Point me in the right direction for first PC build suggestions

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evanya84

Nov 9, 2018
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I want to build a PC for the first time. I've been looking at build lists on pcpartpicker, but I'm a bit overwhelmed and haven't chosen a build because they all pretty much look the same to me... can someone point me in the right direction for how to choose a build based on my criteria below?

My needs
- I mostly use my PC lightly for web browsing and watching stuff, and then some gaming.
- I don't game intensively, but I'd like to be able run a few modern FPS on my nice 144hz monitor, without getting into overclocking or anything (not experienced in that). No cooling systems or anything fancy, so I guess an entry level gaming system is what I'm looking for.
-I don't need tons of space, 500gb is probably plenty (so just one SSD? Why would I need 2?)

Budget - $1000 max

Previous experience level - Haven't built a system from scratch, but about 10-15 years ago I modified PCs. For example: adding memory, hard drives, replacing power supplies, upgrading gfx card, making dual boot systems... I even still have some Arctic Silver 5 laying around! This was over a decade ago, though, and I have not owned a desktop since then.

 
Solution
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With your budget, you can build a pretty good system. A lot of gamers lean towards Ryzen these days over an Intel. If you're not a hardcore gamer and not going to cry over 2 fps perfor.mance difference, then it's really a matter of preference I think. Either AMD or Intel will perform well enough for your needs. I prefer Intel myself and haven't used an AMD since the Athlon was the size of a poptart. (and known for extreme heat) The AMD will probably be a little cheaper.

The exact AMD to consider I can't offer feedback on without doing a little research (ryzen 3,5,7). But for Intel, I'd say go with an i5. If you do, anything 8th gen will require a 300-series motherboard. So just keep that in mind. You'll see boards with an 1151...
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phaelax

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Nov 19, 2013
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With your budget, you can build a pretty good system. A lot of gamers lean towards Ryzen these days over an Intel. If you're not a hardcore gamer and not going to cry over 2 fps perfor.mance difference, then it's really a matter of preference I think. Either AMD or Intel will perform well enough for your needs. I prefer Intel myself and haven't used an AMD since the Athlon was the size of a poptart. (and known for extreme heat) The AMD will probably be a little cheaper.

The exact AMD to consider I can't offer feedback on without doing a little research (ryzen 3,5,7). But for Intel, I'd say go with an i5. If you do, anything 8th gen will require a 300-series motherboard. So just keep that in mind. You'll see boards with an 1151 socket, but that doesn't mean it'll work with the 8th gen CPUs.

A stock cooler on the CPU will probably do you just fine. Sure there are better, but the stock coolers actually can handle minor overclocking without issues. For something a little better, I like the Corsair water coolers. It's no more trouble installing than a standard heatsink and fan.

RAM. DDR4 is the standard these days, I think 8GB would be fine for you. If it fits the budget, 16GB wouldn't hurt for future proofing. (I have 32 but I have my reasons) Install in matching pairs, so either two 4GB modules or two 8GB. Or you can do four 4GB. It's just a performance thing for dual channel.

You should be able to get a 500GB SSD within the build's budget. Maybe even higher.

For GPU, again I'm more knowledgeable on Nvidia than the Radeons. I have a 1060 myself. I have 75hz monitor and not 144, and only a moderate gamer. Performs very well for me and the 1060 isn't that expensive. If you want to do 4k gaming, you'll need something more powerful to make it worth it.

Power supply, please don't go cheap on this. You don't have to spend $170 on a seasonic prime titanium like I did, but don't get the budget $30 PSU either. It matters! Get something reputable.


Case will really be a matter of your own taste. I don't like fancy lights and clear windows, I go for clean, simple, and sleek. Prices here range quite a bit. And just because is $30 doesn't mean it's garbage.
 
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evanya84

Nov 9, 2018
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Thank you so much, this helps steer me in the right direction!

Regarding the case and motherboard form factor: I could get away with having a micro ATX with this build, right? I don't think I'll have anything other than the graphics card, and two 8gb ram sticks, and MAYBE another HHD. (Are those the main limitations to a smaller board?) I prefer a smaller chassis anyway, not a big bulky box. Any particular suggestions for the mobo?

Regarding the video card: I want to be able to use the 144hz for desktop use, but I realize that I don't necessarily need 144fps for games (because that would require a very expensive card), so I'd be happy enough at 60fps 144hz. Do you think the Nvidia 1060 can do this, ***via HMDI?*** (Yes, my monitor strictly only outputs 144hz through its HDMI port, which is rare, I know. Otherwise all it has is a VGA port).

Thanks again for taking the time to respond!
 
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evanya84

Nov 9, 2018
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1920x1080

Also worth noting -- my monitor ONLY outputs 144hz through its HDMI port. (Otherwise all it has is VGA). So will this be a problem when selecting a graphics card? I know most cards output 144hz through either DisplayPort or DVI ...
 
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SgtScream

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Dec 8, 2016
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I'm setting you up with an Intel build, due to the higher IPC and boost clocks. This will help match frames per second with your monitor's refresh rate:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8600 3.1 GHz 6-Core Processor ($249.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - Fatal1ty H370 Performance ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($139.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung - 860 Evo 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI - GeForce GTX 1070 Ti 8 GB Video Card ($394.00 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT - H500 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($72.12 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - S12II 620 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg Business)
Total: $1075.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-11-13 11:45 EST-0500

After you finish building it, make sure you update the bios and set XMP to 3200mhz.
 
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evanya84

Nov 9, 2018
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Thank you, it seems really awesome and more high-end than I was expecting (but I guess the budget allows it).

Do you think the graphics card can output the 144hz via HDMI? (My monitor specifically only outputs 144hz via HDMI).

Also, I was wondering about form factor... if I can get away with it, I don't want a huge bulky case. Being that all I have is one graphics card and a couple of ram sticks, can I get away with micro atx?
 
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evanya84

Nov 9, 2018
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Well then I guess I can't use that card. Am I going to have trouble finding a card that outputs 144hz via HDMI port?
 
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evanya84

Nov 9, 2018
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HDMI can support up to 240 Hz (look it up on wiki). It's just uncommon for most devices, so that's why most people think it maxes at 60hz. Like I said, my monitor is 144hz and only outputs via HDMI. It exists.

I'll have to look it up myself, I just thought maybe you knew. I guess I could get an HDMI / DVI or HDMI / DisplayPort adapter if I need to, right?
 
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evanya84

Nov 9, 2018
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My monitor isn't old, it's a ViewSonic VX2758-C-MH with HDMI 2.0 (which isn't old either). It literally says on the website (and in the manual):
"144Hz refresh rate only available through HDMI."
This monitor *only* has HDMI and VGA. Now why would they sell a monitor advertised at 144hz if VGA clearly doesn't go that high? (VGA has a limit of 70hz).
And here is wiki's table regarding refresh rate limits for HDMI to see for yourself: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI#Refresh_frequency_limits_for_standard_video
 
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phaelax

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Viewsonic's website for that monitor specifically states: "*144Hz refresh rate only available through HDMI"
And yes, that graphics card has HDMI.

And I agree with evanya84's build, it looks pretty good to me. Yes you could go with a micro-ATX to fit a smaller case. Just make sure whatever case you do get is long enough to accommodate a full size graphics card.
 
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