PC Build mainly for Skyrim, budget max of $2k

barthv123

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Apr 24, 2014
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I am getting back into PC gaming and need to build a new PC to do so as my current desktop dates back to the early to mid 2000's. Skyrim and Bethesda games are my main focus but I am beyond novice status when it comes to modern hardware knowledge so choosing the right components for my build has been a daunting task with fantasy shopping carts easily exceeding 5 to 6 thousand dollars for the latest and greatest hardware. I have a budget max of around $2000 and would appreciate any advice on what hardware to purchase in order to play Skyrim at it's highest resolution settings, with DLC, and running extensive mods. A build that would allow me to realize the games full potential in content and aesthetics would be ideal. I am starting from scratch so any suggestions for the following would be appreciated as I am unsure of what hardware works together the best. I have been considering some hardware such as the Intel i5 CPU as the i7 seems out of my price range and I am unsure of it's real advantages. I have looked at motherboards like the ASRock 990fx killer and on the higher end the EVGA GEforce GTX 780 3G but also am unsure of the advantages pertaining to what I am looking to use it for. I think I would be more than alright starting off with 8G (2x4G) of RAM most likely Corsair as well as the Corsair Obsidian 750D Black ATX Tower. Other than that I have no real idea what to go for or even if the aforementioned hardware is truly what I need for my build.

CPU:
Motherboard:
Memory:
Storage:
Video Card:
Case:
Power Supply:
OS:
Other Necessary Hardware:
 
Solution
Diox55 has the right idea, i5-4670k or i7-4770k if you have some other non gaming use for the hyperthreading (like you do video editing a huge amount or something), and a big-ass video card is pretty much all you need for a gaming rig these days, everything else is more personal preference and just getting the right features.

Diox55

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Feb 21, 2014
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($71.99 @ Mwave)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($149.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($149.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.63 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Superclocked ACX Video Card ($728.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Stryker (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1777.54
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-24 13:57 EDT-0400)
 

Traciatim

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Diox55 has the right idea, i5-4670k or i7-4770k if you have some other non gaming use for the hyperthreading (like you do video editing a huge amount or something), and a big-ass video card is pretty much all you need for a gaming rig these days, everything else is more personal preference and just getting the right features.
 
Solution

Diox55

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Feb 21, 2014
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Yeah I helped someone with about the same budget but he wanted a 780 TI and it fits fine in this build. This will play skyrim flawlessly, or at least it should. Hell, this'll handle about anything you throw at it right now. Also the 780 TI will slightly future proof it
 

barthv123

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Apr 24, 2014
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I don't have any other uses for the hyperthreading as I don't do much of any video editing or anything so it would be just for the gaming side of things. I will take a look at that videocard as it seems like that is going to be the most important/expensive part of my build. I appreciate the quick and concise responses guys!
 

Diox55

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Feb 21, 2014
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Go with mine. The i5 is ideal for gaming, and the 16 gigs of ram is plenty enough. Also the 780 TI will support any and every game at about max setting. This build can also be overclocked, and should be cool. Also with the SSD, you can boot the OS (just install OS to SSD) in 10 to 20 seconds.
 

Diox55

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Feb 21, 2014
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Diox55

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Feb 21, 2014
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Yeah that's what I was trying to say, but it came out like that :p