Planning for first PC build

[Emigreen]

Budget (including currency): 1000-1200 USD

Country: US

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Mainly casual games found on Steam like Stardew or Sims. I'm also a grad student and so would like to use things for work like with excel and some coding. 

Other details: Starting from nothing here so I need everything. I'd like to stay in price range if possible. 

 

[PcBeExpensive]

6 minutes ago, Emigreen said:

Budget (including currency): 1000-1200 USD

Country: US

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Mainly casual games found on Steam like Stardew or Sims. I'm also a grad student and so would like to use things for work like with excel and some coding. 

Other details: Starting from nothing here so I need everything. I'd like to stay in price range if possible. 

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/cCMtPX
Here with a monitor keyboard and mouse, not really sure for keyboard tho.

[RONOTHAN##]

So here's a couple options, depending on what you value and what you don't:

• https://pcpartpicker.com/list/FzXrd9 - Games
  • The best GPU of the bunch. For a strictly gaming PC, this is the best, and the CPU should be more than adequate for most excel functions. It's right at your budget, but it's the best gaming PC you can get in that range. That said, for the games you're playing, it's probably overkill. 
• https://pcpartpicker.com/list/nMXrd9 - Budget
  • More in line with what you'll actually be using it for. A bit under budget, but you could use that to add things like more storage, better peripherals, or more games. With what you say you're doing, this is probably your best option. 
• https://pcpartpicker.com/list/BgZT6r - Heavy coding/Excel
  • If you are doing some truly crazy large excel or coding projects that need a ton of horsepower. It's the best CPU of the bunch with some room to upgrade in the future if you want to.
• https://pcpartpicker.com/list/wCMtPX - AI/CUDA work
  • Slightly worse CPU than the previous system, but still faster than the first two. The main difference though is the Nvidia GPU, which if you do work that's CUDA/AI accelerated or requires more VRAM, this will be your best option. 

With what you said you're doing, I'd go for build #2. All of them are good for something though, so look at which one is better for you before making a decision. 

Edited May 7, 2023 by RONOTHAN##
Added the build names

[Why_Me]

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: *Intel Core i5-12400F 2.5 GHz 6-Core Processor  ($160.85 @ B&H) 
CPU Cooler: *Deepcool AK400 66.47 CFM CPU Cooler  ($34.99 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: *MSI MAG B760 TOMAHAWK WIFI DDR4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard  ($152.00 @ Newegg) 
Memory: *TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory  ($58.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: *Crucial P5 Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($122.99 @ Adorama) 
Video Card: *MSI RTX 3060 Ventus 3X 12G OC GeForce RTX 3060 12GB 12 GB Video Card  ($349.99 @ Amazon) 
Case: *Fractal Design Pop Air ATX Mid Tower Case  ($79.99 @ B&H) 
Power Supply: *Corsair RM750e (2023) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($99.99 @ Best Buy) 
Operating System: *Microsoft Windows 11 Home OEM - DVD 64-bit  ($117.98 @ Other World Computing) 
Total: $1177.77
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-05-07 18:46 EDT-0400

 

A better look at those components.

 

https://www.fractal-design.com/products/cases/pop/pop-air/black-tg-clear/ 

 

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MAG-B760-TOMAHAWK-WIFI-DDR4

 

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/134587/intel-core-i512400f-processor-18m-cache-up-to-4-40-ghz.html 

 

https://www.deepcool.com/products/Cooling/cpuaircoolers/AK400-Performance-CPU-Cooler-1700-AM5/2021/15222.shtml  

 

https://www.msi.com/Graphics-Card/GeForce-RTX-3060-VENTUS-3X-12G-OC

[PcBeExpensive]

2 hours ago, Emigreen said:

Budget (including currency): 1000-1200 USD

Country: US

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Mainly casual games found on Steam like Stardew or Sims. I'm also a grad student and so would like to use things for work like with excel and some coding. 

Other details: Starting from nothing here so I need everything. I'd like to stay in price range if possible. 

 

I would go with option 2 of @RONOTHAN## message but with a 6750xt or 3070 ti.
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/pv9m6r
So something like this.

[PcBeExpensive]

1 hour ago, RONOTHAN## said:

So here's a couple options, depending on what you value and what you don't:

• https://pcpartpicker.com/list/FzXrd9 - Games
  • The best GPU of the bunch. For a strictly gaming PC, this is the best, and the CPU should be more than adequate for most excel functions. It's right at your budget, but it's the best gaming PC you can get in that range. That said, for the games you're playing, it's probably overkill. 
• https://pcpartpicker.com/list/nMXrd9 - Budget
  • More in line with what you'll actually be using it for. A bit under budget, but you could use that to add things like more storage, better peripherals, or more games. With what you say you're doing, this is probably your best option. 
• https://pcpartpicker.com/list/BgZT6r - Heavy coding/Excel
  • If you are doing some truly crazy large excel or coding projects that need a ton of horsepower. It's the best CPU of the bunch with some room to upgrade in the future if you want to.
• https://pcpartpicker.com/list/wCMtPX - AI/CUDA work
  • Slightly worse CPU than the previous system, but still faster than the first two. The main difference though is the Nvidia GPU, which if you do work that's CUDA/AI accelerated or requires more VRAM, this will be your best option. 

With what you said you're doing, I'd go for build #2. All of them are good for something though, so look at which one is better for you before making a decision. 

I think OP also needs keyboard, mouse and monitor.