BestConfigs Poll - Budget Intel Gaming PC

[jpishgar]

It's time to vote on your favorite build for this category!
Please see below for a list of the choices available.

rayden54's build

CPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core ProcessorP ($219.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU CoolerP ($27.81 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 ATX LGA1155 MotherboardP ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 MemoryP ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State DiskP ($97.90 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard DriveP ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video CardP ($254.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill REDBONE U3 ATX Mid Tower CaseP ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power SupplyP ($61.24 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD WriterP ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $996.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-05 22:17 EDT-0400)

Shadowblade2652's build

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core ProcessorP ($229.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G43 ATX LGA1150 MotherboardP ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 MemoryP ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Intel X25-M 80GB 2.5" Solid State DiskP
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard DriveP ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard DriveP ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 4GB Video CardP ($305.66 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Commander MS/I Snow Edition (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower CaseP ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 750W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power SupplyP ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD WriterP ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $933.58
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-06 17:38 EDT-0400)

jinayhvora's build

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core ProcessorP ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H87-D3H ATX LGA1150 MotherboardP ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 MemoryP ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State DiskP ($136.64 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard DriveP ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video CardP ($259.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill Challenger-U3 ATX Mid Tower CaseP ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power SupplyP ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD WriterP ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $965.56
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-07 12:45 EDT-0400)

Sangeet's beast for 1000 bucks

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core ProcessorP ($219.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU CoolerP ($33.24 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 MotherboardP ($120.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 MemoryP ($58.65 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State DiskP ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard DriveP ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video CardP ($289.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower CaseP ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: OCZ Fatal1ty 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power SupplyP ($55.00 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD WriterP ($18.49 @ Amazon)
Total: $998.33
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-17 12:06 EDT-0400)

Zared619's Instrument of Winning

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core ProcessorP ($229.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU CoolerP ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Pro3 ATX LGA1150 MotherboardP ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 MemoryP ($63.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard DriveP ($68.88 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video CardP ($399.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill REDBONE ATX Mid Tower CaseP ($38.24 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power SupplyP ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD WriterP ($16.00 @ Newegg)
Total: $996.07
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-11 23:00 EDT-0400)

 

[cmi86]

Umm what happened to budget ? Everything here is almost $1000.

 

[ZEPd3Z]

I second what cmi86 said. also Shadowblade2652's build motherboard should be an H87.

 

[Ian Mahaney]

I third what cmi86 said.

 

[smohmand]

Well to be fair these are intel builds,if you go to the budget amd gaming build they are around 500 bucks, one of them is even in the 300s albeit it doesn't even have a graphics card.

 

[stiqy]

Umm what happened to budget ? Everything here is almost $1000.

"Prices include shipping, taxes,"

Seems reasonable.

Skip the SSD, drop the GPU back one generation, and go cheaper on the MOBO could shave $200-$250 off these... but they are budget gaming PC's not just budget PC's.

 

[Sangeet Khatri]

The reason why the builds are 1000 dollars because this page told us to plan builds for the budget of 1000$.

But I too would like to see next year a $400-$500 kill your console build next year. That would be the ultimate budget build. Well.. I have two kill your console builds in my signature if anyone wants to have a look at it too.

 

[lostgamer_03]

If I were to buy ANY of the systems, Zared's would without a doubt be my buy. Most gaming for the money on that build.

 

[Sangeet Khatri]

People often ignore the Motherboard. I mean Asrock's Pro3 is not that great for overclocking the 4670k. Hence not the most well balanced in my opinion. He should have gone with the better board instead of leaning towards Nvidia card.

Of course my vote goes to my build. I personally feel that it is the most well balanced build in this lot.

Anyways 7970 and 770 perform about the same.

 

[envy14tpe]

I have a ASRock Pro3 and I took a K chip to 4.4GHz (1.35V) with a Cooler Master Evo. It's a great budget overclocker.

I voted for Zared619, great build. It'll max out BF4 but the 7970 can't reach 60fps like the 770.

 

[sDGam]

Choices narrowed down to jared's and sangeet's since they have better GPUs and the others have specs you dont really need on a budget gaming pc (eg 3-4GB VRAM, SSD, extra HDD). I didnt pick sangeet because i'm not into the brands he chose

 

[Sangeet Khatri]

Well.. it is getting pretty close and intense. The poll is going good so far. Let's see what happens. 😀

 

[dpvl]

Will these builds allow me to use my QNIX QX2710 at 2560x1440 with potential for 120hz?

 

[envy14tpe]

How can I change my vote? I looked at the builds again and I would rather have Sangeet's.

 

[Sangeet Khatri]

I have no idea, ask some moderator. Maybe they would help you.

And I am losing.. not essentially a bad thing. I mean everything is fine as long as it is fair.

 

[Malcolm Malcolm]

I have a $1000 build which would perform better in terms of gaming than any of the builds above.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($159.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 120M 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Extreme3 ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($499.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill Galaxy-01 ATX Mid Tower Case ($27.50 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $999.43
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-16 10:23 EST-0500)

+ 8-core Overclockable CPU for Futureproofing.
+ Better CPU Cooler than any of the builds above.
+ Extreme3 Motherboard for Great Overclocking Capabilities.
+ Great Gaming RAM Manufactured by Micron Technology.
+ High Quality Japanese Brand HDD
+ Asus GTX 780 Video Card which is Much Stronger than any of the builds above.
+ Good Quality and Good Airflow Case with USB 3.0
+ Capable Power Supply from a Reputable Brand.
+ 24X DVD-R Speed Optical Drive for Fast Data Transfer.

 

[Malcolm Malcolm]

I have a $1000 build which would perform better in terms of gaming than any of the builds above.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($159.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 120M 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Extreme3 ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($499.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill Galaxy-01 ATX Mid Tower Case ($27.50 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $999.43
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-16 10:23 EST-0500)

+ 8-core Overclockable CPU for Futureproofing.
+ Better CPU Cooler than any of the builds above.
+ Extreme3 Motherboard for Great Overclocking Capabilities.
+ Great Gaming RAM Manufactured by Micron Technology.
+ High Quality Japanese Brand HDD
+ Asus GTX 780 Video Card which is Much Stronger than any of the builds above.
+ Good Quality and Good Airflow Case with USB 3.0
+ Capable Power Supply from a Reputable Brand.
+ 24X DVD-R Speed Optical Drive for Fast Data Transfer.

1. Prices have changed a lot.
2. This is an Intel build. Go post on the AMD section. And a word of advice, don't even post there xD
3. Hitachi HDD? LOL
4. Corsair CX 600 with a 780? Hell No!
5. Nice cheap plasticky budget case to go with the thousand dollar build.. xD

Well.. at least you tried to be smart..

1.) I just checked it and as of now, prices are the same. I don't know why you are saying that.

2.) I didn't say I have a $1000 Intel build. What I said is, I have a $1000 build. I did this to provide knowledge to people that there is an alternative $1000 build. I don't want anyone to build a computer which is not the best back for the buck.

3.) What's wrong with Hitachi? They are a very reputable brand. Please don't make a wrong impression to Hitachi.

4.) Why would you say that to Corsair? Do you have a legitimate proof to claim that Corsair is a bad PSU?

5.) Sorry friend, but you are wrong. It's not a cheap plasticky case like how you described it. It's a great case with a full black coating inside, meshed front panel, very good airflow with three pre-installed case fans, and retention holes for water cooling.

And these lines you said,

"Go post on the AMD section. And a word of advice, don't even post there xD"
"Well.. at least you tried to be smart.."

Isn't that a form of trashtalking? I was offended by what you said.

 

[Sangeet Khatri]

I have no intention of starting a debate with you. But I want to clear some things.

The prices have changed since we planned the build. I mean it is like 2-3 months ago. Until now the prices have changed a lot. Back at the day, the 780 still costed $650. Now it costs only $500.

An Okay-Okay case and PSU are not a good fit for such an expensive build. The build is way too heavy on one thing and way too low on the other.

You offended everyone that planned the build above by saying that you can build a better build than they can for the same budget. Also if you think you are so good at making builds then why did you not participate in the first place? These builds are selected by experts and they know what they are planning.

I had no plans to offend you, but you should not say that "My build is more powerful than any of the above" Prices constantly change and there are new releases very often. So comparing a build that was planned like a month ago with the current prices are not the best way to compare.

Also this is the Intel section, so the builds are planned keeping the prices of the Intel platform and everything else in mind. Prices of AMD and Intel platform and other stuff cannot be directly compared.

I will try to not to reply you back again, at least not on this post. Though if you want to contact via PM, then you are always welcome.

 

[envy14tpe]

I have a $1000 build which would perform better in terms of gaming than any of the builds above.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($159.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 120M 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Extreme3 ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($499.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill Galaxy-01 ATX Mid Tower Case ($27.50 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $999.43
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-16 10:23 EST-0500)

+ 8-core Overclockable CPU for Futureproofing.
+ Better CPU Cooler than any of the builds above.
+ Extreme3 Motherboard for Great Overclocking Capabilities.
+ Great Gaming RAM Manufactured by Micron Technology.
+ High Quality Japanese Brand HDD
+ Asus GTX 780 Video Card which is Much Stronger than any of the builds above.
+ Good Quality and Good Airflow Case with USB 3.0
+ Capable Power Supply from a Reputable Brand.
+ 24X DVD-R Speed Optical Drive for Fast Data Transfer.

1. Prices have changed a lot.
2. This is an Intel build. Go post on the AMD section. And a word of advice, don't even post there xD
3. Hitachi HDD? LOL
4. Corsair CX 600 with a 780? Hell No!
5. Nice cheap plasticky budget case to go with the thousand dollar build.. xD

Well.. at least you tried to be smart..

1.) I just checked it and as of now, prices are the same. I don't know why you are saying that.

2.) I didn't say I have a $1000 Intel build. What I said is, I have a $1000 build. I did this to provide knowledge to people that there is an alternative $1000 build. I don't want anyone to build a computer which is not the best back for the buck.

3.) What's wrong with Hitachi? They are a very reputable brand. Please don't make a wrong impression to Hitachi.

4.) Why would you say that to Corsair? Do you have a legitimate proof to claim that Corsair is a bad PSU?

5.) Sorry friend, but you are wrong. It's not a cheap plasticky case like how you described it. It's a great case with a full black coating inside, meshed front panel, very good airflow with three pre-installed case fans, and retention holes for water cooling.

And these lines you said,

"Go post on the AMD section. And a word of advice, don't even post there xD"
"Well.. at least you tried to be smart.."

Isn't that a form of trashtalking? I was offended by what you said.

Your build is too late. This was started months ago and Toms finally started the poll. You can vote on a build but there is no point in posting a build now.

 

[Malcolm Malcolm]

I have no intention of starting a debate with you. But I want to clear some things.

The prices have changed since we planned the build. I mean it is like 2-3 months ago. Until now the prices have changed a lot. Back at the day, the 780 still costed $650. Now it costs only $500.

An Okay-Okay case and PSU are not a good fit for such an expensive build. The build is way too heavy on one thing and way too low on the other.

You offended everyone that planned the build above by saying that you can build a better build than they can for the same budget. Also if you think you are so good at making builds then why did you not participate in the first place? These builds are selected by experts and they know what they are planning.

I had no plans to offend you, but you should not say that "My build is more powerful than any of the above" Prices constantly change and there are new releases very often. So comparing a build that was planned like a month ago with the current prices are not the best way to compare.

Also this is the Intel section, so the builds are planned keeping the prices of the Intel platform and everything else in mind. Prices of AMD and Intel platform and other stuff cannot be directly compared.

I will try to not to reply you back again, at least not on this post. Though if you want to contact via PM, then you are always welcome.

FIrst of all, I would never want to offend anyone. I just wanted people to select the best one for their money. That's our goal right? To provide the people with best quality parts and best bang for the buck. So I believe that there is nothing to be offended about as we have the same goal.

Secondly, I want you to make an apology not to me, but to Corsair, Hitachi, and Rosewill. Do not speak ill of these brands next time. Please do not mislead people that these brands are bad.

 

[envy14tpe]

@Malcolm n the middle.

This is a poll. Not a place to enter builds. You might have been misled by the title but of course prices change and these builds were submitted months ago.

It's not a place for best build of Nov. 16, 2013. That is for forums.

 

[Sangeet Khatri]

I do not need to apologize to anyone. The points I stated are valid and anyone with a bit experience with the hardware would agree with those points.

 

[Malcolm Malcolm]

I do not need to apologize to anyone. The points I stated are valid and anyone with a bit experience with the hardware would agree with those points.

Do you at least have a proof to your claims? Could you at least provide test results showing that Corsair, Hitachi, and Rosewill are really bad brands just like how you described them?

 

[Sangeet Khatri]

They are not bad brands, but the particular components selected from those brands for the 1000 dollar builds are not well balanced.

And I do not think you deserve any reasoning. They simply are not good enough for a 1000 dollar build. Had it been a budget build like $500 one then that is fine, but for 1000 dollar build, No!!

 

[Sangeet Khatri]

They are not bad brands, but the particular components selected from those brands for the 1000 dollar builds are not well balanced.

And I do not think you deserve any reasoning. They simply are not good enough for a 1000 dollar build. Had it been a budget build like $500 one then that is fine, but for 1000 dollar build, No!!