Planning for New PC Build

[DaKittyKat]

1. Budget & Location
This is my first time actually building a PC but I'm planning to do so with my dad and brother. We're hoping to keep the budget for this project at $1500 and are located in Texas. 

2. Aim
The computer will be used for multiple purposes. During the day we'll mostly be using it as a Home Theatre PC but also used for gaming such as SC2, Skyrim, and new games that are expected to be demanding. 

3. Monitors
Plan on using one monitor at the time but wouldn't mind the potential of expanding to two. 

4. Peripherals
I will not need a Keyboard and mouse however anything extra that would help support its purpose for home theatre (probably Wireless Display adapters or something similar?)

5. Why are you upgrading?

 

It's been about 5 years since we purchased a new computer with any real performance capabilities so it is time to put down the time to get something we could use and upgrade for a while. 

[dizmo]

You don't want to try and mess around with WiDi. It's a bloody nightmare, and has horrible support.

[SAV1OUR]

i never good with choosing a monitor sadly but this has all the other parts and is right on $1500 sorry  
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2H7oS

[AlwaysFSX]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2H7qt

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2H7qt/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2H7qt/benchmarks/

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($219.99 @ Newegg) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($29.99 @ NCIX US) 

Motherboard: MSI Z87-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($154.98 @ OutletPC) 

Memory: Kingston Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($74.29 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($69.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($88.98 @ SuperBiiz) 

Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card  ($499.99 @ Amazon) 

Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($109.99 @ NCIX US) 

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($57.99 @ Newegg) 

Monitor: Asus VS228H-P 21.5" Monitor  ($129.99 @ B&H) 

Total: $1436.18

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-24 23:13 EST-0500)

[Guest]

1. Budget & Location

This is my first time actually building a PC but I'm planning to do so with my dad and brother. We're hoping to keep the budget for this project at $1500 and are located in Texas. 

2. Aim

The computer will be used for multiple purposes. During the day we'll mostly be using it as a Home Theatre PC but also used for gaming such as SC2, Skyrim, and new games that are expected to be demanding. 

3. Monitors

Plan on using one monitor at the time but wouldn't mind the potential of expanding to two. 

4. Peripherals

I will not need a Keyboard and mouse however anything extra that would help support its purpose for home theatre (probably Wireless Display adapters or something similar?)

5. Why are you upgrading?

 

It's been about 5 years since we purchased a new computer with any real performance capabilities so it is time to put down the time to get something we could use and upgrade for a while. 

wireless mice are bad for gaming 

[legend8887]

wireless mice are bad for gaming 

That's what you hear but they really don't make a difference that you can see.

[Guest Kloaked]

That's what you hear but they really don't make a difference that you can see.

 

I think the thing is, the mouse can die during an important part of your game, leading to unwanted results

[SAV1OUR]

wireless mice are bad for gaming 

i use a razer naga and I'm fine but its all down to opinion  

[mikeangeles 75]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2H8gD
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2H8gD/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2H8gD/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor  ($157.21 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard  ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport XT 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.67 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card  ($499.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer  ($27.95 @ Amazon)
Monitor: AOC i2369V 60Hz 23.0" Monitor  ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Other: Windows 8.1 Full ($108.00)
Total: $1432.75
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-24 23:43 EST-0500)

 

You can cut down on the mobo to a 970 board, remove the optical drive or change the case to cheaper one.

[DaKittyKat]

You guys are absolutely amazing, I've started reading more from around this forum to learn as well. Thank you so much for everything! 

 

If y'all don't mind, what would you suggest if the main focus was a home theatre PC with a smaller budget? Say $500-1000, without the monitor or Operating system? From the options that ya'll gave me, I'm thinking of just building two separate ones for Gaming and HTPC. 

[brob]

1. Budget & Location

This is my first time actually building a PC but I'm planning to do so with my dad and brother. We're hoping to keep the budget for this project at $1500 and are located in Texas. 

2. Aim

The computer will be used for multiple purposes. During the day we'll mostly be using it as a Home Theatre PC but also used for gaming such as SC2, Skyrim, and new games that are expected to be demanding. 

3. Monitors

Plan on using one monitor at the time but wouldn't mind the potential of expanding to two. 

4. Peripherals

I will not need a Keyboard and mouse however anything extra that would help support its purpose for home theatre (probably Wireless Display adapters or something similar?)

5. Why are you upgrading?

 

It's been about 5 years since we purchased a new computer with any real performance capabilities so it is time to put down the time to get something we could use and upgrade for a while. 

 

Ideally you should use a cable to connect to the TV.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU:  Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($219.99 @ Newegg)

Motherboard:  ASRock Z87E-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($129.99 @ Microcenter)

Memory:  Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($66.99 @ Microcenter)

Storage:  Crucial M500 120GB mSATA Solid State Disk  ($79.99 @ B&H)

Storage:  Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($102.99 @ NCIX US)

Video Card:  EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card  ($329.99 @ NCIX US)

Case:  EVGA Hadron Mini ITX Tower Case w/500W Power Supply  ($144.99 @ NCIX US)

Optical Drive:  LG BT30N Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer  ($83.19 @ SuperBiiz)

Operating System:  Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit)  ($94.98 @ OutletPC)

Monitor:  Asus VS239H-P 23.0" Monitor  ($149.99 @ Microcenter)

Total: $1403.09

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-25 00:48 EST-0500)

[brob]

You guys are absolutely amazing, I've started reading more from around this forum to learn as well. Thank you so much for everything! 

 

If y'all don't mind, what would you suggest if the main focus was a home theatre PC with a smaller budget? Say $500-1000, without the monitor or Operating system? From the options that ya'll gave me, I'm thinking of just building two separate ones for Gaming and HTPC. 

 

You don't need to spend that much. Something like one of the boxes at http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=xmbc+box&N=-1&isNodeId=1 will let you stream from the net and any shares in your home network.

[DaKittyKat]

Thanks for the help you guys!