1000$ Gamer Build

Killer_Rubber_Ducky · Jan 22, 2013

Hey guys,

I've been asked by my roommate to put together a 1000$ rig. He is looking to get back into PC gaming and his 3yr old Toshiba Qosmio laptop died.

I have tried to keep some golden rules in mind when selecting these parts.
1. NEVER skimp on the PSU
2. Make sure it is upgradable
3. Stay within the budget as much as possible
4. Try to make sure the parts are good with a good warranty.
I am rather new to building Intel systems so I am ready to get reamed for screwing up like I am expecting. I usually put together AMD rigs but I know I'd get chewed out for that so I'm trying this instead.

So, here is the list of parts.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/yS0J

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3V Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($41.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($103.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($307.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG CH10LS28 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($53.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer V213HLBJbmd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1117.45
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-21 19:56 EST-0500)

drdeathx · Jan 22, 2013

If its for gaming look at core i5 2500K. Better CPU. Or look at a Trinity setup.....

anonymous6366 · Jan 22, 2013

With a 2500k the and the big video card you might want more like a 750 watt psu, not sure but 650 sounds a little low...

If you got that one of course

drdeathx · Jan 22, 2013

anonymous6366 said:
With a 2500k the and the big video card you might want more like a 750 watt psu, not sure but 650 sounds a little low...

If you got that one of course

650 is more than enough with 1 card.

LAN_deRf_HA · Jan 22, 2013

650 is fine with 2 cards even if we're talking a good unit and modern cards. I don't even hit 550 with my two 660 ti's.

Killer_Rubber_Ducky · Jan 22, 2013

problem is that the 2500k is still like 200$ new
I was thinking of setting him up with a 965BE and a Good Gigabyte 990FX board but it still goes over budget

n3rdf1ght3r · Jan 22, 2013

drdeathx said:
650 is more than enough with 1 card.

Im running a 960, gtx570, and a 6950 with a 600W. It still hasn't blown up =D yet...

Killer_Rubber_Ducky · Jan 22, 2013

Here is a Trinity Build variation of it.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ySKI

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A8-5500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($94.50 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A85X-D3H ATX FM2 Motherboard ($107.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($45.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($103.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($307.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG CH10LS28 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($53.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer V213HLBJbmd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1103.51
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-21 20:56 EST-0500)

Then As well a Modified Intel setup

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($97.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Essentials 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($45.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($103.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($307.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG CH10LS28 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($53.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1069.02
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-21 21:09 EST-0500)

Here is a 965BE build version too:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($149.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($45.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($103.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($307.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG CH10LS28 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($53.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1001.45
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-21 21:13 EST-0500)

1nf3rn0x · Jan 22, 2013

Killer_Rubber_Ducky said:
Here is a Trinity Build variation of it.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ySKI

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A8-5500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($94.50 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A85X-D3H ATX FM2 Motherboard ($107.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($45.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($103.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($307.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG CH10LS28 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($53.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer V213HLBJbmd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1103.51
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-21 20:56 EST-0500)

Then As well a Modified Intel setup

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($97.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Essentials 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($45.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($103.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($307.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG CH10LS28 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($53.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1069.02
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-21 21:09 EST-0500)

Here is a 965BE build version too:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($149.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($45.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($103.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($307.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG CH10LS28 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($53.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1001.45
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-21 21:13 EST-0500)

2nd build

Norton · Jan 22, 2013

2nd build looks ok but consider this:
This Seasonic 620w is $78.99 (nearly $50 off!!!)
SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 1...
* I have the Antec version of this model and it runs very well

If you go with a 7870 you can save about $60-80 and their performance is very close to a 7950 (5-10% @ stock and nearly zero difference if the 7870 has a mild overclock)

If you go with AMD then consider the 970 series boards (Gigabyte UD3, ASUS Evo models for example). They have nearly the same features (except SLI in most cases) and are much cheaper. Spend the savings on an FX-6300 and a Xigmatek Gaia cooler if you want some more oomph from the setup.

jgunning · Jan 22, 2013

Norton said:
2nd build looks ok but consider this:
This Seasonic 620w is $78.99 (nearly $50 off!!!)
SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 1...
* I have the Antec version of this model and it runs very well

If you go with a 7870 you can save about $60-80 and their performance is very close to a 7950 (5-10% @ stock and nearly zero difference if the 7870 has a mild overclock)

If you go with AMD then consider the 970 series boards (Gigabyte UD3, ASUS Evo models for example). They have nearly the same features (except SLI in most cases) and are much cheaper. Spend the savings on an FX-6300 and a Xigmatek Gaia cooler if you want some more oomph from the setup.

Def agree ^. 7870 is the way to go I think :toast:

ChaoticG8R · Jan 22, 2013

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7606701&CatId=333

You could easily work off of that.

Killer_Rubber_Ducky · Jan 22, 2013

ChaoticG8R said:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7606701&CatId=333

You could easily work off of that.

yeah, all i would have to do is swap out the Ultra PSU for something good, slap Windows and an HDD on there.

Oh yeah, he bumped his total up to 1200$ to enable a good Keyboard and mouse and he can work with his hand me down TV.

System Name	FumoffuFumoffu
Processor	Intel i7 4770K
Motherboard	Gigabyte Z87X -UD3H
Cooling	Corsair H100i
Memory	16GB DDR3 1600 Crucial Ballistix
Video Card(s)	Sapphire AMD Radeon HD 7970 OC
Storage	1- WD 500GB 1- Samsung F2 1.5TB 1- Crucial M4 128GB SSD 1-256GB ADATA XPG SX900 ASX900S3 SSD
Display(s)	Hanns-G HZ281HPB 27.5'' 3ms Full HD 1920x1200 WideScreen LCD Monitor
Case	Corsair Graphite Series 600T
Audio Device(s)	Creative Soundblaster X-Fi Titanium
Power Supply	Corsair HX 750W Gold
Software	Windows 7 Pro x64

System Name	Halloween Boo!
Processor	Intel Core i7 3770K
Motherboard	Gigabyte Z77-Up7
Cooling	Custom Water/ Thermalchill TA 120.3/ Swiftech Apogeee XT/ MCP655/ Swiftech M icrores/ XSPC RX 240
Memory	16G G.Skill trident 2400MHz
Video Card(s)	3 x Radeon 7970
Storage	OCZ Revo Drive 240G
Display(s)	24 inch Viewsonic
Case	Phobia WayCoolIt Test Bench
Power Supply	Nexus 1100 watt

System Name	Nazgul
Processor	Core i7 7700k
Motherboard	MSI Krait Gaming 170a
Cooling	Corsair H100i
Memory	16gb DDR4 3200mhz
Video Card(s)	EVGA FTW+ GTX970
Storage	Samsung 512gb SSD, 500gb 7200rpm storage
Display(s)	Benq 144hz 1080p
Case	Fractal Design Define r5 titanium window
Power Supply	Corsair AX850
Mouse	Logitech
Keyboard	Razer
Software	Windows 7 Pro 64 bit

System Name	Halloween Boo!
Processor	Intel Core i7 3770K
Motherboard	Gigabyte Z77-Up7
Cooling	Custom Water/ Thermalchill TA 120.3/ Swiftech Apogeee XT/ MCP655/ Swiftech M icrores/ XSPC RX 240
Memory	16G G.Skill trident 2400MHz
Video Card(s)	3 x Radeon 7970
Storage	OCZ Revo Drive 240G
Display(s)	24 inch Viewsonic
Case	Phobia WayCoolIt Test Bench
Power Supply	Nexus 1100 watt

System Name	Obelisc
Processor	i7 3770k @ 4.8 GHz
Motherboard	Asus P8Z77-V
Cooling	H110
Memory	16GB(4x4) @ 2400 MHz 9-11-11-31
Video Card(s)	GTX 780 Ti
Storage	850 EVO 1TB, 2x 5TB Toshiba
Case	T81
Audio Device(s)	X-Fi Titanium HD
Power Supply	EVGA 850 T2 80+ TITANIUM
Software	Win10 64bit

System Name	That computer
Processor	Intel I7 960 OC @ 4GHz
Motherboard	Gigabyte G.1 Guerilla
Cooling	Corsair H80
Memory	12gb G.Skill DDR3 1333MHz
Video Card(s)	Gigabyte Radeon 6950 2GB
Storage	120GB Samsung 840, 2x 1TB WD Black Raid 0
Display(s)	2X ACER S232HL
Case	Thermaltake Amour A90
Audio Device(s)	Asus Xonar DX
Power Supply	600W OCZ MODXSTREAM PRO
Software	Windows 7 Ultimate x64

System Name	Omen
Processor	i7-4710HQ
Cooling	Dual fan/heatpipe
Memory	16GB
Video Card(s)	4GB GTX 860M
Storage	256GB PCIE SSD/256GB PNY UHS-1 SD Card
Display(s)	15.6' 1080P
Case	Aluminium
Audio Device(s)	Onboard
Power Supply	Brick
Software	Win 10

System Name	Main PC- Gamer- Main Cruncher/Folder and too many crunching/folding rigs
Processor	Ryzen 5900X- Ryzen 5950X- Ryzen 3950X and etc...
Motherboard	Asrock X570 Extreme4- MSI X570S Tomahawk MAX WiFi- MSI B450M Bazooka Max and etc...
Cooling	Noctua NH-U14S (dual fan)- EK 360 AIO with push/pull fans- Corsair H115i RGB Pro XT and etc...
Memory	2x16GB GSkill FlareX 3200/c14- 4x8GB Corsair Vengeance 3600/c16- 2x16GB Team 3600/c18 and etc..
Video Card(s)	MSI Gaming RX 6800- Asus RTX 3070 TUF OC- MSI Ventus GTX 1660Ti and etc...
Storage	Main PC (1TB WD SN850- 2TB PNY CS 3040- 2TB Seagate Firecuda) and etc...
Display(s)	Main PC (2x24" Dell UltraSharp U2414H)
Case	Phanteks P600s- Seasonic Q704- Fractal Meshify C and etc...
Audio Device(s)	Logitech Z625 THX 2.1 speakers
Power Supply	EVGA 750 G3- SeaSonic DGC 750- EVGA P2 850 and etc...
Mouse	G300s
Keyboard	Corsair K65
VR HMD	N/A
Software	Windows 10 Pro or Ubuntu
Benchmark Scores	Why sit on the Bench when you can get in the game and Crunch!!!

Processor	Intel® Core i5 6600
Motherboard	Asus H170 Pro Gaming
Cooling	Hyper 212 Evo
Memory	G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB DDR4 2400mhz
Video Card(s)	Gigabyte Geforce GTX 960 G1 4GB Gaming
Storage	256GB Intel SSD 525 Series
Display(s)	24" LG LED Monitor
Case	Corsair Carbide 200R
Power Supply	Seasonic MK12II 620W
Mouse	Logitech G5
Keyboard	Logitech G110
Software	Windows 10 x64

System Name	ChaoticG8R / Lil'G8R
Processor	Intel i7-970 / Intel i7-4790K
Motherboard	ASUS Sabertooth X58 / ASUS ROG Impact VII Z97
Cooling	Swiftech H220 AIO / Cooler Master Nepton 140XL
Memory	Mushkin Enh. Radioactive 3x4GB DDR3 1600 / Corsair Vengeance 2x8GB DDR3 2133
Video Card(s)	2 x EVGA GTX 680 4GB / Zotac AMP! GTX 980
Storage	240GB Crucial M500 + RAID1 2x2TB WD BlackCaviar / Raid0 3x256 GB Crucial MX100 + 2TB WD BlackCaviar
Display(s)	QNIX QX2710 @ 120hz + 2x Sceptre 20"
Case	Cooler Master Storm Sniper Black Edition / Thermaltake Core V1
Power Supply	BFG LS1200 1250W / Corsair AX860i 860W
Mouse	ROCCAT Kone XTD
Keyboard	ROCCAT Ryos MK Pro
Benchmark Scores	Runs daily @ 4.5Ghz; Runs stable @ 4.8Ghz; Max OC on air: 5.0Ghz

1000$ Gamer Build

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