Girlfriend is wanting to join the PC gaming realm. Need suggestions.

[MatthewSH]

Budget (including currency): Max $2,500 USD

Country: United States

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: She primarily be using it for Overwatch and streaming to Twitch.

Other details (existing parts lists, whether any peripherals are needed, what you're upgrading from, when you're going to buy, what resolution and refresh rate you want to play at, etc): 

So my girlfriend is wanting to join the PC people. All of her friends, including me, are on PC. Now she streams to Twitch through PS4 currently, but she'll want to stream from PC too. So she's willing to spend more for that and for it to be stable. So 900p/1080p, 60FPS stream. 

2 monitors, at least 1 of them should be 144hz. I suggested 1 60hz and 1 144hz because in my experience it wouldn't make sense to have 2 144hz if she's not utilizing both to their potential, although I'm willing to hear opinions on it. Would also love to hear recommendations on mice, keyboard, and headset you all have. I'm suggesting a Blue Yeti for her mic, up to debate though if you have any other suggestions. She doesn't need full XLR setup right now. She's willing to spend upwards of $2,500 USD. I told her that $2.5k can get her a lot of value; but that has to include everything.

EDIT: I know this edit is before I posted, but I was just looking...I might actually suggest the Yeti X...look nice, and looks very focused towards streaming and such. Thoughts?

 

She won't have a desk or chair either, so we'll need to add that if possible to the budget but if it can't fit with all your recommendations then we'll go from there.

 

So here's the requirements:

• It must be able to handle 1080p+ gaming for games like Overwatch with at least high quality (ideally more, but high is fine) at 144hz
• Streaming to Twitch with at least 900p@60FPS
• Must be able to be able to be used for at least a year or two without upgrading major components
• Peripherals have to be added so this isn't all just for PC
• We'll also need a copy of W10
• This probably wouldn't happen until closer to Black Friday so maybe we look at getting those sales? So something higher price now if you all believe it will go on sale, but maybe with a backup plan in case
• Although she does want that standard like almost showing off setup, in a way performance would be better for now
• Color/Theme wise, black/dark color. Not the standard e-girl pink
• Oh obviously being able to handle multitasking is needed, figured this is implied but better to mention it instead of getting questions later
• AMD or Intel, doesn't matter. Whichever would give us the most bang for the buck.
• Everything must match more or less or flow well for a nice looking setup
• As for peripherals, I've been using all logitech stuff so I know it a bit more...but she's willing to look at other brands

 

EDIT: Looking at the Blue Yeti X it seems as it's a good choice with Logitech because it seems like it has some good integrations with it.

 

EDIT 2: Just want to clarify that this build is gonna be at least a couple months out. We're planning relatively early so we have a solid foundation and can have more time to fine tune the build to her desires and such without feeling rushed closer to black friday to quickly get a half assed build together.

[seon123]

5 minutes ago, BlueScope819 said:

https://pcpartpicker.com/user/BlueScope819/saved/#view=PxGp23

 

Just now, NZgamer said:

BlueScope819's build is perfect for what you want to do

 

[Statik]

If this build isn't until black friday I would strongly suggest waiting till then. It's likely new hardware will be released by that point, and you might be able to get some really good sales that will completely change your build.

 

I started planning my current build like a year ago, and waited until BF, and it was totally worth it.

[GDRRiley]

if you aren't build for a few months come back and ask them. new parts will be out and prices will change.

[MatthewSH]

So, besides the curved monitor...any suggestions? I'm not sure if curved would be the best for this...I don't know. @BlueScope819 I like the build you got there. Definitely will bookmark it for later. Maybe come Black Friday we could get it even lower.  Obviously the pricing can't be exact because...yeah. 3rd party stuff.

 

@NZgamer like where? The closest thing for me is Best Buy (Charlotte, NC). She's in Philly right now so it may be easier for her. In her words she wants it to "make that clack sound"  Love her, but yeah. She def wants mechanical. I'm thinking about recommending mine to her. I have G703 Lightspeed and G413 keyboard.

 

@Statik I might bump closer to then, just trying to get some foundational stuff right now so we can start planning for it or maybe even add more to it later. If we get a basic idea of what kind of parts you all recommend then we can build off that and come closer to BF then we can finalize a couple builds and look at sales then. Definitely gonna wait for new hardware...then the current hardware that's still perfect for this stuff will become even cheaper.

[DailyProcrastinator]

Yeah wait for next gen Nvidia GPU's, buying now is a waste IMO, your money will go MUCH further on the GPU side especially with that budget.

[Sorenson]

I would go with one of LG’S ultra gear IPS monitor (best options on the market IMO) or Asus’s fast response time IPSs. 

https://www.amazon.com/LG-27GL650F-B-Ultragear-Compatible-Monitor/dp/B07R7636MH

 

https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-VG278QR-Supports-Compatible-DisplayPort/dp/B0845QFDVM/ref=psdc_1292115011_t1_B00B2HH7G0?th=1

 

Before you pull the trigger on a monitor check out rtings.com to make sure it’s good. 

[Sorenson]

2 minutes ago, TheDailyProcrastinator said:

Yeah wait for next gen Nvidia GPU's, buying now is a waste IMO, your money will go MUCH further on the GPU side especially with that budget.

The girl wants to play over watch at 1080p. All she really needs is a 2060 for that. most of this gen is already discounted, so it’s not like buying now is a bad value, especially in the mid range. 

[DailyProcrastinator]

Just now, Sorenson said:

The girl wants to play over watch at 1080p. All she really needs is a 2060 for that. most of this gen is already discounted, so it’s not like buying now is a bad value, especially in the mid range. 

Yeah this was a TLDR thing, for 1080p current gen stuff is fine. And sine the CPU takes more load at 1080p I would get the i5 10600k.

[MatthewSH]

4 minutes ago, Sorenson said:

The girl wants to play over watch at 1080p. All she really needs is a 2060 for that. most of this gen is already discounted, so it’s not like buying now is a bad value, especially in the mid range. 

Yeah, but ideally we wouldn't build it until she's down here with me more long term...so closer to November or black friday. We're really just trying to get an idea of what's suggested by the community based on the requirements. It's not insane, I mean my 1050ti can handle Overwatch at 144hz with 1080p on low settings...so yeah. Really just worried about making sure it a) can last a while without needing like major upgrades and b) can remain stable even when streaming, voice chats, gaming at 144hz, multi monitor, etc. I know most current gen hardware can do that with ease; but will wait till next gen comes out to get much better value. Although I think she'd like some freedom to be able to play like AAA games on max off stream or whatever. Really although Overwatch is the primary game, I'd like to have a build that can be of value for a while...at least a couple years. 

 

  

3 minutes ago, TheDailyProcrastinator said:

And sine the CPU takes more load at 1080p I would get the i5 10600k.

Now, if I may ask, why would you recommend the Intel over AMD? Is there an edge case here for 1080p streaming vs 900p that you'd recommend that change?

[DailyProcrastinator]

11 minutes ago, MatthewSH said:

Yeah, but ideally we wouldn't build it until she's down here with me more long term...so closer to November or black friday. We're really just trying to get an idea of what's suggested by the community based on the requirements. It's not insane, I mean my 1050ti can handle Overwatch at 144hz with 1080p on low settings...so yeah. Really just worried about making sure it a) can last a while without needing like major upgrades and b) can remain stable even when streaming, voice chats, gaming at 144hz, multi monitor, etc. I know most current gen hardware can do that with ease; but will wait till next gen comes out to get much better value. Although I think she'd like some freedom to be able to play like AAA games on max off stream or whatever. Really although Overwatch is the primary game, I'd like to have a build that can be of value for a while...at least a couple years. 

Well if you are looking to build in November then this is all wide open, by then we could have new GPU's and CPU's, then at that point might as well. GPU prices really won't drop prior to launch anyways so your same hard eared $$$ can go further.

 

11 minutes ago, MatthewSH said:

Now, if I may ask, why would you recommend the Intel over AMD? Is there an edge case here for 1080p streaming vs 900p that you'd recommend that change?

For the money AMD is better value, I have 3 AMD systems right now, and one 8th gen Intel system. But the 10600k is a really good performing gaming CPU, OC's really high and for gaming can compare to a 10900k. I am likely getting one myself, just waiting on next gen AMD stuff to justify it first, I will be using it for gaming only. 

 

http://youtube.com/watch?v=iQVBlCfb72M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbHyF50m-rs&t

[dizmo]

4 hours ago, MatthewSH said:

So, besides the curved monitor...any suggestions? I'm not sure if curved would be the best for this...I don't know. @BlueScope819 I like the build you got there. Definitely will bookmark it for later. Maybe come Black Friday we could get it even lower.  Obviously the pricing can't be exact because...yeah. 3rd party stuff.

 

@NZgamer like where? The closest thing for me is Best Buy (Charlotte, NC). She's in Philly right now so it may be easier for her. In her words she wants it to "make that clack sound"  Love her, but yeah. She def wants mechanical. I'm thinking about recommending mine to her. I have G703 Lightspeed and G413 keyboard.

 

@Statik I might bump closer to then, just trying to get some foundational stuff right now so we can start planning for it or maybe even add more to it later. If we get a basic idea of what kind of parts you all recommend then we can build off that and come closer to BF then we can finalize a couple builds and look at sales then. Definitely gonna wait for new hardware...then the current hardware that's still perfect for this stuff will become even cheaper.

By Black Friday @BlueScope819's build will be complete trash.
We're on the verge of new launches, so the CPU and video card will change.

The best way to shop on Black Friday isn't to pick your parts and see if they go on sale, but see the sales and pick from those.

 

Don't bother putting together a build until you're ready to buy. Prices fluctuate far too rapidly in the PC space, and there are many new releases coming out between now and then. If you're paying that kind of money, don't buy sooner. Any GPU you buy now will be crushed by the 3000 series.

[dizmo]

2 hours ago, BlueScope819 said:

I suppose I'll have to make another "only build you will ever need" by the time the next gen rolls around. I do think you should put builds together on PCPP, as it allows you to gain experience about parting value PCs.

Yes, but it's not helpful in the grand scheme of things; if he kept that list and built it when he said he planned to build, he'd have a significantly worse system than he should.

[dizmo]

3 minutes ago, BlueScope819 said:

I agree, of course change it up as required as new parts come out.

Which you didn't even bother mentioning in your post...

[dizmo]

2 hours ago, BlueScope819 said:

 

...

You didn't bother mentioning the new cards that are literally only a couple of months away.

[MatthewSH]

I know this may be premature and I haven't looked to far into it. Only saw a couple things from the WAN show. For the 3000 series, do we have any prices or predicted prices?