Quick Picks
Updated 2/6/2014

THIS IS NOT A DEFINITIVE LIST!!!
This list has "best values" for gaming/general desktop use. This should be a starting point for choices. Changes, corrections, additions, and comments are always welcome.

All QP links go to the PC Part Picker website, which shows pricing from various retailers.

Intel CPU
Performance, no overclocking capability
i5 4570

Performance, overclocking capable
i5 4670K

Budget
i3 4130


Intel Motherboard
Non Overclocking Boards
AsRock B85M (B85 mATX)
MSI B85M-G43 (B85 mATX)

Overclocking Boards
Asus Z87M Plus (Z87 mATX)
AsRock Z87M Extreme 4 (Z87 mATX)

Memory
8 Gigs of DDR3 1600, 1.5v or less

Graphics
Graphic card prices are always in flux. The below list is roughly arranged in order of increasing power.
Actual performance differences depend on game, resolution, and settings, so check actual game benchmarks (see next post) to see how specific cards perform.
Budget
These are the only two cards that do not require PCIe power plugs, meaning they can go in any system. Any card cheaper than these is not suitable for gaming.
Radeon 7750
Radeon r7 250

1680x1050
Radeon 7770 Ghz Edition
Radeon 7790
Radeon r7 260x
Geforce 650ti Boost
Radeon 7850

1920x1080:
AMD Radeon 7870 Ghz Edition
Geforce GTX 660
Radeon r9 270x
GTX 760
Radeon 7950

Higher than 1920x1200, 3 Screen Gaming, 3D gaming, E-peen:
Radeon 7950
GTX 670
GTX 770
Radeon r9 280x

Hard Drive
Western Digital or Hitachi 7200rpm

Solid State Drives
Samsung 840 EVO

Optical
DVD Burners

Cases
Micro-ATX cases
Corsair 350D
SilverStone PS07B
Fractal Design Define Mini
Nanoxia DS4

ATX cases
Corsair Carbide 200R
BitFenix Shinobi
Corsair Carbide 330R
Corsair Carbide 400R
Fractal Design R4
Nanoxia DS1

Mini-ITX cases
BitFenix Prodigy
SilverStone SG05 (450W PSU)
SilverStone SG08B (600W PSU)


Power Supplies
As long as you select based on # of PCI-E plugs, these choices are interchangeable. Buy on price and efficiency, not power. The only exception is modular units, which let you connect only the cables you need.
Integrated graphics and video cards with no pci-e connector (HD 7750)
Seasonic 300ET
Antec Earthwatts EA-380D - doesn't come with a power cord!

Cards with a single pci-e power connector (GTX 650 Ti/660, HD 7770/7790/7850)
(80PLUS Gold) FSP Group AURUM S 400W
(80PLUS Gold) Rosewill CAPSTONE 450W

Cards with dual pci-e power connectors (GTX 670/760/770/780, HD 7870/7950)
XFX ProSeries 550W
(Modular) Antec HCG M Series 620W
(Modular) XFX P1-650X-XXB9 650W
(Modular, 80PLUS Gold) SeaSonic G Series 550W
(Modular, 80PLUS Gold) SeaSonic X Series 650W
(Modular, 80PLUS Platinum) FSP AURUM 92+ Series 650W

Wireless Adapter
Intel Centrino N PCIe adapter

Monitors
In general, most LCDs will be fine for the average user, and price is the biggest driver. You can also check the SA Monitor Megathread for additional suggestions.
IPS screens, 22-25" screen, 1600x900 to 1900x1200
Various

Performance
Dell U2312 23"m 1920.1080, IPS
Dell U2412M 24", 1920x1200, IPS
Asus PA248Q24", 1920x1200, IPS

Aftermarket Cooling
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo - Noise reduction, minor O/C

Operating System
Windows 8 64-bit OEM
Win 8 Student Discount - requires a valid .edu address

Gamepads
Xbox 360 Wired
Xbox 360 Wireless with PC adapter

------------------------------------------
The "SA Performance" System
i5 4570
AsRock B85M (B85 mATX)
8 Gigs of DDR3
GTX 760
OR
Radeon 7950

The "SA Value" System
i3 4130
AsRock B85M
8 Gigs of DDR3
Radeon 7850

The "SA Penny-Pincher" system
Dell Outlet Inspiron (i3 or i5 minitower)
Radeon 7750

Recommended Vendor List
In the U.S.:
NewEgg,Amazon, NCIX

Canada:
NCIX,Canada Computers, DirectCanada

Europe:
Amazon UK, SCAN Computers, Aria

Australia
Umart, PC Case Gear

Japan
Tsukumo, Twotop
Crackbone fucked around with this message at Feb 6, 2014 around 16:35