[SOLVED] New PC advice/build

[ryann39]

Hello

I currently have a prebuilt Alienware R7 currently, but it is slowing down, and with all these new games, I want to upgrade.
It has been a great pc to me however.
I am looking for something with a budget but still good for gaming, maybe around $1000-1300? That price range can be flexed, that is just an idea.

Anyways, I am unsure if I want to build a PC, or to use a PC building/customization website instead. (NZXT, Newegg...)
I have watched videos on YouTube about building PCs, and some of it seems easy, some seems complicated. Like compatability issues, and parts for example.

This leaves me at this problem. What does anyone recommend? I want to build a new PC, but am still a bit unsure/nervous about it and want an opinion.
Does anyone recommend any PC part sites to order, or prebuild customization sites?
Or if there is anything I should know about parts, ordering, or the market right now.

Thank you.

 

[Why_Me]

Hello

I currently have a prebuilt Alienware R7 currently, but it is slowing down, and with all these new games, I want to upgrade.
It has been a great pc to me however.
I am looking for something with a budget but still good for gaming, maybe around $1000-1300? That price range can be flexed, that is just an idea.

Anyways, I am unsure if I want to build a PC, or to use a PC building/customization website instead. (NZXT, Newegg...)
I have watched videos on YouTube about building PCs, and some of it seems easy, some seems complicated. Like compatability issues, and parts for example.

This leaves me at this problem. What does anyone recommend? I want to build a new PC, but am still a bit unsure/nervous about it and want an opinion.
Does anyone recommend any PC part sites to order, or prebuild customization sites?
Or if there is anything I should know about parts, ordering, or the market right now.

Thank you.

What's your monitor resolution and do you plan on re-using your graphics card from your Alienware and if so what card is it?

 

[MeanMachine41]

I can understand your apprehension and everyone goes thru this in the beginning however the satisfaction and knowledge gained from building your own system is more than gratifying and will save heaps.
Sure it involves research and care in choosing the right hardware but worth it. There is plenty of help here to get you thru every stage of your build.
Use partpicker to determine what you want within your budget and needs, is the best way to start. Submit you build prior to purchase and recommendations will be offered.

Don't go cheap on your Power supply and ensure it has the suitable wattage + 20% for future upgrades and select a gold certified unit from a reputable supplier/Manufacturer.

Take your time with your build to get it right first time and ask even the dumbest of questions if your unsure about anything. Nobody will criticize you for that.

Hope this helps and good luck.

 

[ryann39]

I can understand your apprehension and everyone goes thru this in the beginning however the satisfaction and knowledge gained from building your own system is more than gratifying and will save heaps.
Sure it involves research and care in choosing the right hardware but worth it. There is plenty of help here to get you thru every stage of your build.
Use partpicker to determine what you want within your budget and needs, is the best way to start. Submit you build prior to purchase and recommendations will be offered.

Don't go cheap on your Power supply and ensure it has the suitable wattage + 20% for future upgrades and select a gold certified unit from a reputable supplier/Manufacturer.

Take your time with your build to get it right first time and ask even the dumbest of questions if your unsure about anything. Nobody will criticize you for that.

Hope this helps and good luck.

What's your monitor resolution and do you plan on re-using your graphics card from your Alienware and if so what card is it?

I have a 1080p acer gaming monitor and a Geforce GTX 1080 from when I first got it. I do not plan on keeping it.

 

[ryann39]

I can understand your apprehension and everyone goes thru this in the beginning however the satisfaction and knowledge gained from building your own system is more than gratifying and will save heaps.
Sure it involves research and care in choosing the right hardware but worth it. There is plenty of help here to get you thru every stage of your build.
Use partpicker to determine what you want within your budget and needs, is the best way to start. Submit you build prior to purchase and recommendations will be offered.

Don't go cheap on your Power supply and ensure it has the suitable wattage + 20% for future upgrades and select a gold certified unit from a reputable supplier/Manufacturer.

Take your time with your build to get it right first time and ask even the dumbest of questions if your unsure about anything. Nobody will criticize you for that.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Cool, thanks for the response.

Is it important to get a good motherboard as well? I've noticed that the plugging in cables is difficult and the quality is important.

 

[Why_Me]

I have a 1080p acer gaming monitor and a Geforce GTX 1080 from when I first got it. I do not plan on keeping it.

Graphic card prices are at an all time high atm due to a combination of the extreme chip shortage along with the internet mining craze. With that said here ya go.

https://www.newegg.com/black-phanteks-eclipse-p400a-atx-mid-tower/p/N82E16811854085
Phanteks Eclipse P400A $74.99

Exhaust fan for that case.

https://www.amazon.com/ARCTIC-ACFAN00119A-P12-Black-Pressure-Optimized/dp/B07GB5JRTZ/
ARCTIC P12 PWM - 120mm 4-Pin Case Fan $7.00

https://www.newegg.com/super-flower-leadex-iii-sf-550f14hg-550w/p/1HU-024C-00008
Super Flower Leadex III 550W 80+ Gold Modular Power Supply $69.99

https://www.amazon.com/MSI-MAG-B560M-Bazooka-Motherboard/dp/B08WBY8Q5V/
MSI MAG B560M Bazooka $139.95

https://www.ebay.com/itm/333951294535
Intel Core i5-11400F $209.30

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08C2TJ4QZ/

DEEPCOOL GAMMAXX GTE V2 Black CPU Air Cooler $39.99

https://www.amazon.com/TEAMGROUP-T-Force-Vulcan-3200MHz-Desktop/dp/B07T637L7T/
TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z DDR4 3200MHz 16GB Kit (2x8GB) CL16 $54.97

https://www.newegg.com/western-digital-blue-sn550-nvme-1tb/p/N82E16820250135
WD Blue SN550 NVMe M.2 2280 1TB PCI-Express 3.0 x4 3D NAND Internal SSD $83.99

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115096023580
EVGA GeForce RTX 3060 XC GAMING 12GB GDDR6 Graphics Card $709.71

Total: $1390

https://www.newegg.com/super-flower-leadex-iii-bronze-sf-650r14he-650w/p/1HU-024C-00017
Super Flower Leadex III Bronze PRO 650W 80+ Bronze Modular Power Supply $89.99

https://stockx.com/nvidia-evga-geforce-rtx-3060-ti-xc-gaming-8gb-graphics-card-08g-p5-3663-kl
EVGA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti XC GAMING 8GB LHR Graphics Card $867.72

Total: $1568

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MAG-B560M-BAZOOKA

http://www.phanteks.com/Eclipse-P400A.html

Reviews of that cpu with benchmarks.

https://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/intel-core-i5-11400f-processor-review,1.html

Intel Core i5-11400F Review - The Best Rocket Lake

The Core i5-11400F is Intel's most affordable Rocket Lake processor. While its multiplier is locked, you can still adjust the power limit. Once we did that, the CPU ran over 15% faster and almost matched the Core i5-11600K. We also made an interesting discovery regarding Gear 1 vs. Gear 2.

www.techpowerup.com

 

[ryann39]

Graphic card prices are at an all time high atm due to a combination of the extreme chip shortage along with the internet mining craze. With that said here ya go.

https://www.newegg.com/black-phanteks-eclipse-p400a-atx-mid-tower/p/N82E16811854085
Phanteks Eclipse P400A $74.99

Exhaust fan for that case.

https://www.amazon.com/ARCTIC-ACFAN00119A-P12-Black-Pressure-Optimized/dp/B07GB5JRTZ/
ARCTIC P12 PWM - 120mm 4-Pin Case Fan $7.00

https://www.newegg.com/super-flower-leadex-iii-sf-550f14hg-550w/p/1HU-024C-00008
Super Flower Leadex III 550W 80+ Gold Modular Power Supply $69.99

https://www.amazon.com/MSI-MAG-B560M-Bazooka-Motherboard/dp/B08WBY8Q5V/
MSI MAG B560M Bazooka $139.95

https://www.ebay.com/itm/333951294535
Intel Core i5-11400F $209.30

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08C2TJ4QZ/

DEEPCOOL GAMMAXX GTE V2 Black CPU Air Cooler $39.99

https://www.amazon.com/TEAMGROUP-T-Force-Vulcan-3200MHz-Desktop/dp/B07T637L7T/
TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z DDR4 3200MHz 16GB Kit (2x8GB) CL16 $54.97

https://www.newegg.com/western-digital-blue-sn550-nvme-1tb/p/N82E16820250135
WD Blue SN550 NVMe M.2 2280 1TB PCI-Express 3.0 x4 3D NAND Internal SSD $83.99

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115096023580
EVGA GeForce RTX 3060 XC GAMING 12GB GDDR6 Graphics Card $709.71

Total: $1390

https://www.newegg.com/super-flower-leadex-iii-bronze-sf-650r14he-650w/p/1HU-024C-00017
Super Flower Leadex III Bronze PRO 650W 80+ Bronze Modular Power Supply $89.99

https://stockx.com/nvidia-evga-geforce-rtx-3060-ti-xc-gaming-8gb-graphics-card-08g-p5-3663-kl
EVGA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti XC GAMING 8GB LHR Graphics Card $867.72

Total: $1568

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MAG-B560M-BAZOOKA

http://www.phanteks.com/Eclipse-P400A.html

Reviews of that cpu with benchmarks.

https://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/intel-core-i5-11400f-processor-review,1.html

Intel Core i5-11400F Review - The Best Rocket Lake

The Core i5-11400F is Intel's most affordable Rocket Lake processor. While its multiplier is locked, you can still adjust the power limit. Once we did that, the CPU ran over 15% faster and almost matched the Core i5-11600K. We also made an interesting discovery regarding Gear 1 vs. Gear 2.

www.techpowerup.com

Yeah, graphics card prices are so bogus right now. Smh

How difficult is it to plug everything into a motherboard? Are all motherboard cable inputs different?

 

[Why_Me]

Yeah, graphics card prices are so bogus right now. Smh

How difficult is it to plug everything into a motherboard? Are all motherboard cable inputs different?

Easy.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hK51upU5bkU

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8LMML_EiMg

 

[ryann39]

Easy.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hK51upU5bkU

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8LMML_EiMg

Thanks man, I'll definitely work on my parts list soon.

 

[jacob249358]

Hello

I currently have a prebuilt Alienware R7 currently, but it is slowing down, and with all these new games, I want to upgrade.
It has been a great pc to me however.
I am looking for something with a budget but still good for gaming, maybe around $1000-1300? That price range can be flexed, that is just an idea.

Anyways, I am unsure if I want to build a PC, or to use a PC building/customization website instead. (NZXT, Newegg...)
I have watched videos on YouTube about building PCs, and some of it seems easy, some seems complicated. Like compatability issues, and parts for example.

This leaves me at this problem. What does anyone recommend? I want to build a new PC, but am still a bit unsure/nervous about it and want an opinion.
Does anyone recommend any PC part sites to order, or prebuild customization sites?
Or if there is anything I should know about parts, ordering, or the market right now.

Thank you.

I have a 1080p acer gaming monitor and a Geforce GTX 1080 from when I first got it. I do not plan on keeping it.

If you already have a gtx 1080 with only $1300 for a whole new PC you aren't going to end with a much better graphics card. Plus you are playing at 1080p so I think what you need is a full build upgrade and keep the GPU and then when prices get better, (should be June when ethereum mining becomes nonexistent) get a 3070 or something. Just so you know your 1080 beats a 3060 and a 3060 ti is about 15% faster. If you do buy a new graphics card its not worth $800 to get 15% more performance. So, here is a full build without a GPU.
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/WszMJf

 

[ryann39]

If you already have a gtx 1080 with only $1300 for a whole new PC you aren't going to end with a much better graphics card. Plus you are playing at 1080p so I think what you need is a full build upgrade and keep the GPU and then when prices get better, (should be June when ethereum mining becomes nonexistent) get a 3070 or something. Just so you know your 1080 beats a 3060 and a 3060 ti is about 15% faster. If you do buy a new graphics card its not worth $800 to get 15% more performance. So, here is a full build without a GPU.
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/WszMJf

Is there a substitute for the liquid cooling? I don't know how to do liquid cooling.

 

[iTRiP]

Build your new pc yourself, I got nothing against prebuilds or websites that let you compile a pc, but building a pc yourself is not only quite interesting but also fun and you get more in touch with what you are doing and are to do with it once complete. (more knowledge of capability)

 

[MeanMachine41]

Is it important to get a good motherboard as well? I've noticed that the plugging in cables is difficult and the quality is important.

Choosing a Motherboard depends on your requirement, be it for power use and features. such as USB capability and Overclocking for the enthusiast. The manufacturer plays a part for quality components.
Your choice of PSU is very important for quality and efficiency and if the unit is modular or not will determine your cabling requirement. Modular units are easier to manage cable wise and keeping it tidy is best work practice which is not difficult.

 

[MeanMachine41]

Is there a substitute for the liquid cooling? I don't know how to do liquid cooling.

Yes you can choose Air cooling if your use is general and you don't intend to Overclock the CPU. Water cooling using an AIO is more efficient and just as easy to install.

 

[ryann39]

Yes you can choose Air cooling if your use is general and you don't intend to Overclock the CPU. Water cooling using an AIO is more efficient and just as easy to install.

Okay cool, I will be looking to just game like GTA, Fortnite, Minecraft, Madden, etc, so I probably wont be doing any overclocking.

 

[ryann39]

I have another quick question though, how would I install windows on a new pc without buying windows itself? Do I have to buy it or could I just install it?

 

[Zerk2012]

I have another quick question though, how would I install windows on a new pc without buying windows itself? Do I have to buy it or could I just install it?

You need to keep your 1080 video card. The 1080 is still a very good card compared to what you could afford to replace it with. Right on par with the RTX 3060.

You can run windows 10 for free and just loose a few features.

 

[ryann39]

You need to keep your 1080 video card. The 1080 is still a very good card compared to what you could afford to replace it with. Right on par with the RTX 3060.

You can run windows 10 for free and just loose a few features.

Is the GTX 1650 a good graphics card?

 

[iTRiP]

I have another quick question though, how would I install windows on a new pc without buying windows itself? Do I have to buy it or could I just install it?

You'd have to get yourself an usb with more than 8Gb of space, then with it plugged into a pc you search for download windows media creation tool and create your self a install media with that, then when you finally install windows and have it setup complete, you just buy a key to activate your installation with... after you are free to play or work or whatever.

 

[ryann39]

You'd have to get yourself an usb with more than 8Gb of space, then with it plugged into a pc you search for download windows media creation tool and create your self a install media with that, then when you finally install windows and have it setup complete, you just buy a key to activate your installation with... after you are free to play or work or whatever.

would I be able to use the key from my current gaming pc? or would that make the pc I have right now unusable

 

[iTRiP]

would I be able to use the key from my current gaming pc? or would that make the pc I have right now unusable

If you install windows 11 over on an pc with windows 10, the ten key will be used to activate.

Always a new key is needed for a new build, unless you use most of the current hardware, (but chances are you are required to get a new key regardless)

Get yourself a key for new pc, and keep the old one intact.

 

[jacob249358]

Is the GTX 1650 a good graphics card?

Garbage compared to your 1080

 

[ryann39]

If you install windows 11 over on an pc with windows 10, the ten key will be used to activate.

Always a new key is needed for a new build, unless you use most of the current hardware, (but chances are you are required to get a new key regardless)

Get yourself a key for new pc, and keep the old one intact.

cool thank you