$600-$800 Gaming PC

ElGato

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Hi guys,
I'm looking to try my hand at building my own gaming PC, but the whole selection of parts and compatibility is a bit daunting. If any of you care to toss around some suggestions I would really appreciate it. I play MMO's almost exclusively, so I'm looking for something to run steady FPS with most of the bells and whistles on (currently playing: Wildstar, SWTOR, GW2). Want to spend between $600-$800 and have it be a bit future proof if possible. Thanks again!
p.s. have a 24 inch monitor I'd reuse
 

Nathan Willis

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Use PC Part Picker.

http://pcpartpicker.com/

It will tell you if your parts are compatible. It will also give you reviews and pricing.

Do not cheap put on the PSU! Most people do that and it causes them tons of problem down the line.

This may be of some help:

http://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Computer

http://lifehacker.com/5828747/how-to-build-a-computer-from-scratch-the-complete-guide

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-your-own-pc,2601.html

Google any question (Or ask) so you can start with a full head.
Happy computing!
 
For MMOs you'll definitely want an Intel CPU. AMD CPUs really lose out in MMOs, for various reasons.

You'll need to make sure that your CPU is compatible with your motherboard. The LGA 1150 socket is Intel's newest, and generally most recommended.
Are you looking for someone to recommend a build, or just general advice so you can choose something yourself?
 

ElGato

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I'm open to recommendations. I'm attempting to do the research myself, but it's a lot to take in for someone new to building. I've upgraded GPU's and power supplies before, so I'm not completely green just out of the loop on current tech. I may try to throw something together on partpicker, but I'm open to an suggestions you guys want to throw out. Thanks
 

ElGato

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I gave PCpartpicker a shot, came in a little higher than I would have liked, but not awful. I'm not familiar with overclocking, so I'm just looking for something that has the raw power to run these game smoothly without much tweeking. http://pcpartpicker.com/p/29TMTW I'm was also taking a look at this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1681376&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL061014&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL061014-_-EMC-061014-Index-_-Combo-_-Combo1681376-LM2A combo over at Newegg.
 

Nathan Willis

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The build on Neweeg is not bad. The PSU that comes with the kit is junk though.
Get a good XFX or Seasonic. Corsair has a few good models too.
If you have a bit of extra money you may want to get an SSD too.
It will speed up your load times ETC. Use another HDD to store all of your data.
The SSD would be for your OS and programs. The 750 Ti is not bad.
You may be able to spend just a bit more and get a better GPU though.

We could spend your money all day though. :)

If you decide to go with that build on Neweeg get a good PSU!
You do not want to kill everything else because the PSU failed.

The build on Part Picker is better. It has a better PSU. (XFX)
The case is a little cheap. For $20 more you could get a nice Cooler Master case.
Most cheap cases will just fall apart. Junk!

If you can save a little more money an SSD and better GPU will make your system faster and more future proof.
 

ElGato

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Thanks for the reply Nathan, can you suggest a GPU improvement to the Part Picker build? And do you see anywhere in that build I could shave a few dollars to add an SSD? Like I said, I mainly MMO, so I'm not sure if I'm going overkill, but I do enjoy running things smoothly. Thanks again for the help.
 

Nathan Willis

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If only playing MMOs the 750 TI will be fine.
An SSD will improve most computer tasks though.
There is not any places int the build where I would recommend cutting corners.
(Unless you want junk parts)

All in all it looks great. If you ever plan to OC get a good Noctua cooler or something.
 

ElGato

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I added a 128gb SSD, brings the total a little higher than I wanted to spend, but in debating grabbing a lower costing CPU, GPU, and MB I realize I'll just be putting the money back in a year or two with upgrades. One question, I will need windows for the new system, should I grab 7 or does 8.1 fix the problems people were complaining about in 8? Here's the updated list: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/ElGato2/saved/K422FT Also I notice in the notes on partpicker something about USB 3.0 between the MB and case, anything I should worry about?
 

Nathan Willis

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No, do not worry about the USB. Everything new is USB 3.0.
You can use USB 2.0 to 3.0 adapter is you have an older case too.

I would go with Windows 7. It is really what you want though.
I'm waiting for Windows 9 before I upgraded.
 

Nathan Willis

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Because your only play MMOs the older build will be better.

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/ElGato2/saved/K422FT

What games do you play?

I would recommend getting everything for the build but the GPU.
You could use the Ingratiated Graphics for awhile.

Then you could save up more money and get a GTX 770 later on.
It would be worth the wait in the long run!

You do not want to cheap out because you will pay more in the long run for upgrades.

I've done it and regret it. Now I have old CPUs and stuff I will never use.
 

ElGato

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Hey Nathan, thanks as always for the help. I'm mainly playing Wildstar, SWTOR, and GW 2 at the moment. I tried one more time to adjust a few things to have an i5 4590 and a GTX 770, what do you think? http://pcpartpicker.com/user/ElGato2/saved/2T3H99 right in below $900 which works great for me. Would I need an after market csu cooler or would the stock work in that if I didn't plan to overclock?
 

ElGato

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Just got done ordering everything up. I'll let you know how I make out with the build. Again, thanks for the guidance and input. Cheers!
 

ElGato

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So I'm getting ready to put everything together tomorrow and I've been trying to study up on everything and I have a question relating to drivers. I'm looking to download all of the important driver updates to a removable HD so I can install them straight off that after installing Windows. My question is when looking at the main MB drivers I know I need Chipset, LAN, USB, and Audio. There are also a few SATA RAID/AHCI drivers on Gigabytes page and I'm wondering if I need those? While searching the subject I'm getting a bit confused because it seems some of them need to be installed prior to OS being installed? Thanks for the help.
 

Nathan Willis

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The SATA, RAID and ACHI drivers are needed.
You do not need to install drivers before the OS.
Just install the OS and then install the drivers 1x at a time.
Make sure to restart before each driver.
Before you install any programs ETC update Windows.
 

ElGato

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Thanks for the response Nathan, the part that is throwing me off is. If you check out http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4567&dl=1&RWD=0#driver (windows 7 64), it shows : Intel SATA Preinstall driver
(For AHCI / RAID Mode)
Note: Windows setup to read from USB thumb drive.

Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5

Intel® Rapid Storage Technology
(Note) Please install Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 first.

The first driver is the one that has me confused: with the Note:Windows setup to read from USB thumb drive.
 

ElGato

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Thanks for clearing that up Nathan, a great help as always. I'm going to get all of the updated drivers over to a removable HDD tonight and then start the build tomorrow when I have a bit more time. I'll be back if I run into any snags or just to celebrate completion!
 

ElGato

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I've got all the updated drivers downloaded and ready to go. Just to be clear I downloaded the Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 and the Intel RST under SATA RAID/AHCI drivers. The framework looks like it has a full setup rather than a driver update. Will I need to do anything special or just run the setup as normal (I was figuring after the chipset drivers) ?