$1000 Gaming PC Build

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hthorntonp7

hthorntonp7

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Sep 24, 2012
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Hey, I am planning on building a gaming PC for my brother who wants to start PC gaming rather than buying the new consoles. His budget is $1000, and we do not need any OS, monitor, keyboard, mouse, or speakers. That is already covered.

He wants this build to be very upgradable in case he ends up really liking PC gaming and wants to add on later. The motherboard and power supply are in case he wants to go SLI. I know the power supply is overkill, but it's a good deal and can be used for future builds.

He wants to be able to play the new upcoming games (BF4, Metro Last Light, etc.) on high-ultra settings, 1920 x 1080, with at least 45 fps. I have set up a build already. What are your guys thoughts and suggestions?


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.24 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.95 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($259.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($56.50 @ Newegg)
Total: $984.63
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-21 19:04 EDT-0400)
 
Solution
J


I'm afraid that you're quite incorrect, mate. An i5 beats pretty much anything AMD has on the market for gaming applications, and the gains from more GPU spending are pretty limited past the 760 (not to say that it's not worth doing, but you won't see massive returns). More spending on RAM past 2x4GB of 1866mhz would have almost no gaming returns whatsoever.

OP: This build is quite good. There are some things I would do differently (I would use a $280 7970...
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GoatParty

GoatParty

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Don't go with Intel, AMD is going to be much better in a $1000 build pricewise, as you could save 100$ to put toward more ram or a better graphics card. Also there's no way you can run Metro at 45 FPS on ultra with that. 40 FPS is average for about a bagillion dollar system.
 
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Jack Revenant

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I'm afraid that you're quite incorrect, mate. An i5 beats pretty much anything AMD has on the market for gaming applications, and the gains from more GPU spending are pretty limited past the 760 (not to say that it's not worth doing, but you won't see massive returns). More spending on RAM past 2x4GB of 1866mhz would have almost no gaming returns whatsoever.

OP: This build is quite good. There are some things I would do differently (I would use a $280 7970 rather than a $260 760, for example), but you have a very solid build here and it's good value for money.
 
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hthorntonp7

hthorntonp7

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I was originally thinking about the FX 6300 but decided to dish out the extra cash for the i5 for the increased performance in Metro and possible upcoming titles. I realize I won't get 45 fps on ultra on Metro, I am willing to turn settings down and live with about 35 fps.
 
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CaptainTom

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The CPU is fine. Though I recommend the i5-3570K for its cheaper price (Everything else is equal). But if you do go Haswell, I recommend getting a liquid cooler.

However the HD 7950 is a far better choice than the GTX 760. Period. It offers the same performance, an extra GB of VRAM (Which you WILL need for BF4), and it costs $55 less!!!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127737
 
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hthorntonp7

hthorntonp7

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Thanks for the reply, Jack. I originally thought about a 7970 but there seems to be very little performance increase over the 760 on games he will be playing (BF3, BF4, Crysis 3, Metro, etc.). I also am not a huge fan of AMD's drivers at this moment. It's there any other reason you'd recommend the 7970 over the 760?
 
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Marcopolo123

Marcopolo123

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get asus hd 7970 for ~300$ significantly faster , drop the ssd
corsair h55
750w gold certified, semi modular
better case with window

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($223.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H55 57.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($309.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Window ATX Mid Tower Case ($52.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1025.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-21 19:26 EDT-0400)

~550w psu would be plenty for 1 gpu,
~750w psu for 2 gpus
 
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smorizio

smorizio

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Myself if you have 10 extra bucks get the r300 case.
http://www.microcenter.com/product/379532/Carbide_Series_300R_Mid-Tower_ATX_Gaming_Computer_Case
Newer cases have top vents...fan mountings for extra fans on sealed liquid coolers and better cable management then the older half cases. Also the r line made for extra long gpu. There also been posting on toms main web page the newer amd gpu ready to drop next month. If you can hold off on the gpu I would and pick up what you can on combo deals.
 
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hthorntonp7

hthorntonp7

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Hey Tom, thanks for the suggestion. He will not be doing any overclocking and the extra stock performance of the Haswell will benefit him in my opinion. That is a very valid point on the VRAM, now Jack's recommendation makes more sense. I'll be looking for a low priced 7970 now.
 
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hthorntonp7

hthorntonp7

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SSD is a high priority on this build. CM 212 EVO is more than enough for stock clocks. I don't feel the extra $40 is well spent to upgrade the PSU to gold certified. I'll look for a 7970 when I get home (I'm on my phone right now) and I am very open to case suggestions as long as they are a similar price point. Anything higher and I'd just grab a Fractal R4. I switched to the HAF 912 for the lower price.
 
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hthorntonp7

hthorntonp7

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Sorry. To clarify, no overclocking at this point. I want the ability to add in a custom loop later on, so I want the ability to overclock but not a cooler to overclock right now. Make sense?
 
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J

Jack Revenant

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You're correct that I recommend the 7970 for the higher VRAM. It also overclocks quite well.
I would actually recommend the R4 over the HAF 912, even with the cost gap. I've worked in 912s before, and I am definitely not a fan of that case. The fans are louder than I like for the amount of air they move, and I generally do not consider it competitive for more than $30.
I agree that not spending $40 for gold is wise. You want Bronze, but Gold is just a perk to my mind. Not worth a significant extra expensive.
I'm not sure that you necessarily need a custom loop, but if you plan to make one at some point, a Z-series board and -k processor make sense.
 
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Marcopolo123

Marcopolo123

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h55 doesnt cost much more then evo

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H55 57.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($313.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Arctic White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($76.50 @ Newegg)
Total: $1025.41
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-21 19:49 EDT-0400)


ops i just read...
 
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CaptainTom

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Honestly it doesn't make sense. It's like the people that buy an i3 and say they'll upgrade to an i7 later. Just get the i7 now and save $130!!!!!!!!!!!!

So in this case, just get a liquid cooler now. It'll save you money, and anyone who can afford a $1000 PC, can afford a $1025 PC. ;)

Also AMD announces their new flagship HD 9970 in a few days (Literally)! Recent leaked documents point to it beating the GTX Titan at $600! The Price wars in the coming weeks will be EPIC! Expect the 7970 to cost ~$220 and the 7950 to cost ~$180.
 
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hthorntonp7

hthorntonp7

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I agree with you on the i7, but that was a poor analogy. A custom water cooling loop will be quite a bit more cash, especially if I water cool the GPU too. An H55 is not water cooling. I would much rather grab a D14 than a closed loop system. Your analogy would be different if I said I was going to upgrade from the EVO to the D14 in the future, in which case I'd recommend buying the D14 now, but when it comes to a custom water cooling setup, if you can't afford it right away, get a good, cheap cooler like the EVO first to wait makes a lot of sense.

I realize AMD is announcing their new line of GPUs in Hawaii right now and I can't wait to hear the releases, but I am still looking into graphics cards now so it will be an easier comparison for me when the next line comes out. I am not ordering the parts for a few weeks, and possibly even waiting if the new line is good enough. I am just looking at options right now.
 
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hthorntonp7

hthorntonp7

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Is there any specific brand and model of 7970 that you guys recommend? I can't find one that comes out on top like the Gigabyte does for the 760. My main priorities go noise, heat, and overclockability, in that order.
 
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J

Jack Revenant

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I would go with either the ASUS (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121560&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=) or Gigabyte (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125413&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=) 7970. The ASUS is quieter, as I recall, and I believe that Gigabyte tends to voltage lock their 7000-series GPUs, so the ASUS will likely overclock better as well.

Edit: The drawback of the ASUS is that it's a three-slot card, so it might restrict CrossFiring options in the future.
 
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hthorntonp7

hthorntonp7

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Sep 24, 2012
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Okay thanks Jack.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1GgqH

My concern now is we are about $100 over budget. Doesn't seem like much, but I still gotta buy the monitor, OS, and peripherals ($325). That makes my pocket hurt. $1000 was about my max. Original budget was $850. Should I return to my original plan or should I wait and find the extra cash?

Edit: I realize the Asus card is 3 slot and it will work with the mobo and case, thanks for the heads up anyway.
 
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Jack Revenant

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You can knock quite a bit off by getting the 212 Evo later on, and getting a smaller SSD boot drive: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1GgBI
Thoughts?
 
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CaptainTom

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hthorntonp7

hthorntonp7

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I'm just going to leave it over budget for now and see if the releases are worth going towards if they help drop prices. Tom, have you had any experience with the Asus or Gigabyte 7970s? The Vapor X is just out of budget because it is a GHz Edition. That would compare to a 770, which I would probably choose over the GHz Edition. The extra power would pay for having less VRAM on 1080p. When should we get more info on the AMD release?
 
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