Building New Gaming System Under $1000

[Falcata]

Hey guys I'm planning on building a new system with a focus on gaming and video editing and rendering. I honestly don't play anything too crazy like Crysis and such but I'd like to have the availability to play such games on medium settings if I wanted to. My goal is to play Dota 2, WoW, GW2, Diablo 3, etc on higher settings.

I've already got a monitor, mouse, headphones, and keyboard to use. I'll still need an OS as well as hardware. I've got a rough set up already just need some advice on different components.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1ptIx
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1ptIx/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1ptIx/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($220.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($131.39 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($265.66 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Smart M 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Microcenter)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($88.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $955.97
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-07 20:38 EDT-0400)

My main concerns are the case (the 200R seems great but I might need to look at something better for a couple more bucks) and the graphics card. From everything I've read the 760 was really solid for the money, just can't afford to spend $400 on a better one for not much more performance. And whether it's better for me to go with 2x8GB initially for RAM as the MoBo supports 32GB might as well start half way with 2 slots free for upgrade later?

Let me know what you guys think, thanks. And yes I take constructive criticism .

 

[Leo Bottinger]

You definitely can cut back on the mobo. I recommend this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130651
I don't know what RAM you're using, but ok, that case is a ripoff instead get this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146076
with your saving it now costs 895 dollars, if you get rid of your GPU you are at 640$, also if you cut out the cooler (use the stock cooler and buy the 212 later) your at 610$, this gives you the ability to get one of the best gpus out there (note you go ten dollars over the limit):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133490

However Note that your system is excellent as it is (besides your case and how did you find one 8gb 1600Mhz stick of RAM for 50$, are you a wizard) and the only reason I went through this is to address your concern about your gpu, your gpu will do really well on all of those games you listed and do well in the future on most games (it won't do excellently on games like BF4 or Witcher 3, but it'll take them). So all in all definitely switch the mobo and the case, good luck.

 

[Dylan1999]

1: if you plan on gaming, get windows 7. not many games support windows 8 yet.
2: dont get just 1 memory module, and since a mobo has 4 slots you dont need 32gb of ram. Get 4x4gb, so that if one fails there is still 3 for backup.

 

[Falcata]

Geez that is 1 stick of 8,didn't even realize that. Guess I saw the 49.99 price and insta-clicked it, haha. Yeah I'll probably switch that over to 2x4GB or even 4x4 like you suggested. Which begs the question, is it better to go 2x8 to make 16GB and leave room for 2 more sticks of 8 for easy upgrade? Or go 4x4 and have to upgrade later? Is there some advantage to make it 4 of the same? I know dual-line is definitely better.

Yeah figured I needed to change the case. I'll end up doing that now. I kinda want the NZXT Phantom 410 as it has fan control and what not but ehhhh.

I guess the biggest question is if I go with a $400 graphics card what am I getting for ~$140 more? Sounds like the ability to play games on max settings that I could be playing in the future. From what I read the performance/dollar diminishes at the 260/300 dollar range.

And I keep mixed things about Windows 8 and gaming. Some say it's terrible and doesn't support anything, while others say it's supported most everything they've tried. I'll have to do some more research on that front.

 

[Dylan1999]

just go 4x4, if you go for 4x8 you would need win7 pro which is more expensive than home premium. Home premium only supports 16gb. and if you get 4x4 at 2400mhz, that would be more than enough. you would only need 32gb if you are rendering, and doing extreme multitasking. And it is true that windows 8 doesnt support many games. But i do have a theory: in windows 7 you can install a game meant for win xp by right clicking on the file and clicking "run in compatibility with windows xp", i am assuming you can do the same with windows 8