Budget Hardcore Gaming

CamCorbett · Nov 4, 2013

Hi Tom's Hardware!

I have been looking to switch from console to pc gaming, and currently have a HP Pavilion pc.
Don't get me wrong, its a good computer, and can handle small time games no worries, and it runs Arma 3 on Low/minimum graphics perfectly.

But I don't want low quality graphics... So I was wondering what gaming desktop pc is on the market at a reasonably low budget, $1000 or less that is capable of running games like Arma 3 and Battlefield etc on max settings.

My current pc specs are as follows:
GPU: Geforce GT 620
CPU: AMD A6-5400k APU with Radeon HD Graphics
RAM: 4 GB
OS: Windows 8
And I am currently running my screen resolution at 1920 x 1080 at 60Hz

PepitoTV · Nov 4, 2013

There you go:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.75 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($98.99 @ Mac Mall)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card ($299.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1022.65
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-04 18:55 EST-0500)

CamCorbett · Nov 4, 2013

PepitoTV :

There you go:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.75 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($98.99 @ Mac Mall)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card ($299.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1022.65
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-04 18:55 EST-0500)

Thanks heaps.
And one last thing, would these components be able to be overclocked?

Alpha-Black · Nov 4, 2013

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1XvoC
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1XvoC/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1XvoC/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($87.32 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($98.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.24 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($511.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Gaming 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ TigerDirect)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1339.47
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-04 19:00 EST-0500)

ChillKyle · Nov 4, 2013

Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)

I dont think you want to skimp out on a power supply. try getting a 80+ gold PSU

Alpha-Black · Nov 4, 2013

ChillKyle :

No need of Gold one.Bronze will work fine.

CamCorbett · Nov 4, 2013

Alpha-Black :

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1XvoC
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1XvoC/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1XvoC/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($87.32 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($98.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.24 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($511.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Gaming 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ TigerDirect)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1339.47
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-04 19:00 EST-0500)

I'm still new to pc gaming, and still have heaps to learn.
Im just curious about Intel i5, I'm just unsure.
So that would work perfectly? And keep up with i7 gaming computers?

PepitoTV · Nov 4, 2013

As long as is from a reliable brand, a Bronze PSU will work fine.

As for my build, yes, you will be able to overclock. I even threw an aftermarket CPU cooler with that in consideration.

CamCorbett · Nov 4, 2013

Ok.
Thanks heaps, Ill look into it all.

Thanks again

Alpha-Black · Nov 4, 2013

CamCorbett :

Alpha-Black :

I'm still new to pc gaming, and still have heaps to learn.
Im just curious about Intel i5, I'm just unsure.
So that would work perfectly? And keep up with i7 gaming computers?

Nah...i7 is an overkill for gaming.save your money from CPU and put it in your card

Alpha-Black · Nov 4, 2013

CamCorbett :

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1XvoC
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1XvoC/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1XvoC/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($526.30 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Gaming 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1289.22
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-04 19:19 EST-0500)
NewEgg have better deal then i suggested before and my rig is totaly overclocking focused too

save more the 40 bucks here .and
when it comes to reliability
ASUS,coresair and seagate are the most reliable companies in respected parts .no better then them at all.

CamCorbett · Nov 4, 2013

Alpha-Black :

CamCorbett :

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1XvoC
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1XvoC/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1XvoC/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($526.30 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Gaming 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1289.22
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-04 19:19 EST-0500)
NewEgg have better deal then i suggested before and my rig is totaly overclocking focused too

save more the 40 bucks here .and
when it comes to reliability
ASUS,coresair and seagate are the most reliable companies in respected parts .no better then them at all.

As for the i7 95 dilema, you've reassured me.

Thanks for the components as well, much appreciated

Alpha-Black · Nov 4, 2013

remember to select the best answer that will help others to make quick selection and mark this thread as solved.

PepitoTV · Nov 4, 2013

Just to nitpick, on a 1080p/60hz monitor you will not notice any difference between the R9 280X and the GTX 780, better stick with the cheapest one to stay in your $1000 budget.

Alpha-Black · Nov 4, 2013

CamCorbett :

Alpha-Black :

CamCorbett :

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1XvoC
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1XvoC/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1XvoC/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($526.30 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Gaming 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1289.22
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-04 19:19 EST-0500)
NewEgg have better deal then i suggested before and my rig is totaly overclocking focused too

save more the 40 bucks here .and
when it comes to reliability
ASUS,coresair and seagate are the most reliable companies in respected parts .no better then them at all.

As for the i7 95 dilema, you've reassured me.

Thanks for the components as well, much appreciated

Your always welcome bro.we are here to help .Thanks for selecting the best answer

Alpha-Black · Nov 4, 2013

PepitoTV :

There is no comparison at all b/t R9 280x and GTX-780 mate....
R9 280x is nothing but a renamed HD7970. that has much more weaker cores(streaming units) then GTX-780 Beast ,don't you think why AMD cut down the prices suddenly and rename cards ?
for a less budget rig its ok to put a R9 280x but when you have to spend why not for heavy and best hardcore one ?

PepitoTV · Nov 4, 2013

Well, while the 780 is obviously more powerful, OP did state a $1000 budget, if he's ok on spending $200 more on a card whose potential will not be noticed due to his monitor, then so be it.

Alpha-Black · Nov 5, 2013

PepitoTV :

NO.power of card will be noticed even on 1024x768 CRT monitor.

Budget Hardcore Gaming

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