A first timer, building a gaming rig. (850$-1100$)

Hi,
I'll post a pcpartpicker build and I'll be assuming TWO things:
a) Windows is part of the budget, and
b) you live in the USA

If not you can change as appropriate.

*I'll post below but your current graphics card is too low. Also I'm going to use your max budget. It will likely work out that the only difference between it and a lower budget is mainly the Graphics Card anyway...

you need a better graphics card for that config (think gtx960 and over that), and a K series cpu if you go for the Z97 motherboard and plan to overclock.

your mobo is too overkill for nothing
the psu you choosed is not really good , go with seasonic/xfx/antec hcg/evga B2-G2
and of course your gpu card is a real toy ...get a real one like gtx 960 and up or r9 270X and up

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/7jPGNG

Summary:
At your budget, the i5-4690K is a good choice for CPU. I'd use the light overclock in the BIOS (don't modify voltage).

The rest of the parts were based on the best balance of quality, price, and performance I could manage.

You may want a different case, but I like the NZXT 220 for the price. You can also attach the fans to the motherboard I believe so you can use the Asus motherboard software to setup a fan profile (and for CPU fan as well) to keep it quiet.

*The GTX970 is still my recommended card. While there is the "slow memory" issue the explanation is quite complicated and I still RECOMMEND the GTX970. To oversimplify you can occasionally get stutter in some games and only if more then 3.5GB is used. Workarounds are being investigated. The worst-case scenario is simply blocking the slow memory from being used for a game and let Windows use it for other tasks (software not available yet).

I've got over 200 games (Steam sales) and not one of mine are affected BTW.

My PSU could be lower Wattage but I was looking for good quality at this budget and also like Semi or Full modular.

The motherboard you chose is fine with a 5-Year Warranty though the Asus Z97-A seems to have better overall feedback for quality so you can choose there.

(Where possible I tried to not clash the basic color theme even though there's no window)

Good luck!

Install and diagnostic tips (PRINT THIS):

0. Prepare an e-mail address and password in advance. I used my MSN account.

(Useful? http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows-8/ss/windows-8-clean-install-part-1.htm)

1. Build PC without graphics card (connect to onboard), DVD, or HDD/SSD connected
2. run MEMTEST www.memtest.org for a full pass (roughly 30 minutes for 8GB)
3. choose "XMP" in the BIOS and save
4. choose "Secure Boot" if an options and save (probably not for Z97-A)

5. choose "UEFI" mode (not legacy) in BIOS if not selected and save (can't be changed after installing Windows I believe)
6. Install DVD, SSD, and HDD
7. Install Windows (*make sure you choose the SSD)
8. Install motherboard main chipset driver, software package, other drivers... from motherboard support site (if using wireless probably need a wi-fi adapter, install the drivers etc. If possible use the WIRED setup at least initially)

9. Setup fan control (Asus mobo software) for case fans if possible, and CPU fan
10. run CPU diagnostic: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=19792
11. Shut down PC and install video card, then bootup and install NVidia drivers (if NVidia card)
12. Install STEAM program for games but use the Hard Drive (i.e. "E:\Steam"). Later on you can add another SSD to be used for games like Skyrim which benefit and MOVE the games (backup game, delete local content, restore but choose 2nd Steam folder on SSD#2). Most games don't benefit much from an SSD aside from load times (Skyrim and similar with maps have frequent load points).

13. *Backup Image (Very important):
Once everything is working well you want to create a backup Image of your main Windows drive. For WD you can use the free Acronis True Image software. For Seagate use DiscWizard which is the same program anyway.

Keep the initial backup if enough space but then occasionally overwrite a second backup (every month or so) to keep up to date if anything goes wrong. I use the full version and have an automated solution every week.

14) Update motherboard BIOS if newer exists:
a) set back to "XMP" and "UEFI" as applicable since your motheboard BIOS defaults to original settings
b) run MEMTEST and Intel tests again to be sure
c) don't consider overclocking CPU further for several weeks to ensure no issues.
d) *When you do overclock I suggest the BIOS method for a light overclock as it keeps temperatures low (applies highest it can without modifying voltage. Perhaps 4.3GHz?). One option is to choose "XMP" then manually try a multiplier of "43" for all cores (and of course test with the above tests; start with default and try 100MHz at a time).

Good luck. I've likely missed a few points but this is a GUIDE.

``Is this better? YES!
MSI GTX 960 Twin Frozr Gaming 2GB 128Bit DDR5
Seasonic X-650 650W 80PLUS Gold (Modular)``

What mobo would you suggest?
asrock Z97 extreme3 or 4

1) I recommend at least a 3GB video card now since upcoming games are raising the VRAM requirement due to the new consoles.

2) *Make sure to set a FIRM BUDGET op or it's just too confusing. As I said before I chose what I felt was the optimal BALANCE of quality and performance at the top budget.

Now that you can see what $1100 gets you in my build you can perhaps adjust if you don't want to spend as much.

3) Relative GPU performance:
https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/GTX_960_STRIX_OC/29.html

**Note the GTX970 is 58% faster than a GTX960 (comparing stock cards). So you save $135 compared to the graphics card I chose (which is faster than stock) so end up with roughly 62% of the performance?

Not a good idea IMO, which brings us back to the optimal BALANCE of parts.

4) Lower budget?
If you decide on a lower budget, then here's some recommendations:
a) i5-4590 CPU
b) Asus Z87-A motherboard (if you think SLI is a later possibility make sure it's supported)
c) no SSD (not recommended since it makes things generally snappier in Windows and two drives make backup Image possible)
d) VIDEO CARD? (best performance/quality card in budget with 3GB or more... perhaps R9-280X)
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-r9280xdc2t3gd5

Other:
- recommend W8.1 64-bit (not W7) but I'd add Start8 from Stardock or suitable free application to bring back Start Menu. Note W10 will be a free upgrade to W7/W8 users

- *again, the BALANCE of parts is most important but I strongly recommend either of the i5's to ensure a solid CPU base then the best video card you can budget.

- make sure all parts fit

- DDR3 memory on motherboard must be placed in the proper slots (see motherboard manual). Possibly #2 and #4 if using two sticks with four slots.

- make sure to use TWO sticks of memory (i.e. 2x4GB not 1x8GB)

CU.
I've given roughly all the advice I can.

``1) I recommend at least a 3GB video card now since upcoming games are raising the VRAM requirement due to the new consoles.``

i am agree too... i chossed the gtx 960 because i do not know if he is on tight budget because two different budget 850$ to 1100$ ????

you can shave abut a hundred more by going to H97 and non K (and you don't overclock) and picking a psu that's on sale (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-hcg620m for example)

That's basically been pointed out with my comment discussing alternatives.

I even gave the Asus Z87 as an option and it was under $90 I believe.

Anyway, unless he has further questions I think this is done.