Gaming build under 1000$

tgosselin

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Jan 22, 2014
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Hello guys! New to the forums.

I am a little noob-ish when it comes to building a pc. I've never built one on my own and I'm having a bit of problem choosing the parts I need. Basically, I would like to run (most of) the latest games on high-ultra settings at 1080p, while keeping my PC cool.

I usually refer to ncix.com for most parts and I'm wondering if it would be best to rely solely on one website in order to get all the hardware shipped at once. I can go, at the very highest, 1100 (with taxes and shipping included).
Any help would be immensely appreciated!


 
Solution
This is an Intel/Nvidia build. It will let you SLI in the future, but add costs. This will also allow you to overclock. It is also likely possible to squeeze an SSD in there by going with cheaper brands for some of the components.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.97 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($73.99 @ Mwave)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($134.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($76.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM...

Specops125

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Dec 17, 2013
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Do you need a monitor and/or operating system, or do you have these already?

You don't need to rely on one website, Amazon and Newegg are good too. Also, when ordering multiple items you may find that it arrives in 2+ boxes anyway, even if from the same site because of shipping from different warehouses.
 

tgosselin

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Jan 22, 2014
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10,510


Thank you for the quick reply! I don't need any monitor, or speakers, or anything besides the tower itself. Also, I already have Windows 7.
 

Specops125

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Dec 17, 2013
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This is an Intel/Nvidia build. It will let you SLI in the future, but add costs. This will also allow you to overclock. It is also likely possible to squeeze an SSD in there by going with cheaper brands for some of the components.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.97 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($73.99 @ Mwave)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($134.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($76.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.67 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($330.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1086.06
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-22 19:21 EST-0500)

This is an AMD/AMD Radeon build. The CPU is a little weaker for gaming, but the GPU is a little stronger. It will also run a bit hotter. You can also go CrossFire in the future and/or overclock this.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($73.99 @ Mwave)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($76.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.67 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 290 4GB Video Card ($399.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1085.09
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-22 19:25 EST-0500)

And finally, if you are not going to overclock the CPU or go SLI, you could get an even stronger GPU (I am again omitting an SSD, you can play around with these if you wanted it, but something would have to give, either and that is most likely the CPU or GPU):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ TigerDirect)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI B85-G41 PC Mate ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.49 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.67 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($505.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ TigerDirect)
Total: $1100.01
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-22 19:46 EST-0500)
 
Solution

tgosselin

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Jan 22, 2014
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10,510



Wow. Thank you so much for taking the trouble to do this. I really appreciate it! If I do choose to overclock, do you think a water cooler is necessary ?
 

Specops125

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Dec 17, 2013
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The best air coolers can hang with some closed loop water coolers. For example, the Noctua NH-U14S and a Corsair H80i shouldn't be that different, and ditto with the Noctua NH-D14 and the H100i. Because Noctua also puts a premium on using silent fans, they would be quieter than the Corsairs.

You could go with the H100i, though the NH-D14 may require a larger case.