What is a good gaming setup for a good price?

[EE9Chestnuts933]

Hello,

I have an old m11x (got it in 2010). I am having the classic nvidia driver failing to update and would like to just get a tower, however I only know the the basic knowledge of gaming setups. I am curious as to how to get a decent setup for a reasonable price. I am fine with installing some things myself.

 

[tiny voices]

What is your budget?

 

[EE9Chestnuts933]

Well I get a steady paycheck so I can save bit by bit. My m11x was around 1,000 at the time, I would like a tower around that price but still have good capabilities. Is that budget too small?

 

[tiny voices]

You will be fine on that budget. Should be able to max all games no problem. I'll put something together for you.

 

[EE9Chestnuts933]

Awesome thank you very much.

 

[tiny voices]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($223.79 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.94 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($148.98 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.48 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.99 @ Compuvest)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Gaming 600W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($67.34 @ TigerDirect)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $941.48
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-21 22:00 EST-0500)

Parts could be moved around if you want an SSD.

 

[EE9Chestnuts933]

It seems pretty reasonable, how tough is the assembly of all the components?

 

[tiny voices]

Not bad. Here is a video which is very helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls

 

[camohanna]

If you dont want to experiment with overclocking, i suggest this.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/F9ZA
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/F9ZA/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/F9ZA/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.48 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.99 @ Compuvest)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($429.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($79.20 @ Newegg)
Total: $977.60
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-22 04:37 EST-0500)

 

[EE9Chestnuts933]

Awesome thank you both for the recommendations I am going to write down the lists and compare and start building haha.