Help building a gaming PC for $1000

[Xlanar]

I am looking to build a new gaming computer rather than buying one, but I have no idea on what I should be looking for.

I have a budget of about $1200, which I've heard can get a pretty decent system.

Should I get an i7 core? Or would I be better getting an i5 and spending the extra on a better graphics card?

I know nothing about what I need in terms of things like motherboards, cases, power supply, cooling systems or optical drives. What kinds of things should I be looking at?


Approximate Purchase Date: Probably sometime between June and August

Budget Range: $1000-$1200

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Mostly gaming, possibly some light video editing

Parts Not Required: Gonna require new stuff for everything.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: No preferences

Country: United States/China (Live in China but go back to the US frequently)

Parts Preferences: No idea, whatever gives me the best,

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: I don't know what either of those are.

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

 

[elayman]

Please fill this out and edit your original post: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

You do not need the i7 for a gaming computer - the extra threads are only utilized by more computationally intensive programs like video or photo editing.

 

[Xlanar]

So I should spend the extra $100 or so on improving other parts of the build?

 

[elayman]

I'd get this:
Motherboard: Gigabyte, ASRock, or Asus Z77 (your choice)
CPU: i5 3570k
CPU Cooler: CM 212 EVO
RAM: 2x4gb G.Skill 1600MHz 1.5V
SSD: Crucial M4 128GB
HDD: WD Caviar Black 500-1TB harddrive
Case: your choice - recommend CM 912, Antec 300, Rosewill Challenger
CD/DVD: your choice
GPU: MSI TwinFrozr 7850 or GTX 560 Ti
PSU: 500-650W 80+ bronze or better (recommend corsair, seasonic, xfx)

 

[azeem40]

No need for a Caviar Black with an SSD. Get the Green 2TB for same price.

 

[elayman]

^I guess you're right.. I'm always hesitant for >1TB drives since I think they tend to fail.

 

[Xlanar]

Thanks for the help, seems like a good build.

 

[Xlanar]

Motherboard:Asus Z77 $240

CPU: i5 3570k $240
CPU
Cooler: CM 212 EVO $34

RAM: 2x4gb G.Skill 1600MHz 1.5V $65

SSD: Crucial M4 128GB $125

HDD: WD Caviar Black 500-1TB hard drive $120
Case: Rosewill Challenger $50

CD/DVD: Lite-On iHAS124-04 Optical Drive

GPU:GTX 560 Ti $235

PSU: Corsair Enthusiast TX650 V2 650W 80+ bronze $90

Would this be a good set up then?

Also, what should I look for monitor wise? I'm thinking about 23 inches.

 

[elayman]

I'd drop the motherboard down to one in the $100-140 range (like this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157296), drop the caviar black down to a Caviar blue, and spend the saved ~$120-160 on upgrading the GPU to the 7950 or GTX 670. You'll have much better performance than that setup. Other than that, looks good.

23" should be great. Just look for 1080p and somewhat low response time (<=5ms)

 

[Xlanar]

The link did not work for me, It says that the product has been deactivated.