[SOLVED] Need help with parts for a Gaming PC

[dake222]

I'm trying to build a gaming PC for my girlfriend. She wants to be able to run most games (AAA titles and such) and really likes the aesthetics of things.
Is there a build with a budget of $1500 that can handle the high end games, and is there a place to find a cool aesthetically pleasing parts?
I think Intel would be preferred.
Thank you guys so much!

 

[Eximo]

From scratch? What do you need?

Monitor
Keyboard / Mouse
Headphones / Speakers
Operating System

If all of the above, going to be a mid-range gaming PC. Certainly capable of the latest AAA titles, but at like 1080p High/Max settings, not a 4K gaming monster.

Any color preferences? Can certainly get white cases with basic RGB features so you can pick a suitable color. That generally cheaper.

Does it need to be small?

 

[dake222]

From scratch? What do you need?

Monitor
Keyboard / Mouse
Headphones / Speakers
Operating System

If all of the above, going to be a mid-range gaming PC. Certainly capable of the latest AAA titles, but at like 1080p High/Max settings, not a 4K gaming monster.

Any color preferences? Can certainly get white cases with basic RGB features so you can pick a suitable color. That generally cheaper.

Does it need to be small?

I would say pretty much from scratch. She has a mouse and keyboard, and the monitor. She just needs the operating system. So I guess the full $1500 pretty much is for as good of parts we can get. It doesn't need to be small either, so full atx is fine. I'm just a little rusty on what parts are good, whats overvalued at the moment, or what I should wait for. Also, do you think this will be the type of build that could eventually be upgraded into a "beast" or is it locked down by its' budget in any way? Thanks so much in advance again!

 

[Eximo]

Remainder of the budget for a GTX3070 when available in October. Can't really recommend any other ~$500 GPU. Best you can do with $400 is an RTX2060 Super, and the RTX3070 will be hugely better for only 20% more. AMDs upcoming 6000 series GPUs don't even have pricing rumors, my guess will be they will compete with the 3070 and 3080, might be a good budget option.

Since you wanted Intel, this is a very good gaming CPU for the forseeable future. 8 and 10 core CPUs are available, but quite a bit more expensive.

Alternative would be to go with a Ryzen build where the motherboards are cheaper, and generally better upgrade path in terms of CPU. AMD will be releasing their 4000 series desktop CPUs at some point, these might compete quite well with Intel on gaming. X570 motherboard should support those chips when they come out.

Intel's next CPU I believe will also be LGA1200, but after that they moving to a new socket for DDR5. AMD likely to follow on after that, so 4000 series might be the last chips for AM4.

You can always add more storage as needed.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-10600K 4.1 GHz 6-Core Processor ($298.49 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Lian Li GALAHAD AIO 240 RGB 69.17 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus PRIME Z490-P ATX LGA1200 Motherboard ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($85.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro 512 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($64.98 @ Amazon)
Case: Lian Li Lancool II Mesh ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: Corsair RM (2019) 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.97 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($108.78 @ Other World Computing)
Total: $1088.18
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-09-24 16:24 EDT-0400

 

[thepersonwithaface45]

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/hMNjYH

That's what I run with a white corsair case and a 1070ti, soon to upgrade to a 3000 series. Built for around $1500 initially, bought 2 more 2.5" 1TB SSDs down the road.
But things like that mobo and stuff were updated with newer models so, as a template products similar to those will net you round the same price I do believe.
It's pretty future proof IMO, an i9900k. I don't think I'll need to change CPU's and MOBOs anytime soon.
Atleast I really, REALLY hope not. My machine is finna look epic with a shiny ROG STRIX 3000 series with that asus mobo. RGB SYNCHRONIOUSDOM!

 

[ocer9999]

This is a alternative to Intel:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor ($294.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Lian Li GALAHAD AIO 240 RGB 69.17 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B550 Steel Legend ATX AM4 Motherboard ($174.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($85.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro 512 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($64.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ Adorama)
Case: Lian Li Lancool II Mesh ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS Gold 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $1025.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-09-24 17:40 EDT-0400

I would say, go with AMD:
1- They are on par with intel on gaming
2- They have better future, you can wait for next month for the new CPUs
3- They are less power hungry and run cooler.

 

[GarrettL]

A good air cooler is more than enough for the 3700x.

 

[Eximo]

A good air cooler is more than enough for the 3700x.

True, but the available air coolers that fit the aesthetic are not that good. Going for looks not cooling potential, that is just a side effect.