$750 Gaming Desktop

[joelplaysmc]

Hello,

I have a budget of $750, I am wondering what is the best gaming setup I can get for that budget. I am in Canada.

For the processor I was thinking of an i5-3570(non-k) and ram I am fine with 8GB. 1TB Hard Drive is more than enough. Graphics I want at least a GTX 560 Ti.

What's the best I can do? There is $50 more if it's needed.

 

[Sangeet Khatri]

Build yourself an awesome Mini ITX Build for that price with the latest i5 and the 7870 Graphics Card. This is a good one for the price. I would not mind personally having this build.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($213.32 @ TigerDirect Canada)
Motherboard: ASRock H87M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($69.75 @ Vuugo)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($55.25 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.79 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($204.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Canada Computers)
Total: $713.08
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-12 22:18 EDT-0400)

If you think that the answer helped, then don't forget to select it as the best answer. It would be highly appreciated by me.

 

[realchaos]

Do you need an os/keyboard/mouse/monitor?
Are you overclocking?

 

[joelplaysmc]

No overclocking, just os and keyboard. and with the build that Sangeet posted I think ill have enough

 

[joelplaysmc]

Can I switch that Radeon hd 7870 to a gtx 650 ti or better or is that card the best for the price?

 

[Sangeet Khatri]

Can I switch that Radeon hd 7870 to a gtx 650 ti or better or is that card the best for the price?

The 7870 is the best for the price. The 650ti is not even close to it. I think you should go with the 7870 as it is comfortably within your budget. If you want to go for my build, buy the parts now since the prices change constantly, so just get it. It is a good build, something that you won't regret having.

Also post the pictures of it after you have built it. It feels good to have seen something that has been recommended to be built by someone else.

If you think that the answer helped, then don't forget to select it as the best answer. It would be highly appreciated by me.

 

[joelplaysmc]

Thank You but I have to change some stuff so that the Operating System can be bought. Left the same graphics just changed Processor to the3570 non k, 500GB storage.

 

[joelplaysmc]

Ill try to post pictures

 

[Sangeet Khatri]

Wait.. the 3570 is incompatible with the Z87 motherboards, wait let me fit a OS into this build. You should have had mentioned it before. Wait for some time i will post it soon.

 

[joelplaysmc]

Thank You!

 

[joelplaysmc]

Can you fit in a cpu cooler? Also a Dvd writer maybe? If the OS takes to much performance I will ask a friend maybe he can get it cheaper or something

 

[realchaos]

This is the cheapest you can go without losing performance:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.00 @ Canada Computers)
Motherboard: ASRock H87M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($69.75 @ Vuugo)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($55.25 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.79 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($204.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $791.75
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-13 14:23 EDT-0400)

-No point of cpu cooler since you're not going to overclock. Stock cooler is enough.
-Changed cpu to the 4430. Nearly same performance as the 4570, you won't really notice the 200mhz difference.
-Changed psu to a higher quality psu.

Now since that's above your budget, you will have to downgrade the gpu:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.00 @ Canada Computers)
Motherboard: ASRock H87M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($69.75 @ Vuugo)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($55.25 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.79 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($169.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $756.75
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-13 14:26 EDT-0400)

Edit: Why didn't you say so before. If your friend can get it for cheaper from his school or something, it will be much better. Ask him first.

 

[joelplaysmc]

Hmm I do need a DVD tray though but you can downgrade the HDD to a 500GB one

 

[joelplaysmc]

I'm also reading that the 7850 run cooler and quitter so its a better choice

 

[realchaos]

The 7850 does run cooler and quieter, but it also isn't as strong as the 7870.
Check with your friend first to see if he can get you the OS at a cheaper price.

 

[joelplaysmc]

Just got news im able to get windows 7 home premium from a friend for free

 

[realchaos]

Oh great!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.00 @ Canada Computers)
Motherboard: ASRock H87M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($69.75 @ Vuugo)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($55.25 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.79 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($229.99 @ NCIX)
Case: BitFenix Prodigy (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($69.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $738.76
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-13 14:52 EDT-0400)

Stronger gpu and a better case, IMHO.
I like the prodigy better, but you can always change it.

 

[joelplaysmc]

Oh great!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.00 @ Canada Computers)
Motherboard: ASRock H87M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($69.75 @ Vuugo)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($55.25 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.79 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($229.99 @ NCIX)
Case: BitFenix Prodigy (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($69.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $738.76
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-13 14:52 EDT-0400)

Stronger gpu and a better case, IMHO.
I like the prodigy better, but you can always change it.

Why is it better?

 

[joelplaysmc]

I also researched that the 7870XT is barely faster if at all than the 7870 and its abit worse than the GTX660. It costs more and its more power hungry. By switching to a 660 total cost is 688.76

 

[realchaos]

What the heck. Where are you getting your information from.
The regular 7870 beats the GTX 660.
Now the 7870 XT is a cut down version of the 7950. Basically, its stronger than the 7870 but weaker than the 7950. It's in between.
I think your information was old, because before I think the 660 beat the 7870 due to better drivers. But now, the 660 loses to the 7870, much more to the 7870 xt.

 

[Sangeet Khatri]

Okay, so by changing a few things, we are able to fit an OS into it as well. Have a look at it. It is just a slight downgrade, something that will barely affect the performance :

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.00 @ Canada Computers)
Motherboard: ASRock H87M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($69.75 @ Vuugo)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($55.25 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.79 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($169.99 @ Memory Express)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Canada Computers)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $756.75
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-13 15:29 EDT-0400)

If you think that the answer helped, then don't forget to select it as the best answer. It would be highly appreciated by me.

 

[realchaos]

Except he can get the OS for free.......

 

[joelplaysmc]

To install this cpu will I need thermal paste? Im a first time builder

 

[joelplaysmc]

so the 7870 XT is the best choice?

 

[joelplaysmc]

I modified realchaos' pc build and I made this.PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6350 3.9GHz 6-Core Processor ($144.99 @ Memory Express)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 Extreme3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($69.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($66.79 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.79 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($229.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Zalman Z9 ATX Mid Tower Case ($42.27 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Canada Computers)
Total: $673.81
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-13 15:43 EDT-0400)