Need some advice on budget gaming build before I open any boxes please...(already bought but can return anything)

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reefmaster

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Hello everyone,

I need some advice on my new "budget" gaming build before I open any boxes (I bought everything tonight and plan to build it in the morning).

I went to micro-center tonight with no idea what I really wanted and with the help of one of their employees I walked out with a bunch of stuff (have yet to open any boxes and anything can be returned/exchanged).

here is what I bought....(I do not plan to ever overclock) and my monitor runs at 1600x900

intel core i3-4370 (3.8Ghz)
ASRock H97M Pro4 motherboard
Gigabyte Radeon R9 270 GDDR5 (2gig) graphics card (Over clocked version)
DDR3 8gigs (2x 4gigs) 1600 ram
1TB Hard drive (7200 RPM)
optical drive
windows 8.1
Thermaltake TR2 600watt power supply
and a Thermaltake Versa H22 computer case......

I wanted to buy the i5-4690k (like I have in my son's PC) but #1 I don't ever plan to overclock and #2 it was a extra $60 I really didn't have(plus a few extra bucks for a Z97 motherboard).....

Once I got home (after buying everything) I got on their website and seen the i3 is only a dual core :( And I could have got the i5-4590 (Only 3.3Ghz but it's a quad-core) for $20 more.....

My question is..should I..Is it worth the time and trouble to return the i3-4370 and get the i5-4590 for only $20 more??? (I want whatever is best for gaming)

If yes...is the stock cooler (not going to be overclocking) good enough?
or do I need to buy a aftermarket cooler?

and my last question....The power supply...Is it up to par with what I bought and is it up to par if you all tell me go get the i5?


you can see their processors here....like I said the i5-4590 is $159 and I paid $139 for the i3-4370
they also have a i5-4590S (only 3.0Ghz though) for $169 (what does the S mean)?

please take a look and tell me what processor is best for gaming with the motherboard and graphics card I bought...and what other changes, if any, I should make before I open any boxes.
Is the graphics card ok? I paid $169 (do you see anything better for that same price/or close on their website)?

I did want to buy a SSD but I am short on funds as it is...

Thanks to anyone that takes the time to read this and visit the micro center website to help me pick the parts that will work best for gaming....

Or should I hold off on building it and scrap both processors and just get the i5-4690k when I get the extra money? (again...I will never be overclocking)...


http://www.microcenter.com/search/search_results.aspx?N=4294966995+4294964566&NTX=&NTT=&NTK=all&page=1&sortby=pricelow

 
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reefmaster

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Hi Dan....Thanks so much for the reply!!!

No, I live in Michigan.....
The computer will be used for gaming and web surfing only....

and I'm pretty much stuck buying from microcenter.....They don't have that card :(

do you see anything here that is better than what I bought?

http://www.microcenter.com/search/search_results.aspx?Ntk=all&N=4294966937+4294963421+39&cat=%24100-to-%24200-%3a-GDDR5-%3a-Video-Cards-%3a-Video-Cards%2c-TV-Tuners-%3a-Computer-Parts-%3a-Micro-Center
 
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reefmaster

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I paid $169 for the card.....I could spend up to about $220 for a card...but pretty much stuck buying from microcenter Link provided above....
 
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reefmaster

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yeah, I thought for a extra $20 I should grab the i5.....Thanks!!!


now I see the card Dan listed for $199 is better http://www.microcenter.com/product/444116/GeForce_GTX_960_Superclocked_2GB_GDDR5_PCI-e_Video_Card


but then I seen this card for $209 and I'm a bit curious what's the better of the two
http://www.microcenter.com/product/443789/GeForce_GTX_960_Gaming_2GB_GDDR5_Video_Card

:) :bounce: :)
 
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reefmaster

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Thank you both for the replies and the help, the processor and the graphics card has been exchanged.....and yep, it only cost me $20 more to get the i5 :D .... I got your last reply off my phone while at micro-center and didn't see the darn link :( I didn't even see the ASUS card on the website until you linked it or I would have picked that one (I also prefer ASUS over EVGA my son has the ASUS R9 290 direct CU II OC 4Gb card and it's been a great card) I did grab the $209 EVGA card though :D (Micro-Center policy, I have 15 days to return anything if I decide to....even a used processor can be returned no questions asked within 15days.....so I'll try the EVGA and If I don't like it I'll go exchange it for the ASUS before the 15days is up) Thanks again and enjoy your weekend!!! you two have been a huge help!!!!
 
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SKIPPY PB

SKIPPY PB

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Personally I never let the salesman direct me without arming myself first. Impulse decisions make situations a little tough. And if you know a little you can figure out if hes trying to sell you something or if hes trying to help you.

Anyway try http://cpuboss.com/ and GPUBOSS for graphics cards. And you can stack different part up against each other. Its broken down with a simple bar graph system and has some descriptions to explain things. Also check out some reviews on the parts you are shopping for and see what others have to say with actual experience with the part.

What games are you trying to play on it?

Also what did you pay for each? Microcenter is pretty good but some parts are cheaper elsewhere and some parts they are the cheapest.




intel core i3-4370 (3.8Ghz)
ASRock H97M Pro4 motherboard
Gigabyte Radeon R9 270 GDDR5 (2gig) graphics card (Over clocked version)
DDR3 8gigs (2x 4gigs) 1600 ram
1TB Hard drive (7200 RPM)
optical drive
windows 8.1
Thermaltake TR2 600watt power supply
and a Thermaltake Versa H22 computer case

Prices for each?



Use PCpartpicker. You can build a system and choose all your parts. It will also show you going rates and the cheapest price on it and where. Also shows activate coupons/discounts. It will also show you predicted wattage usage with selected parts so you can find a good PSU.
 
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reefmaster

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Thanks for the websites....very helpful sites.....I will for sure use them in the future!!!
As for the salesman, I agree.....But there is no salesman going to have me buying something I don't want/agree with.....If he had his way I would have walked out of the store with a Titan X for a graphics card lol.....
but I so hate shopping online, and playing the delivery wait game is the worst....
micro-center is a 15minute drive from my house so I went that route.....

I went back to micro-center a 2nd time today and exchanged my graphics card again....LOL
ended up spending a extra $35 and bought the ASUS GeForce GTX 960 Overclocked 4GB GDDR5 for $244.99

My final build and Prices I paid are listed below.....(will be building it tomorrow...It's been a long day) :pt1cable:

intel core i5-4590 = $159.99
ASRock H97M Pro4 motherboard = $39.99 (only $39.99 because I bought a processor too...bundle price)
ASUS GeForce GTX 960 Overclocked 4GB GDDR5 = $244.99
DDR3 8gigs (2x 4gigs) 1600 ram = $44.99 ( $49.99 with a $5 off in store coupon = $44.99)
1TB Hard drive (7200 RPM) = $39.99
DVD optical drive = $18.99
Thermaltake TR2 600watt power supply = $49.99
Thermaltake Versa H22 computer case(4 fans included in box) = $39.99
windows 8.1 = $20 That's right....$20 (on reddit.....I always buy my OS's from a Moderator on reddit)
https://www.reddit.com/r/microsoftsoftwareswap/
(I have bought a few OS's from the same Moderator and never had a issue) They all fully activate and give me the option for the free windows 10 upgrade too.....

My Total cost including tax = $698.76
Plus one $15 dollar mail in rebate brings my total including tax to = $683.76 for everything......


As for what games I'll be playing....Not sure yet :D
My son want's me to play World of Warcraft with him....and probably a few steam games here and there.....I Wouldn't mind trying Skyrim out.....lot's of web browsing and a bit of facebook / youtube....


Thanks again for all the replies / help / opinions......and I hope you all have a great weekend!!!

 
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reefmaster

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I can build a computer (built more than a few) It's picking the right parts that give me the problem.....Them websites you listed will be a huge help in the future!!! I really like that PCpartpicker site.....even tells you if you have compatibility issues :D

Thanks again everyone!!!
 
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SKIPPY PB

SKIPPY PB

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I understand the webs got its flaws. Saving money is my number one so I deal with it. Microcenter is a great store im just not close enough to make it a reasonable option but if I am ever in there I grab stuff without hesitation. Nice card too. And whoa, whoa... you got Windows 8.1 for $20? Hook this guy up. I use 7 and XP and wouldn't mind throwing a full copy of 8 or 10 in the stable. The preview has to many bugs.

EDIT: I retract my previous statement. You already did hook it up kind sir.
 
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reefmaster

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[/quotemsg]EDIT: I retract my previous statement. You already did hook it up kind sir.[/quotemsg]

Yeah. I bought my first copy of 8.1 at microcenter (cost over $100) Then I found out about reddit and been buying there since I found out about it....

I buy from one of the Moderators....
name is s5ean and I've never had a problem....I've bought a few windows 8.1 and one windows 7 from him and they all fully activate...after updated they all automatically offer the free windows 10 when it's released (means you have a activated legal copy of windows or you wouldn't get that offer) and somewhere down the line Microsoft has been paid!!!

I use the disc I first bought for every 8.1 code I buy (so if family or friends have a disc you can use your good....or like I did for windows 7 if you don't have access to a disc there are links and directions on every post how and where to make a bootable copy of any OS you buy for yourself, It's very simple to do....(sometimes they send you download links with the code when you buy too).

Hope the info saves you and others some cash in the future!!!




 
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madmatt30

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^ s5eans keys are full retail too ,not OEM.
I've had a few off him ,only had 1 problem where it wouldn't activate & that was simply down to a 5 instead of an S on my part being inputted - on that occasion he was still very quick to respond when I emailed about it before pinpointing the error on my part.
 
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