First Gaming PC Build Under $1000

[roberts1138]

So you've done it Tom's Hardware. You've made me decide to build my first PC. But now that I've made that decision, I can't seem to make any others. I've done a bit of research (almost all of it on Tom's), but my indecision on parts, and lack of knowledge on compatibility/actually building a rig kinda have me stumped.

Approximate Purchase Date: Within the next two weeks (sooner the better)

Budget Range: Under $1000 but willing to go over for Monitor/speakers/keyboard

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming (Skyrim, GW2, WoW, SWTOR all on utra/high), surfing the internet, photo editing, watching movies

Parts Not Required: mouse (ha)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I like Newegg and Amazon, but open to anything. Does NCIX ship? can't remember

Country: US

Parts Preferences: Have a slight preference to Intel and Nvidia, but still open to anything

Overclocking: Probably

SLI or Crossfire: Not in the near future

Monitor Resolution: Whatever's best with the determined GPU

Additional Comments: I have limited desk space, so probably needs to be a midtower or smaller. I will need an OS. If it's possible within the budget, a decent SSD along with HDD for a bit of photo/video editing. A monitor and speakers would be nice as well. Please let me know what you guys think, and keep in mind it'll be my first build so if you have any tips I'd be grateful.

Edit: I'm not opposed to saving money either. I know the games I play aren't the most graphic intensive so if you can suggest a build with the stats I listed for less, I'll take it.

 

[Mapsx15]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zDw8
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zDw8/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zDw8/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 ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Sandisk Extreme 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($105.59 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($285.85 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1062.32
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-26 01:21 EST-0500)

 

[djangoringo]

All from newegg amd amazon :

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($188.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($42.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Hive 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Zalman MZ240ED 24.0" Monitor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($91.19 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Logitech MK120 Wired Slim Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($16.89 @ Amazon)
Total: $946.78
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)


Includes a 1080p led monitor with speakers, a 660 ti, an i5, 8GB ram, os, keyboard+mouse, doesn't include ssd.
If you want one get this : http://pcpartpicker.com/part/a-data-internal-hard-drive-asp900s3128gmc

 

[roberts1138]

Both these builds/prices look great. Can anyone tell me the difference in the 2 ASRock MOBOs? Also, is Rosewill a reliable PSU brand? And thank you for the quick responses.

 

[djangoringo]

The first build has a z77 + i5-3570k for overclock.
The one i suggested, you can't overclock, i didn't if you want to, but it adds to the budget.
Rosewill hive is reliable, see here a review of the series : http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Rosewill-HIVE-650-W-Power-Supply-Review/1460/11
With the second build(under 1000$) + the ssd i suggested, in all parts from newegg+amazon the total is 1100$ including monitor +keyboard+mouse.

 

[roberts1138]

Ah, I was wondering why there was such a price jump between the two mobos. Do you think the games/editing I'll be doing will really benefit from overclocking? I've heard it's like "unlocking the true potential of your pc" but also that it may shorten the lifespan of some parts.

 

[djangoringo]

For gaming what's more important is the gfx card, for editing more cores/threads.
I don't know if you know how to oc the cpu.
If you want to, an asrock z77 pro 3 board+i5-3570k+hyper 212 evo would be the changes to make.

 

[g-unit1111]

For the tower I'd suggest this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($80.00 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $974.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-26 02:02 EST-0500)

Then I generally leave monitor and peripherals open as that's mainly personal preference.

 

[roberts1138]

Alright, sorry for the slow reply. Trying to read reviews for parts that g-unit listed. I think I'm going with django's AmazEgg build. After a little more research, I don't think I'll be overclocking so I'll be saving $ on the motherboard. I might swap the Zalman monitor, but like g-unit said, it's just preference. Thank you all for the suggestions. I'm so excited to start building!

 

[roberts1138]

Best answer selected by roberts1138.