Building a Gaming Computer for ~$1000

[cuppycake]

Hi there!

I'm looking at tackling building a computer for the first time and saw iDroid's templates. I'm not well versed in computer tech but know basics (like what the parts do haha).

This build caught my eye, but I'm from Canada and some of these parts are discontinued/unavailable to me. Any suggestions on replacements? (comments noted in red)

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk I can't find the 128GB version available. I can only seem to find the 250GB one. What are some good alternatives? Do I even need this?
Video Card: VisionTek Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card
Case: Antec DF-30 ATX Mid Tower Case This model is discontinued -- will this one work instead? Antec Six Hundred V2 Mid Tower Gaming Case
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling 750W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
Optical Drive: Any suggestions on a good BD?
Monitor: Any suggestions with this computer?

Computer will be used for: Primarily Gaming, watching movies
Games to play: Sims 3 (+all expansions and future expansions), Guild Wars 2, BF3, other MMORPGs that may be released in the future
Other notes: It would be nice if I could record gameplay but not necessary. I'm primarily looking for something built to last. I'm willing to upgrade parts in the future to give it a couple more years.
Budget: Looking to spend ~$1000. Hoping not to spend more than $1300.

Thanks!

 

[Onus]

Since you're looking for "built to last," the only mechanical hard drives you should consider are the WD Black drives that still have a five year warranty. With many others dropping to as little as one year, the WD Black has become the only drive I've been buying.
For a SSD, I'd probably be happy with any non-Sandfarce controller, since those are the models that seem to have had reliability issues (e.g. earlier OCZ, and for me, AData).
Otherwise the build looks nice. You may wish to consider a member of the fully modular Seasonic "X" lineup of 80+ Gold PSUs.
And, as others are tiring of hearing me say, I won't touch any Crappermaster product, no matter how good. The company has been proven in competent technical reviews to be dishonest. Like my quotation says, a rational person does not support dishonesty. Xigmatek, Noctua, Corsair, and Scythe also make good CPU coolers. For reviews of them, the best site is probably www.frostytech.com.

 

[g-unit1111]

I'd suggest something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.79 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($39.88 @ Canada Computers)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($41.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($334.99 @ Canada Computers)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: Corsair 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($74.99 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Canada Computers)
Total: $1039.60
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-07 13:39 EDT-0400)

 

[idroid]

Hi there!

I'm looking at tackling building a computer for the first time and saw iDroid's templates. I'm not well versed in computer tech but know basics (like what the parts do haha).

This build caught my eye, but I'm from Canada and some of these parts are discontinued/unavailable to me. Any suggestions on replacements? (comments noted in red)

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk I can't find the 128GB version available. I can only seem to find the 250GB one. What are some good alternatives? Do I even need this?
Video Card: VisionTek Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card
Case: Antec DF-30 ATX Mid Tower Case This model is discontinued -- will this one work instead? Antec Six Hundred V2 Mid Tower Gaming Case
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling 750W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
Optical Drive: Any suggestions on a good BD?
Monitor: Any suggestions with this computer?

Computer will be used for: Primarily Gaming, watching movies
Games to play: Sims 3 (+all expansions and future expansions), Guild Wars 2, BF3, other MMORPGs that may be released in the future
Other notes: It would be nice if I could record gameplay but not necessary. I'm primarily looking for something built to last. I'm willing to upgrade parts in the future to give it a couple more years.
Budget: Looking to spend ~$1000. Hoping not to spend more than $1300.

Thanks!

Wow.... i am glad i was helpful!

i would love to help you tweak that build for ya! but there is something you should know first.

*while recording your game-play your frame rate will drop if you don't have an i7 CPU although the i5 will do just fine.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.79 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS11X Performa CPU Cooler ($41.09 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($40.19 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.88 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($396.82 @ DirectCanada)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling 750W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($87.89 @ DirectCanada)
Monitor: Asus VH236H 23.0" Monitor ($141.20 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $1306.83

i hope you like it!! btw... you can get the black or red version of the Phantom 410 for 10$ more....

 

[idroid]

a rational person does not support dishonesty.

What does rationality have to do with dishonesty??

 

[cuppycake]

Thanks for all the advice guys!

I know I'm slightly over budget, but I forgot about the OS. Any thoughts?

Also, this is probably a newbie question but why doesn't anyone select sound cards in their parts lists?

@iDroid: That case is so sexy. Thanks for recommending it!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.79 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS11X Performa CPU Cooler ($41.09 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($40.19 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($99.79 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($396.82 @ DirectCanada)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling 750W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($87.89 @ DirectCanada)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Canada Computers)
Monitor: Asus VH236H 23.0" Monitor ($141.20 @ DirectCanada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($97.99 @ Computer Valley)
Total: $1447.72
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-07 16:58 EDT-0400)

 

[bigcyco1]

What does rationality have to do with dishonesty??

:lol: well i think hes got a good point but sometimes it's best to forgive and get over it aside from their psu's they are awesome

 

[idroid]

@cuppycake, read this

 

[Onus]

I like that last build. If you need to reduce the cost, I'd probably reduce the graphics card to a HD7870, the PSU to 550W-650W, and maybe find a less expensive case.

 

[cuppycake]

Thanks everyone!

I ended up doing this as the final build:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($299.99 bundle @ Memory Express)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS11X Performa CPU Cooler ($41.09 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($0 - bundled with CPU)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.74 @ ME (PMed))
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($129.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Intel 330 Series 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($149.99 @ Memory Express)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($309.99 @ ME)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling 750W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($87.89 @ DirectCanada)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($49.97 @ DirectCanada)
Monitor: Asus VH236H 23.0" Monitor ($154.00 before rebate (PMed at ME), $134.00 after MIR)
Total before taxes and MIRs: $1415.63
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-08 01:36 EDT-0400)

Prices displayed represent actual pricing I paid. Memory Express is having a sale right now (which caused me to alter my choices a bit).

Thanks to all that responded! Your feedback really helped put me on track.

 

[idroid]

Thanks everyone!

I ended up doing this as the final build:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($299.99 bundle @ Memory Express)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS11X Performa CPU Cooler ($41.09 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($0 - bundled with CPU)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.74 @ ME (PMed))
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($129.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Intel 330 Series 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($149.99 @ Memory Express)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($309.99 @ ME)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling 750W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($87.89 @ DirectCanada)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($49.97 @ DirectCanada)
Monitor: Asus VH236H 23.0" Monitor ($154.00 before rebate (PMed at ME), $134.00 after MIR)
Total before taxes and MIRs: $1415.63
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-08 01:36 EDT-0400)

Prices displayed represent actual pricing I paid. Memory Express is having a sale right now (which caused me to alter my choices a bit).

Thanks to all that responded! Your feedback really helped put me on track.

OMFG 300$ for a GTX670?!?!?!? that's an AMAZING deal!!!

the only thing i'd change is the SSD... samsung 830 or vertex 4

 

[bigcyco1]

OMFG 300$ for a GTX670?!?!?!? that's an AMAZING deal!!!

the only thing i'd change is the SSD... samsung 830 or vertex 4

I would change ssd to a m4 or samsung 830 :lol: and 300$ for a GTX670? that's an AMAZING deal!Where at that link says it's more?

 

[idroid]

I would change ssd to a m4 or samsung 830 :lol: and 300$ for a GTX670? that's an AMAZING deal!Where at that link says it's more?

look: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX39338

 

[bigcyco1]

look: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX39338

OMG!Ordering mine now thanks!

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[idroid]

OMG!Ordering mine now [url]http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/9932/realsanta.jpg[/URL]

Damn.... if it wasn't for the hassle of having something shipped internationally i would buy like 10 of those cards to replace some of the GPUs of some of my family members rigs :/

 

[bigcyco1]

Damn.... if it wasn't for the hassle of having something shipped internationally i would buy like 10 of those cards to replace some of the GPUs of some of my family members rigs :/

Yeah that sucks i am screwed myself have less then i thought only $380.00 on the credit card and still need to pay cable and phone bill :lol:

 

[idroid]

Yeah that sucks i am screwed myself have less then i thought only $380.00 on the credit card and still need to pay cable and phone bill :lol:

Oh ...you made me fell kinda bad you know.... :/

 

[bigcyco1]

Oh ...you made me fell kinda bad you know.... :/

lol thanks but i will live it's really not the 670 i want anyways but for the price i was going to get it oh well life goes goes on

 

[cuppycake]

Best answer selected by cuppycake.