$1200 gaming PC

[DreSki]

Approximate Purchase Date: The next week or so

Budget Range: About $1200 after shipping and before rebates could possibly go higher if its worth it

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming mostly, watching movies and net surfing
Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: Everything

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: None in particular as long as i can order it from online

Location: City, State/Region, Country: Woodbury, New Jersey U.S.

Parts Preferences: None

Overclocking: Maybe. This will be my first non prebuilt store bought pc so id be willing to if i found out what i was doing

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: Just want somthing that can play the games i play well. Like crysis 2, guild wars 2, dead space 3 WoW Starcraft 2, Bf3 and upcoming games like crysis 3 and such

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Wanna finally be able to max out the games i play! Had my current comp for about 9 years and it cuts off when i try to play games now. Figure its time i got a legit gaming computer for once.

 

[plasmaj12345]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/CzZn

Edit: Changed build to include operating system.

 

[DreSki]

Wow i wanna thank you for the quick reply i appreciate you taking the time. What i forgot to mention was not now but maybe in the future id like to buy 2 more monitors and try a triple monitor setup if money permits it so i was wondering if itd be upgradeable to do so? Otherwise the build youve shown me looks good and that phantom case looks sick. Ofc anyone elses input would be appreciated as well. Thanks.

 

[Firespert]

This build is awsome http://pcpartpicker.com/p/CA9I

Edit: What happened to the post
[There are some things you might want to change:
1. Remove the heatsink if you are not overclocking.
2. Change to windows 7 if you want.
3. The case is more of your style, like shoes.
4. You can cut down on some of the parts.]

 

[DreSki]

Here is good build for under 1200$

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/CACv
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/CACv/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/CACv/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 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($127.00 @ Adorama)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($379.99 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Merc Beta (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Case Fan: Scythe Gentle Typhoon 37.0 CFM 120mm Fan
Case Fan: Scythe Gentle Typhoon 37.0 CFM 120mm Fan
Total: $1117.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-10 05:14 EST-0500)

Build looks nice it doesnt have an OS tho. Speaking of which would it be better to get windows 8 or 7? It probably doesnt matter but i figure why not ask? And Firespert that looks awesome as well. Thank you guys.

 

[Firespert]

I like more to use 7 in desktop. 8 is maybe more touch screen users directed.

You have to try it before you can say that. It has a desktop that can do everything windows 7 does and more.

 

[DreSki]

Well i wouldnt mind either honestly my comp still has vista so im sure either of the 2 is better then this lol. But after looking over you guys suggestions how would this build be?

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/CB3g

Does it seem ok and compatible?

Edit: Ok after looking at it looks like id maybe have to drop the SSD for the OS unless i can cut the price elsewhere otherwise it should be good right?

 

[darkmendez]

Before you even think about getting a $1200 PC.....are you Intel or AMD? Reason why I ask so u won't assume I'm a fan-boy.

 

[DreSki]

Either or dont have a personal preference really so im not biased one way or the other.

 

[Firespert]

i5-3570k > fx 8350 - single threaded performance such as games that don't utilize more than 4 cores

fx 8350 > i5-3570k - multi-threaded performance such as gaming and streaming at the same time

In simple terms.

 

[Praxeology]

i5-3570k > fx 8350 - single threaded performance such as games that don't utilize more than 4 cores

fx 8350 > i5-3570k - multi-threaded performance such as gaming and streaming at the same time

In simple terms.

Not really true. Piledriver processors like the 8350 run an equal fps compared to intel i5/7s in 99percent of games, skyrim/planetside ie cpu intensive games it will lose about 20fps. However, this is comparing stock speeds, if both are clocked at 4.5 then they might not equalize so nicely. Either way they are both nice and I would be tempted to grab an 8350 just for the 1080p game-streaming/general multi-tasking.

 

[Firespert]

I believe battlefield 3 uses 6 cores so they should be equal. Maybe newer games can use all eight cores and leave the i5-3570k in the dust.

 

[Praxeology]

I believe battlefield 3 uses 6 cores so they should be equal. Maybe newer games can use all eight cores and leave the i5-3570k in the dust.

Ya, I just went and looked at wow/skyrim benchmarks and it ranged from 5-20 fps lower 5-10 on wow, 15-20 fps lower on skyrim. Like I said though, Piledriver processors like the 8350 run an equal fps compared to intel i5/7s in 99percent of games, skyrim/planetside ie cpu intensive games it will lose about 20fps. And as you say as more game engines come out to support more threads, AMD fx 8350 is a great buy, and when steamroller comes out, even better.