Help on my first time building a gaming computer?

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BrittonMiller

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Aug 24, 2015
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I recently join tomshardware.com because I am in dire need of help on building a gaming computer. I am putting together the list of the components I need and I am just lost on where to start. My budget is 1250 dollars and below, and so far all I have found is a GPU and a CPU (which I don't even know if they are compatible.) I am completely lost on what to do.

CPU= Intel Core i7-4790K @ 4.00GHz

GPU= Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 G1 Gaming GDDR5 Pcie Video Graphics Card, 4GB

Both of which are about 350$ each. Should I even go for that? Are there better options? Do they even work together? What are my next steps?

Signed- Guy who has no idea what he's doing. :/
 
Solution
CTurbo
You do not need an i7. The GTX970 is a great choice for your budget though.

This build is almost $1200 before rebates. I left some room because I was unsure if you needed the monitor and/or peripherals too.



PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.50 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-E ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($77.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($83.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage:...
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CTurbo

CTurbo

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Aug 27, 2013
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You do not need an i7. The GTX970 is a great choice for your budget though.

This build is almost $1200 before rebates. I left some room because I was unsure if you needed the monitor and/or peripherals too.



PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.50 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-E ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($77.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($83.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.98 @ Best Buy)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB SSC ACX 2.0 Video Card ($314.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($68.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($86.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1095.39
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-24 19:10 EDT-0400




I could make it cheaper if you need.
 
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SherbetAddict

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May 18, 2015
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That's a good build, but you can get Windows off G2A and /r/microsoftsoftwareswap

That'll only set you back $25 for an OS
 
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BrittonMiller

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Aug 24, 2015
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Thank you so much man, The cost is great, thank you so much, the planning phase of building a custom pc seemed so hard, but now I understand. Thanks again man!
 
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endeavour37a

endeavour37a

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Feb 25, 2013
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On a new gaming rig today why not go with the new Skylake CPU and PCH, the price difference is minimal and the benefits of the Z170 over the Z97 are worth the extra few bucks, the CPU is also a bit better in some ways but that does not matter really. A LGA 1151 board should fit the next Gen from Intel also so it may last a bit longer.
The i5 6600k is $10 more than a 4690, a Z170 MB a bit more than a Z97 board due to the DDR4 support and that sort of thing.
 
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SherbetAddict

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DDR4 is expensive. Also, Skylake CPUs only offer a small performance difference ~5%.
 
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endeavour37a

endeavour37a

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Feb 25, 2013
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I agree on the CPU, though from the reviews I have read they OC very nice and consistent. The Z170 is the real draw in terms of a better overall rig, it has some nice improvements worth looking at. DDR4 is more expensive for sure, but the price seems to be always dropping and the difference now is much less than it was 6 months ago. The extra speed may not even matter much in games, a few FPS perhaps. But that is where we are going, to DDR4 or DDR3L. well not really going it seems we are here (unless it's a AMD rig).

Not trying to talk you into anything, just giving my 2-bits.
 
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