New Gaming Build ~ $1200

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Arkiels

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Mar 6, 2014
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4,510
Approximate Purchase Date: This week, start of next

Budget Range: Approximately $1000-$1200.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Surfing internet, Streaming TV

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: Full System Build, however, I have an optical drive and HDD from my PC that died (PSU).

Do you need to buy OS: Yes - Win 7 preferably please.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com, or any Canadian Online vendor

Location: Kitchener or Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Parts Preferences: Intel CPU, Not sure about GFX, so many debates between the two companies

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: Not entirely sure where I can find the max resolution on my monitor.

Additional Comments: Looking to build a quiet pc, mostly for gaming. Nothing over the top but modest. Looking to play Elder Scrolls online.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: PSU Died on my old system, paid less (second hand) for the whole system then a new PSU. Want to try my hand at building my first PC!

I had my go at putting together a parts list, and this is what I came up with. Not sure if I was on the right path or not. Would like any guidance.

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/34YaC
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/34YaC/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/34YaC/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($254.79 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.79 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($192.03 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 270X 2GB Video Card ($248.00 @ Vuugo)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Gunmetal/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.00 @ Amazon Canada)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Memory Express)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($149.46 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $1293.04
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-06 01:01 EST-0500)
 
Solution
I
I did went with the higher price/better performance GPU, it's a great one and since you can afford with my suggested build, why not? :)

120 GB of SSD alone is definitely not enough to store more than 10 games (if they are like 5GB each) and OS at the same time. I went with only the SSD cuz I thought you had older HDD that you want to use so you didn't add a HDD to your own build so you didn't need it or something.
Anyways, yes if you are planning onto storing games and maybe other stuff then 1TB drive like this should be included.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($254.79 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler:...
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AMD Radeon

AMD Radeon

Judicious
Dec 23, 2011
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i would go with better mobo 12 phase VRM, 2x4GB ram (2400 MHz on sale), and cheaper windowed case
16GB ram is for video editing enthusiast
the rest part is good

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($254.79 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.79 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($149.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($88.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 2GB Video Card ($239.00 @ Canada Computers)
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Windowed ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Memory Express)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($149.46 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $1151.98
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-06 01:14 EST-0500)
 
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IDontUnderstand

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Dec 29, 2012
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1. You may find out about your monitor's resolution simply by googling its model number in the back of the monitor (should be on a label)
2. I'm not quiet sure if you really need Windows 7 Professional or just Home Premium, the difference are listed in here. If you don't know what those are then I think you should stick with the cheaper one, I've went ahead and got the Home Premium.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7_editions#Comparison_chart
3. I believe 8 GB of RAM is enough even for gamers, unless you plan on editing photo/video
4. I would save some on the case unless you insist on Phantom 410's aesthetic better than stuff like a 300R that I've suggested

Here is a rebuild version

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($254.79 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.79 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($159.99 @ Memory Express)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($89.79 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($79.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($369.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Windowed ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.99 @ NCIX)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($98.87 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $1219.19
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-06 01:36 EST-0500)
 
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Arkiels

Reputable
Mar 6, 2014
4
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4,510
Awesome, thank you for your suggestions so far.
To clarify some points, no, I'm not partial to the NZXT Case. It just looked clean, and the inside of it, cable management looked good. But I'm 100% open to other suggestions (first time builder, easy case means a lot).

Good point on the Windows 7, I don't need those extra features so I can go with the Home Premium edition.

Thank you for clarifying the RAM, I was talking to a friend who said he wished he had 8GB, it looked a bit overkill to me, this alone saves me over $100!

Idontunderstand, I'm not familiar with the GFX you chose, is it a big upgrade vs the one I originally selected, what about the SSD. Will 120GB be enough to store Windows + a few games? My friend thinks it might be a bit small.

Lastly, my monitor is a LG Flatron W2261VP-PF
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 1920x180

I appreciate all the input so far on my build. Going to finalize in the next day or so and start the ordering! :)
 
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IDontUnderstand

Honorable
Dec 29, 2012
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12,460
I did went with the higher price/better performance GPU, it's a great one and since you can afford with my suggested build, why not? :)

120 GB of SSD alone is definitely not enough to store more than 10 games (if they are like 5GB each) and OS at the same time. I went with only the SSD cuz I thought you had older HDD that you want to use so you didn't add a HDD to your own build so you didn't need it or something.
Anyways, yes if you are planning onto storing games and maybe other stuff then 1TB drive like this should be included.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($254.79 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.79 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($159.99 @ Memory Express)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($91.93 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($79.99 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($369.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Windowed ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.99 @ NCIX)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($98.87 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $1281.32
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-06 09:48 EST-0500)
 
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Solution
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Arkiels

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Mar 6, 2014
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4,510
I really like your build. I do have HDD already but its small, purchased a long time ago. Same with my optical drive. Don't even know what brands they are. Might be better off just replacing them to be honest. I have all my files backed up on an external drive anyways so it's not like I'll lose anything.

 
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Arkiels

Reputable
Mar 6, 2014
4
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4,510
The only other real question I have is, for a new build like this, will I need anything else that I should plan costs for? I've done some reading in magazines, and the new build link. Just don't want to be surprised by anything.

Another question, what kind of performances should I expect from this rig? Like, will this rig be able to play games on decent settings? Knowing that I used to play games in like a small resolution w/ Min graphics, anything is an upgrade lol.
 
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IDontUnderstand

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Dec 29, 2012
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You might need a wireless adapter if you are going wireless, but I always recommend gamers to go with Ethernet, since nothing beats its performance especially latency. If you're planning on getting anti-virus, don't ever get it directly from it's manufacturer, newegg.com have sales on anti-virus like 24/7 like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832719118 (if you're wondering if it's true that you can rebate it back for free, I've done it)
I can't think of anything other than that.

You should expect to be able to run any games at ultra if not high settings on 1080p. It's gonna be a sick upgrade, you're gonna love it.
 
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