Help with new system for 2013 under 1k

[Yensu]

First a little background. I had help building my first PC when i was ~13. I built several after that on my own, but have since lost my touch. My most recent was a prebuilt from iBUYPOWER. And while I have been satisfied... I miss the satisfaction of it being my own.
I am starting to more than notice lag on newer games now, and I can't have that.
So, I need help building a system for less than 1k that will be able to run pretty much as good as possible for the price. I don't know if to say running everything on highest graphics is too wishful.... But that's what I want.

I need to be updated and back in the game of building computers.
Where can I find info that will help me catch up on technology and better understand what's important in a gaming system?
(In the meantime I'll be looking)
Give me tips on what to look for, and full build suggestions are fine too though I'll probably just look.

 

[butremor]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/osBF

 

[Ja3farQ]

Go ITX, If you're an overclocker and a gamer and you demand speed from your system, I'd go with this build:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131841
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115234&Tpk=3470
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811345016&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Cases+(Computer+Cases+-+ATX+Form)-_-BitFenix+Co.+Ltd.-_-11345016
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147192
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181028&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Case+Fans-_-Corsair-_-35181028
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=4176827&SID=1tt3hy7hbcuq6
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835345051&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=4176827&SID=1696wioipgnl
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151256&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=4176827&SID=1pdurjlu0b6r6
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125418&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Video+Cards-_-GIGABYTE-_-14125418

And you got 50 dollars left for the steam sale ^.^

 

[DeusAres]

Try this...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($309.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $920.29
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-22 16:19 EST-0500)

It will net you far better performance. And you'll be able to run every game out there on max settings.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I hope this helps; good luck!

 

[Yensu]

Try this...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($309.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $920.29
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-22 16:19 EST-0500)

It will net you far better performance. And you'll be able to run every game out there on max settings.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I hope this helps; good luck!

I think I'd like to try overclocking. This is something I have never done before. Is this build good for that? Though I suppose I'd need an aftermarket heatsink.

 

[DeusAres]

Yup, this build would be perfect for overclocking. The Hyper 212 Evo is one of the best bang for the buck aftermarket coolers out there. It'll easily allow you to overclock the 3570k to 4.5GHz.

Before attempting, I would read some of the overclocking stickies here on Tom's Hardware. They are really helpful.

 

[orthokid]

Case http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6531504&Sku=C283-2094
CPU http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2373004&Sku=I69-3570K
M/B http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3769515&CatId=13
HDD http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3303660&Sku=T24-9901
RAM http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7114146&Sku=P33-5305
GPU http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2942391&CatId=7387
Power Supply http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3276567&Sku=ULT-LSP750
OS http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5213934&CatId=306

215 dollars left for any more preference

 

[DeusAres]

Case http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6531504&Sku=C283-2094
CPU http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2373004&Sku=I69-3570K
M/B http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3769515&CatId=13
HDD http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3303660&Sku=T24-9901
RAM http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7114146&Sku=P33-5305
GPU http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2942391&CatId=7387
Power Supply http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3276567&Sku=ULT-LSP750
OS http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5213934&CatId=306

215 dollars left for any more preference

That GPU is really low end. At his budget, he can afford better. Also, I wouldn't touch that PSU. The OP will want something made by a reputable company and is 80+ certified. Don't cheap out on this part. It's what converts raw electricity into use-able and clean power for your system.