Gaming PC for my gf under $800?

[mattjunk85]

Hey everyone! I finally convinced my girlfriend to get a gaming computer (she's been using a macbook), and now she wants me to buy one for her. I'm wondering if it's possible to build one around $800 that can play games like Diablo 3 or Guildwars 2 on full graphics? If so, let me here some ideas! This is what I have so far:

• Intel® Core™ i5-3570K Processor
• 8GB DDR3/1600MHz RAM
• AMD HD 7750 1GB Video
• GIGABYTE Z77 USB3 & SATA3 MB
• 1TB SATA3 7200 RPM HD
• 24X DVD+-R/+-RW Drive
• Cooler Master HAF 912 Case

I'm not sure if I can get more for my money, or if anything should be upgraded or downgraded. Thanks in advance : )

 

[obsama1]

Overspending on the CPU. Get an i5-2400/3450 and a 7770. Also, list prices for each of the parts, that will help.

 

[austing]

Hey everyone! I finally convinced my girlfriend to get a gaming computer (she's been using a macbook), and now she wants me to buy one for her. I'm wondering if it's possible to build one around $800 that can play games like Diablo 3 or Guildwars 2 on full graphics? If so, let me here some ideas! This is what I have so far:

• Intel® Core™ i5-3570K Processor
• 8GB DDR3/1600MHz RAM
• AMD HD 7750 1GB Video
• GIGABYTE Z77 USB3 & SATA3 MB
• 1TB SATA3 7200 RPM HD
• 24X DVD+-R/+-RW Drive
• Cooler Master HAF 912 Case

I'm not sure if I can get more for my money, or if anything should be upgraded or downgraded. Thanks in advance : )

If she dosent multi task much, get a cheap i5 2500k, the prices are dumping because of the new Ivy's, and the 2500k is still a great processor.

Get a GTX560ti, or a Radeon 7770.

 

[obsama1]

The 7850 is the same price as the 560 Ti. A Phenom II x4 965 w/ 7850 will be the best choice.

 

[DeusAres]

Psh, you can get a much better build than that at your budget; here ya go...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.98 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($60.96 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($209.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $694.37
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-18 21:23 EDT-0400)

Feel free to throw in a little extra cash for a SSD; I recommend this one...

OCZ Vertex 4 VTX4-25SAT3-128G 2.5" 128GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227791&Tpk=vertex%204%20128gb

If that isn't a necessity, just save your cash and take the gf out for ice cream, lol.

If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask. Good luck!

 

[mattjunk85]

Best answer selected by mattjunk85.

 

[mattjunk85]

Wow nice, those prices are a lot better than what I was looking at (and for some of the same parts too). Do you think 550watt will be enough though?

Also, does anyone have any good gaming monitor recommendations for the $200 price range? I was hoping to get her a 23/24inch LCD

 

[DeusAres]

550 watts will be plenty to run this build. The website I used (pcpartpicker) actually estimates the wattage to be around 379 watts. 550w will leave ya some headroom for overclocking.

Monitor recommendations...

ASUS VH238H 23IN Widescreen LCD LED Backlit 1920X1080
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=61452&vpn=VH238H&manufacture=ASUS

Asus VS248H-P 24-Inch Full-HD LED Monitor
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0058UUR6E/?tag=pcpapi-20

 

[mattjunk85]

Feel free to throw in a little extra cash for a SSD; I recommend this one...

OCZ Vertex 4 VTX4-25SAT3-128G 2.5" 128GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227791&Tpk=vertex%204%20128gb

If that isn't a necessity, just save your cash and take the gf out for ice cream, lol.

If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask. Good luck!

What would be the advantage of having a SSD drive for gaming? Faster load times?

 

[DeusAres]

What would be the advantage of having a SSD drive for gaming? Faster load times?

Yes! Much faster load times as well as a faster boot time. Your system will be overall far more responsive. It's not necessary; but it's nice to have.

 

[mattjunk85]

Yes! Much faster load times as well as a faster boot time. Your system will be overall far more responsive. It's not necessary; but it's nice to have.

Well damn, I might get one for myself too!