Building My First PC

[TekkyTG]

Hey everyone, my name is Micah. (My-Kuh)

I have always been a pretty heavy gamer. I also love coding software, editing videos, interacting with online friends, making graphics like Minecraft skins, forum banners, and YouTube channel icons. I have an intermediate-advanced knowledge of software, while a pretty simple knowledge of hardware. I understand how to put ram in properly and that not all pieces of hardware are compatible with others, like ram or M.2 SSDs for motherboards.

I own an HP Z400 Workstation, refurbished on eBay for 290$. It runs Windows 10 Pro and has 12gb of ram with a FirePro 3D GPU. I've put in a WiFi card and it runs Minecraft very well, but has trouble with shaders and larger games like CS:GO and Fortnite.

 

While researching, I decided to look up all the parts for my computer. I discover my CPU is $15 new. The FirePro is $20 new. My motherboard is $30 refurbished only because it's no longer manufactured. The most expensive part is the case, 80 to a hundred bucks (refurbished) most likely just because it's metal. I look all the parts up on eBay used and learn, wow, I could have built this for about a hundred-hundred and fifty bucks! The CPU is literally $3.25 with Fast N' Free shipping... So now I'm kinda salty :P. Of course, back then I had little knowledge of computers, and that was only my second desktop I had ever had. My previous computers had always been two hundred or four hundred dollar laptops, or a cheap garage sale FREE box one that ran windows XP... So all this time I had been thinking I had an entry level or intermediate gaming system, only to learn that my computer was barely qualified as a computer to run Photoshop. It ran Minecraft at 300 FPS, so long as the game was the only thing on the computer... If I added anything it would go to about 60 or below pretty quick.

 

Okay, enough babbling about stuff no one is going to read anyway. Here goes:

 

1. Budget and Location

My budget is between 300 and 500 dollars. I live in the US, and my currency is USD. I don't want to go above my budget, at least not by much. I mow lawns to earn my money (I'm 15 years old) and I also replace phone screens, so money comes a little harder for me. (If anyone would like to help me get started with building PC's for people, let me know. It's a heavy interest for me.)

 

2. Aim

I want to build my first computer. I'd like it to contain a basic to intermediate graphics card for now, most likely a GT 730. The computer needs to be centered around gaming for the most part, but have a CPU (Most likely an i5) that will work for gaming and editing/coding software with ease. I'd also like a good-looking, well-built case that is inexpensive, and includes a side window and maybe some LED's of some kind. My current computer which has a cheap Xeon has served me well, so I would be willing to go with a Xeon series CPU. If anyone can suggest an inexpensive yet just as powerful CPU, I'd be open to the option. In a simple, short sentence, my aim is to have a powerful computer for gaming while still being able to edit and code programs on it with ease.

 

3. Monitors

I plan to run one to two monitors, typically the second monitor only showing my file explorer, music, or web guide page. besides that, it's just there so I can see the clock and know when to go to bed if I've been playing a game since 10 am. (Just kidding, I'm not like that--at least not every day. >:D) I'm not sure about my screen setup, it'd take a lot of explaining as to why I don't know, so here's the short answer: I could use two smaller monitors that are either both 16:9 or square, or I may go back to my old setup with a 50 inch 16:9 monitor with a small 15-20 inch square monitor. I'm thinking about not using the big monitor as it seems to decrease performance on my current GPU, and it doesn't produce a very clear image, either.

 

4. Peripherals

I do not need to purchase a mouse or keyboard, or anything of the like. However, I do need help to create a bootable USB drive for my new, custom built computer.

 

Anyone that is willing to help me choose the right parts, explain to me things like, "What does GHz and MHz do for a GPU?" or, "How safe is overclocking?" would be greatly appreciated.

 

I have "built" a computer on eBay for about $350. If someone would go through it and make sure I've selected compatible parts, that would be lovely. I tried my best to make sure I did, but as it's my first PC I've ever built, I'd like to have a second opinion. If anyone can make changes to it for the better without affecting the price too much, have at it! Notice that I have made it blue themed. I'd be willing to go with red or dark purple, however.

 

750 Watt Blue LED PSU: https://www.ebay.com/itm/401016740157

Intel Core i5-760: https://www.ebay.com/itm/192602258319

120mm Blue LED Fan: https://www.ebay.com/itm/282004272544?var=580959252017

Blue LED Kit: https://www.ebay.com/itm/173406826085

CPU Water Cooler (Someone please make sure this will work for me!): https://www.ebay.com/itm/322604220117

VIVO ATX Windowed Gaming Computer: https://www.ebay.com/itm/173008172118

Samsung 256GB SSD: https://www.ebay.com/itm/163144766250

1TB Seagate HDD: https://www.ebay.com/itm/332737802326

GT 730: https://www.ebay.com/itm/323355792982

Gigabyte GA DDR3 Motherboard: https://www.ebay.com/itm/253768312830

Kingston HyperX Blu (2x8gb) DDR3 Ram Sticks: https://www.ebay.com/itm/123279495751

 

Thanks, everyone!

Edited July 31, 2018 by TechPrince
Forgot to add my build.

[Starelementpoke]

Look on Reddit Hardware swap. Should find some good deals on there.

[AfternoonTea]

I haven't looked through all of the list but does that cooler include water block?

[mikedrewsmy]

Yikes. Sorry. Wrong price list.

[TekkyTG]

52 minutes ago, Starelementpoke said:

Look on Reddit Hardware swap. Should find some good deals on there.

Thanks! I'll check it out.

[TekkyTG]

9 minutes ago, AfternoonTea said:

I haven't looked through all of the list but does that cooler include water block?

I'm pretty sure it does, but I'll message the seller real quick to double check!

[TekkyTG]

Sorry guys, just realized I posted this in the wrong place... Oops!

[TekkyTG]

I have some knowledge of computer hardware, but not enough. I've been binge watching videos like LinusTechTips Scrapyard Wars and reviews to try to learn about all the different components, how to select them, and everything. But I still only know very few components, like CPU and GPUs. I know everybody wants a GTX 1080 ti, but when I look at GPU specs, typically they mean nothing to me. I have to see a review that is all about FPS, and then that person may have a specific CPU and SSD that affects it, so I have no idea if it will run as well in my computer. If anyone can help me learn things like this, I'm ready and willing. Also, if someone wanted to restart my whole computer setup and help me through picking out better parts (via the hardware swap Reddit, eBay, places like that), let me know!

[AfternoonTea]

36 minutes ago, TechPrince said:

I have some knowledge of computer hardware, but not enough. I've been binge watching videos like LinusTechTips Scrapyard Wars and reviews to try to learn about all the different components, how to select them, and everything. But I still only know very few components, like CPU and GPUs. I know everybody wants a GTX 1080 ti, but when I look at GPU specs, typically they mean nothing to me. I have to see a review that is all about FPS, and then that person may have a specific CPU and SSD that affects it, so I have no idea if it will run as well in my computer. If anyone can help me learn things like this, I'm ready and willing. Also, if someone wanted to restart my whole computer setup and help me through picking out better parts (via the hardware swap Reddit, eBay, places like that), let me know!

FPS you can get on your hardware really depends on what game your playing. Some game are more CPU hungry (like Minecraft, CS GO, PUBG, etc) and some are more GPU hungry (most of other 3D games). Usually SSD or HDD or most of components other than CPU and GPU and sometimes cooler won't effect FPS . If you want to get an idea of how powerful the CPU or GPU are, I will recommend looking for benchmarks such as Passmark and other benchmark sites instead of specs. If you have specific game you want to run, I will suggest going to wiki or forums of that game and look for benchmarks or search benchmarks done on youtube with your desire hardware since there is surprising amount of benchmark videos on youtube. (sorry for my bad english!)

[TekkyTG]

That's super helpful, AfternoonTea! I now remember a tech friend of mine telling me something about this. It's a great refreshment, and now I remember some more things! I will add to what you say with this: GPU matters significantly if you are going to use shaders on your Minecraft game, so I'd better focus on a fair GPU and a hyped up CPU.

 

AfternoonTea, I've moved my CPU budget to $150. If you can recommend me a good CPU in a close price range, let me know! I've moved my PC-building to PCPartPicker. I just don't know enough CPU's yet, though. I'm going to restart on my build and I'm going to begin researching every CPU in the budget range I've set.

 

PC that I built with PCPartPicker:

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/mV98TW/amd-ryzen-5-1600-32ghz-6-core-processor-yd1600bbaebox - CPU

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/pZfhP6/raijintek-juno-x-520-cfm-cpu-cooler-0r100057 - CPU Cooler

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/6T7CmG/gigabyte-ga-ab350m-gaming-3-micro-atx-am4-motherboard-ga-ab350m-gaming-3 - Mobo

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/kH2rxr/gskill-memory-f42400c15s4gis - Ram (x2)

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/2FDzK8/kingston-a400-120gb-25-solid-state-drive-sa400s37120g - SSD

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/dCxfrH/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st1000dm003 - HDD

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/cCDzK8/evga-geforce-gtx-1050-2gb-sc-gaming-video-card-02g-p4-6152-kr - GPU

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/2tTrxr/corsair-spec-04-blackred-atx-mid-tower-case-cc-9011107-ww - Case

https://www.ebay.com/itm/775W-Replace-Power-Supply-for-750W-700W-680W-650W-600W-ATX-Red-LED-SATA-PCI-E/292468546794?hash=item44187bdcea%3Ag%3AV~0AAOSwkQZbX4AL&_sacat=0&_nkw=red+led+power+supply+750w&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=m570.l1313&LH_TitleDesc=0|0 - PSU

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/wx2rxr/xkttsueercrr-waterproof-red-led-3528-smd-300led-5m-flexible-light-strip-12v-2a-24w-60ledm - Red LED Strip

https://www.outletpc.com/kt7854-corsair-2-pack-120mm-red-led-case-fan.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw7vraBRBbEiwA4WBOn11pL5qmlk3fVFCurT7kCa8lNVuLyUSoFIQYDUKNkHnxhiJFvi14qBoCQrkQAvD_BwE - Case Fan(s)

 

The power supply I chose might not be the most reliable, so can someone check that out for me? If it's not a good idea I'll go with the one on PCPartPicker that's just red without LED's... There's only one red LED PSU on PCPartPicker and it's over a hundred bucks... Not worth it to me.

 

Oh, and I chose a Ryzen 5 1600 over a 1500X, let me know if I should change that.

[Rauten]

The Ryzen 5 1600 is a fine choice for your budget and use case; plus it comes with a pretty decent cooler in the box. That raijintek you have picked up will most likely offer you no benefits over the one that comes included (Ryzen stock coolers have been pretty decent so far).

 

The mobo I have heard has a somewhat anemic power distribution; it's a bit more expensive, but I would personally go for this one: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/fPDzK8/asus-prime-b350-plus-atx-am4-motherboard-prime-b350-plus

 

That power supply looks unreliable; plus, 750W is complete overkill for your build. For a relatively budget but also somewhat reliable option, this should do the trick: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/B6XnTW/cooler-master-masterwatt-550w-80-bronze-certified-semi-modular-atx-power-supply-mpx-5501-amaab-us

 

With your limited budget, I would personally forget about the LED/RGB craze and focus exclusively on bang per buck; keeping that in mind, if you let go of the LED strip and the LED case fans, you could probably use the savings to upgrade that 1050 2GB to a 1050Ti 4GB.

[AfternoonTea]

If you want to play Minecraft with shader, you should get more powerful GPU. I have 1050 and I got around 20~50FPS on 1080p display depending on place. ( I was using KUDA Shader with default texture, and after some tweaking with optifine I did manage to get around 40~60fps) I would say 1050ti, or even 1060 if you have budget and want to play it really smoothly.

 

 Also, like Rauten said, AMD include pretty beefy wraith spire cooler for this (unlike Intel) so if I was you, I wouldn't get other cooler especially cheap one.

 

And again, like Rauten said, PSU is one of the important peace for reliability and when cheap one fails, it will probably take other components with it such as motherboard, CPU, GPU, etc. Also cheap one is not really efficient (which means it will draw a little bit more power from your wall and heat up more compare to more efficient PSU) specially one without 80+ certificate.

 

Lastly, CPU. 6 core 12 threads is kind of overkill if all you wants to do is game on it but as workstation, it's pretty good choice. Single thread rating is little on low side in passmark but it's probably fine. Also, Ryzen is already unlocked so if you're  interested on overclocking, you should get better mother board but this is still doable.

[TekkyTG]

That's a lot of great info. I've already changed the motherboard in my parts list to the ASUS (I double checked that it is overclocking unlocked). I removed the fan I chose and went with a corsair, I can't tell if this one is LED or not, but it's red: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/ZFzv6h/corsair-case-fan-co9050015rled

I also switched to the power supply suggested by Rauten. I also removed the LEDs, I guess I'll get those later on. You guys are right, I'm too focused on the look of the computer and not the capabilities.

New GPU: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/H97CmG/msi-geforce-gtx-1050-ti-4gb-gaming-x-4g-video-card-gtx-1050-ti-gaming-x-4g

[TekkyTG]

I got really lucky with the GPU being just the right colors. It also looks beautiful, too

[TekkyTG]

@Valermos This is my thread

[Exotath]

12 hours ago, TechPrince said:

@Valermos This is my thread

Thank you for tagging me. I'll def be following along! I'm in the office right now but when I get home I'll give the thread a full read through.

[Exotath]

@TechPrince do you have an updated PCpartpicker list for us to look at? I read through the thread and you've gotten some good input, based on that how does the new parts list look?

[TekkyTG]

On 8/9/2018 at 8:23 AM, Valermos said:

@TechPrince do you have an updated PCpartpicker list for us to look at? I read through the thread and you've gotten some good input, based on that how does the new parts list look?

Hey! Here's the link: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/Vs66pG

I was also wondering if I needed to get some thermal paste. I understand that most CPU's come with some, but I also understand that it's a good idea to get a better brand. After a little Googling I discovered that Arctic Silver 5 is one of the best or the best, as well as it being pretty cheap for only six bucks.

[TekkyTG]

@Valermos 

Here's the list before I got some help, for no reason in particular:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/cfXn8Y

 

Oh, and I've decided to buy each part one at a time, because I'm worried I'll get halfway through, get tired of earning money, and just spend all the cash on something I don't really need or maybe just a GPU and stick it in my PC.

[TekkyTG]

I just purchased the GTX 1050 ti for my new PC!!!

[TekkyTG]

GPU came in a few days ago, stuck it in my current PC, and things hit a whole new level!

I also changed which SSD I was getting to a 240gb instead of a 120gb. Ordered it tonight!