Need help building gaming pc 800-1000$

Ivan Hawke

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Jul 18, 2014
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I've zero experience on building PCs and I don't have many tech skills. I need help picking parts and generating pc builds that can give me most power withing the budget. If possible I'd like to know the differences and advantages from an 8-- build to a 1000 build and longevity. I need to play games like Dark Souls 2, Inquisition, Civ and Skyrim with mods on highest settings if possible, if not, what would be the projected performance? Thank you for all your help.
 
Solution
For $1000:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pMxt99
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pMxt99/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 280 3GB TurboDuo Video Card ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified...

DroneDroneDrone

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Jun 17, 2014
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I'm fairly new at this as well, but I've been researching PC building alot the past couple months, as I am about to build my own as well. One question though, what's included in your budget? (Ex. Just the computer itself or peripherals and OS too)
 
$800 build -

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-your-own-budget-gaming-pc,3780.html
or
CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($196.97 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($66.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.43 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Xion XON-560 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Gateway KX2153 Abd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($99.99 @ TigerDirect)
Total: $777.31

$1000 build - https://pcpartpicker.com/user/i7Baby/saved/3pnG3C
or
CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($227.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($449.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1027.92
 

Ivan Hawke

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Jul 18, 2014
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I have a BenQ monitor that i use for my console games i'll use that, i have a board and mice i got that are really cool, and an amazing headset. All i'd need i think is the operating system. Is windows 8.1 working for gaming?
 

DroneDroneDrone

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Jun 17, 2014
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Well if you need an OS, ( for $800) you're probably going to have to go with an AMD CPU with a nice GPU unless you want an i3 CPU and upgrade to an i5 later. (for $1000) You can get an i5 with a nice GPU. I'll work an a build right now.
 

DroneDroneDrone

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Jun 17, 2014
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Here's an $800 build:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tXGH7P
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tXGH7P/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($118.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($73.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($88.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 280 3GB TurboDuo Video Card ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) ($102.52 @ NCIX US)
Total: $794.41
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

You have an fx-6300 CPU for this one which is a pretty good budget CPU. If you don't plan to overclock, you can take off the CPU cooler saving $20, and also if you just want the OEM OS you can save $7. R9 280 is a great CPU which will max out most, if not all games. FX-6300 can also run CPU heavy games such as SC2 and LoL at highest setting ( according to my friend who owns an fx-6300) Will get back to you on a $1000 build.
 

DroneDroneDrone

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Jun 17, 2014
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For $1000:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pMxt99
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pMxt99/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 280 3GB TurboDuo Video Card ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) ($102.52 @ NCIX US)
Total: $963.41
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
i5 4690k CPU which is a great CPU ( you can get the 4670k, but their both the same price. Still an r9 280. This will max out all games. IF you don't plan to overclock you can save $40 because you can get the non K edition CPU and can cut the CPU cooler. Also keep in mind I'm trying to stay under the budget. If you don't mind going over you can probably add an SDD or go for an r9 280x, same with other build.
 
Solution

Ivan Hawke

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Jul 18, 2014
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Thank you for your diligent work, I'll end up going for the 1k build as it was closer to what i was thinking. You've done a great job at explaining to me the info i needed. Thank you.
 
Sep 5, 2014
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4,510


I am also looking to build a gaming pc, I have a max of around 800$ without my parents help (i'm 14, but I can always dream...), i'm mainly looking at playing games like starcraft 2, world of tanks, and dota 2/league of legends on high to ultra settings. I honestly dont know where to begin, do you know of any builds I could look into or anything that I should keep in mind?
 

DroneDroneDrone

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Jun 17, 2014
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@Matthew

Here's a build since you said you were 14 and only have a max of $800 This build here says it has a final price of $720 but, that's without mail in rebates, without rebates it's $780. If you can do rebates then tell me, however this build will play those games you listed at ultra without problems. My dad actually just ordered this build too (im 15) so I'll be building it somewhere near the end of this month, I'm using a different motherboard, CPU, and case ( I had a budget of $800 and dad was willing to help) so final price did go over $800, but other than that everything is the same. ( The PC is also for sc2 and league, and a couple other games )

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/khzMXL
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/khzMXL/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($106.02 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($79.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master N400 ATX Mid Tower Case ($58.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($15.00 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $721.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-06 07:45 EDT-0400