Budget: Would like to keep it around 1k, maybe up to 1.5 if it'll make a huge difference in performance

More specific use (what games, what programs): Would like to be able to run newest generation of games on mid-high settings at least; Unity 3D/2D, Photoshop, etc.

Planned time until purchase: Sooner the better, up to a month away though

Do you need an Operating System?: I can get an OS through my school

Do you have any specific preferred components?: Nope, I'd like a nice looking case though

Do you need a sound or wireless card?: Both would be nice, but neither is a necessity

Do you want stock cooling or do you plan on overclocking?: Probably stock, haven't had experience overclocking; not opposed to it though

Do you need a monitor? mouse? keyboard?: No, maybe some new monitors but I have two okay ones right now

Zip code/location? (Shipping costs): 85201, Mesa/Tempe AZ

Thanks a million in advance for your guys' help! This'll be my second build you guys have helped me with

This post was edited by cooper888 on Aug 21 2016 02:48pm

Basic setup that most of the people who reply are going to throw at you.

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/BZrdD8

edit:



Ghot always goes to your max budget.

This post was edited by Nupper on Aug 21 2016 03:02pm

Actually Ghot, just makes good builds. Ghot tries to stay within budget.

Awesome, thanks you two.
How interchangable are cases? Are most builds compatible with most cases? Obviously I'd ask about a specific case for a specific build before I buy, but just asking before I start looking around. I'm not sure I want another plain black case.

It seems like the main difference here is the CPU/Cooling. If I go up to the i7 would I have to go with the liquid cooling set-up or is that only if I plan on overclocking? Is a liquid set-up considerably more difficult to put together than a traditional?
Excuse the noob questions

Here...air cooling and left the case out...any decent case that takes an ATX motherboard will work...It also needs 160mm for the CPU cooler.

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/qjs9NN


Have no clue, as to what you think is a good looking case.

This post was edited by Ghot on Aug 21 2016 03:16pm

You dont have to go the liquid cooling on the i7 unless you are going to OC it pretty heavily.

Yea cases are pretty interchangeable. I have the case I put in your build and I love it.

The i7 is a step up from the processor I had in my build. It just depends on your needs. For basic stuff you probably don't need it.

I wasn't opposed to the liquid cooling, I just asked if it was considerably more difficult to set-up.
I'm assuming that means that liquid cooling is only necessary if I decide to overclock?



Only thing about the i5 is that I'll probably keep the computer for a couple of years and don't want the CPU falling behind. I assume the i7 would 'last' (in a technological sense, not thinking that the i5 would die or anything) a little bit longer; or is that wrong?

This post was edited by cooper888 on Aug 21 2016 03:18pm

No, it's a good idea to have 3rd party cooler for CPUs these days. Both are easy to install.


/e The side benefit, is that you can over clock if you want to.

This post was edited by Ghot on Aug 21 2016 03:18pm

I have had both air and liquid cooling. Both are very easy to set up. Both perform similarly for the most part. Liquid is often more expensive.