(Help a college-bound kid out) build a gaming desktop for around a 1300 or less budget

Iamnerner

Honorable
Feb 7, 2014
3
0
10,510
First of all I want to thank anyone who has taken their time to help me. I want start off by saying I have never built a desktop or have any knowledge of how to but I am very driven to learn how to. I want to build a desktop that will last me for around 4 years. I have been to pc part picker and I have no idea where to start. Obviously I want to have great graphics. The games I will be playing are
Batman arkham origins
Dishonored
Bioshock infinite
Gmod
Watch dogs (hopefully)
Etc.
These seem to be pretty demanding games.
I have also considered buying a laptop. I understand it is a downgrade in the performance areas. I have been looking into asus and alienware.
My ideal plan is to have a laptop where I can do school stuff and play games like gmod and have my gaming desktop.
Again thank you.
 

M0j0jojo

Honorable
Do you want a OS too or no?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($139.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: Asus Sabertooth 990FX R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($175.54 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($67.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($489.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1242.96
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-31 16:48 EDT-0400)