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Need help with 1st time gaming build

PandaLilly
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Hello community, I'm new to building pc's so go easy on me if i ask too many questions. This will be my first attempt and I'm hoping to get some feedback on my future build items. 

 

  • Budget: $800 - willing to spend up to $850 only

 

  • I will be buying everything in about a month or two (if that is important to know)

 

  • Info: I'm a casual gamer and don't play much besides Wow, Diablo 3, and Bioshock infinite. I want to be able to play these games on high setting with decent frame rate. Also, if possible, to be able to play games like BF4 with at least medium to max settings. (if it's not do-able under the budget then let me know, please. It would be very helpful).

 

 

Any advice would be very much appreciated. 

 

  • Edit:
    • Peripherals: None, since I have everything but the tower.
    • Monitors: I plan to run one monitor, for the time being. I currently have an LG23EA63V-P
    • Location: USA
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I'd suggest planning later. ~2-3 days at most before you buy. Parts and prices change frequently so any parts list you come up with now will likely be obsolete by the time you're ready to buy.

 

Regarding the parts list: Get a ssd--it makes a world of difference and imo is essential to any modern system.

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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I'd suggest planning later. ~2-3 days at most before you buy. Parts and prices change frequently so any parts list you come up with now will likely be obsolete by the time you're ready to buy.

 

Regarding the parts list: Get a ssd--it makes a world of difference and imo is essential to any modern system.

An SSD is not essential and it sounds like clearly this guy will be playing games.  Better for him to spend money on the right graphics card than get an SSD.

Too many ****ing games!  Back log 4 life! :S

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like woodenmarker said, prices will probably change within the next month or two.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($219.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($26.75 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($77.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($61.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($51.85 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($249.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($65.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $874.51
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-24 03:46 EST-0500

4690K // 212 EVO // Z97-PRO // Vengeance 16GB // GTX 770 GTX 970 // MX100 128GB // Toshiba 1TB // Air 540 // HX650

Logitech G502 RGB // Corsair K65 RGB (MX Red)

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An SSD is not essential and it sounds like clearly this guy will be playing games.  Better for him to spend money on the right graphics card than get an SSD.

$800 is plenty for a system with a ssd.

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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I've been told that caviar black is the goto when choosing a HDD for gaming. is that true?

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like woodenmarker said, prices will probably change within the next month or two.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($219.98 @ OutletPC)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($26.75 @ OutletPC)

Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($77.99 @ Newegg)

Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($59.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($61.98 @ OutletPC)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($51.85 @ OutletPC)

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($249.99 @ Newegg)

Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($65.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Power Supply: Corsair CX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($59.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $874.51

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-24 03:46 EST-0500

This looks pretty good, i think, but i would just take out the ssd since I would rather make it cheaper now and pick that up sometime later.

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This looks pretty good, i think, but i would just take out the ssd since I would rather make it cheaper now and pick that up sometime later.

sounds good :D

4690K // 212 EVO // Z97-PRO // Vengeance 16GB // GTX 770 GTX 970 // MX100 128GB // Toshiba 1TB // Air 540 // HX650

Logitech G502 RGB // Corsair K65 RGB (MX Red)

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CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($169.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte G1.Sniper B5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($89.79 @ Newegg) 


Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($61.98 @ OutletPC) 


Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX 2.0 Video Card  ($329.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($41.99 @ Directron) 

Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($24.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $843.60

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-24 04:09 EST-0500

 

If you can spend up to 850$ then this is the best bet, also prices may change the following month

Scarlet Knight: Intel Core i3 6100 || Antec A40 Pro CPU Cooler || MSI Z170A Gaming M5 || Kingston HyperX 16GB DDR4-2133MHz || Samsung 850 Evo 120GB || Seagate Barracuda 1TB || Gigabyte G1 Gaming R9 390X 8GB || Seasonic M12II 620W || In Win 503 || Corsair Strafe || Steelseries Kinzu V3 MSI Edition || Dell UltraSharp U2414H || Xiaomi Alumunium Mouse Pad (S)

 

#Gadget: 

Phone: BlackBerry Classic Q20, Samsung Galaxy Note 4 S-LTE SM-N916S

Console: PlayStation 4 500GB CUH-1206A

Tablet: iPad Air 2 16GB Wi-fi Only

Laptop: MSI GE62 (i7 4720HQ || 8GB DDR3 || NVIDIA GTX960M || Samsung 650 EVO 120GB + 1TB HDD)

In-ear Monitor: Xiaomi Piston 3.0

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CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($169.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte G1.Sniper B5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($89.79 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($61.98 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX 2.0 Video Card  ($329.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($41.99 @ Directron) 
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($24.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $843.60
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-24 04:09 EST-0500
 
If you can spend up to 850$ then this is the best bet, also prices may change the following month

 

 

Is the reason for the expensive video card because it's more important than the cpu for gaming?

 

Also, would this be able to play BF4 on ultra setting and 1080p?  Just curious on this one.

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I've been told that caviar black is the goto when choosing a HDD for gaming. is that true?

Caviar Blacks perform well but are usually overpriced compared to slightly slower Barracudas.

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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@PandaLilly,

 

You can go with an H97 motherboard instead of Z97 since you will not be overclocking.

 

Take a look at mATX  size motherboards and cases. One can often save a few dollars going with that format.

 

As nice as the WD Black drive is, a WD Blue or Seagate Barracuda would be less expensive and quite suitable for this build.

 

As much as I like Seasonic G psu, a less expensive model would allow for improvement in other areas. 80+ ratings certify electrical efficiency. They do not specify psu build, component, or power delivery quality. A good, but less expensive 80+ Bronze model like the Seasonic M12II 520 or even the Corsair CX-500M would be a decent choice.

 

An ssd will improve general work, browsing, and game loading. After getting an ssd if anything is left over, try to improve the gpu.

80+ ratings certify electrical efficiency. Not quality.

 

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Is the reason for the expensive video card because it's more important than the cpu for gaming?

 

Also, would this be able to play BF4 on ultra setting and 1080p?  Just curious on this one.

Indeed GPU is more important than CPU for gaming

 

The GTX970 is more than enough to play BF4 on ultra and 1080p

Scarlet Knight: Intel Core i3 6100 || Antec A40 Pro CPU Cooler || MSI Z170A Gaming M5 || Kingston HyperX 16GB DDR4-2133MHz || Samsung 850 Evo 120GB || Seagate Barracuda 1TB || Gigabyte G1 Gaming R9 390X 8GB || Seasonic M12II 620W || In Win 503 || Corsair Strafe || Steelseries Kinzu V3 MSI Edition || Dell UltraSharp U2414H || Xiaomi Alumunium Mouse Pad (S)

 

#Gadget: 

Phone: BlackBerry Classic Q20, Samsung Galaxy Note 4 S-LTE SM-N916S

Console: PlayStation 4 500GB CUH-1206A

Tablet: iPad Air 2 16GB Wi-fi Only

Laptop: MSI GE62 (i7 4720HQ || 8GB DDR3 || NVIDIA GTX960M || Samsung 650 EVO 120GB + 1TB HDD)

In-ear Monitor: Xiaomi Piston 3.0

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Scrap the SSD and get something else you want with the money like games or a mechanical keyboard and/or a gaming mouse especially if you would have no trouble making use of all the features in a better keyboard or mouse.  What an SSD adds for gaming is extremely minimal.  Also in regards to hard drives there is nothing wrong going with Seagate as I went from Western Digital to Seagate and have had no problems with their recent offerings and well after I saw that Western Digital was just price gouging people using the excuse of a flood that damaged their manufacturing facilities quite some time ago I stopped giving them my money.  For the average consumer paying so much more for a Western Digital hard drive is not worth it at all.

Too many ****ing games!  Back log 4 life! :S

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Scrap the SSD and get something else you want with the money like games or a mechanical keyboard and/or a gaming mouse especially if you would have no trouble making use of all the features in a better keyboard or mouse.  What an SSD adds for gaming is extremely minimal.  Also in regards to hard drives there is nothing wrong going with Seagate as I went from Western Digital to Seagate and have had no problems with their recent offerings and well after I saw that Western Digital was just price gouging people using the excuse of a flood that damaged their manufacturing facilities quite some time ago I stopped giving them my money.  For the average consumer paying so much more for a Western Digital hard drive is not worth it at all.

 

Yeah, i feel the same way about SSD. It's something i would look into getting later just for speeding things up a little.

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Yeah, i feel the same way about SSD. It's something i would look into getting later just for speeding things up a little.

 

First thing to get rid off when it is getting of making you go for a lower CPU/GPU. Get the I5-4440 but try to make it a I5-4460 for nearly the same price if possible it is a refurbished one, so it is nearly the same CPU but the 4460 is a bit better. So yeah the I5-4440(60) with a 970 is a super build. If you do not take the SSD in that build spend money on the Mobo or on the CPU.

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Yeah, i feel the same way about SSD. It's something i would look into getting later just for speeding things up a little.

It's not just a little--a ssd makes a bigger difference than everything else combined when it comes to the system's responsiveness and usability.

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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plan 2-3 days before you buy but just some advice on what you want now (acording to the pcpartpicker link) i would go with a cheaper hdd maybe a wd blue or a segate baracuda and go with a watercooler and a i5 4690k so you can OC if you want to

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plan 2-3 days before you buy but just some advice on what you want now (acording to the pcpartpicker link) i would go with a cheaper hdd maybe a wd blue or a segate baracuda and go with a watercooler and a i5 4690k so you can OC if you want to

OC seems too confusing and scary. =P

 

I don't know if it's something I should even attempt for a first time builder. 

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OC seems too confusing and scary. =P

 

I don't know if it's something I should even attempt for a first time builder. 

 

Looks hard and scary but all you do as far as I have seen is follow a guide and mess around with the voltage and multiplier. I never did it and have a locked PC, but the next PC will be with unlocked and OCing will be done. You can just look most stuff online and watch some videos of linus. 

 

If you really do not wanna OC yeah then a 4460 is fine or a 4690 as they are both locked and can not be used to OC.

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With everyone's help, the build i'm looking at so far is now: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/PandaLilly/saved/wmzCmG.

 

This isn't set in stone just yet, of course, since prices will probably change a bit in a month. 

 

I may have to use a lower-priced video card such as: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290 4GB WINDFORCE, to really make it closer to $800. 

 

btw, thanks everyone who's been helping me out so far. really appreciated. ^_^

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With everyone's help, the build i'm looking at so far is now: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/PandaLilly/saved/wmzCmG.

 

This isn't set in stone just yet, of course, since prices will probably change a bit in a month. 

 

I may have to use a lower-priced video card such as: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290 4GB WINDFORCE, to really make it closer to $800. 

 

btw, thanks everyone who's been helping me out so far. really appreciated. ^_^

 

If you are going the 290 I also would recommend a better PSU.

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With everyone's help, the build i'm looking at so far is now: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/PandaLilly/saved/wmzCmG.

 

This isn't set in stone just yet, of course, since prices will probably change a bit in a month. 

 

I may have to use a lower-priced video card such as: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290 4GB WINDFORCE, to really make it closer to $800. 

 

btw, thanks everyone who's been helping me out so far. really appreciated. ^_^

 

You should check the BIOS version in the motherboard with the vendor before purchase. The cpu needs ver F6 or later. Anything earlier and you will have to update the BIOS which will require a compatible cpu.

 

If you do go for the R9 290 you may want to upgrade the psu. Gigabyte recommends a 600W psu for that gpu. (Not that 600W is really needed, but that is the recommendation.)

80+ ratings certify electrical efficiency. Not quality.

 

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OC seems too confusing and scary. =P

 

I don't know if it's something I should even attempt for a first time builder. 

it is not that hard if you just watch some tutoials on it and write down EVRYTHING you do so if it dosent work you can always go back to stock clock but here is a video that explain i5 4690k OC

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