1100 USD Gaming Build

[Drown]

Hello everyone,

 

My friend is in need of a new computer. He doesn't want to assemble it himself, so I recommanded him to get the parts from NCIX.com and add the 50$ assembly/testing/setup.

He has a budget of 1100$, including Windows 7, a monitor and a keyboard/mouse.

 

It's for gaming only, at 1080p, for games like Arma 2, DayZ, etc. This is what I came up with :

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU:  AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor  ($131.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler:  Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard:  Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard  ($75.96 @ NCIX US)
Memory:  Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage:  Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card:  EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card  ($249.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply:  XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System:  Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor:  BenQ GW2450 24.0" Monitor  ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $892.88
 

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There's roughly 200$ left for the assembly (50$), Wi-Fi adapter (30$), Case (40-50$) and keyboard/mouse combo. (20-30$)

For some reason PcPartPicker won't display any case for NCIX Only. I was thinking of a 200R for 44$, is that good choice for him?

 

Here are my questions for you guys :

 

• Is this a good build?
• Is it the best option for him, to order everything from NCIX and ask them to assemble it? Considering there's a one-year warranty included, it would be good for him IMO.
• Is the 212EVO just a waste of money for him? Is the stock cooler from AMD noisy and unplesant?

Thank you all for your help, it's extremely appreciated.

[DIV1D3]

Seems like a pretty solid build, the 760 is a good choice. If he doesn't feel confident enough than sure he should just get the assembly fee. The 212 EVO is not a waste if money, it's an extremely good CPU cooler for the price. Try to avoid the stock CPU cooler as much as you can.

[Paralectic]

Always get an aftermarket CPU cooler, and assembly isn't hard to do yourself.

And no SSD? better off with an SSD and a smaller HDD.

And I'd go for a 300r instead of a 200r for the case.

[creativename]

Add a small SSD, and change the OS to windows 8.1 , buying windows 7 is not a smart thing to do. Staying with a OS you already own is fine, but buying windows 7 now is very foolish.

[PassionFruit]

That build is pretty much perfect.

The aftermarket cooler is a good choice since the stock cooler is fairly noisy, the 212 Evo is really good for the price. This build has pretty much the best bang for the buck. The only thing that I would change is maybe the operating system to Windows 8, but it's not that important.

[Drown]

Seems like a pretty solid build, the 760 is a good choice. If he doesn't feel confident enough than sure he should just get the assembly fee. The 212 EVO is not a waste if money, it's an extremely good CPU cooler for the price. Try to avoid the stock CPU cooler as much as you can.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

 

 

Always get an aftermarket CPU cooler, and assembly isn't hard to do yourself.

And no SSD? better off with an SSD and a smaller HDD.

And I'd go for a 300r instead of a 200r for the case.

 

I'm well aware that the assembly isn't hard to do, but for a 30 years old "customer" who's not interested in computers and that really don't want to deal with all the trouble-shooting if something goes wrong, it's definitely a better option than assembling it IMO. I would gladly assemble it for him, but we live in two different countries.

 

No SSD because the budget doesn't allow it. There's only 200$ left for the case, mouse/keyboard and Wi-Fi adapter, plus some room for the shipping fees. A 80$ 120GB wouldn't fit in there. However, I'll recommand him to add one whenever he can to improve his boot times, but it'll be alrigth without one at first.

 

I also prefer the 300R, however it's something like 80$ instead of 44$. Again, there's not a lot of money left in the 1100$ budget.

 

 

That build is pretty much perfect.

The aftermarket cooler is a good choice since the stock cooler is fairly noisy, the 212 Evo is really good for the price. This build has pretty much the best bang for the buck. The only thing that I would change is maybe the operating system to Windows 8, but it's not that important.

 

Thanks for the feedback!

 

I also prefer Windows 8, however he's used to Windows 7 and that's his special request.

[Paralectic]

Thanks for the feedback.

 

 

 

I'm well aware that the assembly isn't hard to do, but for a 30 years old "customer" who's not interested in computers and that really don't want to deal with all the trouble-shooting if something goes wrong, it's definitely a better option than assembling it IMO. I would gladly assemble it for him, but we live in two different countries.

 

No SSD because the budget doesn't allow it. There's only 200$ left for the case, mouse/keyboard and Wi-Fi adapter, plus some room for the shipping fees. A 80$ 120GB wouldn't fit in there. However, I'll recommand him to add one whenever he can to improve his boot times, but it'll be alrigth without one at first.

 

I also prefer the 300R, however it's something like 80$ instead of 44$. Again, there's not a lot of money left in the 1100$ budget.

 

 

 

Thanks for the feedback!

 

I also prefer Windows 8, however he's used to Windows 7 and that's his special request.

Than he's better off with 4GB ram AND an SSD instead of 8GB ram with only a HDD.

[Scionyde]

Add a small SSD, and change the OS to windows 8.1 , buying windows 7 is not a smart thing to do. Staying with a OS you already own is fine, but buying windows 7 now is very foolish.

 

Doesn't seem too foolish to me. It's a perfectly good OS, and if Windows XP is any indicator, it'll probably get support for another 9-10 years.

 

EDIT: To be more on-topic, offer to build the PC yourself and charge $45.

[Drown]

Than he's better off with 4GB ram AND an SSD instead of 8GB ram with only a HDD.

 

And why is that? 8Gb is optimal for games, if he decides to play other game in the future 4Gb might not be enough.

The SSD doesn't add to the performance, it's only a "bonus". If he wasn't using one at the moment, then he'll be fine with his HDD at first and maybe add a SSD in the future.

[creativename]

Doesn't seem too foolish to me. It's a perfectly good OS, and if Windows XP is any indicator, it'll probably get support for another 9-10 years.

 

EDIT: To be more on-topic, offer to build the PC yourself and charge $45.

It's very foolish in the fact that you're buying an inferior OS for the same price. Windows 8.1 is faster, uses less resources, has better multi thread optimization, and it will have longer support. It's very foolish to buy windows 7 right now.

[Drown]

It's very foolish in the fact that you're buying an inferior OS for the same price. Windows 8.1 is faster, uses less resources, has better multi thread optimization, and it will have longer support. It's very foolish to buy windows 7 right now.

 

I'm with you on this but he specificaly requested Windows 7, so it's going to be Windows 7. As I said, this a 30 years old person who's not into computers and not interested in how they work. I'm sure he's not interested in having to use programs like StartIsBack to make Windows 8 behave like Windows 7. While it is better, it's not going to make a noticeable difference for him, so just .. deal with it.

[Scionyde]

And why is that? 8Gb is optimal for games, if he decides to play other game in the future 4Gb might not be enough.

The SSD doesn't add to the performance, it's only a "bonus". If he wasn't using one at the moment, then he'll be fine with his HDD at first and maybe add a SSD in the future.

 

Your ~$200 for the assembly/peripherals seems more like $150 when you add it up. Seems pretty possible to squeeze a cheap Kingston 120 GB SSD in there, IMO (~$80)

[Karumu]

i have experience with the stock cooler, it sounds like a hairdryer at 100% load, i've had complaints from my mother, so i definitely reccomend the aftermarket cooler, if he's willing i'd reccommend springing for a larger heatsink but the 212 is fine if the budget doesnt allow for a bigger one.

[Drown]

Your ~$200 for the assembly/peripherals seems more like $150 when you add it up. Seems pretty possible to squeeze a cheap Kingston 120 GB SSD in there, IMO (~$80)

 

1016$ when you add the 200R, a wireless adapter and the 50$ assembly. However, he still need a keyboard/mouse. I told him that he can either get a cheap, sub-20$ mouse/keyboard combo and fit a 80$ 120GB SSD in there, and then upgrade them later down the road. Or, he can add the SSD later and choose better periphericals now.

[Scionyde]

1016$ when you add the 200R, a wireless adapter and the 50$ assembly. However, he still need a keyboard/mouse. I told him that he can either get a cheap, sub-20$ mouse/keyboard combo and fit a 80$ 120GB SSD in there, and then upgrade them later down the road. Or, he can add the SSD later and choose better periphericals now.

 

Gotcha. Well, it's his choice, but I'd strongly recommend getting that SSD, since replacing peripherals is wayyyyy easier and more practical.

[Drown]

Gotcha. Well, it's his choice, but I'd strongly recommend getting that SSD, since replacing peripherals is wayyyyy easier and more practical.

 

That's true, however from a financial POV it's better to get the good periphericals first and then the SSD, since you're basically paying 20-30$ for periphericals that you'll throw away. But hey, that's what I did myself, I got a super cheap mouse/keyboard combo and used it for a good year before bothering changing.

 

And for someone that is not interested in computers, it is definitely more hassle to install a SSD and migrate your data on it than to plug in a new peripherical.

[Scionyde]

That's true, however from a financial POV it's better to get the good periphericals first and then the SSD, since you're basically paying 20-30$ for periphericals that you'll throw away. But hey, that's what I did myself, I got a super cheap mouse/keyboard combo and used it for a good year before bothering changing.

 

And for someone that is not interested in computers, it is definitely more hassle to install a SSD and migrate your data on it than to plug in a new peripherical.

 

Yeah. Still, I wouldn't necessarily throw away those old cheap peripherals - I keep mine around just in case the good stuff fails and I need a temporary replacement. B)

[acidydragon]

Doesn't seem too foolish to me. It's a perfectly good OS, and if Windows XP is any indicator, it'll probably get support for another 9-10 years.

 

EDIT: To be more on-topic, offer to build the PC yourself and charge $45.

Microsoft has announced that Windows 7 will lose support MUCH quicker than XP did. They aren't happy with how long it continued being an OS.

 

Good looking build for the price