First Build Needing Feedback

[Lt Cobra]

I'm getting started in the PC gaming and hope to start recording gameplay as a hobby. I'm going to build a gaming PC and it will be my first build. MY build comes from A LOT of research and help from others. They other is modeled from a YouTube video on making your own Steam Box. Note I didn't add Windows since I get a free Windows 8 Pro that I will boot from my USB. Note I plan on buying it piece by piece since sales for these parts go up and down.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1Q5eH (StreamBox Build) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh455l3348s

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1Orh8 (Self-made build)

My only two questions are:
*Will it run current and upcoming popular game titles?
*Will it be an ideal PC to do game footage/editing?


Any suggestions and tips would mean a lot. If the cheap build can outperform the one I threw together that'd be great and save me a few dollars. However, I understand that a gaming PC is an investment you don't want to be cheap with in the long run. I want to build something to last me a few years before having to upgrade.

Cheers



1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming along with some video footage for it.

2) What's your budget? $640ish I can handle some shipping tax. If I can get it a little less that'd be great.

3) Which country do you live in? Tucson, Arizona, USA

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? I've provide a list in my links.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? I have no parts to reuse.

6) Will you be overclocking? I don't plan to, doesn't that put a lot of strain to a computer?

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
23" Screen Size
1920 x 1080 Resolution
300 Brightness
1,000:1 Typical Contrast Ratio
10,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
160°/160° Viewing Angle
5ms Response Time

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC? Building

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? I need some guidance on that question.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? Yes Windows 8 64-bit.

 

[Dangman]

Please read question 8 again and answer it correctly.

With that said, unless you're pretty savvy on what is a good computer hardware deal, it's rarely a good ideal to buy parts over time considering that it may take awhile for you to obtain all the parts for a working PC and therefore risk the chance of going past the seller return period. Manufacturer repairs/returns tend to take a lot longer than seller returns.

To answer your questions:
1) Your self-made build is not going to be good enough for current and upcoming popular games titles. The Steam Box build is better than your self-made build for gaming.
2) Same as above: Your self-made build is not the ideal PC to do game footage or editing. The Steam Box build is more ideal for game footage/editing.

However, the Steam Box still isn't that good and definitely needs improvement. But nonetheless, don't go with your self-made build.

 

[Lt Cobra]

Please read question 8 again and answer it correctly.

With that said, unless you're pretty savvy on what is a good computer hardware deal, it's rarely a good ideal to buy parts over time considering that it may take awhile for you to obtain all the parts for a working PC and therefore risk the chance of going past the seller return period. Manufacturer repairs/returns tend to take a lot longer than seller returns.

However, the Steam Box still isn't that good and definitely needs improvement. But nonetheless, don't go with your self-made build.

I plan on buying everything in whole by December or January.

Anything the Steam Build could a upgrade on? $460 is what it sits at, so I'm willing to invest in another $130.

 

[Dangman]

I plan on buying everything in whole by December or January.

Then you're planning waay too early then. Our parts recommendations tends to change over time due to changing pricing and availability. In other words, parts that we recommend this month might be bad or unavailable choices next month. As such, you're not helping yourself by planning so far in advance when there's a good possibility that a different/better system might be possible in December.

So wait until you're 1-3 weeks away from buying the system and ask for advice then. That way you'll get up-to-date advice on hardware and deals. I'm guessing you won't be able to afford the $640 for the build until December-January? Or can you afford to spend the $640 for the PC this month? If so, then why wait?

Anything the Steam Build could a upgrade on? $460 is what it sits at, so I'm willing to invest in another $130.

Shit, I got the two systems confused: Your self-made (the AMD system) is better than the Steam Box. However, as noted earlier, you're still planning a bit too early. A few tips though:
1) NEVER factor in the MIR until the rebate is actually in your hands. There's still a chance that the rebate company can deny your rebate and you may be SOL. As such, your setup actually costs $662. Keep that figure in mind, not the after-rebate price

2) PC PartPicker automatically factors in MIR and doesn't account for shipping costs from certain stores. As such, your actual purchase price will be significantly higher than what was stated. Case in point: PCPartPicker factored in the MIR for the video card, case and PSU in your AMD setup yet did not factor in the shipping costs for the Microcenter related parts. So you're looking at over $670+ for that AMD setup which just isn't a good price for it.