Custom Built Gaming PC under $1000

[CluelessBuilder]

I want to build a custom computer for my sons 16th birthday but I have no clue as to what I need to buy. My budget is preferably $1000 but I don't mind going over by $100-$200. I would go to the local computer shop but I want it to be a surprise so I want the parts to be ordered online but shipped there but back on topic, please list good parts preferably with a link. Thank you for any help that is given.

 

[Nw333]

What is he going to use it for? Do you already have some parts? (i.e a hard drive from your old computer or OS/monitor)

 

[CluelessBuilder]

No parts and he really wants it for gaming.

 

[Nw333]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/eUQP

If you have a microcenter near you, they sell the i5 3570K for less. (i think)

 

[CluelessBuilder]

Ok I will check and thanks.

 

[Hiii]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/eUQP

If you have a microcenter near you, they sell the i5 3570K for less. (i think)

I think you forgot the monitor.

 

[CluelessBuilder]

Ah that would help.

 

[Nw333]

Thats personal preference on how big he wants it.

 

[killerhurtalot]

I wouldn't do a i5-3570k because they are most likely not going to overclock. just save yourself $20 and go with the i5-3550.

There is ZERO point in getting a coolermaster 212 Evo over a 212 Hyper+. they're virtually identical with pretty much the same cooling attributes (except the evo is $5 more)

I would recommend a better case than the one he suggested since cabling might be a mess since she obviously hasn't done any cable management before. so a better case might make it a lot easier to put together.

 

[dish_moose]

That looks like a great build - Evo does do a better job and Ivy's run hotter. Go with the k suffix so that OverClocking is possible. A gtx660TI if you want to stretch the budget a little more.
-Bruce
Edit: the 660TI is price wise on par with the 7870 - it would be my choice.

 

[Nanekud]

I went to Micro Center and got my Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor and ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard for very cheap.

The processor for $189.99 and the motherboard for $84.99 for a total of $274.98.

They gave me $50 off for getting a matching CPU and Mobo at the same time. It's a better deal than you can find anywhere else and it's perfect for your budget.

Here is my build, see if you like it because it's about the same budget range and it's a pretty f@#$*%&g solid build. Build here 😀

 

[Hiii]

Where you planning to also buy a monitor with that money?

 

[Nw333]

I wouldn't do a i5-3570k because they are most likely not going to overclock. just save yourself $20 and go with the i5-3550.

There is ZERO point in getting a coolermaster 212 Evo over a 212 Hyper+. they're virtually identical with pretty much the same cooling attributes (except the evo is $5 more)

I would recommend a better case than the one he suggested since cabling might be a mess since she obviously hasn't done any cable management before. so a better case might make it a lot easier to put together.

Actually, there is a point in getting EVO. It does a better job by a noticeable margin. As dish_moose said 😀

 

[killerhurtalot]

Actually, there is a point in getting EVO. It does a better job by a noticeable margin. As dish_moose said 😀

I don't see ANY point in spending extra for almost no performance improvements when they're not going to overclock.

might as well as spend it on the GPU especially since their budget is around $1000-1200 INCLUDING a monitor.


And also can you tell us what state you live in? because tax is also a problem when buying online depending on where you live.

 

[CluelessBuilder]

Yes a monitor has come it the equation and all of these suggestions will be taken into consideration.

 

[Nw333]

I don't see ANY point in spending extra for almost no performance improvements when they're not going to overclock.

might as well as spend it on the GPU especially since their budget is around $1000-1200 INCLUDING a monitor.


And also can you tell us what state you live in? because tax is also a problem when buying online depending on where you live.

Correct me if im wrong but, OP never said they were NOT going to OC. Its also a good feature to have when you want to keep the pc for a long time.

 

[killerhurtalot]

Correct me if im wrong but, OP never said they were NOT going to OC. Its also a good feature to have when you want to keep the pc for a long time.

go back and read OP's post. does she sound like she knows how to go into the bios to mess around with the settings let alone mess around with OC and then testing stability?

 

[Nanekud]

go back and read OP's post. does she sound like she knows how to go into the bios to mess around with the settings let alone mess around with OC and then testing stability?

Tehehehe, he said she. :lol:

 

[Nw333]

go back and read OP's post. does she sound like she knows how to go into the bios to mess around with the settings let alone mess around with OC and then testing stability?

Thats why there are tutorials around. :/

 

[Hiii]

I think that this 2 monitors are ok, but im not sure, maybe you guys can help him find a good one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009363

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009317

 

[killerhurtalot]

Thats why there are tutorials around. :/

of all the people i've helped in real life and online, they got the hardware to do it but got too lazy to do it... even though i/otherpeople provided them with tutorials....

 

[Nanekud]

I think that this 2 monitors are ok, but im not sure, maybe you guys can help him find a good one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009363

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009317

Nice finds. I'll tell you one thing though; LED > LCD.

 

[Nw333]

Monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009305

 

[killerhurtalot]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/eVE3
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/eVE3/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/eVE3/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($45.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($307.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Three Hundred Illusion ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec 550W ATX12V Power Supply ($57.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Monitor: Acer S220HQLAbd 21.5" Monitor ($128.96 @ CompUSA)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($90.33 @ Amazon)
Total: $1113.77
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-08-18 01:20 EDT-0400)

 

[azeem40]

I'd rather get the 670.