Gaming Build for Sister

[AzisTroyanov]

Hey guys!


I have recently moved to PC Gaming and will be going to get rid of my XBOX. As a result, my sister will need a new method to play her games. So, instead of buying a new XBOX One for 500$ I decided I could kill two birds with one stone and build her a little gaming rig!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4330 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H87N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($123.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($38.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($68.95 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 650 1GB Video Card ($115.38 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Prodigy (Red) Mini ITX Tower Case ($97.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer G226HQLBbd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($99.99)
Total: $728.23
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-05 16:13 EST-0500)

What I am wondering is if this is the right choice to make. She mainly plays Minecraft (lol) and would like to enter more AAA title games like Skyrim, etc. So, that's why I included the 650. Otherwise the integrated would probably be good enough for MC.

As far as price goes, I could go an extra 30$ or so, and that's my limit. ~750$ Of course in the future I will add on stuff like RAM, etc as it becomes necessary.

NOTE: I already have Win 7 OS Install disk and mouse and keyboard.

 

[Sakkura]

You could, if necessary, save a bit of cash with a Core i3-4130 instead of the 4330.

And you could save some money on the motherboard as well, unless she needs the built-in WiFi.

I'd recommend two sticks of memory for dual-channel. 8 GB may not be necessary, but I'd still try and fit it in if possible.

You can get a faster Radeon HD 7770 for the same or less money.

 

[realchaos]

If you can use other websites:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4330 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H87N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($38.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($145.66 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Prodigy (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer G226HQLBbd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($99.99)
Total: $719.58
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-05 16:27 EST-0500)

It uses Amazon (free shipping), Newegg, and NCIX (free shipping on orders over $100).
-Cheaper HDD, same performance.
-Stronger gpu.
-Better quality psu. The semi-modular version is much better quality over the non-modular version.
-The black version of the case is much cheaper.

If you're willing to go with an ATX mid-tower size, you can probably get a better build.

 

[AzisTroyanov]

If you can use other websites:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4330 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H87N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($38.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($145.66 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Prodigy (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer G226HQLBbd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($99.99)
Total: $719.58
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-05 16:27 EST-0500)

It uses Amazon (free shipping), Newegg, and NCIX (free shipping on orders over $100).
-Cheaper HDD, same performance.
-Stronger gpu.
-Better quality psu. The semi-modular version is much better quality over the non-modular version.
-The black version of the case is much cheaper.

If you're willing to go with an ATX mid-tower size, you can probably get a better build.

The WiFi is necessary so yeah xD


Thanks so much for the GPU recommendations! I'll probably go with the 7770 since it's faster and cheaper!

As far as the case goes, the Red is mandatory, so I'll leave that as is. Also, since I'm purchasing it all from Newegg I am getting a break on the shipping so ordering it via other sites does not warrant the extra effort. In my shopping cart it shows as 15$ shipping for everything.


Also, does the PSU fit in the Bitfenix? It says ATX PSU so I was wondering if it fits in the ITX case... If it does then I'll go with that! Cleaner wiring.

 

[realchaos]

The 7850 is much faster than the 7770 and it's only a bit more. I would definitely go with the 7850 if you can. Otherwise, go for the 7790.
I would advise using some other websites as well because you will save money. For example, for the Prodigy Red, you can save $15 if you buy it from SuperBiiz: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/bitfenix-case-bfcpro300rrxkrrp
SuperBizz charges $82.98 shipping included while Newegg charges $97.98 shipping included.

 

[AzisTroyanov]

The 7850 is much faster than the 7770 and it's only a bit more. I would definitely go with the 7850 if you can. Otherwise, go for the 7790.
I would advise using some other websites as well because you will save money. For example, for the Prodigy Red, you can save $15 if you buy it from SuperBiiz: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/bitfenix-case-bfcpro300rrxkrrp
SuperBizz charges $82.98 shipping included while Newegg charges $97.98 shipping included.

Newegg is out of stock on the 7850. On superbiiz and amazon its 170$ for the card instead of 149, so it's considerably more expensive for something that she won't push to its limits. However, I will look into Superbiiz for the case as it is alot cheaper!

 

[Snipes212]

I would go with the i3-4130 instead of the 4330 like Sakkura said and buy a CPU cooler as well. They're cheap. The Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO is a great choice at only $33.24 on Amazon. Good luck!

 

[realchaos]

Then go for this 7790: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125455&clickid=wXY1URUvo3LYRT1x27Sx42aoUkTw6rUR1Tir0o0&iradid=97618&ircid=2106&irpid=79301&nm_mc=AFC-IR&cm_mmc=AFC-IR-_-na-_-na-_-na
It's not as strong as the 7850, but it's definitely stronger than the 7770.

No need for a cpu cooler since you can't overclock the i3.

 

[Snipes212]

Also, try to find a set of 2x 4gb sticks. RAM is cheap and the 8gb will get you quite farther than 4gb

 

[Sakkura]

I would go with the i3-4130 instead of the 4330 like Sakkura said and buy a CPU cooler as well. They're cheap. The Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO is a great choice at only $33.24 on Amazon. Good luck!

You don't really need a CPU cooler for a Core i3, the stock cooler is fine.

 

[Sakkura]

Then go for this 7790: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125455&clickid=wXY1URUvo3LYRT1x27Sx42aoUkTw6rUR1Tir0o0&iradid=97618&ircid=2106&irpid=79301&nm_mc=AFC-IR&cm_mmc=AFC-IR-_-na-_-na-_-na
It's not as strong as the 7850, but it's definitely stronger than the 7770.

No need for a cpu cooler since you can't overclock the i3.

Yeah, that's a nice little upgrade at nearly the same price.

 

[AzisTroyanov]

Then go for this 7790: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125455&clickid=wXY1URUvo3LYRT1x27Sx42aoUkTw6rUR1Tir0o0&iradid=97618&ircid=2106&irpid=79301&nm_mc=AFC-IR&cm_mmc=AFC-IR-_-na-_-na-_-na
It's not as strong as the 7850, but it's definitely stronger than the 7770.

No need for a cpu cooler since you can't overclock the i3.

Yeah, that's a nice little upgrade at nearly the same price.

You guys clearly know your stuff better than I do... For the same privce (lol) I can get a 7790! I guess I'll do that!

Also, I dont need an aftermarket cooler especially on an i3. I have a EVO on my i5 4570 and even that doesnt need it but I like to run cool 😛

 

[Coal Felpz]

Id suggest going with a 7790 as well, as I try to buy graphics cards slightly above what I need to prevent upgrade fatigue in the future. Buying a 7790 will have you set for a while, especially seeing the games you plan to play. Go ahead and search a few cards in question on Toms site, they have quite a bulk of information very helpful to consumers! (I was doing this all yesterday haha)

Furthermore, a processor cooler is unnecessary. That being said, if you are planning on overclocking, be sure to get an Intel (assuming you want an Intel) with a K at the end, meaning it is unlocked. You shouldn't need to but some people always want to, personal preference.

Best of luck with your rig!