$2,000 Budget PC

Off-Topic Games, Gaming and Hardware
1

Hello,

I’m in the process of wanting to build a new PC to not only Shadowlands, but some other games like Final Fantasy online and such. I bought a prebuilt PC through Ibuypower approximately 7-8 years ago and it has worked great other than the coolant system going bad. The reason why I used this site in the past is because I have absolutely no clue on how to build my own other than just randomly picking parts. I was hoping to get some advice on here. I’ve asked in the past and received some good advice, but everybody told me to wait until the new processors came out. Here’s what I’m looking for:

  • I know for certain I want the Snowblind Pro case for my computer. I like how it looks and by looking on Amazon I know that runs about $300 or so. Does anybody have this case and can recommend it?

  • I want to run 3 monitors at once. I understand it’s best to get the 60 hz gaming monitors.

  • I’m all about looks and the more glow the happier I will be.

I understand Ibuypower can cut corners on critical parts so do you recommend I just buy the parts and have a computer shop put it together for me? Or should I just buy the a pre-built. I appreciate any advice! :slight_smile:

2

I don’t think they sell the case separately…though I could be wrong

iBuyPower isn’t bad, they aren’t the greatest either.
As long as you’re aware, you’re paying more for…

  1. The bling
  2. Build service and Shipping fee

so with that aside…
is this 2k budget strictly for the computer or does it include the monitors as well?

3

I was looking on Amazon and it looks like you can buy it separately. As for the budget that would be including monitors, however I could probably throw in an additional 200 or so and make the budget $2,200. I would like to run everything on Wow on Ultra settings. I mean this computer lasted me for a good 7-8 years.

4

Monitors - “Gaming” monitors are usually just advertisement. I’d suggest you do a single high refresh rate (120 or 144hz) and dual 60hz ips monitor for misc.
Your case also has a built in monitor so you’re technically rocking 4 monitors.

Template build below. Things to note. You want to keep a lot of white components and white led to keep the screen visible. This leaves you with some left over for 2 additional monitor, tax/shipping, and build fees if you decide not to build it yourself.

If this feels a bit pricey, then another parts list can be generated.

Also if you want to buy it from iBuyPower,
https://www.ibuypower.com/Store/iBUYPOWER-Snowblind-Pro/W/920559

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/rQbmRk

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor ($174.99 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Deepcool CAPTAIN 240EX RGB WH 153.04 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX ATX AM4 Motherboard ($114.99 @ B&H)
Memory: Team T-Force Delta RGB 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($82.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Blue 1 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($119.00 @ Walmart)
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER 8 GB Video Card ($499.99 @ Best Buy)
Power Supply: EVGA G5 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($114.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: VIOTEK GN27D 27.0" 2560x1440 144 Hz Monitor ($269.99 @ Best Buy)
Custom: Snowblind Case ($200.00)
Total: $1676.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-04-13 11:37 EDT-0400

5

Well, “gaming” monitors are usually high refresh or have adaptive sync. So… you’re suggesting getting a gaming monitor =P

Be aware that you may have issues in some cases getting adaptive sync to work (Freesync or Gsync) with panels of varying refresh rates if they are all running off the same GPU. Its not universal but it can happen.

6

Thanks Aquorius for the feedback! I hope you don’t mind, but I had a few additional questions. I was looking at the build that you posted from Ibuypower to avoid the hassle of having to assemble it myself, unless I bought the parts separately and took it to a computer shop to assemble.

1.) Should I get a better sound card or is the stock one that you listed okay?

2.) Concerning the monitors. Would these monitors be alright?

  • 1x 24" [1920x1080] Sceptre C248B-144RK Curved Gaming Monitor - 144HZ 3ms
  • 2x 24" [1920x1080] Sceptre C248W-1920RN Curved Gaming Monitor - 75HZ 5ms

Or should I get 3 of one of these instead?

3.) Is it alright to upgrade the processor to a Intel® Core™ i9-9900KF Processor 8x? It looks like they have a free upgrade for this series.

4.) And everything should be okay with that motherboard too that you selected?

I appreciate all of your advice :slight_smile:

7
  1. You don’t need to buy a sound card, the integrated one on the motherboard is more than enough for most consumers.
  2. They should be fine, though I don’t think you will be able to utilize free sync that is available on those monitors due to the selected gpu. (you still get the high refresh rate)
  3. Yes
  4. Motherboard is fine, and highly recommend you keep CPU at stock.

I’m not a monitor guru, I highly suggest going on youtube and doing a quick glance at those monitors. Maybe Kag or a few others can chime in.

8

What do you mean by free sync? So I should get 3 of the same?

9

Freesync is adaptive sync.

What that means is that instead of your monitor always running at one refresh rate (144hz for the one you selected, as your primary monitor, for instance), and then displaying frames when the GPU sends them, which can cause tearing or stuttering when a frame is drawn halfway through a screen refresh, etc, it instead syncs itself to the output of your GPU - so if your GPU is only putting out 98fps, the monitor runs at 98hz (98 refreshes/sec), so there is never any tearing or stuttering or other issues.

What Aquorious was saying is that the GPU might not work with Freesync, as that is the AMD variant of Adaptive Sync (there are 3 - VESA Adaptive Sync, which is the base standard that almost no one uses, Freesync, championed by AMD and, as its name implies, free to implement, and G-sync, which is nVidia’s proprietary version that requires an actual hardware module in the monitor itself).

However, some time ago, nVidia implemented software support for Freesync in their driver, and while it is not “supported” - I.E. nVidia doesn’t guarantee it will work in all cases and wont provide you support - i have yet to encounter a a decent Freesync monitor that doens’t work with nVidia cards just fine, now.

The main issue you might have, is that Gsync-over-Freesync requires the use of DisplayPort cables, and im not sure if that GPU has 3 DP outs.

It should be largely academic, as you really only need Gsync/Freesync to be active on the display you’re gaming on. If it isn’t turned on on your secondary monitors, it wont hurt anything.

My personal opinion is that you’d probably enjoy going to 1440p more, and the 2070 SUPER is capable of 1440p and even 100+fps in a lot of cases (as its only slightly slower than a 1080Ti, which i have, and i drive 1440p/ultra/90-100+fps depending on the title, usually over 120fps).

Also, if you did a pair of 1440p monitors, you probably wouldnt need 3 monitors, since then your second monitor would be higher res and could fit more on the screen, you might not need 2 secondaries.

Up to you though.

1080p high refresh can be fine, too, that’s what my wife plays at (on an AOC FReesync panel with her 1080 ARMOR) since according to her she couldnt see a difference between 1440p and 1080p, YMMV).

Otherwise, the monitors you’ve selected look fine enough, and the two lower refresh displays will work fine without needing adaptive sync enabled.

10

That is definitely a lot to understand. I’m that case can you recommend the monitors I should get given that you’re recommending only 2? As I mentioned before, I’m so lost when it comes to this sort of stuff and just want to make sure I get everything to where it plays perfectly. I like the curved model monitors.

11

For gaming with 3 monitors is it to use all 3 for the game or one for gaming, one for browsing and one for whatever? Im just asking cause I was gonna go the 3 route but ended up with just an ultrawide and like it for the seemless look it gives even if not as wide as 3 would be.
https://www.newegg.com/black-newsync-x34u100-hdr-up-34/p/3D4-0004-00037 something posted though not curved which doesnt really matter to some.

For the CPU upgrade itll cost $65 from the website and doesnt really improve most games FPS though in WoW it can since it is more CPU heavy but how much to pay is up to you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7vKkAlMTMs

12

Upgrading to 1440p will drive cost up and if its a high refresh rate monitor well you can expect to pay about $250-$500 for one. How much are you comfortable spending for the monitors?

The tidbits of Kag’s post
Adaptive sync (Freesync/Gsync) reduces screen tearing (image doesn’t line up for example) by allowing monitor and game to sync up. Gsync(Nvidia) may work on some Freesync(AMD) monitors.

Quick note for Monitor Panels (this does not cover everything)
IPS -
Good color, better viewing angle
meh black levels, costly
TN -
Cheaper, good for fast pace games (FPS)
Poor viewing angle
VA -
In between IPS/TN

13

Also my plans were to use the monitors separately for tasks. I would be using two for gaming, while the other for browsing or watching stuff online.

I’d say prolly 250-275 per monitor is what I’m looking to spend. Does that seem reasonable?

14

I wouldnt do the 3-monitors setup as 2 for gaming and one for other stuff, spanning across just two monitors leaves you with a REALLY weird aspect ratio

Also, most games dont really support spanning across multiple monitors that well. Its a lot less impressive than you’d think.

If you want it to wrap around you, you could instead go with an Ultrawide resolution for your primary monitor (21:9 instead of 16:9).

A 2070 SUPER might struggle with UW-QHD (3440x1440), but you could step it down to UW-FHD (2560x1080) if that’s the kind of experience you’re looking for.

Personally, i’m not that sold on UW resolutions for gaming (it doesn’t really add much, and a lot of games dont support it well). I think you’d be better off with a single high-refresh 1440p monitor, and a secondary 1440p monitor for other stuff.

There’s a pretty solid VA Freesync panel:

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/HbCD4D/viotek-gn27d-270-2560x1440-144hz-monitor-gn27d

For less than 300. Its not the bestest monitor in the world but for the price its very solid. Rather than get 2 of those (though if you want, thats fine, but you aren’t going to be gaming on the second monitor so going high refresh for that one isnt necessary), you can get a cheaper 60-75hz 1440p panel for the secondary monitor.

Something like this:

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/8KyV3C/acer-v277u-270-2560x1440-75-hz-monitor-v277u

would be fine.

15

Thanks Kag! I apologize for not knowing so much stuff about this. I just want to get the best gaming experience for the best buck. Does everything else look great in the setup that Aquo posted from the Ibuypower setup? I understand that companies like this don’t always provide the best parts, but it’s more the hassle of trying to assemble the computer myself as I’m limited on time due to my job and inexperience. Could you also recommend 2 curved monitors as just one curved and one flat? I appreciate all of the advice that both of you are providing to me :slight_smile:

16

I didnt even notice, but it appears that that Viotek i linked is curved.

Not a high curve, but it is.

Your best bet is to look through PCPartpicker’s listings:

https://pcpartpicker.com/products/monitor/#C=1&r=256001440&sort=price&page=1

And just filter to 1440p, curved, 100+hz, and Freesync.

Find one you like that has good reviews.

17

Thanks Kag! Okay so reviewing everything over. Does this build seem legit to you? I know it’s alittle over the $2,000 budget I wanted, but if it lasts me for years like this one did I’m willing to pay alittle extra.

Limited Time Offer TODAY ONLY! $50 Off All Intel Powered Systems!!
Case iBUYPOWER Snowblind S Gaming Case - Black/White with LCD Side Panel
Case Fans Default Case Fan
Case Lighting Snowblind White LEDs
Processor Intel® Core™ i9-9900 Processor (8x 3.10GHz/16MB L3 Cache) - Free Upgrade to Intel® Core™ i9-9900KF Processor
Processor Cooling ENERMAX 240mm AQUAFUSION ARGB CPU Cooler [White]
Memory 16 GB [8 GB X2] DDR4-3000 Memory Module - Certified Major Brand Gaming Memory
Video Card NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER - 8GB GDDR6 (VR-Ready)
Game Bundle [FREE Software Download] Wallpaper Engine - w/ Purchase of a Snowblind System
Motherboard ASRock Z390 PHANTOM GAMING 4S-IB – 802.11ac WiFi, ARGB Header (1), USB 3.2 Gen 1 (4 Rear, 4 Front)
Power Supply 650 Watt - High Power - 80 PLUS Gold - (includes Sleeved Cables)
Primary Hard Drive 1 TB ADATA SU750 SSD – Read: 550MB/s, Write: 520MB/s - Single Drive
Secondary Hard Drive 1 TB Hard Drive – 32MB Cache, 7200RPM, 6.0Gb/s - Single Drive
Sound Card 3D Premium Surround Sound Onboard
Network Card Onboard LAN Network (Gb or 10/100)
Operating System Windows 10 Home - (64-bit)
Keyboard iBUYPOWER Standard RGB Gaming Keyboard
Mouse iBUYPOWER Gaming Optical Mouse - Multi-Color LED Lighting
iBUYPOWER SafeGuard Packaging iBUYPOWER Specialized Advanced Packaging System - Protect your investment during transportation!
Warranty 3 Year Standard Warranty Service
Rush Service Standard Service - Estimated Ship Out in 10-15 Business Days

Total: $1,802.60

|Monitor| - VIOTEK GN27D 27.0" 2560x1440 144 Hz Monitor x2 = $540

Grand Total: $2,346

Plus, I would need a new computer desk. I was looking at this one:
AuAg 47" Gaming Style Desk Computer Home Office Desk Student Table PC Desk with Cup Holder & Headphone Hook Powerful Cabling Management PC Desk with Colorful RGB Lights (Found on Amazon)

However, with the size of those monitors I might need to find a new one.

Again, I appreciate all of your guys advice. You don’t think any of this is overkill? lol

18

Click on the option for the 9900kf otherwise they will ship it with a 9900
Swap out the PSU for a Seasonic one.
Optional - I’d get the white back plate to help with the LED side panel on that case.

Other then that, I don’t see a problem.
You’re speaking to the wrong crowd when you ask about overkill.

1 Like
19

I like that build and the suggestions above my post. Personally I would get a smaller screen for a secondary monitor, but that’s up to you. Saves you some money and desk space. I will also add that you never want to game across two monitors because then you have the bezels of the displays right down the middle. Odd numbers only!

20

Definitely overkill, especially the desk. Buuuuuut, sometimes you just gotta YOLO.

Buy it and enjoy it, you’ll have fun with it.

1 Like