HELP!! Building gaming PC

LRamsheeper on 29/08/2014 - 09:49

Hello fellow OzBargainers,

I am in the midst of gathering parts to build myself a >decent gaming PC…but I have one problem, I don't know anything about parts, and I don't know what brands are good enough without burning out the computer as soon as I turn it on.
My budget is approximately $1000. I already have a Samsung evo 840 ssd.

Can you guys recommend some decent parts or even better, like a parts list that I could go and buy for the budget I listed above?

I've had concerns with how things fit into the motherboard as well. Can any graphics card go into any motherboard, or are there varying sizes of motherboards/graphics cards?

Thank you for your help in advance :)

Computing

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 29/08/2014 - 10:18

    Start here:
    http://www.logicalincrements.com/

    Modern boards will take modern graphics card (As long as both are PCI-Express). The issue is usually the physical length of the card fitting into your case & and sufficient PSU.

    Post your parts list here and we can help more.

    • Ramsheeper on 29/08/2014 - 13:02

      Thanks! I'll have a look at it, never seen that site before, I'll keep you posted :)

  • steff on 29/08/2014 - 11:16

    What games do you play?
    Do you have a monitor, KB & mouse, Operating System, etc from a previous rig?

    • Ramsheeper on 29/08/2014 - 13:01

      I play things like LoL/dota at the moment, but I have BF4 that I would like to get into, but my current laptop can't handle the graphics at all.

      I don't have Monitor, or OS or Keyboard, just got a logitech G540 mouse. I do have the case however.

  • scrimshaw on 29/08/2014 - 19:16

    Can any graphics card go into any motherboard, or are there varying sizes of motherboards/graphics cards?

    Yes. All motherboards will accept any sort of GPU, it uses standard PCIE 16x slot and this slot is present on all mobo's.

    Here is a build for roughly $1k (no monitor or keyboard)
    http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/2bQrqs

    Another build that is complete with keyboard and monitor at $1080
    http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/czwdGX

    and another one at $895 (no monitor or keyboard)
    http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/6WTQK8

    • Ramsheeper on 01/09/2014 - 10:36

      Thanks Scrim, I'll take a lot at that and post my parts list hopefully soon.

  • Ramsheeper on 08/10/2014 - 22:20

    Hi guys,

    Here is a parts list I came up with, please let me know what you think. Especially with some of the extras parts.

    http://au.pcpartpicker.com/user/Rameth/saved/ZrdG3C

    • scrimshaw on 08/10/2014 - 22:57
      +2

      Recommended tweaks.

      Change the 770 GPU to a 4GB 970 — $419 @ PC Case Gear, the 770 is now pretty much obsolete and overpriced when you can buy the 970 at low $400 budget.

      The ASUS M5A97 is far cheaper for what you want to do, it is based on the AMD 970 Chipset and will still allow you to overclock, add dual graphics cards etc.

      If overclocking: You also need a competent cooler that's better than stock air cooling and the cooler itself will cost you $30 to $40 dollars depending on what you get …. plus you would also require faster memory to help with the CPU performance, so this is where faster memory modules are going to help out. If you want to squeeze more performance out of your system I'd be looking at how to OC with this particular guide on the ASUS M5A97 motherboard.

      I'd strongly consider on getting the latest Windows 8.1 — Windows 10 is coming out very, very soon next year and it would be wiser to have Windows 8.1 as it would make the transition much cheaper and easier than if you had a five year old operating system. There's high chance that Win 10 could be free for Win 8 users and it also brings back the classic start menu.

      • Ramsheeper on 09/10/2014 - 21:07

        Thanks for the help scrimshaw. I've had some friends tweak my list as well, here's the updated one (without the 970, I'll take a look at it later :D) http://au.pcpartpicker.com/user/Rameth/saved/wHdG3C

        Also, could you please enlighten me on what overclocking is. I have no idea when I'd ever need it.

        Many thanks :D

        • mrmarkau67 on 09/10/2014 - 22:47

          Overclocking is running various components of your PC faster than the manufacturer recommends. Usually CPU, RAM and GPU. It means you get better performance "for free". And if you overclock top end components, then your box will be faster than your friend's.

          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overclocking

          Usually it means they also run hotter than normal, which means you often need extra cooling - either better fans or even watercooling.

          Not all CPUs can be overclocked. Overclockable CPUs are usually more expensive, and you need a special motherboard.

  • adn on 09/10/2014 - 00:32
    -1

    buy a ps4.

    seriously go to whirlpool and search gaming pc build. choose one in your budget.

    • Ramsheeper on 09/10/2014 - 21:08

      Haha, I really want to learn how to build one on my own though :) but thanks, appreciate it

      • CodeXD on 09/10/2014 - 21:10

        whirlpool has a list of compatible parts you can buy to build your own

        http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/rmp_sg_whirlpoolpcs_gaming_conf…

      • adn on 09/10/2014 - 23:58

        you still need to put it together or pay whoever 70 bucks to do it for you. As long you have a good case. The hardest part is the cpu and heat sink

        • Ramsheeper on 10/10/2014 - 09:08

          I'll be putting it together myself, and I'll be making sure it's on a wooden surface ;D
          The case i have at the moment is about 18.54636.5cm. Anyone got an idea if that's big enough?

  • ethereal88 on 09/10/2014 - 06:40

    AMD is rubbish. AM3+ is a dead socket and FX is hilariously outclassed by Haswell. Get a 4670 minimum with H97 or a Z97 with a 4790K if overclocking. Add 16GB RAM as a base.

    • mrmarkau67 on 09/10/2014 - 09:22

      If you do a Z97 mobo, 4790K and 16GB of RAM, who much money would be left over for power supply and graphics card?

      • humdingaling on 09/10/2014 - 18:09

        while i agree with AMD comment…thought everyone on OZBargin knew budget is not a word in his vocabulary =)

        • Ramsheeper on 09/10/2014 - 21:09

          Yeah I realised my mistake with AMD. have a look at my updated list.

          http://au.pcpartpicker.com/user/Rameth/saved/wHdG3C

        • mrmarkau67 on 09/10/2014 - 21:37
          +1

          @Ramsheeper:

          Good to see you lose that AMD - I find it very hard to find a situation where AMD makes more sense.

          But please - get Windows 8.1

          1. It starts up, shuts down, sleeps and wakes faster
          2. It has many more native drivers
          3. It is more stable
          4. You can download a replacement Start Menu if you want. I sure did.
          5. Your Windows 7 OEM licence expires with your PC, and you aren't allowed to move it to another PC. A Windows 8.1 licence costing the same $ value can be migrated to another PC.
          6. There may be a Windows 8.2, but there definitely won't be a Windows 7 Service Pack 2.
          7. (possibly) it will be cheaper, or free, to upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 8.1
        • Ramsheeper on 09/10/2014 - 22:07

          @mrmarkau67: yes I'll be switching to 8.1, just haven't updated that yet. :D

  • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2014 - 23:38
    +1

    Don't use AMD.
    Change the 770 to a 970 as advised (Scrim is a handy person).
    Do Not skimp out on your PSU.

    Perhaps consider getting an SLI compatible board and more powerful PSU. If you enjoy gaming on it, in the future you could then easily add an additional 970 and increase the life span of the PC a number of years for little additional cost.

    Their should be an Asrock board for around the $150ish mark (other makers may have some as well, but I'm to tired to look atm sorry), as for a PSU, a Cosair 750 would work well or any name brand 750 would work well and last a long time.
    I'm using my Cosair 850 which I got for $220 about 3 years ago still. Fantastic PSU that shows no sign of slowing. Used it for SLI 570's and now using it for a R9 295x2 (again, I don't advise Radeon, they want some much energy and are a lot more fiddly then their nVidia counterparts).

  • zaddaz on 18/10/2014 - 12:20

    AMD graphics cards are better for battlefield 4 (performance per dollar), with the r9 280x ($330) performing on par with nvidia 770 (of course the 970 outclasses it). Lol and dota will run on anything (intel i5 graphics). Also with graphics cards watch the length. your case might physically not fit it.

    Also consider getting a 1440p 27inch screen. Given i spend several hours a day using my pc, its just so worth it. See the whirlpool thread for more info on korean 1440p monitors. However you may need to turn down the antialiasing in battelfield 4… not that you'd notice it coming from a laptop.

    Otherwise 2nd hand 24 inch 1080p screens go for around $100 on gumtree (in my area). Just inspect it for scratches/defects/dead pixels before you buy it.

    A high quality 650W psu is plenty for a nonoverclocked intel, single GPU setup: 250W for GPU, 100W for CPU, 50W for everything else, and 250W to spare. Each model (within a same brand) is potentially made by a different factory, so read a review about the exact PSU model you choose, make sure the 12V ripple measurements are good at full load (if no ripple measurements find another review), and the fan noise/temperatures are ok.

  • mikelp on 28/10/2014 - 08:13

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/166667
    I got this one.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join