Author Topic: Help Beezy build a PC... up in this heezy (Read 6284 times)

Beezy · « **on:** December 02, 2013, 07:41:30 PM »

So I've never built a PC before and I have no idea what I'm doing. The little that I do know I learned from the GAF PC thread (http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=600246). All I know for sure is that I want a PC that's capable of playing just about any game at 60fps without looking like shit. I assume I won't have to worry about much else if it's capable of that.

Anyway, right now I'm just trying to figure out what parts to get. Should I jump on these? Can I find them cheaper or better for about the same price?

http://www.microcenter.com/product/413248/Core_i7_4770K_35GHz_Socket_LGA_1150_Boxed_Processor

http://www.microcenter.com/product/415537/02G-P4-2774-KR_NVIDIA_GeForce_GTX_770_Superclocked_w-ACX_Cooler_2048MB_GDDR5_PCIe_30_x16_Video_Card (open box item for $305.96)

I'd like to spend about $800, but I'm willing to go up to $1000 if necessary. And I'm in no rush. I just want to build it before Titanfall drops (but not specifically for Titanfall, relax). Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance, brehs.

fistfulofmetal · « **Reply #1 on:** December 02, 2013, 07:58:20 PM »

i7 4770k is the top of the line so you're not getting any better.

The GPU is perfectly capable of demolishing pretty much anything out there without an issue. However system requirements are going to jump pretty quick so upgrading NOW isn't the best idea IMO. But upgrading NEXT YEAR will cost a bunch more.

Get a big PSU. I recommend 750+

Don't skimp on RAM. It's cheap as dirt so fill that bitch up. 16gigs of DDR3 will do you wonders.

Beezy · « **Reply #2 on:** December 02, 2013, 08:03:00 PM »

Do you suggest I get a cheaper GPU for now and just upgrade that later on?

fistfulofmetal · « **Reply #3 on:** December 02, 2013, 08:12:52 PM »

Nah. Anything cheaper will be a waste of money now. That card is essentially a slightly upclocked GTX 680 (what I have) so you'll be good for awhile.

Beezy · « **Reply #4 on:** December 02, 2013, 08:25:43 PM »

Thanks, I'll head up to that Micro Center after work tomorrow. Hopefully they still have that open box GPU for $300. If not, then I'll have to search for an alternative.

Any other parts or brands that you'd recommend? Or that I should avoid? Motherboard, case, etc?

fistfulofmetal · « **Reply #5 on:** December 02, 2013, 08:29:33 PM »

ASUS motherboards are good. Make sure yours supports the CPU. LGA 1150 socket.

Corsair makes great RAM. Their Vengeance series is pretty popular.

Himu · « **Reply #6 on:** December 02, 2013, 09:30:00 PM »

I'm sorry Beezy but the thread title...I just...I'm really disappointed.

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #7 on:** December 02, 2013, 09:37:22 PM »

That's a good CPU for sure

Try to get a bundle at microcenter if that's where you're getting it

They usually give you a pretty good discount if you buy CPU and Motherboard at the same time

They might even have bundles with RAM but RAM is super cheap anyways

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #8 on:** December 02, 2013, 09:51:27 PM »

newegg usually has the best prices on ram, psu, and case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

No sales tax for NY residents

Also you can use a free trial with shoprunner for free 2 day shipping

Shoprunner might actually offer you free membership if you try to cancel

They gave me a 2yr membership as long as I made 2 more purchases within the next 3 months, which was easy, since they also work with Domino's pizza

Beezy · « **Reply #9 on:** December 02, 2013, 10:20:35 PM »

Yeah, I think I will go with one of microcenter's CPU/motherboard bundles. Not seeing either parts any cheaper on other sites.

Quote from: Formerly Known As Himuro on December 02, 2013, 09:30:00 PM

I'm sorry Beezy but the thread title...I just...I'm really disappointed.

Madrun Badrun · « **Reply #10 on:** December 02, 2013, 10:23:26 PM »

You could never disappoint me, mybeezy.

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #11 on:** December 02, 2013, 10:27:38 PM »

You look at case yet?

Don't skimp on it

Get one with good airflow and solid acoustics

Beezy · « **Reply #12 on:** December 02, 2013, 10:35:46 PM »

Not really. I was originally just gonna follow Hazaro's $805 build at GAF, so I had settled on the Corsair 200R. I'm obviously not following his build anymore though.

fistfulofmetal · « **Reply #13 on:** December 02, 2013, 10:44:25 PM »

I would recommend the Corsair 600t but it's like twice the price.

But it's also a fucking awesome case.

Beezy · « **Reply #14 on:** December 02, 2013, 10:56:30 PM »

I don't wanna end up doubling my budget.

I think I'll get the GPU, CPU, and motherboard soon. I'll continue to look out for deals on just about everything else for the next couple of weeks.

fistfulofmetal · « **Reply #15 on:** December 02, 2013, 11:10:47 PM »

Yeah but bro. Look at this sexy case

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #16 on:** December 02, 2013, 11:49:11 PM »

600T is sick but still pretty expensive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147158

This one is amazing for the price.

$70 shipped, after rebate

Supposedly more quiet and cooler than the 600T

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4648/rosewill-thor-v2-the-god-of-cooling-and-silence/7

If you think you can deal with the rough edges of the design, or if you want the most case you can get for the least money, the Thor v2 should definitely be on your short list. Able to compete even with enclosures nearly twice as expensive, I'd actually take it over Thermaltake's Level 10 GT just due to the comparative ease of assembly coupled with the less garish appearance. It's a better performer both acoustically and thermally than Corsair's 650D or 600T, too, at roughly the same price. Rosewill's Thor v2 isn't a homerun, but it's a very solid base hit, and there's no reason to think one more revision couldn't make it a top flight enthusiast case.

pilonv1 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 02, 2013, 11:52:10 PM »

Fractal Design Define R4 is a god tier case. Well worth it.

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #18 on:** December 03, 2013, 12:00:22 AM »

Yeah, heard a lot of good stuff about the R4

Sold out on Newegg though, I dunno if Amazon charages tax for NY

Beezy · « **Reply #19 on:** December 03, 2013, 12:05:07 AM »

I'm liking those two and their prices a lot more than the Corsair. Only the white version of the Thor is on sale though, so I'd go with the R4. It's showing up for $74.99 and in stock for me on newegg.

White cases are kinda corny looking imo.

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #20 on:** December 03, 2013, 12:09:41 AM »

Yeah that's why the white ones usually go on sale first

Weird that R4 is on sale at Newegg, I must have been looking at old link

Beezy · « **Reply #21 on:** December 03, 2013, 12:24:48 AM »

Okay, I really like the R4. Does NCIX charge NYers tax? It's $5 cheaper there.

Edit: Nevermind. Fuck their shipping fees.

huckleberry · « **Reply #22 on:** December 03, 2013, 05:05:48 AM »

the fractal r4 is the most solid case I have ever seen. besides the noise foam on it the steel its made from is super strong. there is absolutely no flex from the side panel at all....if i hadn't committed to another itx build with a prodigy the r4 would have been mine.

pilonv1 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 03, 2013, 05:10:35 AM »

I like the removable rack at the front too, means you get maximum airflow too. Just a really well thought out case.

benjipwns · « **Reply #24 on:** December 03, 2013, 06:28:47 AM »

That R4 is really nice looking, it's even threatening the absurd irrational hardon I've had for Antec's P18x series.

Fractal Design a good company? Looks like they are from the NewEgg reviews. Antec's always been overly good to me for a PC components company. For example, when I got the case I have now, it came with a piece of paper that basically said "so, we've had a bad batch of fans that could fail earlier than expected, but we can't tell which fans these are so instead of three we've stuffed like twelve of them in the box, hope they all work!" (I of course immediately put the six that could fix in the case in, the effect of which puts two fans on the mid 3.5 drive bays if you aren't using them and blasts a torrent of incoming air all over whatever's in the PCI-Ex16 slots.)

Also they were good about helping with a friends power supply, decided the rails must be off or something so just sent one and included a bunch of those adapters that I forget the name of that connect the newer black flat power connectors to the old white four prongers I think because I had mentioned it was connected to some older optical drives. Didn't even want the other one back.

Of course, for all I know this was just one really cool dude there and he's been fired for giving away all their stock.

But anyway that's a nice case, similar but removes some of the stranger cumbersome aspects. Will have to remember it.

Big Barry Jazz · « **Reply #25 on:** December 03, 2013, 08:05:52 AM »

The one part you can't skimp on is the psu. It's the one component that could royally fuck up everything else if it fails, so be sure to go for a reliable brand like Seasonic. Unless you plan on running multiple gpus, you really don't need a big one. 500w should be plenty, maybe going up to 600w if you want a good bit of headroom. There's also the benefit that it could last you ages and will still be there after multiple upgrades of everything else in your box.

If I was getting a new case I'd also probably go for an R4. I have heard there are issues with their build quality recently, but for the price they are I could put up with a few niggles.

Madrun Badrun · « **Reply #26 on:** December 03, 2013, 09:56:15 AM »

Quote from: Smooth Groove on December 02, 2013, 10:27:38 PM

You look at case yet?

Don't skimp on it

Get one with good airflow and solid acoustics

This. I did a 2000$ build and though the case was mostly just aesthetics, I was wrong. This thing is loud and shitty for cable management.

Eric P · « **Reply #27 on:** December 03, 2013, 10:20:10 AM »

Quote from: Formerly Known As Himuro on December 02, 2013, 09:30:00 PM

I'm sorry Beezy but the thread title...I just...I'm really disappointed.

Help Beezy build a Peezy... Up in this heezy

Brehvolution · « **Reply #28 on:** December 03, 2013, 11:22:16 AM »

Fo' sheezy mah neezy.

archnemesis · « **Reply #29 on:** December 03, 2013, 01:25:17 PM »

Fractal R4s are the best. I'm about to order a second one.

Beezy · « **Reply #30 on:** December 03, 2013, 02:43:59 PM »

Ordered the R4 from newegg for $74.99 last night and bought this GPU from a fellow EBer:

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-DisplayPort-Graphics-04G-P4-3687-KR/dp/B0083YF55U

$405 in the hole. I'm officially committed to getting this done.

Beezy · « **Reply #31 on:** December 04, 2013, 09:36:52 PM »

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=63535620&postcount=1

What are the chances that these end up on ebay for less than their current retail prices?

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #32 on:** December 04, 2013, 09:58:34 PM »

Quote from: Beezy on December 04, 2013, 09:36:52 PM

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=63535620&postcount=1

What are the chances that these end up on ebay for less than their current retail prices?

Crazy deal

I'm sure somebody will try to sell them but many people will also be bidding so you'll probably only get about a 10% discount

At least from my experience, that's how much those prices usually are

Also, warranty might not be recognized if you didn't buy from an official retailer

Too bad I don't know anybody working at those companies. Wal-green isn't owned by Wal-mart, right?

Beezy · « **Reply #33 on:** December 05, 2013, 02:28:23 AM »

Quote from: Smooth Groove on December 04, 2013, 09:58:34 PM

Wal-green isn't owned by Wal-mart, right?

Nah, it's not.

Beezy · « **Reply #34 on:** December 10, 2013, 11:56:38 PM »

Got my case and GPU (thanks Smooth) so far. I forgot how fucking huge desktop PCs can be.

I haven't bought anything else yet. I want to wait to see if I'll spot any deals, but I'm already getting impatient now that I have my first two pieces.

Beezy · « **Reply #35 on:** December 11, 2013, 09:54:03 PM »

Quick question:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128592

Yay or nay?

cool breeze · « **Reply #36 on:** December 11, 2013, 10:09:41 PM »

I have that same one. Been happy with it for the past few months, but I got it partly as a deal with my cpu. It isn't one of the two or three boards people would typically recommend, though. There may be a better option out there.

Beezy · « **Reply #37 on:** December 11, 2013, 10:31:09 PM »

I've seen in recommended a lot in the GAF thread. This is what made me consider it:

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #38 on:** December 11, 2013, 11:27:47 PM »

That doesn't really prove anything

A hotter part could be much more stable than a significantly cooler part

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130693

This seems like a better board for that price range. At the least, you'll have much better sound with SoundBlaster.

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #39 on:** December 11, 2013, 11:34:31 PM »

Actually I'd pay extra $30 for this since both Anandtech and Hardocp highly recommend it

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128594

Why you going to GAF for PC tips? They don't know shit.

Beezy · « **Reply #40 on:** December 11, 2013, 11:40:04 PM »

I have nowhere else to go except there and this thread. I'll stay here from now on.

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #41 on:** December 12, 2013, 12:02:06 AM »

GAF is mostly console gamers trying to build gaming PCs on the cheap.

You'll find many more knowledgeable people in the Hardocp and Anandtech forums.

pilonv1 · « **Reply #42 on:** December 12, 2013, 04:45:09 AM »

If you just want to build something basic it's fine. But they're more concerned with cost than things like power, heat or noise.

Rufus · « **Reply #43 on:** December 12, 2013, 07:11:59 AM »

The GAF thread is fine. If you ask for the same things you'll get the same recommendations there as you would here. Most people there just want advice on upgrades or build a bang-for-buck PC, so yeah, the recommendations will be along those lines. There are a couple of watercooling crazies and SLI nuts there too, though. And the most active users know their shit. They read the same sites as anyone else.

headwalk · « **Reply #44 on:** December 12, 2013, 10:23:25 AM »

reddit.com/r/buildapc is probably your best resource outside of GAF.

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #45 on:** December 12, 2013, 11:38:57 AM »

I've always liked this guide although the prices are based on UK market,

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/buyers-guide

Beezy · « **Reply #46 on:** December 17, 2013, 03:26:56 PM »

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011

Any reason why I shouldn't buy this?

archnemesis · « **Reply #47 on:** December 17, 2013, 04:46:19 PM »

No, that's a great PSU. Do you need all that juice? Are you planning on running two graphics cards?

Beezy · « **Reply #48 on:** December 17, 2013, 04:52:20 PM »

Quote from: archnemesis on December 17, 2013, 04:46:19 PM

No, that's a great PSU. Do you need all that juice? Are you planning on running two graphics cards?

Smooth mentioned that it would be the cheaper way to upgrade in the future, so yeah. Just using one for now, but planning ahead for that. Do you agree?

archnemesis · « **Reply #49 on:** December 17, 2013, 05:35:41 PM »

I've built PCs with that in mind before but then I never actually got the second card. I suppose it's a sensible alternative.

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #50 on:** December 17, 2013, 08:00:44 PM »

That PSU looks great for the price

I like gold certified PSUs cuz they are probably more dependable when you push them to the limit.

Joe Molotov · « **Reply #51 on:** December 17, 2013, 08:07:31 PM »

Quote from: archnemesis on December 17, 2013, 05:35:41 PM

I've built PCs with that in mind before but then I never actually got the second card. I suppose it's a sensible alternative.

Everybody does that. $:-\$

Beezy · « **Reply #52 on:** December 17, 2013, 08:35:55 PM »

Lol I won't be breaking the trend. Bought it. One more question for the night:

http://www.microcenter.com/site/brands/intel-processor-bundles.aspx

The i7-4770K is $249.99 again at microcenter (in-store only). Should I go with one of their bundle deals or am I better off searching elsewhere for a motherboard?

Beezy · « **Reply #53 on:** December 20, 2013, 02:44:53 PM »

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231568&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=7034161&SID=

Guys, is $129.99 too much for 16GB (2x8GB) of ram?

Also, I've wanted this monitor for a long time:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824260047&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=7034161&SID=

$280.99... am I going overboard? I'm getting anxious about starting this. I do dumb shit when I'm anxious.

archnemesis · « **Reply #54 on:** December 20, 2013, 03:01:41 PM »

I use a 24" Dell UltraSharp and it's an excellent monitor. The price for the RAM seems fine to me but then again I'm used to European prices and 25% VAT.

Beezy · « **Reply #55 on:** December 20, 2013, 03:19:48 PM »

Thanks man. So the last big piece I have left to pick is the motherboard. I'll most likely do so this weekend.

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #56 on:** December 20, 2013, 06:22:36 PM »

I'd wait for a gsync monitor or at least get a 3d monitor

No point building a super fast PC and not getting a monitor fast enough to handle the framerate

Beezy · « **Reply #57 on:** December 20, 2013, 07:12:17 PM »

I know nothing about either of these. Is the difference that noticeable? Are the monitor types that you mentioned more expensive?

archnemesis · « **Reply #58 on:** December 21, 2013, 02:36:40 AM »

It's a new monitor type with adjustable refresh rate. Instead of always displaying e.g. 60 or 75 Hz, it will match the update rate with whatever the game is outputting. That means you can avoid screen tearing without having to enable vertical synchronization. Apparently it works like pure magic and it will make games look more awesome with less power.

I don't know anything about prices or release dates.

Rufus · « **Reply #59 on:** December 21, 2013, 04:10:32 AM »

German PC site Computerbase.de had some preliminary tests up.
Their verdict: G-Sync didn't make much of a difference at 144Hz, more so at 60Hz. Anno 2070 benefitted greatly. Tomb Raider, Alan Wake, AssCreed 4, looked more fluid too. Crysis 3 and BF4 didn't seem to benefit much from it. Furthermore it's only useful for dips below 60, not below 30.

Guru3D got a review sample as well: http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/nvidia_g_sync_review_guide.html
Verdict: Stay above 40fps and you're golden. No more tearing and no more v-sync stutter and no input lag. Best of both worlds.
Interesting tid-bit from this one: G-Sync only works in fullscreen, not when you run windowed or windowed without a border, for easy alt-tabbing.
Price for the 144Hz Assus monitor + built in G-Sync module: USD 602.75 (whut?, but that's what they cite anyway)

There are probably more, but I'm too lazy to look.

News:

Author Topic: Help Beezy build a PC... up in this heezy (Read 6284 times)