First Ever Gaming Build ($700-$800)

[PsyonicComputers]

Approximate Purchase Date: In the next month or so

Budget Range: $700 - $800

System Usage from Most to Least Important: (Gaming, Rendering 3DS/Max Cinema 4D, Online Videos 1080p...)

Parts Not Required: (keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: (Newegg, Tiger Direct, NXIC)

Country: (US)

Parts Preferences: (Intel CPU if logical in this price range for this use)

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Not yet but maybe in the future

Monitor Resolution: (1920x1080)

Additional Comments: I am a gamer I play a lot of Battlefield 3, Diablo 3, Crysis 2, and Starcraft 2 and I have only ever had pre-built rigs before. I would like to build a system that can play all of these games on high/ultra (if possible). I also do a bit of 3D Rendering and my current computer takes ages to render even the smallest of files (core 2 quad, 4GB ram, 7200 HD). But I am willing to sacrifice a little on the rendering as the gaming is my main concern. I have done a decent chunk of research and this is what I have come up with I really need to get the price down without sacrificing too much performance and I wanted some more experienced builders advice before I buy:

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

Motherboard: Asus P8Z68-V/GEN3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131792

Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226099

Hard Drive: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145567

Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121623&Tpk=Asus%20Radeon%20HD%207850%202GB%20Video%20Card

Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER ATX Mid Tower Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

Power Supply: Corsair 600W ATX12V Power Supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Total: $965.91

 

[Merueth]

You can switch out the 7850 with the GTX 480; equal performance, $50 less though the 480 is louder and hotter.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130759

I would take out the Hyper 212 EVO and buy it later when you have the money, that's $35 saved.

Since you don't seem to need to SLI in the future, get this mobo instead.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157279

In total you should save roughly $140, bringing you close to your budget.

 

[Thomas_89]

At your budget it's important to know what you want. If gaming is your #1 priority I would get a locked processor and a cheaper mobo with an awesome GPU.
Something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($107.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 750GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($309.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Three Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair 500W ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $785.48
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
Keep in mind thats the lowest price possible, you'll likely spend a little voer $800 on this. If you live near a microcenter, pick up the processor and maybe mobo there, they have a great sale!

If you want to be able to OC, you will need to invest in an unlocked CPU, cooler and probably a better mobo and get a cheaper GPU. Same goes if you want a speedy SSD.