$800 First PC Build

Tyler Helsel

Honorable
Sep 21, 2013
12
0
10,510
Approximate Purchase Date: Within a month

Budget Range: $800-$900 before rebates, shipping not included

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, 3D Rendering, normal usage

Are you buying a monitor: No, already have one

Parts to Upgrade: All parts

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Sites that ship from within USA

Location: City, State/Region, Country - PA, US

Parts Preferences: No preference

Overclocking: ATM no, in the future I would like to

SLI or Crossfire: ATM no, in the future I would like to

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: Case wise I would like something that is smaller than 17 inches high and 1 foot wide. If that is not possible, or would make the build too difficult I am fine with that. I live in a dorm so space on my desk is limited. I also would like a window on the case but would be willing to get rid of that in favor of better performance.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: I am tired of playing games on my console. Plus with the next gen games I would like to spend my money on a PC rather than a console.
 
Solution
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1GvRg
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1GvRg/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1GvRg/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($223.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Asus Z87M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($138.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (4 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($264.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 350D Window MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @...

BranFlake5

Honorable
Jul 9, 2013
490
0
10,860
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1Gipl
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1Gipl/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1Gipl/benchmarks/

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: Asus GRYPHON Z87 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($155.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (4 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($254.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 350D MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($57.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $950.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-22 00:13 EDT-0400)

This is a full featured, small form factor build. Yes it's over the budget but only by fifty dollars. Also you can get a windowed version of the same case for 20 dollars extra.
 
The i5-4670k price is only for microcenter in-store pickup. If the OP doesn't live near microcenter, it's going to be an extra $20 for that processor. The total is actually $970.

My suggestion:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($223.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($243.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: BitFenix Prodigy (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($61.24 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $903.11
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-22 00:49 EDT-0400)

It's a bit over budget, and before rebates it's actually $913.
-Small case. It fits your size specifications, but it doesn't have a window.
-Doesn't allow for SLI, only because these small cases doesn't support SLI.
-Overclockable in the future.
 

BranFlake5

Honorable
Jul 9, 2013
490
0
10,860


I like your build but I think going with an mATX case is better for cooling and SLi and also the prodigy is huge for an itx case so it offers no real benefit. Maybe the OP can stretch the budget or save another week.
 

BranFlake5

Honorable
Jul 9, 2013
490
0
10,860
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1GvRg
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1GvRg/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1GvRg/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($223.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Asus Z87M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($138.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (4 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($264.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 350D Window MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($67.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $954.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-22 16:39 EDT-0400)

Same Price, now with a windowed case and online ordered CPU. (New MB and Case)

EDIT: You need the Asus Gryphon to SLi and also overclock way better. That's another 15 dollars.
 
Solution