Need help with a 1000$ "budget" build

[tombodnar]

Hi guys, i'm looking for the community's expert advice on how to construct a 1000$ (give or take) gaming rig. Preferably an Intel build but im flexible to an AMD system as well. no monitor or cd drive required--just don't cheap out on the gpu with the suggestions . Much appreciated!!!

 

[g-unit1111]

No reason to go AMD for a gaming rig. For $1K here's what I would suggest:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($60.99 @ 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: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($92.98 @ 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: $1013.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-27 14:09 EST-0500)

 

[tombodnar]

i was thinking this EVGA would be a good alternative, thoughts? otherwise i like the setup--> EVGA 02G-P4-3660-KR GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card (newegg)

 

[tombodnar]

Best answer selected by tombodnar.

 

[tombodnar]

i cant find anyone who ships the 7950 to canada for that price