Triad's PC Builds ($300 - $2000)

[Triad]

Hello TUS

I sometimes help people at reddit for building PCs. I help them to pick right components for their needs. So I thought maybe I can come up with some build presets from different price ranges so people can pick one for their next step to PC gaming.

P.S: Prices might change as the time passes, click on PcPartPicker list of each level to see latest lowest prices for USA.

Level 1 (~$250)
Cheap PC build without a dedicated graphics card. You should be able to play all old games and most not so new games at lowered settings.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G4500 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($72.98 @ Directron)
Motherboard: ASRock H110M-HDS Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($38.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($48.89 @ OutletPC)
Case: Fractal Design Core 2300 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply  ($14.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $255.81
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-17 15:01 EST-0500

Level 2 (~$420)
1080p entry level gaming, CS:GO, LoL, DOTA2 should run great. I added a cheap 120GB SSD so you can install your OS here. I also added a dedicated GPU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G4400 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($58.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H110M-HDS Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($39.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory  ($40.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($44.39 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($49.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1050 2GB SC GAMING Video Card  ($119.99 @ B&H)
Case: Fractal Design Core 2300 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $423.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-06 08:17 EST-0500

Level 3 (~$580)
The console killer. You can run almost all latest games at 1080p medium/high settings with 60fps. Much better CPU than Level 2. Bigger but still cheap SSD. If you'll have space issues, you can always buy and install a HDD.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($194.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H110M-HDS Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($39.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory  ($40.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX300 275GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($69.98 @ B&H)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB SSC GAMING ACX 3.0 Video Card  ($159.99 @ B&H)
Case: Fractal Design Core 2300 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $575.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-06 09:05 EST-0500

Level 4 (~$750)
1080p high-ultra settings. This is where gap between consoles and PC becomes much bigger. Quad core CPU, higher quality PSU, much better GFX. You can get a freesync monitor if you go with the RX 480. And freesync monitors are much cheaper than Nvidia's G-sync monitors.  This is probably best bang for buck build currently.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($194.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($58.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory  ($40.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX300 275GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($69.98 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($49.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon RX 480 4GB GAMING X Video Card  ($219.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Core 2300 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $744.30
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-06 11:49 EST-0500

Level 5 (~$1150)
1080p/1440p Ultra settings, VR Ready. i5-6500 replaced with i5-6600k. And since 6600k is an overclockable, I added an aftermarket cooler since stock cooler might not keep up with overclocking. Motherboard is replaced with a higher quality one. I also put 2x8gb RAM. Previous good bang for buck SSD is replaced with quality M2 SSD. Also put a better case. GTX 1070 won't let you down.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($236.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler  ($34.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z170 Extreme4 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($90.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Intel 600p Series 256GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($96.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($49.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Video Card  ($404.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define S ATX Mid Tower Case  ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1158.21
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-06 11:51 EST-0500

Level 6 (~$1450)
GTX 1080 is the best Gaming GPU (if we exclude Pascal Titan X) so it'll run everything at best quality.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($236.98 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler  ($34.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z170 Extreme4 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($90.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Intel 600p Series 256GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($96.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($49.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 8GB FTW Gaming ACX 3.0 Video Card  ($669.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1454.19
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-06 12:03 EST-0500

Level 7 (~$1560)
Identical with Level 6. But I used a 500GB SSD instead HDD.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($236.98 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler  ($34.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z170 Extreme4 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($90.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Intel 600p Series 256GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($96.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($157.30 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 8GB FTW Gaming ACX 3.0 Video Card  ($669.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1562.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-06 12:05 EST-0500

Level 8 (~$2000)
This is it. This is the peak. Probably the best build you can get without going too much overkill. Everything is top quality.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($328.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 67.8 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler  ($79.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus ROG MAXIMUS VIII HERO ALPHA ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($251.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($90.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 950 PRO 256GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($183.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($215.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 8GB FTW Gaming ACX 3.0 Video Card  ($669.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Titanium) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($89.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1986.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-06 12:08 EST-0500

[Triad]

Bonus
Here's two bonus builds you might find interesting:

Level 0 (~$75)
Raspberry Pi 3 is great. For that price you get a good portable PC for non gaming(or for retro gaming) purposes.
Other: CanaKit Raspberry Pi 3 Complete Starter Kit - 32 GB Edition
Total: $74.99

Level 9 (~$12300)
You're rich and want a no budget overkill PC that you probably gonna end up playing only WA on it? This is the everything included overkill build you're looking for.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6900K 3.2GHz 8-Core Processor  ($1064.37 @ B&H)
Motherboard: Asus X99-DELUXE/U3.1 ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard  ($378.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Dominator Platinum 64GB (4 x 16GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($489.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 960 PRO 2TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($1299.99)
Storage: Samsung 960 PRO 2TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($1299.99)
Video Card: NVIDIA Titan X (Pascal) 12GB Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($1200.00)
Video Card: NVIDIA Titan X (Pascal) 12GB Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($1200.00)
Case: Inwin 909 SILVER ATX Full Tower Case  ($399.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA T2 1600W 80+ Titanium Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($382.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer  ($50.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro Full 32/64-bit  ($199.99 @ B&H)
Monitor: Acer XB271HU bmiprz 27.0" 165Hz Monitor  ($748.09 @ B&H)
Monitor: Acer XB271HU bmiprz 27.0" 165Hz Monitor  ($748.09 @ B&H)
Monitor: Acer XB271HU bmiprz 27.0" 165Hz Monitor  ($748.09 @ B&H)
Keyboard: Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Ultimate Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($104.65 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Logitech G502 Wired Optical Mouse  ($69.85 @ Amazon)
Custom Loop: EK-CoolStream SE 240 (Slim Dual) x2 ($109.96)
Custom Loop: EK-CoolStream XE 240 (Double) ($75.99)
Custom Loop: EK-Vardar F4-120ER (2200rpm) x6 ($119.94)
Custom Loop: EK-XRES 100 Revo D5 PWM (incl. pump) ($149.99)
Custom Loop: EK-FB ASUS X99 Monoblock - Nickel ($136.99)
Custom Loop: EK-RAM Monarch X4 ($46.99)
Custom Loop: EK-RAM Monarch Module - Nickel (2pcs) x2 ($69.98)
Custom Loop: EK-FC Titan X Pascal x2 ($247.98)
Custom Loop: EK-FC Terminal DUAL Serial - Plexi ($31.99)
Custom Loop: TUBE PrimoChill PrimoFlex™ Advanced LRT™ 15,9 / 11,1mm - Crystal Clear RETAIL 3m ($27.29)
Custom Loop: EK-ACF Fitting 12/16mm - Black x12 ($89.88)
Custom Loop: EK-Ekoolant EVO Blood RED (concentrate 100mL) ($9.99)
Other: HTC Vive ($799.99)
Total: $12303.01
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-09-27 13:56 EDT-0400

[XanKriegor]

Hoho, Intel Pentium is still alive?)

[Triad]

Hoho, Intel Pentium is still alive?)

Yeah, it's still a thing for budget builds.

[XanKriegor]

I bet they arent this Prescott 3,8 GHz dual core abominations who can eclipse the Sun itself by temperature while working so they does not have a right to be called Pentiums, its very different architecture.

[MeTonaTOR]

For LVL9 as a #pcmasterrace id change CPU to i7-6900, Motherboard to Asus Rampage V Extreme, GPU to 4x TITAN X, Keyboard to Razer BlackWidow Chroma Stealth, OS to W10 Pro... i think thats all

[MeTonaTOR]

Also, lets add LVL 0.5: Intel Compute Stick, its around 100$ and can run all old games and some not-so-recent titles like LoL, DotA2, ... (CSGO only if you love 25fps).
LINK: http://m.eprice.it/pc-desktop-INTEL/d-7846246

[TheWalrus]

Hoho, Intel Pentium is still alive?)

Yeah, it's still a thing for budget builds.

i remember when pentium was amazing!

Pentium 133 mhz was godlike

[h3oCharles]

Level 9 (~$8700)
You're rich and want a no budget overkill PC that you probably gonna end up playing only WA on it? This is the everything included overkill build you're looking for.

I would rather claim Minecraft for that

Nice list tho!

[MarianRV]

Level 3 (~$470 - $540)
The console killer. You can run almost all latest games at 1080p medium-high settings with 40-60fps. If you will focus on gaming you can exclude HDD. If you wanna go cheaper but you want bigger space, you can exclude HDD SSD . But I suggest to not exclude SSD if you want a good gaming experience. Also I put better CPU and case than Level 2.

[Triad]

Level 9 (~$8700)
You're rich and want a no budget overkill PC that you probably gonna end up playing only WA on it? This is the everything included overkill build you're looking for.

I would rather claim Minecraft for that

Nice list tho!

Thanks.

Yeah, Minecraft might actually require high specs if you max everything and load high contents.

Level 3 (~$470 - $540)
The console killer. You can run almost all latest games at 1080p medium-high settings with 40-60fps. If you will focus on gaming you can exclude HDD. If you wanna go cheaper but you want bigger space, you can exclude HDD SSD . But I suggest to not exclude SSD if you want a good gaming experience. Also I put better CPU and case than Level 2.

Thanks, edited.

[AduN]

i think i have lvl1 pc

[TheWalrus]

I have a level 8 PC processor/cooler/motherboard/memory/case, but with a level 3 graphics card.  Built for high level 2D worms performance!

[AduN]

ok i have amd athlon II 3 ghz
6gb ram ddr3
230 gb hdd sata
geforce gt 430 (non integrated)
dunno about mobo, but i think is shitty

[TheWalrus]

ok i have amd athlon II 3 ghz
6gb ram ddr3
230 gb hdd sata
geforce gt 430 (non integrated)
dunno about mobo, but i think is shitty

ye this is not good adun, need upgrade buddy