Trying to build my first Desktop

Chris Mathews · Aug 31, 2014

Well, technically not /my/ desktop, my girlfriends. But anyways, I need a build that can run most modern games on about medium settings, nothing too fancy. I have a monitor with built in speakers so that's not a problem. The only thing is, it has to be 525 dollars max (I want 500 but if its a little over thats okay), with OS. I want cheap parts, probably no liquid cooling or anything. Obviously I'd want CD/DVD drive and USB ports. If you could even just send me in the right direction it would be a huge help

thanks
(Trying to use PCpartspicker but I don't know much about the inside so idk what I should get)
(Also, the HDD doesn't have to be that big, maybe 250 GB)

RookieOfTheYear · Aug 31, 2014

Will you need a monitor, mouse, and keyboard also?

RookieOfTheYear · Aug 31, 2014

Here is one option without monitor, mouse, and keyboard.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI 970A-G43 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($69.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 250GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($26.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R7 260X 1GB Video Card ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Azza CSAZ-206 ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($35.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $538.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-31 16:14 EDT-0400

RookieOfTheYear · Aug 31, 2014

And here is an option with a monitor, mouse, and keyboard.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus M5A78L-M/USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($49.79 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 250GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($26.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R7 250X 1GB Video Card ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Azza CSAZ-206 ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($25.00 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Gateway KX2153 Abd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Rosewill RK-101 Wired Standard Keyboard ($5.99 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Zalman ZM-M300 Wired Optical Mouse ($7.80 @ Amazon)
Total: $534.48
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-31 16:30 EDT-0400

Chris Mathews · Aug 31, 2014

RookieOfTheYear :

Could I get Windows seven instead and it would work okay? Thanks very much btw. I might need to edit some to get the price down a bit though, just maybe downgrade the video card or processor, but its a perfect starting point

RazerZ · Aug 31, 2014

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-D PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($36.90 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Enermax ECA3253-BW ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($35.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $516.81
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-31 22:06 EDT-0400

I would still get Win 8.1 just for future support. It's also slightly faster and you get used to the layout after a while.

Chris Mathews · Sep 1, 2014

How about this one?
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/N8w9wP

Or this, but I'm curious how much of a difference in power would be noticed

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ycr3NG

RazerZ · Sep 1, 2014

Chris Mathews :

A major part of a gaming desktop is the graphics card. The 240 will play modern games at low settings, and it might lag on some titles as well. The build I posted should let you play on high to ultra settings (more so high). Also later on you could upgrade the cpu to an i5/i7.

Chris Mathews · Sep 2, 2014

RazerZ :

Is the Pentium good for gaming? It just seems kinda old. ANd will only 4 GB of RAM be enough?

RookieOfTheYear · Sep 2, 2014

Chris Mathews :

My build was less expensive and better performing. I wouldn't go with the 4 core AMD CPU's. It's well worth the extra money to go with the 6300.

But I think RazerZ's build is the best actually. He is exactly right about the GPU being the most important part of gaming. And with the 1150 socket, you can upgrade to an i3/i5/i7 later on. Well done RazerZ.

Chris Mathews · Sep 2, 2014

Okay I think I know which build I'll use, but I wanna know what a good wireless n card would be.

Chris Mathews · Sep 2, 2014

How about this? I tried to listen about the video card, I'm curious if that power supply will work though.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/gM726h

RazerZ · Sep 2, 2014

Chris Mathews :

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/tp-link-wireless-network-card-tlwn751nd

Any decent PCI card should work.

RazerZ · Sep 2, 2014

Chris Mathews :

-That PSU is junk and will definitely not provide enough power to the system. Try to stick with the XFX 550W for $35 after rebate.

-You can get cheaper color matching ram:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/patriot-memory-pvl38g160c9kb

Swap the case for the one in my build. That case has zero cable management and looks cheaply constructed. For $10 more you can get a much better case.

If you're considering aftermarket cooling, I would either use the stock cooler and upgrade the CPU to an 8320 rather than buying an FX 6300+ 212 Evo. The Geild cooler isn't anything worth getting.

Chris Mathews · Sep 2, 2014

I think this fits all your criteria? I changed the processor to keep the price down a bit. I'm willing to give up the 8GB RAM if you think 4GB or 6GB would work.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/mCQjRB

RazerZ · Sep 2, 2014

Chris Mathews :

Don't get the FX 4300. For $10 more the FX 6300 is much more worth it.

You could get away with one stick of 4GB of ram for now and add a second 4GB stick later.

Chris Mathews · Sep 2, 2014

RazerZ :

So, this would work? (Thank you so much for putting up with me btw)
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jJ9xxr

RazerZ · Sep 2, 2014

Chris Mathews :

FX 6300+ Cooler+ thermal paste ( unneeded because the after market cooler comes with paste)= $129

R7 260x: $100
---------------------------
R9 270: $150

What I would do is keep the stock cooler and upgrade the graphics card to the R9 270 for $10 more.

You can also drop the extra case fan if you want since it isn't needed.

Chris Mathews · Sep 2, 2014

RazerZ :

Chris Mathews :

FX 6300+ Cooler+ thermal paste ( unneeded because the after market cooler comes with paste)= $129

R7 260x: $100
---------------------------
R9 270: $150

What I would do is keep the stock cooler and upgrade the graphics card to the R9 270 for $10 more.

You can also drop the extra case fan if you want since it isn't needed.

In the end, I say screw it. I'll just save longer. This is what I've decided on for a final build. If there's anything you believe is critically wrong, let me know. http://pcpartpicker.com/p/CHHV23

Trying to build my first Desktop

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