New (first) Build

[Larsen]

I am building a PC for the first time, and I don't know if I should buy one pre-built or build it myself. Details:

Approximate Purchase Date: Sometime next week

Budget Range: under $1,200

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, I play games like Skyrim on my laptop, obviously not ideal. I don't need to run the newest games on the highest settings, but I'd like to be able to at least play all of them. I also use Photoshop CS6 frequently. Other than that, it's just internet surfing and streaming football games.

Are you buying a monitor: Yes, I need a smallish monitor that I can mount on a swivel stand by my couch. I don't have room for a desk in my tiny house, so I need to set it up for use on my couch. I can run it on my flatscreen with a wireless keyboard/mouse, but I'd like a small monitor I can use so I don't have to fight my wife for the TV, haha.

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I've used Newegg before, but I don't have a preference.

Location: SE Idaho, USA

Parts Preferences: None

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: No idea

Your Monitor Resolution: Not sure

Additional Comments: I am new to this, so anything helps. Thanks!

 

[bsod1]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.94 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($108.78 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($86.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: BenQ GW2255 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($112.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $1229.61
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-09 15:48 EST-0500

 

[Larsen]

I admit I don't know much about video cards. Is that EVGA a decent card compared to Nvidia and AMD?

 

[bsod1]

there are two gpu makers - amd and NVIDIA.
EVGA, Sapphire, XFX, Gigabyte, MSI, etc. just produce video cards using AMD and NVIDIA technology. I have given you the best for the money.

 

[zeyuanfu]

Nice, but I would change the PSU and motherboard to these:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $184.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-10 12:32 EST-0500

 

[Larsen]

Any opinions on this?
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/YVBFHx

 

[zeyuanfu]

This would be better, sacrificing overclocking (which doesn't yield that much performance, anyways) for a better GPU:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 Low Profile Red 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($65.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $980.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-10 15:43 EST-0500