Intel i5 Gaming Build

[Novakane_]

I'm building a casual gamer PC and my budget is $750. Im $100 over and i need advice on how to cut it. I'm going to be playing games like CS:GO, Minecraft etc.. Nothing too hardcore. A little bit of video editing/photoshopping. Everything on the part list i pretty much need including the mouse/keyboard. Not sure if i need that great of a motherboard either, but I'm no expert.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/NgLgGX

 

[Geekwad]

Consider this (which also has a 4Gb GPU and SSD for you OS):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($174.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.49 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Trion 100 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 960 4GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Thermaltake Commander MS/I Snow Edition (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.89 @ OutletPC)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($21.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $690.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

And then see what a $60 monitor looks like on Craigslist (which is nice for used monitors so you can see them in action before you buy). Should be able to come up with something <21" to keep your budget. For cases, this may not be your first pick, but remember that a case switch is easy later......and the cheapest one possible now allows you to get the best hardware you can.

 

[Novakane_]

Consider this (which also has a 4Gb GPU and SSD for you OS):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($174.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.49 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Trion 100 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 960 4GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Thermaltake Commander MS/I Snow Edition (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.89 @ OutletPC)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($21.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $690.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

And then see what a $60 monitor looks like on Craigslist (which is nice for used monitors so you can see them in action before you buy). Should be able to come up with something <21" to keep your budget. For cases, this may not be your first pick, but remember that a case switch is easy later......and the cheapest one possible now allows you to get the best hardware you can.

So you think ill be fine with a DDR3 board especially going into the future where DDR4 is becoming more popular? I've never considered or seen the reason why I need a SSD, again im no expert but it can still fit in my budget along with the case i have and CPU, GPU, Motherboard, RAM, and PSU you showed me. Although I think 16gb RAM is good for editing and such, that also can fit. BTW is this stuff on PC Picker all tax included?

 

[Geekwad]

DDR3 will still perform just fine for most people for years to come. The current iteration of DDR4 is going to be around for a lot less time compared to the run for DDR3, as when NVDIMMS and Xpoint technology creeps into the consumer platforms, Skylake 100-series boards are going to be just as obsolete as Haswell 1150 socketed boards. DDR4 offers a small incremental improvement in performance (as does Skylake processors over Haswell), but for the 3-5% performance boost.....I think a better GPU at this price-point is more important, and doubling your vRAM will allow you to play with much higher detail settings.

SSD's really don't improve gaming performance per se, but the do make a HUGE difference in the snappiness and feel of your system in just about everything else you do. Take just about any computer, put a SSD in it as the main drive for your OS and programs (besides those huge game files), and the responsiveness of your PC will increase by an order of magnitude.

 

[Aspiring techie]

Consider this (which also has a 4Gb GPU and SSD for you OS):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($174.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.49 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Trion 100 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 960 4GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Thermaltake Commander MS/I Snow Edition (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.89 @ OutletPC)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($21.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $690.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

And then see what a $60 monitor looks like on Craigslist (which is nice for used monitors so you can see them in action before you buy). Should be able to come up with something <21" to keep your budget. For cases, this may not be your first pick, but remember that a case switch is easy later......and the cheapest one possible now allows you to get the best hardware you can.

You forgot to fit an OS into the budget.

 

[Novakane_]

Consider this (which also has a 4Gb GPU and SSD for you OS):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($174.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.49 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Trion 100 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 960 4GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Thermaltake Commander MS/I Snow Edition (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.89 @ OutletPC)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($21.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $690.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

And then see what a $60 monitor looks like on Craigslist (which is nice for used monitors so you can see them in action before you buy). Should be able to come up with something <21" to keep your budget. For cases, this may not be your first pick, but remember that a case switch is easy later......and the cheapest one possible now allows you to get the best hardware you can.

You forgot to fit an OS into the budget.

Nope i have it already.

 

[Novakane_]

DDR3 will still perform just fine for most people for years to come. The current iteration of DDR4 is going to be around for a lot less time compared to the run for DDR3, as when NVDIMMS and Xpoint technology creeps into the consumer platforms, Skylake 100-series boards are going to be just as obsolete as Haswell 1150 socketed boards. DDR4 offers a small incremental improvement in performance (as does Skylake processors over Haswell), but for the 3-5% performance boost.....I think a better GPU at this price-point is more important, and doubling your vRAM will allow you to play with much higher detail settings.

SSD's really don't improve gaming performance per se, but the do make a HUGE difference in the snappiness and feel of your system in just about everything else you do. Take just about any computer, put a SSD in it as the main drive for your OS and programs (besides those huge game files), and the responsiveness of your PC will increase by an order of magnitude.

Ok ok I get what you're saying. If i can cut cost on the monitor now, i can squeeze in a SSD. Don't really like getting things used especially from craigslist. I have an acer already, but the screen is messed up so thats why im looking for a new one. At this point I don't even know if it can be fixed. Thanks for your help. I hope i find a monitor for half the price than the one i have right now.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/PR4VkL took your input into consideration

 

[Novakane_]

Consider this (which also has a 4Gb GPU and SSD for you OS):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($174.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.49 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Trion 100 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 960 4GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Thermaltake Commander MS/I Snow Edition (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.89 @ OutletPC)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($21.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $690.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

And then see what a $60 monitor looks like on Craigslist (which is nice for used monitors so you can see them in action before you buy). Should be able to come up with something <21" to keep your budget. For cases, this may not be your first pick, but remember that a case switch is easy later......and the cheapest one possible now allows you to get the best hardware you can.

You forgot to fit an OS into the budget.

For the most part, my Acer H243H is working. heres an updated list im leaning toward. Is the Sandisk big enough for the OS? Thanks a lot for the help

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/kLfZNG) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/kLfZNG/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54460) | $174.99 @ SuperBiiz
**Motherboard** | [ASRock Z97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z97pro4) | $79.99 @ Micro Center
**Memory** | [G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f312800cl10d16gbxl) | $74.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Sandisk SSD PLUS 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sandisk-internal-hard-drive-sdssda120gg25) | $41.99 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st1000dm003) | $45.99 @ SuperBiiz
**Video Card** | [Gigabyte GeForce GTX 960 4GB Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvn960wf2oc4gd) | $199.99 @ Micro Center
**Case** | [NZXT Phantom 240 ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-caph240w1) | $65.99 @ Amazon
**Power Supply** | [Corsair CX 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cx500m) | $51.98 @ Newegg
**Optical Drive** | [Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-optical-drive-drw24b1stblkbas) | $18.88 @ OutletPC
**Keyboard** | [Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-keyboard-sgb3012kkmf1us) | $21.98 @ Newegg
| *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $836.77
| Mail-in rebates | -$60.00
| **Total** | **$776.77**
| Generated by [PCPartPicker](http://pcpartpicker.com) 2015-12-01 20:15 EST-0500 |

 

[Geekwad]

120Gb is more than enough for the OS and many many programs. As long as you have your libraries (pics, vids, docs, music, etc) and your game programs/files on the HDD, the SDD will probably have all the room you need. If you do happen to run out of program room on what will be your C-drive, you can always get a second SSD and then start installing overflow programs there.

 

[Novakane_]

120Gb is more than enough for the OS and many many programs. As long as you have your libraries (pics, vids, docs, music, etc) and your game programs/files on the HDD, the SDD will probably have all the room you need. If you do happen to run out of program room on what will be your C-drive, you can always get a second SSD and then start installing overflow programs there.

So you think ill be good with just 30-80 on the ssd? Also can i download windows through a flash drive to the ssd? Ill have a tb of space on the hdd so im not worried about space problems. How many sdds can you have max?

 

[Geekwad]

You can use 100-110Gb of the drive, and you can have as many as you have SATA III ports available.