First time building a computer, need some help.

[Saycheese]

So as the title suggests I'm going to be building a computer for the first time relatively soon. I have a budget of about 3000, and I'm aiming to build a computer that can run all new games at max settings and will easily upgradeable. I was wondering if anyone could give me a complete list of parts that could do this within the budget I listed. Any tips/advice would be appreciated as well. Thanks in advance.

[Dedweight]

Could easily half your budget and build a system that will run everything you throw at it at max(or near max) at 1080p. I'd look over Marest's Sample Build list found here(http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/...-Sample-Builds).

As for tips if you know how to use a screwdriver, can follow the instructions supplied with the parts, and have ever played with Lego's you're pretty much set on the assembly portion of the build process. Though I would still advise looking over Neweggs "How to build a Computer" series on Youtube, it's a 3 part series(about 2.5 hours long) but very much worth watching for a first time builder.

First video in the series can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPIXAtNGGCw

[natureca]

Yikes $3000, that's insane!

Like dedweight said, use those 2 resources, don't be afraid to ask questions either here or find a good overclock forum - http://overclockersclub.com / http://overclockers.com they usually have a whole bunch of people ready and willing to toss you a whole bunch of opinions on what hardware to include in your build.

Other then that, have fun

[TyrionLannister]

You only need like $1,000... lol

$3,000 is excessive.

[Deleted]

You only need like $1,000... lol

$3,000 is excessive.

$3,000 isn't necessarily excessive, but I agree that in this case it almost certainly is.

[hapylol]

how about instead of telling him 3,000 is excessive we give the guy some options?

OP,

Something like this would run all games @ max and offer great upgrade potential for the future. You can also ditch one or both of the monitors and get something else. If you wanted additional power you could run 2x680's but I would save that for the future.

You can also drop down to 8GB RAM as 16GB is pretty excessive, but for a $2000 build it shouldn't matter.

Let me know if you have questions

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.12 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($142.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Hard Drive: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($119.00 @ B&H)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 680 2GB Video Card ($547.86 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Midi Tower ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($116.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VH236H 23.0" Monitor ($145.84 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Asus VH236H 23.0" Monitor ($145.84 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($98.99 @ B&H)
Total: $1871.44
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-06-06 09:41 EDT-0400)

[Saycheese]

Yeah I realize 3000 is a bit much to be spending on a computer, but I'm really going for a high performance build with high end components, so I figure if im going to be spending a decent amount anyways, i might as well invest in quality parts

---------- Post added 2012-06-06 at 01:09 PM ----------

Thanks a ton hapylol, this looks perfect

[natureca]

I'd pick up this set up, two things changed. Higher PSU to support the 2x Graphic Cards, you could go up to 850W if you wanted to but 750W should be just fine. Up'd the Windows 7 to Professional just in case your going to be sticking with Windows 7 for awhile and want the option to go above 16GB of RAM (I doubt you'll need more then 16GB hell even 8GB before you end up upgrade to Windows 8, but its a thought). That and I switched to 7970's and put in crossfire, I mean if your going to have a budget of $3000 might as well go crossfire or SLI, only reason I didn't choose SLI is that finding GTX680's is kinda hard to come by or at least for myself everyone is sold out of them.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-2600K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.12 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Hard Drive: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($119.00 @ B&H)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($479.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($479.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Midi Tower ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VH236H 23.0" Monitor ($145.84 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Asus VH236H 23.0" Monitor ($145.84 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (64-bit) ($136.99 @ eCost)
Total: $2391.69
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-06-06 16:57 EDT-0400)

---------- Post added 2012-06-06 at 04:59 PM ----------

Also I really have to stop reading this forum, its making me want to redo my computer so bad lol. I've been good for just over 2 years now without touching it outside of a SSD upgrade, but its getting harder and harder

[Plagiarizer]

i dont have time to do a full pc part picker list but i like natureca's build ^^^ but...

go with the i7 3770k
upgrade to some ridiculous 1866 or 2000 MHz memory with a cas latency of 7 8 or 16 Gb
and upgrade the MOBO to ASUS P8Z77 premium

those should eat up some more of your budget and give you a warhorse of a machine

[hapylol]

i dont have time to do a full pc part picker list but i like natureca's build ^^^ but...

go with the i7 3770k
upgrade to some ridiculous 1866 or 2000 MHz memory with a cas latency of 7 8 or 16 Gb
and upgrade the MOBO to ASUS P8Z77 premium

those should eat up some more of your budget and give you a warhorse of a machine

None of these things would increase the performance of the computer.

[Butler to Baby Sloths]

Maybe RAID0 two SSDs for the system/games drive? Don't know how much that would change though.

[Blulight]

i dont have time to do a full pc part picker list but i like natureca's build ^^^ but...

go with the i7 3770k
upgrade to some ridiculous 1866 or 2000 MHz memory with a cas latency of 7 8 or 16 Gb
and upgrade the MOBO to ASUS P8Z77 premium

those should eat up some more of your budget and give you a warhorse of a machine

happy's right these changes wouldn't change much performance in games. And as OP stated he is a first time builder. I would NOT recommend a Premium/Pro/Advanced MoBo for a first time builder, go with an AsRock mobo.

[Butler to Baby Sloths]

Asus P8Z77-V LE or LX would be a perfectly adequate motherboard with Asus' build quality and all the features you would need, and none of the features you wouldn't.

[Plagiarizer]

happy's right these changes wouldn't change much performance in games. And as OP stated he is a first time builder. I would NOT recommend a Premium/Pro/Advanced MoBo for a first time builder, go with an AsRock mobo.

HE HAS 3000 DOLLARS HE WANTS TO USE UP!!! WHAT ELSE CAN HE SPEND IT ON???

and btw increasing the frequency of the ram will impact performance

[hapylol]

HE HAS 3000 DOLLARS HE WANTS TO USE UP!!! WHAT ELSE CAN HE SPEND IT ON???

and btw increasing the frequency of the ram will impact performance

Just because somebody has $3000 doesn't mean they have to waste it on pointless upgrades. Upgrading the RAM speed will definitely not net any performance gains that the average person can notice.

[Butler to Baby Sloths]

HE HAS 3000 DOLLARS HE WANTS TO USE UP!!! WHAT ELSE CAN HE SPEND IT ON???

and btw increasing the frequency of the ram will impact performance

Then tell him to get something where the OP will actually notice the difference, like a couple of 27" monitors instead of the 23" hapylol linked.

[Shiny212]

If you've never built a computer before be really careful when handling the parts; make use of the antistatic plastic that the motherboard/video card comes in and work on a wooden surface. Don't touch the circuits, and also, watch some tutorial if in doubt about anything. When you get to BIOS, don't mess around too much unless you know what you're doing, guy I know melted his video card due to lack of knowledge about overclocking;p...Weeey 4ghz for a couple of days then fried his video card.

[Saycheese]

Also could someone put together a list of similar parts all from amazon, that's where I would prefer to shop, would help a lot

[Idrinkwhiterussians]

Here is my take on your build, a couple notes at the bottom.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($85.46 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Hard Drive: Crucial M4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 680 2GB Video Card ($524.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 650D ATX Mid Tower Case ($161.93 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($156.98 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($23.43 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Dell U2412M 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($309.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (64-bit) ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1757.75
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-06-13 00:56 EDT-0400)

1. You will notice there is not a price for a few items. Those items are not available at Amazon, but they are at newegg. Add about $450 (with shipping) for those.
2. I used the Noctua cooler as it is one of the best air coolers on the market.
3. I only put 8GB of ram in the build, but you can put another kit of the same (add $50)
4. I doubled the size of the SSD.
5. The GTX 680 I have listed has the WF3 cooler, and is a bit cheaper than the MSI.
6. I switched the case to a VERY nice mid tower. This boils down to preference though.
7. I switched the power supply to a fully modular unit of top notch quality.
8. I switched the monitor to a single IPS panel. This again is preference, and you might not want a single monitor.

Good luck!

[Evil Inside]

I'd pick up this set up, two things changed. Higher PSU to support the 2x Graphic Cards, you could go up to 850W if you wanted to but 750W should be just fine. Up'd the Windows 7 to Professional just in case your going to be sticking with Windows 7 for awhile and want the option to go above 16GB of RAM (I doubt you'll need more then 16GB hell even 8GB before you end up upgrade to Windows 8, but its a thought). That and I switched to 7970's and put in crossfire, I mean if your going to have a budget of $3000 might as well go crossfire or SLI, only reason I didn't choose SLI is that finding GTX680's is kinda hard to come by or at least for myself everyone is sold out of them.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-2600K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.12 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Hard Drive: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($119.00 @ B&H)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($479.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($479.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Midi Tower ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VH236H 23.0" Monitor ($145.84 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Asus VH236H 23.0" Monitor ($145.84 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (64-bit) ($136.99 @ eCost)
Total: $2391.69
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-06-06 16:57 EDT-0400)

---------- Post added 2012-06-06 at 04:59 PM ----------

Also I really have to stop reading this forum, its making me want to redo my computer so bad lol. I've been good for just over 2 years now without touching it outside of a SSD upgrade, but its getting harder and harder

Personally I'd go with this one, and maybe up the monitors to something bigger, or just get a single 27".