Looking to build my first PC

Reds Duty · March 29, 2015

Hello,

Currently I am planning to build my very first pc!

I have a budget of €1000 (for the pc itself) and I am going to use it to program, modest gaming and everyday use.

Currently I have done a lot of research for wath I can and best get for the price and I think my parts list hast worked out pretty wel.

The color scheme is black with blue touches.

Here it is:

http://de.pcpartpicker.com/user/Reds_Duty/saved/3rDTwP

That's currently the plan. I am following discounts for my peripherals like my mouse, keyboard, mike,...

I already have bought the Logitech Performance MX.

I still need to find 2-3 budget 24" 1080p monitors (2x150€ or 3x100€), you can always give me suggestions for my components and peripherals.

(no fanboys to convert me to NVIDEA GPU or AMD CPU please!)

Btw: I know that at this price point I could have a WAY better graphic card, but I'm not a hardcore gamer, I mainly play minecraft and the less known FPS games.

(I'm used to be gaming on Intel HD Graphics 4000 on a laptop, so I can live with less detail)

My Inspirations were Linus' holiday build guides of 2014, ALL the build guides of Austin Evans and needing to get a desktop instead of a weak laptop.

Thanks for your support!

PS: This is an AWESOME community! I should have joined you earlier!

Atmos · March 29, 2015

I'll edit this post in a couple minutes once i've compiled a list, but until then. For gaming, if you're going to spend that much on a cpu, best not cheap out on the gpu. The 260x is a comperable card, but it falls short at gaming in high detail on 1080p.

Alright, now I've added 3 benQ monitors to the list, so there's the reason the cost is above 950e atm. Without them, the pc costs about

900e. Now, i went with a slightly lower end cpu and motherboard, to allow for an all around, better build. The ram you won't notice a difference with, it's barely a change. The motherboard does not affect performance, and is at least a clean looking black motherboard, to go with the blue ram. The graphics card is an R9 280X, which is decades faster than the 260x, and fits in the same budget. The ssd has been upgraded to a 256gb crucial ssd, not quite as fast as the 530 series, but not so much slower that you should see any sort of a difference but that this one has much more storage. The case is the same, with the same price as listed in your parts list.

All in all, this is a much more stable, and fast build, and even if you dont plan to game super hardcore, you're going to need something more powerful than a 260X to drive 3 displays @ 1080p.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor (€174.90 @ Caseking)

Motherboard: ASRock B85 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (€74.90 @ Caseking)

Memory: Kingston HyperX Blu 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory (€66.01 @ Amazon Deutschland)

Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (€95.90 @ Amazon Deutschland)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (€56.90 @ Caseking)

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280X 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card (€285.11 @ Amazon Deutschland)

Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case (€75.00)

Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (€74.90 @ Caseking)

Monitor: BenQ GL2250HM 60Hz 21.5" Monitor (€113.99 @ Amazon Deutschland)

Total: €1245.59

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-29 21:19 CEST+0200

iHardware Shelden · March 29, 2015

I agree with Atmos, also why do you not want to use an Nvidia card and/or AMD cpu? I payed just under $300 for my GTX 650ti Boost and FX 6300 rig, I use to think AMD was shit but if your gaming and even basic video editing AMD kicks ass especially when it comes to price. But yes for a build of that price a 260x is way to little.

What are your main plans/uses for this rig?

I see you are not going to be gaming a lot so I get why the 260x might be in place and also the i5.

xCaleb · March 29, 2015

I would suggest buying the ssd later and using the money to buy a 960 instead, other than that it looks like a good build.

AlanTheEmu · March 29, 2015

Here's a list I made for you: http://de.pcpartpicker.com/p/V9wppgTotal €955.61 and a better GPU.

Reds Duty · March 29, 2015

I agree with Atmos, also why do you not want to use an Nvidia card and/or AMD cpu? I payed just under $300 for my GTX 650ti Boost and FX 6300 rig, I use to think AMD was shit but if your gaming and even basic video editing AMD kicks ass especially when it comes to price. But yes for a build of that price a 260x is way to little.

What are your main plans/uses for this rig?

I see you are not going to be gaming a lot so I get why the 260x might be in place and also the i5.

I mean, I can change to another brand, but I don't want to get the same product of another brand, just because they like it better.

My main use will be programming, java and android develloping, browsing, and other everyday tasks.

This is not gaming for main purpose, I will do some gaming on it but not a lot.

I'll edit this post in a couple minutes once i've compiled a list, but until then. For gaming, if you're going to spend that much on a cpu, best not cheap out on the gpu. The 260x is a comperable card, but it falls short at gaming in high detail on 1080p.

Alright, now I've added 3 benQ monitors to the list, so there's the reason the cost is above 950e atm. Without them, the pc costs about

900e. Now, i went with a slightly lower end cpu and motherboard, to allow for an all around, better build. The ram you won't notice a difference with, it's barely a change. The motherboard does not affect performance, and is at least a clean looking black motherboard, to go with the blue ram. The graphics card is an R9 280X, which is decades faster than the 260x, and fits in the same budget. The ssd has been upgraded to a 256gb crucial ssd, not quite as fast as the 530 series, but not so much slower that you should see any sort of a difference but that this one has much more storage. The case is the same, with the same price as listed in your parts list.

All in all, this is a much more stable, and fast build, and even if you dont plan to game super hardcore, you're going to need something more powerful than a 260X to drive 3 displays @ 1080p.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor (€174.90 @ Caseking)

Motherboard: ASRock B85 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (€74.90 @ Caseking)

Memory: Kingston HyperX Blu 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory (€66.01 @ Amazon Deutschland)

Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (€95.90 @ Amazon Deutschland)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (€56.90 @ Caseking)

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280X 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card (€285.11 @ Amazon Deutschland)

Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case (€75.00)

Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (€74.90 @ Caseking)

Monitor: BenQ GL2250HM 60Hz 21.5" Monitor (€113.99 @ Amazon Deutschland)

Monitor: BenQ GL2250HM 60Hz 21.5" Monitor (€113.99 @ Amazon Deutschland)

Monitor: BenQ GL2250HM 60Hz 21.5" Monitor (€113.99 @ Amazon Deutschland)

Total: €1245.59

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-29 21:19 CEST+0200

The build is in another 3 months, so I really have the time to think everything over and collect some more money.

The first thing I'd do then is upgrade it, but I was thinking on buying 1 of the 260x first and another later on, to be able to run higher demanding games when needed.

I know it's an older cpu, but I figured running 1 screen for gaming and two other for everyday multitasking, i'd be fine with one and later 2 of those, I could maybe switch to 2 270x's but,

i'll be researching it in the main time, I might also need a 600W PSU for planning to upgrade those things, that's why I am doing this so long ahead.

Thanks for your quick support!

Reds Duty

Reds Duty · March 29, 2015

I just changed to the ssd you recommended, and to a bigger PSU

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (€252.85 @ Amazon Deutschland)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (€33.10 @ Amazon Deutschland)

Motherboard: MSI Z97 U3 Plus ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (€126.02 @ Amazon Deutschland)

Memory: Kingston Predator Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory (€85.90 @ Amazon Deutschland)

Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (€95.90 @ Amazon Deutschland)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (€56.90 @ Caseking)

Video Card: MSI Radeon R7 260X 2GB Video Card (€120.89 @ Amazon Deutschland)

Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case (€75.00)

Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (€74.90 @ Caseking)

Case Fan: NZXT FN-140RB 62.5 CFM 140mm Fan (€11.90 @ Caseking)

Total: €933.36

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-29 22:28 CEST+0200

Atmos · March 29, 2015

I mean, I can change to another brand, but I don't want to get the same product of another brand, just because they like it better.

My main use will be programming, java and android develloping, browsing, and other everyday tasks.

This is not gaming for main purpose, I will do some gaming on it but not a lot.

The build is in another 3 months, so I really have the time to think everything over and collect some more money.

The first thing I'd do then is upgrade it, but I was thinking on buying 1 of the 260x first and another later on, to be able to run higher demanding games when needed.

I know it's an older cpu, but I figured running 1 screen for gaming and two other for everyday multitasking, i'd be fine with one and later 2 of those, I could maybe switch to 2 270x's but,

i'll be researching it in the main time, I might also need a 600W PSU for planning to upgrade those things, that's why I am doing this so long ahead.

Thanks for your quick support!

Reds Duty

I really can't suggest like, ever buying 2 260X, there's just no reason to. The build i linked, for is less than the one you originally wanted to go with, and is only faster. The *downgrades* in there from your linked build are not noticeable in any sort of a way, whereas the benefits of having a larger ssd, and better gpu will make a world of difference. The 4440 is comparable to the 4690K, infact, if you don't plan on overclocking really then i would suggest that over the 4690k as performance at nonoverclocked speeds is practically the same. Trust me on this, with that budget, get the 280X, you will see literal worlds of difference, where as if you get the 4690k, it's going to take overclocking the crap out of it to get the same kind of performance difference over the 4440. And to do that you'd need something along the lines of a h100i gtx, or k61

Reds Duty · March 29, 2015

@Atmos

Thanks for the advice!

But I actually am planning to overclock, that's why I have the aftermarket cooler.

Also, I am going for a minimum ram speed of 1600 because I also will photoshop sometimes.

I am willing to accept your advice on the graphics side. I'm pretty sure i'll start with 2 screens and adding a 3th one later... But I can imagine ultra-wide 3 x 1080p gaming does not run that smooth on one video card. So that would mean I will need to buy one more later, and that brings me to an even bigger power supply (with safety and cpu overclock in mind).

I think I'm going to change my part list to the main components:

http://de.pcpartpicker.com/p/jCPc7P

(more storage (1tb+), more ram, another 280x to run in crossfire)

Atmos · March 29, 2015

@Atmos

Thanks for the advice!

But I actually am planning to overclock, that's why I have the aftermarket cooler.

Also, I am going for a minimum ram speed of 1600 because I also will photoshop sometimes.

I am willing to accept your advice on the graphics side. I'm pretty sure i'll start with 2 screens and adding a 3th one later... But I can imagine ultra-wide 3 x 1080p gaming does not run that smooth on one video card. So that would mean I will need to buy one more later, and that brings me to an even bigger power supply (with safety and cpu overclock in mind).

I think I'm going to change my part list to the main components:

http://de.pcpartpicker.com/p/jCPc7P

(more storage (1tb+), more ram, another 280x to run in crossfire)

Adobe programs, and content creation benefit more from ram amount than speed. It's about a 85/15 ratio of amount to speed for content creation. 32gb of 1600 is better than 24gb of 2400mhz. Also, yea the 260X will not get any sort of a good or even ok frame rate on 3 or even 2 monitors at any resolution above 720p and all medium-low settings. The 280x can play the games you want on the 3 panels with fairly good fps 1080p and solid quality settings.

If you wanted butter smooth 1080p tripple screen gaming on AAA titles, then dual 280X's would dominate.