So many computer choices

[Moonbear]

All I really know about computer specs is that the more gigabytes the better so I really don't know what kind of computer to get and how ever much I want to I don't think I have the technical experience needed to make my own computer. I have been playing games on junk computers my whole life but I have decided to step up and buy/make a descent one. My budget maxes out at about 1050 USD including the monitor but the cheaper the better. I want something that can play games like TF2, Planetside 2, and KSP at full frames per seconds and graphics. For my monitor I would like I nice one, but not overly expensive. I was looking at this computer http://www.bestbuy.com/site/xps-desktop-12gb-memory-1tb-hard-drive/2988033.p?id=1219085426536&skuId=2988033&st=categoryid$abcat0501000&cp=1&lp=6#tab=specifications but I have no idea if it would really be good, is it? What would be a good set of specs for me to try to have that would give me a great computer? My friends have told me that it is better to build not buy so where could I get the parts? Specific models of processors or computers would be nice to know. There are just too many choices for me.

 

[JackMDS]

If you want to build read this and then post accordingly.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=80121

 

[Cozarkian]

First off, more gigabytes does not equal better, it equals more space. A 6-bedroom house has more space than a 3-bedroom, but it isn't necessarily better. If you aren't having kids, it is better to spend your money on smaller house with an upgraded kitchen/bath than a 6-bedroom house that is bigger. The same applies to computers. That is the advantage to building. You can pick and choose where to spend your money, insuring you get quality parts and don't waste money on upgrades you don't need. I also enjoyed the educational experience of learning about how my computer runs, what parts are needed, what makes good parts, etc... The downside is that you will need to spend lots of time to learn about things that won't have a lot of day-to-day use and you will need to resist the urge to buy the ferrari parts when you only need a reliable, cheaper family sedan.

 

[MongGrel]

First off, more gigabytes does not equal better, it equals more space. A 6-bedroom house has more space than a 3-bedroom, but it isn't necessarily better. If you aren't having kids, it is better to spend your money on smaller house with an upgraded kitchen/bath than a 6-bedroom house that is bigger. The same applies to computers. That is the advantage to building. You can pick and choose where to spend your money, insuring you get quality parts and don't waste money on upgrades you don't need. I also enjoyed the educational experience of learning about how my computer runs, what parts are needed, what makes good parts, etc... The downside is that you will need to spend lots of time to learn about things that won't have a lot of day-to-day use and you will need to resist the urge to buy the ferrari parts when you only need a reliable, cheaper family sedan.

+1

Some semi ferrari parts can be nice though.

 

[lehtv]

See this for the sort of build you should aim for, although on your budget we'll have to scale back a little on some parts. It should still be possible to do what you want to do though. The most intensive thing you mentioned is PlanetSide 2 which requires about a $200 Intel CPU and a $200 current generation graphics card to play smoothly on the highest settings.

Then, answer the questions that JackMDS posted and we're good to go with the giving advice part

 

[Moonbear]

Cool... but how expensive is this stuff and where can I buy it

 

[richaron]

Cool... but how expensive is this stuff and where can I buy it

How long is a piece of string? Where is this string? There is HEAPS to learn about computer parts (and heaps of options), it would be easiest to start with a few recommended parts you can research. To get recommendations:

Do what JackMDS asked.

 

[DominionSeraph]

Get this 7870 for $160 AR:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...6814131563_-na

Then wait for a sale at Dell Outlet (too bad they just had a 30% off sale that ended today, but these come up about once a month). Get an XPS 8700 with an i5. (That BB $700 is too much. You should be able to get one in the $430 range on sale.)

 

[Moonbear]

I made this computer on pcpartpicker.com and it looks pretty good to me. Here is the link: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3qwzZ. Will this all work correctly for me and do I need any more parts or can I start ordering the parts today? Also how can I add more USB and is there somewhere I can plug in my head set with (microphone)?

Duplicate thread merged in here.

mfenn
General Hardware Moderator

 

[DSF]

The best first step is to edit your post with the answers to these questions:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=80121

In the meantime, here are my initial thoughts:
- For a gaming build 16GB is unnecessary, and a waste of money that would net you more performance in other places.

- For your budget you aren't spending enough on the video card assuming you want to play 3D games.

- Going along with a graphics card upgrade, you'll want to bump the PSU up by at least a little bit. 500W is plenty for a single-GPU, non-overclocked build.

- If you aren't planning to overclock an aftermarket cooler isn't really necessary, and so again this might be a place to save money in order to spend more effectively elsewhere.

- The CPU is unnecessarily expensive. You can get a great CPU for a gaming build for $100 less.

- Unless you know that you have particular audio sensitivities, there's no need for a discrete sound card right away. You can always drop one in if you're not happy with the motherboard's built-in sound.

 

[Ken g6]

Clippy says: You look like you're trying to build a $1000 gaming PC in the USA. Would you like to look at [thread=2192841]a suggested build[/thread]?

I say that I agree with everything DSF said.

 

[DominionSeraph]

Yeah, no. You have some bad choices in there.
Fill out the sticky.

 

[lehtv]

You already have a thread for a new build.

 

[Linkdrive]

Drop the i7-3770k to an i5-3570k or i5-4670k, cut the RAM down to 8GB, then bump up the video card to a GTX 770 and I'd say you'll have yourself a killer $1,000 gaming system.

 

[Moonbear]

Heres a update: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3qWhQ. I was wondering how I could add more usb?

 

[DSF]

Heres a update: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3qWhQ. I was wondering how I could add more usb?

You need more than 8?

There are 6 on the back of your motherboard (2 of which are USB 3.0) and 2 more on the front of the case.

 

[Moonbear]

oops... For some reason I thought I only had two. I am ordering my parts tomorrow.

 

[DSF]

I would take Linkdrive's advice in terms of the CPU and GPU before you order.

 

[mfenn]

Heres a update: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3qWhQ. I was wondering how I could add more usb?

That's still a bad value compared to the midrange builder's guide. You're spending too much on a CPU with hyperthreading and a GTX 760 with 4GB of VRAM (not fast enough to use that VRAM).

I'd suggest picking up the build featured in the guide and adding the WiFi adapter.