So my friend wanted me to make him a parts list for his first build. His budget is about $1000.

[dragicornJake]

So I had asked the forum about my parts list for my first build, and based off of that, helped my friend by making one. Just want to make sure the list I made my friend was good before he buys the stuff. He already has chosen a case (I don't know which case, though) and already owns a good mouse and keyboard. He is a gamer, like me, but he plays slightly more casual games.

Here is the link to his list: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/dragicornJake/saved/3dZ9

Thank you!

 

[realchaos]

Does he plan on overclocking?
Can you figure out what case it is?

 

[Abscent]

Is your friend ever going to Oc and does he prefer Amd or Nvidia?

 

[dragicornJake]

He isn't going to overclock unless he absolutely has to. I will ask him tomorrow the other questions.

 

[Abscent]

Not knowing his case and looking at your suggestions. These are the changes I would make to the build you have so far:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($68.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270X 2GB Video Card ($204.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($88.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Dell S2240M 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($119.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $1002.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-24 01:28 EST-0500)

 

[realchaos]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H87-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($100.24 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($68.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($249.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($94.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer H226HQLbid 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $949.13
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-24 01:33 EST-0500)

Non-overclockable but it provides strong stock performance.
The gpu is much stronger than the 270X.
Windows 8.1 is overall better (boots faster, better security, better support, etc.).
Opted for the Acer monitor. Both are good and they are about the same but the Acer has free shipping.

I would buy the RAM right now. It's great RAM on a good sale that ends today.

 

[dragicornJake]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H87-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($100.24 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($68.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($249.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($94.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer H226HQLbid 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $949.13
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-24 01:33 EST-0500)

Non-overclockable but it provides strong stock performance.
The gpu is much stronger than the 270X.
Windows 8.1 is overall better (boots faster, better security, better support, etc.).
Opted for the Acer monitor. Both are good and they are about the same but the Acer has free shipping.

I would buy the RAM right now. It's great RAM on a good sale that ends today.

I will show him this tomorrow, but he for sure wants the OS I currently selected. He may be willing to switch to a different Windows 7, but he won't do Windows 8 at all.

 

[realchaos]

Why won't he do Windows 8? There are many free programs on the internet that can make Windows 8 look exactly like Windows 7 by skipping the interfaces and metro screen and all that. I dislike the Windows 8 interface, but I made the switch and downloaded Start8 and my computer looks like Windows 7 but it has the added bonuses of Windows 8 (better security, faster boots, longer support period, etc.).