New Build Under $700?

[Poltregeist]

I am looking to replace my aging system. I am a moderate gamer, who would like more than 15-20 fps in modern games with lowest settings and semi low resolution. I have a monitor, and 8 GB RAM from the old PC. Maybe get a new gaming mouse and keyboard. In case anyone thinks I should just upgrade my current, I have:

CPU: Intel E5300 @ 2.6 GHz
Graphics: NVIDIA GT 220
RAM: 8 GB
Base System: '09 or '10 HP Pavilion Desktop

 

[fpoon]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3330 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($98.03 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($229.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($36.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec Neo Eco 520W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($46.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $746.51
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-18 22:50 EDT-0400)

You might want to skip that gaming mouse and keyboard for now. Even though this build is a little over $700, the $50 is worth every penny. The 8GB RAM from your old PC will most likely not work because it is DDR2. This build can get you pretty high framerates on Ultra, if you are playing at 1680x1050 or lower.

 

[Poltregeist]

Best answer selected by Poltregeist.

 

[Poltregeist]

Thanks! At the moment, I am not completely sure athow much I will be able to spend, but I am hoping to get $300 for my 360 and the games with it. And with my brithdaay, well hopefully I can supplement the other $400. The only thing I am scared about is actually building it. Ik there are hundreds of guides online, yet I'm just afraid of screwing up something.

 

[Poltregeist]

Also, what about an OS?

 

[crowz9]

Thanks! At the moment, I am not completely sure athow much I will be able to spend, but I am hoping to get $300 for my 360 and the games with it. And with my brithdaay, well hopefully I can supplement the other $400. The only thing I am scared about is actually building it. Ik there are hundreds of guides online, yet I'm just afraid of screwing up something.

Don't be afraid.
Make sure you are constantly touching the case while installing everything.
And try not to push the RAM sticks to much lol

 

[fpoon]

Also, what about an OS?

Sorry, I forgot about that. You can switch the i5 for a Pentium or i3 for now (performance drops will be only on some games), and use that money for the OS. Then, you can upgrade to an i5.