Best bang for the buck gaming system for $1300

Mejohnny

Reputable
Feb 18, 2014
8
0
4,510
I need recommendations for parts for an intel or amd gaming pc build using the latest parts if possible. Max I want to spend is $1300.

I prefer functionality and reliability over looks, so a nice looking case is not a requirement if I can stay within budget. Also a smaller case would be nice but not if it sacrifices functionality or causes any issues.

I'd like no more than 1TB for storage. And Id like to put the OS on a ssd.

I'd like at least 8 but would prefer 12 gb ram.

I'd like a good gtx 770 or better or amd equivalent or better, but no more than $425.

I also want a good cooling solution.

I dont need monitor or mouse. Need a mid tier keyboard and optical drive though. Much thanks in advance.
 

zemiak

Distinguished
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($228.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($97.16 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus GRYPHON Z87 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($162.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($95.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($82.95 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 350D Window MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Microcenter)
Keyboard: Razer DeathStalker Wired Gaming Keyboard ($69.65 @ Amazon)
Total: $1333.67
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-18 18:56 EST-0500)
 

zemiak

Distinguished
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($217.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H80i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-I Deluxe Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.79 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($82.95 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($349.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: BitFenix Prodigy (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($74.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Keyboard: Razer DeathStalker Wired Gaming Keyboard ($69.65 @ Amazon)
Total: $1310.28
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-18 19:00 EST-0500)


Here if you want a really small case.
 
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($228.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($97.16 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($82.95 @ 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: EVGA SuperNOVA 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM (64-bit) ($99.97 @ OutletPC)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($49.99 @ Mac Mall)
Total: $1293.97
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

something like this then?

there's a giant gaping hole between the GTX 770 which is within your GPU budget, and the GTX 780 which is past your GPU budget by about 50 bucks, if you're willing to go that extra mile I can incrementally downgrade parts of this system to add it in, it's up to you whether or not it's worth it though
 

TheMohammadmo

Distinguished
Sep 28, 2013
1,225
0
19,660
PEOPLE PEOPLE calm down over here, there are some issues


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 ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($142.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($83.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($345.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill BlackHawk ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($76.30 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($26.97 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($101.98 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($32.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1279.07
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-18 20:41 EST-0500)


Comparing my build to the other people builds.

-The D14 has some of the best temps, better then the h100i and h80k.
-Better color scheme then all other builds, not that it matters really but its nice to have.
-The caviar black is faster then the caviar blue and western digital is more reliable then seagate.
I like my case more
-Also, the keyboard has a mouse and is a keyboard and they both are really good. If you want just a keyboard, I like the x4 also and if you want just some nice lights, the steelseries apex is awesome lights and everything
 
Solution
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/h100i-elc240-seidon-240m-lq320,3380-12.html

the D14 is amazing for an air cooler but let's not let personal preference cloud judgement here. Another reason to consider liquid cooling is that it looks much nicer and is lighter on the motherboard.

can't argue with the color scheme, I clashed red and blue and probably deserve some special place in hell for it, but I chose it because of the 7 CAS latency, one of the few 1600Mhz sets with a latency that low.

caviar black is indeed faster since it's a performance drive, but he doesn't need a performance drive, he has an SSD for that, just use the 1TB as a mass storage, even a caviar green would do, reliability is also relative, I've had seagate for years and have never been let down.
 

KalTorak

Honorable
May 25, 2012
435
0
10,960


Its most likely because while yours has a bronze rating, the one he picked has a gold rating. Ill take an EVGA gold against a seasonic Bronze :)

 
Seasonic makes the best PSU units, but the EVGA one I linked is great, it's a top tier unit that oozes quality, the only reason I recommended it is that it's on a killer sale right now, about 40 dollars off the original price.

don't get me wrong Seasonic is still one of the best in the industry but when you pit a top EVGA unit against an entry level Seasonic unit the difference is still quite clear
 

Mejohnny

Reputable
Feb 18, 2014
8
0
4,510
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2WNx8 My final build. With microcenter's in store pick up bundles on the mobo and cpu, it'll be about $360. Which is a killer deal. 780 for $509 on amazon. And with rebates, total should be around $1350. Slightly higher than what I wanted to spend but I somehow got a 780 without downgrading anything! Probably could use more ram and another ssd, but my b-day is April 20 so... :)

Thanks for the help everyone!