$1200 Gaming PC

[TheRandomWookie]

Approximate Purchase Date: This Weekend

Budget Range: ~$1200

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: (e.g.: CPU, mobo, RAM) **Include Power Supply Make & Model If Re-using**

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com or non-sketchy sites

Location: Appleton, Wisconsin

Parts Preferences: Nvidia GPU, Intel CPU, Corsair 650D

Overclocking: Maybe - but not right away

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe - but not right away

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: Would like either an all red and black or all blue black color scheme

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: I'm running off a Dell...

 

[aznshinobi]

Wouldn't opt for the 650D. Rather expensive for a case also with this budget would save more for the system.

Check out my $1100 build here:
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore#module147312351
OS here: http://www.softwaresupplygroup.com/microsoft-windows-7-home-premium-64-bit-oem-branded.html
Total: $1225

You get a solid Samsung 830 128GB SSD, a great GPU, the i5 3570K and future proofing for Crossfire/SLI in the future.

BBB A+ approved for the OS retail site: http://www.bbb.org/memphis/business-reviews/computer-software-publishers-and-developers/software-supply-group-in-cordova-tn-44050536

Why should you opt for the 7970 instead of the similar priced GTX 670?

Clock for clock the 7970 is better than the GTX 680 for much less
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/toxic-hd-7970-eyefinity-6gb,3264-3.html
After overclocks the 7970 is MUCH better than the GTX 670 and equivalent if not beating the GTX 680 in most cases: http://www.hardocp.com/article/2012/05/14/geforce_680_670_vs_radeon_7970_7950_gaming_perf/3
Before overclocks the 7970 is still better if not equivalent to the GTX 670:
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2012/05/14/geforce_680_670_vs_radeon_7970_7950_gaming_perf/2

 

[Someone Somewhere]

This is my advice. Drop the 650D - this build has a 690II. OCable and has just enough PSU for a second 7970.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($215.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.98 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Mushkin Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($387.86 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master CM 690 II (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($60.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($38.91 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-222BB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ CompUSA)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($92.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1196.65
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[aznshinobi]

^ The 7970 has a TDP of 250 stock, another would be 500w+77w for the cpu and you'll have no room to overclock. You'd be pushing it with a single 7970 overclocked+overclocked i5 3570K.

 

[ckholt83]

Here's a slight variation on a build I suggested to someone else working with a similar budget:


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($215.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda Green 1TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 650D ATX Mid Tower Case ($149.93 @ Mac Connection)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($92.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1174.83
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[boulbox]

^ switch barracuda grean for a regualr 7200rpm barracuda drive. it is only a few bucks more.

switch GPU for a 7870+

switch 650D with a 500R, or CM HAF XM

 

[ckholt83]

^ OP specifically stated he wanted an Nvidia GPU and the Corsair 650D in his template.

The HDD swap would be fine, I picked the green with the assumption that most of his critical programs will be running off the SSD, and therefore would be saving power vs. a standard barracuda. Either one works.

 

[luciferano]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/k4cC

If you don't mind SLI, this is better than the above builds. If you do mind SLI, then you can consider this:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/k4aZ

EDIT: Fixed.

 

[luciferano]

EDIT: Fixed.

 

[boulbox]

@ckholt83 660 is not even worth it compared to 7870. go ahead and go for a 660 for lower power consumption or upgrade into a 7870 for more performance

 

[luciferano]

@ckholt83 660 is not even worth it compared to 7870. go ahead and go for a 660 for lower power consumption or upgrade into a 7870 for more performance

I agree only because a decent 7870 can currently be bought cheaper than any 660 in online retail. In gaming performance, the 660 and 7870 are very close and trade blows with the 7870 having a slight win that is only truly great when you take overclocking and especially then also heavier MSAA into account.

 

[zloginet]

I live in Waukesha, Wi, not to far from you and will be willing to sell you my system.... You could pick it up? Not sure if your willing to throw down another $1000 but for $2200 its a complete steal. Or even less

Approximate Purchase Date: This Weekend

Budget Range: ~$1200

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: (e.g.: CPU, mobo, RAM) **Include Power Supply Make & Model If Re-using**

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com or non-sketchy sites

Location: Appleton, Wisconsin

Parts Preferences: Nvidia GPU, Intel CPU, Corsair 650D

Overclocking: Maybe - but not right away

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe - but not right away

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: Would like either an all red and black or all blue black color scheme

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: I'm running off a Dell...