keybind

Honorable
Oct 24, 2012
16
0
10,510
I need help choosing parts for a gaming build. I need windows 7, do not need a monitor. I want to Overclock the CPU and GPU so it needs to a cool build. I would like this build to last for 2 years (Slowly degrading to low-detail graphics).
Thanks.
 

malbluff

Honorable
You don't mention where you are, I assume USA. Also no monitor resolution. However, have put this together, as a starting point.

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 ($26.82 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.86 @ Compuvest)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($244.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Three Hundred Two ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.98 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Rosewill Hive 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($56.00 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS224-06 DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($91.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $889.60
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
Ideally that could benefit, from the addition of an SSD. Unless budget can be increased, that's something, which can be added, later. I wouldn't recommend droping anything else to finance it, unless you want to go without overclocking.
 

keybind

Honorable
Oct 24, 2012
16
0
10,510
malbluff has the right idea, but really you can fit much more into 900

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/lkvP
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/lkvP/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/lkvP/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master V8 69.7 CFM Rifle Bearing CPU Cooler ($49.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 64GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($209.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($38.91 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($91.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $876.80
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)


What speed (overclocking the cpu) would be safe with this build?