Building Gaming Computer for under 800$

XForLife

Honorable
Mar 30, 2013
16
0
10,510
I'm hoping to start putting together a nice gaming computer for under 800$ or relitively close to that ammount, i am hoping to find something with 16gb ram, Very queit fans, a nice looking case that wont emmit too much light,power supply and parts arent a huge thing to me,i dont completely need a os with the purchase as i might be able to get one from one of my family members. i dont know much about computers in the hardware sence, so im really hoping to get some advice/tips or even what i should specifically get, i dont necessairly need a insane hard drive either, just something basic that i could maybe go about upgrading later on, my main game that i want a computer to run smoothly is gta 4, The computer is intended for gaming mainly gta 4, and such games but also a high music/movie demand, my current computer is a 2.70ghz AMD a6-4400m 6.0gb ram, 64 bit hp laptop, my desktop wich is almost on 24/7, is a 1.60ghz dual e2140 processor 1gb ram hp desktop.
Im able to play gta 4 a bit on my laptop with constant lag and glitching.
Im not sure if a 16gb ram would even effect what i want all that much, maybe 8 is good enough im open to all advice, i do put my computers through alot of troubles with constant movies, and im a really fast clicker and half the time i find myself typing to a blank/frozen screen.

Aswell what you guys think about having a computer run 24/7 wether it's harmfull to the computer or not, i do clean my computer monthly or every 2 weeks depends on the time i have on my hands.

Please just let me know what you think or even your opinion on what type of computer i should be looking at getting, concidering im not exactly gaming. keep in mind i may get into playing diablo 3, skyrim such games on my desktop computer, so please let me know if you come up with like a price plan wether its capable of playing those games or if its just capable of playing gta 4.
Also, i do alot of usb transferring so if it has like a faster usb port that would be great, but thats preference, cheapest way possible please, than i will have to budget the extra things after.

I appreciate all input and advice aswell as tips or even tricks to having a better computer, maintenence wise.
Thank you
 
Build your own:

http://cart.microcenter.com/cart.aspx?RedirectUrl=http://www.microcenter.com $168 mobo cpu combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811322067 $35 after rebate case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139040 $74 after rebate shipped; the case ps above is only to be used for testing
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233144 $56 8 gb ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121633 $93 video card after rebate shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135252 $60 blueray burner after rebate, out of stock
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236339 $75 1 tb drive; register with newegg for promo code savings
get your windows 7 unopened off craigslist for around $70 for the pro version

Total: about $632 after rebates

Oem system:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227472 $665 shipped

I also recommend an esd strap when handling components, especially the board, cpu, and ram. Esd damage doesn't take much current from your body to ruin a part, and it's permanent.


 

XForLife

Honorable
Mar 30, 2013
16
0
10,510


Thanks alot for the list of items, but are these prices us only? I live in canada so it seems the store is a little different
 

XForLife

Honorable
Mar 30, 2013
16
0
10,510


Will that 4 gb effect much for me? I dont need the windows or blue ray dvd, so it cuts out around 150 but would it change much to upgrade the 4gb ddr to 8 or more?
 

ballerslife

Distinguished
Jan 26, 2013
517
0
19,010
PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/Nisk
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/Nisk/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/Nisk/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($134.99 @ Canada Computers)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 EXTREME4 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.30 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($249.99 @ Newegg Canada
Case: Zalman Z11 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($23.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $743.24
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-30 16:30 EDT-0400)
 

burritobob

Honorable
Nov 14, 2012
1,082
2
11,460
CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1220 V2 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.74 @ NCIX)
Motherboard: MSI B75MA-E33 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($58.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($56.13 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($279.99 @ Memory Express)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 370 ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.88 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Essential 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($53.76 @ DirectCanada)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $801.47

This is going to be a bit better for your money...
 

XForLife

Honorable
Mar 30, 2013
16
0
10,510


I appreciate everyones help, im still looking to have kind of a list of different opinions than narrow it down,
Parts that are changable easily like hard drives dont need to be too big just because i could always order a bigger one later on or even with ram, aslong as it can support up to 16gb that would be awesome than i could play around with my money more. I really want something reliable that wont have any problems running most demanded games, or even just gta 4 if it has the capabilities to play more intense games like diablo 3 or skyrim i would really appreciate adding it in with the post.
 

burritobob

Honorable
Nov 14, 2012
1,082
2
11,460
You have more than enough capability with this build to play any game that you may wish. Even with all the eye candy on you will be looking at 60fps at 1080p without any problems at all.

There is support for 16GB ram

 

ballerslife

Distinguished
Jan 26, 2013
517
0
19,010
Why would you put a server CPU for a gaming build? If you want an Intel build, this will much better suit your needs.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Niqq
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Niqq/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Niqq/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($47.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($234.99 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill RNWD-N1502UBE 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($9.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z11 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $755.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-30 21:57 EDT-0400)
 

burritobob

Honorable
Nov 14, 2012
1,082
2
11,460
I love how people think the Xeon is a server CPU, it is just as good if not better in most games especially new ones...

I do agree with the 7870XT however...

BTW Get Canada pricing... it's a lot more. (Op's country)
 

XForLife

Honorable
Mar 30, 2013
16
0
10,510
I definetly been more intrested in your option even though its a bit more exspensive. But yeah i definetly need only canadian prices concidering that i live in canada.
 

XForLife

Honorable
Mar 30, 2013
16
0
10,510
Yeah lol, its a little past my budget i do still have some time before i actually decide but ive been seriously concidering the build you provided. Thanks again for that.
 

ballerslife

Distinguished
Jan 26, 2013
517
0
19,010
PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/NsmR
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/NsmR/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/NsmR/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($182.17 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.30 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($249.99 @ Newegg Canda)
Case: Zalman Z11 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($23.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $770.42
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-31 11:04 EDT-0400)

Under your budget, with Canadian prices. Will perform the same as my other build, with the exception of not being able to overclock. The original one I did is $850 in Canadian prices, but if you're not overclocking, my newer build will suit your needs.

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/Nirz
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/Nirz/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/Nirz/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($226.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.30 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($249.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: Zalman Z11 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($23.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $845.24
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-31 11:11 EDT-0400)
 

burritobob

Honorable
Nov 14, 2012
1,082
2
11,460


Worse* by a fair amount actually
 

ballerslife

Distinguished
Jan 26, 2013
517
0
19,010
Are you saying the 3350p is overpriced? It's better than your server CPU. Performs the same as the 3570k and the i7 3770k at stock performance. I don't really know much about motherboards, so OP can ask around for a good H77 mobo.
 

XForLife

Honorable
Mar 30, 2013
16
0
10,510
Keep in mind guys im not a orofessional or anything so it not like im guna be running anything big from it mainly games an some media sharing. But i appreciate capabilities of course im just looking for something that suits my needs the best and will last me.
 

XForLife

Honorable
Mar 30, 2013
16
0
10,510
Ive gone through some of the things, and im guna swipe off the entire server preference and just go for a gaming/basic needs computer, mainly gaming. I need it to be in canada funds, and with tax's aswell as shipping cost.
Im also looking at this build let me know what you guys think, http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/user/xforlife/saved/1pL8
Im changing the case and would like if someone can also find a case and power supply suitable, if you go over 800 thats aright just let me know.
this is my first build im honestly blind when it comes to most of this stuff, I will have about $1100 in the next few days witch allowed me to also look into a nice monitor, theirs one thing, im doing a trade for a monitor, 24" samsung monitor vga, and dvi inputs at i think 250cd/ms2, led. and $370 or $480 cash, how does that sound to you guys, 110 dollars less and i get that 24" monitor or buy the acer witch has hdmi input for 100

Im currently looking at these as basic wants

Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
Asus P8Z77-V ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
I would like to take off newegg.ca as a merchant aswell, if you disagree with these 3 things that im concidering please let me know aswell if you can please put a link to the parts list it would be greatly appreciate, i cant find all the parts that some people have posted and what not.