Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
new build for a friend getting into pc gaming
wanted mainly for dayz and h1z1 to start. have 2 build im considering atm. anyone smart point me in one direction? thanks
Build 1 --
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/MmxXZL
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/MmxXZL/by_merchant/
CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Directron)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 PRO3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($100.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($71.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.24 @ Directron)
Video Card: HIS Radeon R9 280 3GB IceQ OC Video Card ($182.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($65.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($85.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) ($102.93 @ Amazon)
Monitor: ViewSonic VX2452mh 60Hz 23.6" Monitor ($169.78 @ Amazon)
Total: $1046.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-04 14:52 EST-0500
Build 2 --
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8PbXWZ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8PbXWZ/by_merchant/
CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($183.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Directron)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($60.30 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.24 @ Directron)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290 4GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($219.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($65.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.95 @ Directron)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: AOC i2267Fw 60Hz 22.0" Monitor ($125.44 @ Amazon)
Total: $946.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-04 14:51 EST-0500
Comments
Spend another $65 and add an SSD for the OS.
Here is one that is $66 including shipping & after promo code that is 128GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148819
Should be enough for OS and a favorite game or two. That extra $66 will make a huge difference in the overall speed and responsiveness of the PC in every aspect, not just gaming.
My recommendation is to either spend what it takes to get at least a Core i5-4690 for the CPU, or else save some money by going with an AMD CPU (commonly an FX-6300, depending on prices that day)--which lets you get a nice motherboard for cheaper than Intel, saving you money there, too.
Getting a proper Intel system is quite a bit more expensive than getting a proper AMD system. By getting a lower clocked Core i5 CPU, you're paying most of the extra price to go Intel rather than AMD. But by getting a lower clocked version, you're also giving up a considerable chunk of the performance advantage.
Last time I argued with people about this, I decided to make a diagram to explain my point:
You can click for a larger version. If your question is, should I get this red dot or that red dot, my answer is, neither. The better values for the money are the black dots: a Core i5-4690 in the top right corner or an FX-6300 in the bottom left.
-----
You seem to be picking parts kind of randomly with no real theme to it. What exactly are you trying to do and why did you pick those parts?
Build 1 was my build, and Build 2 is his to save a little money. This will be his first realy entry into PC Gaming, finally giving up on his Xbox One.
What would be a good AMD Build, only want to spend $1k, and need everything?
No point going with AMD.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/mb9Ryc
963 USD, well balanced build.
You can drop that SSD and replace with HDD, saving 130 USD if machine is primarily for gaming or you just want save some money.
Next, at least temporarily, you can save on OS and use Windows 10 preview for free.
I would get an SSD too, on top of your hard drive. Keep both.
Only reason I'm against SSD is for low budget systems, but since you're spending $1000 on a system, change some things around so you can afford the SSD.
At that price range you should try to include SSD hard disk to the build.
Your option 2 has only one RAM module. You'll need to have 2 of them to be able to use dual-channel mode. 8GB of RAM is good amount, but get two 4GB RAM modules not a single 8GB module.
An AMD build would be something like this :
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Dogzilla/saved/jKdtt6
Though personally i'd rather go for a Fx-8320 or Fx-8350, 8320 if overclocking is an option and 8350 if its not and then probably the same motherboard if no overclocking, or a combo with this mobo if overclocking http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128514&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
That would require dropping the SSD though to fit into $1000
However, arma games + dayz and arma 3 especially and from what i've experienced H1Z1 also prefer intel, they work smoother on intel cpus than amd cpus.
If you can afford it in the build, a SSD will cut game loading times dramatically (15 seconds vs 2+ minutes in many cases) as well as make the OS load in 30 seconds and improve overall system responsiveness. You won't have to press the power button then walk away to get a cup of coffee while you wait for the computer to be ready to launch applications. As soon as you can see the icons, you can start launching programs and using the computer. Gdemami probably hasn't experienced the difference and will argue against using a SSD for no good reason.
Keep in mind SSDs are used for their performance. This means your OS and games should be on the SSD. If you store a lot of media files and need 1TB of storage, that's what a mechanical drive is good at. A ~120 GB SSD can store your OS and a few games. I don't suggest using a 120 GB SSD unless it is the only size you can afford. You'll have to uninstall games often if you switch between games. A ~240 GB SSD is plenty of space for the OS and several games. Anything larger is a luxury, in my opinion.