Need a build. Starting from scratch!

[Gigigirl]

Hi guys. I have decided to finally upgrade from my Asus laptop to a real desktop PC. My boyfriends' brother will be building it for me, but we haven't had time to sit down and look over parts. I figured I would just buy everything I need to make it easier for him and he can just throw everything together once I have all the parts, but I need help/advice on what to buy!

My budget is 2k. Really wanting pretty much the best build I can get. I plan on live streaming WoW (hopefully in HD). Since I am starting from scratch, I need suggestions for everything, up to and including monitors (I plan on getting two), speakers, keyboard, etc. The only thing I have already is my Razor Naga and Logitech headset, but I will need suggestions for pretty much everything else.

I'm not really that computer savvy, but I know that I will need a beastly CPU and graphics card, as I want to be able to run WoW at top fps on ultra mode, as well as skype, itunes, xsplit, twitch, etc, all at the same time. My laptop has been great, but I start to suffer noticeable fps loss when I have more than a few programs running at a time while I livestream currently, so I really want to avoid that!

Like I said, 2k budget. Need everything except headset/mouse. Thanks guys =D

[Deleted]

Does your bf's brother have any experience in overclocking Sandybridge/Ivybridge CPUs? Do you want an overclockable system? If that's a no then you could save a fair amount of money.

Also WoW on 'Ultra mode' when raiding/streaming can be pretty demanding on any high end system. You'll definitely see FPS drops in a 25 man raiding environment with everything maxed out.

[chazus]

I've been given the impression that WoW + Xsplit will not max out 4 threads on a 3570, so I don't believe an i7 is necessary or useful. Even if it were, I'm of the camp of, if your streaming doesn't bring in money to pay for an i7, don't get an i7. 8gb ought to be fine as well. With your budget, not really any reason not to get a 7970. Case and monitors are up to you, and I'm sure people have other suggestions. Was just using as a price placeholder. And again, depending on how serious you are (i.e., if it pays money), it may be worthwhile to consider a capture card.

To be honest, just because you CAN spend $2000, doesn't mean you must.
PCPartPicker part list
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($223.79 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($80.06 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI Z77MA-G45 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($107.55 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($73.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Adorama)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($429.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (32-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: ViewSonic VX2450wm-LED 23.6" Monitor ($187.95 @ Mac Connection)
Monitor: ViewSonic VX2450wm-LED 23.6" Monitor ($187.95 @ Mac Connection)
Total: $1643.21

[n0cturnal]

For streaming at 1080p you want an i7 for best performance.

[chazus]

For streaming at 1080p you want an i7 for best performance.

I might have been mistaken, I was double checking and people were saying that it didn't help with how things were threaded for Xsplit and the like. Oh well! Luckily, it's still well within budget so roll it.

[Deleted]

For streaming at 1080p you want an i7 for best performance.

Hyperthreading is indeed very useful for streaming, but talking about a game which doesn't drain an i5-3570k even close to its limits, a good combination of a well set-up system that has the following, will easily be able to stream WoW at 30 FPS in 1080p.

• Proper internet connection with good upload speed
• Quality software, OBS for example
• Properly functional hard drive and a GPU that can handle WoW with no FPS-spikes

As the budget allows, you could buy an i7, it being also useful for video-editing and long calculations. Yet buying an i7 only for streaming MMOs is nonsense waste of money.

[Deleted]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($80.06 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($84.59 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($136.66 @ Amazon)
Storage: OCZ Vector Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($237.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 680 2GB Video Card ($504.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill Line Glow ATX Mid Tower Case ($67.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 750W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHOS104-06 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Drive ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VS248H-P 24.0" Monitor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1872.19
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-20 06:42 EST-0500)

[Gigigirl]

To be honest, just because you CAN spend $2000, doesn't mean you must.

So my boyfriend has been telling me every day for the past month. Honestly though, I don't mind paying more for the i7. I'd rather not have to worry about upgrading it in a year or two if I am shelling out the money for a top end PC.

Do you want an overclockable system? If that's a no then you could save a fair amount of money.

I'm going to say, yes? I know my Asus overclocks to 3.0, I think, which is really nice, or else I am sure I'd be getting even crappier fps than I already do while running multiple programs. I'm not sure, however, if the guy who is building the computer has experience with overclocking. I would assume so, but not 100% sure on that.

[Deleted]

All the recommended builds above are good. I'm assuming you want a decent gaming keyboard as well?

Also is the aesthetics of the build important to you? Do you want a quiet build? So many choices when you have such a huge budget. One monitor or 2? Chazus's build is nice although both those builds above have cheaped on the cases. I'm not saying you should opt an incredibly overpriced $200 case, but the Bitfenix Window case in White has both functionality and good looks. That case might still be too cheap for your overall monster build though.

[Deleted]

I love how people read a budget, 2k in this case, and then make a build (Shroudster in this thread) with a few missing parts nearing the budget limit already. She will have under 130 bucks left to get a second monitor, a keyboard and an audio set. And if people don't miss items, they generally assume the OP doesn't mind going 200$ over their budget. A budget is a budget, going over it seems odd. (Don't mean to attack you personally Shroudster, I see almost everyone in this forum making builds over-budget. Sometimes justified, sometimes far from it.)

A bit more on-topic: You can always make sure your system has the ability to overclock when needed, whether or not your boyfriend's brother is capable of doing it shouldn't matter too much. Might be a matter of 'cross that bridge when we get there'. On a 2k build it would almost seem odd to go out of your way to get parts that don't OC. Ofcourse.... then there's the argument of having money to spend vs feeling obligated to spend every dollar in a budget.

[Gigigirl]

I'd love a keyboard with rubber coated keys like my laptop has, but so far haven't been able to find any.

Yeah, I mean, I'd love a nice looking case. I'm a girl. I like pretty things xD My laptop runs incredibly loud, so I am used to noise, lol, though the quieter the better, but not really an issue to me. ^_^

Also, I am going to assume it is okay to go with Windows 7 over Windows 8, right? I've heard some awful things about Windows 8 from a few different people now, and would rather just stick with 7 if possible.

---------- Post added 2013-02-20 at 06:24 AM ----------

You can always make sure your system has the ability to overclock when needed, whether or not your boyfriend's brother is capable of doing it shouldn't matter too much. Might be a matter of 'cross that bridge when we get there'. On a 2k build it would almost seem odd to go out of your way to get parts that don't OC.

Well in that case, I would prefer to have a system that can overclock. I am going to assume that the builds listed above are capable of that????

[Deleted]

I love how people read a budget, 2k in this case, and then make a build (Shroudster in this thread) with a few missing parts nearing the budget limit already. She will have under 130 bucks left to get a second monitor, a keyboard and an audio set. And if people don't miss items, they generally assume the OP doesn't mind going 200$ over their budget. A budget is a budget, going over it seems odd. (Don't mean to attack you personally Shroudster, I see almost everyone in this forum making builds over-budget. Sometimes justified, sometimes far from it.)

A bit more on-topic: You can always make sure your system has the ability to overclock when needed, whether or not your boyfriend's brother is capable of doing it shouldn't matter too much. Might be a matter of 'cross that bridge when we get there'. On a 2k build it would almost seem odd to go out of your way to get parts that don't OC. Ofcourse.... then there's the argument of having money to spend vs feeling obligated to spend every dollar in a budget.

from what i understood of the OP their wasn't a requirement of dual screen and headset/mouse was there already? ($130 is plenty for a keyboard?)
also why speakers if already a headset?

[Deleted]

I'd love a keyboard with rubber coated keys like my laptop has, but so far haven't been able to find any.

Yeah, I mean, I'd love a nice looking case. I'm a girl. I like pretty things xD My laptop runs incredibly loud, so I am used to noise, lol, though the quieter the better, but not really an issue to me. ^_^

Also, I am going to assume it is okay to go with Windows 7 over Windows 8, right? I've heard some awful things about Windows 8 from a few different people now, and would rather just stick with 7 if possible.

---------- Post added 2013-02-20 at 06:24 AM ----------



Well in that case, I would prefer to have a system that can overclock. I am going to assume that the builds listed above are capable of that????

One monitor is enough than aye? I think you should go for a build that fits into this case



Someone linked a build for this case yesterday infact.

[Deleted]

Will you be playing anything else besides WoW?
If its only wow, a 7870XT/660ti/7950 would be enough, Id say. Or a 7970/670 if you want to have a bit of extra power.

[Deleted]

Well in that case, I would prefer to have a system that can overclock. I am going to assume that the builds listed above are capable of that????

Yep. Generally, any intel processor that ends with a 'K' is unlocked for overclocking. And anyone on these forums recommending a cpu like that will also recommend a 'Z77' motherboard, which also supports overclocking. Both Shroudster's and Chazus' builds posted above are capable of overclocking.

from what i understood of the OP their wasn't a requirement of dual screen and headset/mouse was there already? ($130 is plenty for a keyboard?)
also why speakers if already a headset?

I can't give you any reasoning for it, I'm going by what was stated in the original post. She explicitly stated she wants two monitors and speakers, and she already owns a headset. Oh and again: Wasn't directed at just you! I see it happen on a near daily basis. Builds going over-budget. (Obviously, if you based it on the premise that she only needed a keyboard, 130$ would be more than enough for that.)

[...] I need suggestions for everything, up to and including monitors (I plan on getting two), speakers, keyboard, etc. The only thing I have already is my Razor Naga and Logitech headset [...]

By the way Shroudster, I personally have my game-sound coming from the speakers, and have ventrilo on my headset. Personal preference, I guess.

[Deleted]

edited build.
If not enough headroom in the budget for keyboard you can drop down on the BR or cpu/cpu cooler. (this depends on what kind of keyboard)
speakers are personal choice got a set at work in the basement and floor above me still complains when using +- 60% of max volume. (else a 5.1 set could be an option aswell but at the cost of downgrading some other part(s))
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($80.06 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($127.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($84.59 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($136.66 @ Amazon)
Storage: OCZ Vector Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($237.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Shinobi Window ATX Mid Tower Case ($81.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHOS104-06 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Drive ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VS248H-P 24.0" Monitor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VS248H-P 24.0" Monitor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Speakers: Logitech Z323 30W 2.1ch Speakers ($58.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1888.17
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-20 08:44 EST-0500)

[Deleted]

I'm a real noob when it comes to monitors, but don't people these days generally want an IPS panel, Shroudster?
Not trying to undermine your builds today, lol. The rest of the build I'm jealous of.

Btw, she stated that she'd prefer windows 7 because of all the horrific opinions on windows 8. (A lot of those opinions are based on untrue facts, but yeah... haven't switched to 8 myself so can hardly elaborate on that.)

[Deleted]

I'm a real noob when it comes to monitors, but don't people these days generally want an IPS panel, Shroudster?
Not trying to undermine your builds today, lol. The rest of the build I'm jealous of.

Btw, she stated that she'd prefer windows 7 because of all the horrific opinions on windows 8. (A lot of those opinions are based on untrue facts, but yeah... haven't switched to 8 myself so can hardly elaborate on that.)

lots of personal choice/pref in it.
im also considering going IPS in the future however their high response times aren't that great for gaming. (<2ms is usually recommended and ips ones hover +5 ms mostly)
just give me a moment to find marest's monitor guide.

[n0cturnal]

lots of personal choice/pref in it.
im also considering going IPS in the future however their high response times aren't that great for gaming. (<2ms is usually recommended and ips ones hover +5 ms mostly)
just give me a moment to find marest's monitor guide.

You will not see any difference in 2ms and 6ms response time on a 60Hz monitor, things you can notice is input lag or ghosting but those numbers are never included in specifications from the manufacturer.

[Deleted]

im also considering going IPS in the future however their high response times aren't that great for gaming. (<2ms is usually recommended and ips ones hover +5 ms mostly)

You wont notice that. The only place you will notice that is in high speed shooters, but than you also want a 120 Hz screen
Im gaming a ips 1440p dell, which has a response time of 8 ms. I have yet to notice it in games. What some screens do have is input lag i think (you are probably confusing that with the response time) but most panels have an overdrive function. Anyway, I think the dell u2312hm has one of the lowest response times for IPS and is perfectly fine for gaming.