Looking for a gaming/streaming pc

ThatKidDamian

Commendable
Jun 27, 2016
10
0
1,510
Hey guys, So I want to buy a gaming pc that can run any game without a problem and can steam without a problem. My budget its $1500 but I can go above if that means better performance! I was thinking about building one but I've never done it so I'm not to sure. If you guys can let me know what the best option to build or to buy and if you guys have any good recommendations on some prebuilds.
 

ThatKidDamian

Commendable
Jun 27, 2016
10
0
1,510


$1500 give or take it only for the pc! I do need OS. Right now its just basic games but in the near future i want to get into the bigger titles and graphic intensive games as well as VR. If building isn't that hard then yea ill do that if it's worth it
 
A $1500 budget will deliver a really great gaming box. Here's a pretty simple build (uses stock CPU cooler for an easier install):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($204.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H170-GAMING 3 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($154.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 8GB Founders Edition Video Card ($699.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.88 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($83.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1492.18
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-27 22:10 EDT-0400

There are plenty of other ways to tweak this., But it will definitely be a great gaming box.
 
An i7 is definitely a better processor, especially for heavily threaded applications like editing. For the average gamer I don't think there is enough benefit to justify the increase in price.

As far as longevity is concerned, there may be a little increase with an i7, but historically there isn't much. The improvements in IPC with newer processors tend to outweigh the additional threads when you start talking about 7+ years down the road.

Stock cooler vs aftermarket doesn't make too much of a difference if you aren't overclocking. They definitely will help the processor run cooler, but really most modern Intel chips don't get beyond 55 or 60c at stock clocks, which isn't bad at all (I use a stock cooler). Aftermarket coolers can definitely be a little quieter, which is nice. And they also look cooler, if that's your thing.

If this was my build and money, I'd stick to the $1500 price point and the i5, much more bang for the buck at that price. You can spend the extra money on a nicer monitor. Aftermarket cooler is optional, I kept my stock to save a few bucks and out of laziness (some coolers are a royal pain to install).
 

ThatKidDamian

Commendable
Jun 27, 2016
10
0
1,510


So the i5 can handle streaming and gaming with no problem?
 
An i7 is a better processor for some, depending on their uses. In the case of streaming the i7 does offer advantages, but it is dependent upon the games you play and the method you use to stream. But many people are successful with both the i5 and i7 with gaming and streaming.

Unfortunately I don't have enough experience in streaming to comment much on the exact impact you will see. If you can afford the extra money, it definitely can't hurt to buy the i7. Probably the "best of both worlds" approach would be to get a Xeon.
 

ThatKidDamian

Commendable
Jun 27, 2016
10
0
1,510
I'm not trying to bother but if you can, can you make me a build with an i7 i don't mind going over and with a nzxt h440 case i think those are so nice! If you can't don't worry about it. Thanks
 
You sir, have good taste in cases. Now I feel obliged to give you a black/red themed build.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($297.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H170-GAMING 3 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($99.88 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: A-Data Premier SP550 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 1080 8GB GAMING X 8G Video Card ($724.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT H440 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($118.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($71.90 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($85.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $1555.16
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-28 16:51 EDT-0400

I dropped the SSD from 500gb to a 240gb Adata to keep the price from jumping up too much. But at the same time I improved the GPU to the MSI Gaming edition which 1) They always make really nice models and 2) It's black and red. Otherwise this build is pretty similar with the i7. However if you are really going for the 100% awesome look you may want to add in a cheap CPU cooler as the stock one looks kinda boring through the window. Something like a cheap hyper 212 or a cheap liquid cooler would look sleek.
 

ThatKidDamian

Commendable
Jun 27, 2016
10
0
1,510
Thank you so much but I think ima go with a white and black theme build. Seen way too many black and red but you don't have to create another list if you don't want too. Does the unlocked version of cpus make a difference? Btw thank you so much you really have been the best
 
Challenge accepted.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($297.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H170-D3H ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($89.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport LT 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: A-Data Premier SP550 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 8GB Founders Edition Video Card ($699.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT H440 (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($118.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($71.90 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($85.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $1527.28
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-28 17:32 EDT-0400

Unlocked is only useful if you are going to overclock. I personally don't think it's worth the money for the average user that doesn't want to really dive into tuning the settings in order to get a big stable overclock.
 
Solution