Best Gaming PC for around $1500

enders

Distinguished
Mar 4, 2011
6
0
18,510
This is my first time building my own gaming PC, and I honestly don't really stay up to date on processors and video cards. I usually do most of my computer shopping on newegg, but if there is a better/cheaper site then I have no problem buying from it. I would really like to stay under 1500

Approximate Purchase Date: Probably early March

Budget Range: 1200-1500 total

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming

Are you buying a monitor: No



Parts to Upgrade: Everything

Do you need to buy OS: No. I already have a copy of Windows 7


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I mostly use Newegg, but I am open to using any website

Location: Kansas, United States

Parts Preferences: I prefer Intel, other than that no real preference's

Overclocking: Maybe. I haven't gotten too much into this but I am open to it. I have overclocked using the Intel fine tuning utility before though.

SLI or Crossfire: Right now, no. But eventually.

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1200

Additional Comments: none

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: My current computer is just outdated.
 

barto

Expert
Ambassador
It's ok. Most people just ignore my post with the directions which then makes a thread of questions. That being said, thank you for editing your post, that will save time.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z97X Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($73.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($334.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 850W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1036.68
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-17 19:39 EST-0500

A few things.
First: I don't pick cases and that's because most people pick cases for looks. If you really want to know what cases I like, I'll post a few.
Second: You will most likely see a few more posts with an i7 and the Asus Hero motherboard. Those are very good parts as well. However, know that very few games will actually use an i7 and the Hero is a fantastic board for extreme overclocking. On a first build, I don't typically recommend it.
Third: I selected a 850 watt power supply because you said you would like to SLI in the future. Your budget allows for another GPU, but the low end is $1200. The build I posted sits right at that before mail-in-rebates ($118).
 

barto

Expert
Ambassador
A1: Yes. The 850 watt PSU is more than enough to power two 970 GTX. You could even run two 980 GTX with on a 850 watt power supply.
A2: The coolers come pre-applied with thermal paste. You can buy a different type if you want.