$1200 Gaming PC Build

[jRoK]

Okay so I am looking to spend $1200 on a new PC and I need a OS and Monitor included would like to get the 970 if possible as well. Can get a cheap case for now and then upgrade that [strike]next pay check.[/strike] in the future. So if people can throw some different build ideas my way and opinions that would be greatly helpful. This will also be my first time building a PC but it seems fairly easy from what I have watch on videos and ect.


- Thanks

 

[gamer1357]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($212.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z97X Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($114.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($76.97 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card ($329.98 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Antec HCG M 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1067.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-31 05:07 EST-0500

You can add the monitor of your choice.

 

[rockie_]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($212.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.75 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($116.88 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($78.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.85 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($345.99 @ B&H)
Case: Enermax OSTROG ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Directron)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VE247H 23.6" Monitor ($134.98 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1228.36
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-31 05:50 EST-0500

 

[EasyLover]

Check this build. It is bit over your budget but it has SSD and CPU Cooler as well along with a good PC Case.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($212.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.75 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($96.48 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($70.97 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($329.98 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($57.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VX248H 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($179.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $1229.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-31 05:20 EST-0500

 

[herrwizo]

The build of that price is a no-go without an SSD. Period.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($212.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.75 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport XT 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.85 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($329.98 @ NCIX US)
Case: Zalman Z12 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.86 @ OutletPC)
Power Supply: Antec HCG M 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VS247H-P 23.6" Monitor ($141.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1256.35
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-31 05:24 EST-0500

 

[jRoK]

Thanks a lot for the reply's guys, Also my choice in the 970 is the correct one or? And as far as RAM MHz speeds how much of a difference will that make? I think I will fit the SSD in for sure.

 

[herrwizo]

970 is an excellent choice.

RAM speed difference doesn't mean almost nothing in gaming terms unless you are using integrated graphics (which you won't). It is still recommended to go for 1600 MHz, since they are very cheap and supported by basically all motherboards. And "fast enough" for all gaming needs. Just make sure they are 1.5V and CL9 or less.

 

[jRoK]

And how about different monitor response times? 5ms - 1ms for gaming and such. I hear different things so just trying to make sure I spend my money in the right places.

 

[rockie_]

Response time is the amount of time a pixel in a display takes to change. It is measured in Milliseconds(ms). Lower numbers mean faster transitions and therefore fewer visible image artifacts. Older monitors with long response times would create Display motion blur around moving objects, making them unacceptable for rapidly moving images. Typically response times are usually measured from grey-to-grey transitions, but there is no industry standard.

in some games the RAM speed matters . Usually when the processor is more involved .

 

[EasyLover]

Answer to your queries:

GTX 970 is a very good and a wise choice. Its performance is reaching with that of GTX 780Ti in Kepler architecture. Stick with it.

RAM speed usually don't count in gaming except when the game will be using too much CPU resources in which case high speed RAM will be benefitted. But remember it is not only the speed which matters but the timings as well. More speed and Less timings is a trade off here though. 2133 MHz with CAS 9 is really a good deal if you can find it otherwise 1600MHz with CAS9 or less is good enough.

rockie_ has explained the response time in a very good manner. Remember, the lower the MS value the better, monitor in my suggested build has ms of 1.

Good Luck.