Computer Budget $1000

Chase77

Reputable
Oct 3, 2014
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4,510
So I gave myself a 1k budget and although I know there are tons of comps just over it I would prefer not to go over limit. Can someone help me with what to look for? I know processor and graphics card are key; and plan on playing BF4 on it along with SWTOR (Star wars the old republic)
Edit: Preferably windows 8.1 (I get everyone hates it but I've gotten used to it at work)
 
Use mine, change GPU to R9 285 and buy only 8 gigs of ram. You may even have enough left over to buy an SSD if you're one of those people who get a psychotic episode if your games' loading times are 10% longer than they could be.

That should be enough to easily power your games 1080p, max settings. If its not, then just buy another R9 285, you won't even need the crossfire bridge for it.
 
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 Extreme3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($105.96 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($76.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX Video Card ($339.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Thermaltake Chaser A31 Snow White ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq Plus 550W 80+ Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($64.98 @ OutletPC)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $996.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-03 06:42 EDT-0400

this is what I came up with, the case you can choise yourself.
and then I picked windows 8 because like it or not. it's better then w7
oh, I just realised this case has usb3.0 but the mobo doesnt have a usb3.0 connector on the motherboard. so better look for another case :) you know the looks you like! so it's even better!
 
Solution
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($197.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($86.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($350.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1035.81
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-03 06:44 EDT-0400
 
made some tweaks

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Extreme3 ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($76.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($329.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq Plus 550W 80+ Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($64.98 @ OutletPC)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Aerocool DS 120mm Black 81.5 CFM 120mm Fan ($11.98 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Aerocool DS 120mm Black 81.5 CFM 120mm Fan ($11.98 @ NCIX US)
Total: $994.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-03 06:50 EDT-0400
 
Here is a very solid build with overclocking potential and room for future upgrades, it will last you quite a while:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/6zDbyc
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/6zDbyc/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($225.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($350.91 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Window ATX Mid Tower Case ($41.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1012.77
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
 
I do not reccomend an i5 for bf4 max settings even though it falls down to the graphics card the cache memory on an Amd fx 8350 is much better plus its an 8 core processor... There is a new i7 gen that came out; the i7 5----- which will be pretty great but run you far over budget considering its intel. I would go amd 8350, very good choices as far as graphics cards however I prefer Radeon over Nividia even though it was a nividia gtx (made for gaming) The motherboard can run you a ton and same with ram. But 8gb ram; although enough I would go for 12-16gb. But if you are cutting the budget on any part ram is the one to do it on considering 8gb will be plenty for swtor.
 


the gtx 970 is a very solid card and beats the r9 290x while being cheaper and consuming less power, running cooler etc... better in every aspect. and 8 gigs of RAM is the sweet spot. you dont need more.and the i5 4690k is better then the fx 8350.
the fx 8350 only shines over that i5 when it comes to edditing and all
 


Couldn't agree more, AMD is a dead socket and I included a Z97 motherboard for future upgradability and overclocking potential. The GPU is amazing and wrecks the R9 290X and it is cheaper, more power efficient and is way cooler, you don't need any extra fans, I just included one just incase for overclocking he doesn't even need it if he isn't overclocking because the stock cooler for the i5 is sufficient for normal use and the cooler for the gtx 970 is amazing.
 
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($225.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($137.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($81.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1063.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-05 16:51 EDT-0400
 
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($225.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($137.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($81.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1063.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-05 16:51 EDT-0400
 


the fx 8350 is a good CPU though... it just cant compete against generation 4. in generation 3 it would get better results if you were streaming games etc. but now...
and then the r9 290x, the non +1000 dollar flagship from AMD is a good card, but it was not as good as the gtx 780ti, so it's not as good as the gtx 970 and not nearly as good as the gtx 980. so the gtx 970 is the way to go, to have a high end but "cheap" GPU
 
You guys are insulting! You still keep talking about its as if the i5, u7 and 8350 are the only things on the planet that can fit his budget!

There is stuff out there that is cheaper, faster, more power efficient, and lasts even longer!
 


Can you suggest some of this 'stuff' then instead of knocking everyones builds, and I fail to see how any of this would insult you...

OP I would suggest an intel build, if nothing else for it's future proofing, as intel usually sticks with one thing and just keeps upgrading it, so usually even old motherboards will be compatible with intel cpus for ages.
 


Your personalized oppinion is irrelevant. The prices on the world market do not shape themselves according to what you feel like stuff should cost.

i-series equivalent comparison, by price and by performance:
http://www.cpu-world.com/Compare/417/Intel_Core_i7_i7-4770_vs_Intel_Xeon_E3-1241_v3.html
http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-E3-1241V3-vs-Intel-4690K

Price Comparison (average price from German web retailers):
XEON: 250,99€:bounce:
i7 4770: 276,91€:kaola:
i5 4690: 226,30€:no:

But if you feel you're special and believe that you have a say with the prices, then why don't contact the associated cpu manufacturing states and order them to lower the taxes, I'm sure they'll be happy to oblige!:na:
 

what about the motherboard that comes with it. and no need to go all "I'm right you're wrong" there. I was asking. not telling. this is a forum after all. ppl come here for help, and if i'm wrong I'm happy to admit it. I didnt think it would be cheaper. so ny my question is. what about the motherboards? or do they use the same sockets.

and then a sugestion from my part. you sugested him to coppy your build but change the GPU with an r9 285. why? with that bugdet you can easily fit in a 970, or wait for the new r9 3xx series from amd.
 
Xeon E3-12x0 & v2 & v3 =>B85, H87, Z87 (You may need to flash BIOS on B85)
Xeon E3-12x1v3 =>H97, Z97 (fully supported on most mobo's except for server features such as ECC RAM, you even keep advanced instruction sets)

About the graphics card, if he wants to put all his eggs in one basket, that's his call, I personally like the low power R9 285, and can always add one more, don't need even need crossfire bridge on this model.
 


the gtx 970 has a 160 TDP or so,
 
just saying, give the best for the price. if you can fit it in. you should and not let him buy some older tech. amd is comming out with their new series soon aswell. so no point in buying amd cards atm. the prices will go down after they released the r9 3xx series. just how it havend with the gtx7xx series.
I'm not here to argue with you.I'm telling you that there are better choices.