Custom PC building. PLEASE HELP!

[laroccad18]

Right now I am typing this topic on a Toshiba Satellite that I got for about 40$. Yup a 40$ laptop. I have always been meaning to save up some money for a custom gaming desktop but I would not know where to start. I don't know the most about customizing a PC but I do know a little to get by. 

 

I was wondering if this great community can assist me in this project. Anything is appreciated, from the best budget to start with to the best case to have. I would like to get an idea of what parts and components that are better to build a great gaming computer for a price that will not have me get a loan. 

 

The things I do have though is the peripherals, so no need for any of that. 

 

Thank you all for helping me out. 

[KayTees]

Right now I am typing this topic on a Toshiba Satellite that I got for about 40$. Yup a 40$ laptop. I have always been meaning to save up some money for a custom gaming desktop but I would not know where to start. I don't know the most about customizing a PC but I do know a little to get by. 

 

I was wondering if this great community can assist me in this project. Anything is appreciated, from the best budget to start with to the best case to have. I would like to get an idea of what parts and components that are better to build a great gaming computer for a price that will not have me get a loan. 

 

The things I do have though is the peripherals, so no need for any of that. 

 

Thank you all for helping me out. 

How much are you willing to spend? 500? 1000? 2000? What games are you trying to play? Anything particular you want in mind?

[TheKDub]

1. Budget?

2. Location?

3. Where do you want to purchase the parts from?

4. Usage?

5. Preferences on color scheme, form factor, etc..

[xnoobftw]

All of the most cost effective parts in a list. With room for expansion in mind (add another 970 when you need more performance)

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($214.99 @ NCIX US) 

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

Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($145.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory: Team Elite Plus 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($58.98 @ OutletPC) 

Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($119.99 @ B&H) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($77.75 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card  ($329.98 @ NCIX US) 

Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($59.99 @ NCIX US) 

Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($91.66 @ Newegg) 

Total: $1126.08

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-29 23:03 EST-0500

[laroccad18]

1. Budget?

2. Location?

3. Where do you want to purchase the parts from?

4. Usage?

5. Preferences on color scheme, form factor, etc..

1. Budget: Around 1000$ Less would be great.

2. Location: Meaning?

3. Purchase: From online websites like Newegg or Micro Center is close to me.

4. Usage: I would use this for a gaming rig that can run the new games on good quality settings. Also for light browsing and work.

5. Preferences: I don't have anything in mind exactly yet but I do like the more stealthy black look. But I do like a smaller case for moving from place to place.

[laroccad18]

How much are you willing to spend? 500? 1000? 2000? What games are you trying to play? Anything particular you want in mind?

I would like to spend around 1000$ but less is better. Trying to play Skyrim and Battlefield on high quality settings. Nothing particular yet.

[TheKDub]

1. Budget: Around 1000$ Less would be great.

2. Location: Meaning?

3. Purchase: From online websites like Newegg or Micro Center is close to me.

4. Usage: I would use this for a gaming rig that can run the new games on good quality settings. Also for light browsing and work.

5. Preferences: I don't have anything in mind exactly yet but I do like the more stealthy black look. But I do like a smaller case for moving from place to place.

 

Location - where in the world you are.

[laroccad18]

Location - where in the world you are

I am located in Michigan.

[laroccad18]

 

All of the most cost effective parts in a list. With room for expansion in mind (add another 970 when you need more performance)

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($214.99 @ NCIX US) 

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

Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($145.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory: Team Elite Plus 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($58.98 @ OutletPC) 

Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($119.99 @ B&H) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($77.75 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card  ($329.98 @ NCIX US) 

Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($59.99 @ NCIX US) 

Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($91.66 @ Newegg) 

Total: $1126.08

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-29 23:03 EST-0500

 

 

Thanks! But a bit pricey.

[TheKDub]

I am located in Michigan.

 

Another michigander! 

[laroccad18]

Another michigander! 

You too! Man what a winter huh? Thanks for the help!

[TheKDub]

You too! Man what a winter huh? Thanks for the help!

 

Yeah, quite a winter indeed

 

The list that @xnoobftw suggested would be a good option, though you could remove the SSD to bring the price down, and that PSU can be swapped out with a Corsair CX600M (what I've got in my rig) to save about $30.

 

overall that would be a very solid build for you.

[laroccad18]

Yeah, quite a winter indeed

 

The list that @xnoobftw suggested would be a good option, though you could remove the SSD to bring the price down, and that PSU can be swapped out with a Corsair CX600M (what I've got in my rig) to save about $30.

 

overall that would be a very solid build for you.

Hey thanks a lot for the help. Ill look into that list. Also looking at your current build not only that it sounds cool but we actually have the same exact mouse. Nice choice!

[TheKDub]

Hey thanks a lot for the help. Ill look into that list. Also looking at your current build not only that it sounds cool but we actually have the same exact mouse. Nice choice!

 

Yeah I really like the mouse, now I just have to get a GTX 970 for my rig and upgrade my keyboard to a Corsair K70 RGB...

[xnoobftw]

Thanks! But a bit pricey.

Remove SSD and stick to the hard drive till you can afford an SSD. Done deal  

[laroccad18]

Yeah I really like the mouse, now I just have to get a GTX 970 for my rig and upgrade my keyboard to a Corsair K70 RGB...

Got some big upgrades coming up. But worth it. Have you ever posted your rig on this forum? It would be cool to see.

[xnoobftw]

Yeah, quite a winter indeed

 

The list that @xnoobftw suggested would be a good option, though you could remove the SSD to bring the price down, and that PSU can be swapped out with a Corsair CX600M (what I've got in my rig) to save about $30.

 

overall that would be a very solid build for you.

But EVGA g2 750 watts comes with a 10 years warranty. 10 YEARS!  

And it allows room for 970 SLI. 

[laroccad18]

Remove SSD and stick to the hard drive till you can afford an SSD. Done deal

Not a bad idea at all. Now I just need the money...  :mellow:

[stconquest]

Fry's has a 3 day sale (until the 31st) on the motherboard and the 16GB of RAM.  http://images.frys.com/art/email/122914_mon991ksb/mon_email.html?site=premail1229

 

I know it is a Z87, but it is a great overclocking board and it looks good.  Asrock's Extreme 3 will do if you want a Z97 board.

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z97extreme3 8 phase VRM for overclocking.

 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($214.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($26.75 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Sandisk X110 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($89.99 @ NCIX US) Read speed 505MB/s, write speed 445MB/s.
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card  ($329.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair SPEC-02 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Other: 16GB Patriot Viper 3 - 1600Mhz, CL9 ($114.99)
Other: MSI G65 ($55.00)
Total: $956.69 (that's $108 in Mail-in rebates... I know, it sucks) Real total:  around $1064.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-29 23:55 EST-0500

 

 

If you have any questions about any of the parts, just ask.  I picked each one carefully. 

 

This Mushkin SSD is faster but only 240GB.  I use a 240, it works for me:  http://pcpartpicker.com/part/mushkin-internal-hard-drive-mknssdcr240gbg2

 

Wow, I was wrong, the MSI GD 65 is only $55.  http://www.frys.com/product/7698137?site=premail1229

[laroccad18]

Fry's has a 3 day sale (until the 31st) on the motherboard and the 16GB of RAM.  http://images.frys.com/art/email/122914_mon991ksb/mon_email.html?site=premail1229

 

I know it is a Z87, but it is a great overclocking board and it looks good.  Asrock's Extreme 3 will do if you want a Z97 board.

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z97extreme3 8 phase VRM for Overclocking.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($214.99 @ NCIX US)

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

Storage: Sandisk X110 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($89.99 @ NCIX US)

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card  ($329.99 @ Newegg)

Case: Corsair SPEC-02 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($64.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($59.99 @ Newegg)

Other: MSI Z87 GD65 ($89.99)

Other: 16GB Patriot Viper 3 - 1600Mhz, CL9 ($114.99)

Total: $991.68

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-29 23:39 EST-0500

Why is that motherboard oddly cheap at this seller?

[TheKDub]

Got some big upgrades coming up. But worth it. Have you ever posted your rig on this forum? It would be cool to see.

 

As of right now I have not, I'd prefer to have it all set up how I want it and looking nice before I consider doing that, so probably once I upgrade my case to a corsair air 540, add some lighting, throw in an AIO water cooler, and do a bunch of other upgrades.

[laroccad18]

As of right now I have not, I'd prefer to have it all set up how I want it and looking nice before I consider doing that, so probably once I upgrade my case to a corsair air 540, add some lighting, throw in an AIO water cooler, and do a bunch of other upgrades.

Not a bad plan. Just let me know if you get to it. 

[TheKDub]

Not a bad plan. Just let me know if you get to it. 

 

Alright, I'll try to remember to

[stconquest]

Why is that motherboard oddly cheap at this seller?

Hell if I know.  Someone just posted it here on the forums.  I find that New Years has the best deals.  I bought my PC at New Years.  Saved around $300.

 

The Mobo has a hefty VRM, 12 phases.  Tons of potential as far as overclocking goes.  I updated my earlier post btw...the board is $55, not $89

[stconquest]

IMPORTANT:  I realized something about the motherboard.  You have to find out if it needs a bios update for the Haswell refresh CPUs (4690K).  If it does, it could cause some problems.