Help building a budget gaming pc $1000

jgarver53 · Feb 11, 2014

Hey guys i need some help! I'm trying to put a great build together for about a $1000.. I'm not looking to do this all at one so you all know. I plan on spreading it out a few months and buying things here and there. I was wanting to start by using an Intel i5 40 3.4GHz processor but honestly after that idk where to go with so many options available... I want this gaming computer to be able to play games at 60fps on max settings.. any help would be great guys!

TheMohammadmo · Feb 11, 2014

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($114.97 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($249.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Rosewill BlackHawk ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $946.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-11 18:44 EST-0500)

shortstuff_mt · Feb 11, 2014

What is included in the $1000 budget? It would be very helpful if you could post in the format from the *How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice* sticky at the top of the forum.

smorizio · Feb 11, 2014

I would put your money in the bank...then buy the parts all at once. the issue is that vendors like intel and nvidia and amd are dropping new cpu and gpu about ever 12 months. some time this year is the haswell refresh and the haswell-e cpu are dropping. also nvidia is starting to roll out the new maxwell gpu. some time this year we should be seeing the newer amd gpu. the other issues is if you buy a part and then 5 months from now power on your new build and the part wrong or dead you cant return it. myself I build around a locked intel cpu and a h chipset mb and use the money for the best gpu I could put in the build. I look at the next toms itx gaming pc build up. the newer itx cases and mb are looking good for people looking for small foot print gaming pc. for atx case the r33/r400 when there on sale are not bad. if you can with the build funds try getting a 120g boot ssd.

lmaonade200 · Feb 11, 2014

do you need OS and peripherals?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($218.97 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($18.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H87M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Blu 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($74.29 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($309.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($65.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Microcenter)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $984.15
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

this is assuming no monitor, keyboard, and mouse required though, so let me know if you need changes

shortstuff_mt · Feb 11, 2014

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($224.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital RE3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($50.94 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($309.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($71.30 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $999.14
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-11 18:49 EST-0500)

TheMohammadmo · Feb 11, 2014

Wow now thats a nice build. How did you fit in the 770 CONFUSED

Andrew Buck · Feb 11, 2014

With an OS and monitor:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A78L-M/USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($64.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($81.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($249.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($57.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VX228H 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $997.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-11 18:51 EST-0500)

Without monitor coming in a few

Andrew Buck · Feb 11, 2014

With OS only:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Asus M5A78L-M/USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($64.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($81.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($329.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $999.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-11 19:05 EST-0500)

jgarver53 · Feb 11, 2014

Sorry guys i should have been more specific! I'm not including monitor keyboard n mouse n my build. Yes I need them but I need a great gaming computer first.. every time I tried fitting in the 770 graphics card I went over budget so I'm glad there was a solution to that! I'm also not thinking of going amd only intel.. All my friends say intel so I'm going with that. I know there is that heated debate but idk intel for me I'm thinking. And okay well ill try n just save the money up all at once since I nvr even considered a faulty piece and screwing myself out of the money.. Thank you guys again!!!

TheMohammadmo · Feb 11, 2014

No problem my friend.

jgarver53 · Feb 11, 2014

W's thinking of upping my max budget to 1200-1300 to fit in the nvidia gtx 780 graphics card. Any opinions? Or should I back down to the 770 or 760?

lmaonade200 · Feb 12, 2014

if you're into high quality graphics capabilities then definitely yes, the GTX 780 is an absolute beast, and is actually at a pretty decent price point for what it brings, compared to a GTX 770 you're paying 200 more, but you're also getting a lot in return, more memory, bigger memory bandwidth and bus width, more processing units and CUDAs, and will propel you from 1080p gaming to 1440p gaming (with some restriction, a single GTX 780 cannot handle everything at 1440p but will handle the majority of games out there)

if you're just looking to max or nearly max everything at the 1080p level on a decent/modest single monitor setup, then the GTX 770 is the right choice for you imo, it's a perfect balance between high end performance and price at $310, only go higher if you truly want the best and will be utilizing such power often.

TheMohammadmo · Feb 12, 2014

Here it is if you want to go with a 780. But like lmaonade said, the 770 is fine for how much you are already paying

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($224.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.89 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($85.98 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($489.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Thermaltake Chaser A31 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec HCG M 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1392.75
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-12 07:44 EST-0500)

jgarver53 · Feb 17, 2014

I like this set up! Thank you! I'm Gunna go with the 780 I think so I don't have to worry about upgrading for a couple years hopefully!

TheMohammadmo · Feb 17, 2014

Ok well make sure you select best answer and also please upload your build to pcpartpicker and then share it with us. ALso, if you run into any problems, just send me a pm or post another thread. Hope you enjoy your build.

jgarver53 · Feb 17, 2014

After some debate and searching around I came up with this final build which the case will fit my corsair H110 that I already have..

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2UNy5

shortstuff_mt · Feb 17, 2014

The Corsair 500R is listed as compatible with the H110, so you'll be fine there. That's a pretty nice build to trust to a no-name PSU. The PSU is the most important component in your computer since it provides power to all your expensive components. It's not an area where you can try to save money. The SeaSonic 620W PSU would be enough to power the system. If you want a little headroom then you can get a 750W PSU.

jgarver53 · Feb 17, 2014

I was wanting to get a 750 for the head room. What would u suggest for a 750 psu?

jgarver53 · Feb 17, 2014

Corsair GS 700 Watt 80+ Bronze be a good choice?

shortstuff_mt · Feb 17, 2014

Corsair TX750M

or

Corsair TX750 V2

or

Corsair HX750

or

Antec HCG-750M

TheMohammadmo · Feb 17, 2014

Well if you are getting a 750w psu, might as well get a 850w psu so you can sli later on with the gtx 780. Here is a 750w psu http://pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-hcg750m and here are some nice 800w psus http://pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-hcg850m http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1850bbefx http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-ss850am http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-power-supply-hale82850m Sure they are a bit more expensive but really worth it if you are gonna sli later on. I would get the nzxt psu because they have nice quality psu and you dont have to worry about mail in rebate cause its amazon.com and you get free shipping. Otherwise I hope you enjoy your bulid. Like I said before, make sure you upload it to pcpartpicker.com

TheMohammadmo · Feb 17, 2014

Me and shortstuff posted at around the same time lol. Make sure you read both of our posts.

jgarver53 · Feb 17, 2014

Alright thanks guys!!

TheMohammadmo · Feb 17, 2014

So which psu are you going with, also are you gonna sli later on or not.

Help building a budget gaming pc $1000

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