/19/13 at 4:50 pm
Posted on 6/19/13 at 5:27 pm to Mr Gardoki
I thought the Haswell wasn't geared toward these types of builds? I don't know much about computer processors, but is the Haswell the future for all of Intel's mainstream heavy duty processors?
Posted on 6/19/13 at 5:47 pm to TexasTiger39
If by future you mean next 2 years then yes... It is intels current CPU architecture but for just gaming the difference between it and ivy is slim. Its up to you which you go with.
Posted on 6/19/13 at 5:54 pm to Mr Gardoki
Yeah, I'm not suggesting haswell for any performance gains, just for the upgrade path. You can upgrade CPU without getting a new motherboard, or later upgrade your motherboard (if we see anything new and exciting on the 1150 chipsets).
AMD is a decent option, too.
AMD is a decent option, too.
Posted on 6/19/13 at 5:55 pm to ILikeLSUToo
I see what your saying, but will we see anything on 1150 other than the haswell refresh? All rumors point to no although they are only rumors.
This post was edited on 6/19/13 at 5:56 pm
Posted on 6/19/13 at 6:04 pm to Mr Gardoki
I don't know, probably not. Smaller die yet again? Meaning even harder to cool?
Intel
Intel
Posted on 6/19/13 at 11:04 pm to ILikeLSUToo
yeah the price difference is so small that if youre buying new I would go ahead and get haswell. you could probably score some awesome deals on ivy if you were comfortable buying used, but in this case I would not recommend.
OP you don't plan on doing any water cooling in the near future huh? I wouldn't recommend it for a first build anyway. Solid price for that kind of performance build. Its quite similar to mine and I paid much more than that less than a year ago. you will not be disappoint OP.
OP you don't plan on doing any water cooling in the near future huh? I wouldn't recommend it for a first build anyway. Solid price for that kind of performance build. Its quite similar to mine and I paid much more than that less than a year ago. you will not be disappoint OP.
Posted on 6/20/13 at 8:35 am to puffulufogous
No I don't plan on doing any water cooling. At least not with this build. With that said, will I have to do any overclocking to get that PC to perform on maximum (or ultra) settings for 1080p?
Posted on 6/20/13 at 8:37 am to TexasTiger39
No, but down the road you may want to. The hyper 212 evo will give you room for some overclocks, you just won't be pushing it to 5.0 with it.
Posted on 6/20/13 at 8:39 am to Mr Gardoki
I see.
I like those components I am thinking of changing the optical drive to a Blue Ray though. You know anything about the LG Blue Ray?
I like those components I am thinking of changing the optical drive to a Blue Ray though. You know anything about the LG Blue Ray?
Posted on 6/20/13 at 8:42 am to TexasTiger39
No but it's probably fine. They are a reputable company so as long as you don't see horrible reviews across the board I would go with it.
Posted on 6/20/13 at 10:39 am to TexasTiger39
First of all, congratulations. You're gonna love Steam and gaming on PC. Second, I'm a rookie, so I can't give any real technical advice, but with that kind of budget, you can buy a NICE gaming machine already built. Maybe it's more fun to build your own, but I like the idea of a warranty if anything is wrong right off the bat.
Posted on 6/20/13 at 10:54 am to wadewilson
quote:
you can buy a NICE gaming machine already built
under no circumstances are you to take the above advice. ever.
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