Best Gaming PC around $1200

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SpikeSpiegel

SpikeSpiegel

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Jun 11, 2015
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18,510
I've been looking to get a new computer and I decided to build my first ever gaming pc over buying a laptop. I honestly don't know too much about the parts involved and I was hoping you guys could suggest the best possible PC I can build for around $1,200. I'm just recently getting into playing more PC games and I hope to run games like GTA V on max settings if possible, right now I've been playing Civ 5 and Minecraft at very low settings and I obviously would love a massive improvement. I'd be grateful for any and all suggestions on builds, if possible please include everything I'd need down to the mouse, keyboard, and OS. Thanks in advance!
 
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($241.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($69.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($48.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($97.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB SSC ACX 2.0 Video Card ($314.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Raidmax ATX-809B (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($87.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: AOC I2269VW 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($99.99 @ Best Buy)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($27.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1129.73
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-11 16:12 EDT-0400
 
For gaming, you most certainly don't need a xeon processor. You'll want an i5 4460.

You'll also want some faster RAM, so 1866 would probably be the best bang for your buck.

Also turbopiki, please never EVER recommend a Raidmax case ever again.

This build would be better for what you want to do.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($176.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus H97-PLUS ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($51.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($67.88 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.98 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB SSC ACX 2.0 Video Card ($314.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($57.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($12.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer G246HLAbd 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($124.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Thermaltake Commander Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Laser Mouse ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Speakers: Logitech Z130 5W 2ch Speakers ($19.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $1184.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-11 16:21 EDT-0400
 


Why not XEON if he has the money why not it will also help if he will record gameplay or stream in the future
what will higher MHz RAM do if i5 4460 you picked only supports RAM frequency up to 1600

He can change the case if he wants

PSU you suggested is crap

And why TN panel Monitor ?
 
Not the XEON because he doesn't need it. You can re-allocate the money you save to other components that are better.

The PSU I suggested is a tier 3 PSU. It isn't crap. It also isn't the best thing put on the earth
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

Use 1866 RAM so it isn't bottle capped and because it's a whole $3 more.

I picked the monitor I did because
A) it's a 24 inch
B) I have one and I love it
C) It has 4 eggs on NewEgg with over 300 reviews. That's great for any product.
 
Let him decide if he thinks he will do video edting, streaming or recording in the future than XEON but if only gaming i5 is fine

Tier 3 PSU are crap and why get Tier 3 PSU if you can get Tier 1 for 5$ more or Tier 2 for 5$ less

It doesnt make sense even if its 3$ more there wont be any difference, if he is decide to spend more on ram he should get one with lower CL

why get TN panel monitor if you can get IPS panel for less with same response time (24inch shouldnt be a reason the bigger the monitor less sharper picture)
 
I completely agree that the PSU you suggested is better. I honestly confused which one was good and bad when I made the part list.

Other than that, it's $3 to make sure that you are using the fastest RAM possible. A lot of times RAM will be slightly slower than advertised.
 
I would take a Xeon over an i5 4460, personally. I do other things, while gaming, though, as I run dual monitors. That PSU is not a good one. H97 boards do not support speeds over DDR3 1600.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($241.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($69.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($48.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Mushkin Reactor 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.75 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB SSC ACX 2.0 Video Card ($329.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H21 ATX Mid Tower Case ($32.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($12.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 OEM (64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: LG 23MP47HQ 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($119.70 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($27.99 @ Amazon)
Speakers: Cyber Acoustics CA3001WB 14W 2.1ch Speakers ($18.99 @ Directron)
Total: $1202.20
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-11 17:08 EDT-0400
 
for just gaming you will benefit more from faster clock speed than you would from more than 4 available threads.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($51.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ ARC 100 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.75 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($329.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H21 ATX Mid Tower Case ($32.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($58.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($12.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($91.71 @ B&H)
Monitor: Asus VN248H 23.8" Monitor ($153.00 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($27.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1198.36
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-11 17:16 EDT-0400

BTW, i love the bebop reference @SpikeSpiegel!! See you, Space Cowboy. :)
 
Thanks a bunch guys! I'll soon be building my computer, wish me luck! Almost forgot, thanks TofuLion, I love Cowboy Bebop so it's pretty much my username wherever I go. :)
 
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