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Looking For A PC Build | $2000 Budget

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November 12, 2013 2:32:52 PM

I'm looking to build a fast PC and I have a budget of around $2000. It will be mainly used for gaming and graphic design (photoshop and various other high intensity programs). Im mainly looking for a good CPU, GPU and motherboard. Wanting an SSD and would highly prefer Windows 7. I will be using 1 monitor at first but in the near future I will be going to dual monitors.

Purchase date: Around christmas

Budget Range: Currently have $800, will have up to $2000 by christmas time. Maybe more if I wait a couple more months however the sooner the better.

System Usage: High intensity gaming, graphic design and internet surfing.

Additional Comments: Incase you didn't already notice I've never built my own PC before and have a rather limited knowledge but I'm happy to learn. I will have help when the moment arrives.

Thanks in advance!

More about : build 2000 budget

a b 4 Gaming
November 12, 2013 2:53:19 PM

My advice would be to ask when you're ready to buy as prices are somewhat volatile with new stuff coming all the time.

In the meantime, here's a suggestion of what you can expect to get for your budget:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-OC ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($135.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($174.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.65 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($509.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 850W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.00 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($98.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1564.53
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-12 17:51 EST-0500)

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November 12, 2013 3:03:08 PM

PepitoTV said:
My advice would be to ask when you're ready to buy as prices are somewhat volatile with new stuff coming all the time.

In the meantime, here's a suggestion of what you can expect to get for your budget:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-OC ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($135.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($174.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.65 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($509.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 850W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.00 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($98.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1564.53
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-12 17:51 EST-0500)

Thanks for a fast reply. I posted this now as I just wanted a couple of rough ideas. Do you reckon with this budget I can get max settings at say 40+ FPS on high intensity games such as Battlefield?

Also looking for other build options and improvements to this build.

Thanks!
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a c 683 4 Gaming
November 12, 2013 3:14:36 PM

If thinking between Xmas and Mar, have your list together and can pick up bits and pieces as you go - but would hold off on the GPU till dead last - nVidia is due to reveal next gen GPUs (Maxwell line) in 1st Quarter which should make both some nVidia and AMD current cards have price drops (and the new Maxwell cards to look at) - just a thought ;) 
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November 12, 2013 3:21:10 PM

Tradesman1 said:
If thinking between Xmas and Mar, have your list together and can pick up bits and pieces as you go - but would hold off on the GPU till dead last - nVidia is due to reveal next gen GPUs (Maxwell line) in 1st Quarter which should make both some nVidia and AMD current cards have price drops (and the new Maxwell cards to look at) - just a thought ;) 
Hey, yeah my brother in law recommended that. I'll also keep in mind what you said in price cuts but do you know how much they will drop? Will it be good enough to wait for?

Thanks!
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a b 4 Gaming
November 12, 2013 3:35:09 PM

I actually recommend against waiting for new technologies when you don't know the exact launch date. If you wait until March and they're still waiting on the Maxwell launch then you could be seeing yourself waiting until June or worse...

That's why I told you to ask when you're ready to buy, so we can suggest stuff based on the current state of the market. Just to make a point, just by the date you want to build your rig, AMD parters should start launching their takes on the R9 290(x) cards, which should make the R9 290 the best price/performance GPU out there (it is now, but sadly the thing is a vacuum cleaner with a volcano inside), then my suggested build will be different on what I put together today.
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a c 683 4 Gaming
November 12, 2013 3:56:35 PM

The cards are coming no doubt of that - exactly when and how much they will affect prices ALL depends on how the 770/780TI series (just released) and the AMD R7/R9s go, and as you mentioned if the money's not here yet it's not here and waiting is required, be nice if folks read threads
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a c 295 4 Gaming
November 12, 2013 4:24:59 PM

PepitoTV said:
I actually recommend against waiting for new technologies when you don't know the exact launch date. If you wait until March and they're still waiting on the Maxwell launch then you could be seeing yourself waiting until June or worse...

That's why I told you to ask when you're ready to buy, so we can suggest stuff based on the current state of the market. Just to make a point, just by the date you want to build your rig, AMD parters should start launching their takes on the R9 290(x) cards, which should make the R9 290 the best price/performance GPU out there (it is now, but sadly the thing is a vacuum cleaner with a volcano inside), then my suggested build will be different on what I put together today.


Um, yeah I agree with this. I mean the thing is that most new technology - when the launch date is defined, then it is almost always true. However, as we saw with Intel IB-E and the AMD FX-9XXX series that's not always the case.

This is what I would do for $1600:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($52.21 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($122.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($86.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($340.91 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($340.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 500R White ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: NZXT HALE90 V2 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($168.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1637.95
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-12 14:33 EST-0500)
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a c 683 4 Gaming
November 12, 2013 4:48:57 PM

Touchable,

Don't know did I read this wrong somehow, didn't you say you HAVE $800 and WILL HAVE $1,600 by March? Maybe I'd losing it, but could swear that's what I saw ;)  Yet everybody says buy everything right now?????????
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November 15, 2013 9:06:33 AM

Tradesman1 said:
Touchable,

Don't know did I read this wrong somehow, didn't you say you HAVE $800 and WILL HAVE $1,600 by March? Maybe I'd losing it, but could swear that's what I saw ;)  Yet everybody says buy everything right now?????????
I have about $800 now. I will have up to $2000 by around Christmas. Looking for some recommendations on build ideas.

Hope you understand, Joe.
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November 15, 2013 9:35:33 AM

PepitoTV said:
My advice would be to ask when you're ready to buy as prices are somewhat volatile with new stuff coming all the time.

In the meantime, here's a suggestion of what you can expect to get for your budget:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-OC ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($135.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($174.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.65 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($509.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 850W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.00 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($98.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1564.53
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-12 17:51 EST-0500)

Done some research on the CPU and GPU. Couldn't find 1 bad review for the GPU however the CPU was the complete opposit, I could barely find 1 positive review. Everyone complained about overheating too much and too fast, even with good coolers.

Thread update: Now added an extra $400 to my budget with new requirements an details.

Thanks!
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a c 295 4 Gaming
November 15, 2013 10:06:14 AM

Touchable said:
Done some research on the CPU and GPU. Couldn't find 1 bad review for the GPU however the CPU was the complete opposit, I could barely find 1 positive review. Everyone complained about overheating too much and too fast, even with good coolers.

Thread update: Now added an extra $400 to my budget with new requirements an details.

Thanks!


If you're going by what the store reviews say, don't. They're baseless most of the time and I have personally found it's not a good way to judge products. The main reason is that people are far more likely to leave negative reviews than positive ones, and there's been numerous university studies that prove this. Use real tech websites like Jonnyguru (for Power supplies), Hardware Secrets (for power supplies, motherboards, and everything else), Tom's, and Ananadtech (for GPUs), and Maximum PC (for gaming hardware). Don't just use Newegg.
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Best solution

a b 4 Gaming
November 15, 2013 10:17:59 AM

Here's an updated build for your new budget:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($329.89 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($77.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($189.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($174.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.65 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Video Card ($699.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Microcenter)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($97.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1994.43
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-15 13:16 EST-0500)
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November 15, 2013 2:07:10 PM

g-unit1111 said:
Touchable said:
Done some research on the CPU and GPU. Couldn't find 1 bad review for the GPU however the CPU was the complete opposit, I could barely find 1 positive review. Everyone complained about overheating too much and too fast, even with good coolers.

Thread update: Now added an extra $400 to my budget with new requirements an details.

Thanks!


If you're going by what the store reviews say, don't. They're baseless most of the time and I have personally found it's not a good way to judge products. The main reason is that people are far more likely to leave negative reviews than positive ones, and there's been numerous university studies that prove this. Use real tech websites like Jonnyguru (for Power supplies), Hardware Secrets (for power supplies, motherboards, and everything else), Tom's, and Ananadtech (for GPUs), and Maximum PC (for gaming hardware). Don't just use Newegg.
I agree that people are more likely to leave negative comments however, when it gets to the point where 34 reviews are negative (and all either 1, 2 or 3 stars) and 2 reviews are positive (4 or 5 stars) I think it's probably safe to say that there's a problem. And I didn't use retails sites, I googled the CPU's name followed by reviews and checked the first couple list of the first couple sites.

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a b 4 Gaming
November 15, 2013 2:10:56 PM

While reading the i7 reviews a lot of them have in common that people just use the stock cooler and/or have issues with the thermal compound. It is true that the Haswell processors run hotter than Sandy/Ivy Bridge but with the Noctua cooler I added into the build you shouldn't have any temp issue.
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November 15, 2013 2:47:30 PM

PepitoTV said:
Here's an updated build for your new budget:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($329.89 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($77.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($189.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($174.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.65 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Video Card ($699.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Microcenter)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($97.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1994.43
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-15 13:16 EST-0500)


That's a pretty good build, but I would recommend getting a better powersupply. I'd say go for a XFX ProSeries PSU (OEM SeaSonic-X series). 80Plus Gold, fully modular, I would say it's worth it (this PSU will last, and do a good job in the future, you won't have/want to replace it).
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a b 4 Gaming
November 15, 2013 2:59:25 PM

blade of grass said:
PepitoTV said:
Here's an updated build for your new budget:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($329.89 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($77.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($189.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($174.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.65 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Video Card ($699.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Microcenter)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($97.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1994.43
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-15 13:16 EST-0500)


That's a pretty good build, but I would recommend getting a better powersupply. I'd say go for a XFX ProSeries PSU (OEM SeaSonic-X series). 80Plus Gold, fully modular, I would say it's worth it (this PSU will last, and do a good job in the future, you won't have/want to replace it).

SeaSonic creates XFX PSUs and the PSU that blade of grass suggested is good if you would like to keep a PSU for a few years.
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November 15, 2013 4:37:17 PM

PepitoTV said:
Here's an updated build for your new budget:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($329.89 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($77.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($189.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($174.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.65 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Video Card ($699.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Microcenter)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($97.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1994.43
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-15 13:16 EST-0500)
I've done some research in to all the parts. Apparently the CPU cooler is a tight fit, leaving little room for the RAM. Also, apparent the case is made of cheap materials and the buttons are a nightmare. Oh and apparently you can get a better power supply for the same money...

Oh and can someone tell me how to unsolve the question from mobile?
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November 18, 2013 11:36:34 AM

Can someone tell me how to unsolve the question?
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