Budget Gaming PC Build, $1000 AU!

MrAYEE

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Oct 20, 2011
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Hey guys, so I've been researching around and asking people I know for the best build I could with $1000. Unfortunately, a lot of AU prices are different to the US prices, and parts are more expensive. Just keep in my mind that everything is by AU dollars.

I plan on grabbing everything within 4-5 weeks, if not earlier. I will be buying a monitor, possibly a G2420HD but I didn't include it into the build.

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PC Parts (taken from msy.com.au and pccasegear.com)

CPU - Intel Core i5 2500k, $221
http://msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=7581

Motherboard - ASRock Extreme3 Gen3 $135
http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=8247

GPU - Sapphire Radeon HD6950 2GB $299
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16295

CPU Cooler - Hyper 212+ CPU Cooler $33
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=12544

PSU - Corsair GS-600 Power Supply Unit $103
http://msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=7220

Case - Corsair Carbide CC400 $136
http://msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=8256

RAM - 8GB (4Gx2) 1600 G.Skill Ripjaws-X $64
http://msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=7262

What do you guys think? The prices are varying, so its been increasing/dropping due to sales and whatnot, but those prices are the non-sale prices at the moment. I'm looking to build it for the upcoming Skyrim thats going to be released.

Any insights would be good. Sorry that it's trouble being in Australian dollars.
 
Solution
Extreme4 has a 3rd PCIe 2 more SataIII and more USB3.0 and more power phases
Basically, more expandability down the line when it comes to expansion drives. USB3.0 and the 3rd PCIe are negligible unless your a heavy adopter of USB3.0 or you plan on running multiple graphics cards in the future.

Ultimately though, the main reason I recommend the Extreme4 is the build quality, in my hands the Extreme3 felt just a little cheap, but once again completely personal preference, wont matter to most people :p

I actually own a PC store, and we frequently use Asrock, just cant ignore the value for money at the moment, cant really go wrong with them.

Mr_Assist

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Aug 5, 2011
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A very solid build, good choices all around!
The only modification I would possibly consider is changing out that Extreme3 for an Extreme4

http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=8170

Having dealt with both (and currently the proud owner of an extreme7) I can confidently say that if you can spare the extra cash it is worth it. But it defiantly comes down to personal preference.

As for everything else, absolutely spot on, the only other tiny nitpick would be the lack of a decent SSD, but incorporating one into your build would defiantly blow your budget, maybe something to upgrade to down the line?

But yeah, great build all round!
 

MrAYEE

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Oct 20, 2011
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Thanks for the crazy fast replies haha.

I heard the Hyper212 was a great bang for buck cooler and thats why I grabbed it. I plan on overclocking it to 4.5ghz MAX, maybe even lower.

Mr_Assists, I'm pretty new so could you give me some quick insights on the upgrade? I guess its possible to squeeze in a little more, however I mean unless the benefits are noticable I'm stuck on the budget (since I plan on blowing about another $160 for a 24" monitor). And as for the SSD, yup i planned on buying it after the initial build, maybe about a month into it.
 

Mr_Assist

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Aug 5, 2011
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Extreme4 has a 3rd PCIe 2 more SataIII and more USB3.0 and more power phases
Basically, more expandability down the line when it comes to expansion drives. USB3.0 and the 3rd PCIe are negligible unless your a heavy adopter of USB3.0 or you plan on running multiple graphics cards in the future.

Ultimately though, the main reason I recommend the Extreme4 is the build quality, in my hands the Extreme3 felt just a little cheap, but once again completely personal preference, wont matter to most people :p

I actually own a PC store, and we frequently use Asrock, just cant ignore the value for money at the moment, cant really go wrong with them.
 
Solution

MrAYEE

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Oct 20, 2011
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Ah I see. I'll consider it but yeah it'll push the price up a little and I'm not sure if I can. However it is a core system spec so ahh, I'll see what I can do!
 

Goodeggray

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Sep 10, 2011
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Here in the states $20 to $30 more than the CM 212 will get you a cpu cooler with dual fans which seem more effective than the single fan on the CM 212. You can also do water cooled such as the Corsair H50 For the same amount more.