best gaming pc for $1k

[ach003]

ng for input on system builds tell us...

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Gaming, mostly. Will be streaming live as well, would prefer to do so in HD without any headache or framerate issues.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

budget is around $1000

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

US

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

No preference

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

NOPE.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

NOPE

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
wtf is that?...I will let you al know right now I am posting here because I don't know anything about computers, but just started PC Gaming, got hardcore into it and need a beast machine.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.

higher the better

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

In the next month

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned.
ok.



So there it is. Please help me LOL. I am not ashamed to say I know NOTHING about computer hardware, or how to build a PC. But I need to learn, and I need a badass PC soon, within my budget. My priorities are playing online games, while streming at a killer resolution and frame rate...I also can't afford to replace parts very often so something longer lasting is good. Budget $1000

:3

 

[lehtv]

So your $1000 budget includes
- the PC itself
- peripherals: monitor, keyboard, mouse, headphones, mousepad?
- Windows 7

Correct?

 

[ach003]

So your $1000 budget includes
- the PC itself
- peripherals: monitor, keyboard, mouse, headphones, mousepad?
- Windows 7

Correct?

not necessarily, but as close to that as possible, I am flexible. Not as concerned about mouse, keyboard, etc atm

 

[dpodblood]

This is what you're looking for.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2192841&highlight=

That thread should be stickied.

 

[trexpesto]

11. Do you live near a MicroCenter?

They have the best deals on the i5 2500K usually, like now there is one with a z68 mobo. http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3483814



If you will be going with a single monitor @1900x, I'd get a 2500K single-GPU setup.
BF3 at least is not so needy of CPU as graphics.

There will be a bit to learn and be precise about to just get your rig set up. You can get into overclocking later in the lifetime of rig to bump up the performance.
Plus save a couple bucks on an aftermarket CPU heatsink and paste. The 2500K comes with a heatsink that will be OK.

 

[DominionSeraph]

This is what you're looking for.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2192841&highlight=

That thread should be stickied.

Except since he needs an OS and monitor he's looking at a $700 PC, not a $1000 one. (Also the Spinpoint F3 ain't $60 no more)

Here's what I came up with:

Note, this does not have a regular hard drive, only a 64GB SSD (which is MUCH faster than a hard drive) which will only be enough room for ~4-10 newer games (depending on how big they are). Hard drive prices are outrageous right now due to flooding in Thailand ($150 for 1TB instead of the $50 they were at just a month ago), so I'd recommend just living with the limited storage space until the prices come back down. (I have 80GB on my main computer and it's fine.)

 

[trexpesto]

This is what you're looking for.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2192841&highlight=

That thread should be stickied.

I second that emotion!

I went for pretty much that build but cut a few corners to get a better monitor.

Crucial M4 128GB SSD $198........ Got the 64Gb M4 $85 shellshocker

Hitachi 7K1000.D $65................ Reused

Corsair 650TXV2 $60 AR AP........ Got XFX650Pro $50 AR

HAF 912 $60............................ Got Antec300 $45


Total saved was around $200. Since then, I would have got a 120 Gb SSD on sale for about $40 more.

Also as mentioned in that post, you can get combo deals sometimes.
Also you can get cash back via things like fatwallet. Currently 3% - doesn't sound like much but that is $30 - with the 200 saved thats getting close to your GPU cost.

 

[trexpesto]

I'd stick with the 2GB 6950, if any are still unlockable.

HERE is another thread you should check out:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?p=32491947

 

[DominionSeraph]

I'd stick with the 2GB 6950, if any are still unlockable.

You can't fit a 2GB 6950 into a $1000 budget when you need a OS and monitor unless you drop down to an i3. He'd need to bump it up to a little over $1100 for that -- $1061 for an i5 2400 in a H67 motherboard.

 

[lehtv]

On a $700 PC I would definitely not get an SSD, rather 2500K + Z68 + 6950 2GB. SSD prices will go down anyway, and they don't directly benefit gaming except for loading times, and even then the 64GB SSD isn't really big enough to install any games.

 

[DominionSeraph]

On a $700 PC I would definitely not get an SSD, rather 2500K + Z68 + 6950 2GB. SSD prices will go down anyway, and they don't directly benefit gaming except for loading times, and even then the 64GB SSD isn't really big enough to install any games.

Did you miss where even a 500GB Caviar Blue is now over $100? $116 actually. He ain't gonna be able to afford a 6950 with a hard drive either.

SSD's are not going to come down in price anywhere near what HDD's will when their production starts back up again, and Gen 4 is a long ways off.
64GB not big enough to install any games? Name one 50GB game.

 

[nubki11a]

You will be able to fit a couple of games you play frequently and maybe your OS on an SSD. Then use the rest of its space for SRT (HHD Caching) together with your HDD. Right? And I think that I read that the new 6950's arent unlockable anymore they now use some sort of laser technology during the process of making them, the OC'd versions definitely arent aswell.

 

[lehtv]

Did you miss where even a 500GB Caviar Blue is now over $100? $116 actually. He ain't gonna be able to afford a 6950 with a hard drive either.

SSD's are not going to come down in price anywhere near what HDD's will when their production starts back up again, and Gen 4 is a long ways off.
64GB not big enough to install any games? Name one 50GB game.

500GB Caviar Green $70 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Q85WOK/?tag=pcpapi-20

Of course, 64GB could be enough for some people to install one or two games, not for me. Everything not games already takes 45GB, and I wouldn't want to fill it to the brink

EDIT: You're right though, had a bit of a brainfart. If you were to build a $700 system now, you'd need to spend a crapload on storage anyway. Bad times to be building a $700 PC... I would wait "until next month" as stated in OP

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I wouldn't throw out the idea of a gaming grade mouse or monitor.. and if you are an Unreal Tournament III player, a mechanical keyboard is a must.. Black Cherry MX mechanical switches. Definitive link to mechanical keyboards. Amazing link. Your welcome.

 

[DominionSeraph]

500GB Caviar Green $70 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Q85WOK/?tag=pcpapi-20

Caviar Green as a system drive? A Dell would come with better.

At that point he would be better off getting an XPS 8300 from Dell Outlet. One of their i5 2300 or 2400 rigs for ~$500 would leave him enough for a 6950 and monitor.
He fit in a SSD that way, too:

 

[trexpesto]

Here is a best case scenario of a budget, some sale prices we have seen lately, some rebates, may not love the case, etc.:

2Gb 6950.... $240
i5 2500K..... $200
z68 mobo.... $ 90 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138319
8 GB DDR3... $ 40
Case ......... $ 40
Monitor...... $180
PSU........... $ 45
DVD........... $ 17
Windows..... $100
Wireless...... $ 10
-----------------------
Subtotal..... .$962

Leaving you 38 toward storage. Not enough.

Do you qualify for student discounts on windows? That could take it down a bit.

For saving that last hundred bucks under 1100, you are doing some work with rebates, searching for sales, combo deals, etc.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

For that kind of money, why not get a 120Hz gaming monitor?

 

[DominionSeraph]

For that kind of money, why not get a 120Hz gaming monitor?

For $140?

2Gb 6950.... $250
i5 2500K..... $210
z68 mobo.... $ 90 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138319
8 GB DDR3... $ 40
Case ......... $ 40
Monitor...... $180
PSU........... $ 45

Missing storage and OS.

 

[lehtv]

Caviar Green as a system drive? A Dell would come with better.

I've actually used my Green as a system drive, works just fine . The difference between that and a 7200RPM drive is minuscule compared to how much better an SSD is.

 

[trexpesto]

oops didn't mean to post just then.. fixed
I like that 23" Asus monitor.

 

[mfenn]

I've actually used my Green as a system drive, works just fine . The difference between that and a 7200RPM drive is minuscule compared to how much better an SSD is.

Well yeah, but that's like saying the difference between a go-kart and a Ferrari is miniscule compared to the Concorde!

 

[mfenn]

Except since he needs an OS and monitor he's looking at a $700 PC, not a $1000 one. (Also the Spinpoint F3 ain't $60 no more)

Here's what I came up with:

Note, this does not have a regular hard drive, only a 64GB SSD (which is MUCH faster than a hard drive) which will only be enough room for ~4-10 newer games (depending on how big they are). Hard drive prices are outrageous right now due to flooding in Thailand ($150 for 1TB instead of the $50 they were at just a month ago), so I'd recommend just living with the limited storage space until the prices come back down. (I have 80GB on my main computer and it's fine.)

This looks pretty decent to me, though a Seagate 7200.12 is "only" $75 at Amazon.

 

[mfenn]

This is what you're looking for.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2192841&highlight=

That thread should be stickied.

I second that emotion!

Do the mods keep a ticker for this sort of thing?

 

[lehtv]

Well yeah, but that's like saying the difference between a go-kart and a Ferrari is miniscule compared to the Concorde!

You're calling my WD Caviar a go-kart? A go-kart?! :hmm:

[this smiley doesn't have a red tongue ]

 

[trexpesto]

You can see alot of these deals are on their last day tomorrow... you have to sign in to newegg to see some of the codes.

2Gb 6950.... $245 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687
i5 2500K..... $215 Or you can wait and get it on sale probably.
z68 mobo.... $ 90 Biostar AR through 11/6 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138319
Case ......... $ 40 AR through 11/2 CM Elite430 black interior/window/baller http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119227
Monitor...... $140 AR with code through 11/7 From DominionSeraph's post above - thought it was 180!
PSU........... $ 35 AR through 11/2 Corsair 500W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139027 thabks mfenn
DVD........... $ 17 From DominionSeraph's post above. Yay no rebate!
Windows..... $100 Try to get student or double install the upgrade.
Wireless...... $10 cheapass USB
SSD........... $115 AR through 11/2: http://us.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=61049
- OR -
SSD........... $85 through 11/15 60GB SSD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227728
Win7 takes up about 25 GB on my new install.

------------------------------------------
Subtotal...................$ 1007 (or 977 with 60GB SSD)
Tax..........................$ 0
Shipping...join Shoprunner for free 2-day shipping from the Egg
FW cash back............. -$30
------------------------------------------
Subtotal.....................$977 (or 947)

You can also use coupon newcustomer10 to save $10. Can't combine it with other codes, so use it on the 2500k as a separate order.

Total.........................$967 (or 937)

I would look for a better monitor with the savings.
Other things:
You will need headphones.
You will want a decent power strip.
An SSD bracket is nice but not required.

If you can put your computer on a wire instead of wireless, that will save a bit. You can probably get someones old USB wireless dongle for free.

Sorry, not looking up keyboard and mouse - just make sure you don't get PS2 mouse and keyboard if the mobo you get only has USB. This biostar has 1 PS2 port. As a gamer, go for wired.

I'm going to post as a crazy build now.