PC Gaming Builds and Gear

[Swarley]

So here's what I'm thinking right now:

I want a rig that I can stream my console games from right away. Trying to keep the budget fairly low, but don't want to sacrifice everything. Then at some point this year I can upgrade it with a good graphics card so I can start really gaming on it.

What can you do for me, jms? Would the last build you posted work for this?

[jms493]

So here's what I'm thinking right now:

I want a rig that I can stream my console games from right away. Trying to keep the budget fairly low, but don't want to sacrifice everything. Then at some point this year I can upgrade it with a good graphics card so I can start really gaming on it.

What can you do for me, jms? Would the last build you posted work for this?

Tell me the max you want to spend right now and I can hit that number. I would suggest Intel over AMD. I would probably build you something without a grafx card for about $500. Then you can add a graphics card when you have the rest of the money saved up.

The thing is AMD integrated GPUs are better than Intel but Intel generally runs cooler and require less power. Once you get a grafx card the intergrated GPU is useless.

• Do you want a case with a window or without?
• Black Case?
• Will you ever consider overclocking?
• 1 TB enough?
• No SSD I presume??
• Do you have a copy of Windows 7?
• Do you have a wired XBOX 360 controller
• Wireless Keyboard and Mouse?
• You plan to plug into receiver or tv?
• Are you placing this right next to TV or somewhere else?

[JBregz]

So here's what I'm thinking right now:

I want a rig that I can stream my console games from right away. Trying to keep the budget fairly low, but don't want to sacrifice everything. Then at some point this year I can upgrade it with a good graphics card so I can start really gaming on it.

What can you do for me, jms? Would the last build you posted work for this?

Here's what I am thinking, built a similar build for a friend a couple weeks ago.

AMD FX 8320 8 core processor 3.5 GHz (4.0 overclocked) http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16819113285 $149
MSI 970A Motherboard http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16813130637 $89
Corsair CXM 600W power suppply http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16817139048 $89
G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8 GB (2x4gb) DDR3 RAM 1600Mhz http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16820231428 $89
EVGA SuperClocked GeForce GTX 760 2GB GDDR5 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16814130932 $289
Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Mid Tower Gaming Case http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16811147153 $54

Sub Total: ~$760

Then in a couple months time you could pick up a second 760 GTX video card and run dual. If you are willing to spend a little more coin initially, I would invest a bit more into the motherboard. But the CPU and Memory is solid. The case is really just preference but I threw that in there as well so you know a ballpark range of what to spend.

Also know that you will still need a keyboard/mouse and monitor if you do not already have them, and add that into your costs accordingly. Because once you get a beauty of a PC you will want to get a gaming keyboard and mouse to complete it all which is an easy $100+ dollars lol

[Swarley]

Tell me the max you want to spend right now and I can hit that number.

• Do you want a case with a window or without?
• Black Case?
• Will you ever consider overclocking?
• 1 TB enough?
• No SSD I presume??
• Do you have a copy of Windows 7?
• Do you have a wired XBOX 360 controller
• Wireless Keyboard and Mouse?
• You plan to plug into receiver or tv?
• Are you placing this right next to TV or somewhere else?

Between $400 and $500 would be great for the initial build.

- Window would be nice, but not necessary at all
- Black case
- No overclocking
- 1 TB is perfectly fine
- No SSD
- Do not have Windows, but I know someone who could probably get me a copy
- Keyboard/mouse/controller pretty much taken care of already
- Plug into TV
- Next to TV

[JBregz]

Tell me the max you want to spend right now and I can hit that number. I would suggest Intel over AMD. I would probably build you something without a grafx card for about $500. Then you can add a graphics card when you have the rest of the money saved up.

The thing is AMD integrated GPUs are better than Intel but Intel generally runs cooler and require less power. Once you get a grafx card the intergrated GPU is useless.

• Do you want a case with a window or without?
• Black Case?
• Will you ever consider overclocking?
• 1 TB enough?
• No SSD I presume??
• Do you have a copy of Windows 7?
• Do you have a wired XBOX 360 controller
• Wireless Keyboard and Mouse?
• You plan to plug into receiver or tv?
• Are you placing this right next to TV or somewhere else?

While I agree Intel is a bit better than AMD, AMD is alot better in terms of bang for your buck and if he is using it for gaming then AMD is the way to go as the bench marks between intel and AMD are identical, the difference where intel gets the slight edge is doing multi program processing. Such as if you are doing video and music editing where you have Photoshop, premiere or like an after effects opened up. If you get a proper case with good airflow and adjustable fans like most do today, your PC should run cool. I have an AMD build myself along with my brother, and 3 friends and they have had no problems playing BF4 on high settings.

[jms493]

FYI if you have a MicroCenter near you then you should buy all parts from there. There Motherboard/CPU combo is hard to beat.

Let me put something together I think would be nice.

[JBregz]

Sorry to throw in a ton of info at once, but I know CanadaComputers is a store by me that nearly price matches everything, so I'd try and find a store that does that as well and then only buy things online that have real good online only deals. Also just buy your case in store so you don't have to worry about shipping lol

[jms493]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2ZZDb
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2ZZDb/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2ZZDb/benchmarks/

• CPU: Intel Core i5-4670 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($207.97 @ OutletPC)
• Motherboard: MSI H87-G43 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($96.24 @ Amazon)
• Memory: Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Best Buy)
• Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.94 @ Amazon)
• Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
• Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($37.99 @ Microcenter)
• Total: $539.12

Okay few things to consider here

• A windowed case would run you $100 or more if you go with Corsair or Fractal. Personally I think Corsair has the best cases for the price.
• The CPU is not overclockable
• Hence the Motherboard is a H87
• Downside to the MB is it does not support Nvidia SLI. (Dual Cards) You would need to spend more for that.
• The PSU is modular which helps in managing cables. You save a few bucks by getting non-modular. I dont recommend it though.

So if you added a ~300 card to this down the road you are looking at a total price tag of $840.00. BUT if you get this a MC you can shave about $50 off your price and probably upgrade the Motherboard to a Z87 that supports SLI.

Fi I edit this list and get everything from Newegg it is $600

[jms493]

There is a Microcenter in Overland Park Kansas...I think that is close to you Swarley...SCORE!

[Swarley]

There is a Microcenter in Overland Park Kansas...I think that is close to you Swarley...SCORE!

Yeah I looked that up a little bit ago. An hour away but I'm going there in a few weeks anyways.

[JBregz]

There is a Microcenter in Overland Park Kansas...I think that is close to you Swarley...SCORE!

What would you recommend he puts in for a video card though, also that power supply is really suspect imo, you don't want to cheap out on a power supply with low wattage. Because if it blows on you it can fry everything, my dad learned the hard way years ago.

[jms493]

Honestly Swarley I would spend a little extra a get a better MB and PSU.

Microcenter list

• Intel Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Boxed Processor $159.99
• MSI Z87-G45 Gaming Socket LGA 1150 ATX Intel Motherboard $129.99 (Bundle Price)
• Kingston Hyper X Red 8GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) CL 9 Desktop Memory Kit $84.99
• Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive ST31000524AS $59.99
• Corsair Carbide Series 300R Mid-Tower ATX Gaming Computer Case $69.99
• Corsair CX Series CX750M 750 Watt ATX Modular Power Supply $84.99

TOTAL $588

This offers CFX/SLI support...always a nice option down the road.

[jms493]

Graphics Card...I only have experience with Nvidia.

Honestly I would wait to see if they announce 800 series cards yet.

Otherwise the GTX 760 or 770 are good cards for your money. Actually 2 760's is BEAST! But there are negatives to SLI.

[JBregz]

Graphics Card...I only have experience with Nvidia.

Honestly I would wait to see if they announce 800 series cards yet.

Otherwise the GTX 760 or 770 are good cards for your money. Actually 2 760's is BEAST! But there are negatives to SLI.

Brother has dual 780's..posting his rig build with pics in a few minutes.

[jms493]

Brother has dual 780's..posting his rig build with pics in a few minutes.

I feel that is only necessary for 1440p or 1600P gaming.