Going to build a PC at Microcenter for the first time. Any suggestions?

rolovis · Feb 2, 2015

So the plan is to spend around $1500-$2000 on a gaming pc. The Microcenter is about 1.5 hours away. I looked at their website, but not sure what they will actually have in store. Anyone ever built a pc solely from Microcenter, and have any suggestions, or tips?

Microcenter aside. I've always had an amd processor, but am thinking of trying Intel. Is it really worth the extra money?

Anyone have any suggested builds from Microcenter for around that price?

turkey3_scratch · Feb 2, 2015

With that budget I would go Intel 100%. AMD is great for cheaper builds but at that price you will want a solid i7 CPU.

Bossyfins · Feb 2, 2015

What Microcenter do you live next to?

rolovis · Feb 2, 2015

Microcenter in southern Michigan. 32800 concord drive in maddison heights. 48071,

rolovis · Feb 4, 2015

Is that a bad one?

Bossyfins · Feb 4, 2015

No. I havent posted a build as I am quite busy with school. Answering this at school actually. I will post a build when I get home

rolovis · Feb 4, 2015

I look forward to your build. Got my tax refund today, but will still be about a week and 1/2 or so until I actually go buy the parts. So take your time, and Thank you!

Bossyfins · Feb 4, 2015

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($321.98 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X61 106.1 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($123.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z97S SLI Krait Edition ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($100.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($117.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB SSC ACX 2.0 Video Card ($349.98 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT H440 (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1454.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-04 23:10 EST-0500

I tried really hard to make the parts from Microcenter, but it ended up being online purchases. :/ Atleast you dont have to drive for 1.5 hours. lol

The build has a bit of a theme, black and white. Obviously, I didnt want to go and put random colors together. If you favor less money, but same performance, I can edit a few things.

g-unit1111 · Feb 4, 2015

Bossyfins :

I agree with most of this build but with a few minor changes:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.95 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($131.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($73.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($117.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Best Buy)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 980 4GB STRIX Video Card ($544.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($95.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Directron)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($92.99 @ Directron)
Total: $1539.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-04 23:34 EST-0500

- Downgraded CPU and upgraded GPU to Asus Strix
- NZXT is a great case but I used Phanteks Enthoo Pro and included optical drive
- Swapped Kraken X61 with Noctua D15
- Higher wattage PSU for SLI

Bossyfins · Feb 4, 2015

I chose the EVGA SSC, as they upgraded their thermal cooling system. Looks freaking awesome, mind you runs cooler too. But yea, G-units build is the place to go if you dont want to water cool your CPU, etc

tiny voices · Feb 4, 2015

100% agree that Gunit's build is definitely the right way to go.

rolovis · Feb 5, 2015

Well thanks for trying, but still going to go to Microcenter to see what I can get there instead. The trip is on the way to somewhere else, so either way I'm going. If it doesn't work out, I'll look into those 2 builds. First thing I noticed was the i7 vs the i5. Weird to me that the i5 is what you recommend.

tiny voices · Feb 5, 2015

Why weird? The i5 games exactly the same as an i7. An i7 is better for rendering/ encoding, not gaming.

rolovis · Feb 7, 2015

Ok, so basing off of your builds, and what is available at the Microcenter near me, this is what I have.

Intel Core i7-4790k 4.0GHz ------------ 279.99
MSI Z97-G45 ATX Intel Motherboard ------ 139.99
cpu cooler------------------------------ ? Not sure what to get here. Not comfortable with water cooling.
Crucial Ballistix Elite 16GB DDR3-1866 - 159.99
Samsung 850 EVO-series 500gb 2.5" SSD -- 229.99
currently have 2tb HDD ----------------- 0.00
ASUS STRIX GeForce GTX 980 OC 4GB ------ 579.99
NZXT Crafted Series Phantom ATX Full --- 89.99
EVGA 850G2 850W Gold Modular ATX 12 ---- 154.99
Lite-on 24x SATA DVD Burner ------------ 17.99
Windows 8.1 64-bit English 1 Pack OEM -- 89.99

Before Tax - 1742.91
After Tax - 1847.49

Plan on doing a lot of gaming, and streaming. Possibly making youtube videos reviewing games. Always running Netflix on my TV during games when not with other people. Is 8GB ram enough for that as was suggested, or is moving up to 16GB worth it? Same for the processor, should I still stick with the i5 as suggested, or move it up to the i7 I listed.

g-unit1111 · Feb 7, 2015

Bossyfins :

I had a Kraken X61 and had nothing but problems with it, and I've been trying to steer clear of closed liquid loops as a result. I might try a Corsair H100i at some point but am in no hurry. Right now I'm running a D14 with custom fans and it's been running flawlessly.

AMDThunder · Feb 7, 2015

You absolutely cannot beat the motherboard/cpu combos at Microcenter on a K series cpu. Got my 4690K and Gigabyte Z97X-SLI mobo for less than $300 including tax. My complete build below. A couple of discounts or combo deals may have expired, but if you shop around, you can find the deals.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (Purchased For $216.49)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (Purchased For $34.99)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (Purchased For $75.76)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (Purchased For $57.99)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card (Purchased For $329.99)
Case: Corsair SPEC-02 ATX Mid Tower Case (Purchased For $54.11)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply (Purchased For $59.53)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) (Purchased For $110.56)
Speakers: Logitech Z313 25W 2.1ch Speakers ($27.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Other: dvd
Total: $967.41
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-07 03:31 EST-0500

g-unit1111 · Feb 7, 2015

AMDThunder :

Completely agree, I got my 4690K and MSI Z97-G45 there for $280 after taxes, can't beat that anywhere else you could possibly go.

Going to build a PC at Microcenter for the first time. Any suggestions?

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