First build, low budget, upgradable < $700

cholmes

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Sep 22, 2014
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Hey there,

First time builder here. I've been lurking for a while, doing a bunch of research, and would like some knowledgeable people's opinions! Here's what I'm looking for:

Approximate Purchase Date: Realistically, sometime before next summer. I'll be going (back) to school next fall. That being said, I've been using a netbook as my main computer for a few years now and am really looking forward to buying a new PC. So if you guys don't think prices will change much between now and then... now!

Budget Range: Looking to initially spend somewhere between $400 and $700. Initially, the cheaper the better so long as it can be upgraded.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: I'll probably mostly be using it for school, but would really like the ability to play a number of games.

Are you buying a monitor: Maybe. My brother has an old Dell monitor of mine that I received when I spent way too much money on one of the first XPS systems. I think it might still be a decent monitor. Not factored in the budget, but advice welcome.

Do you need to buy OS: Yes. I think I want Windows 8.1?

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I'm indifferent, probably whatever PCPartPicker says.

Location: Near Portland, OR.

Parts Preferences: I'm leaning heavily towards Intel. Was thinking of starting with a G3258 then later upgrading to i5. Also, motherboards with built in wi-fi appeal to me.

Overclocking: Maybe. I'm not too versed in it.

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe down the road.

Additional Comments: So I'm justifying buying this for school, but would really like to eventually game on it. I can wait before I build (I was thinking about good deals coming up for Black Friday), but I'm so excited to start on this with it being my first build.

With it being my first build, a case that's easy but not cheap would be ideal.

If I could initially play games like DOTA 2, World of Warcraft - and then later have to ability to upgrade and play some more demanding games that would be awesome.

I was also thinking, if feasible, I would initially build this with an SSD and just buy an HDD sometime shortly after.

TL;DR - for those of you who did, thanks!

Chris
 

Videographer

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Sep 9, 2014
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Come back when your ready to build, but you would start with a h or z 87 or 97 chipset motherboard and your Pentium g. 4 or 8 GB ram and a 250gb ssd. 500w PSU so you can add a GPU later. Pick a case you like and have money for is and peripherals