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Building a sub-$800 gaming PC, need help selecting parts

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Last response: in Systems
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September 26, 2014 3:06:35 AM

I haven't kept current with PC hardware for years, no idea where to even begin. I've built PCs in the past, I only need help selecting good components that will be reliable and upgradeable. If possible, I'd like a motherboard that I could pop a much more powerful CPU into a couple years from now, and squeeze some more life out of it. I'm looking to purchase the parts within the next month. I would prefer Intel/Nvidia, but I'm flexible.

What I don't need: Case and optical/floppy drives, and all peripherals (mouse/keyboard/etc).

Thanks in advance.

More about : building 800 gaming selecting parts

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September 26, 2014 3:18:01 AM

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/mk8Vf7
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/mk8Vf7/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97MX-Gaming 5 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($106.98 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($82.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX Video Card ($329.98 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $803.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-26 06:17 EDT-0400

You can add SSD in the future along with a better CPU in the future while still have a very capable machine.
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September 26, 2014 3:20:08 AM

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/b2TLpg
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/b2TLpg/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.94 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z97 Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.00 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($329.98 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $791.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-26 06:19 EDT-0400
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September 26, 2014 3:47:21 AM

My build is similar to Luca's but I have improved on some of the parts.
For the graphics card, the EVGA gtx 970 has a misaligned heatsink, which gives more fan noise and poorer cooling, and gigabyte are just known for not being top quality builds, so MSI gets the prize for the solid Twin FrozR V cooler, which is excellent and it has the best OC potential out of all of the graphics cards. Even if you aren't overclocking the core speed is very high, and the reliability of the card will make sure that the build is future proof for quite a few years.

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

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($81.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($349.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $795.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
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September 26, 2014 3:56:56 AM

Well MSI are good in the graphics department however not in the motherboards section at all , Gigabyte G1 Gaming 970 is the best in the market followed by MSI ( MSI OCs better tho ).

Just to clarify.
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September 26, 2014 4:14:59 AM

I'm really torn between you 2 guys builds. I could mix and match and go with the Gigabyte mobo and the MSI card. Both of these builds seem great. Thanks guys.
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September 26, 2014 4:26:38 AM

neomulemi6 said:
I'm really torn between you 2 guys builds. I could mix and match and go with the Gigabyte mobo and the MSI card. Both of these builds seem great. Thanks guys.


That's a good call , Have fun :D 
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