Building my Wife a new pc

[leires]

Budget 600-800$

Resolution 1920 x 1080

Games / Settings Desired Battlefield4, WoW, GW2 more than low for sure. hopefully medium-high

Any other intensive software or special things you do No she just takes lots of pictures.

Do you need peripherals (e.g. monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers, etc)? Nope

Country USA

Parts that can be reused I have a 32" tv to use as a monitor. A keyboard/mouse/speakers

Do you need an OS? Nope I have Microsoft Windows 7 Pro 64 bit.(Yay free student software)


I want a pc for her use and game on so she will leave mine alone. I built one once before in high school. That was 12 years ago though but I feel like I can do it. I want to stay closer to 600$ end than the $800. Also I want to be able to crossfire later on this year. I tried PcPartPicker and came up with this. Any comments, tips, or tweaks that you would suggest?

pcpartpicker.com/p/3iCuZ

[Deleted]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($227.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($30.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Pro3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($50.99 @ TigerDirect)
Total: $814.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-29 18:01 EDT-0400)

add a ssd later on

[Deleted]

Try this build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4330 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G41 PC Mate ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($84.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($73.48 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 260X 2GB Video Card ($135.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($56.51 @ Newegg)
Total: $643.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-29 18:08 EDT-0400)

Before anyone asks yes, I know that there is a Z87 chipset motherboard in there. The issue I have here is that there's only about three motherboards that are XFire capable at that price point.

[Tebayo]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($227.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($30.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Pro3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($50.99 @ TigerDirect)
Total: $814.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-29 18:01 EDT-0400)

add a ssd later on

Why should she take a 4670k? I doubt she'll ever overclock..
Same thing goes to the motherboard :P
Get the spec flens made but get an i5 4570 and a Gigabyte GA-H87M-HD3 motherboard.
This way you'll be able to get a better GPU, for example a GTX 770.
I know this is a bit higher than 800$ but IMO you should pay an extra ~40$ now for a good GPU than buying a new one in about 2 years for ~300$.

- - - Updated - - -

Try this build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4330 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G41 PC Mate ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($84.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($73.48 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 260X 2GB Video Card ($135.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($56.51 @ Newegg)
Total: $643.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-29 18:08 EDT-0400)

Before anyone asks yes, I know that there is a Z87 chipset motherboard in there. The issue I have here is that there's only about three motherboards that are XFire capable at that price point.

There is a big difference between an i3 and an i5 when it comes to gaming. i5 is the best CPU for gaming, even better than i7.
I wouldn't take an i3.
And I don't see the point of taking an Xfire motherboard just because it has Xfire, and taking one GPU. o.o

[leires]

I plan to crossfire in less than 3 months. Is that worth only having one gpu for the time being or is a gtx 760 that much better. Also I intend to use the i5 though I appreciate the suggestion about the i3.

- - - Updated - - -

Also I have not been impressed with AMD gpus in the past. My current one is a radeon HD 5750. Am I wrong to be turned off to the r7 260x for that reason alone?

[Saphyron]

tried to stay as close to 600$ as possible. while using some quality manufactors (in my eyes)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks


CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G41 PC Mate ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($84.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270 2GB Video Card ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake TR2 430W ATX Power Supply ($27.99 @ Micro Center)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $648.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-29 18:55 EDT-0400)

[leires]

Well to be honest her favorite thing to do on WoW is collect pets and dress up her druid. But on battlefield she is one mean sniper.

[Tebayo]

wanting to play wow on high, why wouldn't you overclock when it is so easy? because the person using the computer will be a girl and all girls do in games is collect pets and talk about transmog?

A better GPU will make games run faster than overclocking, if he doesn't buy a CPU and a motherboard for overclocking, he'll be able to buy a better GPU...
And I didn't mean that girls never overclock, I said that because in the spec the OP made the i5 4430 can't be overclocked, should have been more clear :P

[Pandorox]

Budget 600-800$

Resolution 1920 x 1080

Games / Settings Desired Battlefield4, WoW, GW2 more than low for sure. hopefully medium-high

Any other intensive software or special things you do No she just takes lots of pictures.

Do you need peripherals (e.g. monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers, etc)? Nope

Country USA

Parts that can be reused I have a 32" tv to use as a monitor. A keyboard/mouse/speakers

Do you need an OS? Nope I have Microsoft Windows 7 Pro 64 bit.(Yay free student software)


I want a pc for her use and game on so she will leave mine alone. I built one once before in high school. That was 12 years ago though but I feel like I can do it. I want to stay closer to 600$ end than the $800. Also I want to be able to crossfire later on this year. I tried PcPartPicker and came up with this. Any comments, tips, or tweaks that you would suggest?

pcpartpicker.com/p/3iCuZ

Why not just build a beasty machine & let her have your old pc? I kno it sounds selfish but then wouldn't you want to spend a little bit more then $600

- - - Updated - - -

A better GPU will make games run faster than overclocking, if he doesn't buy a CPU and a motherboard for overclocking, he'll be able to buy a better GPU...
And I didn't mean that girls never overclock, I said that because in the spec the OP made the i5 4430 can't be overclocked, should have been more clear :P

Pretty much goes like this. Later on down the road replace the GPU & be able to overclock.
Or overclock the GPU but replace the CPU & MoBo.

Easier to replace the GPU imo.

[Deleted]

A better GPU will make games run faster than overclocking, if he doesn't buy a CPU and a motherboard for overclocking, he'll be able to buy a better GPU...
And I didn't mean that girls never overclock, I said that because in the spec the OP made the i5 4430 can't be overclocked, should have been more clear :P

Sorry but you are mistaken. She plays wow. So cpu > gpu. A gtx760 for example is very powerfull for wow and its still above higher than average for more gpu intensive games, say fps ones.

Now my take between the 2 builts, of flens and tenangrychicken's, is that if you dont go for an i3 and you go for i5 then you go for unlocked version. Since you will go for a haswell chip you are ultimately choosing between i3 4330 and i5 4670k. Both got 4 threads, and most of the times you get the i5 over i3 for gaming is to overclock.

Op says he wants to crossfire his wife pc. Doesnt make sense to do it for the games he mentioned, unless he already got a card himself, on his pc that he will upgrade and place that to his wife new rig. IF thats case, you should have mentioned what that gpu is

My 2c's

[leires]

Well guys, this is what she decided on. So much for sticking close to $600. I appreciate all your help. Tell me what you think:


pcpartpicker.com/p/3iQwg

[Pandorox]

Well guys, this is what she decided on. So much for sticking close to $600. I appreciate all your help. Tell me what you think:


pcpartpicker.com/p/3iQwg

Everything looks good to me except for that CPU Cooler. You would be better off just using the stock one that comes with the CPU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103099 Is a great aftermarket CPU if you want to put few more dollars into it.

Edit: Also not to be the bearer of bad news but it looks like that Power Supply is discontinued as well.

[TaintedOne]

The stock cooler that comes with the cpu will do fine. No need buy one for a cpu with a locked multiplier.

As Sevii pointed out that price on the psu is at newegg and they dont sell it anymore. Amazon has it in stock for $86


At 1080p you dont need 4GB of Vram save the money and go with a 2GB model

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($159.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: ASRock B85 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($64.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Toshiba 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($259.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Apevia X-DREAMER4-PK ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $817.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-30 23:08 EDT-0400)

[Tebayo]

Sorry but you are mistaken. She plays wow. So cpu > gpu. A gtx760 for example is very powerfull for wow and its still above higher than average for more gpu intensive games, say fps ones.

Now my take between the 2 builts, of flens and tenangrychicken's, is that if you dont go for an i3 and you go for i5 then you go for unlocked version. Since you will go for a haswell chip you are ultimately choosing between i3 4330 and i5 4670k. Both got 4 threads, and most of the times you get the i5 over i3 for gaming is to overclock.

Op says he wants to crossfire his wife pc. Doesnt make sense to do it for the games he mentioned, unless he already got a card himself, on his pc that he will upgrade and place that to his wife new rig. IF thats case, you should have mentioned what that gpu is

My 2c's

He said his girlfriend also plays GW2 and BF4, they require a good GPU.

[Deleted]

He said his girlfriend also plays GW2 and BF4, they require a good GPU.

BF4 needs a higher quality NVidia GPU than it does an AMD GPU. Guild Wars 2, to make it look absolutely stunning, requires a decent CPU/GPU combination. However, the Intel i3s offer comparable performance to their i5 brethren, because of their hyperthreading capability.