$1,200 Gaming PC with OS

redjordan9 · Feb 16, 2014

I am interested in building a $1,200 gaming rig. I would like it to be able to play some of the latest games such as Battlefield 4, Crysis 3, etc. Also I would like it to feature the OS, and an SSD. If you can help that would be great!

Muku · Feb 17, 2014

This looks like a good build and will let you play all those games smoothly up to 1080p.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($228.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($74.99 @ Mwave)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($86.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($80.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($309.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($75.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1227.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-17 00:21 EST-0500)

CTurbo · Feb 17, 2014

$1198.87!!!!!

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2UD35
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2UD35/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2UD35/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($228.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($86.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($479.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1198.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-17 00:33 EST-0500)

This would dominate all things 1080p

redjordan9 · Feb 17, 2014

This is what I am currently looking at. It is mini-itx because I like things small, and the 250D is a really nice case. Could someone please look at it and tell me your thoughts?

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

redjordan9 · Feb 17, 2014

I am also looking at this...

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

redjordan9 · Feb 17, 2014

CTurbo :

This is what I am currently looking at. It is mini-itx because I like things small, and the 250D is a really nice case. Could someone please look at it and tell me your thoughts?

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

And this...

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

ghostarcher12 · Feb 17, 2014

Fun fact, if you're a student, Microsoft offers free software to students. You just have to prove that you're a student. Generally that's done through a student ID or student email. I got 8.1 free as well as one of their server os's

redjordan9 · Feb 17, 2014

ghostarcher12 :

Thanks for the advice! That will get me more money to spend on the components.

Muku · Feb 18, 2014

redjordan9 :

Personally I don't like Mini-itx build specially for gaming. Because they lack future upgradability options interms of RAM and GPU and are pricey compared to equally performing ATX build. They are better for HTPC. If you want to go small form factor you can try Micro-ATX with 350D. It also looks stunning.

750W is not at all needed for a GTX 760 and corsair CX series is crap and meant for really budget constraint people. Better to get any good quality 500W PSU if you don't want your system to get fried in the future.

redjordan9 :

With this build you have selected a pricier Motherboard, case and HDD and sacrificed a better PSU and GPU from my build. All of this works fine.

but

If you are really looking to build a gaming PC you should spend to get a better GPU like GTX 770 or as CTurbo mentioned, a GTX 780.
A pricier motherboard doesn't contribute at all to gaming performance. Its been found that from the lowest end Z87 mobo to the highest end, performance difference is not more than 5%. So better get a good GPU which really controls the gaming performance.

When you have a dedicated SSD boot drive there's no point of getting a pricier WD black. You won't notice any speed improvement with black wrt blue. Only good thing about WD black is its 5 yr Warranty.

redjordan9 · Feb 18, 2014

Muku :

redjordan9 :

Personally I don't like Mini-itx build specially for gaming. Because they lack future upgradability options interms of RAM and GPU and are pricey compared to equally performing ATX build. They are better for HTPC. If you want to go small form factor you can try Micro-ATX with 350D. It also looks stunning.

750W is not at all needed for a GTX 760 and corsair CX series is crap and meant for really budget constraint people. Better to get any good quality 500W PSU if you don't want your system to get fried in the future.

redjordan9 :

With this build you have selected a pricier Motherboard, case and HDD and sacrificed a better PSU and GPU from my build. All of this works fine.

but

If you are really looking to build a gaming PC you should spend to get a better GPU like GTX 770 or as CTurbo mentioned, a GTX 780.
A pricier motherboard doesn't contribute at all to gaming performance. Its been found that from the lowest end Z87 mobo to the highest end, performance difference is not more than 5%. So better get a good GPU which really controls the gaming performance.

When you have a dedicated SSD boot drive there's no point of getting a pricier WD black. You won't notice any speed improvement with black wrt blue. Only good thing about WD black is its 5 yr Warranty.

In your opinion, what would be a great motherboard that comes in at a good price and still delivers great performance for gaming?

redjordan9 · Feb 18, 2014

Muku :

redjordan9 :

Personally I don't like Mini-itx build specially for gaming. Because they lack future upgradability options interms of RAM and GPU and are pricey compared to equally performing ATX build. They are better for HTPC. If you want to go small form factor you can try Micro-ATX with 350D. It also looks stunning.

750W is not at all needed for a GTX 760 and corsair CX series is crap and meant for really budget constraint people. Better to get any good quality 500W PSU if you don't want your system to get fried in the future.

redjordan9 :

With this build you have selected a pricier Motherboard, case and HDD and sacrificed a better PSU and GPU from my build. All of this works fine.

but

If you are really looking to build a gaming PC you should spend to get a better GPU like GTX 770 or as CTurbo mentioned, a GTX 780.
A pricier motherboard doesn't contribute at all to gaming performance. Its been found that from the lowest end Z87 mobo to the highest end, performance difference is not more than 5%. So better get a good GPU which really controls the gaming performance.

When you have a dedicated SSD boot drive there's no point of getting a pricier WD black. You won't notice any speed improvement with black wrt blue. Only good thing about WD black is its 5 yr Warranty.

Also what if I went for the ATX build and added in a 770 and a Corsair RM 550 PSU? I think that should do the job. And the motherboard may not deliver any more performance to gaming, but it is really reliable. I would not want a piece of crap that will short out all of my components. Just saying...

Muku · Feb 18, 2014

redjordan9 :

For your budget any motherboard from reputed brand within 120-140 dollars should be good. You can take anyone from the three:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-z87a
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gaz87xud3h
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-z87g45gaming

I personally prefer ASUS as they make the most dependable boards.

RM series PSUs are one of the best PSUs in the market, if it is within your budget you can take it with your eyes closed. Corsair HX or TX series are also very good PSUs .but a GTX 770 needs at least 600W so RM 550 would be inadequet.

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