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MMO-Champion
So I'm 41 years old, married, two daughters and I love gaming. Don't kill me but I have a nice 27" iMac I5 from 2011 but it's time to build a PC that I can upgrade if I need to down the road. Is it easy to build a PC? From what I have read on message boards most people say it is. Is there a step by step video or guide? I'm willing to spend $1,500 for the PC and this does not include a 27" monitor I want.
I love 2560x1440 and only play games like WOW, Civ5, 7 Days To Die and Steam games. Not into COD or games that involve "teaming up" with other players- I'm a loner and like to solo. My question is can someone recommend a solid build for me? I've heard all I need is 8GB of RAM and a great GPU as a strong foundation...I'd also love advice on the 27" monitor and all peripherals. Can you help? Thank you in advance!
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2014-12-28, 11:54 PM #1Grunt
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Hi all! First timer and want to build a gaming PC...Need advice please.
Last edited by Oliviasimone; 2014-12-29 at 12:09 AM.
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2014-12-29, 01:08 AM #2Deleted
Here you go, even the monitor included in the budget.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($212.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Deepcool GAMMAXX S40 54.2 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($116.88 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.85 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($339.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: BenQ GW2765HT 60Hz 27.0" Monitor ($399.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $1449.65
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-28 20:04 EST-0500
I wasn't sure about an OS or not, so add an extra $90 for that if you need.
The monitor is really good value, great performance, good adjustment options and connections. Easy to manually calibrate.
The power supply deal is good but ends 1/1, I'd pick it up quick before it's sold out.
There is an upgraded, newer model of the case but it's an extra $30. Both are good, simple, functional and quiet. Fractal Design Define R5Last edited by mmocca5d152c38; 2014-12-29 at 01:10 AM.
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2014-12-29, 01:12 AM #3Banned
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Amazing suggestions there for parts.. right on point on everything..
For the actual build, it isn't hard at all. Just requires a bit effort, and patience. We had to build one for a CIT class my second semester, not a single person had an issue. Good luck
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2014-12-29, 01:14 AM #4DeletedSeems fairly solid overall. The CPU might be a bit much if he won't be overclocking, but it's not a big deal.
Originally Posted by Notarget
I have the Fractal Design Define R4 and I like it a lot. I can only assume the R5 is the same, but slightly improved.
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2014-12-29, 01:17 AM #5Deleted
Right about the actual assembly process, I forgot
Just take your time, double check if in doubt, check with the motherboard and case manual. Make sure all power cables and components are plugged in and seated. All you really should need is a phillips head screwdriver.
Marest also has a good write up in the sticky section:
http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/...m-Computer-WIP
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2014-12-29, 01:34 AM #6Bloodsail Admiral
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It's been a good while since I first started. But take heart to everything an expert tells you, especially regarding static. I've heard of people just plopping down everything on a carpeted floor/bed. Don't. So read, watch videos. It's pretty straight forward, the whole process.
I'm starting a build, but accumulating parts somewhat slowly. Boy, wish I had $1500 to go all out at once.
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2014-12-29, 03:30 AM #7Grunt
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Notarget-
Wow! That was fast! Thank you! I was willing to spend more but I take it this is good enough to allow growth too with the type of games I play?
Also, can you (or anyone reading this) explain what 1080p is vs 4k and what your build suggestion can handle? Are these both viewable in 2560x1440? Not sure if I'm saying it right
Last edited by Oliviasimone; 2014-12-29 at 03:36 AM.
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2014-12-29, 04:17 AM #8Deleted
1920x1080 pixels is referred to as 1080p
3840 X 2160 pixels is 4K.
2560x1440 pixels is 1440p, as the 27" monitor in the build suggestion.
More pixels make the games harder to run at a smooth/comfortable FPS. The build suggestion is pretty much the sweet spot for 2560x1440. If you were to do heavier PC work like rendering videos and streaming you would bump the CPU to an i7-4790k but strictly for gaming, webbrowsing, watching movies etc. the i5 is perfect.
Maybe a GTX 980 if you want everything to be completely maxed out and slightly more "future proof", if there is such a thing.Last edited by mmocca5d152c38; 2014-12-29 at 04:21 AM.
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2014-12-29, 04:36 AM #9Grunt
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Awesome. Thank you again!
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2014-12-29, 04:39 AM #10Deleted
Anytime
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2014-12-29, 05:33 AM #11Grunt
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Acer K272HUL bmiidp 27-inch WQHD (2560 x 1440) Widescreen Display
This one got better ratings on Amazon. Any thoughts?
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2014-12-29, 05:44 AM #12Deleted
Nah I'd take the BenQ over that any day. Just a simple thing as tilt, swivel and height adjustment is missing on the Acer. Disappointing when paying $400. I own the BenQ and I must say I really like it, only minor con I had was the DP cable is fairly short and there was a bit of backlight bleed but that was easily fixable once calibrated which was also easy. I put another build together not long ago for a friend, he also got the same monitor and is really happy with it.
Here is a very thorough review from TFTCentral:
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/benq_gw2765ht.htm
From what I gathered it's one of the better ones in that price range.
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2014-12-29, 05:51 AM #13The Insane
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Why is 3840 X 2160 called 4k and not 2160p like the rest of them? Some people just want the world to burn! Fuck, if 3840 is 4k then 1920 is 2k! Originally Posted by Notarget
Time...line? Time isn't made out of lines. It is made out of circles. That is why clocks are round. ~ Caboose
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2014-12-29, 05:58 AM #14Deleted
Because 2560x1440 is 2K, roughly half the pixels of 3840 X 2160 and then 1920x1080 would be 1K.
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2014-12-29, 06:03 AM #15Grunt
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Hope you don't mind but I posted your build for me on another site and got this response regarding the colors and cooler:
I was just saying that it will look odd with blue RAM and a blue cooler, but a red Mobo.
A good cooler would be Phanteks' TC12DX. It comes in Red or Blue to match your build, or a neutral Black if you don't like either color.
Thoughts Notarget?
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2014-12-29, 06:23 AM #16Deleted
If you care about how the RAM or motherboard looks inside the case with a non-windowed panel then yeah I guess I can see that. To me price/performance was more important.
If you care about it matching you can swap the motherboard to this ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 for only a few dollars extra. Now the cooler, RAM and motherboard matches.
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2014-12-29, 07:50 PM #17Grunt
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- Dec 2014
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I've been hearing good things about this cooler over the other one you mentioned. Thoughts?
Cooler Master Hyper 212
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2014-12-29, 09:58 PM #18Deleted
The CM cooler is just another basic cooler, annoying to install but decent enough for the price.
Are you looking into overclocking a lot? I didn't sense that you were so I went with a basic solution.
If you're looking to overclock more and get something nicer, maybe more quiet, I'd look at one of these:
Phanteks PH-TC12DX_BL $50
Deepcool LUCIFER $55
Silverstone AR03 $45
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2014-12-29, 10:06 PM #19Grunt
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Notarget-
Thank you so much for all your help and input. I placed the order you recommended and am excited to get it built. I can honestly say you are one of the quickest and most professional individuals I have dealt with in this process.
Last question...do I need to buy speakers with that setup or any special cables for the monitor or CPU?
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2014-12-29, 10:07 PM #20Blademaster
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Originally Posted by Notarget
I Like this build, but for a little more, I would upgrade your HDD to a WD:Black. A bit more stable and powerful than the Blue. It also has a 3 year longer warranty to help your "future" cause.
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