First time building (where do I start?)

[ThatInsaneHobo]

I'm looking to build a gaming PC under a 700$ max budget, assuming I already have a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. I have no idea where or what to look for in parts, how to assemble once I receive everything, etc. If there are any in depth guides that more or less explain it like I'm 5, that would be fantastic!

 

[Seladon-1370374]

You can find some awesome tutorials on how to build a PC on Youtube, there is a lot of awesome guides out there. Here's my recommendation for your build :

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1BdgK
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1BdgK/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1BdgK/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($144.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: MSI 970A-G46 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($79.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($203.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $688.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-09 21:50 EDT-0400)

 

[noreaster]

The whole process of actually building it is not difficult, much like assembling a LEGO kit. The documentation provided with the hardware you buy will should have detailed enough instructions to get you up and running.
As far as parts needed to get a computer running; you NEED: motherboard, RAM, processor (with some type of cooler(and paste to go between the processor and cooler)), hard drive, power supply, input/output (keyboard/mouse and monitor), and video card (this may be built into the motherboard and/or processor). Additional items would be CD/ROM drive and computer case (this is not necessary but if you are not using one be sure that all components are well grounded and not resting on electrically conductive surfaces and are properly supported).
I like to start out by looking for a processor, then a motherboard that is compatible with that processor, then RAM compatible with the motherboard, after that it all is pretty much universal (but still check that the component has the right connection to the motherboard (SATA vs IDE, PCI vs PCIe, etc.)).
Be sure to read and learn before you buy so as to make as informed a decision as possible, but most of all have fun learning

 

[Swordkd]

Look up and watch youtube videos on the actual process of building a Pc. It's fairly simple, you shouldn't have any issues with it. Here is my build suggestion, assuming you don't need an OS.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H87M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($203.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z9 ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.48 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $697.38
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-09 22:29 EDT-0400)

For this budget I went with an Intel Cpu that doesn't support overclocking. For games however, it will outperform even an Amd overclocked Cpu. You get a great video card for the price that comes with 3 free games, 8gb's of DDR3 1600 at CAS 8, a solid motherboard choice too. I like the budget Zalman case for the price, but you could also go with the Corsair 300R as well. The PSU has plenty of power for this build, from a good manufacturer. Standard 1tb HDD, and obligatory optic drive.