My $1000 Ballpark Gaming PC

[mrwhit30ut]

Is there anything I really need to add here? I'm doing a build for a good friend and since I know more about computer, he said I could pick them, so basically he asked me to make the best gaming computer I could around $1000. He wanted the specific case, and processor.

*Processor Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz

*GPU HIS IceQ X Turbo Radeon HD 6950

Motherboard GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3-B3 LGA 1155

Ram Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB)

*CPU cooling Xigmatech Dark Night

Powersupply Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-750

Hardrive Western Digital Caviar Blue 320GB 7200 RPM

*Case Thermaltake Level 10 GT White

Disk Drive SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner

Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium OEM

I put stars next to the things he really likes alot. So I would like to ask the tom's hardware building community for some suggestions. Thanks for your feedback and I will try to respond as soon as possible.

 

[Zero_]

THATS ONE EXPENSIVE CASE. 30% of your budget on the case is just insane. Getting a cheaper case around $100 (a pretty good one, mind you) will enable you to get a GTX570, a much batter hard drive (320GB LOL) and probably a better motherboard.

 

[leolego]

Like zero said, that case is expensive... Too expensive.. waste of money if you ask me.
Tell your friend that case is a WASTE, much better cases for half that much.
Also, go for G.Skill or Corsair for the ram, I just don't like kingston for some reason... 😵

 

[mrwhit30ut]

Okay I will talk to him at school today. But I need some reasons, He really doesn't care that its expensive. I'll see if he wants like a cooler master HAF. But do you guys have any suggestions?

 

[ervinelim]

Your friend needs your help. You need the forums help. By using the power of logic, no one should be listening to your friend.

Listen to the experts.

 

[AdrianPerry]

As previously mentioned,

G.Skill or Corsair RAM, 1600MHz CL9 1.5v 8GB (2x4GB sticks)
Any Mid Tower ATX case is fine. Don't overspend on something that wont increase performance. Scrap that G10 for a $80 case and ramp that GPU up to a 6970.

SeaGate Barracuda 1TB or SpinPoint F3 or 1TB Caviar Black for HDD. Take your pick.

 

[AdrianPerry]

Your friend needs your help. You need the forums help. By using the power of logic, no one should be listening to your friend.

Listen to the experts.

Going to have to COPY PASTE this into a Notepad for future reference 😀!!!

 

[genghiskron]

imo, anyone who doesnt want to build a computer themselves doesnt want to deal with a dual card setup. the suggested build below totals $1038 - use promo codes EMCKAKA24 and EMCKAKA32.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118067
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157251
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.722409.11-119-240
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.733472
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.730385

 

[madchemist83]

Just get http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108376&Tpk=inwin%20dragon%20rider case and be done with it.
Spend the extra hundo on a better GPU and better CPU cooler

 

[Razashamra]

Point by point.

*Processor - Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz - good choice

*GPU HIS IceQ X Turbo Radeon HD 6950 - ENGTX560 TI DCII TOP/2DI/1GD5 = slightly lower price on newegg, same performance group, so unless he just really likes radeon (nvidia performs better imo) or just really wants the game that comes with the radeon, you can save a few bucks.

Motherboard GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3-B3 LGA 1155 - I prefer the P8Z68-V PRO, costs more but has more future proofing imo

Ram Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) - Get CMZ8GX3M2A1600C8 or F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM comparable prices for a better cas latency

*CPU cooling Xigmatech Dark Night - RR-B10-212P-G1 cheaper and does the same job

Powersupply Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-750 - nothing wrong with that psu, I prefer corsair silent gold series and I'd probably go with an 800/850 just to leave some room for upgrades but still good pick

Hardrive Western Digital Caviar Blue 320GB 7200 RPM - ...320gb... as adrianperry said get a seagate 1tb 7200 rpm 64cache or WD caviar black with same specs

*Case Thermaltake Level 10 GT White - ...very nice case...way overpriced. If your friend just really wants the looks and isnt worried about price and performance this would be an excellent way to waste money. Your better off with a case like a Cooler Master HAF 932 advanced or Antec Lanboy...much better prices with good cooling features and little less than half the price.

Disk Drive SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner - no con's here except no blue ray but it gets the job done and for the right price

Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium OEM - same here gets the job done for the price

Over all not a horrible build given that your trying to build it to someone else's preferences. You really need to tell your friend that looks aren't everything, sometimes you have to sacrifice looks for performance when your working on a tight budget. I could care less what my builds look like provided the price/performance was where I wanted it, and it worked the way I wanted. That will have an effect on what you really want to put in this thing too...what is he going to use it for. If he spends a lot of time playing FPS or MMO types. You want the faster ram/mobo/gpu for oc, but most MMO's are cpu/gpu heavy and for that at least you've got a decent combo already. Keep in mind too that you can use an ssd on the v-pro mobo to add ssd-like performance with the smart response tech. So maybe a closer, and more practical look at what he really wants for his money would be in order.