- Jul 21, 2014
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Hello all! This is my first thread posted to the Tom's Hardware Forums, though I have been reading through many posts in an attempt to better understand the thinking that goes into building a PC. I have never built a computer and I would not consider myself knowledgeable past the basics of "what does what," but I am interested in better understanding the reasoning and trains of thought that go into putting a PC together.
I am interested in building a gaming PC on a budget of $600 (including OS) that will enable me to enjoy primarily MMO-type games such as DayZ using moderate graphics settings. While I enjoy a pretty game, I would much rather have a machine that can run games smoothly and reliably. The build I have assembled below is somewhat of a theoretical build and was put together based on what I've read on these forums. It is meant to be a starting point from which an actual build list can be assembled.
I'd appreciate input and suggestions. If you do suggest a change to the list, I would appreciate an explanation of the reasoning behind the choice. The budget cap is a solid $600 (though a few dollars over is acceptable).
Thank you for your time!
Blatantly
Approximate Purchase Date: Within a week of posted date.
Budget Range: $600 after rebates; including shipping and OS
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, internet browsing, work (mostly Microsoft Office applications), watching movies
Are you buying a monitor: No; this will be an upgrade at a later date
Parts to Upgrade: Ground-up build
Do you need to buy OS: Yes
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Reputable sites with preference to as few different sites as possilbe.
Location: TN, USA
Parts Preferences: Intel processors/MOBOs are desirable for later ability to upgrade.
Overclocking: Maybe
SLI or Crossfire: No
Your Monitor Resolution: I don't know this off the top of my head; will edit if it's particularly important.
Additional Comments: I plan on using my old monitor and chassis at least until later dates.
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: The selection of games I play on my current PC is not particularly vast, and none of the games I play are particularly demanding to a PC. The current computer I use was built in 2006 and up until last Fall was running Windows XP with 2 GB RAM (I upgraded to 4 GB but 32 bit XP caps it at ~3.5 GB). Unfortunately, my PC is at the point of not being able to run games I am interested in such as DayZ and newer MMOs on low graphics.
I am not really looking for a beast of a machine that can run games on ultra settings, but rather something that will comfortably run games on regular settings with an emphasis on MMO-type games (which I believe puts importance on CPU ability). I am also interested in building a long-term machine in the sense that it will enable me to enjoy the next few years of gaming (once again, modest gaming as opposed to ultra-graphics) while also leaving options open for CPU/GPU upgrades.
PC Part Picker List
CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($123.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill AEGIS 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($76.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($134.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($47.99 @ Micro Center)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $596.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
I am interested in building a gaming PC on a budget of $600 (including OS) that will enable me to enjoy primarily MMO-type games such as DayZ using moderate graphics settings. While I enjoy a pretty game, I would much rather have a machine that can run games smoothly and reliably. The build I have assembled below is somewhat of a theoretical build and was put together based on what I've read on these forums. It is meant to be a starting point from which an actual build list can be assembled.
I'd appreciate input and suggestions. If you do suggest a change to the list, I would appreciate an explanation of the reasoning behind the choice. The budget cap is a solid $600 (though a few dollars over is acceptable).
Thank you for your time!
Blatantly
Approximate Purchase Date: Within a week of posted date.
Budget Range: $600 after rebates; including shipping and OS
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, internet browsing, work (mostly Microsoft Office applications), watching movies
Are you buying a monitor: No; this will be an upgrade at a later date
Parts to Upgrade: Ground-up build
Do you need to buy OS: Yes
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Reputable sites with preference to as few different sites as possilbe.
Location: TN, USA
Parts Preferences: Intel processors/MOBOs are desirable for later ability to upgrade.
Overclocking: Maybe
SLI or Crossfire: No
Your Monitor Resolution: I don't know this off the top of my head; will edit if it's particularly important.
Additional Comments: I plan on using my old monitor and chassis at least until later dates.
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: The selection of games I play on my current PC is not particularly vast, and none of the games I play are particularly demanding to a PC. The current computer I use was built in 2006 and up until last Fall was running Windows XP with 2 GB RAM (I upgraded to 4 GB but 32 bit XP caps it at ~3.5 GB). Unfortunately, my PC is at the point of not being able to run games I am interested in such as DayZ and newer MMOs on low graphics.
I am not really looking for a beast of a machine that can run games on ultra settings, but rather something that will comfortably run games on regular settings with an emphasis on MMO-type games (which I believe puts importance on CPU ability). I am also interested in building a long-term machine in the sense that it will enable me to enjoy the next few years of gaming (once again, modest gaming as opposed to ultra-graphics) while also leaving options open for CPU/GPU upgrades.
PC Part Picker List
CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($123.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill AEGIS 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($76.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($134.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($47.99 @ Micro Center)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $596.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
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