Build me a PC-- What are good specs

[thatstrike]

Hello,

I have a budget of around $1000 bucks max.

How hard is it to actually put your pc together? Can I high someone like Best buy to do it for me (Considering I don't buy the products from them)?

I want to use the computer to run demanding games like Skyrim or BF3 on medium. I have no need for ultra high settings.

 

[thatstrike]

Hello,

I have a budget of around $1000 bucks max.

How hard is it to actually put your pc together? Can I high someone like Best buy to do it for me (Considering I don't buy the products from them)?

I want to use the computer to run demanding games like Skyrim or BF3 on medium. I have no need for ultra high settings.

Oh, and I noticed that right above my thread is a guide. I'm reading it now I just wanted to know if you guys had any ideas for me.

 

[abekl]

If you're mechanically minded, putting together a PC isn't all that hard. If you run screaming when you see the words "some assembly required" then building a PC isn't for you.

One thousand dollars is a good budget for a modern, well equipped computer.

 

[thatstrike]

Thanks I was going to buy an alienware, but I heard they were super over priced and I could build my own for cheaper and with more power.

 

[theProbe]

Yes, i think all branded computers are overpriced and thats why i always build my own pc. If you are building a gaming pc i would suggest getting Intel cpu. Also Ati gpu's are bad with drivers which can cause problems with full screen.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been moved from the section CPU & Components to section Systems by Mousemonkey

 

[azeem40]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($102.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($94.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($314.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Tempest 410 ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $975.43
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-08-11 17:11 EDT-0400)

or if you want to save $, buy from different stores:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/eoy0

 

[Guest]

Keep in mind that while azeem40's build is really solid it is also a very high end gaming system. That beast would easily max any game in 1080p.,

If you're budget minded like me or maybe need to free up funds for a monitor& accessories you can deal with dropping the GPU down a few notches.

Today there is a pretty sweet deal on a HD 6950 :

http://slickdeals.net/f/5036334-XFX-Double-D-Radeon-6950-2GB-GDDR5-PCI-Express-2-1-Video-Card-HD-695X-CDFC-Battlefield-3-and-Deus-Ex-Game-Coupons-178-after-30-Rebate-Free-Shipping

It's a fair bit slower than the 7870 but also a lot cheaper and comes with two games. Speed is not a huge difference at 1080p because both cards are high end cards and will just about max any game.. really i'd only consider the 7870 (+$140, about double the price) if you REALLY like computer games or are using a larger resolution.

congrats on building a computer! It's really easy, I mean if you can turn some screws to screw down a motherboard and plug the other parts in the correct slots then you're able to build a PC.


EDIT::
If you need to reduce the price a bit more the CPU he listed has a few slightly cheaper alternatives. Really it's just about the best gaming CPU you can get but you definitely pay a price premium for it.. so there's room to scale down and still have a quality high end gaming PC.

BUT if you can get to a micro-center that is indeed a great non-sale retail price for that chip.

 

[DeusAres]

Try this...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($77.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($329.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling 600W ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $927.40
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-08-11 17:25 EDT-0400)

It'll run everything you throw at it on ultra settings. If you can cough up a few extra dollars, grab the gtx 670 instead of the hd 7950.

Here's a 3 part tutorial on how to build a computer...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPIXAtNGGCw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxaVBsXEiok&feature=relmfu

 

[azeem40]

Try this...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Microcenter)

That is assuming he lives near a microcenter as those are in store deals only. Otherwise, that comes above his budget.

 

[DeusAres]

That is assuming he lives near a microcenter as those are in store deals only. Otherwise, that comes above his budget.

It's merely to be used as an example. I'm sure he's capable of going to newegg or amazon or whatever other vendor he wants to use and punch it in.

Even if you add $30-40 to make up for the newegg price difference. That does not put him over budget. The mobo and cpu cooler are the same price on newegg +/- $5. This still puts him under the $1000 budget.

 

[DeusAres]

If you don't want to run games at ultra settings, the hd 7850 or 6850 would suffice for medium to high settings.

 

[azeem40]

I posted a build too you know.