Hello your highnesses, console peasant checking in for duty. Or should I say ex console peasant. I have always been a firm supporter of consoles but I hear that PC gaming is where the real competition is at and I thrive on good competition. Also I've done endless research the past week into the early morning hours (fun but tiresome) and I just can't decide on something. Ideally I would build something around $1000 but that's wayyyyy over my budget. Soon I shall be Knighted into the ranks of gentleman gamers. Anyway! time is money so skip below to (1) if you want to avoid all the small talk. I also have some sample builds that were inspired by Logan's videos.
I have seen tek syndicates videos on building a PC in the $400 range and $800 range. Very good videos with very good advice. I like the fact that Logan doesn't like rebates. (I hate them too, why not post the parts cheaper and make it more appealing?)
Anyway I was originally swayed towards the base model i3, 4gb, Alienware Alpha for $499 a couple weeks ago when I sold my PS4. I've realized it's probably better to build something instead. Only issue? I don't know jack squat about it. I'll be using youtube videos and hoping I don't screw up somehow. The other issue is I wouldn't have the slightest clue on how to install the OS on a fresh brand spankin new computer.
Alright so I've asked these questions on so many forums and so many youtube videos and the responses I have been getting were basically "herp derp, AMD sugcks badly, herp derp get intel or face overheating. derp derp".
So here is my criteria for a nice budget 'shit rig'. I want something that gets me started on the right foot in the gaming PC world and will handle games within a couple years from now.
1) Total price must be around $550 including keyboard, mouse and OS. (Logan had nice suggestions for cheap gaming keyboard and mouse so I may go with that. (I'll be buying a 360 controller separately anyway)
2) Doesn't necessarily need upgradable parts as long as it can run MOST games (like Battlefield) as close to the highest settings and FPS as possible. Being realistic it's a cheap budget but I want the most I can get!
3) Don't want to overclock it since I have no reasonable knowledge on it and I don't want to compromise it on accident.
4) Planning on selling this rig within a year or two to put money towards a super rig so perhaps something with better resale value if that makes sense?
I know this is a tough criteria but I'm staying up late nights trying to research on what's the absolute best of the best for the money. Glad I found Logan's videos and I know I'm at the home stretch of the process but I wanted to see what you guys thought!
Current options: (Keep in mind I will be selling no matter what I get within a year or two to put towards a super $2k+ rig)
-Buy an Alienware Alpha console
-This is the build I put together and contemplating: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8bjrnQ (please feel free to make suggestions or modify my build if you can improve it while keeping costs as low as possible. If you can make it cheaper while retaining quality AND avoiding all rebates you would be a Superhero to me. lol.
I am also considering the "$400" console killer build logan had but I really think that build is not too powerful to handle games on high settings like I'd prefer.
So for my price range is it possible or is it just a pipe dream in an alternate universe?
On the plus side I will be documenting my build and will post pictures on a build thread here once I have everything. This will be exciting if we can make it work for the money!