New Build - For My Community

[Gamer112]

Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: Late November - Early December

Budget Range:750-900 (We really would like to be at 850, not knowning a lot about pcs we dont know if this is possible but if you could setup a pc that could play on bf4 and is reliable for that amount that would be amazing)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Youtube, and basic web browsing.

Are you buying a monitor: No



Parts to Upgrade: (e.g.: CPU, mobo, RAM) **Include Power Supply Make & Model If Re-using** N/A

Do you need to buy OS: Yes


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Anywhere reliable. (we are all located in the us)

Location: United States

Parts Preferences: What ever you think will do the job.

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Additional Comments: Please Note: My community consits of 25-50 active members of xbox 360 players. About 20-25 of us are going to pc and we all have very little knowledge and I found this website, so I was hoping a lot of you could help find us parts and maybe everyone that posts can critizize (in a positive manner) why their build is better. Thank you, and we are all building it to start off with BF4! The OFFICIAL BF4 specs are as follows:
-Minimum-
OS: Windows Vista SP2 32-BIT
Processor: AMD Athlon X2 2.8 GHZ / Intel Core 2 duo 2.4 GHZ
Memory: 4 GB
Graphics Card: AMD Radeon HD 3870 / Nvidia geforce 8800 GT
Graphics Memory: 512MB
Hard Drive: 30 GB

-Recommended-
OS: Windows 8 64-Bit
Processor: AMD Six Core CPU / Intel quad core cpu
Memory: 8 gb
Graphics Card: Amd radeon hd 7870 / Nvidia geforce GTX 660
Graphics memory: 3 gb
HArd Drive: 30 GB
The majority of us just want a computer for bf4 as of right now. We dont need a superb computer for advanced professional gaming, we just want something that can run it smoothly and wont crash. We want a computer that is reliable and that we can keep for at least 2 years. We understand that we will probably have to upgrade for later games in the future but at the moment if it runs bf4 its good for us.
Thank you in advance! The more replies the better!

 

[Kelthar]

Taking into account your budget, it is expected that you will be running the game in mid or high, but I doubt you'll run it on Ultra.

Planned this one for you:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G41 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($80.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 760 4GB Video Card ($299.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Rosewill Galaxy-02 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 850W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $919.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-11 22:32 EDT-0400)

 

[Jack Revenant]

You can definitely get a stellar gaming PC for $850, but given that you play to build two months from now, you'll want to come back then. The new AMD graphics cards will quite likely be out, prices will have shifted, and combos and sales which we use to increase price efficiency will have expired.

However, if you want an example of what $850 would get you now, prospects are good:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($177.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($82.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($61.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($283.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $866.43
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-11 22:34 EDT-0400)

That rig, for example, can handle almost anything on max (though I can't say for certain what will be required for maxing BF4).

Edit: I should probably note that 1, this rig is (slightly) more powerful than Kelthar's, due to using a stronger GPU, and 2, that I left out an optical drive because with a large number of people building, a single drive could be used to install OS on all the systems, saving quite a lot between all of them. Granted, some people still use optical drives, but at least among the people I've built systems for the majority have not.

 

[Kelthar]

EDIT: This relates to my first reply in this thread.

Thought I shouldn't edit the previous as I had forgotten to write a LOT of things, so a new reply is more fit.

CPU and Motherboard are pretty straight-forward, 3rd generation is cheaper than 4th generation, and the CPU doesn't allow for overclocking (so no need for extra CPU cooler). The motherboard DOES allow for overclocking but just because it's cheaper than one that doesn't (which usually doesn't happen).

Memory: Cheapest I could find that is from a good brand and reasonable.

Storage: Standard 1TB HDD, nothing special.

Video Card: Okay, this is where it gets tricky. The GTX 760 is a mid to high end card. I put 4GB in as the requirement for BF3 is 3GB but there's no such version. Data from players playing BF4 shows that the game does indeed need more than 2GB.

Case: Had a combo discount with the HDD, so why not.

PSU: I gave you a beast PSU. It's cheaper than the other versions with less power (NO IDEA WHY) and also has combo.

Optical and OS: Nothing special about these.

Felt like explaining in case other users want to improve the build I just posted here.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

This is all current generation components so ya not starting out w/ any end-of-life components and it will have a longer shelf life. Get the OS on college campus....my son paid $25

-The case and PSU support adding a 2nd GFX card....
-The CPUU is fastest current generation suitable for OC'ing
-MoBo is gaming oriented with 22 awards to date
-GFX card is fastest 760 available.
-HD has 5 year warranty

As for BF3 ..... you'll see no difference between 2 GB and 4 GB
http://alienbabeltech.com/main/gtx-770-4gb-vs-2gb-tested/3/

HD of 30GB wont fit windows.

MoBo - $160 - MSI Z87-G45 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1402257
CPU - $230 - Intel Core i5-4670k http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116899

Case - $170 - Corsair 500R http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1390812
PSU - included - Corsair TX750 $200 - $30 MIR

RAM - $80 - (2 x 4GB) Muskin CAS 9 DDR3-1866 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226223

Cooler - $30 - Hyper 212 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

HD - $90 - WD Black 1 TB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533
SSD - Later - Samsung 840 Pro 128GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147192

GFX - $145 - MSI N650ti-2GD5/OC http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127730
(Edit : Shuda been 2 x)

DVD Writer - $19 - Asus DVD Burner http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135304

Monitor - Later ASUS VG248QE Black 23" 144 Hz Monitor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236313

Total $924 (Edit: Sorry wrong build - copy pasted wrong one)

 

[Kelthar]

JackNaylor, your GFX is NOT enough for BF4. It might handle it on low, but it's definitely a bad experience.

Consider cutting down on things such as the CPU and Mobo (you got high-end components there) and upgrading the GPU. You can save a lot of money which can in turns revert for the GPU. Same applies to cooler. I wouldn't OC on a first time build with no prior background or knowledge.

The build I and Jack Revenant supplied fit better, in my opinion, not to mention he doesn't need a monitor.

 

[Jack Revenant]

JackNaylor, your GFX is NOT enough for BF4. It might handle it on low, but it's definitely a bad experience.

Consider cutting down on things such as the CPU and Mobo (you got high-end components there) and upgrading the GPU. You can save a lot of money which can in turns revert for the GPU. Same applies to cooler. I wouldn't OC on a first time build with no prior background or knowledge.

The build I and Jack Revenant supplied fit better, in my opinion, not to mention he doesn't need a monitor.

+1 regarding GPU, though based on the preface text I believe that he meant to include an MSI GTX760 Hawk Edition, and simply failed to alter his template correctly before posting.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Oops sorry Kelt ... I posted wrong build....that was from an SLI build for a classmate of my son's at college and we all know two 650 Ti Boosts will toast any single GPU card except maybe a 780 / Titan.

I didn't give him a monitor....read again....I suggested one for "later" since that was what he mentioned he was planning.... future upgrades.

Here's the other build ... I have them on spreadsheets and copy / pasted wrong bunch. Thank you for catching that.

MoBo - $405 - MSI Z87-G45 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1402257
GFX - included - MSI Gaming N760 TF 2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 760 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127745

CPU - $230 - Intel Core i5-4670k http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116899

Case - $170 - Corsair 500R http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1390812
PSU - included - Corsair TX750 $200 - $30 MIR

RAM - $80 - (2 x 4GB) Muskin CAS 9 DDR3-1866 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226223

Cooler - Later - Hyper 212 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

HD - $90 - WD Black 1 TB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533
SSD - Later - Samsung 840 Pro 128GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147192

DVD Writer - $19 - Asus DVD Burner http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135304

Monitor - Later ASUS VG248QE Black 23" 144 Hz Monitor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236313

I know I missed his budget by $90 .... but I think its well worth it....no compromises, no OC limits and socket 1155 is dead.... 2.5 years old already..... that's a huge downer as far as "future-upgrade ability.

We want a computer that is reliable and that we can keep for at least 2 years

That's the part I took particular note of. You won't be able to buy replacement parts fro 1155 two years from now just as ya can't buy 1156 today.

 

[Kelthar]

Oops my bad. I read it as a "Later Asus ...", mistook it for a model. Wow... This is what 4 AM does to you.

No offense but if I were to choose between all these 3 builds I'd go with either mine or Revenant's. BF4 is expected to use 3GB VRAM, as it has been exceeding 2GB VRAM during testing at 1080p. http://i.imgur.com/mhTVg6j.jpg

Also, the case is way more expensive than he needs. He'd still have 85$ to spend on a case (more than required) if he went with the TX850M.

You should start using pcpartpicker.com too, it's super helpful to get combo discounts and automatically handles compatibility checks.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

The case is $140 MSRP, currently on newegg for $90 and comes with a $20 discount ..... net $70

I wouldn't use any Corsair PSU w/ the M suffix.

I have a business account with newegg .... gives me access to special deals and I don't like dealing w/ multiple vendors....more important, I don't gotta pay bill until I get paid

 

[Kelthar]

The M suffix simply means it's modular (or semi-modular), so the cables on the PSU are unpluggable, great for easier cable management.

 

[Jack Revenant]

I feel that we really should go back to the point I started with: these builds won't be happening for over two months, so any recommendation we make now is essentially useless and serves only as a reference for what will likely be possible when OP does build.

 

[Kelthar]

Agreed.

I think any of these builds can serve as a starting point. I would however advise the OP to make another thread near the purchase date (at least 3 days before) in order for it to be the absolute best, taking into account all the discounts that may exist at that time.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

The M suffix simply means it's modular (or semi-modular), so the cables on the PSU are unpluggable, great for easier cable management.

While the TX's are all made by Channelwell, the TX and TX V2 where very different PSUs .... the M series is no where near the PSU that the TX v2 is .... add the expense of all those extra connectors,gotta offset it with quality cuts somewhere else. It's been my practice to use only 10.0 rated PSU's in hi end builds and 9.5 rated in moderate price builds. Super budget build I'll go 9.0 .... and therein lies the problem.

750M 8.5 performance rating, 8.3 overall
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=254

TX750 V2 9.5 performance rating, 9.5 overall
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=230