Building a Gaming Computer FOR THE FIRST TIME! PLEASE HELP ME I NEED HELP SO BAD

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doognmad2

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Apr 10, 2015
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Ok, sorry for all the caps. But I really need some help. I know very little about computers. I had a $1500 gaming laptop, but it was stolen. I want to get a desktop, but everyone says to build your own if you're going to game on it. After many days of research, I agree this is the best way.

My budget is $1100ish. Here is the parts list I have come up with:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8MqLnQ

My musts are the i7-4790k. This is the processor I want no matter what. Everything else I am not too sure about.

Any information, tips, or help from any of you pros out there would be GREATLY appreciated. I would like to buy the parts as soon as possible. :)

PS I am not planning on overclocking any components.
 
Solution
Darkbreeze
If for some reason you feel you HAVE to have the i7, which there's nothing wrong with that, it just isn't really beneficial for gaming current titles, but it might be somewhat beneficial at some point down the road, then this would be fine. I noticed you edited the original post to make it clear that you wanted the i7, so I've offered a revised build as well.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($324.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western...
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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Jun 24, 2014
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You don't need an i7 for gaming. The 4690k puts up just as good of numbers. That Rosewill PSU is junk. Only their Capstone series units are any good. The Z97-A is a good board but the Gigabyte Gaming 5 is a little better and is less expensive.

This would be a better build and I'd highly recommend going with a different case unless you're strictly going after that case for it's particular looks. The Phanteks Enthoo Pro, Rosewill Thor V2, Thermaltake Core V51 and V71 or NZXT H440 are all excellent cases, and are less expensive.

That InWin case is seriously overpriced and you're simply paying for the way it looks, not it's quality. If you want a case that looks flashy and has decent quality, check out the Thor V2 or one of the NZXT Phantom series cases.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($226.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ Best Buy)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card ($209.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Inwin GR One ATX Full Tower Case ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($82.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $970.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-10 19:08 EDT-0400
 
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TomSkini

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Jun 7, 2014
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($296.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ Best Buy)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card ($323.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX XTR 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($61.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1028.79
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-10 19:11 EDT-0400

You don't need the 'k' or unlocked version of the CPU if you're not overclocking which saves 40ish dollars. Upgraded the GPU to the 970 which is a beast for the money and you don't need 850 watts for it, 550 is fine. Do you really wanna spend 130 dollars on a case as well? There's some great cases for 70 but it's down to preference really so you choose it. Also added an optical drive so you can install windows.
edit - you say the i7 is a must but will you be streaming/editing or using heavy duty programs? If not you should get the i5 as suggested as you won't see any difference in performance for gaming.
 
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DonkeyOatie

DonkeyOatie

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Sep 16, 2014
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Over budget, but ....

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($324.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($78.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($53.10 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($106.52 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ Best Buy)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card ($323.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX TS 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($48.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1124.31
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-10 19:14 EDT-0400

Why i7 4790K even you did not use it? You could save a lot with a Xeon 1231 V3 or even an i5.

The limiting factor in most gaming systems is the GPU. That's where the money needs to go.
 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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If for some reason you feel you HAVE to have the i7, which there's nothing wrong with that, it just isn't really beneficial for gaming current titles, but it might be somewhat beneficial at some point down the road, then this would be fine. I noticed you edited the original post to make it clear that you wanted the i7, so I've offered a revised build as well.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($324.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ Best Buy)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card ($209.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($82.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1038.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-10 20:38 EDT-0400
 
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Solution
bsod1

bsod1

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i like this.
 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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Or you could do this, which gives you the 8 threads and single core performance of the i7, with the same clock speed and turbo features of the i5. This is really the best of both worlds and the cost reduction due to no integrated graphics, which you don't need anyhow, makes it very worthwile.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1241 V3 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($264.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($130.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ Best Buy)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card ($209.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($82.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $979.77
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-10 21:36 EDT-0400
 
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bsod1

bsod1

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why not go with a GTX 970?
 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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He could, if he really wants to be at the full limit of his budget. Considering those PCPartpicker prices usually are not accurate when it comes to shipping costs, I like to leave some room for that so as not to exceed the actual budget. But if it's within his means it would certainly be a better option.

It may also be that he doesn't need that much firepower, depending on what his expectations and setting preferences will be.
 
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Karadjgne

Karadjgne

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Dec 26, 2012
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($324.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: RAIJINTEK EreBoss 56.5 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($56.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($332.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT H440 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.50 @ Directron)
Power Supply: XFX XTR 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($61.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1179.31
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-10 22:33 EDT-0400
 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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Well, I think there's plenty of options on the table now. But honestly, for my money, if I was building a gaming only rig, with the stated budget, this would be it. And I'd throw a 40.00 Cryorig H5 on there just to get the POS stock cooler out of the equation. It's pretty much common knowledge that the i7 gains you nothing in gaming except on the very few highly threaded CPU intensive titles out there.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($226.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($332.49 @ B&H)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($82.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1063.32
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-10 22:46 EDT-0400

 
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Karadjgne

Karadjgne

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sorry, couldn't help myself. For the life of me, I can't see leaving a stock cooler on an i7. One good game of BF4 multiplayer, Crysis4 etc will leave that cpu with its very own cherry red glow (not literally, but you get the point)

Edit: And its color coordinated as well!
 
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