Gaming PC for $700-800

Pops_Holliday

Honorable
May 7, 2013
1
0
10,510
We want to get my brother a gaming computer for his HS graduation with a budget of $700-800. He played league of legends and i think guild wars 2 now, but will want to play newer games as they come out. He isn't too concerned with playing games at optimum graphics. I haven't built a computer before; should I build or just buy one from the store? Do I need to spend this much or could i get away with spending less now with the option of upgrading later? I appreciate any input you can give.

Approximate Purchase Date: Before June

Budget Range: $800 max, but the less the better

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming, internet surfing

Are you buying a monitor: Yes

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: No preference

Location: Chicago

Overclocking: No?

Your Monitor Resolution: Need a new one

Why are you upgrading?: He has been gaming on a computer that is having a hard time with newer games and I don't want to have to worry about him not being able to play a new game.

Thanks!
Cory
 
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($94.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost 2GB Video Card ($139.50 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 431 Plus (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($65.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.94 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VH238H 23.0" Monitor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $868.32
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-07 14:00 EDT-0400)

about as good as i can do with your budget, looking for an OS and Monitor.
 
you can squeeze a bit better than that build.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($178.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock B75M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($60.55 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Wintec One 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($48.45 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($168.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Ultra XBlaster Pro ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.94 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Acer G236HLBbd 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $807.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-07 14:19 EDT-0400)

this has an i5, a 660 gpu, 600W PSU (more than it needs but is a great sale)
 
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($178.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus P8B75-M LX PLUS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Wintec One 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($48.45 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost 2GB Video Card ($139.50 @ Newegg)
Case: Ultra XBlaster Pro ATX Mid Tower Case ($38.24 @ TigerDirect)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.94 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Acer G236HLBbd 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $788.07
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-07 14:34 EDT-0400)

ok, here's a slightly different version, stepped down a step on the GPU, and swapped a new mobo in.
 

Marcopolo123

Honorable
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($79.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: A-Data XPG Gaming Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost 2GB Video Card ($139.50 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($65.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VH238H 23.0" Monitor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $769.40
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-07 15:21 EDT-0400)