Console Gamer needs help building a low budget mid range custom gaming PC

[theDialTECH]

Hi. I know very little about building a custom gaming pc. I went to http://www.build-gaming-computers.com for a place to start. I have used the recommended custom gaming builds as a reference for what I would like to build and how much I'm willing to pay. So far, I have came up with a build that's somewhere in-between the low and mid range build. I'm not sure if these parts are compatible with each other or if I should replace these parts with something better or compatible. My budget is to spend no more than $1,000.

Motherboard - ASUS Micro ATX DDR3 2600
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K2R6BQS/ref=psdc_1048424_t1_B00K2R6C9Y)

CPU - Intel Core i5-4690 3.5ghz
(http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54690)

RAM - Kingston HyperX Fury 8gb DDR3 1600mhz
(http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Hype...ds=Kingston+HyperX+Fury+8gb+DDR3+1600mhz+CL10)

Video Card - EVGA GeForce GTX 960 SSC GDDR5
(http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-...2834456&sr=8-15&keywords=evga+geforce+gtx+760)

Hard Drive - Western Digital 1tb
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...iveASIN=B0088PUEPK&linkCode=as2&tag=buildg-20)

Optical Case - ASUS 24x DVD Burner
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...iveASIN=B0033Z2BAQ&linkCode=as2&tag=buildg-20)

Case - Rosewill Redbone or Blackbone ATX Mid-Tower
(http://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-REDB...de_a_smtd&showDetailTechData=1#technical-data) (http://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-Stee...0690&sr=1-2&keywords=rosewill+mid+tower+cases)

Power Supply - Corsair Builder Series CX 600wt
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0092ML1SC/ref=twister_B0093XCRXS?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1)

I don't need the best resolution and frame rates for my PC gaming. I want play Space Sims, MMOs, and Strategy games at medium settings with little to no problems without having to upgrade anything within the year and or into next year because I do have a Xbox One for all other console genres.

 

[bob4933]

Eh.. that site isn't the most useful of things honestly.


Couple things.

1) you don't have a good motherboard selected
2) non k processor means you can't overclock
3) the gtx 960 is absolute rubbish for the 220$. You can get a 290 for that now.
4) ram is ram when it comes to gaming. You can find faster ram for the same cost really.
5) that psu isn't the best you can do for that money.


Someone will chime in with a proper i5 build shortly.

 

[theDialTECH]

Thanks for the warning. I will look for some better parts. Hopefully someone else can provide more info so I don't pick the bad ones again.

 

[LoganG]

Does your budget include the cost of an OS? What about peripherals

Edit:

Here's what I came up with. Other people will probably do a better job, but just to give you some ideas.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/n3cZHx

 

[theDialTECH]

My budget doesn't include a OS or keyboard/mouse. I rather buy those some other time. For now, I want to focus on the PC build without any peripherals. I'm looking into those parts right now. Thanks.

 

[LoganG]

You should definitely check back often as there are a couple of users who put together the best builds. I'm still relatively new to this stuff, especially Intel builds.

 

[theDialTECH]

Will do. Do you know of any builds not based around Intel that's similar to the price and performance I'm trying to get out of this one?

 

[LoganG]

Intel CPUs are definitely king of the hill right now, but you could switch to AMD and do something as such http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Q4nmBm

 

[ATMINSIDE]

Do you want to overclock?
Are you near a Microcenter?
Are you doing anything besides gaming?
What resolution are you gaming at?

 

[theDialTECH]

I rather not over clock because this is my first time building a pc and everything is still new. Having it as an option would be nice to have, if I decide to try and boost any performance in the future. I'm no where near a Microcenter because I live in rural MN. I will probably have a few small non-gaming programs such as photoshop for work, but besides that no not really. I'm not really concerned with resolution as long as the games I want to play (Space Sims, MMOs, and Strategy) look nice and play without any problems that's within my price range. I'm trying to spend less then $1,000, but If a better part costs a little more and performances significantly better. I don't mind paying a little extra.

 

[ATMINSIDE]

Here's my suggestion:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Yjv6xr

That's assuming you're running 1080p on the monitor.
I'll be glad to answer any questions as to why I chose what part

 

[bob4933]

Here's my suggestion:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Yjv6xr

That's assuming you're running 1080p on the monitor.
I'll be glad to answer any questions as to why I chose what part

EVGA GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card

Why? lol

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

How about ->
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8vNnK8

 

[ATMINSIDE]

Because most people don't know how to handle the heat a 290 dumps out.
Also, if he decides to OC, the 960 has a LOT of headroom (see the article that went up today by Dino).

 

[bob4933]

Because most people don't know how to handle the heat a 290 dumps out.
Also, if he decides to OC, the 960 has a LOT of headroom (see the article that went up today by Dino).

Out of the box, the 290 absolutely slaughters the 960 though. You can over clock the 290's too xD

Same cost, why get (significantly) lesser performance? He's getting a mid tower, not like he's cramming stuff into an itx build. The double dissipation card also works significantly better at cooling than the reference cards. Its a win-win here if he goes with that one.

 

[Theocnoob]

I'm with Bob, ATM. 290 all the way. It's no more "ridiculously hot" than many other high TDP cards of the past have been. Get a high air flow case and populate all the fan mounts. Problem solved.

 

[theDialTECH]

If newegg still has the mail in rebate by the time I have saved up enough money within the next month or two I will probably go with the 290 because of the mail in rebate. Base price, I'm more inclined to get the 960 because it's cheaper and a little easier to afford. What ($50) case do you guys recommend for the 290 if I decide to get that?

 

[bob4933]

If newegg still has the mail in rebate by the time I have saved up enough money within the next month or two I will probably go with the 290 because of the mail in rebate. Base price, I'm more inclined to get the 960 because it's cheaper and a little easier to afford. What ($50) case do you guys recommend for the 290 if I decide to get that?

In all likely hood, they will hover around that price for its existence. Don't get a 960, its so over priced. Step down to a 270x if you wanna save money and have decent performance and save some bucks. The 280, 280x, 760, 770, 960, (minus some key sales) 290x are all just no good for the price anymore.

 

[theDialTECH]

Why a Ripjaw 16gb, shouldn't 8GB be enough?

 

[Theocnoob]

Why a Ripjaw 16gb, shouldn't 8GB be enough?

8GB (2X4, never use a single stick on Intel. That's only for AMD AM1) is fine. 2X8 is more future proof. For now though, you can get away with 2X4.

Do not buy a GTX 960. It's a joke. Seriously. A joke of a card for its price in today's market. Pick up the R9 290. There is a $20 difference between a 960 and a 290 and you get a MASSIVE performance jump with the 290. It just runs a little hot.

I suggest the Corsair 200R case



And I suggest you populate both front fans, at least one top and one rear fan, and consider one side panel fan as well blowing onto the GPU (If you get the 290).

If you do populate a side fan, consider a fan filter for it

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...99226&cm_re=fan_filter-_-11-999-226-_-Product

 

[theDialTECH]

8GB (2X4, never use a single stick on Intel. That's only for AMD AM1) is fine. 2X8 is more future proof. For now though, you can get away with 2X4.

Do not buy a GTX 960. It's a joke. Seriously. A joke of a card for its price in today's market. Pick up the R9 290. There is a $20 difference between a 960 and a 290 and you get a MASSIVE performance jump with the 290. It just runs a little hot.

I suggest the Corsair 200R case


And I suggest you populate both front fans, at least one top and one rear fan, and consider one side panel fan as well blowing onto the GPU (If you get the 290).

If you do populate a side fan, consider a fan filter for it

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...99226&cm_re=fan_filter-_-11-999-226-_-Product

Alright. I will go with the R9 260 and probably a 8gb (2x4gb). Is this case a good substitute? Because I don't want to spend more than $50 for a case. http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-caso22001