Build Mid Range Gaming for $700

[ladouthitt]

I have no prior experience building a PC and need a little Help.
I am a photographer and a light gamer. I need a good $700 build that will handle
Sim-city 5 and The Sims 3 on maximum settings. I also use Photoshop CS6 and Pinnacle Video editing software. I would like those to run perfectly. I have a bluray drive and want to watch blurays on my pc too. I know the basics of PC hardware but I have trouble understanding compatibility. I have been to PC Picker but I am unsure what parts will work for me. I would greatly appreciate any help anyone has for me. Thank you very much!

 

[vertexx]

Ok, so if you were to order today, here is an updated list based on everything we have discussed.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V3 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($244.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock B85M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($59.50 @ Newegg)
Memory: GeIL EVO POTENZA 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M500 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($119.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.88 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R7 260X 2GB Video Card ($121.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone PS09B MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($46.83 @ TigerDirect)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $832.12
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-02 18:41 EDT-0400)

 

[ladouthitt]

I already ordered the 430W power supply, will that work?

Ok, so if you were to order today, here is an updated list based on everything we have discussed.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V3 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($244.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock B85M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($59.50 @ Newegg)
Memory: GeIL EVO POTENZA 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M500 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($119.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.88 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R7 260X 2GB Video Card ($121.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone PS09B MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($46.83 @ TigerDirect)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $832.12
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-02 18:41 EDT-0400)

 

[vertexx]

I already ordered the 430W power supply, will that work?

Yes. The 500W PSU is just currently cheaper when I went back thru the parts. 430W is more than sufficient.

 

[ladouthitt]

Have you heard of Xfast Ram. What benefits will i get to see if i install xfast ram?
Its software from the mother board.
Thanks

I already ordered the 430W power supply, will that work?

Yes. The 500W PSU is just currently cheaper when I went back thru the parts. 430W is more than sufficient.

 

[vertexx]

I have heard of it but have not used it. I would get your system running without it, read up on the features here: http://www.asrock.com/feature/xfast/xfastram/index.asp and then decide if you want to try it out.

You may be able to find reviews or forum posts of people using it.

 

[ladouthitt]

I ordered all of the parts!! I can't wait to complete this build. I would like to order a usb 3.0 card. Could you recommend one for about $20?
I found a 4 port on amazon for $20 but not sure if it would work.

Anker® Uspeed USB 3.0 PCI-E Express Card with 4 USB 3.0 Ports and 5V 4-Pin Power Connector for Desktops [VL805 Chipset] by Anker http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ARQV6U/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_.zDqtb1N1DH5V

=13042884,0,1293856]I have heard of it but have not used it. I would get your system running without it, read up on the features here: http://www.asrock.com/feature/xfast/xfastram/index.asp and then decide if you want to try it out.

You may be able to find reviews or forum posts of people using it.[/quotemsg]

 

[ladouthitt]

I know the mother board has an HDMI hook up and the Graphics card has an HDMI hook up. I use a VGA on a 20" TV for my Monitor, and a 42" HDMI TV at the same time to watch movies on. Can i use the mother board HDMI and the graphics card HDMI or do I need to find a monitor with DVI or a display port, as neither of my TV do. Thanks

I have heard of it but have not used it. I would get your system running without it, read up on the features here: http://www.asrock.com/feature/xfast/xfastram/index.asp and then decide if you want to try it out.

You may be able to find reviews or forum posts of people using it.

 

[vertexx]

Video output will need to come out of the graphics card, not the motherboard. The video card comes with a DVI to VGA adapter (see the last picture on the Newegg product page), but that will mean you can only plug one in at a time. That may work for you.

You might try one of these with the VGA adapter plugged into one of the DVI ports. This has mixed reviews because some people thought it would be a screen extender, when it's a splitter. But it might work for your needs:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200674&Tpk=N82E16812200674

 

[ladouthitt]

Did you see my post about UBS card?

Video output will need to come out of the graphics card, not the motherboard. The video card comes with a DVI to VGA adapter (see the last picture on the Newegg product page), but that will mean you can only plug one in at a time. That may work for you.

You might try one of these with the VGA adapter plugged into one of the DVI ports. This has mixed reviews because some people thought it would be a screen extender, when it's a splitter. But it might work for your needs:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200674&Tpk=N82E16812200674

 

[vertexx]

Did you see my post about UBS card?

Yes. That card looks good - haven't needed to use one myself though. Keep in mind you also have USB 3 ports on the back of the motherboard, but you may have additional equipment that needs the additional ports.

 

[vertexx]

So how did your build go?

 

[ladouthitt]

I got it built. I love it. The SDD was a great choice. It plays my games on high, and it is very fast. I like the case, every quite. Thank you for all of your help!