School me on new needed system

[jemf7sk]

I haven't built a system since the early 2000s. I used to build and upgrade systems all the time in the late 90s. A lot has changed since then. I got an system admin job and mainly focused on prebuilt servers. I am going to build a new system that will triple as a MCSE/CCNA/VM study computer, a gaming computer and a music recording computer (not all at the same time). I don't know if I need to build a workstation or buy prebuilt or go the laptop route? My budget is between $1000 and $1500. I don't need overkill but also not underkill.

Approximate Purchase Date: soon as possible but can wait a month

Budget Range: 1000-1500 total

System Usage from Most to Least Important: (MSCE/CCNA study with Virtual Machines, Music recording (guitar) and gaming (COD and Battlefield)

Are you buying a monitor: I have a 24" Dell monitor about 5 years old. Wouldn't mind having another one or two 24" monitors to go with it.

Parts to Upgrade: None.. starting from scratch

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg or Amazon.. really doesn't matter.

Location: Central Florida, USA

Parts Preferences: None

Overclocking: Maybe but probably not.. don't see the need

SLI or Crossfire: Either.. don't see how it matters

Your Monitor Resolution: 1900 x 1080 (16:9)

 

[turkey3_scratch]

Tell me what you think of this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($224.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($167.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($189.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($118.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Superclocked ACX Video Card ($214.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($127.65 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N53 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Corsair SP120 57.2 CFM 120mm Fans ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1344.01
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-02 21:09 EDT-0400

I can find ways to decrease the price if you want, but that is an overall beast build! You can also overclock the processor which is done much differently and easier than in the early 2000s. If you want room for a monitor, you can go down to a cheaper graphics card like the GTX750Ti. That salso depends on if you game or not.

 

[garl6]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($289.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($92.75 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($148.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($118.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($299.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1261.17
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-02 21:20 EDT-0400

i7 for hyper threading, 16gb RAM. I believe both of those help with VM? CPU and mobo don't allow for overclocking. You can change the CPU to a K version and get a Z97 mobo if you want to have the option for overclocking in the future. GTX 770 is great for 1080p. Awesome case. Quality PSU. Room for a monitor and extra fans and such.

 

[jemf7sk]

These look good. How does this laptop compare?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834231630

 

[vash_021]

These look good. How does this laptop compare?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834231630

if you are interested in a laptop check out some here
http://www.xoticpc.com/custom-gaming-laptops-notebooks-gaming-laptops-ct-118_96_98.html

Sager laptops are quite good more bang for the buck
Asus are a bit Over priced


And finally no laptop can compare to a Personal Computer AKA gaming rig

 

[jemf7sk]

These look good. How does this laptop compare?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834231630

if you are interested in a laptop check out some here
http://www.xoticpc.com/custom-gaming-laptops-notebooks-gaming-laptops-ct-118_96_98.html

Sager laptops are quite good more bang for the buck
Asus are a bit Over priced


And finally no laptop can compare to a Personal Computer AKA gaming rig

Cool.. thank you. So those PCs above would kick the laptops butt? I don't care if it is a laptop or PC as I use a tablet everywhere but the office. I'm sure the laptop would be more convienent. It just seemed like for the same price as the suggestions above the Asus was very comparable. Good to know about the other laptop site and the Sagar laptops. Much better deal!

I have used an Xbox 360 for the past few years for all my gaming needs and it seems the PC has all the games I play plus it plays them better. I'm assuming the laptops could kick the 360's butt? I actually don't play a lot of games... mostly do VMs and Music so gaming is not at the top of my list but it would be nice if it could out perform the 360 when I wanted to play a game.

 

[vash_021]

any gaming laptop in $1000 range will overpower the xbox360 (it is a 8 year old technology)

A gaming rig worth $500 - 600 will equal or will even be greater than a $1000-1200 laptop

laptops are just too small to do any serious gaming

 

[jemf7sk]

any gaming laptop in $1000 range will overpower the xbox360 (it is a 8 year old technology)

A gaming rig worth $500 - 600 will equal or will even be greater than a $1000-1200 laptop

laptops are just too small to do any serious gaming

Thanks for that.. Very informative.

This $500 - $600 should be my new budget then.. I should be able to get some nice monitors and other peripherals with this budget. Really, as far as gaming goes I just want to be able to play COD and Battlefield on occasion.

 

[turkey3_scratch]

Desktops are way better than laptops in power.

 

[jemf7sk]

Desktops are way better than laptops in power.

Thanks, I'm going to see what I can get in the $600 range that will meet my needs. I'm not sure which motherboards and memory go with what RAM etc. It there a good tutorial on that?

 

[turkey3_scratch]

Tell me if you like this $600 build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4340 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($159.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-E33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GT 610 1GB Video Card ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Rosewill REDBONE U3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($61.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($21.74 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N15 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($24.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $604.12
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-03 16:48 EDT-0400

I am assuming you don't do gaming and do it very lightly if so. And to answer your question above, most modern motherboards support DDR3 RAM, and any DDR3 RAM will work in that (aside from laptop RAM). DDR4 RAM is coming out soon which will have higher clock speeds while using near the same amount of power.

The case above includes two fans already, and heat will certainly not be an issue. The motherboard supports two fans and additional fans can be connected directly to the PSU. The Seasonic PSU is very reliable you will find, and is probably the best brand.

 

[jemf7sk]

Tell me if you like this $600 build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4340 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($159.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-E33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GT 610 1GB Video Card ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Rosewill REDBONE U3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($61.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($21.74 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N15 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($24.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $604.12
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-03 16:48 EDT-0400

I am assuming you don't do gaming and do it very lightly if so. And to answer your question above, most modern motherboards support DDR3 RAM, and any DDR3 RAM will work in that (aside from laptop RAM). DDR4 RAM is coming out soon which will have higher clock speeds while using near the same amount of power.

The case above includes two fans already, and heat will certainly not be an issue. The motherboard supports two fans and additional fans can be connected directly to the PSU. The Seasonic PSU is very reliable you will find, and is probably the best brand.

I love to game but I just try not to as it takes up too much time. Just curious how this build will handle Battlefield 4 and COD if and when I play? I also want to have around 12 or 16 GB of RAM so that will be another $100 to $150.

 

[turkey3_scratch]

Tell me if you like this $600 build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4340 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($159.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-E33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GT 610 1GB Video Card ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Rosewill REDBONE U3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($61.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($21.74 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N15 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($24.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $604.12
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-03 16:48 EDT-0400

I am assuming you don't do gaming and do it very lightly if so. And to answer your question above, most modern motherboards support DDR3 RAM, and any DDR3 RAM will work in that (aside from laptop RAM). DDR4 RAM is coming out soon which will have higher clock speeds while using near the same amount of power.

The case above includes two fans already, and heat will certainly not be an issue. The motherboard supports two fans and additional fans can be connected directly to the PSU. The Seasonic PSU is very reliable you will find, and is probably the best brand.

I love to game but I just try not to as it takes up too much time. Just curious how this build will handle Battlefield 4 and COD if and when I play? I also want to have around 12 or 16 GB of RAM so that will be another $100 to $150.

You would want to get a stronger video card for gaming, for your budget a GTX750Ti would be good. If you want more RAM that is going away from the $600 budget so after a new GPU and RAM that will be $800. And you might then need a 520watt power supply.

8GB of RAM should be fine for you, no need for 12 or 16.

 

[turkey3_scratch]

Here is a build for a $800 budget that should play Call of Duty 60FPS on high and Battlefield 4 60FPS medium:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($188.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-E33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB FTW ACX Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill REDBONE U3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($68.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($21.74 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N15 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($24.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $781.13
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-03 17:57 EDT-0400

Note that the case has 3 fans preinstalled but the motherboard has 2 fan ports (not including the CPU). That's fine, it just means two fans has to be plugged directly into the PSU, particularly the fans you want to be always more powerful. The motherboard has a CPU fan port for the processor and two other fan ports, one in which the GPU could go.

If you want an alternative motherboard just ask, but from a personal standpoint I have this one and it is great for the price and solid!