Building my first gaming PC, could use quite a bit of advice. ($600-$650)
67 replies, posted
Hey guys. Long story very short, I'd like to build my first gaming PC. That being said, I have no idea how to build one. So I guess before I start posting websites and stuff where I've seen different builds, I should probably request that somebody who's really knowledgeable about building PCs could direct me to videos, tutorials, or whatever that could help a new guy. I know some folks say it's easy as putting puzzle pieces together, but you have to remember I've done anything like this before. I'm worried I'll mess something and end up ruining the whole thing, whether that's a legitimate concern or not. That being said, I do know some basics. Stuff like cores, ghz, VRAM, RAM, etc.
I've been told $600 is a sweet spot to get a solid PC that can play your typical stuff like Skyrim, Dark Souls, etc. This is pretty convenient, since 600$ is a natural spot for my budget. My only real wishes for this computer are that it can play stuff like Skyrim, Dark Souls I and II, and certain upcoming games like the Witcher III. I'd like to play games like these on high settings with 40+ FPS, and I'd be content with playing new stuff like the Witcher III on medium settings, as long as I got a solid 30+ FPS at all times when playing. Another thing to note is that I'd like at least four cores, as four cores seem to be becoming the norm these days.
Someone linked me this a while back, and I thought it was pretty interesting. I'm curious as to what you guys think of the $600 build specifically.
[url]http://elitegamingcomputers.com/gaming-computers/[/url]
Well, that's all I can think about at the moment. I'll have a lot more questions I'm sure as time goes by and I remember more stuff. Oh, and I already have a monitor/mouse/keyboard,etc.
A big thanks in advance to everyone that'll help me out with this.
[URL]http://pcpartpicker.com/p/QK8k8d[/URL]
That system has a much faster processor, and a slightly faster graphics card
Also those "Furry from deviantart"-esque drawings on that website made me laugh quite hard
Oh, and this is a very nifty guide for beginners:
[url]http://www.pcityourself.com/building/introduction.php[/url]
Honestly if you can i would try to save up and get a GTX 970 just to future date yourself with newest tech with the newest games. It would just make it nicer for games like The Witcher 3. Skyrim you dont have to worry about, that game is really easy to run solid 60fps
[QUOTE=Rixxz2;46647215][URL]http://pcpartpicker.com/p/QK8k8d[/URL]
That system has a much faster processor, and a slightly faster graphics card
Also those "Furry from deviantart"-esque drawings on that website made me laugh quite hard
Oh, and this is a very nifty guide for beginners:
[url]http://www.pcityourself.com/building/introduction.php[/url][/QUOTE]
All this fancy talk of grounding yourself makes me wonder what exactly they mean by that, when I was a wee laddie I was told as long as you're wearing shoes or something you wouldn't have to worry about shocks. Should I buy a grounding object or something?
[QUOTE=Linkuya;46653152]All this fancy talk of grounding yourself makes me wonder what exactly they mean by that, when I was a wee laddie I was told as long as you're wearing shoes or something you wouldn't have to worry about shocks. Should I buy a grounding object or something?[/QUOTE]
It's the components shocking you that you have to worry about, it's you shocking your components and frying them and it's not like you being the gateway and shocking them with electricity through the wall, it would be you shocking them from static electricity that is build up from rubbing on carpets and such. That being said I would suggest buying a ground to be save since its only like 5-10$ and that is a small price to pay when you are working with something 100 times more expensive than that. Just get something like this if you want. [URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899261005[/URL] Now I didn't use one went I built my personal rig, but when I work with other peoples, I do I just took proper precautions to discharge my static electricity and not work where there I would build more, but still I recommend just getting the strap it's just easier.
[quote]
Static electricity is an imbalance of electric charges within or on the surface of a material. The charge remains until it is able to move away by means of an electric current or electrical discharge. Static electricity is named in contrast with current electricity, which flows through wires or other conductors and transmits energy.
"Static" electricity appears whenever two dissimilar insulating materials are placed into intimate contact and then separated again. All that's required is the touching. Chemical bonds are formed when the surfaces touch, and if the atoms in one surface tend to hold electrons more tightly, that surface will tend to steal charged particles from the other surface immediately as they touch. This causes the surfaces to become oppositely "charged"; they acquire imbalances of opposite polarity. One surface now has more electrons than protons, while the other has more protons than electrons. When the surfaces are later separated, the regions of opposite charge-imbalance also get separated.
[/quote]
If you then touch something conductive that has a lower charge than you, a discharge will occur, and if it discharges into a sensitive electrical circuit, it'll break the surrounding components
If I assemble a system during the winter, I tend to ground myself with one of those wristbands, but during the summer I usually just touch something electrically conductive once to be sure, seeing as the air's quite humid during that time of the year
I once didn't take any precautions at all, which fucked up a motherboard
Hey guys, thought I'd check in again with another question or two as they pop up. What's the best place to buy all these computer parts? A brick and mortar store or a website? A friend told me to just use Amazon so I guess I'm leaning towards that but I'm not sure what place would be the most reputable. (Haven't bought too much stuff online, not sure if there are cheaper places to buy this sort of thing or not)
Also, once I get all the parts, how long would you estimate it would take to put it all together? I'm curious as to how long I'll be out of commission. Thanks again.
[QUOTE=Linkuya;46743646]Hey guys, thought I'd check in again with another question or two as they pop up. What's the best place to buy all these computer parts? A brick and mortar store or a website? A friend told me to just use Amazon so I guess I'm leaning towards that but I'm not sure what place would be the most reputable. (Haven't bought too much stuff online, not sure if there are cheaper places to buy this sort of thing or not)
Also, once I get all the parts, how long would you estimate it would take to put it all together? I'm curious as to how long I'll be out of commission. Thanks again.[/QUOTE]
Personally I'd just use the stores PCPartpicker refers to
I would check your brick and mortar stores first and then check online.
In my case (At least in Australia) Some items are cheaper at brick and mortar and some are cheaper online. Shopping around helped me save about $50
So I'm reading the section you linked about PC building and it has a section for 'Heatsink' but I don't see a heatsink in the list of parts you also linked. Is that an optional part or something? Also it says 'thermal compound.' Is that already applied to the heatsink or something I'll need to do?
The 'front panel' section looks pretty tricky too. Hopefully the manuals the parts come in are clear and concise. And, I hate to sound like a busted record, but you're sure all these parts will work together? I can't help but be a bit antsy.
Thanks again for all the help and answers.
They are compatible. As for the heatsink and themal paste, the processor comes with one and the heatsink already has paste on it. For the front panel there should be a very straightforward diagram in the motherboard manual.
Holy shit is that site delusional? The $600 computer apparently "will allow you to max out the majority of today’s top games on a 2560×1440 monitor."
The site you are referring to was the original one that I posted, right?
[QUOTE=Linkuya;46836909]The site you are referring to was the original one that I posted, right?[/QUOTE]
correct.
So looking at the parts listed in Rixxz2's original list (which is probably what I'm going to end up buying) I'm wondering which part is in charge of regulating the temperature.
[QUOTE=Linkuya;46848550]So looking at the parts listed in Rixxz2's original list (which is probably what I'm going to end up buying) I'm wondering which part is in charge of regulating the temperature.[/QUOTE]
The CPU comes with a cooling fan, which will suit your needs.
[QUOTE=mark6789;46651209]Honestly if you can i would try to save up and get a GTX 970 just to future date yourself with newest tech with the newest games. It would just make it nicer for games like The Witcher 3. Skyrim you dont have to worry about, that game is really easy to run solid 60fps[/QUOTE]
I second this. I've been testing my new setup. I'm hitting 22fps, ULTRA at 3160x2160(4K). Ok, not amazing fps, but I't not running SLI(2x970s) yet.
Drop the res down to 1080p, I was averaging 55/60fps in ultra settings.
One last question before I get started; where exactly should I connect my wrist strip to? I saw someone just connect it to a screw in the PC case itself.
[QUOTE=Linkuya;46858706]One last question before I get started; where exactly should I connect my wrist strip to? I saw someone just connect it to a screw in the PC case itself.[/QUOTE]
Make you sure ground the case first. You can do this by installing the PSU(if you have not). Then plug the PSU in, but don't turn it on! I know this is the case for UK as we have a ground pin on UK plugs. I'm not sure if all plugs have a ground pin in other countries. You can then just clip the wrist strap anywhere on the metal part of the case.
I was about to ask where the disc drive is, but it seems to already be installed on the actual case itself.
Also, in America there isn't a on/off switch on our wall's electrical plug ins (at least not mine), so would I still plug it into the wall before connecting my strip to it the case screw?
[QUOTE=Linkuya;46897425]I was about to ask where the disc drive is, but it seems to already be installed on the actual case itself.
Also, in America there isn't a on/off switch on our wall's electrical plug ins (at least not mine), so would I still plug it into the wall before connecting my strip to it the case screw?[/QUOTE]
As in do not turn the computer on.
AAAAAAND one last question, when I power up this computer, what'll it have? Does it come in with Windows 8? I actually do like Windows 8 myself.
Thanks in advance for putting up with all the questions.
[editline]10th January 2015[/editline]
And, I know you guys know more about this than me, but I should really plug it into the wall (so that I can connect the strap to ground myself) before placing everything in it (motherboard, ram, graphics card, etc)? I feel like I'd run the risk of an electric shock even more. Sorry if this seems like a silly question.
[QUOTE=Linkuya;46900318]AAAAAAND one last question, when I power up this computer, what'll it have? Does it come in with Windows 8? I actually do like Windows 8 myself.
Thanks in advance for putting up with all the questions.
[editline]10th January 2015[/editline]
And, I know you guys know more about this than me, but I should really plug it into the wall (so that I can connect the strap to ground myself) before placing everything in it (motherboard, ram, graphics card, etc)? I feel like I'd run the risk of an electric shock even more. Sorry if this seems like a silly question.[/QUOTE]
1: No it will be empty (only bios screen from your motherboard). You will need to buy or get your hands on a windows 8 cd or usb drive instal.
2: As long as you keep your PC off no power goes passed the PSU. However it does earth the whole case.
[QUOTE=taipan;46903724]1: No it will be empty (only bios screen from your motherboard). You will need to buy or get your hands on a windows 8 cd or usb drive instal.
2: As long as you keep your PC off no power goes passed the PSU. However it does earth the whole case.[/QUOTE]
Is that with the PSU switch off? Like do you do the grounding that you mentioned and then unplug the PSU or just keep it in for constant earthing just in case?
Er, can anyone link where to buy a Windows 8 (64-bit) installation CD? I'm seeing crazy prices and there must be one a bit cheaper..
Windows 8 costs between 80 and 120$.
The only way to get it for cheaper is via university stores (if your a student) or if you pirate it.
You can also try to get some old key from an unused laptop for windows 7 or something. Alot of people have unused old/broken laptops lying around with perfectly good keys on them.
[IMG]http://www.recoverlostpassword.com/images/article/vista-product-key.jpg[/IMG]
I'd rather have Windows 8, thanks for the info though.
This would come in with the 64 bit version, right? [url]http://www.amazon.com/Windows-8-1-System-Builder-64-Bit/dp/B00F3ZN2W0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1420998096&sr=8-2&keywords=windows+8[/url]
I don't want any of the fancy Windows 8 'Pro' stuff, just the normal version. Thanks in advance.
[editline]11th January 2015[/editline]
And the version I linked would work on a brand new computer without any OS at all, correct?
[QUOTE=Linkuya;46905062]I'd rather have Windows 8, thanks for the info though.
This would come in with the 64 bit version, right? [URL]http://www.amazon.com/Windows-8-1-System-Builder-64-Bit/dp/B00F3ZN2W0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1420998096&sr=8-2&keywords=windows+8[/URL]
I don't want any of the fancy Windows 8 'Pro' stuff, just the normal version. Thanks in advance.
[editline]11th January 2015[/editline]
And the version I linked would work on a brand new computer without any OS at all, correct?[/QUOTE]
Yes
Also, regarding the optical drive, if you're talking about the system I 'designed', it doesn't have one. You'll need to copy the contents of that Windows 8 DVD onto a USB flashdrive. Or you could add an optical drive for like ~ 15 dollars
Awesome. I think everything is in order, I'm going to go ahead and order the parts Rixxz2 originally listed tonight, as well like the grounding strap another user listed, and the Windows 8 OS thingy I just listed. Next time I post in this thread I'll hopefully have the parts and will either be asking you guys more questions or will already have it finished and ready to go! Thanks again for all the help.
[editline]11th January 2015[/editline]
[QUOTE=Rixxz2;46905128]Yes
Also, regarding the optical drive, if you're talking about the system I 'designed', it doesn't have one. You'll need to copy the contents of that Windows 8 DVD onto a USB flashdrive[/QUOTE]
Wait, do you mean a disc drive? I thought the case came in with one. I'll definitely need a disc drive.
[QUOTE=Linkuya;46905155]
Wait, do you mean a disc drive? I thought the case came in with one. I'll definitely need a disc drive.[/QUOTE]
[URL]http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-optical-drive-sh224dbbebe[/URL]
Also, remember to use the standoffs
[IMG]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/312IYBUbAVL.jpg[/IMG]
And put them in the correct holes, otherwise short-circuits will occur, with the risk of destroying parts of the system. It's a fairly common beginner's mistake
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