Building a Gaming PC

[RagingNinja]

To be honest, I wasn't sure where to post this, but I thought I'd ask you "Experts". =D


In the near future, I would like to build my own PC. Now, I am pretty tech savvy, but I have not yet built a computer on my own. I am wanting to know what's the best bang of my buck. My budget would probably be under $700. Now, I know you CAN build at least an OKAY PC for that. But here's what I'm wanting...


Intel CPU (Preferably a i5 or i7)

8-12GB's of RAM

700GB-1TB hard drive

Good graphics card, preferably NVIDIA GeForce. (I currently use an AMD Radeon 7750 because it's cheap)


Mostly, I'm asking what all do I absolutely have to have to build a PC, what brands/hardware is best to get, and what can I get for a under $700 budget?

Also suggestions for MOBO's and cases are implied.

 

[robnof]

Try this.
CPU: i5 3570k - $226.00
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro4-M LGA 1155 - $129.99
RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 - $36.99
PSU: CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 500W - $61.99
Case: Antec Three hundred - $49.99
GPU: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition - $129.99
DVD Optical Drive: Very inexpensive. $10-$20.00
HDD: Take your pick, they're always on sale now.

 

[mocchan]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($227.34 @ NCIX US)
Case: Antec Three Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.98 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $659.26
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Here you go

 

[mocchan]

Try this.
CPU: i5 3570k - $226.00
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro4-M LGA 1155 - $129.99
RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 - $36.99
PSU: CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 500W - $61.99
Case: Antec Three hundred - $49.99
GPU: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition - $129.99
DVD Optical Drive: Very inexpensive. $10-$20.00
HDD: Take your pick, they're always on sale now.

Decent, but you're spending too much on the CPU and not enough on the GPU. With an i5-3570k, I would at least want a GTX660 or Radeon HD7870.

 

[RagingNinja]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($227.34 @ NCIX US)
Case: Antec Three Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.98 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $659.26
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Here you go

Wow, thanks! I really appreciate it. I think I'm leaning towards this option, you selected almost exactly what I want. I mean... I don't need a CPU that OC's to 4.0+Ghz

Just something that'll run most any game. And by judging from what you've picked out, you've selected just the hardware to do so.

The only thing I might change up is the case. I will look around and see what else there is, I just want to make sure I find one compatible with the motherboard obviously.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been moved from the section CPU & Components to section Systems by Mousemonkey

 

[RagingNinja]

How about the i5 2500k?

Does the 3470 have much of an advantage over the 2500k because it's Ivy Bridge?

 

[lchrisk]

Get an i5-3570 or k if you are going to over clock

Motherboard h77 will do if you are not going to over clock and sli / crossfire if you are get z77

Ram, doesn't really matter, 8 gb of 1600 mhz will do.

Go with the power supply above ^^

And lastly, get a 7850. There is one for like $160 right now.

If you can wait, use your old 7750 and wait to get a 7870 / 7950. It'll do you best.

 

[CaptainTom]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($227.34 @ NCIX US)
Case: Antec Three Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.98 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $659.26
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Here you go

you would be mental to get a 660 over a 7870 that costs the same and comes with Farcry 3!