Gaming Build - SUB $1500

[joe_it]

Hello All,

I am building a gaming PC for a friend. His wife has given him a hard limit of $1500 and I am wondering what you think of this build that I have put together. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Joe

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Upgraded USB 3.0
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021&ignorebbr=1&cm_re=PPSSBGDRYLXVJN-_-11-129-021-_-Product

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/gqnsVn) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/gqnsVn/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i74790) | $289.99 @ Newegg
**CPU Cooler** | [Zalman CNPS9700 LED Ball Bearing CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/zalman-cpu-cooler-cnps9700led) | $43.98 @ OutletPC
**Motherboard** | [Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming GT ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gaz97xgaminggt) | $188.98 @ SuperBiiz
**Memory** | [G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f32400c11d16gxm) | $157.50 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Crucial M550 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-internal-hard-drive-ct128m550ssd1) | $89.98 @ OutletPC
**Storage** | [Seagate Constellation ES.3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st1000nm0033) | $89.99 @ NCIX US
**Video Card** | [Gigabyte Radeon R9 280X 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvr928xoc3gdrev2) | $269.99 @ NCIX US
**Power Supply** | [Corsair Professional 850W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-hx850) | $149.99 @ Newegg
**Optical Drive** | [Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-optical-drive-drw24f1st) | $19.94 @ OutletPC
**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit)](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-885370635690) | $92.98 @ OutletPC
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $1393.32
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-03 16:47 EDT-0400 |

 

[garl6]

$1500, my personal preference.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.66 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($142.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($78.30 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($118.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Dual Classified ACX Video Card ($529.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Antec Nine Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX XTR 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1460.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-03 17:02 EDT-0400

 

[jerryvaberry]

$1500, my personal preference.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.66 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($142.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($78.30 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($118.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Dual Classified ACX Video Card ($529.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Antec Nine Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX XTR 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1460.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-03 17:02 EDT-0400

I second this. There is no point in getting an i7 if it means you have to cheap out on the gpu (not that the r9 280x is inexpensive). But It makes much more sense to go with an i5 and a 780 or an r9 290x.

 

[joe_it]

I am leaning towards the core i5 and the R9 290X as well. Thanks for the suggestions from everyone.

Joe

 

[gamer1357]

Try this. The 780ti is on sale right now for pretty cheap.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z97X Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($127.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Trident X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($78.30 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($118.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB DirectCU II Video Card ($529.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 450D ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($95.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1427.74
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-05 01:03 EDT-0400

 

[g-unit1111]

You don't want an Antec 900 - I had one and hated it - no cable managment, drives were impossible to install, and various other issues I had with it. Now I have an NZXT H440 and love it - it's easily the best case I've ever had.

I would do something like this for $1500:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Water 3.0 Extreme 99.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($128.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($86.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.90 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Superclocked ACX Video Card ($504.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT H440 (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1522.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-05 01:27 EDT-0400