Building a new PC

[sortajan]

i've decided to build myself a new computer. my target is a reasonably capable gaming rig in the ~$1,000 USD range here. a friend threw this together for me, but i was hoping to get a second opinion. this is the first time i've ever genuinely built a computer from scratch. i'm hoping i can get this right, so i'm open to being torn a new one.

these are the parts as he listed:

CPU: intel i5-4590 $224
Mobo: ASUS H97M-Pro4 $115
RAM: 2x4GB Patriot-S 1600MHz $87
GPU: either: Sapphire R9-280 $299 or Gainward Phantom GTX760 $264
SSD: 120GB Samsung 840 Evo $93
HDD: Seagate 2TB (7200rpm) $94
ODD: Samsung SATA DVDRW $18
Case: Antec three hundred two $79
PSU: Antec HCG520 $89

and this is my attempt at finding some of them. i know some are listed as out of stock, but so long as i know exactly what i'm looking for it shouldn't be too hard to find it elsewhere.

[url=http://www.amazon.com/Intel-i5-4590-Processor-Cache-BX80646I54590/dp/B00KG5QOKY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1403149875&sr=8-3&keywords=intel+core+i5-4590]Intel Core i5-4590 Processor[/url]
[url=http://www.amazon.com/ASRock-LGA1150-CrossFireX-MicroATX-Motherboard/dp/B00KG5T1W2]ASRock H97M PRO4[/url]
[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202099]SAPPHIRE R9 280[/url]
[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2W01AZ5378]SAMSUNG 840[/url]
[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148834]Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200 RPM[/url]
[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151141]Samsung SATA DVDRW[/url]
[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129180]Antec Three Hundred Two Black[/url]
[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371047]Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-520[/url]
[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220570]Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB)[/url]

 

[matts6887]

for something around 1000 I would say your friend did ok. Although; if your gonna do any gaming of any type; i might consider stepping up the processor to the intel i7.

 

[kbrady1979]

For gaming, a Core i5 is more than enough and will free up the cash to put into a better graphics card.

Do you have any plans, immediate or otherwise, on Overclocking? If so you may want to step up to a "K" series CPU.

For the motherboard, I would go with a Z97 board from Asus instead of the H97's.

At least a GTX 760 or AMD equivalent graphics card

RAM.....8GB (2x4GB kit) of either Corsair or G. Skill, 1600MHz or better

That's an excellent choice for the SSD/HDD

Wouldn't waste money on an optical drive, unless you absolutely have to have one because of frequent use. That's what they make external optical drives for

The case is purely subjective, but NZXT, Corsair and Fractal Design are the industry leaders in options and innovation. I am currently diggin' the NZXT H440 cases.

Lastly, for the power supply I would go with the SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold......fully modular, more than enough power, and built like a tank. Fantastic stock cables as well.

I realize this is probably a tad north of your $1000 target ( I didn't add anything up), but for just a little bit over your original budget, you can have a MUCH nicer computer that will do everything you need for quite a few years.

 

[RoasterMen]

for something around 1000 I would say your friend did ok. Although; if your gonna do any gaming of any type; i might consider stepping up the processor to the intel i7.

i5s are almost same with i7s

 

[Mellon Head]

Agree with kbrady1979 on the Seasonic PSU. They're built to last.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Agree on most of the parts the SSD for boot in particular - though I have found my 250GB EVO has slowed down somewhat since installation. But I find it's Magician software really good.

 

[Wrend]

for something around 1000 I would say your friend did ok. Although; if your gonna do any gaming of any type; i might consider stepping up the processor to the intel i7.

Most games aren't going to even be able to take advantage of extra cores/threads.

Generally speaking, a decent i5 is more than enough for a gaming rig.

Of course, if you're wanting to push the limits, and have the cash, there are advantages with going with a higher-end set up.

 

[Indianatone]

Hi there, Don't forget to include the cost of Windows 7 Home Premium or higher in your budget unless you have a retail version you are going to use with your new build.
Newegg.com - windows 7

Good Luck

 

[Computer0304]

You should get this Motherboard: ASUS Z97-DELUXE LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Newegg.com RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231515 GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130945

 

[sortajan]

So I took a couple of slight liberties based largely on some reviews I read and affordability. It's a bit north of my ideal, but I can be afford to be somewhat flexible there.

CPU  - [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116898]Intel i5-4670[/url]
MOBO - [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132127]Asus Z97[/url]
GPU  - [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130945]GTX 770[/url]
RAM  - [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314]G.SKILL Ripjaws (2x4GB)[/url]
PSU  - [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151088&cm_re=seasonic_power_supply-_-17-151-088-_-Product]SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold[/url]
SSD  - [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2W01AZ5378]120GB Samsung 840 Evo[/url]
HDD  - [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148834]Seagate 2TB (7200rpm)[/url]
Case - [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066]Antec 300 Illusion[/url]

And $100 for W7 Home Premium. How is it? Are there any parts that will try to murder the parts next to them when I'm not looking? Any parts where I'm paying a lot for not much better?

I really appreciate all of your help thus far. I'm in the process of watching that 3-part Newegg tutorial on YouTube, so I'm hoping that when I finally get everything together I'm not stuck trying to put square pegs in round holes, sending incompatible parts back, or gluing my CPU to my monitor.

 

[kbrady1979]

Are you planning on overclocking your CPU at all? If so, you'll want a "K" processor to go with the Z97 motherboard.

Also, that motherboard is nice, but way overpriced........At MOST I'd get a Z97 Sabertooth.

 

[Britton30]

I would agree on the K sku CPU, you may at some point want to try overclocking. This also is a great board for $190.
ASUS Z97-PRO LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Newegg.com