Need help with a new computer build.

[Nayelie]

I am in need of a completely new computer. And I know nothing about computers, other than how to turn one on, how to maintenance it, and how to run the internet/games. I know that building one from scratch is the cheapest/best way to go. I am hoping for some help from the lovely MMO community. Here is some info:

-My budget: $1000USD, but less would be more welcome
-I do not need a monitor, keyboard, or mouse.
-My intentions for the computer are playing WoW with Ultra settings and high framerates, streaming via Twitch, editing photos/videos, and web-browsing.

Any recommendations, mini-lessons, and general comments would be highly appreciated!

[Deleted]

Well, if you can get to a Microcenter, then this build should be pretty awesome for you:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($259.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Source 220 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.69 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $974.59
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-14 17:49 EST-0500)

[The Dwarf]

Well, if you can get to a Microcenter, then this build should be pretty awesome for you:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($259.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Source 220 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.69 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $974.59
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-14 17:49 EST-0500)

That's a good list except for Windows 8.1. Go with Windows 7 64-bit instead. It seems like using Twitch with Windows 8 would be pretty awkward.

As for putting it together, just follow all of the directions in the booklet that comes with the motherboard/case.

[ljigga]

Watch this series of build videos from Newegg, they are very helpful:

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

[glo]

That's a good list except for Windows 8.1. Go with Windows 7 64-bit instead. It seems like using Twitch with Windows 8 would be pretty awkward.

As for putting it together, just follow all of the directions in the booklet that comes with the motherboard/case.

Windows 7 is slower, less SSD friendly, more bloated, less RAM efficient and lacks newer DirectX versions. Suggesting it over 8 is silly, especially since using Twitch.tv with Windows 8 is no different than using it with 7.

[Nayelie]

Well, if you can get to a Microcenter, then this build should be pretty awesome for you:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($259.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Source 220 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.69 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $974.59
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-14 17:49 EST-0500)

Thanks for the breakdown! This is super helpful.

- - - Updated - - -

Watch this series of build videos from Newegg, they are very helpful:

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

Ahh thank you! I'll watch these when I'm home.

[Deleted]

you can get a 7970GHz for $220 after rebate. It's basically the same card as the 280X and much better than GTX 760, so pretty much a steal, I'd pick it up right now before they sell out.

Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition $220

Would leave room for better cooling or maybe an SSD?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: NZXT HAVIK 140 90.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($219.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 220 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.69 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer MK III 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($57.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1036.59
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-16 10:52 EST-0500)

Assuming you have access to a Microcenter, Westloop or Richardson:

http://www.microcenter.com/site/bran...-bundles.aspx#

The CPU+MB is only $290+tax.