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  1. #1

    First PC build ever! Let me pick your brains. Decent budget

    I'm building my first PC ever. My budget is roughly 1000-1500$. I am preparing for the upcoming Elder Scrolls MMO, and will be using it for streaming and some youtube casting as well, but mostly gaming. I need some knowledgable friends to step forward and give me a hand picking parts for my price range and with PC building in general.

    Thanks guys! throw some posts at me!

  2. #2
    Stood in the Fire slasher0161's Avatar
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    If your preparing for TESO your best bet is actually to wait till haswell, only because the game is in such early stages basicly everything with it has an NDA and we have no idea what its going to chew resources wise. We can give you a decent set up for that budget but will need more information, how much streaming are you intending to do (casual stream every now and then or regular schedule at a professional level), same with the youtube casting are we talking couple of videos a day or like 1 every now and then.

    Some other useful information.
    What other games do you play, are you mainly focused on the mmo genre or more even spread?
    What resolution do you intend to play at (and stream at)?
    What hardware do you have you can reuse?
    How much of the budget are you looking at using on the streaming / youtube casting aspect?
    How soon do you intend to buy this rig (is it essential or can you wait a bit)?

  3. #3
    The Lightbringer Toffie's Avatar
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    Do you need

    Monitor
    Windows 7/8
    Mouse/keyboard

    Can you reuse anything from your computer?
    8700K (5GHz) - Z370 M5 - Mugen 5 - 16GB Tridentz 3200MHz - GTX 1070Ti Strix - NZXT S340E - Dell 24' 1440p (165Hz)

  4. #4
    PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

    CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Microcenter)
    Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($159.99 @ Amazon)
    Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($48.98 @ Amazon)
    Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($114.00 @ Adorama)
    Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($73.98 @ Outlet PC)
    Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($399.99 @ Newegg)
    Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($84.98 @ SuperBiiz)
    Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
    Total: $1219.88
    (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-17 00:53 EST-0500)

    Is what I would go with currently if I were into streaming and playing MMOs. Going to be future proof for a year or two with the 7970.
    I honestly would wait for Haswell to release though, and grab that since LGA1155 is now dead.
    Last edited by Shiromar; 2013-02-17 at 05:53 AM.

  5. #5
    Stood in the Fire slasher0161's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Shiromar View Post
    PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

    CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Microcenter)
    Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($159.99 @ Amazon)
    Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($48.98 @ Amazon)
    Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($114.00 @ Adorama)
    Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($73.98 @ Outlet PC)
    Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($399.99 @ Newegg)
    Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.23 @ Amazon)
    Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($84.98 @ SuperBiiz)
    Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
    Total: $1254.11
    (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-17 00:04 EST-0500)

    Is what I would go with currently if I were into streaming and playing MMOs. Going to be future proof for a year or two with the 7970.
    I honestly would wait for Haswell to release though, and grab that since LGA1155 is now dead.
    That case would never fit that mobo or gpu so that build is pointless, also the lack of a fraps storage drive makes it meh at best for video editing. There honestly isn't much advice that can be given till the OP replies (if he is keen on his streaming a capture card is near essential).
    Also unlocked processor with no after market cooler?

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by slasher0161 View Post
    That case would never fit that mobo or gpu so that build is pointless, also the lack of a fraps storage drive makes it meh at best for video editing. There honestly isn't much advice that can be given till the OP replies (if he is keen on his streaming a capture card is near essential).
    Also unlocked processor with no after market cooler?
    I meant to take the case off, since that and a cooler are best left up to the choice of the builder since it's about taste and preference. Not into recording/editing myself, so I'm not sure how much storage you'd need.

  7. #7
    Bloodsail Admiral Killora's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Shiromar View Post
    I meant to take the case off, since that and a cooler are best left up to the choice of the builder since it's about taste and preference. Not into recording/editing myself, so I'm not sure how much storage you'd need.
    Taste and preference? he's a first time builder. Chances are he has no taste or preference. Besides, what taste and preference is there in a CPU cooler?

    No offense OP.

    You're recording raw video. Which depending on how long he does it for, could be 100gb.

    Also, unless he's very serious about video editing (mostly professional) a 3770k isn't necessary. He'd be better served saving the $100 and going with a 3570k.

    Hd 7970 non ghz edition?

  8. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by Killora View Post
    Taste and preference? he's a first time builder. Chances are he has no taste or preference. Besides, what taste and preference is there in a CPU cooler?

    No offense OP.

    You're recording raw video. Which depending on how long he does it for, could be 100gb.

    Also, unless he's very serious about video editing (mostly professional) a 3770k isn't necessary. He'd be better served saving the $100 and going with a 3570k.

    Hd 7970 non ghz edition?
    1. Aesthetics aren't nullified if you're a first time builder. Case choices are HUGELY influenced by your own tastes. Same goes for coolers to a certain extent, especially if you have a windowed case.

    2. Streaming easily justifies the i7. Squeezing by with an i5 and no capture card isn't exactly a pleasant experience on CPU intensive games.

    3. Most 7970 Ghz cards are voltage locked. The model he linked is the cheapest, has the most performance per dollar and has the best performing air cooler on the market.
    i7-4770k - GTX 780 Ti - 16GB DDR3 Ripjaws - (2) HyperX 120s / Vertex 3 120
    ASRock Extreme3 - Sennheiser Momentums - Xonar DG - EVGA Supernova 650G - Corsair H80i

    build pics

  9. #9
    Bloodsail Admiral Killora's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by glo View Post
    1. Aesthetics aren't nullified if you're a first time builder. Case choices are HUGELY influenced by your own tastes. Same goes for coolers to a certain extent, especially if you have a windowed case.
    I was referring to the CPU cooler. The case was kinda obvious on the taste and preference.

    Quote Originally Posted by glo View Post
    2. Streaming easily justifies the i7. Squeezing by with an i5 and no capture card isn't exactly a pleasant experience on CPU intensive games.
    IT really just depends on how much he's going to do it, which i included that exception in my post.

    Never said anything about a capture card, either.

    Quote Originally Posted by glo View Post
    3. Most 7970 Ghz cards are voltage locked. The model he linked is the cheapest, has the most performance per dollar and has the best performing air cooler on the market.
    I spose you're right regarding the voltage lock scenario, but not everyone overclocks, or is willing to. So if that's not your thing getting the ghz edition wouldn't be a bad choice.

  10. #10
    Deleted
    Here:http://pcpartpicker.com/p/E2YD

    Do it! It's worth it :>

  11. #11
    Stood in the Fire slasher0161's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jevlin View Post
    Here:http://pcpartpicker.com/p/E2YD

    Do it! It's worth it :>
    Please don't post builds like that the op is a first time builder and would actually buy it... Also I think I just about burst a blood vessel with the amount of twitching I did while looking at that.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by slasher0161 View Post
    Please don't post builds like that the op is a first time builder and would actually buy it... Also I think I just about burst a blood vessel with the amount of twitching I did while looking at that.
    Why so? Because it sacrifices some elements that is unnecessary like OS and Optical drives? Because it's overkill? Or both?

  13. #13
    Bloodsail Admiral Killora's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jevlin View Post
    Here:http://pcpartpicker.com/p/E2YD

    Do it! It's worth it :>
    No, it's not worth it. $300 motherboard? Liquid cooling that isn't really necessary? And 12gb 4x3 2000 mhz memory.

    Quote Originally Posted by Jevlin View Post
    Why so? Because it sacrifices some elements that is unnecessary like OS and Optical drives? Because it's overkill? Or both?
    We don't even know if he needs windows, an optical drive, or a monitor yet.

    It's not just overkill. It's bad spending. The $300 motherboard is evident of that. You also don't put ram in pairs of 3. Defeats the point of dual channel.
    Last edited by Killora; 2013-02-17 at 08:45 AM.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Killora View Post
    No, it's not worth it. $300 motherboard? Liquid cooling that isn't really necessary? And 12gb 4x3 2000 mhz memory.

    We don't even know if he needs windows, an optical drive, or a monitor yet.

    It's not just overkill. It's bad spending. The $300 motherboard is evident of that. You also don't put ram in pairs of 3. Defeats the point of dual channel.
    Was just having some fun with his money, don't hate. Fine I'll do a boring well balanced build then.

  15. #15
    Bloodsail Admiral Killora's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jevlin View Post
    Was just having some fun with his money, don't hate. Fine I'll do a boring well balanced build then.
    Sorry if i sounded a bit blunt. I wasn't intending to.

    I'm in a rather poor mood and at the same time was trying to express to the OP it wasn't that great of a choice.

  16. #16
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    There we go then, revised build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/E3rw

    CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor - $214.99
    GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 680 2GB -$483.98
    Cooling: Corsair H50 57.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler - $49.99
    Mobo: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard - $87.55
    RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory - $48.98
    HDD: Western Digital Scorpio Black 500GB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive - $64.68
    SSD: Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk - $106.99
    Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case - $69.99
    PSU:Fractal Design Integra R2 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply - $87.67
    Monitor: Asus VN247H-P 23.6" Monitor - $189.00
    Optical drive: Lite-On ihas524-T06 DVD/CD Writer - $29.23
    OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) - $89.98
    Base Total(Incl shipping and discounts): $1534.86

    Has everything you need including a good monitor. Guaranteed satisfaction with a quite and cool build, looks great and only has quality hardware that gives you room to tinker and upgrade at later points. Also the liquid cooling isn't just for vanity. It keeps the noise level down and makes it easier to clean your computer when you don't have to mess around with the heatsink that collects an awful amount of dust. It's easier and handier this way, believe me.


    Quote Originally Posted by Killora View Post
    Sorry if i sounded a bit blunt. I wasn't intending to.

    I'm in a rather poor mood and at the same time was trying to express to the OP it wasn't that great of a choice.
    Everyone's entitled to have a bad day every now and again.
    Last edited by mmoc098be2d235; 2013-02-17 at 10:03 AM. Reason: had brainfart bwa

  17. #17
    Stood in the Fire slasher0161's Avatar
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    Recommending a 680 when the 670 is far better bang for your buck.
    Recommending a psu with only 1 pcie connector for a 680 build.
    Why a 500gb 2.5" storage drive when a 1tb 3.5" is $25 more.

    If you aren't going to recommend something properly don't.

    PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

    CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
    CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($80.31 @ Amazon)
    Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
    Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.98 @ Outlet PC)
    Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($77.98 @ SuperBiiz)
    Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($99.36 @ Amazon)
    Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Mac Mall)
    Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($369.99 @ Newegg)
    Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
    Power Supply: Antec Basiq Plus 550W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Amazon)
    Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
    Monitor: Asus VN247H-P 23.6" Monitor ($189.00 @ Amazon)
    Total: $1467.10
    (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-17 04:43 EST-0500)

    Is a reasonable starting point without more information
    Last edited by slasher0161; 2013-02-17 at 09:44 AM.

  18. #18
    Quote Originally Posted by slasher0161 View Post
    Recommending a 680 when the 670 is far better bang for your buck.
    Recommending a psu with only 1 pcie connector for a 680 build.
    Why a 500gb 2.5" storage drive when a 1tb 3.5" is $25 more.

    If you aren't going to recommend something properly don't.

    PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

    CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
    CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($80.31 @ Amazon)
    Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
    Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.98 @ Outlet PC)
    Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($77.98 @ SuperBiiz)
    Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($99.36 @ Amazon)
    Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Mac Mall)
    Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($369.99 @ Newegg)
    Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
    Power Supply: Antec Basiq Plus 550W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Amazon)
    Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
    Monitor: Asus VN247H-P 23.6" Monitor ($189.00 @ Amazon)
    Total: $1467.10
    (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-17 04:43 EST-0500)

    Is a reasonable starting point without more information
    Recommending 670 when 7970 is better bang (and stronger) for your buck?

    See what I did there? <.<

    @ OP - Stick with the 7970 (or 7970 Ghz) suggestion unless you absolutely have to have PhysX. At the moment the only card viable from Nvidia price wise is the GTX 660.
    i7-4770k - GTX 780 Ti - 16GB DDR3 Ripjaws - (2) HyperX 120s / Vertex 3 120
    ASRock Extreme3 - Sennheiser Momentums - Xonar DG - EVGA Supernova 650G - Corsair H80i

    build pics

  19. #19
    Deleted
    Quote Originally Posted by slasher0161 View Post
    Recommending a 680 when the 670 is far better bang for your buck.
    Recommending a psu with only 1 pcie connector for a 680 build.
    Why a 500gb 2.5" storage drive when a 1tb 3.5" is $25 more.
    The psu was a baddie mistake. It's sorted now. But 680 is far better bang, period. And why have a 1TB HDD when you can just, I donno, not be lazy and actually clean out shit you don't use? None has sensitive "can't delete" documents, files etc even close to 1TB nor 3 TB for that matter. OS+ Games go on SSD and garbage and movies goes to HDD's, there just isn't any use for that much storage for a ordinary person. I'd rather get rid of the 2TB storage and buy a larger SSD.

  20. #20
    Bloodsail Admiral Killora's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jevlin View Post
    The psu was a baddie mistake. It's sorted now. But 680 is far better bang, period. And why have a 1TB HDD when you can just, I donno, not be lazy and actually clean out shit you don't use? None has sensitive "can't delete" documents, files etc even close to 1TB nor 3 TB for that matter. OS+ Games go on SSD and garbage and movies goes to HDD's, there just isn't any use for that much storage for a ordinary person. I'd rather get rid of the 2TB storage and buy a larger SSD.
    Okay, for one, the 680 is -not- a better bang for buck card. never has and never will. It's questionable it's worth the extra cost over the 670, let alone the 7970.

    $25 for twice the storage is no question. Theres no reason to go with a 500gb drive.

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