PC Gaming build between $2,000-3,000 USD

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Dogonamtn

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My budget is for the tower alone. I can be a hard core gamer, and I've always wanted to get into twitch game streaming. I currently own an Alienware laptop I paid a little over 4k almost 2 years ago, which has served me well due to my constantly on-the-go job. Heavy to transport, but for the most part runs any game I've thrown at it with good, but not maxed out graphics.

Thing is, I'm no longer constantly leaving the state/country, so now this giant laptop is kind of a tease when it comes to gaming performance compared to what I could of bought with the same amount in a desk top. I'm not sure, but I believe I would need a capture card if I would like to stream my xbox one games through my PC as well.

I will also take suggestions for monitors and peripherals. Don't feel the need for -the best- of everything, but I can afford to splurge, so I typically go with 'nicer' options. Figure I'll end up with two monitors; one quality for gaming, the other for holding apps like OBS and the like in support of the first.

I understand tech and software enough to fiddle with it a bit, but not enough to say I'm proficient. So, I figure I would turn to the people on here for the "What to buy, and why" question(s).

Please help :)
 
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ps3hacker12

ps3hacker12

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Pretty much the best on the market (without excessive spending):
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($374.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170XP-SLI ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($158.97 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card ($619.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair RM 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.89 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($91.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1774.55
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-11 11:30 EST-0500

The two 2TB hard drives are for RAID0
 
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logainofhades

logainofhades

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This will play any game you want, and easily handle your recording/Streaming as well. I admit I do not know much about capture cards, but the one I chose is one a friend of mine has been wanting. It is supposed to be a good one, according to his circle of gamers that record/stream PS4 gameplay.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor ($384.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Nepton 280L 122.5 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($120.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI X99A Raider ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($222.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($103.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($158.97 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Superclocked ACX 2.0+ Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($649.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Superclocked ACX 2.0+ Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($649.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000G2 1000W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($163.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($48.88 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($91.88 @ OutletPC)
Other: El Gato Capture card HD 60 Pro ($199.99)
Total: $2971.61
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-11 11:31 EST-0500
 
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Dogonamtn

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Hey, I totally appreciate both your responses. Also dig the price variance. I'll definitely look at both offers in closer depth.

I also work a part time job at best buy, for the employee discount really. So I'll see if I can price match and then get the employee discount on any of the above items as well.

I'll look at any other offers as well :) much obliged folks.
 
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BennCon

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This is what I came up with:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($374.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($151.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Dominator Platinum 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($299.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($158.97 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($83.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Superclocked+ ACX 2.0+ Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($649.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Superclocked+ ACX 2.0+ Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($649.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Switch 810 (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($164.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 P2 1000W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($184.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($47.00 @ Adorama)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($91.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $2998.65
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-11 11:41 EST-0500

I combined the best of the other answers, and got you a nice white/black colour scheme. That will definitely be enough for anything you throw at it and fills your budget nicely.
 
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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One thing I will say - even if you do work at Best Buy, don't buy their house brands (Rocketfish and Insignia). Their power supplies are not good in any circumstance. :lol:

I'll do something similar to logain's build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor ($379.99 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG R1 Ultimate 76.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock X99 OC Formula EATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($263.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($103.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($116.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($639.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($639.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Luxe ATX Full Tower Case ($142.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 P2 1000W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($184.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.88 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 OEM (64-bit) ($88.95 @ OutletPC)
Total: $2743.62
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-11 11:45 EST-0500

This one is based around Asrock's excellent OC Formula board and has dual MSI Lightning LE cards, not to mention a nice black and gold theme throughout.
 
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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Depends on what your monitor resolution is. The OP has a $3K budget. If you're building this for a long term rig, I assume that the OP would most definitely not be sticking with 1080P.

If so 980TI will last you quite a while for 1440P, if you want to move beyond that, such as a 4K or multiple 4K displays, or Oculus you will be needing all the horsepower that you can get.
 
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drpower

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Phanteks Enthoo Evolv
EVGA X99 Micro2
Intel i7-5820k 3.3GHz
Kingston HyperX FURY 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4 2666MHz
EVGA 850w G2 Fully Modular Gold
Samsung 950 Pro 512GB M.2
Samsung 850 EVO 500GB
be quiet! DARK ROCK PRO 3 CPU Cooler
EVGA ACX GTX 980 ti 6GB
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
Acer X34 Predator 34" Curved

Look at the data transfer rate of the Samsung 950 Pro 512GB
 
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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I would say a definite "NO" to that monitor. It's nice but it's $1200 freaking bucks. Even if you're in the market for that type of monitor, you can get the exact same thing from LG or Samsung for $500 less than that freaking Acer display. It's absolutely ridiculous. You can get 2x4K monitors for that price. And possibly still have money to put toward a third. And do you really need a 500GB SSD when you can get a 2TB mechanical drive for less money and four times the storage? Think about that one for a minute.
 
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drpower

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I've had my computer for over 3 years, I have a 24MP camera and a 4K Drone, over 60 Steam games but only 8 downloaded. System total of 312GB used up. I guess if you keep all of your data then yes a 2TB HDD is a better option, I agree about the monitor also.
 
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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But again why do you need a 500GB SSD if you already have the M2 drive as your boot device? You will notice no performance gain.

And why recommend that monitor? There's much better options for much lower prices.
 
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Dogonamtn

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Well, I'm totally cool with 1 500gb SSD for the main OS hard drive and such. The 2 or 3 TB mechanical option is fine for my storage option.


Peripheral wise I have:
Logitec C920 HD Pro Webcam
Razer naga mouse
Logic keyboard (no clue on brand or title name, just that it works)
Might need:
Microphone, maybe.
Better keyboard? Meh.


So all I really need are 2 screens, one really good one (possibly 4k?), and one decent screen to hold my extra app's like OBS and the like. Have been considering one of these two screens:
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-MG279Q-Screen-LED-Lit-Monitor/dp/B00ZOO348C/ref=zg_bsnr_1292115011_5?tag=amazon0606-20
or
http://www.amazon.com/Acer-XB270HU-bprz-27-inch-Widescreen/dp/B00UPVXDA8/?tag=amazon0606-20

Then for a budget monitor, something in the 300-400 range most likely. Secondary doesn't have to be nearly as good as the primary.


Appreciate everyone's input.
 
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BennCon

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I don't know much of monitors so I won't have much say here, but it's important to get the G-sync one (the latter of your two choices) rather than freesync, assuming you're getting the 980 ti for your GPU. G-sync and Freesync monitors have a variable refresh rate so you don't have to cap yourself to 60fps when gaming to avoid screen tearing and flickering. G-sync is the option for Nvidia GPUs, Freesync is for AMD GPUs.
 
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Dogonamtn

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Aha, did not know that at all, so thank you Mr. Benncon. I will definitely look at G-sync option monitors for this build.

I do want to get into oculus when it does come out, but most likely not the initial release since most things are littered with bugs until their second iteration.

As for 4k monitors. Much as I like the 'idea' of them, I personally see little to no difference between a 1444p monitor and 4k, plus they tend to cost way way more.

As I've said, I like to get quality things, and with my 3k budget for the tower, I only intend to buy one monitor around 700-800 and the other will probably be somewhere around 400ish. No need/want for a 3rd, and the second monitor will mostly just be for holding apps like OBS/etc on a separate screen.

Really appreciate the input everyone has given so far. I have options, and am going with what seems like the best one. Wish I understood more about computer stuff and integration so I would know everything would sync well, or what would be most optimal, but you all seem to put together in a few minutes what would of taken me a few weeks.
 
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