~1200 USD Gaming Build

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Hagaxe

Hagaxe

Honorable
Nov 26, 2012
188
0
10,710
Hello, I am looking at a 1200 gaming build that I will construct myself, I'd just like suggestions for what I should get.

I'd prefer intel for the CPU, (k series) but don't really care about the GPU brand.
It will be for gaming.
 
Solution
bigshootr8
I normally would suggest the Fractal Design Design R4 but I'd like to suggest maybe a different type of build that deviates from the case I own :)

I went with the NZXT H440. This case has 0 optical bays what so ever. I've included a external dvd drive which I find in most cases is more convenient as its on your desk and you can just press a button put the cd/dvd in and you are good to go. I went with a less expensive power supply by Seasonic, I changed the SSD over to a Samsung EVO, I changed out the memory to a crucial kit that is a little less expensive and I changed out the cooler for a h105. Haswell runs kind of hot and I'd feel better even with a Devil's Canyon cpu stepping to suggest a closed loop cooler.


PCPartPicker part...
Sort by date Sort by votes
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($31.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($86.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($111.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($83.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($299.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($91.24 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1204.67
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I normally would suggest the Fractal Design Design R4 but I'd like to suggest maybe a different type of build that deviates from the case I own :)

I went with the NZXT H440. This case has 0 optical bays what so ever. I've included a external dvd drive which I find in most cases is more convenient as its on your desk and you can just press a button put the cd/dvd in and you are good to go. I went with a less expensive power supply by Seasonic, I changed the SSD over to a Samsung EVO, I changed out the memory to a crucial kit that is a little less expensive and I changed out the cooler for a h105. Haswell runs kind of hot and I'd feel better even with a Devil's Canyon cpu stepping to suggest a closed loop cooler.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H105 73.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ TigerDirect)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($73.95 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB DirectCU II Video Card ($290.20 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT H440 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Other: SAMSUNG USB 2.0 Slim External DVD Writer Model SE-208DB/TSBS ($29.99)
Total: $1150.08
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-11 16:18 EDT-0400
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution


Fine build and all, but:

MB - Why the Extreme 6? Not sure the eSATA, mini PCIe or second NIC is beneficial for the OP. On the ASRock front, the Extreme 3 is really the best bang-for-the-buck. With that said, I agree with bigshootr8 on ASUS offering better quality (and still recommend the Z97-A).

MEM - Again fine and all, but on the Intel platform increased memory frequencies don't yield much benefit. ...except higher costs. Technically speaking DDR3-1600 is the max supported frequency (yes, "faster" modules will be fine), so look toward low latency modules (DDR3-1600 1.5v CL7/CL8) for the same price, or go with standard modules CL9 for around $75.

HD - Fine if there is no SSD in the mix. IMHO, at a $1200 budget some sort of SSD should be included. If there is an SSD, either a WB Blue or Seagate offering is a good match. The Black would be overkill paired with an SSD.

GPU - The Zotac is quite loud and falls a bit short compared to its competition. Best to stick with a more reputable offering like MSI, Gigabyte, etc...

CASE - Nice case, but a bit overpriced. The Fractal R4 offers the same features at the 750D for 60% the price.

PSU - No Enthusiast, CS or CX line from Corsair. While there are others, stick with XFX or Seasonic for high quality offerings.

For sake of additional options, the build below has an i7, SSD + HD, and a 4GB GTX 770...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($329.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($31.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($76.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($73.90 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.92 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 4GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($349.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($22.10 @ Amazon)
Total: $1203.35

 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Great case, however with the 240mm radiator on the front as intake, you will be able to fit zero 3.5" drives in the case. This wasn't a big deal for me as I had a 2.5" SSD and a 2.5" laptop hard drive in my build. There are provisions for a pair of 2.5" drives directly below the MB (looking in the window toward the bottom). GREAT CASE! I have the Corsair H110 in mine and moved the intake fans on the front to the top as exhaust. No 3.5" drives (without customizations anyway) isn't for everyone, but this case rivals any other for airflow, sound deadening and cable management...

 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Hmm interesting I didn't know that. I suppose i should of thought it out more since the H440 does not come with top mounted fans which it really should quite honestly shame on NZXT for excluding that. Yea I would go straight for the Fractal Design Define R4. I was reading your post and I was like man Preach! ha. A $1200 build should have a Quality PSU, a SSD, and anything past 1600 will have diminished returns unless you are doing professional work that is where your higher bandwidth ram will really truly shine. My only gripe with your build Sadam is that evo but I'm sure its only there for budget reasons. It will get the job done certainly and the stock turbo of 4.4 ghz may lead you not to want to overclock but if you do you may want something else. With my H105 with NF-F12's in Push I'm getting at the very lowest idle 33C and the highest in games probably 62 C @ 4.6 1.24v.. With A Budget air cooler I have no idea what idle temps would stick at.

Kind of going back to the case discussion. With my R4 I mounted the SSD behind the motherboard tray and I bought an adapter that allowed me to use the 5.25 drive bay for my 3.5 hard drive so I could remove my drive bay cages entirely may be a option if the OP were to go with the R4.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom