Building a Gaming computer under $900

[Bkatt]

Hello guys, Im not too great with computers and I am interested in building my first computer. I am looking to put $800-900 dollars towards a tower. What should I be looking for when I build my unit?

Thanks for the help in advance.

 

[bob hays]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($52.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-K ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($115.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill FB-03 ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($47.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.25 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($86.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $911.13
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-16 00:33 EDT-0400)

This is a great build that will max out most current games and perform well on future games. I know it is a bit over budget but I also included and OS and idk if you were including that in your price range.

 

[spyrizzle]

You can build a superior system to the one that Bob posted.
The I5 is a great cpu for gaming sure. but if you plan to do more than play a game at one time maybe think about something else.

I myself run an AMD fx-8350 that is 8 cores running at 4.2 ghz per core. I play games on fantastic settings and multitask as well. decode/encode two different movies and burn them both at the same time. maintain downloads/uploads and even run some folding@home all without a single hiccup.
My entire build ran me about $850 and that did not include an OS as I have one already on disc. I did however purchase several other items that were not directly needed. such as blue cathode kits, blue led fans and random other junk that I really did not need.


in short.

if you plan to just play a game and not really do anything else while you are playing your game an I5 is fine. and for the record here. the I5 2500k overclocks better than the 3570k and the one Bob mentioned.


Some things you should avoid.
core2whatever whatever does indeed mean duo or even quad.
if you decide to go the amd route go quad core or above.
and make sure you get some thermal paste with everything you buy, you WILL need it.
Usually your cpu will come with a small tube but sometimes it is forgotten and not shipped. an extra tube is not that much money 5 or 6 dollars and is worth it.

also, consider some dust filters for your fans.

 

[bob hays]

You can build a superior system to the one that Bob posted.
The I5 is a great cpu for gaming sure. but if you plan to do more than play a game at one time maybe think about something else.

I myself run an AMD fx-8350 that is 8 cores running at 4.2 ghz per core. I play games on fantastic settings and multitask as well. decode/encode two different movies and burn them both at the same time. maintain downloads/uploads and even run some folding@home all without a single hiccup.
My entire build ran me about $850 and that did not include an OS as I have one already on disc. I did however purchase several other items that were not directly needed. such as blue cathode kits, blue led fans and random other junk that I really did not need.


in short.

if you plan to just play a game and not really do anything else while you are playing your game an I5 is fine. and for the record here. the I5 2500k overclocks better than the 3570k and the one Bob mentioned.


Some things you should avoid.
core2whatever whatever does indeed mean duo or even quad.
if you decide to go the amd route go quad core or above.
and make sure you get some thermal paste with everything you buy, you WILL need it.
Usually your cpu will come with a small tube but sometimes it is forgotten and not shipped. an extra tube is not that much money 5 or 6 dollars and is worth it.

also, consider some dust filters for your fans.

The i5 and 8350 have very similar mult-core performance but the i5 is more power efficient and much better in single-threaded tasks, and the overclocked 2500k requires more power, more expensive cooling to achieve the same performance.
But I do agree with everything you said about the core2, and amd quadcore.

 

[spyrizzle]

Bob makes a very valid point about power consumption. and he is also correct about the single threaded tasks.

oh, another rthing.

stay away from those people on amazon and ebay that let you make your own pc build it for you and then charge you nearly twice what everything costs.
I wish I could shut em down.

And that $50 for 8 gigs is a pretty solid deal.