Need help with building new gaming PC

ragnin

Honorable
Feb 15, 2013
10
0
10,510
I've never built a computer from the ground up only upgraded parts so I need help selecting parts and I really have no clue what a lot of the stuff means. And since my current Desktop is giving me signs of breaking I need a new computer. I'm hoping I'm able to use some of the newer parts from it. I'd appreciate any help I can get.


Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: when current rig breaks completely or very soon

Budget Range: $1000 up to $1300 if I'm getting a monitor as well

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming is most important. With downloading and movie watching coming after.

Are you buying a monitor: I have a monitor but its really old and could use a new one. Current one only goes up to 1650X1050.

What I have: The current parts from my old computer I have are SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold PSU, Hyper evo 212 cpu cooler, CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600. Due to the current computer problems I'm having I'm not sure if any of these are bad though.

Do you need to buy OS: No

Location: Provo, UT up to Salt Lake, UT if the deal is worth it.

Parts Preferences: Intel CPU

Overclocking: No, I have no clue how to overclock and would rather not risk it. Though one day I might but its not a priority.

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: Current 1680x1050

Additional Comments: I play all sorts of games from B4 to Torment: Planscape. Aiming for Witcher 3 being playable.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Current computer is breaking. Sometimes computer freezes up with the monitor turning green/pink (with lines) and having to be forced shut down. The front audio jack stopped working. And now when turning on the computer the monitor comes on but the screen stays black. Switched out to an older working video card and it seemed to work for a bit but started doing it again. Also tried different DVI cable. Sometimes it will still start normal or will give the black screen but eventual come on for the windows log in screen.
 
Hard to say what the issue is but it might be a motherboard problem. Really hard to say. As for the parts you have, the cooler, the RAM and PSU are definitely reusable.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($226.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($95.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($323.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $908.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-18 01:54 EDT-0400

This definitely has the option to OC.. Only if you want it though..

But if you want to just completely start from scratch:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($226.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.95 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($65.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($95.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($323.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1083.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-18 01:57 EDT-0400

The second build can have a second graphics card if you want in the future.

I suggest you get a better monitor. Something 1080p 144Hz or like 1440p (Maybe)
 
CPU is somewhat important for me since I do some emulating as well as normal gaming. Would the i7-4790K make a big enough difference to justify the extra $100?
 
i'm assuming you'll be reusing your PSU, RAM and CPU cooler. I included a good 1080p monitor and i also went for the 980, because its one of the best single GPUs

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/QcXBdC
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/QcXBdC/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($136.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($69.00 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($544.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus MX239H 23.0" Monitor ($202.31 @ Amazon)
Total: $1290.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-22 20:08 EDT-0400