Need a PC Build for $2,000 or under

strawberryhill

Reputable
Mar 25, 2015
4
0
4,510
Approximate Purchase Date: within the month

Budget Range: $2,000 or under before rebates and after shipping/taxes

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Photo editing (large files), Video editing

Are you buying a monitor: Yes... I'd prefer something white 17-21".

Parts to Upgrade: none... I have to get everything from scratch.

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Doesn't matter though I'd prefer to have everything from the same place if possible

Location: Tennessee, United States

Parts Preferences: Doesn't matter as long as they're reputable.

Overclocking: I probably won't have the need

SLI or Crossfire: Don't know what these are

Your Monitor Resolution: I'd prefer at least 1920x1080... though whatever will look best with the size screen I want really.

Additional Comments:
- Quiet would be nice. I don't want to have to turn my volume up really loud to compensate.
- I also need a case... preferably something more on the compact side (but still upgradable) and nothing too out there looking. My room is pink/white so I'd like something that wouldn't stand out too much. The looks aren't crucial though.

Gaming is the primary reason I want a new computer. I want to run things on high-ultra settings for years to come. I like single player games (like Tomb Raider and Skyrim) but also MMOS (like WoW) and things like Dota 2. I'm not limiting myself to just these though, I just haven't been able to properly try any others because my current laptop crashes when I do.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: My current computer is an Asus Zenbook (one of the lower end versions) and it just doesn't seem cut out to play games. Skyrim is practically unplayable. I lag like crazy when doing WoW (I get like 7-13 fps on low settings.) I just feel severely limited. There's also the fact that I can't connect a mouse to my laptop for some reason so I have to run around trying to do things with a trackpad which isn't easy.



Originally I was thinking about getting the Asus G751JY but $2300 is really too expensive for me.
 

Chass1990

Reputable
Feb 18, 2015
249
0
4,760
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($324.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($17.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 7 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($169.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Kingston Savage 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($135.99 @ Directron)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($154.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 4GB Twin Frozr Video Card ($549.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Luxe ATX Full Tower Case ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($105.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.78 @ Directron)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($91.69 @ NCIX US)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($35.39 @ Amazon)
Monitor: LG 22MP55HQ-P 60Hz 22.0" Monitor ($131.69 @ Directron)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($26.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1995.44
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-25 20:33 EDT-0400
 
My take on this/....


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($241.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty H97 Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($90.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Trident X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital WD RE 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($137.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 4GB Twin Frozr Video Card ($539.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($107.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.78 @ Directron)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($91.69 @ NCIX US)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($35.39 @ Amazon)
Monitor: LG 22MP55HQ-P 60Hz 22.0" Monitor ($131.69 @ Directron)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($26.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1774.45
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-25 20:45 EDT-0400


It wont stand out to much since its white
 

strawberryhill

Reputable
Mar 25, 2015
4
0
4,510


Is the GTX 980 a great deal better than the 970? Would there be a noticeable difference?
 

strawberryhill

Reputable
Mar 25, 2015
4
0
4,510


Is there a reason to get Windows 8.1 instead of Windows 7?

 

mastrom101

Distinguished
Jun 12, 2010
1,477
0
19,660
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor ($372.95 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty X99M Killer Micro ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($193.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($180.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.49 @ Directron)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($319.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 350D Window MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($80.00 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair RM 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.78 @ Directron)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($88.94 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer G227HQLbi 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($111.98 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Trigger Z Wired Gaming Keyboard ($98.98 @ Directron)
Mouse: Logitech G602 Wireless Optical Mouse ($57.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $1859.02
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-26 22:45 EDT-0400

Here's what I suggest.

It has 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a hexacore CPU. This will speed through any photo/video editing.
Good motherboard, PSU and case. This will allow for a smooth build, good airflow and reliability. Also a small form factor.
SSD and mechanical drive for your storage needs.
IPS monitor.
GTX 970. It's a much better value than the 980, and at 1080P it can max out nearly any game.
The keyboard, mouse and operating system are up to you. I chose the peripherals that I use and I am satisfied with. You can change this up if you'd like.
 

Karadjgne

Titan
Ambassador
Not quite as high powered graphically, but more suited to heavier editing/rendering, and couldn't find a white monitor, but did find a silver one.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($241.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($35.00)
Motherboard: Asus Z97 PRO GAMER ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($151.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($257.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung XP941 Series 256GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($230.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital WD RE 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($137.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($329.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($107.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: XFX XTR 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($66.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.78 @ Directron)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($88.94 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($35.39 @ Amazon)
Monitor: AOC i2267Fw 60Hz 22.0" Monitor ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($27.87 @ Amazon)
Total: $1852.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-26 22:51 EDT-0400