Need Help, First Time Computer Builder

ConnorKenway2046

Reputable
Oct 28, 2014
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Hi, I need help deciding the components of a gaming computer, i have two part lists that i don't know which is better or where i could save a few bucks in either one

My First List
-CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.7GHz $159.99
http://www.microcenter.com/product/432161/Core_i5-4590_37GHz_LGA_1150_Boxed_Processor

-Motherboard: Asus H97M-Plus LGA 1150 ATX Intel Motherboard $114.99
http://www.microcenter.com/product/433181/H97M-Plus_LGA_1150_ATX_Intel_Motherboard

-Memory: G.Skill F3-2400C10D-8GTX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 PC3-19200 2400MHz TridentX Series CL10 (10-12-12-31) Dual Channel $88.79
http://www.amazon.com/G-Skill-F3-2400C10D-8GTX-PC3-19200-TridentX-10-12-12-31/dp/B007V9RXFI/ref=sr_1_2/175-4966789-7253420?ie=UTF8&qid=1414460968&sr=8-2&keywords=G.Skill+F3-2400C10D-8GTX+8GB+%282+x+4GB%29+DDR3+PC3-19200+2400MHz+TridentX+Series+CL10+%2810-12-12-31%29+Dual+Channel

-Storage: Seagate Barracuda 7200 1TB SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive ST1000DM003 - Bare Drive $56.99
http://www.microcenter.com/product/399210/Barracuda_7200_1TB_SATA_60Gb-s_35_Internal_Hard_Drive_ST1000DM003_-_Bare_Drive

-Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270 Overclocked 2048MB PCIe 3.0 x16 Video Card $179.99
http://www.microcenter.com/product/425815/Radeon_R9_270_Overclocked_2048MB_PCIe_30_x16_Video_Card

-Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 Mid Tower ATX Computer Case $59.99
http://www.microcenter.com/product/343331/HAF_912_Mid_Tower_ATX_Computer_Case

-Power Supply: Corsair CX Series CX600M 600 Watt ATX Modular Power Supply $69.99
http://www.microcenter.com/product/406088/CX_Series_CX600M_600_Watt_ATX_Modular_Power_Supply

My other one on pcpartpicker: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/ConnorKenway2046/saved/6CKnTW
 
Solution


I would go with a build like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($227.49 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($81.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard...

frag06

Honorable
Mar 17, 2013
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The second build has a better processor, but sort of trades off on the RAM (you should use 1866MHz or higher with Haswell).

What is your budget?

Also, do you live close to a Micro Center or are you just planning to order online?
 

ConnorKenway2046

Reputable
Oct 28, 2014
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4,510
I would like to be spending up to about $800 at most and i do live close to a micro center.
Should i just switch out the cpu on the first list? and is there anything i could switch out for a bit cheaper but around the same performance? and is the overclocked video card neccessary?
 

frag06

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Mar 17, 2013
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I would go with a build like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($227.49 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($81.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.95 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 450D ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($80.00 @ NCIX US)
Total: $843.39
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-28 17:46 EDT-0400

If you bundle the processor and motherboard at Micro Center, they should give you an addition $40 off of the motherboard. Doing this should knock off about ~$50 or so from the total depending on how much tax is.

I changed the case to the 450D. It is about the best mid-tower case on the market, but you can always change it to the 912 to save a few dollars (also a good case). I also changed the PSU to a better unit and upgraded the RAM to 1866MHz.

If you aren't going to overclock, then the CPU can be switched to a non K model, but note that Micro Center only bundles certain processors. Also, if you don't play games, then the 280 isn't necessary.
 
Solution

frag06

Honorable
Mar 17, 2013
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11,960


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($169.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 Extreme3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($109.73 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($81.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.95 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 450D ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($80.00 @ NCIX US)
Total: $785.62
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-28 18:00 EDT-0400

I do not recommend going AMD since you are gaming. An i5 will be better in almost every gaming situation. You also have a better upgrade path with an i5 and Z97. You can go Broadwell or i7 someday if you need to.

Considering the small price difference if bought at Micro Center, the i5 is certainly the better choice.

Also grab a 212 EVO at Micro Center or somewhere if you can. Don't use the stock cooler whatever way you go.