Fine, I'll Build a $1500 - $2000 Gaming Desktop, But I'll Need Lots of Help

AndreasPetersen

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Dec 17, 2013
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I am planning on getting a new gaming PC, but I have been on the fence for the past couple months as whether to buy a prebuilt model or building my own. Mind you, before a month ago, I knew nothing about how a PC worked. I'm serious, I didn't even know what a motherboard did, I thought a sound card was required for audio, etc, etc.

I started to do a little research, and decided to build my own. However, when I went on youtube to watch a 40 minute video of a guy building his PC, I felt completely overwhelmed. Somewhere in between thermal paste and discharging your static electricity, I was out. I'm not the brightest guy, and I just knew I would somehow screw it up.

At this point, I decided to go for a prebuilt model. I looked into iBuypower, Cyberpower, and the likes. The prices seemed good, but when researching their reputations, their complete lack of customer service was far too common for me to feel secure. I checked out the sites that supposedly had good customer support (your Digital Storms, Alienwares), but the prices were far too high for what I wanted.

Whenever I ran a google search of "best prebuilt gaming PC", I never found any sites, just threads of people asking this question, being met by a chorus of others saying "just build your own, we will help". This is actually how I came to the Toms Hardware forums. You guys seem really nice and smart, so I figured I come to you for help.

WHAT I (think I) WANT

Again, I'm about as noobish as they come concerning building a PC. I decided I wanted a gaming PC when neither the XBOX ONE of PS4 blew me away, so I want a desktop that will be amazing now, but will also be good down the line with newer games. Over the course of my research, I've decided that I'd like:
an i7 Intel Processor
a Radeon R90 290x 4GB
16 GB of RAM
1 TB hard drive with a 64GB SSD (because apparently these make stuff load faster. Again, I'm clueless)

My budget is between 1500 and 2000. Do I want these pieces? Is there something better? Are these out of my price range? I'm looking for a recommendation, along with lots of words of encouragement, telling that that I can "totally do this".

I've really enjoyed reading through some threads here, and I look forward to any and all input. Thanks for your time.
 
Solution
Here ya go man, this build takes all your ideas into consideration, and will crush things to come. However I would suggest waiting a bit longer until the non reference 290Xs come out, and the prices drop once the litecoin craze brushes by. I left out an OS/monitor/keyboard/mouse because I was not sure if they were included in your budget, but there is still room in it for them.

Sorry but the BB code markup wasn't working so here is the link: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2m7eY

Drew010

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May 11, 2013
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Here ya go man, this build takes all your ideas into consideration, and will crush things to come. However I would suggest waiting a bit longer until the non reference 290Xs come out, and the prices drop once the litecoin craze brushes by. I left out an OS/monitor/keyboard/mouse because I was not sure if they were included in your budget, but there is still room in it for them.

Sorry but the BB code markup wasn't working so here is the link: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2m7eY
 
Solution

MDXX

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Jan 17, 2011
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In my build i gave him the msi tf oc 780. Better cooling and less electricity. Refrence card for the 290 blows
 

AndreasPetersen

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Dec 17, 2013
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Thanks for the quick responses. I guess I should have mentioned that ill be hooking this sucker up to my HDTV, so all I need is the desktop itself.

Both builds look really nice. Considering one uses an AMD processor I take it there's no validity to the statement that intel processors are inherently better for gaming (I've seen that said on a couple sites).

 

MDXX

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You wont need an i7 for gaming imo. And if you want an i5 i fell save a few bucks and get an 8350. Intel hyperthreading aint helping much as games arnt optimized for it.

But if you really want intel go for it! I think their overpriced

And amd offerences best price /performance ratio
 

bodeen2012

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Feb 5, 2013
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building the pc is really easy as long as you take your time . i was like you a little over a year ago i didn't even know where to begin but after watching the 3 part series on how to build a computer from newegg i built my first computer after that i was hooked . i have just finished my 8th build . the only thing that can be tricky is the front panel connectors so read your motherboard manual and you will be fine .

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2m8uS
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2m8uS/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2m8uS/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($222.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($133.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($81.02 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.97 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Video Card ($695.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($98.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair RM 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.98 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($20.65 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($88.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1746.52
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-18 00:47 EST-0500)

amd build

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2m8x5
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2m8x5/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2m8x5/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($198.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Extreme4 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($141.50 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($81.02 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.97 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Video Card ($695.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($98.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair RM 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.98 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($20.65 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($88.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1731.02
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-18 00:49 EST-0500)
 

AndreasPetersen

Honorable
Dec 17, 2013
3
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10,510
"However I would suggest waiting a bit longer until the non reference 290Xs come out, and the prices drop once the litecoin craze brushes by"

I have no idea what any of that means :)

So I'm kind of getting the hint that maybe a R9 290x isnt the best choice? I'd be willing to pay more for a more reliable card if that's what you're getting at.

Also, a quick question on liquid cooling. Is that hard to install yourself? I've heard it is.
 
Well if there is 2000$ money.. Go with custom water cooled build like this.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($222.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-PRO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($133.60 @ Amazon)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($104.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290 4GB Video Card ($457.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Series Primo Aluminum ATX Full Tower Case ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Lightning 800W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Other: XSPC Raystorm 750 EX420 Extreme Universal CPU Water Cooling Kit ($189.99)
Other: EK Radeon R9-290X VGA Liquid Cooling Block - Acetal (EK-FC R9-290X ($107.00)
Total: $1952.50
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-18 04:13 EST-0500)

You only need cpuple more fittings and maybe couple Screw plug G1/4"
Ask store or here is anything missing. Maybe you need bit more tube. Not sure how much is there with that kit.
Store will tell you if you need anything more :) Just ask.

Id take +1000w PSU because u need it if you fo to CF future. But with one wideo card this 800w is more than you need. 1000w is just 10 or 20 more price.
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-power-supply-lightning1000

Edit: this is good way to make custom water cool build.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWsPYTDEmHQ
If you need help picking parts , just ask :)