First Custom Build

paul161616 · 2012-08-12, 19:57

hello all. i recently got myself a job and am making enough where i could most likely put about $100-$200 away per month (CAD).
i am at the point where i can barely play modern pc games without all low settings, and since my pc is factory from 2007 i feel its time for an upgrade.
so my questions are how much would a nice gaming computer cost me altogether. and based on the amount of money i can save up, would it be better off to wait until i have the money (would the stuff you guys suggest now be out dated by the time i can afford it).
and also if possible some specific suggestions on what to buy eg: amount of ram, processor etc,.
keep in mind ive never built my own pc, but do have a basic knowledge of computer components and their specs.

Cossack · 2012-08-12, 20:03

Around 1000 USD, maybe less. Its already hard to put system at 600 because you sacrifice so much, that you feel improvement and changes for short time period already buying low end stuff.

lucky.BOY · 2012-08-12, 21:23

You might want to watch some videos by this guy.

He builds gaming PCs in various cost categories (500 bucks, 750 bucks, 1000 bucks). He first presents each component with reasoning why he chose it, and less importantly also gives you a tut on how to build the pc

.

PS: You might want to check out the Windows 8 customer preview, and probably buy a spare copy of Win7 while you still can

.

Cossack · 2012-08-12, 22:20

Meh, every second Windows is meh. Windows 2000 - awesome, Milenium - shit, XP - awesome, Vista - shit, Seven - awesome, so with Windows Eight how it will be then?

Hurtz · 2012-08-13, 00:14

You'd probobly get away with $1000 CAD but you would have to buy lower end processor and video card. You need about $1500 - $2000 to build a good rig. Get on NCIX.ca and check out some of the prebuild systems on there.

Forget about windows 8 as was already mentioned.

paul161616 · 2012-08-13, 02:31

thanks alot for the help so far guys, il check out those videos and that website, and im not going to sacrifice lower end components for price, il just wait until i have enough. i want a good pc that will last me a while

SnipeHunt · 2012-08-13, 03:10

When I built my last one I bought it piece by piece when things went on sale. Took me about 6 months to get everything, but I saved 300$ or more.

paul161616 · 2012-08-13, 20:05

So im deciding my budget will be around 1500. Im curious what cpu you guys would suggest for my price range. And what type of case should i get if i just want a basic one that will fit everything? Also is it possible to get a modern sound card with xfi 64mb? More questions to come probably haha thanks for the input

Pedz · 2012-08-13, 21:02

Id suggest getting an Intel i5-3570k processor. It does more than necessary

.
Also about the soundcard... It is totally unneccessary (unless you need extra professional ports) to have external soundcards nowadays, it doesn't burden processors much at all (if any, and either way the extra effort in sending the data to the soundcard might remove any benefit..).

As for the case, its generally personal preference in the design. Most cases nowadays have enough fan ports and generally all in the right places. So find a case you want, but make sure its ATX size and can fit full size GPU's. I personally have the NZXT Phantom, fully loaded with fans and its great. The front and top may be made of plastic, but it was a lot cheaper than any overpriced thin metal counterparts. (The plastic is actually very high quality and quite thick, and doesn't look cheap). Also has a built in fan controller which is handy when I want the PC to be silent.

Cossack · 2012-08-13, 22:20

Well, if have very good headset or speakers and you want sound nice and hear every single thing, then soundcard is must, because decent audio is as far I know on ASUS ROG boards (not all of them) and Gigabyte G1 boards.

About CPU, yeah, i5-3570k does job just fine.

About cases, pick one which appeals you, but first, very important - does it have enough room, does it have cable management options (like routing behind them). That is why I like Corsair and Fractal Design. Very nice cases. Got few systems to build on them and just badass. Of course NZXT and Cooler Master is nice (Silverstone as well), but yeah, those two things are most important. About size ATX form factor case is fine to stuff everything.

2012-08-12, 19:57	#1
paul161616 Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 347 Canada Location: British Columbia	First Custom Build hello all. i recently got myself a job and am making enough where i could most likely put about $100-$200 away per month (CAD). i am at the point where i can barely play modern pc games without all low settings, and since my pc is factory from 2007 i feel its time for an upgrade. so my questions are how much would a nice gaming computer cost me altogether. and based on the amount of money i can save up, would it be better off to wait until i have the money (would the stuff you guys suggest now be out dated by the time i can afford it). and also if possible some specific suggestions on what to buy eg: amount of ram, processor etc,. keep in mind ive never built my own pc, but do have a basic knowledge of computer components and their specs.

2012-08-12, 20:03	#2
Cossack Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,681 Latvia Location: Riga	Re: First Custom Build Around 1000 USD, maybe less. Its already hard to put system at 600 because you sacrifice so much, that you feel improvement and changes for short time period already buying low end stuff.

2012-08-12, 21:23	#3
lucky.BOY Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,413 Czech Republic Location: Prague	Re: First Custom Build You might want to watch some videos by this guy. He builds gaming PCs in various cost categories (500 bucks, 750 bucks, 1000 bucks). He first presents each component with reasoning why he chose it, and less importantly also gives you a tut on how to build the pc . PS: You might want to check out the Windows 8 customer preview, and probably buy a spare copy of Win7 while you still can .

2012-08-12, 22:20	#4
Cossack Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,681 Latvia Location: Riga	Re: First Custom Build Meh, every second Windows is meh. Windows 2000 - awesome, Milenium - shit, XP - awesome, Vista - shit, Seven - awesome, so with Windows Eight how it will be then?

2012-08-13, 00:14	#5
Hurtz Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 87 Canada	Re: First Custom Build You'd probobly get away with $1000 CAD but you would have to buy lower end processor and video card. You need about $1500 - $2000 to build a good rig. Get on NCIX.ca and check out some of the prebuild systems on there. Forget about windows 8 as was already mentioned.
Hurtz Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 87 Canada

2012-08-13, 02:31	#6
paul161616 Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 347 Canada Location: British Columbia	Re: First Custom Build thanks alot for the help so far guys, il check out those videos and that website, and im not going to sacrifice lower end components for price, il just wait until i have enough. i want a good pc that will last me a while

2012-08-13, 03:10	#7
SnipeHunt Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 788 United States of America Location: Bay Area, CA	Re: First Custom Build When I built my last one I bought it piece by piece when things went on sale. Took me about 6 months to get everything, but I saved 300$ or more.
	Best line yet... Me: "Hey APC, Can I get a ride to squad 6?" Unknown: "This APC ain't no Taxi!"

2012-08-13, 20:05	#8
paul161616 Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 347 Canada Location: British Columbia	Re: First Custom Build So im deciding my budget will be around 1500. Im curious what cpu you guys would suggest for my price range. And what type of case should i get if i just want a basic one that will fit everything? Also is it possible to get a modern sound card with xfi 64mb? More questions to come probably haha thanks for the input

2012-08-13, 21:02	#9
Pedz Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 695 United Kingdom	Re: First Custom Build Id suggest getting an Intel i5-3570k processor. It does more than necessary . Also about the soundcard... It is totally unneccessary (unless you need extra professional ports) to have external soundcards nowadays, it doesn't burden processors much at all (if any, and either way the extra effort in sending the data to the soundcard might remove any benefit..). As for the case, its generally personal preference in the design. Most cases nowadays have enough fan ports and generally all in the right places. So find a case you want, but make sure its ATX size and can fit full size GPU's. I personally have the NZXT Phantom, fully loaded with fans and its great. The front and top may be made of plastic, but it was a lot cheaper than any overpriced thin metal counterparts. (The plastic is actually very high quality and quite thick, and doesn't look cheap). Also has a built in fan controller which is handy when I want the PC to be silent.
Pedz Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 695 United Kingdom

2012-08-13, 22:20	#10
Cossack Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,681 Latvia Location: Riga	Re: First Custom Build Well, if have very good headset or speakers and you want sound nice and hear every single thing, then soundcard is must, because decent audio is as far I know on ASUS ROG boards (not all of them) and Gigabyte G1 boards. About CPU, yeah, i5-3570k does job just fine. About cases, pick one which appeals you, but first, very important - does it have enough room, does it have cable management options (like routing behind them). That is why I like Corsair and Fractal Design. Very nice cases. Got few systems to build on them and just badass. Of course NZXT and Cooler Master is nice (Silverstone as well), but yeah, those two things are most important. About size ATX form factor case is fine to stuff everything.