Medium end gaming desktop [BUDGET]

[459pm]

Hey! This is the first time I've really attempted anything like this, so bear with me. I've found this barebone kit from tiger direct that looks alright for most games. I have a budget of about 1000 bucks, so if you find anything, please try to keep it under 600 or so so I can afford a new monitor. This is the kit:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7375880&CatId=4910
And this is the monitor:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1717285&CatId=1410

I'm expecting to get about 30 FPS on skyrim and maybe 25 on planetside 2? are these reasonable expectations? And if its not, could you recommend something?

 

[aznshinobi]

Check out my $650 build here:
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore#module146695821
Windows 7:
http://www.softwaresupplygroup.com/microsoft-windows-7-home-premium-64-bit-oem-branded.html
Monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824118006
Total: $810
You get a MUCH MUCH MUCH better GPU, better monitor, and CPU for a lower cost.

GTX 650 vs 7870:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/548?vs=681

 

[g-unit1111]

The problem with those pre built kits is that they include garbage power supplies that will fail on you in a few months. You're better off picking the components yourself. And the GTX 650 isn't really good either.

For that budget I'd suggest:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($200.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $749.46
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

OR:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 EXTREME4 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($107.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($251.97 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $860.75
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-03 20:21 EST-0500)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-03 20:18 EST-0500)

 

[459pm]

Yeah, the main reason I intended to purchase a kit was because I know that the parts are compatible. I really didn't want to spend cash on a 200 buck GPU that wasn't compatible to my motherboard somehow.

 

[459pm]

Main problem is if I do go ahead and buy the 2nd build that g-unit suggested, and buy the monitor that aznshinobi suggested, I'm over my budget. Could I survive with a high end+Cheap i3 possessor instead of the i5? And I've also had bad experiences with AMD graphics cards breaking over time, so can you a suggest a good invidia card for a good price?

 

[aznshinobi]

AMD has been solid for a while now. Before I upgraded to my 7870 I had a 5850 that lasted 2-3 years with heavy overclocking and I got that when the 5850 first launched and OC'd it when I first got it constantly to the 5870 performance clocks of 1GHZ I believe.

It should be noted than Nvidia has NO matchups on AMD cards per respective price. Also that the FX-6300 is better chip at your price point.

Essentially my build, click the link
Check out my $650 build here:
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore#module146695821
Windows 7:
http://www.softwaresupplygroup.com/microsoft-windows-7-home-premium-64-bit-oem-branded.html
Monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824118006
Total: $810

 

[g-unit1111]

Yeah, the main reason I intended to purchase a kit was because I know that the parts are compatible. I really didn't want to spend cash on a 200 buck GPU that wasn't compatible to my motherboard somehow.

Trust me, you will not run into that problem here.

Main problem is if I do go ahead and buy the 2nd build that g-unit suggested, and buy the monitor that aznshinobi suggested, I'm over my budget. Could I survive with a high end+Cheap i3 possessor instead of the i5? And I've also had bad experiences with AMD graphics cards breaking over time, so can you a suggest a good invidia card for a good price?

The problem is that NVIDIA no longer offers a good bang for buck solution. The AMD cards have improved dramatically since the 78XX series and actually outperform their NVIDIA equivalents. If you want to play games the FX-6300 is a better choice than the i3-3220 is.

 

[459pm]

oh alright. Thanks for the feedback I've been trying to survive with a 500MB AMD radeon 5620 for a while on my laptop, and its just been killing me with most games.

 

[459pm]

Again, only problem is if I do purchase the 2nd kit that g-unit suggested, I'd be over my budget if I get the monitor. Is there any component in there such as RAM that I can kinda skimp on and get by? (I'm 14 and been making money for this rig for around half a year now by selling antiques from my grandmother's shed on ebay. So money is a problem.)

 

[g-unit1111]

oh alright. Thanks for the feedback I've been trying to survive with a 500MB AMD radeon 5620 for a while on my laptop, and its just been killing me with most games.

Laptop GPUs should not be compared to their desktop counterparts - they're not really the same thing at all. I'd suggest reading this: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-6990m-geforce-gtx-580m-deception,3118.html

 

[aznshinobi]

Again, only problem is if I do purchase the 2nd kit that g-unit suggested, I'd be over my budget if I get the monitor. Is there any component in there such as RAM that I can kinda skimp on and get by? (I'm 14 and been making money for this rig for around half a year now by selling antiques from my grandmother's shed on ebay. So money is a problem.)

AGAIN...
Check out my $650 build here:
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore#module146695821
Windows 7:
http://www.softwaresupplygroup.com/microsoft-windows-7-home-premium-64-bit-oem-branded.html
Monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824118006
Total: $810

I've included the OS, Monitor and Build for less than your totals before... The performance will be good enough if not great. As for the OS, don't buy it from PCPartPicker, use the link I posted... It's cheaper and reliable, the retailer is A rating BBB approved based in Tennessee.