Huge noob, PC building help!

[mrdanguy]

Hello, I'm a huge noob.
I've just started reading about building a PC and am getting really confused. So I guess I'll ask for some help.
My budget is ~$800. I have a monitor and keyboard. I want a gaming PC that I can play DayZ, ElderscrollsOnline, Skyrim, Fallout 4 on.
I looked through here (http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?p=33928643#post33928643) and was considering the $817 build.
Any and all help is appreciated!

 

[PhysicsAtWars]

I am in the same boat as you. Do you know what graphic card and processor you gonna use?

What I have done so far is to use these two components to determine what motherboard and chassis one should get in general. From there, determine RAM and hard drive and other stuff you need. Then calculate the power you may need via online psu wattage calculator to figure out what PSU you will get.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been moved from the section Opinions and Experiences to section Systems by Mousemonkey

 

[cball1311]

This will be a perfect build for you.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($188.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($214.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $795.67 ($825.67 before rebates)
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-01 11:42 EST-0500)

Here are some 7870 benchmarks with Battlefield 3 (even higher with the 12.11 Catalyst drivers)

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AMD/HD_7850_HD_7870/8.html

 

[mdesrochers]

Im in the same spot. I have no knowledge about building a PC. The only thing I want more than anything is to be able to finally play all MMOs and some FPS games on at least high graphics.

 

[Opaz1ka]

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

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.16 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Blu 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($39.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Shinobi ATX Mid Tower Case ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $779.07
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-01 11:59 EST-0500)

Note the 7870 XT is actually a crippled 7950, its much more powerful than the 7870

 

[cball1311]

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

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.16 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Blu 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($39.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Shinobi ATX Mid Tower Case ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $779.07
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-01 11:59 EST-0500)

Note the 7870 XT is actually a crippled 7950, its much more powerful than the 7870

Just going to point out a few things here. It is a good build. One, the Microcenter deals are in-store only. If you live near a Microcenter, you should definitely look into them. Second, 1333MHz RAM is usually not prefered as 1600MHz is the same, cost wise. We need an OS in the build which would put it considerably over budget. No need to spend that much for a case.

 

[g-unit1111]

Just going to point out a few things here. It is a good build. One, the Microcenter deals are in-store only. If you live near a Microcenter, you should definitely look into them. Second, 1333MHz RAM is usually not prefered as 1600MHz is the same, cost wise. We need an OS in the build which would put it considerably over budget. No need to spend that much for a case.

Micro Centers are mainly located on the east and west coasts with a few locations in the Midwest (Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, and Ohio) and in the Central US (Texas, Colorado, and Kansas). So if you don't live near one it's not always an option.

Case - if you have a higher budget I do not recommend going cheap but if your budget is somewhat limited I don't recommend it. Another thing - Kingston RAM is usually rated at 1.65V, Sandy and Ivy Bridge builds require 1.5V.

This is what I would suggest:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($249.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($77.64 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $813.11
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-01 17:04 EST-0500)

 

[Firespert]

http://teksyndicate.com/videos/amd-fx-8350-oc-vs-i5-3570k-oc-battle-continues

Just to through it out there.

Don't be biased

 

[Firespert]

Here's two AMD alternatives
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/AWAu
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/AWBO

OR you can use the money left over for better video card/intel chip.