First PC Build and need advice

APOLL0

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Jul 26, 2015
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I am attempting to put together my first gaming rig (also my everyday use). I don't know very much about building computers and could use a hand. Here is a link to my parts list.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JVM2D3

I am on a budget and need to know: Will this setup work? Can I do a better build for cheaper?

I'll mostly be using it for school work, but also like to play games and stream mkvs (from my personal movie collection) to other devices on my home network. I'm currently in nurse anesthesia school and do tons of multi-tasking like streaming class video, writing papers, downloading and uploading large files. My current pc is old and slow.

My goal is to be under 1000 dollars, have a system that will be able to keep up for several years as well as play some high quality games and movies when life permits.



 
Solution
This is a much better build. Will perform faster in games by 20+% and also in multitasking by 30+%

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($232.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($87.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Trident X 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 380 4GB Nitro Video Card ($223.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Commander G42 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply:...
This is a much better build. Will perform faster in games by 20+% and also in multitasking by 30+%

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($232.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($87.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Trident X 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 380 4GB Nitro Video Card ($223.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Commander G42 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($46.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.75 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($86.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer S220HQLAbd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $996.54
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-26 16:17 EDT-0400

Read the guide in my signature called "CPU FAQ".

The FX Series chips are equal to a i3ish kind of CPU. In games it looses and in all renders it looses except X264 encoding the Xeon here will perform equal to a i7 in games and a i7 in renders.

With the FX 9xxx Chips AMD recommends (more like requires) a 1000w PSU and water cooling along with a much better motherboard that will cost 100-160 dollars. The HIVE unit you chose is not that great and may even damage your parts.

If you need cheaper here is a build with 2x4 instead of 2x8.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($232.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($87.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($55.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 380 2GB Dual-X Video Card ($203.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Commander G42 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($46.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.75 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($86.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer S220HQLAbd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $922.54
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-26 16:16 EDT-0400
 
Solution

APOLL0

Reputable
Jul 26, 2015
3
0
4,510
Thank for the quick reply Intel Master.

Do you think I could get away with knocking the ram down to 8 gigs instead of 16gigs with the xenon? I was also wondering how to pick the best power supply. I find the power supply jargon confusing, modular, semi modular, full, +, 80+, 80+ bronze, gold etc.

Thanks
 
The second build I posted has 8gb instead of 16. Modular PSUs mean you plug the cables into them instead of it coming out and semi means you plug some cables into it. Gold rated and all those other ratings are meaningless. You need to know the actual maker of the power supply to understand if it is a good one or not. Everything in both builds are 100% spec parts and stuff I would use in my own builds for anything if it was gaming / rendering / virtual and anything else. :)