$1000 Gaming Rig

[TheShepherd]

Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: I will start buying parts in the next 2-3 weeks.

Budget Range: $1000 before rebates and after shipping.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, a little video editing, and web browsing.

Are you buying a monitor: Yes

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Doesn't matter much as long as it's trustworthy.

Location: Chicago, IL

Parts Preferences: None

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe later

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080/1200 (whatever is recommended)

Why Are You Upgrading: I want to start gaming on the PC.

Additional Comments: I want a case with good airflow that runs silently.



This is what I'm thinking after doing some research: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/lWzf

Before anybody tells me to get an i5 3570k instead of the 2500k, know that I live near a Microcenter. They have the 2500k for $160 which was $30 cheaper than the 3570k last time I checked. I will also add a SSD soon, but I'm waiting for a good sale on those. I've already seen Samsung 830s and OCZ Vertex 4s on sale for $70. What I really need help with is monitors. I've done some reading, but there's no real useful metrics for finding a good monitor.

 

[bigcyco1]

Response Rate

The response rate of an LCD monitor refers to how quickly each pixel on the screen can change color. The lower the response rate, the faster the screen updates. If you are playing fast-paced action game for example, where the images change quickly, if you're playing on a monitor with a slower response rate, you may experience what is known as "ghosting". Ghosting happens when the previous image displayed on the screen can still be seen as a blur for moments after the image has changed.

When choosing the best gaming monitor, the response rate is perhaps the single most important factor to consider. Ghosting and motion blur can ruin your overall gaming experience. The faster the response rate of your monitor, the less ghosting you will see.

I would say that an LCD with a response rate of 5ms is the minimum for gaming. Lower than 5ms is better of course (remember that the lower, the faster), and the very best gaming monitors on the market have extremely fast response rates such as 2ms and lower to avoid any ghosting/blur issues completely.


LED vs LCD Monitors

LED monitors are the exact same as LCD monitors, except they use LED backlighting which provides some advantages such as a brighter and sharper display, thinner screen, and lower power usage.

LED monitors currently cost a little more than a standard LCD, but if you want the best gaming monitor then I would definitely suggest you buy one. If not, a standard LCD monitor with a good response rate will do just fine.


What Size Monitor?

Ultimately, the size you go for is totally up to you and how much you're willing to spend. Obviously the larger the screen, the more expensive it will be, but for the best gaming monitor experience I would suggest at least 19", and go for a widescreen LCD if you can. Nothing beats gaming on a nice, decent-sized widescreen monitor.

If you want the most immersive gaming experience possible and you have the money to spend, go for a quality 23" or 24" screen, or even 25" and above. After gaming on such a massive screen you won't ever want to go back to a smaller screen!


Contrast Ratio

The contrast ratio of a monitor can be a helpful spec to generally compare picture quality between different monitors. In general, the higher the contrast ratio, the better the picture quality.

With high contrast ratios your screen can produce deeper black levels, which creates a more immersive and visually sharp experience. Keep in mind that the contrast ratio isn't always an accurate measure of image quality, so don't use it solely to compare two monitors as there's more to it than that.


Viewing Angle

If you look at an LCD monitor from an angle, you will notice that the image appears dimmer and the colors can look weird. At extreme angles the entire image can even disappear. The viewing angle of an LCD monitor is the angle at which you can still view the screen clearly, and is usually listed in the monitor's specifications list.

The greater the viewing angle, the better, but for gamers the viewing angle doesn't really matter because you are looking directly at the screen the whole time. But there are some people who will consider the viewing angle important, for example if you need to show presentations with your LCD monitor.


Budget Gaming Monitors

http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-VH236H-23-Inch-Full-HD-Monitor/dp/B002453K5G%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26tag%3Dsquid1056067-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB002453K5G
http://www.amazon.com/VE248H-24-Inch-Full-HD-Integrated-Speakers/dp/B0043T7FHK%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26tag%3Dsquid1056067-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB0043T7FHK



Great Gaming Monitors
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824260047
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009222&name=LCD-Monitors
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824014270&name=LCD-Monitors

 

[TheShepherd]

Wow, thanks for the thorough breakdown of monitor specs. A couple questions though. Are IPS monitors worth it for gaming? And can you suggest some quality monitors in the 21"-23" range? Most of the monitors you suggested are 24"+, and I don't really want one that big. Thanks for the help!

 

[bigcyco1]

Wow, thanks for the thorough breakdown of monitor specs. A couple questions though. Are IPS monitors worth it for gaming? And can you suggest some quality monitors in the 21"-23" range? Most of the monitors you suggested are 24"+, and I don't really want one that big. Thanks for the help!

Well it all depends on the type of gaming you intend on doing this is a good one 21.5" http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00413PHDM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hhmsquiddiscount-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00413PHDM

 

[bigcyco1]

ASUS VH236H 23-Inch Full-HD 2ms LCD Monitor http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002453K5G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hhmsquiddiscount-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002453K5G

 

[TheShepherd]

Well it all depends on the type of gaming you intend on doing this is a good one 21.5" http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00413PHDM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hhmsquiddiscount-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00413PHDM

That's more in my wheelhouse. I find 24" monitors and above to just be too big for my preferences. I'm guessing IPS displays aren't going to be a great option if I'm going to be playing predominantly FPS's.

 

[bigcyco1]

That's more in my wheelhouse. I find 24" monitors and above to just be too big for my preferences. I'm guessing IPS displays aren't going to be a great option if I'm going to be playing predominantly FPS's.

That would be a good pick

 

[TheShepherd]

Cool, thanks for the help on the monitors. Now that I have that down, do you have any suggestions for the rest of the build?

 

[bigcyco1]

No your build looks good i prefer asus motherboards but there is nothing wrong with your choice

 

[TheShepherd]

Thank you for all the help good sir!

 

[TheShepherd]

Best answer selected by TheShepherd.

 

[bigcyco1]

No problem.Your welcome!