Gaming PC Build: Budget$1200 - $2000

[AriesFortune]

Hello,
I am interested in getting a custom gaming desktop built for my husband. However, as you might have guessed, I am not familiar with computer parts and components.. I just know that the general consensus seems to be that custom is better, hehe. Anyhow, my budget is from $1200 to $2000. Ideally, I would like to keep it closer to the lower end of that spectrum as I also would like to get him a monitor, keyboard and mouse and I would need an OS. Typically, he plays EVE online, Diablo 3 and Starcraft-- lately, just EVE. Other than that, the computer will mostly just be used for basic email, social media, Internet surfing, watching movies, etc. He doesn't stream or edit videos.
Thank you in advance for any assistance!

 

[morgan payne]

do you live in the US
are you going to overclock?
morgan
if not then this is a sutible build
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/KszYt6

 

[AriesFortune]

Yes, to both questions.

 

[Archaic59]

This should get you started. others will follow with more options/ideas.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.50 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME6 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($149.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($159.85 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($323.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX XTR 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.79 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.75 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: BenQ GL2460HM 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($139.93 @ B&H)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($27.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1385.62
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-27 01:18 EST-0500

 

[UrbanZyrx]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.75 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($137.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($72.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($328.99 @ Directron)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($129.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.75 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: BenQ GL2460HM 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($139.93 @ B&H)
Keyboard: SteelSeries 6GV/2 Wired Standard Keyboard ($88.99 @ Amazon)
Mouse: SteelSeries Sensei RAW Wired Laser Mouse ($45.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $1498.21

 

[Wisecracker]

Samsung 55" Class 4K Ultra HD TV: $1,100 😀

AMD FX-8320
Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P
Patriot Blaze 120GB SSD
$270 before $10 rebate

GSkill 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600: $66 with code EMCANNR37
XFX DD Radeon R9 290 4GB: $278 before $30 rebate

With Archiac's Corsair SPEC-01 case, PSU, WD Blue 1TB and DVD optical ($179), that's $1,893 before $40 in rebates.

I'm a fan of the Logitech MK520 Wireless KB/M but you can normally find it on sale for $40 or so at Office Depot or Wally-World.

As far as OC'ing, you can find 'good air' like the CM Hyper 212 Evo for around $30

If you subscribe to the New Egg 'E-Blast' they will send you email fliers on daily/weekly specials.

Examples:

A Windows 7/8 64-bit OEM OS goes on E-Blast for $80 every few weeks, or ...
The Cooler Master Seidon 240M AIO Water was $70 after rebate a few weeks ago. It appears it would fit quite nicely in the top of that Corsair case in the '2x120mm' fan space.

Water cooling 'opens the view' inside the case and gives hubby the opportunity to add a little lighting 'bling' at his discretion.

 

[morgan payne]

here is an over clocking build
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RYNqXL
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RYNqXL/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 KILLER ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($106.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($88.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($87.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 290X 4GB DirectCU II Video Card ($289.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($129.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VX228H 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($138.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K70 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($129.99 @ Best Buy)
Mouse: Corsair M65 RGB Wired Laser Mouse ($64.79 @ Amazon)
Total: $1447.65
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-26 21:02 EST-0500

morgan

 

[Wisecracker]

Guys?
I hate to state the obvious, but ...

... Typically, he plays EVE online, Diablo 3 and Starcraft

The Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 4GB for $174 after $20 rebate should work just dandy.

Even at 4K 😀

Same goes for Eve and Starcraft (even if it's a Blizzard game)

 

[morgan payne]

Guys?
I hate to state the obvious, but ...

... Typically, he plays EVE online, Diablo 3 and Starcraft

The Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 4GB for $174 after $20 rebate should work just dandy.

Even at 4K 😀

Same goes for Eve and Starcraft (even if it's a Blizzard game)

if this is true
why did you choose an amd r9 290
and I am future proofing
for future games

 

[morgan payne]

Guys?
I hate to state the obvious, but ...

... Typically, he plays EVE online, Diablo 3 and Starcraft

The Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 4GB for $174 after $20 rebate should work just dandy.

Even at 4K 😀

Same goes for Eve and Starcraft (even if it's a Blizzard game)