First time building a computer...I am clueless

[boushkaa]

So for the past 12 years or so I have been using Apple. I now want to start the transition to PC. I am mainly looking to game on this pc and would like it to be a desktop. I started looking around online and there are just so many parts it got very overwhelming. I also don't want to buy a $200 motherboard and then get a wrong part and mess it up, so thats where I need help. I want this thing to be able to run Battlefield 3 or Arma 2 on the highest settings.
Budget: Around $700? I already have a keyboard/mouse/monitor.
Is this possible?
Where would I start?
What would you build for that price?

 

[Jiniix]

I doubt you'll be able to play Battlefield 3 (or 4) on Ultra settings with a $700 build, but I'll try and compose a build.

AMD Athlon X4 760K 4.1GHz: $90
Gigabyte GA-F2A88X-UP4: $110
G.Skill RipjawsX DDR3-2133 2x4GB: $85
Sapphire HD 7850 2GB: $165 ($150 with MIB)
Seagate Barracuda 2TB: $100
Corsair CX500M: $66 ($56 with MIB)
NZXT Source 210: $45
Coolermaster Hyper 212 Evo: $35 ($30 with MIB)

Total: $696 ($666 with MIBs)

This is a slightly modified build I suggested to a person asking for a $600 build a couple of days ago, ended up at $650

I know from experience that Battlefield 3 really loves a quad core CPU. Pretty much just get a quad core CPU and the best GPU you can afford, if you want to max BF3.
The CPU I've linked will easily be overclocked to 5GHz, and I've selected the best price/performance cooler, that'll keep it cool.

You might not need 2TB of storage, then you can save $30 and get the 1TB version.

It should be noted that a copy of Windows 7/8 costs around $85, so if you don't have one already, you will need to buy one.
I would also add a Arctic F12 120mm: $9 so you have 2x120mm intake and 1x120mm exhaust.

 

[boushkaa]

I doubt you'll be able to play Battlefield 3 (or 4) on Ultra settings with a $700 build, but I'll try and compose a build.

AMD Athlon X4 760K 4.1GHz: $90
Gigabyte GA-F2A88X-UP4: $110
G.Skill RipjawsX DDR3-2133 2x4GB: $85
Sapphire HD 7850 2GB: $165 ($150 with MIB)
Seagate Barracuda 2TB: $100
Corsair CX500M: $66 ($56 with MIB)
NZXT Source 210: $45
Coolermaster Hyper 212 Evo: $35 ($30 with MIB)

Total: $696 ($666 with MIBs)

This is a slightly modified build I suggested to a person asking for a $600 build a couple of days ago, ended up at $650

I know from experience that Battlefield 3 really loves a quad core CPU. Pretty much just get a quad core CPU and the best GPU you can afford, if you want to max BF3.
The CPU I've linked will easily be overclocked to 5GHz, and I've selected the best price/performance cooler, that'll keep it cool.

You might not need 2TB of storage, then you can save $30 and get the 1TB version.

It should be noted that a copy of Windows 7/8 costs around $85, so if you don't have one already, you will need to buy one.
I would also add a Arctic F12 120mm: $9 so you have 2x120mm intake and 1x120mm exhaust.

Thank you so much. I made a mistake with my phrasing though. I meant to say that I would run Arma 2 on highest settings. Battlefield 3 I dont need to play on ultra settings. My mistake. But I don't know if that info changes any of that build you gave me. I have a copy of windows 7 already so thats all set. As being a complete newbie to building a computer I am afraid I have to ask about wifi. Is that factored in on that build? But thank you so much with linking me to everything, hope to get started on this soonish.

 

[Jiniix]

WiFi is rarely built in to a desktop PC. Some motherboards come with it, but you can always add a WiFi card and plug it in to the motherboard.
This build would probably run BF3 on ultra settings if you don't go above 1080p (which monitor do you have?), and play Arma II very well (don't remember if it's harder or easier to run Arma, but I have both DayZ and BF3, which my PC runs fluently at highest settings)
Linksys WMP600N: $47 will add wireless connectivity in a very simplistic matter (you get the drivers through Windows Update (it actually works well that way))
Good thing you already have a Windows copy, it's a budget-build-killer normally. However, are you sure it's a 64-bit version?
Also, seeing as you are a former Apple-user (welcome to the world of freedom, btw), are you familiar with overclocking? Your CPU wants to be overclocked.