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Looking to Build a $1000 Gaming PC

N

nujabes

Junior Member
I'm trying to build a new gaming pc for around $1000. I don't have any parts in mind, so I am open to all suggestions. I will be using a 32" hdtv (also open to suggestions) and hoping to purchase everything from newegg. I would also prefer a small SSD for the OS if possible.
 
Welcome

You managed to answer most of the questions in http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=80121

Do you not have any parts that you can reuse? What's your current hardware? Also do you have Windows, keyboard, mouse? When do you plan to get it built? Do you mind overclocking? Have you searched any similar threads? Plenty of people ask for a ~$1000 build, shouldn't be hard to find 😉

e.g. http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2195595
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2195530
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2182074
 
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Oh, sorry about that.

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

Mostly gaming and video.

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

~$1000

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

New York, 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.

Whatever performs best.

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

None.

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

Read a few pages of threads and didn't really find any builds that fit my needs.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.

Not sure, hoping to play on a 32" hdtv. Recommendations welcomed.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

Next week hopefully.

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

Ok.


Thanks for the welcome!

I have been using an iMac for work and projects, then bootcamp win7 64bit for gaming and everything else. I will need to get a new keyboard, I have a backup Logitech G500 that I can use. I hope to order the parts tonight and build this next week. I guess I am ok with overclocking as long as there aren't any long term effects. I've also taken a look around the forums but haven't really found something that fit exactly what I needed. I've read it's better to run SLI if you're using a big monitor and I also wanted to utilize an SSD for the operating system. Thanks for any help that is provided!
 
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I have a separate budget for the tv. Hoping for an 32" 1080 120hz for ~$400 refurbished or not. Also, unlike the PC parts I am kind of picky with TV brands. Looking for brands like Panasonic, Sony, LG, etc. - not interested in brands like Westinghouse, Vizio and such. I missed out on a nice Sony XBR with similar specs for $300 refurbished. 🙁
 
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nujabes said:
I guess I am ok with overclocking as long as there aren't any long term effects.
Click to expand...
Well, overclocking shortens the lifespan of your components. That much is pretty much a fact. But a mild overclock (not touching the voltage), is nearly as safe as stock. Raising the voltage (mildly) is also acceptable, and should result in a decent lifespan (obsolescence rather than failure). The key is to watch your voltages and temps. Too much of either of those is hazardous to computer components.

I overclock nearly every rig I get my hands on. Most of my experience is with C2D and C2Q rigs. But none of my rigs has "burned out".

I did have a friend that was running over 1.4v on a 45nm C2D dual-core, that appeared to degrade somewhat. (1.4v was the recommended max for those chips). His temps were kind of high for a while too, dust built up. Was getting alarm sound during gaming.

So the end result was that his 2.5Ghz E5200, had to be clocked back from 3.75 to 3.5Ghz. Not a big sacrifice.
 
nujabes said:
I've read it's better to run SLI if you're using a big monitor
Click to expand...
It's not the size of the monitor that matters, it's the resolution. You'll get the exact same FPS on a 22" 1080p monitor as on a 32" HDTV. For 1080p, one GPU is enough, especially on a limited budget like yours.

For a gaming PC at this price, I would definitely leave the SSD out. They're still very expensive, it'd be better to wait until they reach the $1/GB level or lower. All an SSD would do now is take away from the CPU and the GPU, since everything else is about as cheap as it gets while still being good quality. The CPU and GPU primarily determine how long it takes until you feel the need to upgrade again (hence the overclockable 2500K and a video card with 2GB VRAM).

Priced from newegg

Mobo Asrock Z68 Pro3 $105
CPU i5-2500K $220 + Coolermaster 212 Evo $35
GPU MSI 6950 2GB $255 (after rebate)
RAM G.Skill Value 1333 2x4GB $42
HDD Samsung F3 1TB 7200RPM $60
ODD DVDRW $20
PSU XFX Core 650W $60 (after rebate)
Case Cooler Master HAF 912 $60 + 200mm fan $20
OS Win 7 64bit oem $100
keyboard this or some other cheapo $22

Total = $1000 after rebate, before tax+shipping

That's about it 🙂. Would not be surprised if that XFX PSU ran out of stock soon, the 550W version already did.

VirtualLarry said:
Well, overclocking shortens the lifespan of your components. That much is pretty much a fact. But a mild overclock (not touching the voltage), is nearly as safe as stock. Raising the voltage (mildly) is also acceptable, and should result in a decent lifespan (obsolescence rather than failure). The key is to watch your voltages and temps. Too much of either of those is hazardous to computer components.
Click to expand...

Agree. The good part is, a 30% overclock on a 2500K is perfectly achievable with stock voltages.
 
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lehtv said:
It's not the size of the monitor that matters, it's the resolution. You'll get the exact same FPS on a 22" 1080p monitor as on a 32" HDTV. For 1080p, one GPU is enough, especially on a limited budget like yours.

For a gaming PC at this price, I would definitely leave the SSD out. They're still very expensive, it'd be better to wait until they reach the $1/GB level or lower. All an SSD would do now is take away from the CPU and the GPU, since everything else is about as cheap as it gets while still being good quality. The CPU and GPU primarily determine how long it takes until you feel the need to upgrade again (hence the overclockable 2500K and a video card with 2GB VRAM).

Priced from newegg

Mobo Asrock Z68 Pro3 $105
CPU i5-2500K $220 + Coolermaster 212 Evo $35
GPU MSI 6950 2GB $255 (after rebate)
RAM G.Skill Value 1333 2x4GB $42
HDD Samsung F3 1TB 7200RPM $60
ODD DVDRW $20
PSU XFX Core 650W $60 (after rebate)
Case Cooler Master HAF 912 $60 + 200mm fan $20
OS Win 7 64bit oem $100
keyboard this or some other cheapo $22

Total = $1000 after rebate, before tax+shipping

That's about it 🙂. Would not be surprised if that XFX PSU ran out of stock soon, the 550W version already did.



Agree. The good part is, a 30% overclock on a 2500K is perfectly achievable with stock voltages.
Click to expand...

Awesome!! Thank you very much good sir!

Also greatful for VirtualLarry's insight on overclocking. Thanks!
 
Forgot one thing. If you game/watch movies with headphones, you'd benefit from a dedicated sound card. Asus Xonar DG is just $20 after rebate on newegg at the moment - wouldn't pass it up.

Could I replace the GPU with MSI R6950 Twin Frozr III PE/OC Radeon HD 6950 2GB?
Click to expand...
Sure, if you want to pay more. It is a better card, it should reach a higher overclock more easily (~ 6970 level).

Also, if you go with my case+fan recommendation, put the 200mm fan on the front and put the stock 120mm front fan on the side or on the top.
 
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Others can't view your secure.newegg.com page. Take a screenshot or just type or copy-paste.

Just post here if you run into problems with the installation. Since it's the first PC you're building you could google some pc assembly guides if you haven't done so, I think neweggTV also has a video tutorial.
 
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1 COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer CaseModel #:RC-912-KKN1Item #:N82E16811119233Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn Stock $68.99 -$9.00 Instant $59.99

1 ASRock Z68 PRO3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel MotherboardModel #:Z68 PRO3Item #:N82E16813157251Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn Stock $129.99 -$25.00 Instant $104.99

1
14-127-575-03.jpg
MSI R6950 Twin Frozr III PE/OC Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card ...Model #:R6950 Twin Frozr IIIItem #:N82E16814127575Return Policy:VGA Standard Return PolicyOut Of Stock (I probably bought one of the last remaining cards)
Mail in Rebate Card
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Auto-Notify $299.99 $299.99

1
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XFX Core Edition PRO650W (P1-650S-NLB9) 650W ATX12V 2.2 & ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified ...Model #:P1-650S-NLB9Item #:N82E16817207014Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn StockMail in Rebate
$99.99 -$10.00 Instant $89.99

1
19-115-072-02.jpg
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500KModel #:BX80623I52500KItem #:N82E16819115072Return Policy:CPU Replacement Only Return PolicyIn Stock $219.99 $219.99

1
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G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBNTModel #:F3-10666CL9D-8GBNTItem #:N82E16820231424Return Policy:Memory Standard Return PolicyIn Stock $41.99 $41.99

1
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SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare DriveModel #:HD103SJItem #:N82E16822152185Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn Stock $64.99 -$5.00 Instant $59.99

1
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i-rocks KR-6260-BK Black USB or PS/2 Wired Standard 24 Keys Anti Ghosting Gaming KeyboardModel #:KR-6260-BKItem #:N82E16823204034Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn Stock $21.99 $21.99

1
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ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEMModel #:DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/ASItem #:N82E16827135204Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn Stock $20.99 $20.99

1
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COOLER MASTER Megaflow 200 R4-LUS-07AR-GP 200mm Red LED Case FanModel #:R4-LUS-07AR-GPItem #:N82E16835103072Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn Stock $19.99 $19.99

1
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COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R1 120mm Sleeve CPU CoolerModel #:RR-212E-20PK-R1Item #:N82E16835103099Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn Stock $34.99 $34.99

1 Subtotal: $974.89

Yeah I've only swapped out certain parts. Mainly graphics card, memory and hard drives. The most I've ever done was replace the busted hard drive on my iMac. It was a hassle, but not really a huge deal. The thing that got me was it crashed 1 day after my warranty expired.

I was hoping to wing it by watching some youtube videos and the one you mentioned. I just hope I don't break anything or forget to ground myself and zap something expensive lol.
 
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I was hoping to wing it by watching some youtube videos and the one you mentioned. I just hope I don't break anything or forget to ground myself and zap something expensive lol.
Click to expand...
While it's not a difficult process at all, it's still perfectly possible to make stupid mistakes if you just have no clue what to do and if you're not careful. Probably the best advice to avoid breaking stuff is "just don't force it in - if it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit" 😀. Tom's has another pretty good guide. Good luck 😛:thumbsup:
 
lehtv said:
While it's not a difficult process at all, it's still perfectly possible to make stupid mistakes if you just have no clue what to do and if you're not careful. Probably the best advice to avoid breaking stuff is "just don't force it in - if it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit" 😀. Tom's has another pretty good guide. Good luck 😛:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Also, post here if you come across a situation where you think that you're doing something incorrectly. I'll bet that somebody will respond within a couple of hours to help you out.
 
Just starting to put everything together now, but I have a dumb question lol. How do I put this Cooler Master 200 at the top of the case? The screws supplied with the fan don't fit or at least I can't seem to make them fit.
 
Took about 4 hours, but I got everything setup. Installing windows on the computer now and taking a break with the tv until it's done. Thank you guys for all your help, especially lehtv. I'm expecting an awesome weekend.
 
nujabes said:
Took about 4 hours, but I got everything setup. Installing windows on the computer now and taking a break with the tv until it's done. Thank you guys for all your help, especially lehtv. I'm expecting an awesome weekend.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup::thumbsup: Glad you got it working. What did you end up doing with the fan?
 
mfenn said:
:thumbsup::thumbsup: Glad you got it working. What did you end up doing with the fan?
Click to expand...

Thanks! What I did with the fans was, I took the advice and mounted the 200mm fan and faced it to pull in air. I moved the fan from the back and mounted that one to the top to also draw air. Then I mounted the front fan to the side and faced it the same way. I'm not sure if it's good placement but I'll see how the temps are.
 
Nice hope you enjoy the setup 🙂

So you put the 200mm fan on the front as intake right? Not on the top? The original fan on the rear slot should IMO stay there as an exhaust, but it should work as an exhaust on the rear-top slot as well. It shouldn't be taking air in on the top
 
Yeah, you will want at least one exhaust. There is such a thing as too much overpressure. I am a fan of having the top fan be intake though.
 
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