Need help deciding on a graphics card that costs between $250-$300

Scrap that CPU and motherboard for starters. No use getting components that will be of no use to you in a year or two. Also the HDD is way too small, you can get 1TB HDD for pretty cheap, you should also take in account a proper CPU cooler to keep your processor cool and quiet and maybe push the clocks a bit farther.

The case also takes more room in your budget than I would allow.

Yes I agree with this entirely.

Due to the motherboard you will need an AM3+ motherboard and a FX6300 or 8320 or 8350 for gaming if you insist on AMD
I know you went with the FM2 socket because the motherboard was cheaper but that chip is not meant to be paired with a 300 dollar video card.

Back to the drawing board.

You have selected wrong cpu. In $1000 bult u can easily get ivy core i5
which will be a lot better
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-5.html

For gpu saphire 7870xt performs similar to 7950 in a lot less price
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202024

Take a look at toms $1000 build
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-a-pc-performance-overclocking,3437.html

Try this out:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($194.15 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99FX PRO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($66.72 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($250.00 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($76.50 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1017.31
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-26 14:19 EDT-0400)

Or if you want an Intel build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($66.72 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($250.00 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($63.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1030.64
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-26 14:25 EDT-0400)

Excuse me, but mine is better:

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 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($322.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.96 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($95.25 @ Amazon)
Total: $995.11
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-26 14:25 EDT-0400)

This will smoke all games.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($82.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.59 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($234.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($63.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($95.25 @ Amazon)
Total: $837.31
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-26 14:25 EDT-0400)

Short answer: 7870 XT or gtx 660.

Sample build from newegg: i5 + 7870 xt.

1

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
Item #: N82E16827135204
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy


$19.99
1

COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119233
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card


$69.99
$59.99
1

Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822148697
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy


$79.99
1

CORSAIR CX500M 500W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817139050
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card


$79.99
$69.99
1

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL
Item #: N82E16820231314
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy


$62.99
1

ASRock Z77 Pro3 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813157297
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$15.00 Instant


$94.99
$79.99
1

Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K
Item #: N82E16819116504
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant


$229.99
$219.99
1

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116986
Return Policy: Software Standard Return Policy


$99.99
1

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel ...
Item #: N82E16835103099
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$5.00 Instant


$37.99
$32.99
1

SAPPHIRE 100354XTL Radeon HD 7870 XT w/Boost 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 CrossFireX Support Video Card
Item #: N82E16814202024
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate Card


$259.99
$249.99
1

AMD Gift FARCRY3 Blood Dragon BIOSHOCK TOMBRAIDER
Item #: N82E16800995146
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$109.99 Saving


$109.99
$0.00
Subtotal: $975.90

I'd choose a non-Coolermaster case, but otherwise I prefer envy14tpe's build. Unless you're interested in overclocking, performance differences will be minimal, and the price is a lot lower.
I'd check that CPU price though; it's probably in-store only.

@loops Don't ever post like that. Annoying. And no one will read it.

I'll think about cleaning it up. It is a print out of the newegg order. I like it but I can see why some would not want as much detail.

The PC-picker thing looks better but often fails as giving the true cost and most builds have you running around different vendors to get things. It also fails to let ppl know about micro-center in story price restrictions and how much the MIR play apart in the price.

loops

Just a few thoughts:

* CPU doesn't OC, which isn't a bad thing, but at this budget price one should have some OC'ing options (not that it is needed, but it does help the build last longer for no extra $ down the road).
* Mobo doesn't support OC'ing, but does match up with the CPU listed.
* RAM has HIGH PROFILE heat spreaders, so adding an aftermarket CPU HSF later might be a problem, so it's better to keep that option open, IMHO.
* HD is good, but for $10 more you can get DOUBLE the space, so why not, especially for this budget.
* GPU is good, but for basically the same price I have a 7950 GPU listed, so that would be up to the OP if they want the 7870 XT or the 7950 GPU.
* Case is good, but doesn't support the front USB 3.0 ports, which the mobo supports, so why not have that option for the same price (Corsair 300R that I listed in my build).

The build is okay, but for a $1k budget, I would do things a bit differently, which I've listed above.

Slow down people. Way too much information going on here. So, I'm getting that you do not like the build that I have already? I see. Well then, I'll take a look at your builds and see what I get form them. Also....

@loops: Finally, someone understands! Newegg prices only, please! (Not in the mood for multi-vendor shopping)
@lunyone: I'd prefer to go with the 7950. As I said, best performance that I can get at a $1000.

Anyhow.....
1. I don't care what CPU-type it is. Intel or AMD is fine by me. The same goes for everything else. I just want to make sure that it lasts me awhile, and it won't break down after a few months of use.
2. For cases, performance over prettiness. A balance of cooling and silence is what I seek.
4. Another question: I own a 24' HDTV that I used to use for my Xbox 360. I'm selling it off and all the games to build this thing, so I was wondering.....will the 24' work well as a monitor? My current monitor isn't HD, and I would rather not buy one when I already have an HDTV that I can use.

I'll look over these builds now. Thanks for the help so far!

Here you go with 7950 (like my 2 builds before) and Newegg only:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($200.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($89.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($289.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1000.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-27 12:21 EDT-0400)

Not bad. However, after taking some advice from all of you, I did some tinkering with the old build. Here's what I came out with:
Case: NZXT Apollo
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 LGA 1155
GPU: Sapphire 3GB 384-bit Radeon HD 7950
Power Supply: Corsair 600W CX600M
CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2 GHz
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaw 8 GB (2 x 4 GB)
HDD: Western Digital 500 GB Blue
Disc Drive: SAMSUNG DVD Burner
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master GeminII

Subtotal: $953.91

Thoughts?

Yeah that will probably work out fine. I would be a bit concerned with the RAM set you selected. That set "might" get in the way of your CPU HSF, but I don't know for sure. I only recommend LOW PROFILE heat spreader RAM sets, so your options are open to adding just about any aftermarket CPU HSF. Now it might be fine, but it's something to think about.

Do you have a link to the RAM set? I'm pretty sure I think I know what set it is, but I'd just like to be sure. Probably looks like the set below:


Compared to:

I have the Z77 Pro 3, 2x4GB Ripjawz, and Cooler Master Evo. RAM fits easily.

That's good to know. I just like to be sure, because the Corsair Vengence are always a concern for me:

The XFX is a much better PSU than the Corsair. The former was built by Seasonic, and the latter by CWT, using some inferior Samxon capacitors that don't like heat and are known to fail early.
The 120GB Samsung 840 (not the Pro) was really put down by HardOCP. If you get one that size, either get the Pro or a Crucial M4.

Back again. I've decided to go with a GPU that costs around $200 instead of between $250 and $300. This is the one that I have been thinking about:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130825

Oh, and by the way: This is a $900 build. Not going any higher than that. Here's what I've got:
That graphics card
Cooler Master Hyper TX3 92mm CPU Cooler
ASROCK Z77 Pro3 LGA 155 motherboard
NZXT Guardian Case
Corsair Builder Series CX600 600W Power Supply
Intel Core i5-3470 CPU
G.SKILL Ripjaw series 8 GB (2 x 4 GB)
Western Digital Blue 1 TB HDD
ASUS DVD Burner
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

Subtotal: $914.90

Thoughts?

Scrap the TX3 and get a Cooler Master 212 for the same price.

Only need 500W. The PSU you chose is $65. You could get a CX500M for $50. You save $15 and take that money and drop it into
a $240 GPU which betters the EVGA 660:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvr787oc2gd

The Xigmatek Gaia cools within 1C of the Hyper212 EVO but is only $20. There's some more money to put into a better (not necessarily bigger) PSU or the graphics card. The 550W Seasonic-built XFX would be a good choice.

Hyper 212: $30
Xigmatek Gaia: $27
TX3: $17

What exactly are you trying to tell me?

Hmmm, the price on the Gaia got jacked. As recently as this weekend, it was still only $20.
Now I see it's only $2 cheaper than the CM. Well, it is also 6db quieter (per Frostytech reviews), so it's still the one I'd get. They're working well on my two main systems.

Deals come and go. The 212 was on sale this past weekend for $20. It had free shipping from newegg.

Since you aren't overclocking your CPU I'd get a cheaper heatsink/fan cooler. Also, why not buy a H77 instead of a Z77? This one is good:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-p8h77vle
It saves you some money on cost of motherboard and you could drop more money into the GPU.

Your system will be fine with 500W. Seasonic is the best. This 620W PSU is $10 more than the CX600:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-m12ii620bronze
This one I use and it's great, only $5 more than CX600:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-m12ii520bronze