Build a budget priced Current Gen PC 2015 thread

[Himu]

Finally have enough money saved for a new computer.

I'm looking at my options.

How's this?

Case:

Thermaltake Versa H22 CA-1B3-00M1NN-00 Mid-tower Computer Chassis

Motherboard:

MSI Socket AM3+/AMD 760G/DDR3

Video:

EVGA GeForce GTX 970 Superclocked+ ACX 2.0 for $250

Processor:

AMD FX-6300 6-Core Processor Black Edition

RAM:

Crucial 8GB Single DDR3

HDD:

Seagate 1TB

Optical Drive:

Samsung SATA 1.5 Gb-s Optical Drive

Power Supply:

EVGA 500W

Monitor:

ASUS VH238H 23-Inch 1080P LED Monitor with Integrated Speakers

KB and Mouse:

EagleTec K104 / KS04 2.4 GHz Wireless Combo Keyboard And Mouse

I think that's it?

I don't know how to BUILD a computer though So I feel overwhelmed.

[toku]

most nerve racking part is being afraid of fucking up the pins when you're installing cpu. You're smart himu-san you'll be fine. So long as you get a quality power supply (and EVGA is one of the better brands) and you're sure you have enough cables you'll be fine.

I need to build a new one myself and I'm in the process of deciding onparts.

Great tool:
https://pcpartpicker.com/

[Himu]

Enough cables?

[thisismyusername]

Enough cables?

There should be cables with all the parts. The only cables you may miss is the harddrives power cables if you're installing multiple but you can just order those for like $5-7 each depending on inches/footage and do those yourself.

[Your Stalker]

my mobo came with a few sata cables

[Himu]

I forgot a heatsink

[Great Rumbler]

The processor comes with a heatsink and fan.

[Himu]

I'm watching a tutorial on how to build and it says heatsink and aftermarket cooler and I wasn't sure if it came with it

[Great Rumbler]

Serious Computer Builders wouldn't use the heatsink and fan that came with the processor, of course, but you'll be fine using them.

[thisismyusername]

Serious Computer Builders wouldn't use the heatsink and fan that came with the processor, of course, but you'll be fine using them.

This. Though you might want to replace it a few months down the line if you're going to be doing gaming on it. The insurance of the CPU not heating itself over during serious gaming is worth the peace of mind.

[naff]

Unless you're overclocking/doing something particularly cpu intensive it's really fine, i monitor temps when i get some new fancy game and my cpu is never even close to being a bottleneck so it doesn't get very hot, GPU takes the heat though still not that bad unless I'm trying to max settings in TW3. Another downside is the stock heatsink fan is a little louder than an aftermarket, though you're talking a few db, you'd be better off spending the extra money on an ssd or a case with some sound dampening.

[Human Snorenado]

Yeah, if you're not gonna overclock, just use the fan that came with the processor. I don't bother overclocking.

This is a good resource:

https://pcpartpicker.com/

It will let you know if there are any compatibility issues with anything you've selected, and give you prices on shit so you can scope out better deals. With just a cursory glance at your list, all I can say without delving in deeper is to get a better power supply, 600w at least and preferably 750.

[archnemesis]

I can't imagine buying a computer without a SSD. You should also replace the stock fans, mostly to reduce the noise levels. I've been using fans from Cooler Master for the last few years.



8 GB of memory is alright unless you do a lot of multi-tasking or work with memory intensive applications. Do you need an optical drive? That and the CPU are probably the easiest places to save money.

[Himu]

I do work with memory intensive apps. Namely Painter and PS.

I dunno if I need an optical. I mean, I haven't rarely use them already. Maybe three times a year if that.

What is this about SSD? What's so great about Solid State? Sorry for asking dumb questions! 

[archnemesis]

I put in 32 GB of memory in the last computer I built. My old computer has 16 GB.

[Human Snorenado]

I put in 16gb and I've been just fine, but yeah, I don't use anything that's a memory hog other than the mtgo client, which is a flaming piece of memory leaking shit, so yeah actually maybe I do. I've been fine with my current build, though. I put it together for reliability and not e-peen 3d mark measurements, but if I'd wanted to spend 2k or more I could have really pimped that sucker out.

I think I'm gonna get a sager laptop this year for my Crimmus present to myself when I get a bonus, and I'll just alternate a desktop and laptop every year and keep writing shit off on my taxes until the IRS comes for me and I go out in a blaze of stupidity.

[archnemesis]

What is this about SSD? What's so great about Solid State? Sorry for asking dumb questions! 

On a SSD you have much faster read/write speeds. Your computer will boot up in 20-30 seconds, launching up applications is much faster and you will no longer have small pauses whenever your operating system is trying to do something in the background. It's a brand new world and once you are used to SSDs then you can never go back to ancient technology.

You can have a separate traditional HDD for storing media and documents. The SSD just needs to be large enough to store the OS and your applications.

[Human Snorenado]

What is this about SSD? What's so great about Solid State? Sorry for asking dumb questions! 

On a SSD you have much faster read/write speeds. Your computer will boot up in 20-30 seconds, launching up applications is much faster and you will no longer have small pauses whenever your operating system is trying to do something in the background. It's a brand new world and once you are used to SSDs then you can never go back to ancient technology.

Troof. SSDs are totally worth it.

[pilonv1]

Booting in 6-7 seconds

[Take My Breh Away]

I can't imagine buying a computer without a SSD. You should also replace the stock fans, mostly to reduce the noise levels. I've been using fans from Cooler Master for the last few years.

(Image removed from quote.)

8 GB of memory is alright unless you do a lot of multi-tasking or work with memory intensive applications. Do you need an optical drive? That and the CPU are probably the easiest places to save money.

Hyper Evo 212 da gawd. I've never seen my processor hit above 70c even in hot weather with it.

Not sure on the CPU, Himu. You save money on AMD but no one's really sure what the effect of DX12 on AMD's ADD MOAR CORES CPU strategy will be. I have a FX-8350/7870 OC set up and it runs the DX 12 version of the elemental demo at 1080P and between 30-50FPS which is pretty impressive but anything from the last three years involving DX 11 and AMD processor is gonna suck butt unless it's a Gaming Evolved co-marketed title. But then I went super budget and my PC is around €550 all in all (Because EU pricing is shit and I didn't have much cash when my previous CPU died) so Intel was way out of my price range. I would probably shop around and see if you can get a good i5/mobo deal if you can maybe swing it in your budget but AMD CPU's do perform well with most games. Just some are not that great.

[Himu]

What is this about SSD? What's so great about Solid State? Sorry for asking dumb questions! 

On a SSD you have much faster read/write speeds. Your computer will boot up in 20-30 seconds, launching up applications is much faster and you will no longer have small pauses whenever your operating system is trying to do something in the background. It's a brand new world and once you are used to SSDs then you can never go back to ancient technology.

You can have a separate traditional HDD for storing media and documents. The SSD just needs to be large enough to store the OS and your applications.

So how big does the ssd need to be? 100 gb of something?

[Himu]

I can't imagine buying a computer without a SSD. You should also replace the stock fans, mostly to reduce the noise levels. I've been using fans from Cooler Master for the last few years.

(Image removed from quote.)

8 GB of memory is alright unless you do a lot of multi-tasking or work with memory intensive applications. Do you need an optical drive? That and the CPU are probably the easiest places to save money.

Hyper Evo 212 da gawd. I've never seen my processor hit above 70c even in hot weather with it.

Not sure on the CPU, Himu. You save money on AMD but no one's really sure what the effect of DX12 on AMD's ADD MOAR CORES CPU strategy will be. I have a FX-8350/7870 OC set up and it runs the DX 12 version of the elemental demo at 1080P and between 30-50FPS which is pretty impressive but anything from the last three years involving DX 11 and AMD processor is gonna suck butt unless it's a Gaming Evolved co-marketed title. But then I went super budget and my PC is around €550 all in all (Because EU pricing is shit and I didn't have much cash when my previous CPU died) so Intel was way out of my price range. I would probably shop around and see if you can get a good i5/mobo deal if you can maybe swing it in your budget but AMD CPU's do perform well with most games. Just some are not that great.

This build isn't to last nor is it for longevity. It's to get my foot in the door with something that can get me somewhere now, TODAY. Cpu market in general seems pretty stagnant, and the FX works fine from all reports. When something better than i7 or something hits the market, I'll upgrade that. This PC is supposed to be budget, and the FX is 75 bucks or something and does its job. Personally, I could go for a 790 i thing it was? For the graphics too. That was suggested in the budget guide, but I'm an nvidia fan and want a 970.

[archnemesis]

So how big does the ssd need to be? 100 gb of something?

It depends on your habits. My 240 GB SSD is almost full since I have 15 games and plenty of applications installed.

[Himu]

250 should be ok. What's the cheapest but best ssd brand available?

I think I should go with 500, though. PSDs can get huge in size.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00OAJ412U/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1439220473&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX200_QL40&keywords=solid+state+drive&dpPl=1&dpID=41KVgqr61uL&ref=plSrch

How easy is it to transfer windows to ssd after installing to traditional HD? Like, I won't be able to do ssd out the gate but will want to later.

[Himu]

Starting to think I should just go out from the get go rather than worrying about upgrading parts later.

If I did, I'd get all that's listed in OP w/ a 600w PSU.

Plus, 250gb ssd, 16 gb RAM.

I dunno.

[archnemesis]

Why do you need an i7 CPU? Most people get by with an i5.

Transferring Windows to a new drive sounds like trouble waiting to happen. Why not do a fresh install?

[Himu]

I figured i7 was better because the numbers are better. 

How is this?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00JIJUBAS/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1439221777&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX200_QL40&keywords=intel+i5&dpPl=1&dpID=413Zp8hlctL&ref=plSrch

[archnemesis]

Any desktop i5 is fine. An i7 is indeed more powerful, but most games/applications won't be able to take advantage of the extra juice.

[Himu]

So I got this list.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xbGjxr

Total comes down to $936.80.

There are two errors or compat issues:

Azza SIRIUS ATX Mid Tower Case has front panel USB 3.0 ports, but the MSI H81M-E33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard does not have onboard USB 3.0 headers.
Some Intel H81 chipset motherboards may need a BIOS update prior to using Haswell Refresh CPUs.

Help?

Plan on getting gpu from from evga directly via B-stock. Much cheaper:

http://www.evga.com/Products/ProductList.aspx?type=8

Finally, is the 960 good? I went with that instead of 970 because expense. Do I have all the parts I need with this list?

[thisismyusername]

The 960's fine for now AFAIK.

Change the case out for something different/USB 2.0 if you're going to stick with the motherboard. Otherwise look around for a 3.0 Motherboard so your case isn't incompatible. I don't think 3.0 downgrades to 2.0 since it's supposed to be the new "standard" and only allows backwards comp with an adapter. If your motherboard doesn't support 3.0 you're hosed anyway.

[archie4208]

960 could make do for now and you could upgrade to Pascal next year.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Maybe NVidia will advertise the correct amount of RAM next time.  :^)

[close]

[Purrp Skirrp]

I'll update this post with my build and some links, but I bought an i5-2500k off eBay and saved a lot for a decent chip I could overclock.

There was an easy and thorough overclocking guide for my exact chip/mobo config so I got it up to 4.6 gHz pretty easily.

My build was close to $700 and if anything, the GTX 960 is my bottleneck but even that can handle most things well for 1080p/60 fps. Not interested in 4k or g-sync right now.



Links:

My build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LV8Pqs

I had a 120 GB SSD that I used and installed the OS on. Not necessary, but if you wanted to spend more, SSDs are a great upgrade.

The CPU was $130 off eBay, but now it looks to be around $150. It's a good chip despite being a few generations older and it overclocks really well.

Overclocking guide:
http://www.overclock.net/t/1198504/complete-overclocking-guide-sandy-bridge-ivy-bridge-asrock-edition

Intel CPUs ending in K are for overclocking. The aftermarket CPU cooler is necessary if you're going to overclock, otherwise stock coolers are fine.

[toku]

You pull the trigger himu?

[Himu]

Not yet. Still deciding on mobo.

Are there computer shops that can help me put it together? While teaching me how to do it while we put it together?

[Huff]

I put my first computer together a couple summers ago, think I made a thread on it.

Honestly not too hard, just followed a couple of youtube videos. Just be neat, lot of little parts

[archie4208]

I believe you in Himu-chan.  The scariest part is putting the CPU into the motherboard.  Afterwards it turns into really expensive Legos.

[Himu]

What about put the mobo in the tower?

[archie4208]

The tower has contact points that you place each corner of a mobo into to screw it in.

[Huff]

Just remember to use the spacers so its not touching the case

otherwise just line up and screw

[toku]

Think I'm gonna pull the plug on this this week:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ytzxMp

thoughts?

EDIT: Might go with this case instead:
http://www.corsair.com/en/carbide-series-330r-titanium-edition-silent-mid-tower-case

[Purrp Skirrp]

Are you trying to overclock? Cause if not, the stock cooler is fine.

For the same price you could upgrade the CPU, use a smaller SSD and install the OS on it paired with a 1 TB HDD, and stick with 8 GB of memory.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/7HF9zy

[toku]

yea don't plan on oc'ing but a couple ppl said get a third party cpu cooler anyway dead set on the 16g ram and SSD though (I've got another big mechanical I'll be using for media)

[Himu]

I've never overclocked. Isn't it bad for your computer?

[Human Snorenado]

There is like, zero need to overclock if you're not a 3dmark e-peen lunatic. Or van cruncheon. I'm not saying we should judge either of those groups of people poorly, I'm just saying. Not overclocking and stock fans are fine.

[archnemesis]

I've never overclocked. Isn't it bad for your computer?

I rarely bother with overclocking, but you can do it safely if you have a good cooling system.

[archie4208]

Stock fans for Intel processors are poop.

I'd drop the extra 30 bucks for a higher quality fan.