$1,200 gaming PC build

[Mooseman]

I want to build a gaming pc for $1,200
I want it to have windows 7
I want it to have a SSD and a HDD
I want it to have and intel i7 chip
I want it to fit in the NZXT phantom case

Please help me i will take all consideration for parts

 

[Outlander_04]

at the top of the forum is a thread about how to ask for advice

 

[g-unit1111]

On a gaming rig you do not need an i7. Get an i5 and spend more money on the GPU.

This is what a $1200 build would entitle:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($230.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($60.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UP4 TH ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($66.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vector Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($128.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($379.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1258.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-28 17:31 EDT-0400)

 

[boulbox]

On a gaming rig you do not need an i7. Get an i5 and spend more money on the GPU.

This is what a $1200 build would entitle:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($230.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($60.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UP4 TH ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($66.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vector Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($128.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($379.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1258.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-28 17:31 EDT-0400)

A very nice build for gaming. If you want it a bit cheaper, you can switch out the Cooler for a hyper 212 evo, change the case to Fractal R4, and/or get a bit cheaper motherboard.

Phantom cases are indeed cool but some of them are on the lower end of high-quality cases for materials. Like 410 phantom looks pretty cool but for me it had some metal bending at places and rubber grommets were a bit flimsy and that the case was bigger than i thought.

Here would be my approach on the build.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.69 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($56.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Plextor M5S Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($86.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Galaxy GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($349.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.94 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1191.52
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-28 17:42 EDT-0400)

Includes win7, SSD, and HDD. If wanting to keep the NZXT phantom it will be a bit more and as G-unit said, i7 is not needed for a gaming machine.

 

[Marcopolo123]

i would stick with the gigabyte motherboard, very good deal, highly recommended
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gaz77xup4th

you can switch to a hd 7950 to fit the budged
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-r7950twinfrozr3gd5oc

 

[g-unit1111]

A very nice build for gaming. If you want it a bit cheaper, you can switch out the Cooler for a hyper 212 evo, change the case to Fractal R4, and/or get a bit cheaper motherboard.

Phantom cases are indeed cool but some of them are on the lower end of high-quality cases for materials. Like 410 phantom looks pretty cool but for me it had some metal bending at places and rubber grommets were a bit flimsy and that the case was bigger than i thought.

OP wanted a Phantom which is why I included it. I'd go for a full size Phantom or an XL Phantom 630 but the 410 is perfect for this build. Otherwise yeah I would have suggested a Define R4.