First PCBuild, $800-$1000 Budget

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Rackemwilly

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May 30, 2013
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10,510
Hey everyone,

After reading through several forum posts here and tweaking a few linked builds to my own preferences, I've come up with a partlist that's just over my budget (However I needed an OS, Monitor, and a Keyboard). I'm a pretty avid gamer, and am looking to finally upgrade from playing on a laptop and building a PC has been on my list of to-do's for a while now.

I will likely be purchasing the parts within 4 - 6 weeks, and basically just wanted some more experienced builders to give it a look and see if there are any modifications I could make to save some money / better optimize somewhere (again I'm new to this). I considered dropping the GPU to a 650ti boosted but from what I've been reading it seems like the extra money spent on the 660 is well worth it.

Thanks for your time!

Build link: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Rackemwilly/saved/1FHq
 
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assasin32

assasin32

Distinguished
Apr 23, 2008
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: MSI B75A-G43 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($74.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($55.25 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($248.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Tempest 210 ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.09 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($86.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Asus VS247H-P 23.6" Monitor ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($59.59 @ Compuvest)
Total: $987.83
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-30 02:30 EDT-0400)

Thats what I change off hand with keeping your case, full size ATX board, and not going too deep into the build. The big issue is your using a z77 motherboard with a non overclocking CPU which is kind of pointless as those motherboards biggest strengths is the ability to overclock. So I droped the z77 down to something cheaper and the heatsink since it's not being overclocked (though I personally like aftermarket heatsinks, I did so just because it's not necessary). Than I put that money towards a better GPU.

More money can be saved by dropping down to micro atx motherboard which I personally would do if you don't plan on ever expanding the build or overclocking, as you can probably save another $20 there to put towards something else.

Come back when you have the funds and we will help you again, just fill out the form thats stickied as it helps us in knowing what were working with more. And you didn't stick to your budget thats cheating lol.

EDITED IN:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: MSI B75MA-E33 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($55.25 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($248.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($86.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Asus VS247H-P 23.6" Monitor ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($59.59 @ Compuvest)
Total: $955.73
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-30 02:41 EDT-0400)

Example of a more budgeted build with about no upgradability to show what I meant.
 
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X79

X79

Honorable
Apr 17, 2013
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You can get almost anything for that budget luckily.

Here's a complete set:


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($178.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI ZH77A-G43 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($79.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($55.25 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($248.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 431 Plus (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($86.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Asus VS247H-P 23.6" Monitor ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($59.59 @ Compuvest)
Mouse: Logitech G500 Wired Laser Mouse ($49.46 @ Amazon)
Total: $1064.19
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-30 02:42 EDT-0400)

I didn't know what mouse you wanted, so I just put in one with high ratings.
Same specs as the last guy, except for that mouse and such. I'd consider upgrading
to WIndows 8, as 7 won't be supported for much longer.
 
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R

Rackemwilly

Honorable
May 30, 2013
18
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10,510
Thanks for the quick reply man! And yeah, I don't really have aspirations to overclock, hence I wanted to go with a 3470 as opposed to the 3570K but didn't realize that opened up cheaper options for the mobo, thanks for that! And I'll look into the micro atx motherboards as well to see what savings I can scrounge up. Also, I see that many posts by you guys use that nice formatted style from PCParkPicker but I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to link it in that way, though I suspect it was to do with it being 2:30am.

And budgets are meant to have a little bit of wiggle room aren't they? ;)
 
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X79

X79

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Apr 17, 2013
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Well okay, here's an SSD for you, for being so nice and wiggly:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($178.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI ZH77A-G43 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($79.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($55.25 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($84.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($248.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 431 Plus (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($86.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Asus VS247H-P 23.6" Monitor ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($59.59 @ Compuvest)
Mouse: Logitech G500 Wired Laser Mouse ($49.46 @ Amazon)
Total: $1149.18
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-30 02:48 EDT-0400)
 
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R

Rackemwilly

Honorable
May 30, 2013
18
0
10,510


Thanks for all the help man! I noticed a case change in the edit, what exactly would be the differences, pros/cons between the 2 cases? I suppose what I'm asking is if there's much difference in value between the two ($20 isn't too much of a concern if the value is there).
 
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X79

X79

Honorable
Apr 17, 2013
3,039
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13,460
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($114.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($69.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory
Memory: Kingston Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.98 @ PCM)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($84.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($248.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 335 Upgraded ATX Mid Tower Case ($36.66 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Acer H236HLbid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K90 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($125.00 @ Mechanical Keyboards)
Mouse: Logitech G500 Wired Laser Mouse ($49.46 @ Amazon)
Total: $1164.98
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-30 02:55 EDT-0400)

Absolutely awesome monitor, keyboard and GPU, AS WELL AS an SSD!

And if you can do without an SSD:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($114.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($69.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory
Memory: Kingston Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.98 @ PCM)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($248.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 335 Upgraded ATX Mid Tower Case ($36.66 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Acer H236HLbid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K90 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($125.00 @ Mechanical Keyboards)
Mouse: Logitech G500 Wired Laser Mouse ($49.46 @ Amazon)
Total: $1079.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-30 02:56 EDT-0400)

^^

Check out that K90 keyboard. It's amazing.
 
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R

Rackemwilly

Honorable
May 30, 2013
18
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10,510


While I like the idea of a SSD, it's something I'd rather get later on, to help alleviate the initial blow to my wallet, wiggly or not ;) Also, I currently have a Razer DeathAdder 2013 so a mouse isn't required but I appreciate the thought! :)
 
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X79

X79

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Apr 17, 2013
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Well he chose a Micro ATX case. SO your case is smaller and thus you've got less room to play with.

It's cheaper too however. But getting a mid or full tower is more ideal. More space to upgrade and better

features.
 
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Solution
R

Rackemwilly

Honorable
May 30, 2013
18
0
10,510
Alright so using suggestions from both of you, how does this look? It comes in at a cool $999.91 w/ shipping ;)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: MSI B75MA-E33 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($55.25 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($248.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 431 Plus (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($86.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Asus VS247H-P 23.6" Monitor ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($59.59 @ Compuvest)
Total: $965.73
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-30 03:12 EDT-0400)
 
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J

Jack Revenant

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Apr 16, 2013
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13,160


If you don't intend to buy for four-to-six weeks, I would recommend coming back closer to purchase date. The new Intel processors (Haswell), as well as the lower-tier nVidia 700s will be coming out in that time, altering the optimal build for your budget significantly, to say nothing of the shifts in sales/bundles from various retailers in that period.
 
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