First build, Primarily Gaming

JMU21VT16 · Jul 2, 2014

Hi everyone, I would like to get my first build done in the immediate time frame and I would appreciate some advice. I would like to be able to play the most current and next generation games on this build. I am a student so money isn't the most abundant, but I am thinking a build topping out around 600-700 USD is within my price range excluding a monitor and software costs (Microsoft OS and Office). I intend on using a TV for a monitor (http://store.vizio.com/m221nv-1.html). I would prefer intel, as the only AMD I ever purchased was a lemon, but in the end price is all that matters. I would like the motherboard to have the potential to upgrade components if that time ever comes. It would be nice to have a small ~120Gb SSD for my OS and such and at least 500 GB of HDD. Currently I am playing Skryim and Civ 5 on my laptop which manages. I do a little programming and photoshop was well.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Best

TechyInAZ · Jul 2, 2014

ok, ill get a build up in a min.

TechyInAZ · Jul 2, 2014

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/XyZtK8

Is it ok that it's a $750? Ill have to get rid of the optical drive if not.

JMU21VT16 · Jul 2, 2014

@TechyInAZ I doubt I will need an optical drive so you can get rid of that.

TechyInAZ · Jul 2, 2014

JMU21VT16 :

Ok then, just ditch the optical drive then.

The_Freeman · Jul 2, 2014

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FzGK23 This is under you budget and will perform very well. You could also change the case with the extra money as you may not like it.

RCguitarist · Jul 2, 2014

This build includes a 4 pack of extra fans to ensure your new build has great case airflow. It also uses an H97 motherboard, so in a few years, when you have some more money you can upgrade to an i5 or i7 if you want without having to buy a new motherboard and an new copy of windows since this one will work with the next couple of generations of processors that Intel will make. This build will be able to play all modern games on high settings, for playing on all ultra settings, simply get a GTX 760 graphics card instead of the 750ti in this build.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($119.97 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: SilenX EFZ-100HA2 58.0 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($12.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($75.66 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($82.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX TS 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Cougar Turbine 120 (4-Pack) 60.4 CFM 120mm Fan ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $613.52
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

JMU21VT16 · Jul 2, 2014

How do you feel about the Crucial MX-100 (250Gb) or hybrid drives (like this Segate ST1000DX001) rather than both the SSD and HDD. It seems like one of these options will shave off 30 or 50 USD.

The_Freeman · Jul 2, 2014

JMU21VT16 :

The Crucial MX-100 (250Gb) is okay but you may find yourself wanting more storage. The Hybrid drives are faster than normal HDDs but they aren't as fast as SDDs.

JMU21VT16 · Jul 2, 2014

I like your build. I switched the processor to the Intel I5-4440. Id rather pay the 55 USD to get the i5 now rather than upgrading the processor later. I changed the HDD to a hybrid drive and I added some accessories. I just wanted to ensure that everything makes sense the way it is now. IF I were to get a wireless card any preference? I am currently in the process of moving and I don't know where the ethernet connection will be relative to the computer. Also how necessary is it to have a CPU cooling system as well as all those fans for now or the future? To me it seems excessive, but I don't know a whole lot about building. Pretty small cost, but I am just trying to trim as much fat as possible.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xXz2bv

RCguitarist :

The_Freeman · Jul 2, 2014

JMU21VT16 :

I like your build. I switched the processor to the Intel I5-4440. Id rather pay the 55 USD to get the i5 now rather than upgrading the processor later. I changed the HDD to a hybrid drive and I added some accessories. I just wanted to ensure that everything makes sense the way it is now. IF I were to get a wireless card any preference? I am currently in the process of moving and I don't know where the ethernet connection will be relative to the computer. Also how necessary is it to have a CPU cooling system as well as all those fans for now or the future? To me it seems excessive, but I don't know a whole lot about building. Pretty small cost, but I am just trying to trim as much fat as possible.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xXz2bv

RCguitarist :

You would need a CPU cooler if the stock one is too loud and/or if you plan to overclock.

JMU21VT16 · Jul 2, 2014

I doubt that I will find the need to overclock my CPU. Small chance I'd overclock my GPU, but also unlikely. To me it seems like the case should have plenty of ventilation to run the CPU and GPU at their stock frequencies.

The_Freeman :

JMU21VT16 :

I like your build. I switched the processor to the Intel I5-4440. Id rather pay the 55 USD to get the i5 now rather than upgrading the processor later. I changed the HDD to a hybrid drive and I added some accessories. I just wanted to ensure that everything makes sense the way it is now. IF I were to get a wireless card any preference? I am currently in the process of moving and I don't know where the ethernet connection will be relative to the computer. Also how necessary is it to have a CPU cooling system as well as all those fans for now or the future? To me it seems excessive, but I don't know a whole lot about building. Pretty small cost, but I am just trying to trim as much fat as possible.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xXz2bv

RCguitarist :

You would need a CPU cooler if the stock one is too loud and/or if you plan to overclock.

RCguitarist · Jul 2, 2014

A cool computer is a happy and long lasting computer. Why have the CPU really warm when it can run cool? Those cougar fans are silent even at 100% power, so why not? With those fans and that cooler, my GPU and CPU under full load benchmarks barely get into warm temps (GPU refuses to get hotter than 52C and the CPU never goes hotter than 46C).

JMU21VT16 · Jul 2, 2014

I can swing another 13 dollars. So here is the final set up and if you can reply to this so I can pick it as the solution that would be great.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xXz2bv

RCguitarist :

RCguitarist · Jul 2, 2014

JMU21VT16 :

I can swing another 13 dollars. So here is the final set up and if you can reply to this so I can pick it as the solution that would be great.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xXz2bv

RCguitarist :

Looks like a great build. I think you are ready to order.

The_Freeman · Jul 3, 2014

JMU21VT16 :

I can swing another 13 dollars. So here is the final set up and if you can reply to this so I can pick it as the solution that would be great.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xXz2bv

RCguitarist :

A R9 270x would be a better GPU.

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