Building a budget PC that I can...

vpott112

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Dec 18, 2014
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upgrade in the future. I would like to have a nice case, motherboard, PSU, and a CPU, mainly so if I need to upgrade later down the line I don't have to replace it from the ground up. I also need an OS!

The games I plan on playing are Minecraft, Gmod, and other non demanding games.

P.S - This will be my first build, thanks!
 
Solution


the i3 is plenty. the gpu is the important component. even running AC Unity (very demanding game) the i3 isn't much worse than the i7. again it's the gpu that's the determining factor. this isn't just in theory, i've tested it myself. ran benchmarks in FRAPS using the same sequence in ACU using the i7 and then scaling my cpu down to an i3:

i7: Frames: 1148 - Time: 30390ms - Avg: 37.776 - Min: 33 - Max: 49

i3: Frames: 1071 - Time: 29563ms - Avg: 36.228 - Min: 31 - Max: 43

you will see a greater performance increase from...

vpott112

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It depends really, as cheap as possible while still meeting 60+ frames consistently while being reliable. I'm going to be saving for these parts so the price is up in the air still.
 

vpott112

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I was checking out digital storm's vanquisher(Level 3) build that is $989..

Specs:
- NVIDIA GTX 760 2GB
- Intel Core i5 4590 CPU
- 8GB 1600MHz Memory
- 1TB 7200RPM HDD
- ASUS H81 Chipset Motherboard
- 600W Corsair CX Power Supply
- DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW
- Microsoft Windows 8.1

That is a little high for me but if it's worth it I wouldn't mind saving for it
 

mas7873

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This build comes in at $910, if you were interested in overclocking you could upgrade the CPU to a 4690k and the motherboard to a Z97 motherboard, you will also need an aftermarket CPU cooler (Hyper 212 evo for budget) which all comes in for an extra $60-90 depending on what motherboard you go with.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($83.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.97 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX 2.0 Video Card ($329.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($57.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $908.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-17 13:03 EST-0500

If you're looking at $1000 as your budget I'd recommend this over the pre-built pc you listed above:
It has an a more powerful unlocked processor allowing you to overclock if you choose, better graphics card, better PSU (Corsair doesn't have a great rep), and a newer chipset mobo.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.88 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.75 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z97 Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($106.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.97 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX 2.0 Video Card ($329.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($57.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1000.50
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-17 13:07 EST-0500

You could even lower prices in both builds by going with a different GPU such as the 280X. Or you could go for an AMD build and save some cash there.

This build is similar to the first one, although I changed a few of the parts to save cash and it comes in at around $750

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($71.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280 3GB Black Edition Double Dissipation Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $749.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-17 13:15 EST-0500

All 3 are good builds and will perform well, it just depends on your budget.
 

logainofhades

Titan
Moderator
Minecraft doesn't need a $1k build. :lol: I could make this a bit cheaper yet, but wanted to give you some upgrade potential.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($105.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($117.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Team Zeus Blue 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($67.97 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Club 3D Radeon R9 270 2GB '14Series Video Card ($128.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Deepcool TESSERACT BF ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.98 @ OutletPC)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($90.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $691.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-17 13:32 EST-0500
 

TofuLion

Admirable
i modified the above build. z97 is not needed if no overclocking is involved, h97 will allow for future cpu upgrades as well. the only advantage that z97 has in this build is the ability to crossfie in the future. i would recommend a complete gpu upgrade in the future, not just adding another for crossfire. also, 750 is a bit high, 600 will be plenty. i added an SSD :)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($105.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($83.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Team Zeus Blue 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($67.97 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Club 3D Radeon R9 270 2GB '14Series Video Card ($128.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Deepcool TESSERACT BF ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($90.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $690.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-17 13:41 EST-0500
 

mas7873

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Nov 21, 2014
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For games that are less CPU intensive yes, however if you want to play newer games like Far Cry, Assassin's Creed, Battlefield then an i5 is more what you'd be looking for.
 

vpott112

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Dec 18, 2014
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I'd feel more comfortable throwing an i5 in there right away. For this build could you recommend one? My luck i'd install everything and see a more CPU intensive game I'd want to try out. Thanks again guys!!
 

mas7873

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Nov 21, 2014
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I recommend an i5 4460 something like this build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($71.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280 3GB Black Edition Double Dissipation Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $749.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-17 13:15 EST-0500
 

TofuLion

Admirable


the i3 is plenty. the gpu is the important component. even running AC Unity (very demanding game) the i3 isn't much worse than the i7. again it's the gpu that's the determining factor. this isn't just in theory, i've tested it myself. ran benchmarks in FRAPS using the same sequence in ACU using the i7 and then scaling my cpu down to an i3:

i7: Frames: 1148 - Time: 30390ms - Avg: 37.776 - Min: 33 - Max: 49

i3: Frames: 1071 - Time: 29563ms - Avg: 36.228 - Min: 31 - Max: 43

you will see a greater performance increase from budgeting in an SSD than you will from upgrading to an i5
 
Solution