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That time again... the $1k Desktop PC build.

Vagrant0

By Vagrant0
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Vagrant0 Grand Master

Vagrant0

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Posted

As everyone will be eager to spend their Christmas/newyears money, thought I should just make a consolidated topic for laying out viable gaming builds for $1,000 US or under.

http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/

 

The requirements are simple.

  • Minimum specs should be 2.6 ghz 4 core 64 bit processor or higher, 8gb system RAM, 1GB video RAM in order to be "good enough" for the coming generation of games.
  • Must be a mostly complete build (processor, heat sink, motherboard, memory, storage, dvd/media drive, operating system, case).
  • Should be upgradable in terms of RAM, Storage, or Videocard to meet future demands.
  • Expected life-time should be atleast 3 years.
  • Storage should be large enough to be suitable for regular usage... High speed drive for OS (7000 RPM or above), with atleast 1-2tb additional storage space.
  • Must be a system where parts are compatible (right processor socket for motherboard and heat sink, right memory standard, right size motherboard for case).

 

You have freedom between AMD or Intel processor, air or liquid cooled, size of case.

 

Tried putting builds together myself and quickly found it a challenge given the current generation of parts out there so figured it might be a little fun exercise and discussion topic to throw out there that also serves to give interested persons a starting point with building their own PCs. I know there are listings for this sort of thing, even on the part picker site, but these builds usually don't reflect what the actual current prices are, or take into account hardware or components that they already have.

 

Bonus points for:

Micro ATX build (PC for console gamers or those tight on space.

Style

 

 

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developerzero Rookie

developerzero

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I kinda went a little over (thanks to OS & mandatory Disk Drive), but this is pretty close to my current system that I built over the summer. With just a little more money and a couple of changes, you've got a top of the line system that will last you at least three years, and crush anything out now.

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2tdz3

 

Only things that really need to change are double the RAM, increase the HDD to 4TB, add an SSD as a Cache drive for the HDD, and get a better case/PSU. Should probably also get a liquid cooler for the CPU. Probably totals another $500 for all that. And in a year, you can add a second GTX760 in SLI with the first, and still be close to top of the line while saving a good amount of money.

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chevenga Enthusiast

chevenga

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My current older computer is nearing its 5th anniversary. It's held up admirably through thousands of hours of Elder Scrolls gaming, but it's time for the dear old thing to head into retirement. It will be fondly remembered. :salutes:

 

The components for a sprightly newer machine are in the mail! Woohoo!

 

Subtotal after holiday discounts from newegg.com, before shipping: $821.38

 

Add a case with some glow at $129.99 (Rosewill THOR V2 Gaming ATX Full Tower) and $40 for the heat sink (Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - CPU Cooler) ordered separately.

 

I did most of my research on http://www.tomshardware.com/ and http://www.logicalincrements.com.

 

I wanted the AMD FX-9370 Vishera 4.4GHz Socket AM3+ 220W Eight-Core Desktop Processor - Black Edition, but with its higher cost and the limited motherboards to choose from, I decided to start smaller. Then I hope to upgrade the CPU and motherboard in a couple of years to something closer to 5 GHz.

 

It's not nearly as stylish as I would prefer, but with both a limited budget and limited physical options, I settled for a glowy case. Yay for... um, practicality?

 

Thanks for the inspiration to compile a single list and share it, Vagrant0! I'm looking forward to seeing what others have managed with their holiday money.

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Werne Grand Master

Werne

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Posted (edited)

Interesting topic, here's my take on that:

 

CPU: AMD FX 8320 Black Edition, 8-core, 3.5GHz (4GHz Turbo), unlocked processor, no on-board graphics

CPU cooler: CoolerMaster Hyper 212 EVO

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3, 8+2 power phase, VRM heatsink, up to 32GB RAM, Crossfire not that great (second lane is x4)

RAM: 1x8GB 1600MHz A-Data XPG Gaming Series, CAS Latency 9

Storage: 1TB Western Digital Caviar Blue, 7200 RPM, SATA III interface (6Gb/s)

Graphics card: XFX AMD Radeon HD 7970, 3GB GDDR5 VRAM

Case: CoolerMaster HAF 912, ATX mid-tower

PSU: XFX Core Edition 550 Pro, 550W, 80+ Bronze rating

Optical drive: Samsung CD/DVD reader/writer, won't be playing any BlueRay discs but it'll do

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium, 64-bit

 

Here's the link.

 

I know how people feel about AMD processors in gaming machines, but you get either the FX 8320 or an Intel i3 which ain't even a quad-core for that price (i5 goes with cuts in every department, except the low-end i5s which are no match for an overclocked 8320). Besides, the machine has quite an OC potential as long as you put a fan to blow over VRMs (I have the same mobo/CPU combo, even a similar CPU cooler).

 

And since there's extra credit for mATX, do I get an extra extra credit for mITX?

 

CPU: AMD A10-6800K Richland APU, quad-core, 4.1GHz, integrated AMD 8670D graphics core, unlocked processor

CPU cooler: Zalman CNPS8900 Extreme

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XN-WIFI, 4+2 power phase, up to 16GB RAM, VRM heatsink, supports Steamroller Kaveri upgrade

RAM: 1x8GB 1600MHz A-Data XPG Gaming Series, CAS Latency 9

Storage: 1TB Western Digital Caviar Blue, 7200 RPM, SATA III interface (6Gb/s)

Graphics card: XFX AMD R9 280X, 3GB GDDR5 VRAM

Case: CoolerMaster Elite 130, mITX Tower

PSU: OCZ Fatal1ty 550W, fully-modular unit, 80+ Bronze rating

Optical drive: Samsung CD/DVD reader/writer, won't be playing any BlueRay discs but it'll do
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium, 64-bit

 

Here's the link.

 

Small, can be overclocked (Richlands OC like crazy), and should perform well in games. In my opinion, it should work well for the next 3 years (especially overclocked).

 

That's all within the OP rules, I'd do more if it weren't for the OS and CD/DVD stuff since I'd have 100$ extra to spend on actually important parts.

Edited by Werne
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Thor.

Thor.

Posted
Posted (edited)

Good thing your going Nvidia, Sense amd wont the gpu war this time, and they are literally flying off the shelf, i to was thinking of upgrading, Its just a plain wise decision to go Nvidia. Good choice.

 

This is what i am planning of getting by the end of January.

 

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125489

Edited by Thor.
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