Very first build...need help picking good parts in $1000-$1200 price range

Malang

Honorable
Mar 27, 2013
2
0
10,510
Hello,

First of all let me say thank you ahead of time for the people taking the time to help a newbie like me. I would like to build a gaming PC within the $1000-$1200 range that will offer the best performance and last me a decent amount of time before I have to upgrade. Any help or suggestions on build items in order to max out my performance, but on a side note I never built a PC before so I haven't the slightest clue on how to over clock...yet. Thanks again.
 

bodeen2012

Distinguished
Feb 5, 2013
631
0
19,160
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/MxeA
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/MxeA/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/MxeA/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LX ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($58.96 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($115.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($297.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Rosewill BlackHawk ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.97 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1129.81
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-27 07:04 EDT-0400)

and for pc building help watch these videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPIXAtNGGCw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxaVBsXEiok

for overclocking
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mkGQhE1o2w
 

sanilmahambre

Distinguished
Dec 9, 2012
580
0
19,060
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/MxfT
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/MxfT/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/MxfT/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H55 57.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($62.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($102.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($399.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($24.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1208.45
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-27 07:15 EDT-0400)
 
If you're looking to primarily game, you won't really have a need for overclocking. What you do want is a PC with a good gaming processor, the best video card you can get up front, enough power for a dual-video card setup and a motherboard to support this expansion.


Here's a good build for that price range:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($207.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($61.54 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($128.55 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($284.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill BlackHawk ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1190.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-27 07:38 EDT-0400)

Has a solid power supply from one of the best manufacturers in the business. A processor that doesn't need an OC and a GTX 660 ti. This build also positions you for an SLI upgrade sometime down the road (just add another 660 ti when you can or when necessary).
 

Malang

Honorable
Mar 27, 2013
2
0
10,510
First of all, I would like to thank everybody for their responses. The information provided was so helpful and more than I anticipated. I just have a few more questions that might sound stupid based on my limited knowledge, but any help would be greatly appreciated.

1. Do any of the motherboards listed have a display port? I tried to research myself but I could not find any information. I would like to connect the pc to my mid imac 2010 monitor until I can afford another monitor. I read that it could be done through a display port to a mini display port in something called Target Mode.

2. Is there a reason why everyone choose the i5-3570 and not any of the newer i7 models? I am asking because most websites say the newer i7 would be the ultimate pick.

3. Is there a big difference between GTX 660Ti and the Radeon 7970?

4. Any suggestions on keyboards and mouse for gaming?

This last question might seem really stupid, but I have to ask because this is the main reason for my switch into the pc gaming. I have been a console gamer my entire ilfe, but reading blogs posted by pc gamers have swayed me into trying out pc gaming.

4. Do you think the pc specs listed above will be better than or even to the PS4 and Next Xbox? Is it worth puting this money into a system or should I wait for the new consoles? I would like something that would be on par or better to keep up with the new consoles.

I again thank everybody for their help.
 

sanilmahambre

Distinguished
Dec 9, 2012
580
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19,060
1. Graphic cards like 7970 has mini display port and there is no need for mobo to have it

2. An i5 3570k is the best processor when it comes to gaming at your budget

3. 7970 is better then 660ti by a mile. Bang for the buck in this case --> 7970

4. I would prefer a wireless controller like Logitech F710 instead of gaming keyboard and mouse

5. A PC with above listed specs is a ultimate gaming machine and no console stands a chance when it comes to game-play, graphics. Consoles are for kids, Big boys play on PCs!

 


1) The GTX 660ti video card has a display port connector off the back.

2) The i5-3570 or i5-3570K have the same number of processor cores as the i7s. The i7s offer more threads. While i7s offer advantages with multi-tasking, A/V production or productivity, 4 cores seems to be the sweet spot for gaming right now. This is one area by which you can save money to upgrade other components more geared toward a gaming build (ie video card).

3) The 7970 is a better card, but within your price range, the build I put together with the 660ti, more wattage on the power supply, and the SLI ready motherboard has you positioned for future upgrades as necessary. If you don't get the better power supply now, you'll need one if you add a second video card in the future. Adding a second video card to a system gives you the best bang for your buck when looking to upgrade and two 660tis at some point will give you far better performance than a single 7970. Within your budget, I thought this would make sense for you and you can always add the second 660ti whenever you need it. Yeah, you can go with the better video card initially, but you'll need to upgrade your power supply if you want to add another at some point. If you're going to stick with a single video card in your system, you can go with less power and a 7970 now.

4) If you were initially to go with less than a GTX 650ti or Radeon 7850, I would just wait for a console. It would be more cost effective and probably provide a better visual experience. But if you go better, you really can't beat gaming on a PC.
 

euphoria4949

Distinguished
Aug 26, 2012
565
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19,060
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/MLIO

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/MLIO
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/MLIO/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/MLIO/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 ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($169.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($92.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($269.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($184.97 @ Outlet PC)

Total: $1176.82
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
 

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