Building first PC. Need part selection help. ($400-700)

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Lil Penguin

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I want to build myself a PC and I've found some parts:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/fCjy6h

The problem is, these parts are a little expensive and I can't decide which parts to cheap out on. I have considered getting a Pentium G3258 instead of the i5-4590 to cut costs down a little, but I have heard some games don't even open with a dual core. I'd like to keep the computer's total price tag below $600'ish including Windows($100). But if it goes over a little, it is okay as long as the extra money paid is worth it. I would also like to keep the CPU and GPU from Intel and Nvidia. Also, the GTX 960 in the pcpartpicker link is actually about $180.
 
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N3rdR4ge

N3rdR4ge

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$600 dollar build looks like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4170 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($112.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($57.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card ($179.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cougar Spike MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($33.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Antec Green 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($47.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($89.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $603.59
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-09 01:06 EST-0500
 
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PTOWN GAMER

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no here i will give you a nice setup
CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117372&nm_mc=HookLogic&cm_sp=HookLogic-_-Processors+-+Desktops-_-Intel-_-19117372
Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130760&cm_re=1150_motherboard-_-13-130-760-_-Product
Ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428&cm_re=8gb_ram-_-20-231-428-_-Product
GPU
the one you chose from partpicker.
Storage
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236339&cm_re=1tb_hardrive-_-22-236-339-_-Product
Power supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139054&cm_re=650w_power_supply-_-17-139-054-_-Product
Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146181&cm_re=nzxt_240-_-11-146-181-_-Product

thats about $790.
but its worth it, I didnt include a SSD cause you dont really need it.
this is without windows, cause windows is a one time purchase. Unless you borrow from a friend.
it doesnt have a cd drive, since in assuming you will be downloading games.
Cd drives cost around $20.
but if you want a decent rig you should really spend around $800.
the case is cheap and will last you a long time, you can use it for another build too.
 
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N3rdR4ge

N3rdR4ge

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1) you picked out an overpriced, overclocking processor which is completely unnecessary in a $400-$700 build.
2) overclocking requires a cpu cooler which you did not recommend.
3) the board you picked isnt bad, but if he has an overclocking processor he will need something more robust.
4) you picked a very overpriced psu for this budget range
5) you picked an overpriced case for this budget range
6) you are $190 over the maximum he wants to spend. "total price tag below $600'ish". not even sure you accounted for the $100 os.

overall your build is very off balance. $800 would most definitely be a good price point to start out with, but thats not what he is asking for. an ssd is a nice to have, but not a necessity and will not improve gaming performance.

here is a list of links i made that can help you learn to give better recommendations:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gnNJd2s7nuhmEvikYqrbQLqniSsn_gXjk3y0vH44u7o/edit#gid=1563910411
 
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PTOWN GAMER

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I know all of what you said, but he Might aswell dish out $200 more, so he has better performance. And Windows is a one time investment, you can use the same windows for like, 10-15 years. Overclocking CPU is becasue he might want to upgrade his gpu in the future, then he would need more, power. so he only has to buy another GPU, not the CPU.
I put up a long term build. Like then if he has to go with a weak CPU then when he wants a NEW GPU, he will have to buy a new CPU to help. which means he will have to get a new motherboard aswell. And i did not say he has to overclock the CPU, overclocking can come in handy after a few years when he needs more performance out of it.

maybe i should look at your setup and criticize about it.
 
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PTOWN GAMER

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Yeah yeah nice build, now when he wants to upgrade to better hardware in the future, eg. Crossfire or SLI, he will have to buy a new motherboard, new Case, new CPU. Like if your so smart with suggestions you could have suggested him a Mid tower case, that can hold micro ATX and ATX boards. Now if he would want a ATX board he will need to buy a new CASE. And he will need a new power supply if he wants stronger parts in the future.

the things you can future proof the most is
Harddrive
CASE
PSU
RAM
I was giving my honest opinion and a build but you had to come in and criticize it. you could of just said something like, its a good build, but its just abit out of his price range. You dont have to rant about my recommendation. I never rant about other peoples answer.
you know what would be awesome:

If he actually ends up building my build instead of yours, that would be a Facepalm to you.
 
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PTOWN GAMER

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im not going to criticize your personal build,

i have already criticized the build you suggest to the OP, look 2 posts above.

And look at you, you want me to look at your personal build, which is in your signature. You clearly knew i was talking about criticizing your reccomendation, but no you just want to show off your build, so u make it as if i was talking about your personal build.
 
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N3rdR4ge

N3rdR4ge

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haha, i dont care if you look at my build. i didnt even color match it. its not for show. the way you worded it sounds like you are referring to my personal build. reread it.

"maybe i should look at your setup and criticize about it."

worrying about upgrade-ability in a $600 build is pointless. he should get his moneys worth first.
 
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azaran

azaran

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If you're trying to stay in the quad core range and have a solid build, take a look. For the price range you're looking at you wont be able to future proof for SLI or OCing your cpu. But then most people don't get in to that anyway. If you want to be able to get in to that range of things expect to start at the 1k mark.
Nipped and tucked a few parts here and there.
I yanked the SSD, its nice but its very easy to add later if you find you really want the speed and you can budget for it.
The PSU you chose, while nice to have a 650w, it wasn't a great quality build. The G1 series from EVGA had some problems.
Changed out the RAM. Only a slight reduction in price but you're never going to notice the difference between 1866 and 1600 and the Ripjaws have tighter timings.
Added a Optical because your OS will need it (since it looks like you aren't coming from a prior build that already had windows). If you end up getting the downloadable version you can nix it.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($84.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card ($218.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.89 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $817.79
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-09 02:02 EST-0500
 
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azaran

azaran

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Could shave like an extra $10 or so if going with an H97 board instead but the reviews just didn't look as good. I would say the Evo was a hard one to give up tho. I've grown to really dislike Intels stock cooling but for a budget build its one of the first cuts, and an easy one to put on later on in the game when cash is budgeted for it.
 
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PTOWN GAMER

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removed - SS

azaran also reccomends $800, he didnt give a $600 build. why you aint messin with him? Maybe he will hunt you and knock you out if you talk crap about his suggestion. So now you have to be a nice guy to him so he wont knock you out.

Azaran No hate to you, and your build is solid, you did the right thing going over the OPs price limit. Cause you dont want to keep him in the dark by saying "oh yeah you can build a good gaiming PC for $600" good on ya Azaran.

 
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N3rdR4ge

N3rdR4ge

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yea but the z97 makes more sense based on pricing right now. evo is always an awesome first option for $25 bux. it really isnt needed, but cooler temps=longer lifespan. cant go wrong with that. not to mention its a whole lot quieter than intel's stock one.
 
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azaran

azaran

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The Cryorig M9i seems to be like its going to give the Evo a run for its money. Right now its cheaper (before rebate) than the Evo, it has no overhanging bits over the RAM slots and the mounting system looks heads and shoulders above the Evo. Reviews also seem to have it beating the Evo out by about a degree.
 
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-HH-

-HH-

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How about this?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($174.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97M-HD3 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($77.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill AEGIS 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 380 4GB NITRO Dual-X OC Video Card ($178.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill Galaxy-02 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($89.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $695.68
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-09 05:51 EST-0500
 
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Lil Penguin

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I like the build, but should I get a Pentuim G3258 with a z97 motherboard or the i3-4170 with a h97 motherboard? The total of the two combinations are similar, and I can always upgrade in the future.
 
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Lil Penguin

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Your build is great, but like N3rdR4ge said, I can't afford it in my budget. I'd like to keep it under $600. Over $700 is a bit pushing the budget, so 790 is a little too much.
 
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