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Build the Perfect Gaming PC - Holiday Buyer's Guide 2015

Linus Tech Tips@LinusTechTips2.2M viewsNov 20, 201514:41
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Which parts would Linus be looking for if he was building a new PC this holiday season? UpDesk link: Head over to updesk.com to let them know that we sent you! Freshbooks link: linustechtips.com Parts list: linustechtips.com Support us: linustechtips.com Join our community forum: bit.ly twitter.com @LinusTech Intro Screen Music Credit: Title: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro Screen Music Credit: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High youtube.com

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The video kicks off with a playful introduction and immediately frames the project as a holiday buyer’s guide for a gamer in your life. It establishes three target price points in US dollars and promises concrete parts lists with guidance based on Newegg US pricing, noting that links to all products will be in the description. The host emphasizes a philosophy of value and upgradeability, explaining that the first build aims for a solid 1080p gaming experience without worrying about extreme futureproofing, while still selecting components with a balance of price and performance. He also comments on the importance of avoiding low-quality bundled power supplies, endorsing Cooler Master for a reliable case and power unit, and he clarifies how GPU choices favor a balance of cost versus raw performance. Throughout the first segment, the discussion signals a broader theme of measurable improvements year over year, using the prior year's model as a baseline and highlighting how even modest budget reallocations can substantially boost gaming and content-creation performance. The tone remains practical and transparent, steering viewers toward flexible shopping strategies rather than rigid prescriptions, and it sets up the later sections that compare CPUs, memory, storage, and graphics options for different user needs. In the middle portions, the host details a more capable “future-proof” build, choosing an Intel quad-core Haswell-based i5/4460 for the mid-range and a high-end X99 platform for enthusiasts, featuring a six-core 5820K with hyperthreading. He describes the memory strategy as 32GB of DDR4 on a quad-channel platform at 2133 MHz to support virtualization and multitasking, and he explains why the X99A USB 3.1 motherboard, a 750W power supply, and a premium GPU like the MSI GTX 980 Ti are selected for both performance and upgrade paths. The guide also discusses storage strategy, recommending a mix of fast SSDs and higher-capacity HDDs with NAS considerations, and justifying the continued use of optical media in some builds. Aesthetics are acknowledged as a personal choice, with emphasis on a black and white theme that pairs with the chosen hardware and enhances perceived build quality. The presenter concludes by contrasting the new configuration with last year’s model, noting substantial gains in gaming and multi-threaded tasks, improved power efficiency, and vastly larger storage options. Towards the end, the video wraps up with practical advice on assembly, cooling, and overclocking considerations, reminding viewers that recommendations are flexible rather than dogmatic. It encourages viewers to mix and match parts according to real-world deals and personal taste, and it emphasizes using affiliate links to support the channel without bias from hardware vendors. The host previews additional content such as related reviews and a different project, and he closes with a light call to action to subscribe, engage, and consider UpDesk for office setups as a complementary piece to a powerful gaming PC. The overall message is that well-chosen components, balanced budgets, and realistic expectations yield a significantly better system, even when new generations of hardware are on the horizon, and that viewers should shop smart and stay practical about upgrade cycles.

Topics · technology · computing · hardware · guides

Questions answered

What are the three price points targeted in the guide, and what is the intended use for each build?
The guide targets under 500 USD for a basic, upgrade-friendly entry gaming PC; 900 to 1000 USD for a capable mid-range system suitable for 1080p gaming with some headroom; and around 2000 USD for a high-end, future-proof build aimed at enthusiasts and content creators with strong multitasking and multiple storage options.
Which CPU is selected for the high-end, future-proof build and why?
The high-end build uses an Intel Core i7-5820K (six cores with hyperthreading) on a X99 platform because it provides strong multi-core performance, an upgrade path, and unlockable overclocking, while keeping PCIe lane counts suitable for multiple GPUs and high-bandwidth devices.
Why does the guide favor a single powerful GPU over a dual-GPU setup for the top configuration?
A single, more powerful GPU offers a cleaner upgrade path, fewer compatibility issues, and a more reliable experience without the diminishing returns and driver headaches that can come with SLI configurations, especially for users who want long-term upgradability.