Help me build my first gaming PC!

[ilikegames]

Hey everyone,

I finally have some money to throw around and I always wanted to build a PC, but I have a lot of questions because I've never done anything like this before!

First, my budget is $2000-2500 including a monitor. I would like for the PC to be able to play pretty much any game for few years with minor updates. Oh, and I probably won't need a very large hard drive, so just decently large SSD will be enough, unless my budget can fit an HDD.

First, a few questions:
Is it worth getting a 1440p monitor? Or with my budget should I just get a 1080p? I heard 1440p isn't much of an upgrade for gaming.
Is it worth getting a motherboard/CPU that can support DDR4 ram? Or is ram not important for gaming?

I would like to purchase some time in December, but I doubt parts will get much cheaper any time soon. If anyone has recommendation on when to buy please let me know!

I found this page (http://techbuyersguru.com/2000build.php), which sounds like a good place to start but I don't know much at all about computer parts, so I would appreciate any advice! Also, a good monitor recommendation would be greatly appreciated!

Here is the form recommended by the sticky post:

Approximate Purchase Date: Early-Mid December

Budget Range: $2000~2500 with monitor after tax/shipping/etc.

Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, watching movies

Are you buying a monitor: Yes

Parts to Upgrade: All!

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: None

Location: New York, NY, USA

Parts Preferences: None (The GTX 980 seems real cool though!)

Overclocking: If a noob like me can do it

SLI or Crossfire: If a noob like me can do it

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080 or higher!

Additional Comments: I would like a more quiet computer if possible, but it's not a necessity.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Never had a good PC before and I have cash to spare!

Thank you everyone for helping me out

 

[logainofhades]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($299.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H110 94.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.96 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($100.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($354.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($354.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 450D ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($90.26 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus PB278Q 27.0" Monitor ($459.99 @ NCIX US)
Wireless Network Adapter: Intel 7260HMWDTX1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $2403.07
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-21 18:35 EST-0500

 

[Guigoos]

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/guigoos/saved/PYRqqs

Here you go! It is under 2500, and will do EVERYTHING you need it to for years. Any questions?

UPDATE - agreeing with logain here, go with the 970s.

 

[hackintosh777]

You really don't need $2500 to build a good PC but here goes...Being a bit jealous of you lol

Motherboard: GA-Z97X-UD5H http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128707 $150
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K http://www.microcenter.com/product/434176/Core_i7-4790K_40GHz_LGA_1150_Boxed_Processor $250
RAM: 16 GB Crucial 1600MHz DDR3 http://www.microcenter.com/product/385182/Ballistix_Sport_16GB_DDR3-1600 $150
GPU: Gigabyte GeForce 980 G1 4GB http://www.microcenter.com/product/438575/GeForce_GTX_980_G1_Gaming_4GB_GDDR5_PCIe_Video_Card $630
GPU: Gigabyte GeForce 980 G1 4GB http://www.microcenter.com/product/438575/GeForce_GTX_980_G1_Gaming_4GB_GDDR5_PCIe_Video_Card $630
SSD: Crucial MX100 512 GB http://www.microcenter.com/product/434189/MX100_512GB_SATA_III_60Gb-s_25_Internal_Solid_State_Drive_CT512MX100SSD1 $210
PSU: Corsair CX750M Modular 750W http://www.microcenter.com/product/406089/CX_Series_CX750M_750_Watt_ATX_Modular_Power_Supply $70 (with rebate)
Fan: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo http://www.microcenter.com/product/373900/Hyper_212_EVO_Universal_CPU_Cooler $37
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 http://www.microcenter.com/product/381663/Crafted_Series_Phantom_410_Mid_Tower_ATX_Computer_Case_-_Black $85
Monitor: HP 27xi http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA3FA1ZP4868&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleMKP-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleMKP-PC-_-pla-_-LCD+%2f+LED+Monitors-_-9SIA3FA1ZP4868 $260
OS: Windows 8.1 64 http://www.microcenter.com/product/422489/Windows_81_64-bit_English_1_Pack_OEM $100

Total $2212

Go build this! I'm so jealous...

 

[ilikegames]

Is 2 970s better than a single 980 for gpu? Sorry I dont know how to reply to answers!

 

[Jonathan Cave]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($299.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H110 94.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.96 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($100.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($354.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($354.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 450D ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($90.26 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus PB278Q 27.0" Monitor ($459.99 @ NCIX US)
Wireless Network Adapter: Intel 7260HMWDTX1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $2403.07
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-21 18:35 EST-0500

+1 - great sold build

not sold on the monitor though i'd go for the http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-067-AC&groupid=17&catid=948 as it supports Gsync (better quality for gaming)- for m 4k gaming is still very challenging for any set up for run 60+ fps - i'd give it another year before going to 4k gaming.

@ilikegames - Yes the 2 x 970's will kick the 980's ass - the vast majority of games these days support SLI on the release of the title, or you can create a customer SLI profile using nvidia inspector.

 

[Guigoos]

Is 2 970s better than a single 980 for gpu? Sorry I dont know how to reply to answers!

Two 970s will cost you 658, be twice as much VRAM and two cards in SLI but one 980 will cost $550

Depends on whether or not you think you will SLI 2 980s in the future, which would be better than two 970s, obviously.
It comes down to how much money you're throwing down now and your future plans.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500362

 

[Jonathan Cave]

Is 2 970s better than a single 980 for gpu? Sorry I dont know how to reply to answers!

Two 970s will cost you 658, be twice as much VRAM and two cards in SLI but one 980 will cost $550

Depends on whether or not you think you will SLI 2 980s in the future, which would be better than two 970s, obviously.
It comes down to how much money you're throwing down now and your future plans.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500362

You don't add the ram up, 2 x 970's will only use 4GB VRAM - just needed to clear this up.

 

[Guigoos]

Is 2 970s better than a single 980 for gpu? Sorry I dont know how to reply to answers!

Two 970s will cost you 658, be twice as much VRAM and two cards in SLI but one 980 will cost $550

Depends on whether or not you think you will SLI 2 980s in the future, which would be better than two 970s, obviously.
It comes down to how much money you're throwing down now and your future plans.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500362

You don't add the ram up, 2 x 970's will only use 4GB VRAM - just needed to clear this up.

It mirrors it, yes, I never meant to imply that you would double the amount of VRAM, sorry.

 

[ilikegames]

Thank you everyone for your help! I think I will go with logain's list. When do you think will be the best time to buy these parts in the next month or so? Black friday or christmas? Or will they most likely not drop in price within the month?

Also, I read that you need to buy some type of gel for your cooler? Does that come with it or will I need to buy it separately?

 

[Jonathan Cave]

Try black Friday , you will get thermal paste with the HSF.

 

[Guigoos]

Thank you everyone for your help! I think I will go with logain's list. When do you think will be the best time to buy these parts in the next month or so? Black friday or christmas? Or will they most likely not drop in price within the month?

Also, I read that you need to buy some type of gel for your cooler? Does that come with it or will I need to buy it separately?

Newegg has a feature where you can look at the parts you want to buy, and when the price falls to a certain point whether it be from an Open box deal or price drop or refurbished or just a sale, they will send you a notification email. Pretty useful.