Building or buying already built

[archaicguy]

Ok guys, I haven't built a new gaming PC in quite a few years so I'm a bit behind on the new tech etc.... and it's time for a new gaming system. My main interest at this time is the Elder Scroll series including Skyrim so I need a rig that will run a modded version well. I'm sure there are also other games I'd be interested in playing on it also. I'm looking to keep the budget at 800 or less + - and wouldn't mind buying a lightly used setup if you know of a good one available too.

Thanks

 

[ahmedpegaz]

i would recommend you build yourself a pc or if you dont know or dont want to
you can buy some pretty great computers but keep in mind that building can be cheaper and you can get better hardware for a smaller price

as for skyrim i run this game ultra 45-60 fps on

core 2 quad q9300 oc 3.1 ghz
gtx 750 2gb
6 gb ram DDR2

what you get for 800 dollars is going to shred my system so dont worry about running skyrim

 

[archaicguy]

Thanks.... I don't mind building my own at all just looking for the best budget friendly options. I already have a case available.

 

[rontonomo]

go to microcenter website and check out prebuilt pcs then try and build one for cheaper with better parts.

 

[CaptainCretin]

These days, building your own is RARELY cheaper; the big guys give big discounts to the big system makers, however building your own means you can spec it the way you want, and then you will know what you have when the upgrade bug bites.

Make sure you include a SSD, 240GB is probably the best place to start, 120GB if money is tight; they make SOOOO much difference.

Also, so many system builders use Seagate HDDs; I can only assume Seagate give them away, because they are BY FAR the most unreliable brand of HDD.

Buy Hitachi or Toshiba (or Western Digital if you are desperate).

 

[WildCard999]

Build it yourself and avoid a prebuilt where they cut costs on the motherboard and PSU. While hardware has changed the way to build a system has not and if you have some experience I'd highly recommend doing it.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1600 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($175.02 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI - B350 PC MATE ATX AM4 Motherboard ($61.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($105.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital - Blue 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($42.99 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB Dual Video Card ($289.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair - CXM 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $780.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-05-27 17:03 EDT-0400

Edit: Removed case as you already have one.

Or Intel if preferred.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8400 2.8GHz 6-Core Processor ($178.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - B360M DS3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($66.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Patriot - Viper Elite 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($84.98 @ Newegg Business)
Storage: Western Digital - Blue 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($42.99 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB Dual Video Card ($289.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair - CXM 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $768.81
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-05-27 17:06 EDT-0400

 

[archaicguy]

Thanks guys.... and big thanks WildCard!! It helps a ton to get some particular recommended components.

I think I would stay with an Intel build


What are good monitors to go with nowadays that are more mid range or less cost wise?

 

[WildCard999]

1080P/144hz is always a good choice, especially for FPS.

 

[archaicguy]

Would an ATX board be better than a Micro ATX? I wouldn't mind spending some extra on something like that.
A year ago or so I started looking some components up and liked this one
msi z87-gd65... something no more than 150-200
My case is like a 10 year old mid ATX size case if that matters otherwise I'll have to buy a new one.

 

[ElectrO_90]

If you have an old system that works, sell it all, recoup some money.
Go for the AMD is my personal preference, but spend the Extra and get the 2600x ($40 more and better cpu by 10%+)
Cases have changed so much, they are better now. NZXT are a new fav of mine, think they design decent looking ones for like $55
Everyone has there own personal choice as well for components. I'm a fan of Samsung for SSD's not WD. Also if you need a big hard disk, a few dollars more gets you a 2TB one. So there are always going to be variations.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/23b9cY

Please note, since Wildcard posted his link - prices have changed and gone up
His quote now - $875
Mine is $913 - I think for $40 mine is better

 

[madmatt30]

With a view to getting you back in budget with a case included
Yeah the 1050ti is weaker but it's still a decent card if you drop settings down a bit on modern games.
The base system itself will last a long time, essentially the only upgrade you may want to dobin a couple of years is maybe the gpu.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8400 2.8GHz 6-Core Processor ($178.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock - H310M-HDV/M.2 Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($59.89 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: GeIL - EVO SPEAR 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($150.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital - Blue 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Toshiba - 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI - GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Video Card ($189.00 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master - MasterBox Q300L MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($39.32 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair - CXM (2015) 450W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $800.95
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-05-30 15:04 EDT-0400

 

[archaicguy]

ok after a hectic summer I am back to gaming time Here is a list I came up with after running across a used motherboard(bios is supposed to be updated already), new power supply and new case for 100. Any input/thoughts?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($159.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - GA-AB350-GAMING 3 ATX AM4 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Newegg Business)
Memory: Patriot - Viper Elite 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - Blue 250 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($54.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Hitachi - Deskstar 7K2000 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI - GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4 GB Video Card ($159.99 @ B&H)
Case: Rosewill - MAGNETAR ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair - VS 500 W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($42.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $649.70
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-11-12 06:44 EST-0500

 

[madmatt30]

Yeah the vs psu is crap mate, no point in a 1050ti, the rx 570 is cheaper now & will just destroy a 1050ti performance wise.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($159.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock - B450M PRO4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: ADATA - XPG GAMMIX D10 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($102.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - Blue 250 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($54.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Hitachi - Deskstar 7K2000 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor - Radeon RX 570 4 GB Video Card ($135.00 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill - MAGNETAR ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair - CX (2017) 550 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $666.62
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-11-12 08:21 EST-0500

16gb ram, a 570 & a decent psu in there for a similar budget.

Keep the gigabyte board if you wish but the pro 4 is a solid choice.

 

[SgtScream]

How much are you willing to spend?

 

[archaicguy]

800ish was my general budget. Of course there are always options that for a little more makes it well worth it or be able to find nice used/not needed items to save money too.

 

[SgtScream]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1600 3.2 GHz 6-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - AB350M Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team - Vulcan 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($99.99 @ Newegg Business)
Storage: Crucial - BX500 480 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($77.95 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1070 Ti 8 GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($374.99 @ Newegg)
Case: DIYPC - MA08-BK MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($26.97 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS Plus Gold 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($68.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $818.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-11-12 10:54 EST-0500