Best PC Build: Under $1,000

[jpishgar]

It's that time again! Time to update the BestConfigs! Once again, we are opening the field to user recommendations to get the best consensus for the absolute best of the best in each category. This time, we're going to limit builds to price points, rather than function, as most rigs are geared towards gaming. We're also going to drop the term "BestConfigs" and simply go with "Best PC Builds", since that's way easier to understand.

Your challenge is to create builds in any of the following eight brackets:

1. 
   ■Best Gaming Build Under $500
   ■Best Gaming Build Under $750
   ■Best Gaming Build Under $1000
   ■Best Gaming Build Under $1250
   ■Best Gaming Build Under $1500
   ■Best Gaming Build Under $1750
   ■Best Gaming Build Under $2000
   ■Bonus: Best Steam Machine Build Under $600

With these ground rules to follow:

• 
  ■Do not go over budget.
  ■Use only Amazon to source parts - we already use Newegg for the SBM, sorry.
  ■Use list prices only: coupons, rebates, bundles or any other limited-time offers will not be accepted.
  ■Do not include shipping or tax in your final budget.
  ■Do not include the Operating System, Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse or Gamepad (Steam Machine).
  ■Do not put your forum handle in the name of your build, and avoid odd capitalizations & symbols.
  ■Provide linksto the Amazon product pages of each component — we encourage users to use PCPartPicker's System Build for speedy construction. Do not post a link to your build, but rather please be sure to export as BBCode for a quick copy/paste to the forums.
  ■The Steam Machine must be around the size of current-gen consoles and have Wi-Fi.

Once all of the builds have enough submissions, we’ll close the threads and our Community team will filter the submissions for adherence to the ground rules. Next, our Editorial team will filter the builds for compatibility issues (e.g. PSU won’t fit together with graphics card in case). The remaining rigs will be put up for public vote in the forums, and the top builds in each thread will go on to become our Best PC Builds!

Please be sure to format your list of components as follows:

Build Name

• 
  ■Processor: Component Name and Price
  ■Motherboard: Component Name and Price
  ■Memory: Component Name and Price
  ■Graphics Card:Component Name and Price
  ■Storage:Component Name and Price
  ■Case: Component Name and Price
  ■Power Supply: Component Name and Price
  ■Cooling: Component Name and Price

Good luck, and may the best builds win!

 

[TechyInAZ]

Here's my build:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zy7nf7
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zy7nf7/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus H170-PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($123.65 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($72.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($71.25 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX 2.0 Video Card ($319.42 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($18.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $995.77
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-10-30 14:22 EDT-0400

CPU=http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0136JON7M/?tag=pcpapi-20
GPU=http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NVODXME/?tag=pcpapi-20
RAM=http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0123ZAUAO/?tag=pcpapi-20
Motherboard=http://www.amazon.com/dp/B013HIDM3I/?tag=pcpapi-20
HDD=http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005T3GRNW/?tag=pcpapi-20
SSD=http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OAJ5N6I/?tag=pcpapi-20
PSU=http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K85X2AW/?tag=pcpapi-20
DVD/CD ROM=http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CE58ZYC/?tag=pcpapi-20

 

[Darkbreeze]

Without rebates, you're over budget by 30 bucks. I do not however see anything detailing whether MIR can be included or not. I'd vote for not as that's the general rule we usually follow in threads.

 

[TechyInAZ]

Without rebates, you're over budget by 30 bucks. I do not however see anything detailing whether MIR can be included or not. I'd vote for not as that's the general rule we usually follow in threads.

Ok sorry, I miss read. I'll redo it. I thought jpishgar said around $1000.

 

[RedJaron]

Submission Removed. Changed to gaming-centric focus.

 

[PyroRaider]

An overclockable build (Updated)

PC Hound Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K ($238.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z97 Killer ($147 @ Amazon)
Memory: Mushkin Enhanced 8GB (2 x 4GB) STEALTH ($27.19 @ Amazon)
Video Card: GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 970 GV-N970TTOC-4GD ($279.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W M12II 620 Bronze ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital 1TB Blue WD10EZEX ($52.99 @ Amazon)
Storage #2: SAMSUNG 120GB 850 EVO MZ-75E120B/AM ($66.79 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 200R ($50.54 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 ($23.59 @ Amazon)
Total: $967.07 ($987.08 without rebates)
Price may include shipping, rebates, promotions, and tax
Generated by PC Hound

 

[logainofhades]

Vegas Gamer

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($252.43 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus B85M-G R2.0 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($41.49 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.84 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 390 8GB Video Card ($314.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cougar Solution 2 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.97 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($51.65 @ Amazon)
Total: $998.34
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-14 15:59 EST-0500

 

[Supahos]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($252.43 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Sandisk SSD PLUS 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($71.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda ES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.90 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 390X 8GB Video Card ($409.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill RANGER-M MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($48.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($18.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $923.27
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-10-29 20:51 EDT-0400

EDIT: thanks blackbird

 

[g-unit1111]

G-Unit's "It's Small But It's Overclockable" Build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($254.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170MX-Gaming 5 Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($52.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($96.29 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 960 4GB Video Card ($186.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($56.86 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($18.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $976.07
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-10-29 13:44 EDT-0400

 

[sadams04]

Spork

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H170M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Mushkin Redline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($65.41 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($42.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB FTW ACX 2.0 Video Card ($348.16 @ Amazon)
Case: Thermaltake Commander G42 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0B DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $999.01

 

[gerr]

$1000 Gaming Build...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus H97M-E Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($90.24 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($96.29 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($489.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($48.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $995.48

 

[Tomos Woolley]

Crumpies

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($252.43 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($83.00 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($99.27 @ Amazon)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($50.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 390 8GB SOC Video Card ($299.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($61.47 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($77.77 @ Amazon)
Total: $996.42
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-10-31 13:13 EDT-0400



B85 motherboards do not support 1866mhz memory modules. H97, H81 and B85 chipsets use a maximum memory frequency of 1600mhz.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Just wanted to mention for those who may have missed it. The editorial team changed the criteria from productivity/gaming to just gaming, so you may wish to reconfigure your build and description. Good luck.

 

[damric]

$1000 and NO 00/100.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI B150 Gaming M3 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.64 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 390 8GB SOC Video Card ($299.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cougar Volant (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.88 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($108.53 @ Amazon)
Total: $1000.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-10-31 18:33 EDT-0400

 

[BadActor]

Game On!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($254.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming 3 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: A-Data XPG Z1 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($87.90 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($308.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($66.32 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $997.16
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-05 15:04 EST-0500

CPU: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B012M8M7TY/?tag=pcpapi-20
CPU Cooler: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005O65JXI/?tag=pcpapi-20
Motherboard: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B012N6E996/?tag=pcpapi-20
Memory: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MSOKFJW/?tag=pcpapi-20
Storage: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OAJ412U/?tag=pcpapi-20
Video Card: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WJOU7DA/?tag=pcpapi-20
Case: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009GXZ8MM/?tag=pcpapi-20
Power Supply: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DGHKK7M/?tag=pcpapi-20

 

[nikoli707]

Power 1000

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B012M8M7TY/?tag=pcpapi-20]Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor[/url] ($254.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005O65JXI/?tag=pcpapi-20]Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler[/url] ($28.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B012N6LOZS/?tag=pcpapi-20]Gigabyte GA-Z170-HD3P ATX LGA1151 Motherboard[/url] ($106.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MTSWEQE/?tag=pcpapi-20]Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory[/url] ($52.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OAJ412U/?tag=pcpapi-20]Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive[/url] ($87.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: [http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st1000dm003]Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive[/url] ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZGF3UAQ/?tag=pcpapi-20]Gigabyte Radeon R9 390 8GB SOC Video Card[/url] ($299.99 @ Amazon)
Case: [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005869J4O/?tag=pcpapi-20]NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case[/url] ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RJ8EKI/?tag=pcpapi-20]XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply[/url] ($54.29 @ Amazon)
Total: $984.22
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-01 11:08 EST-0500

 

[cloudonsky]

Void Ray

CPU: Intel Pentium G3460 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.95 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-K Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.49 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 750GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 Fury X 4GB Video Card ($659.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Thermaltake Core V21 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($67.96 @ Amazon)
Total: $987.36
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-14 19:27 EST-0500

 

[ComputerSecurityGuy]

Skylake Gaming Workstation
CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($56.00 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Silicon Power S60 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($42.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 980 4GB STRIX Video Card ($514.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill FBM-02 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($31.27 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($48.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $989.21

 

[_Hi_]

One Thousand One Dollar Bills

Main Build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.29 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($51.49 @ Amazon)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($489.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($49.74 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Silverstone Element 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($48.59 @ Amazon)
Total: $992.07
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-02 16:01 EST-0500

*Amazon Links:

Cpu: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JIJUBAS/?tag=pcpapi-20
Mobo: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I6DLKCA/?tag=pcpapi-20
ram: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F902O5A/?tag=pcpapi-20
SSD: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RQA6TEI/?tag=pcpapi-20
Hdd: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005T3GRNW/?tag=pcpapi-20
Gpu: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NT9UT3M/?tag=pcpapi-20
Case: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CUZP0SU/?tag=pcpapi-20
Psu: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0025VKQAG/?tag=pcpapi-20

 

[lp231]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($254.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170XP-SLI ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper 4 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: PNY Optima 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($70.59 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 390 8GB SOC Video Card ($299.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Antec P70 ATX Mid Tower Case ($43.16 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill 600W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $996.19
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-02 18:38 EST-0500

Amazon Links
cpu:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B012M8M7TY/?tag=pcpapi-20
hsf:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005O65JXI/?tag=pcpapi-20
m/b:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B012AQGL4A/?tag=pcpapi-20
ram:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0157UQ0BA/?tag=pcpapi-20
ssd:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JN1TY9U/?tag=pcpapi-20
hdd:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K85X2AW/?tag=pcpapi-20
gpu:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K85X2AW/?tag=pcpapi-20
case:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RH6GD6U/?tag=pcpapi-20
psu:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PGV4Q62/?tag=pcpapi-20

Intel Skylake 6600K unlock so it can be overclocked, R9 390 with 8GB of vram for today's AAA games, and 240GB of SSD with 1TB of storage.

 

[ajpaolello]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI B150M MORTAR Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($99.68 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($60.39 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 390 8GB Video Card ($324.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $947.51
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-03 08:11 EST-0500

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Screaming Skyake Build
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($224.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.59 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($56.00 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: OCZ Trion 100 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($42.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 390X 8GB Video Card ($389.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Raidmax Vortex ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($92.35 @ Amazon)
Total: $999.39
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-10 17:32 EST-0500
*****************************************************************************
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0136JONRM/?tag=pcpapi-20
CPU
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005O65JXI/?tag=pcpapi-20
CPU Cooler
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0165YUDTM/?tag=pcpapi-20
Motherboard
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0123ZC6CO/?tag=pcpapi-20
Memory
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0106AOCPW/?tag=pcpapi-20
SSD
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005T3GRNW/?tag=pcpapi-20
HDD
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B011D7AAEE/?tag=pcpapi-20
Graphics Card
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KBLT888/?tag=pcpapi-20
Case
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UVN20AO/?tag=pcpapi-20
PSU

 

[Darkbreeze]

From: Titillating (Community Manager)

To: Everyone participating in the Gaming build event in any category


RE: price fluctuations

Word from on high is that as long as the initial build is within the price limits, they're fine. No need to make people update it constantly. Don't worry about what the actual final costs come out to be, so long as it is acceptable at the time of posting. Bound to cause some confusion, but less of a hassle.

Keep in mind though:

•Use list prices only: coupons, rebates, bundles or any other limited-time offers will not be accepted.

Also, this does not address magically disappearing inventory that is no longer available through Amazon. Still waiting for clarification on that one.

 

[filippi]

AMD Still-Kicking Build

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($144.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H5 Universal 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($55.63 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5 R5 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston Predator Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($36.17 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 390X 8GB Video Card ($409.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill BlackHawk ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($67.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $1004.73
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-05 11:37 EST-0500

Base Total: $996.09

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009O7YU56/?tag=pcpapi-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MBTOY2S/?tag=pcpapi-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VX1GSBK/?tag=pcpapi-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008YAI7E4/?tag=pcpapi-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EIQTOFY/?tag=pcpapi-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B011D7AAEE/?tag=pcpapi-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004K4TEA4/?tag=pcpapi-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K85X23O/?tag=pcpapi-20

 

[BobtheDestructor]

Mini Monster

Processor: Intel Xeon Processor E3-1231V3B $252.43
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-ITX $64.99
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport XT 8GB $36.99
Graphics Card: ASUS STRIX GeForce GTX 980 $469.99
Storage: Silicon Power 240GB S60 $67.99
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 $44.99
Power Supply: Rosewill ARC M550 550W $54.99

Total: $992.37

Updated when I realized that the Zotac card was extra wide and probably wouldn't fit in the case.