Looking for help building my first PC

[JeffersBradley]

Hey folks,

My laptop is on its last legs, and I was considering getting a new one for about 800 euro or so for games and general use. Then I had a moment of clarity and instead I will be spending about 150 euro on a netbook and the remaining 650 can go towards a more powerful PC.
A friend of mine told me to turn to the fine minds here for assistance as I'm very new to the whole thing. I did assemble a tower about 10 years ago for a computer science class but the memory is fuzzy.
For specifics I have 650 to spend, though I could push that limit if it really made a difference. I mostly play league of legends at the moment, but I put that down to my failing laptop being unable to run much else. I would hope to run FF XIV at a good setting since it went to free to play, and would be mostly using my laptop for steam back log and Overwatch, again if it was at a good setting. I've a PS4 which takes care of most new releases so this PC would be looking to play games from about 2-3 years ago and recent indie games, so that's the level I'm looking at.
We've a 30 something inch TV at home that I'll be using as a monitor to save money (I know it's inferior but I feel a good monitor is something I can save towards as they get cheaper.)
Any help you folks can lend would be much appreciated. I'm based in Ireland in case shipping is a big factor in this.

 

[||Console||]

do you have a local site that you will be ordering from ? so we can pick some parts ?

Do you need a
Mouse ?
Keyboard ?
Monitor ?
OS ?

 

[Suppressor1137]

First things first;

to OCF!

We need to know a few additional things before we begin your Journey into the PC world.

Budget: 650 Euros Definitely on the tight side of things. For reference, my pc is about $1500.

Region: Ireland

Primary Use: Gaming. Capable of running Final Fantasy XIV with close to max fps(If possible)

Do you have:

A mouse? - You can get a really cheap mouse until you have a bigger budget ~ 3 euros

A Keyboard? - Same as mouse. Get a cheap one for now. These will be your backups once you replace them with nicer ones. ~ 10 euros

What we Need:

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Processor Thermal compound -

https://www.newegg.com/global/ie/Pr...26020&cm_re=gc_extreme-_-35-426-020-_-Product - 12.99 euros.(Optional, HIGHLY Recommended. Heatsinks come with some of their own, but this is one of the top end stuff, and its non-toxic, and non-conductive.)

Processor - INTEL

I3 - https://www.newegg.com/global/ie/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117772 - 160 Euros

I5(If budget allows) - https://www.newegg.com/global/ie/Pr...2E16819117728&cm_re=i5-_-19-117-728-_-Product - 225.99 euros

Reason to get I5:

Quad Core, Significantly faster than I3; Will not bottleneck other components, better IGP(Integrated Graphics Processor)

Cooler -

https://www.newegg.com/global/ie/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186141 - 37.99 euros

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Processor - AMD

https://www.newegg.com/global/ie/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113284 - 126.99 euros

Benefits: Cheap, Powerful and robust.

Detrimets: Needs seriously good aftermarket cooler. We are talking 50-80+ euro range

Cooler -

https://www.newegg.com/global/ie/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608045 - 84.99 euros

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Motherboard - Intel

Z270 https://www.newegg.com/global/ie/Pr...16813157740&cm_re=z270-_-13-157-740-_-Product - 108 euros

---

Motherboard - AMD

AM3+ https://www.newegg.com/global/ie/Pr...E16813128565&cm_re=am3-_-13-128-565-_-Product - 56.99 euros

---

Ram - INTEL

8 gigs ddr4 3000 https://www.newegg.com/global/ie/Pr...16820233828&cm_re=ddr4-_-20-233-828-_-Product - 66.99 euros

---

Ram - AMD

16 gigs ddr3 1600 https://www.newegg.com/global/ie/Pr...8&cm_re=ddr3_1600_16gb-_-20-231-568-_-Product - 93.99 euros

8 gigs ddr3 1600 https://www.newegg.com/global/ie/Pr...66&cm_re=ddr3_1600_8gb-_-20-231-428-_-Product - 49.02 euros

Reason to get 16 gigs: Newer games like Battlefield 1 use almost 10 gigs of ram on highest settings. Not having enough will cause significant fps hits where your hardware is capable of running much higher otherwise.

------

SSD -

https://www.newegg.com/global/ie/Pr...E16820178966&cm_re=ssd-_-20-178-966-_-Product - 56.99 euros

PSU -

You only need around 300 watts for this build. but, this is one I would spend a little extra on. If this dies, it will probably take a whole bunch of stuff with it.

https://www.newegg.com/global/ie/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16817438095 - 79.99 euros.


______________________________________________________


50 Euros RESERVED for CASE

Price Breakdown - INTEL(Faster, newer, more expensive)

Use this Link, and choose one UP TO 50 euros

https://www.newegg.com/global/ie/Pr...cription=case&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=36

Parts - Case, CPU, CPU Heatsink, Motherboard, Ram, Video Card, PSU

I5 Varient

600 - 225.99(cpu) - 37.99(CPU Cooler) - 108(Motherboard) - 66.97(RAM) - 56.99(SSD) - 79.99(PSU) = 24.07 euros remaining. -13 euros for keyboard and mouse = 11.07 euros left

Reasons to consider this varient: No compromises, short on budget to consider Graphics card rx 580 a few months later when budget is refereshed. once Video card added, will run everything for the next 2 years @ 1080P 60 fps locked with max settings in MOST CASES.

Reasons to not consider this varient: stuck with IGP for gaming. Very weak, but should play FFXIV on low settings.

I3 Varient

600 - 160.99(cpu) - 37.99(CPU Cooler) - 108(Motherboard) - 66.97(RAM) - 56.99(SSD) - 79.99(PSU) = 89.07 euros Remaining. Ablity to buy used Graphics card on the cheap to play FFXIV at near max/max settings

AMD Varient

600 - 126.99(cpu) - 84.99(CPU Cooler) - 56.99(Motherboard) - 49.02(RAM) - 56.99(SSD) - 79.99(PSU) = 145 euros Remaining. Despite significant cut on cost of cpu, The cooler I have picked is a Top of the line air cooler. The community can help choose an appropriate cooler for this, but This is where I personally would start.

You are able to purchase a lower end new gpu immediately with the amd Varient.

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Video Card - Can hold off on this and use IGP if budget is too tight.

https://www.newegg.com/global/ie/Pr...26117&cm_re=rx_480_8gb-_-14-126-117-_-Product - 216.99 euros.

I HIGHLY recommend this card, and if you can stretch your budget to accomadate it, it is well worth it.


https://www.newegg.com/global/ie/Pr...02270&cm_re=rx_480_4gb-_-14-202-270-_-Product - 178.99 euros


Here is a cheaper varient if budget is too tight


And if you Want to stay in Budget;

https://www.newegg.com/global/ie/Pr...814131705&cm_re=RX_470-_-14-131-705-_-Product - 140.99

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If you need more storage, consider a Standard HDD

https://www.newegg.com/global/ie/Pr...E16822235014&cm_re=HDD-_-22-235-014-_-Product - 46.99 euros.




Solutions to overbudget:

Used parts: Check to see if you can get any of the listed parts used somewhere. Buying used is a significant reduction of price, at the risk of earlier than expected hardware failure(Depends on luck and source of parts)

Hold off on discrete Graphics card(Recommended) - Saved: up to 219 euros. Reasoning: The new graphics cards by and are going to be released VERY soon. Give yourself a bit more time and nab a new series.

 

[JeffersBradley]

First of all, thank you for the wealth of information there!

I have both a mouse and a keyboard available to me. Budget wise I could stretch to 800, hold off on the Netbook until I head back to college. Knowing where it'll be placed in the room it will need decent cooling. The post above mentioned an OS which I completely forgot I needed. Been a windows user all my life but I'm open to suggestions in that field.
When you say the new graphics cards are coming soon, what sort of time frame are we looking at? And should it be the case that I then go for the latest model, or the previous one hoping for a price cut?

I also did a quick comparison and it looks like Newegg do the cheapest for parts, but shipping looks like it could be monumental.
The websites I compared off are: Komplett.ie Custompcparts.ie elara.ie

 

[Suppressor1137]

First of all, thank you for the wealth of information there!

I have both a mouse and a keyboard available to me. Budget wise I could stretch to 800, hold off on the Netbook until I head back to college. Knowing where it'll be placed in the room it will need decent cooling. The post above mentioned an OS which I completely forgot I needed. Been a windows user all my life but I'm open to suggestions in that field.
When you say the new graphics cards are coming soon, what sort of time frame are we looking at? And should it be the case that I then go for the latest model, or the previous one hoping for a price cut?

I also did a quick comparison and it looks like Newegg do the cheapest for parts, but shipping looks like it could be monumental.
The websites I compared off are: Komplett.ie Custompcparts.ie elara.ie

No problem. I do recommend going for the AMD varient because shipping is bound to slaughter costs, and this processor will run everything you throw at it well enough for a first time pc gamer

I forgot about the OS as well LOL

Thats 135 euros for the home edition of Windows 10, which is what I recommend.

https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/mseea/en_IE/pdp/Windows-10-Home/productID.320437800

HOWEVER, to cut this cost to ZERO, Consider using a Windows-like Linux build until you can afford a key.

https://zorinos.com/

Open source, and Widely popular. At the very least, you can use your pc right away

As for the video cards release, if rumors are accurate, by the end of april, mid march. As late as may

https://videocardz.com/amd/radeon-500/radeon-rx-580

Says 18th of april, but there could be delays, too early to tell. This coincides with Ryzen 5 launch(The new amd CPU generation). Stay tuned for changes and input from community. When Ryzen 5 launches, the old generation usually sees a price slash. This is what we are looking for in your case. You don't need to run Witcher 3 on a 4k monitor at max settings. You need a pc that will let you play Everything you want it to at reasonable settings. The RX480 8gb(Which I use myself) runs Every single game I play at refresh rate for 1080P titles at either max settings, or near max settings.

The only thing I would consider changing is the processor to the Ryzen 5 series, for a bit longer lifespan out of your system. But ONLY if prices are reasonable enough and fall under your budget.

The $169 Ryzen 5 1400, a 4-core/8-thread chip that runs at 3.2GHz and boosts to 3.4GHz Thats dollars though.

EDIT: I forgot thermal compound. See POST #3 above the cpu section.

 

[Dpg3456]

For the AMD varient i would recommend an 6300 and oc to 4.0 or so. I honestly found i got greater FPS from my 6300 than my 9590. I couldn't break 80 fps with my 9590 but i can with my 6300.

Most aftermarket coolers have TIM already on it so no need to spend more there.

16 gigs of ram should do it.

SSD is totally worth the money. If you need more storage later on, you can always grab an HDD.

Would a 1050ti or 1060 better suit OP?

 

[||Console||]

When I need win10 again after my next upgrade plan on using this site to get a key for 20-30$ http://www.kinguin.net/

 

[R_Pierce]

You can always search for some of the hardware used. Just have to be diligent in what you buy. Reddit hardwareswap groups have plentiful PC supplies.

 

[Suppressor1137]

https://www.newegg.com/global/ie/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113286 FX 6300 - $85.99 euros.

Yeah, Probably a good idea. That's a price dip of almost 40 euros, allowing op to either get the HDD, or cut costs further in case shipping is excessive. For gaming, the core count is not really important. Op will be using a TV for now to cut costs, so refresh rate will be quite low.

+1 on that. Good Call!

As for the 1060 or 1050 ti, I don't think so; unless the op needs to cut costs further to make room for shipping costs. While the 1060 is a great substitute for the rx480(Lowest price card wins), I feel like for what the op wants, a gtx 1050 ti isn't quite up to the task.

A 6gb 1060 is more expensive than the RX 480 8gb. https://www.newegg.com/global/ie/Pr...tion=gtx 1060&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=36

They are interchangable for the most part, as performance is very similar to each other.

As for that website, I figure cut the cost completely and go with the windows like linux distro I mentioned would be the best course of action for the inital build. Even at 20-30 euros, its still more than free.

You can always search for some of the hardware used. Just have to be diligent in what you buy. Reddit hardwareswap groups have plentiful PC supplies.

I mention that in my long #3 post.

If you can find it used from a good source, Go that route. Especially for the AMD processor/Motherboard/Ram. There should be a surplus of these parts used as people have upgraded to RYZEN 7 and are running AM4 motherboards, with DDR4 memory.

Parts you should ALMOST NEVER buy used is the Power supply. Reliability aside, you also get a 5-10 year warranty on this part, and Hard disk drives. You don't know if they have viruses embedded in them, or are on their way out. If your friends have old HDDS they no longer use, that is a source you can probably trust as being virus free. Just ask them how old the drives are, and if they have been wiped/cleared of data.

 

[Alaric]

When I need win10 again after my next upgrade plan on using this site to get a key for 20-30$ http://www.kinguin.net/

Beat me to it.

 

[Suppressor1137]

Is that site really legit?

kinda surprising it doesn't get attacked for people reselling keys like that for Windows.

I managed to get three windows 10 keys through my school.

Really, only one, but Upgraded the 8.1 and 7 keys to Win 10 keys for free when that was a thing.



I actually liked windows 8.1 , But I LOVED windows 10.