Looking to build a gaming pc for a bit above $900

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
T

Tripledot

Honorable
Jul 28, 2012
7
0
10,510
Hello. This isn't my first time on this forum , but you probably don't remember me. Regardless, I am planning on building a brand new system for my brother for about $900. I will need a monitor and a copy of Windows 7. This system will mainly be used for gaming, surfing the web, and schoolwork. I already have an idea of what I want, but I only have so much money. Performancewise, I want to be able to play games like bf3 and crysis on high to ultra settings with 1920x1080 resolution. Overclocking is possible, but no sli or crossfire for me. I also need a wireless card and a keyboard.

What I have so far: http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=21844725

I have a microcenter near my house (Duluth, Georgia) so I will be getting my RAM, Mobo, and CPU from there. I would like a 3570k, but I don't think I could do it with what I have so far. Is there any way I can upgrade from a Fx-6300 to the i5?
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
edogawa

edogawa

Splendid
Jan 4, 2012
2,890
0
21,460
If you must have a 3570k it will cost you about a 100-ish over.
You may be able to get some kind of combo deal at a micro center so it may be best to check there.

I left off DVD drives because you don't need them for a gaming PC and you can use a USB drive to install Windows.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G41 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.43 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($187.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($93.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VH238H 23.0" Monitor ($155.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $997.29
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-15 00:34 EDT-0400)

AMD build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8120 3.1GHz 8-Core Processor ($154.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 Extreme3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($84.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.43 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($187.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($93.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VH238H 23.0" Monitor ($155.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $957.28
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-15 00:39 EDT-0400)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
R

realchaos

Distinguished
Jan 30, 2013
5,287
0
19,960
So if you want an overclockable rig for $900 including os and monitor, don't expect to be able to get an i5-3570k while being able to max out Crysis 3. Sticking with the FX-6300 while help add more money into the gpu, thus increasing performance in gaming. This was about as close as I can get:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-D3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Pareema 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($269.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Hannspree HE225DPB 21.5" Monitor ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft Desktop 400 Wired Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($17.00 @ Newegg)
Total: $946.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-15 00:41 EDT-0400)

FX-6300 paired with a 970 board and Hyper 212 plus will allow for some great overclocking ability
Cheap ram that does what it's suppose to
500gb HDD
Sapphire 7950 has great overclocking ability and out-performs the GTX660
Cheapo case
Cheap Corsair 600w psu for tons of headroom
Standard, cheap optical drive
Your windows 7
Cheap 21.5" monitor at 1080p with clear image due to pixel density
Cheap keyboard + mouse
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
S

senupe

Honorable
Jul 3, 2012
39
0
10,540
Hi man, i'm assuming you are overclocking also.

AMD Powerhorse

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($164.61 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 EXTREME4 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($98.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN751ND 802.11b/g/n PCI Wi-Fi Adapter ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z9 ATX Mid Tower Case ($42.84 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Full (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Hannspree HE225DPB 21.5" Monitor ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech Call of Duty: MW3 Edition Wired Gaming Keyboard ($27.50 @ Amazon)
Total: $929.82
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-15 00:37 EDT-0400)

This option is an Intel based system with limited OC options (BCLK@105~4GHz) on this processor and you can also speed up the GTX 660.


CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($204.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN751ND 802.11b/g/n PCI Wi-Fi Adapter ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z9 ATX Mid Tower Case ($42.84 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Full (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Hannspree HE225DPB 21.5" Monitor ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech Call of Duty: MW3 Edition Wired Gaming Keyboard ($27.50 @ Amazon)
Total: $956.21
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-15 00:48 EDT-0400)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
R

realchaos

Distinguished
Jan 30, 2013
5,287
0
19,960
Western Digital HDDs are more reliable than Seagate. Anyways, I would just go with WD Blue since they are cheaper.
That's the average price for the average monitor now. 23" at 1080p is usually about $130-150, but with your budget you could just grab a 21.5" at ~$100.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
edogawa

edogawa

Splendid
Jan 4, 2012
2,890
0
21,460


A larger monitor for just a bit more will make the gaming experience that much better and easier on the eyes. No gamer should stoop to anything below 23 inches too.

If you really want to go to 21 inches and save 50 bucks get this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009316

Western digital is better than seagate reliability wise.

Since you're not going to be using a SSD in this build you want a WD black drive.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
T

Tripledot

Honorable
Jul 28, 2012
7
0
10,510
Realchaos, it doesn't seem like newegg sells that monitor anymore. Also, a question for anyone, are most companies pretty good about rebates? My last build didnt have any so I have no idea.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
edogawa

edogawa

Splendid
Jan 4, 2012
2,890
0
21,460


Depends on the company, worst is it usually takes awhile for them to process and send it to you.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
S

swifty_morgan

Illustrious
Feb 10, 2006
13,566
1
42,960
I don't know why people would even suggest anything under a 24" monitor..???

I had a 25 and 27" in my basket trying to put something together. The 256g SSD and having to buy an operating system really screws a build. doesn't anybody ever piece stuff together anymore? opsys go for $80 if you buy them when you see them. that's 20 bucks there. stuff adds up after while if you buy it right. I had to give up on the build because I went to 1200 bucks....... 9 something before I found out the 7970 I wanted to get was out of stock. wasted time I guess.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom