building my first PC

[Majjintorn]

I've finally decided to make the move to a custom built computer yay! but I'm not exactly sure what I should be getting, I don't have any parts I can scavenge, or an OS I can use sadly. My price range is ~800-900$ but I would like to save a bit. I normally play games like League of legends, DOTA2, world of warcraft, ect ect. I looked at the sample builds page but I'm not sure how much bang for my buck I'm getting from there.

[chazus]

Working on a build. Give me a moment!
Note: Pick whatever case you want. I know it's slightly over budget, but it's hard to cut that down without starting to make sacrifices.

PCPartPicker part list
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill NS Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($66.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($253.29 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Tempest 210 ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $917.20

[Majjintorn]

alright thanks, overbudget isn't that bad for me, it just means another week of saving.

[chazus]

Notably, it may be worth waiting a few weeks to buy, as the new Intel CPU's are coming out. The build would be the same, except you'd be buying a 4670K and compatible motherboard for about the same price, give or take like twenty bucks.

[Majjintorn]

Hmm well in that case if I wait I'll have a much larger budget if I can resist spending it on random stuff. I don't mind sitting with this laptop for a bit longer, it runs okay.

[Majjintorn]

Well it's been a interesting almost two months, and I've had a few bills to pay, But I'm diggin in now to get the PC, but my budget has changed a bit I have about 700-800$ budget but with some prodding from friends I've managed to pick up a few peripherals in the meantime. A monitor, windows 7 pro (never really got the dif between the versions but he said that was better) , and a computer tower that he said I /needed/ and happened to have an email sale on

Case: Can't post the direct link but it's a COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN3-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with USB 3.0 and Black Interior

with the newegg sale going on I'm wondering what should I get now? The same stuff I said before sans peripherals applies.


Also the budget is what I have left over after getting those things.

[Deleted]

Is this doable for you? Other wise I can tweak the system here and there:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($58.49 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($249.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $814.39
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-28 14:17 EDT-0400)

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($58.49 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($249.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $749.39
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-28 14:19 EDT-0400)

As you can see you can find a cheaper HDD than the Black drive in the first build but I do recommend getting the Black drive since you have no SSD. However the Blue will still work just fine.

[chazus]

EDIT: Notarget beat me to it >.<

Took old build, removed Case and OS. Changed RAM to cheaper available. Upgraded Motherboard to nicer one. Remove CD Drive. Changed GPU to better one that just came out.

PCPartPicker part list
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G45 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($103.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($58.49 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($259.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $787.40

[Majjintorn]

Thank you both for the responses, I'm really excited to finally get this thing off the ground. With all the missteps along the way trying to save, I have the worst luck.

[Grahamx]

I'm not sure if you live close to one, but I just built my first pc as well and was able to do in store pick up at Microcenter to score a i5-4670k for 200 USD flat as well as pick up a Z87-a mobo for 90 USD. They also included a bunch of nifty coupons when I bought the CPU. I wouldn't suggest buying everything there but you might be able to save some money if you live close enough to one.