Help on new gaming build (around $1k)

[ForkYear]

Hi everyone, new around here and I'm looking to build a gaming pc for the first time.

Approximate Purchase Date: within a week

Budget Range: around $1000 (after shipping etc)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, movies/tv/music, internet browsing

Are you buying a monitor: Possibly, depending on whether or not my old one works, but I'd still like a recommendation

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: No preference

Location: Bay Area, CA

Parts Preferences: No preference

Overclocking: Probably not

SLI or Crossfire: Probably not

Your Monitor Resolution: Old monitor is 1920x1080

Additional Comments: I've been looking at the mid range build recommended here: http://www.build-gaming-computers.com/gaming-desktop-computer.html

What do you guys think of it?

- Looking at a benchmark site (http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html) I think it says the 760 is better than the 660, what do you think?
- I don't care about case aesthetics so I'll take whatever works.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Want to run games faster (Skyrim on max + ENB in particular, plus BF3, Crysis 2, Bioshock, etc)

Thanks for the help!

 

[RazerZ]

The builds shown in the website are good, but you can do better for your price range and they wont run Skyrim maxed with ENB etc.
This following build is very powerful and should run all games maxed out, or on very high settings.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 EXTREME4 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($58.65 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($304.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cougar Evolution ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($65.00 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $995.54
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-20 17:41 EDT-0400)

 

[ps3hacker12]

One of the best gaming rigs money can buy if you don't care about OCing:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($174.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H87 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($92.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($289.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Three Hundred Two ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($57.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $884.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-20 18:06 EDT-0400)

A great monitor reccommendation:
Monitor: Acer H226HQLbid 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($139.99 @ Amazon)

If you want the option of SLI and overclocking:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87MX-D3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($289.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Three Hundred Two ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 850W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $968.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-20 19:21 EDT-0400)