Build a gaming pc advice

Treylmoore83

Looking for some advice on a new project for me, which I am excited to work with. I will be building several new gaming desktop pc's and looking for advice on hardware especially processors of good and bad of AMD vs Intel? I want to run a quad core pc but this will be a project done below $700 and be great to hear a few recommendations from some IT experts on best hardware components to look for on a good budget? So hope to get more feedback.

slinuxuzer

A few tips.

1. video card is always key to gaming, the best GPU's are usually big, so this means large form factor case.

2. High end processors and GPU'S means lots of power, go with a 760 watt power supply, I've seen many issues from under sized power.

3. 64-bit OS. you'll def need / want this if you have over 4 gig of memory. Pretty sure it's a requirement to address / read over 4 gig of memory in all cases.

4. Memory speed. Make sure your CPU, motherboard, and memory modules all support the same max memory / bus speed so you get the most out of all components. Make sure you don't mix memory module density, for instance using one 2 gig module and one 4 gig to make 6. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. This causes asymmetric performance and is less than ideal.

5. SSD drive - don't even consider mechanical. The performance difference is huge.

6. Make sure when your loading the machine you use the absolute correct drivers for each component / and for the exact OS.

7. My personal preference would be to use a HP or dell base and retrofit it with the components I wanted, I think brand X hardware or building something from scratch leaves room for compatibility issues. Be ultra **** about checking compatibility of all components before you spend money.

8. I doubt you will go with a dual socket / actual server system, but if you do keep in mind that only half the memory slots are available if you populate only one socket.

tprice5

Treylmoore83 wrote: »

I will be building several new gaming desktop pc's

Why several? Maybe start with one and go from there?

Treylmoore83 wrote: »

advice on hardware especially processors of good and bad of AMD vs Intel?

This has been discussed across the web on multiple occasions. Check Tom's Hardware for the best advice on hardware and answers to this question. The gist: Intel has better performance but AMD is cheaper. For >$700 it sounds like you are going to be using AMD.

slinuxuzer wrote: »

5. SSD drive - don't even consider mechanical. The performance difference is huge.

Slinuxuzer is correct, I just wanted to enforce this point. There is no reason to not go SSD for your system drive.


For picking out parts, comparing prices and ensuring compatibility, use PCPartPicker.

N2IT

I won't even boot up a machine without a SSD. In the rare case I have too, I'll go mow the yard and run a few miles.

Asif Dasl

You know a decent GPU is probably half your budget for the total system right? This is what I would build for a really top notch gaming machine. Gaming machines by their very nature are expensive beasts, you get what you pay for in gaming performance - if you spend $350 on a gaming GPU then you need a good power supply (one that won't crap out on you or fry your GPU), good cooling and a case that fits everything. Even an entry-level gaming laptop like the Asus G750JM that I have cost $1300 out of the blocks, before SSD and RAM upgrades. If you don't have the budget just go for an Xbox One or something, much much cheaper and you'll have money left over for games.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant


CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($325.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H80i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($86.59 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-Pro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($149.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($128.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($345.66 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 600T Mesh (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($153.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair 760W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($184.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro (OEM) (64-bit) ($129.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $1702.17
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-19 07:11 EDT-0400