First Gaming PC Build ~ Budget = $800 - $1200

[Mr_StarDelta]

Hello Community!

I have recently decided to invest time and money into building my own computer for gaming. My goal would be to build a computer that will run movie editing software and run all of my games in 1080p. I would also like to record video games.

These are the programs I would like to run.
Planetside 2 @ 60 - 80 FPS
Minecraft (while hosting server for freinds) @ 300 - 600 FPS (No Recording)
Battlefield 3 or 4 at Ultra/High Settings (minus atialising) @ 60 - 80 FPS
COD Black Ops II and I + COD Ghosts @ 80 - 120 FPS
War of the Roses @ 60 - 80 FPS
All Source Based Games @ 180 - 220 FPS
+ Others

Budget Range: $800 - $1200

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Video Streaming, and the odd schoolwork here and there.

Are you buying a monitor: No. I already have a monitor.

Do you need to buy OS: No. (Using SteamOS when out. However will install Windows down the track)

Parts Preferences: Latest and Fastest Gear. Easily Shipped to Australia.

Overclocking: Maybe. (Like to keep everything default unless processor/graphics card is designed to be overclocked.)

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe. (Don't mind. As long as it works well.)

Your Monitor Resolution: 1280 X 1024

Thanks!

Mr_StarDelta

 

[AK139]

I've made a nice build for you. Use the parts you want or use the entire build.

CPU: i5 4670k $229

RAM: 8GB or 16gb. Your choice I would go for 8 but its up to u. 8GB: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) $65 16GB: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) $140

Motherboard: ASrock Z87 Extreme 3 $115

Cooling: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo $35

HDD: 2x Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 $70 each or 1x Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001 2TB $100

GPU: R9 290 $400

Case: Antec Three Hundred Illusion $70

PSU: Rosewill Hive-650 watt $65

That would be my build. Take what you want out of it.

 

[CTurbo]

^This is a fine build from AK139.

I think 8GB is enough for most cases.

I really recommend putting windows on a ssd. 120-128GB is big enough.

Do you want to overclock or have the option to?

If you're an AMD fan, you could go with a FX 8350 + 990FX Am3+ motherboard instead of the i5/Z87. It won't be quite as good, but it would save you a good bit of money.

You could get those fps from a 7950 or 660ti on that resolution. They would not be as future proof as the R9 290 or GTX 770 though.

 

[xenzon]

GTX 780 is a better card, uses less power too. And NVIDIA's drivers are rock solid at the moment.
And if you want pure speed, try and budget for an SSD as primary and a 1TB for downloads, backups.

Apart from that, very good build by AK139

 

[Mr_StarDelta]

I've made a nice build for you. Use the parts you want or use the entire build.

CPU: i5 4670k $229

RAM: 8GB or 16gb. Your choice I would go for 8 but its up to u. 8GB: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) $65 16GB: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) $140

Motherboard: ASrock Z87 Extreme 3 $115

Cooling: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo $35

HDD: 2x Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 $70 each or 1x Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001 2TB $100

GPU: R9 290 $400

Case: Antec Three Hundred Illusion $70

PSU: Rosewill Hive-650 watt $65

That would be my build. Take what you want out of it.

Thanks AK139! But I am not sure about the CPU. Is it good enough to play 90% of games on ultra without lag or stuttering? If possible could you link me to some benchmarks?
I think I will go with the 8GB of Memory and upgrade later on if needed too.
Also, would the cooling be easily installed in the case?

Thanks!

 

[CTurbo]

The i5 4670k can play 100% of games on ultra without lag or stuttering... assuming you have the proper gpu of course.

 

[RCguitarist]

Hello Community!

I have recently decided to invest time and money into building my own computer for gaming. My goal would be to build a computer that will run movie editing software and run all of my games in 1080p. I would also like to record video games.

These are the programs I would like to run.
Planetside 2 @ 60 - 80 FPS
Minecraft (while hosting server for freinds) @ 300 - 600 FPS (No Recording)
Battlefield 3 or 4 at Ultra/High Settings (minus atialising) @ 60 - 80 FPS
COD Black Ops II and I + COD Ghosts @ 80 - 120 FPS
War of the Roses @ 60 - 80 FPS
All Source Based Games @ 180 - 220 FPS
+ Others

Budget Range: $800 - $1200

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Video Streaming, and the odd schoolwork here and there.

Are you buying a monitor: No. I already have a monitor.

Do you need to buy OS: No. (Using SteamOS when out. However will install Windows down the track)

Parts Preferences: Latest and Fastest Gear. Easily Shipped to Australia.

Overclocking: Maybe. (Like to keep everything default unless processor/graphics card is designed to be overclocked.)

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe. (Don't mind. As long as it works well.)

Your Monitor Resolution: 1280 X 1024

Thanks!

Mr_StarDelta

I need to fill you in on a few things that will help you in your build process:
Do you need to buy OS: No. (Using SteamOS when out. However will install Windows down the track)
You will need windows now. SteamOS will not be a full blown OS that you can do word documents on, watch movies on, do alot of other tasks on. It will just be for gaming. So you WILL need windows.

Your Monitor Resolution:1280 X 1024
If your monitor cannot do 1920 x 1080 resolution, then you cannot game in 1080P. You will need a new monitor.

As for your wanting to hit ridiculous FPS in the games you listed, unless you have or plan to get a 120hz monitor, 60FPS is what your ultimate max FPS goal should be. Hitting 120 FPS in COD Ghosts on a 60hz monitor is just wasteful and excessively warms your case.

That said, here is what I would recommend:
- i5 3570K CPU w/ Hyper 212 EVO cooler
- ASUS P8Z77-V LK motherboard
- ASUS GTX 770 DirectCU II GPU
- G.Skill RipjawsX 1600 (8GB) RAM
- Western Digital Black 1TB HDD
- SeaSonic M12II 620 power supply

This setup should get you to at least 60FPS on all of the games you mentioned.