Need to make a final Gaming Build decision

Kirination

Honorable
Dec 1, 2013
13
0
10,510
I am on the fence about buying a pre-built PC or building my own for my gaming needs. I know that the people of TH are very pro build-your-own, and I love the idea that I will be able to get double the performance of a pre-built computer for much less cost.

The thing that scares me about building my own PC is exactly that: The fact that I will have to build my own. I know close to nothing about computer parts, hardware, specs, or the like. I don't like the fact that the parts of my PC if I build my own will be different than a tutorial video I might find on Youtube will be. It is daunting that I will have to apply what I learn to create the PC, and its not just a step by step tutorial. Pre-Built PC's appeal to me because I do not have to build it, I know that everything inside it will work (for the most part at least), that everything is compatible, and it takes less time and effort (I'm 16, still have to go to school, so time is a minor issue).

I already know that if I want the best value and performance for the money that I need to build my own PC. I will use this PC for gaming almost exclusively, as well as Internet browsing and word processing (but that's a given I guess).


What is a good gaming build that I could build myself for $1000? I would be fine with going over a little but not too much. I want to be able to play games like Battefield 4, Arma III, Crysis 3, and other next gen titles on High-Ultra at a good resolution (I don't really know much about resolution. I need a monitor, keyboard, Speakers, an OS (all of these can be cheap, as long as they get the job done and aren't complete garbage), and a WiFi thing (I have no idea what it's called, but it connects to WiFi).I don't have any part preference either. I don't know if it comes built in to a particular part or not) to go along with it. Or if there is a pre-built PC that would suit my same needs for relatively the same price, that's cool too.

Also are there any good videos that teach you how to build a PC? I know there have to be SOME but is there one that is better than all the rest that I could use whenever I decide to build one?

Thanks for any help. I tried to be really specific, sorry if it is hard to read!
 
Solution
This is a complete intel build. As said before you will find help here to build this thing. So get your tools :)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock B85 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($77.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.97 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.66 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 2GB Video Card ($214.98 @ NCIX US)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N10 802.11b/g/n...
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 PRO3 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($72.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive ($96.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM (64-bit) ($99.98 @ Best Buy)
Monitor: Acer H236HL bid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Logitech M510 Wireless Laser Mouse ($24.99 @ Amazon)
Speakers: Logitech Z313 25W 2.1ch Speakers ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1038.41
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-26 23:28 EST-0500)


It's not hard to do. There's many guides right here on the site, but a simple search should find you what you're looking for.

It's generally a better value to build it yourself, but you can always check some prebuilt sites to compare.
 
I know it seems overwhelming at first but I can tell you first-hand once you get involved it is really quite simple. There are spectrum of builders, those that can just merely replace RAM all the way to custom cooling and Case modds. I'll tell you though, commit about 5 hours or so to reading and research and you'll be good to go. There are ton of sites and sticky's to help you get started.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=How+to+build+a+PC&rlz=1C1GIWA_enCA572CA572&oq=How+to+build+a+PC&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.6158j0j9&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8

lifehacker is a good place to start-very basic. Once you get the basics you'll be all set.


If you have a a lot trepidation about building your first PC upgrading an existing PC is always an option. For example, you could buy a decent desktop PC for $600-700 (for that you can actually get a fairly decent pre-built PC) and then install your own graphics card and perhaps power supply unit (PSU).

Good luck and feel free to ask questions that is what the forum is for
 
This is a complete intel build. As said before you will find help here to build this thing. So get your tools :)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock B85 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($77.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.97 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.66 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 2GB Video Card ($214.98 @ NCIX US)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N10 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($15.70 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($42.98 @ Best Buy)
Power Supply: Antec Neo Eco 620W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Microcenter)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM (64-bit) ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VH238H 23.0" Monitor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech MK120 Wired Slim Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($11.99 @ B&H)
Speakers: Creative Labs A220 9W 2.1ch Speakers ($27.68 @ Amazon)
Total: $996.45
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-26 23:53 EST-0500)
 
Solution