My First PC Build

[Ovulatory]

Hello everyone, I'm newer to the computer building scene and I'm looking to build a PC in the $500 to $700 price range. I'm aware that this is the graphics card section, but I didn't see if there was an overall topic for building a pc. I'm wanting to build the PC for gaming (mostly things like ArmA 3 and things like that) hoping to run them on moderate graphics settings with a good fps. Also I prefer an Intel based PC, but I'm open to AMD as well if that means saving money. All feedback is helpful!!!

 

-Thanks, Ovulatory

[ImBleu]

For future reference: http://linustechtips.com/main/forum/18-new-builds-and-planning/

 

Post there and people will probably help you out.

[JustCallMeVlad]

500-700? Unlocked pentium build pops into my head

[79wjd]

500-700? Unlocked pentium build pops into my head

The G3258 isn't a good gaming chip as there is no multitasking possibility, plus newer games won't even open a dual core without some modification first. 

 

The G3258 is only good for a handful of games, which only run on one/two threads, and even then it's only good if you're not doing anything else at the same time. The other time it's good is when you're using it as a stop gap until you can upgrade to an i5/i7. 

 

At the price point of the G3258, an AMD X4 860k is almost always a better choice. 

[XxKINGxX40]

I know one thing. For that price range, I'd go AMD CPU and a R9 280x

[JustCallMeVlad]

The G3258 isn't a good gaming chip as there is no multitasking possibility, plus newer games won't even open a dual core without some modification first.

The G3258 is only good for a handful of games, which only run on one/two threads, and even then it's only good if you're not doing anything else at the same time. The other time it's good is when you're using it as a stop gap until you can upgrade to an i5/i7.

At the price point of the G3258, an AMD X4 860k is almost always a better choice.

A lot of people underestimate the pentium. Overclocked it's very good.

http://youtu.be/2gzReaFZUIE

[79wjd]

A lot of people underestimate the pentium. Overclocked it's very good.

http://youtu.be/2gzReaFZUIE

Yes, but it's still a dual core in a day when four-core games are becoming the norm. CoD AW won't even open on a dual core without first changing a few files. And then you also have to remember that not all G3258's overclock particularly well, and you can't do anything else while gaming. Also, while the G3258 is able to maintain high average framerates, minimums are lower and more common than on quad/sudo-quad cores such as an 860k/i3. 

[JustCallMeVlad]

Yes, but it's still a dual core in a day when four-core games are becoming the norm. CoD AW won't even open on a dual core without first changing a few files. And then you also have to remember that not all G3258's overclock particularly well, and you can't do anything else while gaming. Also, while the G3258 is able to maintain high average framerates, minimums are lower and more common than on quad/sudo-quad cores such as an 860k/i3.

An unlocked pentium should have no problems playing a console port and every pentium will do 4.5ghz with a 20 dollar cooler

[Imakuni]

Okay... so here is my suggestion: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FPvGwP.

 

It goes for 486$, BUUT, you still need to pick out a case (which I find a bit too personal), and you can also burn some fat on the OS and peripherals, which aren't included. There is also the huge ammounts of "mail in rebate", so there is room for you to tweak things further.

 

A few quick comments about the build:

1. The storage is lackluster. Reason being, you can just grab another HD later, if you need more space. Of course, you could get bigger storage right off the bat; however, it will hurt our (limited) budget. It's also good to have the OS in one HD, and the games on another, makes it easier when formatting stuff.
2. You'll see that I chose 2x4gb for the RAM. It's cheaper than a single 8gb stick. You'll also notice it's only 1333mhz, but Linus himself already showed us that faster RAM won't help you. So given the limited budget, we cheap out on the mem, while still hitting the 8gb minimum and maximum spot. It is still Corsair, so I trust it.
3. You could swap the Mobo for the the cheaper yellow version. But it was only 2$ difference, and I like the color scheme a bit more. But hey, it's your machine, feel free to tweak it!
4. For the PSU, I grabbed the cheapest 500W+ that was also 80 Plus Bronze. Turns out it was EVGA's, so I settled with it.
5. I don't know if Powercolor is a good brand. I don't know much about AMD's cards. But I heard XFX was bad, so I went with the PowerColor instead.

If you get some extra money to dump, my next bet is to invest on the CPU.

 

EDIT: a "mail-in-rebate"less version of the build, if you don't like those -> http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FsjMD3