What is my best route into entering PC gaming?

Now that my forum debts are paid, we can collectively focus on the desktop I'll actually be buying. Not an iMac.

Would this be a decent starting PC?

iBUYPOWER Gamer Extreme NE731i Desktop PC Intel Core i5 3570k(3.40GHz) 8GB DDR3 500GB HDD Capacity NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 2GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227441

If so, is it worth it to upgrade to one of the next higher options?

iBUYPOWER Gamer Extreme NE635FX Desktop PC AMD FX-Series FX-8120(3.1GHz) 16GB DDR3 2TB HDD Capacity AMD Radeon HD 7850 2GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227440

Or even this one! (Not sure how much the CPU helps here)

iBUYPOWER Gamer Extreme NE741i Desktop PC Intel Core i7 3770(3.40GHz) 16GB DDR3 500GB HDD+120GB SSD HDD Capacity NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 2GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227438

Or would I be better off to purchase something a bit cheaper, and just upgrade the GPU/CPU myself? Keep in mind I'm not keen on starting entirely from scratch, given the fact I'm just starting out.

Also is there any word around town on quality monitors? I was thinking about going with something like this:

ASUS VH242H Black 23.6" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 ASCR 20000:1 (1000:1) W/Speakers
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236052

As far as things I'll be doing.. maxing out Battlefield 3 and Skyrim would probably be my top priorities.

Any help would be appreciated!

Your best route is to build it yourself. Don't buy a prebuilt.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=18801111

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824260109

^got this monitor.

If you were to max with the given budget than DIY is the way to go. I think I seen one of the guys (ibuy or cyberpower) that ship or was collecting the computer at the post office, so they are just buying parts and making $$ off building it for you. Cut the middle man bro!

Your best route is to build it yourself. Don't buy a prebuilt.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=18801111

WiiRocks66

Cut the middle man bro!Bikouchu35

[QUOTE="WiiRocks66"]

Your best route is to build it yourself. Don't buy a prebuilt.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=18801111

UCF_Knight

Cut the middle man bro!Bikouchu35

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFkykETgkoo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot0h4G-BmJM

It would take a few hours. It's easy, and when you do it once, you'll be a lot faster the next time.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824260109

^got this monitor.

If you were to max with the given budget than DIY is the way to go. I think I seen one of the guys (ibuy or cyberpower) that ship or was collecting the computer at the post office, so they are just buying parts and making $$ off building it for you. Cut the middle man bro!

Bikouchu35

And OP, option #1 looks pretty swell to me. It looks like they chinced out on everything but the GPU and CPU though. Might be a reason to avoid it. Though the price is good and it would definitely perform well. It is just a question of reliability. I am actually in the same position as you, just starting to get into high end PCs. I have been looking at all the different components and their specs and performance and stuff for the last few days.

Here is a great site I found where you can compare different components: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/549?vs=660 Also, what is really helpful is going to newegg and searching all of your possible options for EVERY component and look at the customer reviews. Also, check out cyperpowerpc and ibuypower websites. Build a custom unit on those sites and see how they compare. I have looked at quite a few sites and these seem to be the 2 best ones.

I figure any GPU is probably going to be out of date in a few years anyways, so there is no real reason to buy the super expensive awesome ones if the mid-high range GPU's can already run every game good at high settings.It really all depends on what you want out of the PC. Fyi, the 660 GPU has no problem running Skyrim on Ultra at 60fps

I don't know if this link will work for you but this is my custom pc build after tweaking for hours and hours: http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/saved/1EQAJR

I personally think it is a great value. (albeit quite a bit more $ than the first link you posted) I opted for a high end motherboard because I doubt I there will ever be a need to upgrade so I might as well get the best now so it lasts a long time.

If you have any questions just ask, I feel like I know quite a bit about this stuff now.

Honestly, it's worth the time to learn, it doesn't take more than 3 hours to learn I'd say. Tons of videos out there especially from NeweggTV, once you learn you become much more savvy with the tech and can take advantage of being able to customize how you want to, not how a factory does it.

Overall, it's really worth it, then you can build for other people too and everybody will think you are an cool guy

It would take a few hours. It's easy, and when you do it once, you'll be a lot faster the next time.WiiRocks66

If you have any questions just ask, I feel like I know quite a bit about this stuff now.taylor888

It wasn't any cheaper for me... buying all the parts on newegg was at least $100 more than buying a custom unit from cyberpowerpc. All the exact same components.

taylor888

On what in particular? Some newegg parts have promo code(not rebate). The link you provided didnt have os factored in.

[QUOTE="taylor888"]

It wasn't any cheaper for me... buying all the parts on newegg was at least $100 more than buying a custom unit from cyberpowerpc. All the exact same components.

Bikouchu35

On what in particular? Some newegg parts have promo code(not rebate). The link you provided didnt have os factored in.

Edit: If I downgrade the motherboard to the cheapest one both newegg and cyberpower are the same price because cyberpower charges more for the same motherboard. Still, at the same price it's stupid to not get it prebuilt.

Edit2: I think the $60 price tag on the windows website is for the upgrade version (where you need windows 7 installed already) so maybe I should get that preinstalled...

Not sure if I am missing anything. +27 ship-40 promo hdd so 1100 flat.

Even if its the same price I'd still go with diy for the fun ofc and this helps you know how to maintain/upgrade parts. I am not stopping you from going prebuilt though.

How does this look?

[spoiler]

• *BASE_PRICE: [+659]
• BLUETOOTH: None
• CAS: Rosewill Blackhawk Mid Tower Gaming Case w/ Front USB 3.0, HD Dock & Side Window [+55]
• CASUPGRADE: None
• CD: 24X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive (BLACK COLOR)
• CD2: None
• COOLANT: Standard Coolant
• CPU: Intel® Core i5-3570K 3.40 GHz 6MB Intel Smart Cache LGA1155 (All Venom OC Certified)
• CS_FAN: Default case fans
• ENGRAVING: None
• FA_HDD: None
• FAN: Corsair Hydro Series H60 High Performance Liquid Cooling System 120MM Radiator & Fan [+14] (Dual Standard 120MM Fans (Push-Pull) [+9])
• FLASHMEDIA: None
• FREEBIE_CU: FREE 500GB External Hard Drive with Intel® Core i7 or Intel® Core i5 based PCs [+0]
• FREEBIE_MB: None
• FREEBIE_VC: FREE AMD Pitcairn Verde Bundle Game Coupon [+0]
• FREEBIE_VC2: None
• GLASSES: None
• HDD: 1TB SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 32MB Cache 7200RPM HDD (Single Drive)
• HDD2: None
• IEEE_CARD: None
• IUSB: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
• KEYBOARD: AZZA Multimedia USB Gaming Keyboard
• MB_SRT: None
• MEMORY: 8GB (4GBx2) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory (Kingston HyperX [+0])
• MONITOR: None
• MONITOR2: None
• MONITOR3: None
• MOTHERBOARD: [CrossFireX/SLI] ASRock Z77 Extreme4 Intel Z77 Chipset DDR3 ATX Mainboard w/ IRST, Lucid Virtu MVP, XFast Technologies, 7.1 HD Audio, GbLAN, 3x PCIe x16 (2 Gen3, 1 Gen2), 2x PCIe x1 & 2 PCI (All Venom OC Certified) [+67]
• MOUSE: AZZA Optical 1600dpi Gaming Mouse with Weight Adjustable Cartridge
• NETWORK: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
• OS: None - FORMAT HARD DRIVE ONLY
• OVERCLOCK: No Overclocking
• POWERSUPPLY: 600 Watts - Corsair CMPSU-600CXV2 Builder Series CX600 V2 80 Plus Certified Power Supply [+33]
• RUSH: 5% Instant Rebate for NO-RUSH Delivery, order will ship in 3 to 4 Weeks. Must Enter Coupon Code "NORUSH" during checkout [+0]
• SERVICE: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
• SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
• SPEAKERS: None
• TABLET: None
• TEMP: None
• TUNING: None
• TVRC: None
• USB: None
• USBFLASH: None
• USBHD: None
• USBX: None
• VIDEO: AMD Radeon HD 7850 2GB 16X PCIe 3.0 Video Card [+167] (Major Brand Powered by AMD)
• VIDEO2: None
• VIDEO3: None
• WNC: None
• XWNC1: ASUS USB-N13 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 300Mbps Wireless USB Adapter [+22]
• _PRICE: (+1026)

[/spoiler]

Seems like a pretty nice setup for maxing out most games at a decent framerate. Plus with the no rush discount, it'll drop down $975.

I have a copy of Windows 7 I can install so that would not be an issue. I didn't go through checking everything on newegg, but at that price I think I'd be willing to pay the extra amount to have it already built.

Unless it's a large difference that I'm unaware of.

Not sure if I am missing anything. +27 ship-40 promo hdd so 1100 flat.

Even if its the same price I'd still go with diy for the fun ofc and this helps you know how to maintain/upgrade parts. I am not stopping you from going prebuilt though.

Bikouchu35

How does this look?

[spoiler]

• *BASE_PRICE: [+659]
• BLUETOOTH: None
• CAS: Rosewill Blackhawk Mid Tower Gaming Case w/ Front USB 3.0, HD Dock & Side Window [+55]
• CASUPGRADE: None
• CD: 24X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive (BLACK COLOR)
• CD2: None
• COOLANT: Standard Coolant
• CPU: Intel® Core i5-3570K 3.40 GHz 6MB Intel Smart Cache LGA1155 (All Venom OC Certified)
• CS_FAN: Default case fans
• ENGRAVING: None
• FA_HDD: None
• FAN: Corsair Hydro Series H60 High Performance Liquid Cooling System 120MM Radiator & Fan [+14] (Dual Standard 120MM Fans (Push-Pull) [+9])
• FLASHMEDIA: None
• FREEBIE_CU: FREE 500GB External Hard Drive with Intel® Core i7 or Intel® Core i5 based PCs [+0]
• FREEBIE_MB: None
• FREEBIE_VC: FREE AMD Pitcairn Verde Bundle Game Coupon [+0]
• FREEBIE_VC2: None
• GLASSES: None
• HDD: 1TB SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 32MB Cache 7200RPM HDD (Single Drive)
• HDD2: None
• IEEE_CARD: None
• IUSB: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
• KEYBOARD: AZZA Multimedia USB Gaming Keyboard
• MB_SRT: None
• MEMORY: 8GB (4GBx2) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory (Kingston HyperX [+0])
• MONITOR: None
• MONITOR2: None
• MONITOR3: None
• MOTHERBOARD: [CrossFireX/SLI] ASRock Z77 Extreme4 Intel Z77 Chipset DDR3 ATX Mainboard w/ IRST, Lucid Virtu MVP, XFast Technologies, 7.1 HD Audio, GbLAN, 3x PCIe x16 (2 Gen3, 1 Gen2), 2x PCIe x1 & 2 PCI (All Venom OC Certified) [+67]
• MOUSE: AZZA Optical 1600dpi Gaming Mouse with Weight Adjustable Cartridge
• NETWORK: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
• OS: None - FORMAT HARD DRIVE ONLY
• OVERCLOCK: No Overclocking
• POWERSUPPLY: 600 Watts - Corsair CMPSU-600CXV2 Builder Series CX600 V2 80 Plus Certified Power Supply [+33]
• RUSH: 5% Instant Rebate for NO-RUSH Delivery, order will ship in 3 to 4 Weeks. Must Enter Coupon Code "NORUSH" during checkout [+0]
• SERVICE: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
• SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
• SPEAKERS: None
• TABLET: None
• TEMP: None
• TUNING: None
• TVRC: None
• USB: None
• USBFLASH: None
• USBHD: None
• USBX: None
• VIDEO: AMD Radeon HD 7850 2GB 16X PCIe 3.0 Video Card [+167] (Major Brand Powered by AMD)
• VIDEO2: None
• VIDEO3: None
• WNC: None
• XWNC1: ASUS USB-N13 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 300Mbps Wireless USB Adapter [+22]
• _PRICE: (+1026)

[/spoiler]

Seems like a pretty nice setup for maxing out most games at a decent framerate. Plus with the no rush discount, it'll drop down $975.

I have a copy of Windows 7 I can install so that would not be an issue. I didn't go through checking everything on newegg, but at that price I think I'd be willing to pay the extra amount to have it already built.

Unless it's a large difference that I'm unaware of.

UCF_Knight

I know I am beating on a dead horse as you guys seem set, but in order to be truly part of the master race than you should diy :P

http://www.microcenter.com/product/388575/Core_i7_3770K_35GHz_LGA_1155_Processor <<@op if you live near microcenter than you can buy 3770k for $230($320 at newegg) + $40-50 off motherboard, so you save ~$150!! or 3570k for $189 + $40-50 off mobo.

I just notice ibuyer, cyberpower, ncixusa, and newegg are all located in the same area code that I happen to live in. Lucky me I guess since I can do local pick up at newegg a trade off for being 'murican with weaker dollar hehe.

if you live near microcenter than you can buy 3770k for $230($320 at newegg) Bikouchu35

I know I am beating on a dead horse as you guys seem set, but in order to be truly part of the master race than you should diy :PBikouchu35

I just envision it going something like this:

But I'll build a similar setup on newegg and see how much that is. If I can save some money and be part of the master race of PC owners, I might try. :P

[QUOTE="Bikouchu35"]I know I am beating on a dead horse as you guys seem set, but in order to be truly part of the master race than you should diy :PUCF_Knight

I just envision it going something like this:

But I'll build a similar setup on newegg and see how much that is. If I can save some money and be part of the master race of PC owners, I might try. :P

[QUOTE="taylor888"] Looks a lot like my build...lol. So it should be good. Right now I am entertaining the possibility of a cheap motherboard. I know what I said before, but I am questioning my decision now...cause it would be ~$100 cheaper.UCF_Knight

that test is using windows 8, an immature operating system that pretty much is garbage. Nobody should use windows 8 right now, most people are still purchasing windows 7 on new builds thats how bad windows 8 is. With that said, the 7950 shreds the 660ti, and matches up with the 670 really well

http://www.techspot.com/review/603-best-graphics-cards/page12.html

[QUOTE="UCF_Knight"]

[QUOTE="Bikouchu35"]I know I am beating on a dead horse as you guys seem set, but in order to be truly part of the master race than you should diy :PElann2008

I just envision it going something like this:

But I'll build a similar setup on newegg and see how much that is. If I can save some money and be part of the master race of PC owners, I might try. :P

Please people, we are all part of the "master race". HEIL HITLER jk:P Besides you would be a "junior" level too elann

Are you still in the Orlando area for the break?ShadowDeathX

[QUOTE="ShadowDeathX"]Are you still in the Orlando area for the break?UCF_Knight

I've never quite understood why people don't want to learn. :/

I've never quite understood why people don't want to learn. :/

Masenkoe

[QUOTE="Masenkoe"]

I've never quite understood why people don't want to learn. :/

UCF_Knight

So is this a great setup? It's largely based on the wishlist posted by WiiRocks66, everything seemed to be the best at its price.

MSI N670GTX-PM2D2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 670 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD1 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC 7mm Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

XFX Core Edition PRO550W (P1-550S-XXB9) 550W ATX12V 2.2 & ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Western Digital WD Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9

GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-D3H LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm Fan, 1x Rear 120mm Fan, option Fans-2x Side 120mm Fan

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 2011/1366/1155 and AMD FM1/FM2/AM3+

ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM

Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K

ASUS VH242H Black 23.6" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 ASCR 20000:1 (1000:1) W/Speakers

If there's anything here I should avoid, please let me know! If everything looks good, I will likely go with this. And then we all get to collectively put this together!

So is this a great setup? It's largely based on the wishlist posted by WiiRocks66, everything seemed to be the best at its price.

MSI N670GTX-PM2D2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 670 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD1 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC 7mm Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

XFX Core Edition PRO550W (P1-550S-XXB9) 550W ATX12V 2.2 & ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Western Digital WD Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9

GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-D3H LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm Fan, 1x Rear 120mm Fan, option Fans-2x Side 120mm Fan

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 2011/1366/1155 and AMD FM1/FM2/AM3+

ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM

Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K

ASUS VH242H Black 23.6" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 ASCR 20000:1 (1000:1) W/Speakers

If there's anything here I should avoid, please let me know! If everything looks good, I will likely go with this. And then we all get to collectively put this together!

UCF_Knight

everything looks good, the gpu definitely could be better for the price, but you will still enjoy gaming. Enjoy. Also that case is ugly as f00k, spend some more money dude and get something that looks half decent. When you put together the computer, the only thing you see is the case and I think that should look equal to the parts inside. No point getting a $40 case with $1200 parts.

Also that case is ugly as f00k, spend some more money dude and get something that looks half decent. When you put together the computer, the only thing you see is the case and I think that should look equal to the parts inside. No point getting a $40 case with $1200 parts.blaznwiipspman1

[QUOTE="blaznwiipspman1"] Also that case is ugly as f00k, spend some more money dude and get something that looks half decent. When you put together the computer, the only thing you see is the case and I think that should look equal to the parts inside. No point getting a $40 case with $1200 parts.taylor888

true, i guess i find it a strange that people like such a plain case. I find the haf 922 to be a not too over the top fancy case, it is right in the middle which I find

awesome about it. Plus it is very functional. The rosewill imo just looks like arse.

Just a quick update, I just finished building the PC I came up with thanks to you guys!

Thought some people might like to see that new PC gamers do listen to you guys.. :P

[spoiler]

[/spoiler]

Games look amazing and run great. Thanks again!

if you really dont want the hassle, just buy that first prebuilt one.

but honestly, me and my brother just built his. We had never done it before. it took like 4 hours. wasnt that hard. just make sure you have your monitor plugged in all the way so you dont freak out and think your mother board is broken................. srsly though. lol

my brother didnt screw in the DVI coard all the way, i hit him in the shoulder when we found out that was the issue. lol,