Need help, Gaming Build $800-$1000

madcar86 · May 9, 2013

I am looking to build a new desktop, my laptop was stolen and I am using the insurance money to build the desktop. I need help picking the parts for the desktop. Please help me build the best computer for my budget. Thank you.

Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: This week

Budget Range: (e.g.: 300-400) $800-$1000 after rebates/shipping

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, editing videos, everyday stuff
Are you buying a monitor: Yes

Parts to Upgrade: All

Do you need to buy OS: No I have a Win 7 license

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Any where with the best price

Location: Acworth, GA

Parts Preferences: Whatever gives the best bang for the buck.

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Your Monitor Resolution: Whatever is recommended

Additional Comments: I want it to be upgradable in the future. And can run new games. I dont need a fancy case or anything.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: My laptop was stolen and I am using the insurance money to build a new desktop.

bigshootr8 · May 9, 2013

Here is my suggestion. I went with value (bang for the buck) and editing in mind. I went right up to your budget but feel its totally worth it.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($189.55 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($122.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($66.28 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($253.29 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.96 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VK228H-CSM 21.5" Monitor ($150.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $987.03
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-09 16:57 EDT-0400)

bigshootr8 · May 9, 2013

Also if you decide to overclock in the future buy a cooler

but for now this will do

RedJaron · May 9, 2013

If I was to build a machine today on that budget, I'd go something like this: ( rough pricing )

i5-3570 - $210
ASRock H77 Pro4 - $75
G.Skill Ripjaw 8GB RAM - $65
Crucial M4 256GB SSD - $200
Seagate Barracuda 1TB - $70
Radeon 7870 Tahiti LE - $250
FSP Aurum 500W - $80
Rough Total - $950

That leaves you $50 for a case of your choosing. Or, you could drop the SSD and get a nicer case and GPU. This build won't overclock and it won't max out games over multiple monitors. But it's a solid build that will serve well for a long time.

bigshootr8 · May 9, 2013

The problem I have with that build Red is you have a z77 board with a non k sku chip really rendering that choice pretty useless. Plus you forgot to place a monitor into the picture as he asked for a monitor as well.

RedJaron · May 9, 2013

bigshootr8 :

Whoops, meant H77, typed Z77 ( the $75 price is for the H77 board. )

Yeah, just read again, and noticed the monitor ( so few people need a monitor I stopped looking for it. ) In that case, yes, skip the SSD and put that toward the monitor of your choice.

bigshootr8 · May 9, 2013

I gotcha yes. That can be a option as well. I just was leaning towards AMD here because he gets every feature under the sun with the 990fx board scratch pci-e 3.0 which doesn't matter at this point. Plus he gets 8 cores to use with editing and that will have a stronger advantage with things then the 4 core i5 not that it can't get it done. You could also red go with the 3470 which is just below the 3570 and save a little that way to if you really like the i5 platform which is a good option as well. We both have the same GPU choice however with the power supply he gets more value and probably a stronger unit with the 650W XFX unit which is Seasonic based.

jryder · May 9, 2013

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Wb13

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: MSI ZH77A-G43 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($79.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($184.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Three Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
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) ($89.94 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: BenQ GW2450 24.0" Monitor ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $917.81

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-09 17:54 EDT-0400)

RedJaron · May 9, 2013

Right, taking the monitor out of the budget, you're really looking at a $650 - $850 build where AMD can be a very good option, especially for heavy content creation and professional apps. If that's the focus, the 8350 will be your best performer unless you want to wrangle an i7 into the build somehow.

Seasonic makes FSP PSUs as well. That one is gold certified opposed to the XFX bronze, though the XFX does open up Crossfire options, if you want to go that route.

bigshootr8 · May 9, 2013

Oh I was unaware of that. I have had good history with FSP but its been a while back to the socket 939 days of AMD the glory days

Yea nothing wrong with that PSU then. If you are going to sit tight with one card.

madcar86 · May 9, 2013

I think I am going with bigshootr8 builds. Thanks RedJardon for your build. I am liking the 8 cores that the AMD build has. I have a few questions, do you guys recommend getting a blu-ray burner, or is it overrated for the price? I also need a wifi card. I forgot about that in the first post. And if I could find some like another $100 - $200, would it be worth getting a SSD or use it toward something else?
Thanks for both of your help.

RedJaron · May 9, 2013

Considering how cheap and accessible flash storage is, why do you need to burn BD-ROMs? Not saying there isn't a valid reason, but no, I don't have a BD drive and I don't feel like I'm missing out. But if you're doing heavy video editing, you likely have much larger files than I do.

And yes, if you can scrape up an extra $130, I'd definitely get the SSD. It's such a noticeable upgrade and makes a system feel snappy.

bigshootr8 · May 9, 2013

I have a blu ray burner myself. I don't think its over rated per say I just don't burn much blu ray media I burn dvd media more so but who knows that could change. I mainly watch blu rays on my computer which does require software to do. It will not work out of the box. And for that I would recommend powerdvd. Just keep in mind that it is pricey to setup your pc for blu ray playback

http://www.amazon.com/Cyberlink-DVD-0C00-IWU0-00-PowerDVD-Ultra-Download/dp/B009T8FJQY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1368138284&sr=8-2&keywords=powerdvd+12

For SSD's I would recommend.
Samsung 840 Pro (Don't get the non pro the flash isn't as strong for long lasting life span)
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7pd128bw

bigshootr8 · May 9, 2013

Here is my build first is the inside 2nd is my burner to show you proof

RedJaron · May 9, 2013

DUAL solid states? Show off . . .

bigshootr8 · May 9, 2013

One was a scratch drive haha! I had to move it to another computer since my parents cheapo corsair nova 32GB ssd was conking out on them had to give them my 90 GB OCZ vector 2

madcar86 · May 9, 2013

is that a liquid cooler? Does it make a huge difference in cooling compared to traditional heatsinks?

bigshootr8 · May 9, 2013

It is a liquid cooler its a closed loop liquid cooler. Does it make a difference I would say it depends. It does a great job with overclocking at holding temperatures. I would say it performs a tiny bit better then the Noctua NH-D14 which is on of the best Air Coolers out there but is also very large and it gave me plenty of room to use larger ram sticks which are cheaper. So it really depends for me honestly I would of gone with a air cooler now. I don't really care for the pump noise that comes from my system its the only thing I can hear within my case and I don't really care for that.

madcar86 · May 9, 2013

Do I need to get a case fan?

bigshootr8 · May 9, 2013

No necessarily no. If you start overclocking then you can overlook your cooling situation in which case adding more fans would make more sense.

madcar86 · May 9, 2013

Awesome thanks everyone for the advice.

bigshootr8 · May 9, 2013

Not a problem

enjoy your new computer should be light years faster then your laptop was.

madcar86 · May 10, 2013

one more question, I need a wifi card. Which one should i get?

bigshootr8 · May 10, 2013

I wouldn't purchase a card per say I would purchase a usb wifi adapter I think that would make things a tad bit easier on you something like this.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320040

Need help, Gaming Build $800-$1000

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