New to PC Gaming -- $750 Budget Gaming PC Intel

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Lmcontaldi

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Aug 19, 2014
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Hey everyone! So I've been browsing through the community for a week and still couldn't find exact what I was looking for -- I figure I might as well bite the bullet and ask directly.

So I'm new to PC gaming. While I run a review site/podcast for console games, PC has always been the next door neighbor with greener pastures. I finally am looking to make the plunge, yet still don't need the best performance I can get. I'm sure i can fit everything into my $ 750 budge.

Additionally, I'm picking intel because I don't have the experience necessary to overclock anything. Maybe if (and when) I decide to build my second PC, but for now this just seems way easier.

Approximate Purchase Date: this week (the closer the better)

Budget Range: ($750) After Rebates; Before Shipping

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Streaming, Podcasting

Are you buying a monitor: Yes, but I can go $150 over budget

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Wherever I can grab the best deals.

Location: Valley Stream, NY

Parts Preferences: Intel, thats about all I know.

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No clue what this is

Your Monitor Resolution: Feel free to recommend

Why Are You Upgrading: See top comment

Feel free to recommend mouse and keyboard to accompany. Are there any preferred budget ones in the community?
 
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Shneiky

Shneiky

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Aug 21, 2011
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Here you go buddy.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($112.09 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H87M Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($84.88 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB ACX Video Card ($233.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman ZM-T2 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 400W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($43.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VX228H 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $846.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-19 11:04 EDT-0400

I chose Windows 7 - but you can change to Windows 8 if you really feel like it. Also, the case aesthetics is purely personal, so if you wish to change the case - be my guest. Cheers.
 
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Lmcontaldi

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Aug 19, 2014
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Thanks man, you're a lifesaver! Now, if I wanted to upgrade it to an i5, would that be possible? Also, which i5 would I use?
 
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Shneiky

Shneiky

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Aug 21, 2011
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Or better yet:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H87M Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($84.88 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB ACX Video Card ($233.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman ZM-T2 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 400W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($43.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VX228H 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $914.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-19 11:12 EDT-0400

I know it is 15 buck over budget, but the I5 is worth it.

P.S The Seasonic PSU is rock solid. This build wont take more than 250W full torture test, 200W while gaming. The 280 that I found and is 20 bucks lower is from a 2nd tier brand, so I wish to avoid it.
 
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CAaronD

CAaronD

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Feb 27, 2014
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($111.29 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PERFORMANCE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280 3GB Dual-X Video Card ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer H226HQLbid 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $807.18
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-19 11:25 EDT-0400

This is at $807 and I guarantee you this is a great build. Also since there is a h97 board here it will be more futureproof. And I also got a better case! TBH I don't really recommend his build :( His parts are sorta outdated. He got an older I3 which was more expensive, a H87 board which was more expensive and a gpu which was more expensive. And also a really bad two star rated case. But they all had lower performance. No offence to him. Sometimes you have to just get the newest parts :)
 
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ScrewySqrl

ScrewySqrl

Champion
Aug 2, 2010
11,199
232
53,540
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.67 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-K Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($199.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Rosewill RANGER-M MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Cougar 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($47.99 @ Mwave)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($15.63 @ OutletPC)
Total: $733.23
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-19 11:27 EDT-0400

overclockable board and chip (needs a bios upgrade to overclock, but not just to run the chip)
a true quadcore
an R9 280 gpu

All under $750
 
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Shneiky

Shneiky

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Aug 21, 2011
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The op said:

Budget Range: ($750) After Rebates; Before Shipping

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Streaming, Podcasting

Are you buying a monitor: Yes, but I can go $150 over budget

Technically 900 with the monitor.
 
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Lmcontaldi

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Aug 19, 2014
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Ah damnit. This looks like a great build and more aimed at my budget. Any people comment on this versus Shneiky's second model?

 
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Shneiky

Shneiky

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Aug 21, 2011
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@CAaronD

1st - I3 4130 and I3 4150 are the same age. What the hell are you talking about.

There is no future or not proofing with H97 or H87. They are the same stuff. The H87 has lower price than at launch while the H97 holds the higher price. The new Broadwell, that was supposed to be the real CPU for 90s chipset is not going to come soon and when it comes, it will be only 5% faster than Haswell for inflated price. No reason to change upgrade Haswell to Broadwell, whasoever. Waste of money.

You chose a low clocked 280, I chose a higher clocked 760. The 760 also uses less power and it it cooler and quieter. Price wise the 280 might be better, but the same performance with lower aquatics and heat are welcomed.

As I sad before - he can change the case. Performance wise, the NZXT is exactly like the Zalman, just the aesthetics are different. The fact that a bunch of idiots rated 2 stars on website does not mean that the product is bad. If a person has a bad experience he will go and complain. If a person has a good experience, most likely, he will not say a word.

@CAaronD
In your build you have included an inferior monitor than the one I proposed. Also you are using a worse power supply then the Seasonic. If you really want to get the "Best Answer" then go for it. Just don't spread misconceptions. 90% of what you said is untrue and completely biased.

P.S.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($81.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB ACX Video Card ($233.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman ZM-T2 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 400W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($43.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VX228H 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $911.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-19 12:11 EDT-0400

Now only 11 over budget. Cheers.

 
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CAaronD

CAaronD

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Feb 27, 2014
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am not posting for the best answer, but rather to help. Because I could get 5% more performance for $20 less compared to your first. But I agree about the monitor part I picked a worse one. And the R9 280 can be 5-10% better varying on games. But only uses up 30w extra and only runs barely hotter and louder 1-2C and 1-2DB on average ... And it is $20 less even if I get a better model. Also the 4130 is $1 more than the 4150. But is clocked 0.1 ghz less. Doesn't really matter though almost no increase in performance. And the release date for that I3 is more than 6 months later. Also my H97 board was $10 cheaper than your H87 and the specs were slightly better. Other than that I completely agree on your build. I hope there isn't any offence here. I guess I was a bit rude, but 90% of what I'm saying isn't biased or crap.
 
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