Looking for a $1200 budget Gaming Build

Zarotu · May 18, 2014

Approximate Purchase Date: This week
Hi!

I am a pre-med student who really enjoys playing video games and would like to build one to play during the summer (before internship starts). I was wondering if you guys know the best build to follow. I've been looking at the Best Config: AMD Budget Builds, but I don't think the administrators will pick the best build in a while.

Budget Range: $1200 before rebate

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming

Are you buying a monitor: Yes

Parts to Upgrade: N/A

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg or amazon

Location: City, State/Region, Country - Honolulu, Hawaii

Parts Preferences: Nvidia for Physx unless there is a better alternative

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080 unless the build can go higher

Additional Comments: This is my first time, so I am really unsure of what I need. I have about $1000 to spend, but I can go a little over if necessary, I don't have an OS, keyboard, mouse, and monitor, so including those within a budget would be fine.

Cryoburn101 · May 18, 2014

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.24 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($314.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cougar Solution (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer H236HLbid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($157.58 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech K120 Wired Standard Keyboard ($12.98 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Cobra E-3lue Wired Optical Mouse ($12.30 @ Amazon)
Total: $1195.02

Here is a decent build for about $1200 b/f rebates.
If you can spare a little more, you can get a better keyboard/mouse. But these should be fine. Just ask if you want me to elaborate a bit on each part.

Zarotu · May 18, 2014

An elaboration would be really nice if possible. Also, if you have any recommendations for a keyboard an mouse (something flashy too) would be great!

tiny voices · May 18, 2014

Cryoburn101 :

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.24 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($314.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cougar Solution (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer H236HLbid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($157.58 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech K120 Wired Standard Keyboard ($12.98 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Cobra E-3lue Wired Optical Mouse ($12.30 @ Amazon)
Total: $1195.02

Here is a decent build for about $1200 b/f rebates.
If you can spare a little more, you can get a better keyboard/mouse. But these should be fine. Just ask if you want me to elaborate a bit on each part.

I would go with a better quality PSU. The CX units have no place in a $1200 build.

Zarotu · May 18, 2014

What would you recommend to be a better approach?

tiny voices · May 18, 2014

If you change the PSU to Antec, XFX, Seasonic the build posted above is great for your uses.

Zarotu · May 18, 2014

I'm sorry, but where can I find the PSU

tiny voices · May 18, 2014

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-hcg620m

Zarotu · May 18, 2014

Thank you! Would you guys happen to recommend a good keyboard and mouse? Preferably some lighting so I can see in the dark.

tiny voices · May 18, 2014

For the keyboard, unless you get a mechanical board, don't spend more than like $30. ALL non-mech boards feel pretty much the same. With a blindfold on a $100 rubber dome board will feel identical to a $10 Walmart board.

Some people like RAZER, but I DON'T. They are WAY overpriced for what you get. Corsair makes great mice and keyboards. I have a Corsair M95 and I love it.

Zarotu · May 18, 2014

I think I will go with the Corsair M95. Which keyboard would you suggest, mechanical/non-mechanical with the usual symbols in their correct locations and possibly blue LED?

tiny voices · May 18, 2014

I like a mechanical keyboard with cherry MX brown key switches. DON'T buy a mechanical keyboard without trying the different types of key switches first.

Zarotu · May 18, 2014

But living in Hawaii, I doubt I can find a store that has those available for testing. I also read that Cherry MX Brown Switches are pretty good...

tiny voices · May 18, 2014

I have browns. They are tactile but not clicky. I like brows the best. For gaming, most people prefer Reds, but for typing most people like blues and dislike reds.

The browns are a decent medium between the two.

Zarotu · May 19, 2014

Which keyboard do you have? Any of them inexpensive?

tiny voices · May 19, 2014

You can't get a mech board for under like $75.

Here is mine: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823162029 I have the brown switches so mine is the $90 one. The blues are cheap because no one games with them.

Zarotu · May 19, 2014

I checked the graphics card. It says pre-overclocked. But I don't really intend on overclocking because I have read somewhere about overheating (plus living in Hawaii is HOT during the summers). Would there happen to be a better graphics card or is this one recommended?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.24 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($314.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cougar Solution (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($102.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer H236HLbid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($157.58 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech K120 Wired Standard Keyboard ($11.48 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Cobra E-3lue Wired Optical Mouse ($12.30 @ Amazon)
Total: $1201.51
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-19 20:26 EDT-0400)

tiny voices · May 19, 2014

"pre-Overclocked" is just marketing BS. It is not really overclocked at all. Just like a 1-3% overclock so they can claim it is. It will not run any hotter than a normal card.

Zarotu · May 19, 2014

Soooooo.... still buy this card? Or is there a better one within the price range?

tiny voices · May 19, 2014

No, just get it. Pretty much all the 770s perform identically.

Zarotu · May 19, 2014

Alright, guess I will start purchasing! Thank you for your help!

HeavenBlade · May 19, 2014

Just a thought, if OP doesn't want to overclock won't it be better to get an i5- 4670 locked out version?

Zarotu · May 20, 2014

When I checked the motherboard, it said a new one was out: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157503

Should I go with that one or the original from the build?

Looking for a $1200 budget Gaming Build

Honorable

Reputable

Honorable

Titan

Honorable

Titan

Honorable

Titan

Honorable

Titan

Honorable

Titan

Honorable

Titan

Honorable

Titan

Honorable

Titan

Honorable

Titan

Honorable

Reputable

Honorable

Share this page