Gaming pc with budget of $1000-$1100?

[starburst]

I am looking to build my very first PC. I have done a ton of research to the point where i am not to intimidated of doing it on my own. Although my experiences with doing things that i am not sure of on my own is not so great, i think i feel confident building this on my own with the proper parts that are compatible with each other.

I have selected the processor. I would like a 3rd generation intel i5 (i5 3570k) and i might OC it in the future. I am not so sure how to OC it, but i know its not so expensive at all and it increases the processors speed. Along with the processor i have an idea of what graphics card i want. I was looking into the amd radeon 6950 or 7850, but i heard the amd drivers are terrible and i will have to wait for an update in drivers everytime a patch comes out on a game. I've also heard the NVIDIA drivers are excelent, but the nvidia GPUs that compete with the 2 radeons i have seleted are much more expensive and not as strong.

As for the rest of the parts i have some selected, but would like better deals on prices.

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129178
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136697
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102984
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139031
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314
MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128542
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504
OS: windows 7
Cooling fan(for OC purposes): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

Are there any parts that i should swap out because its unnecessary or there is a better price?

 

[Merueth]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($299.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($98.99 @ B&H)
Total: $1068.91
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)

Ignore the MC link, you can get the ASRock from Newegg for $2 more. Add in the CM EVO if you want, it should still stay under or near under your budget. The XFX Double D actually supports overclocking, and is one of the few graphics cards that do not void your warranty if they found you overclocked it. Very nice to have that option to overclock without risking $300. AMD drivers have improved, and they aren't that bad, though Nvidia's are certainly better. The Antec 1100 is an okay case, but I like the Carbide 400r better. Feel free to swap it out if you like .

 

[moornix]

Consider this RAM. It's the same product, but a newer version.
GSkill Ripjaws X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

Edit: For first time overclockers, consider getting intel's tuning plan for $20 more (link in sig). Just in case you break the CPU.

 

[starburst]

any other suggestions?

 

[Niklas_13]

Yes i have one

MOBO CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.975453

GPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130782

PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139030

RAM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145345

CASE http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

HDD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697

DVD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

1,100.92 - 15 MIR =1,085.92 + tax and shipping

If you live by a micro center, buy your parts there and have them price match newegg.

Gl with your build M8

 

[rwayne]

any other suggestions?

I am working on one. Give me a little time.

 

[starburst]

Well i have looked at all of your suggestions (by the way ways thanks guys!) and i have come up with this new build.

Optical drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697

GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150549

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171052

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

Cooling fan (just inc ase i OC): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

The cpu and motherboards combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.975453

OS: windows 7 $99.99

Total price:$1,074.84 Without promo codes and without MIR.

Anything better? and i don't think i mentioned this, but im looking for a $1000-$1100 budget.

 

[rwayne]

I think I can do better. Give me a little longer.

Briefly glancing at your list...

$259 for a 6950 is not a good value for the technology. It is a bad deal actually. The HD 7850 strongly out performs it for a lower price. I think that price remained from when they first released the product and it has not been updated since. You can get 'quality' 6950s now for $200.

 

[starburst]

I was comparing the two before i built this, i saw a few things that i thought was better in the xfx 6950 than the sapphire 7850 that i was looking at. I don't know too much , that is why i posted this thread, so correct me.

 

[rwayne]

Okay, I got 10 items listed here. Out of the 10 I got FREE Shipping on 9 of them. There is shipping on the case but it is offset by a free shipping promo code.

Of everything I compiled I got you:
- $121 in instant discounts
- $25 in combo discounts
- $50 in rebates
For a total of $196.99 dollars in savings.
(Not to mention a free Dirt Showdown Game Coupon valued at $59.99)

And that also does not include 3 promo codes which gives you:
- 10% off your Power Supply
- Free Shipping on your PC case (that is saying a lot for a FULL tower case)
- And $20 off your Hard Drive

You will only pay $7.87 in shipping for the motherboard. All of these products have an average rating of 4 or 5 eggs.

I tried to color match many of the components also to give you a nice black and blue type theme and spent a little more money to get a really nice piano black NZXT Phantom FULL tower case because it had a great deal running on it this week.

Here are the parts in summary:

1.) SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner SATA $14.99 Free Shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151244

2.) NZXT Phantom Black Enthusiast Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146068
Was $139. Now $109. Free shipping w/ promo code EMCNDJA28

3.) Western Digital 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533
Was $149 – Now $119 ($30 discount) $20 off w/ promo code FBWDHD20 Total price $99 + Free Shipping

This is $15 dollars more than your 500GB drive has twice the storage and twice the cache (32MB vs 64MB)
and is made by a better manufacture (in my opinion)

4.) HIS IceQ X Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card (HIS is one of the better AMD card makers in my opinion)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161405
Was $264.99, Now $249, $224.99 after rebate, Free Shipping
(Plus free Dirt Showdown Game Coupon)

5.) Corsair 650Watt Power Supply (Note: non-modular)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020
Was $119.99, Now $89.99, $79.99 with rebate
10% off w/ promo code CorsairPSU612, ends 6/20
End Price $70.99

6.) CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB DDR 3 Ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145345
$53.99 and Free Shipping

7.) Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986
$99 + Free Shipping
(Note: Often you can find this on sale for $89 with promo codes. Subscribe to the newegg newsletter)

8.) COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065
$29.99, free shipping, and a FREE HDMI cable
This is not an EVO but it is still a 120mm CPU cooler which should do just fine. The cost savings and free shipping will
save you $10 over the EVO and that is not taking the free HDMI cable into consideration

9 & 10.) Motherboard / CPU combo Deal
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.959055
ASUS P8Z77-V LK LGA Motherboard $144.99 Minus $20 Rebate = $124.99 plus $7.56 shipping
Intel Core I-5 3570K CPU $ 229.99 (Free Shipping)
Combo Discount $20
Total $309.98 + 7.56 shipping

Grand Total $1092.23
Total after Rebates $1042.23

Thoughts:
If you want to go with a modular power supply you can get this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012
However it will add roughly $30 to your total.
It is not needed however it would provide you a modular option plus would pretty much complete the blue and black theme in the case.

 

[Niklas_13]

^ Nice build

I guess i missed you need a OS, so my build would push up to about 1200 +

rwayne build is nice and will beable to max games @ 1920X1080 ( if money is tight ) if not i would go for my build with the GTX 670

Both will be good and have good QL parts !

Enjoy

 

[starburst]

I appreciate your time and effort into that build, but i added up the price and i got $1113.90 instead of your $1092.23. I have revised this many times, maybe it's my lack of sleep, but i cannot find the $20 difference.

I really do like that case, its almost asking me to pay the extra 50 bucks for it lol. I've had bad experiences with seagate external hard drives, so i would prefer not to get their internal hard drive, so the WD HDD pleases me, although is a little more expensive. Lastly i realize that these two combo deals are the same price.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.959055&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=4176827&SID=zyx9gw49kpyl

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.975453

Which motherboard is better for me? Does it matter?

 

[azeem40]

Both are good.

 

[rwayne]

I appreciate your time and effort into that build, but i added up the price and i got $1113.90 instead of your $1092.23. I have revised this many times, maybe it's my lack of sleep, but i cannot find the $20 difference.

I found out the source of the problem. The price was $1092.23 however I received the following errors this morning:

The promo code FBWDHD20 has expired and is no longer valid.
The promo code CorsairPSU612 has expired and is no longer valid.

It looks like 2 of the 3 promo codes expired after midnight. I did not see their expiration date.

However I got an email from newegg this morning with a new set of promo codes.

The modular power supply I linked last night now has a $15 off promo code. This will expire on 6/27

That along with a $20 rebate it makes your cost $94 should you choose to go with it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL062112&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL062112-_-EMC-062112-Index-_-PowerSupplies-_-17139012-L09C

Click on the link below to view the new specials:
http://promotions.newegg.com/NEemail/June-0-2012/AllStars21/index-landing.html?nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL062112&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL062112-_-EMC-062112-Index-_-E0-_-PromoWord

I highly recommend subscribing to the newegg E-Blast Insider if you haven't already. It is free and there is a form to do so at the top of the page I linked.

 

[rwayne]

I really do like that case, its almost asking me to pay the extra 50 bucks for it lol.

The case is really nice. It is a good price for a full tower case. Most full towers begin at $150 plus shipping. It has precut cable management holes, grommets, a built in fan controller, plus it looks flat out awesome. You could save some money going with a less expensive case but I thought the deal was really good on that one.

I've had bad experiences with seagate external hard drives, so i would prefer not to get their internal hard drive, so the WD HDD pleases me, although is a little more expensive.

I have had very bad experiences with seagate. Western Digital has been rock solid for me.

Which motherboard is better for me? Does it matter?

Both are good. The combo deal for the ASUS one is still active. A new promocode started for ASRock today. 10% off with promocode EMCNDHJ226. That ends on 6/27 as well.

In summary the posts on this thread gives you some ideas of what kind of builds you can purchase. The best deals however are going to come through combo deals, promocodes, and free shipping. When I go into a build for myself I have general list of parts I want however I may change one or two of them up on the day of ordering depending on what deals are out there.

When you are ready to buy it would probably be best to make another post just 3 days prior your anticipated purchase date so the forum and operate off of the current deals and incentives which are out there. From my experience newegg often runs promos from Wednesday to Wednesday. There are other e-tailers out there but I have a personal preference for newegg due to their pricing, website, and customer service.

 

[starburst]

well correct me if im wrong, but can't you only use one promo code at a time? It says you cannot stack promo codes in the shopping cart. Also most of the time you don't ever receive your money back from a MIR, isn't that right?

 

[Merueth]

well correct me if im wrong, but can't you only use one promo code at a time? It says you cannot stack promo codes in the shopping cart. Also most of the time you don't ever receive your money back from a MIR, isn't that right?

You can only use one promo code for the same product i.e. If I buy 3 Carbide 400r cases, I can only use the promo code you get for the case once, not 3 times.
MIR depends on the product manufacturer you're buying from; some are good, some not so.

 

[starburst]

ok then got ya.

 

[rwayne]

I was about to say the site states:

"Stacking is not permitted. If multiple codes are entered for the 'same item', only the first promo code will apply."

I have been building PCs for over 10 years and I have received every single rebate back that I filled out. I must comment that MSI and OCZ are particularly good in their turn around times.

The only problem I had was with a rebate company contracted by Sapphire. After 15 weeks I had not received my rebate. They said to please wait 12-14 weeks. When I contacted them they gave me some poor excuse stating they could not be held responsible for rebates which were lost in the US Mail. They ended up 'reissuing' a check to me (I am sure it was thee FIRST check they had ever issued for me) and I received it about 5 days later.

Last I checked Sapphire is working with a different rebate company now. So I am kinda letting that experience slide by.

 

[starburst]

ok then, so i do not have an estimated time of ordering everything yet, it could be as close as to this saturday, or as far as next friday. So i will look around and find the best deals i can find, read some reviews and then post my final config on these forums, and hopefully the community can give me some excellent suggestions or point out anything i should swap out.

 

[rwayne]

FYI - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM went on sale this morning on Newegg for $79 (with promocode) and free shipping. I would bite on that deal right now. It does not get better than that.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL062212&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL062212-_-EMC-062212-Index-_-OperatingSystems-_-32116986-L0G

Also there is an Antec 300 case on sale for $49 with free shipping and a $10 rebate which brings the cost down to $39.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL062212&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL062212-_-EMC-062212-Index-_-ComputerCases-_-11129042-L0B

It is not a NXZT Phantom but it is a decent budget case with good ventilation. There are definitely better ones out there but if you are looking to save money it maybe an option.

Also that 650Watt Power supply (non-modular) I linked is now down to $59 after rebates and promos.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL062212&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL062212-_-EMC-062212-Index-_-PowerSupplies-_-17139020-L010B

 

[starburst]

Wow thank you for keeping me updated, but i went to check the windows 7 and it was not on sale. I am going to post a new thread for what i have so far.

 

[rwayne]

It is on sale. My last post was a rather bad one in that I did not include the promocode which gives you $20 off.

Click on this. It will show you all of them.
http://promotions.newegg.com/NEemail/june-0-2012/ITtopdeals22/index-landing.html?nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL062212&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL062212-_-EMC-062212-Index-_-E0G-_-Win7#Per

Have you decided on what you are looking for in a case? You may want to create a thread on that alone. Ask the forum for a case recommendation between X and Y amount of dollars with Z features. Such as Front USB 3.0 ports, Side Window, Painted interior, etc.

 

[starburst]

if i spend $100 on a case, then my pc cost goes past $1100. so i have to stick with a $50-$75 case, and i viewed all the ones they have on newegg for that price range and i liked this one the most.

 

[azeem40]

At that price, get the Rosewill Challenger; should be ~$55.