Building a desktop?

**Cream Soda** · 2014-05-30 19:28

So, I came upon some fortune

http://www.bluegartr.com/threads/120...=1#post6123276

That + my $200 amazon credit gives me around a $1300 budget (and still technically breaking even)

It's between this and a new bike, so I wanted to see what could be done. I've never built a desktop before (I've only owned laptops)so I was wondering if there would be a beast worth building on this budget (For gaming of course)

Any ideas/advice ?

**Tidane** · 2014-05-30 19:44

I've found PCPartPicker to be a good site to use to get an idea of what's out there. Use Tom's Hardware if you have any questions about the performance of a GPU/CPU.

You can put together a budget machine that runs any game that's coming out, if you don't want to use an extremely high resolution and the highest settings.

For a budget build, you'd probably want to look at:

- an Intel Core i5 (i7 is overkill for most people). Some people might say AMD, but the i5 was the best performance/dollar when last I looked.
- 8GB of RAM (you could go for 16, but I've yet to see a game that actually uses more than 4)
- a 550-600W power supply, depending on what your hardware requires
- a budget case (I tend to get NZXT's for my builds, but I haven't looked in awhile).
- some last year model GPU.

For the GPU, most people will say that the AMD boards are cheaper at the same performance level of the nvidia ones, but I prefer nvidia. I recently saw some that were at least competitive with the AMDs, so make sure you compare a GPU of the opposite vendor. Similar to the argument people will make for the CPU.

**Omnipotent** · 2014-05-30 19:44

For 1300 you can build an insane computer that will handle anything for the next 5+ years no problem. I haven't built a computer since the one I built, that I currently use, when I graduated H.S back in '07, and aside from my GPU, everything is stock and still is high end.

**The Stig** · 2014-05-30 20:11

If you've not got the experience with desktops as much due to only owning laptops I highly recommend going with a Systems Integrator (the companies who build a PC for you based on spec) instead. You will really, in the long run, probably cut out a lot of grief and possible extra expenditures. For what you pay you are also getting a system that (usually) is stressed tested at build and also a general all around warranty along with an Operating System (varies by vendor). Basically, you get all of their (generally) expertise on top.

Of course, we can assist you here if you post, but depending on your life style and experience would you really want to waste time fiddling/tweaking/investigating an issue (some are obscure enough that it might not be too obvious at first) if it does occur or get to using the machine?

That's not to say problems won't occur, as it can occur anytime, anywhere. Building it yourself will earn you some experience over time or during the initial honeymoon period if you're wanting to go into that field. But more than likely these days I find that people will always still think "building one is the way to go" which I admit was actually the way to go back in year 2003~ or so, but nowadays with how competitive things are, you're not going to save that much money and System Integrators are generally flexible, especially ones that lets you choose parts. However a lot of less technically minded people are not aware of this and are still stuck with such a mantra about self-building.

You might be able to pick up a good deal with a Systems Integrator especially if it comes with a monitor and keyboard (I suspect you don't have those due to be tied to a laptop) but if you build a system yourself bear in mind the extra external bits you will need to invest in.

**SephYuyX** · 2014-05-30 21:48

http://www.logicalincrements.com/

**Cream Soda** · 2014-05-31 14:28

**Jojimbo** · 2014-05-31 14:59

Few modifications http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qqnYLk, you could change a few things back but: I wouldn't get a 4GB 760 unless you plan on SLI'ing as in general it's just not worth the price difference. I would also change the PSU to a reputable brand (or at least one that has 80+ Bronze rating or above) such as Corsair or Seasonic, you also don't need 700+W unless you plan to SLI, you can get away with 550W for a single GPU. RAM you can go cheaper or faster, and I would try and get low profile RAM, the fins don't really help but will block some CPU heatsinks. MB you can also go cheaper on unless you need a particular feature, and as you have a Z series MB and -K CPU you should also add an aftermarket heatsink as the stock won't allow for much OCing, if you don't want to OC then get a locked CPU and much cheaper MB. HDD you can change back if you want though.

**Niya** · 2014-05-31 16:09

Don't get "fancy" RAM, just plain modules where you can SEE the chips. Those "heatspreaders" are mainly to hide the chips because they're not meant to be run at the advertised speed and need to be OCed to reach the speed you find on the box...
PSU, see link in my sig for a fitting wattage.
GPU, your choice. I'm really a fan of multi-fan coolers like Gigabyte's windforce series, they're most of the time a LOT quieter than the default cooling systems. Dunno how many maxwell GPUs nVidia has already released, but i'd definitely invest into a card from the newest generation. They might be a bit more expensive, but they'll last longer.
You'll definitely need a decent CPU fan, the boxed coolers are loud as hell. Most use tower coolers that blow parallel to the mainboard, i'm more of a fan of top-blowers because they keep the voltage transformers and other components around the CPU socket cooler.
And don't forget case fans. If I see that right the case you linked comes with 2 fans, but since you want to use pretty potent components you might want to add 1 or 2 more fans so there's a good air flow in the case.

**Kalmado** · 2014-05-31 16:31

Just going to echo what's already been said. I actually have a XFX 550w Gold (Seasonic psu) fully modular that I either need to sell or put in my rig. I'm running an Antec 620 Eco Bronze (Seasonic psu) currently that I would part with. Thing is, psu shipping would cost some dough. If you can be patient, wait for a good sale. I've seen regularly XFX 550w Bronze for $35 after mail in rebate.

For many other items, it depends on how patient you can be when buying to save money and/or get a better value. I'm not sure if you are just looking at Newegg, but if you are I'd definitely take a look at Tigerdirect, Amazon, and others. For my main rig I purchased most of my parts from Amazon as they had the best deals or I could haggle a price match and use credits I had.

**Cream Soda** · 2014-05-31 16:35

Amazon, unless significantly lower, is pretty much auto eliminated since they opened up warehouses in FL so now we get sales tax tacked on (fml)

Thread: Building a desktop?

Thread Tools

Building a desktop?

Similar Threads

Wanting to build a new gaming desktop...

Building a new desktop

Building a desktop

Desktop build!

Building a desktop - Thoughts?

Another critique my custom build desktop!

Desktop Build Opinions

Building my first desktop!

Latest Threads

Up & Coming Threads

Hottest Threads