Top Gaming Computer Builds for 2013

by Brent Hale on January 9, 2013

Get a Good Gaming Computer in 2013 (Updated May 31st, 2013)

Last Wednesday we took a look at some good cheap gaming computer builds for 2013. Today, we’ll look at some of the top gaming computer builds for 2013. These ones are more expensive and performance-delivering builds for all of you enthusiasts.

First off, it’s important to note that if you want to get max performance, you need to build your own system.

Sure, you can buy a pre-built computer from the manufactures, but you’ll end up paying nearly twice as much as it would cost you to build it yourself.

The good part is, building your own gaming computer ins’t as hard as you think. However, before you decide whether or not you’re up for the challenge, go ahead and check out our free 30-page computer-building guide 5 Steps to a Legendary Gaming Computer. This guide has all of the information you need in order to build your own computer. It will teach you how to choose components and it will guide you through the building process one step at a time.

So, even if you don’t think you have what it takes to build your own gaming computer, check that guide out. In the worst case scenario, you will stick to your guns and forego building your own system. In the best case scenario, you will realize that you can build your own computer and you will end up saving yourself a ton of money as well as gaining a valuable skill (computer-building knowledge) that will benefit you for the rest of your life.

Now that you’ve decided to build your own computer, let’s take a look at some high-end gaming computer builds for 2013…

A $1,250 Monster that Will Make All of Your Friends Jealous

With a budget of $1,000 or more, you can expect to get a truly awesome gaming computer.

At this price range, you will be able to put together a machine that will be able to play any game on the highest settings.

However, playing on the highest settings is just one of the many benefits you will receive when you drop $1,250 on parts for a gaming computer. You can also expect your computer to stay relevant for a long time and you can be sure that you have high-quality components all throughout your build.

That means along with a great processor and excellent video card, you will also get a high-end motherboard and a well-built power supply.

The build listed below is based off of my extensive research. I have spent many hours evaluating parts and looking at prices and have come up with these parts for a $1,250 gaming computer:

CPU - Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4 GHz
Motherboard - ASUS Z87-A LGA 1150
CPU Fan - Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
Video Card - EVGA GeForce GTX 770
RAM - Corsair Vengeance 8GB
SSD – Crucial 128 GB m4 2.5-Inch
HDD - Seagate Barracuda 7200 1 TB 7200RPM
Case - Cooler Master HAF 912
Power Supply - PCP&C Silencer MK III 600W
Optical Drive - Samsung 24x SATA DVD RW

Grand Total: $1,220-$1,280
(Prices fluctuate on a daily basis, click here for current pricing)

For $1,250 you’re looking at a really powerful build. In fact, if you were to buy a similar build pre-built from the manufacturer, you could expect to pay at least $2,000. So, building your own system does pay huge dividends…

This build comes with power all the way across the board. With an i5-4670k processor and a z87 motherboard you will be able to overclock your processor and reach crazy levels of performance. And, with a GTX 770, there’s really not a game on the market that you won’t be able to play on the highest settings.

So, if you’re looking for a solid build that will perform at a high level for a long time, then you need to get this build…

(Follow the link and select “Add all items to Cart”)

**The hard drive in this build is a bare drive (which comes with nothing but the drive and therefore costs less), so it will not include the necessary SATA cable to hook it up. Make sure your have an extra SATA cable.

A $1,500 Gaming Computer that Will Turn Heads in 2013

For $1,500 you’re pretty much getting the same computer build as our $1,250 computer. The only difference? An Intel Core i7 processor with hyperthreading technology.

That’s right, for $1,500 you won’t just be running four on cores/four threads… You’ll be running on four cores/eight threads. And, that will help your computer multi-task like nobody’s business. So, if you’re looking for the perfect streaming/recording build, or if you want to future proof your system, then this build is perfect for you.

$1,500 will get you the following components:

CPU - Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5 GHz
Motherboard - ASUS Z87 PRO LGA 1150
CPU Fan - Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
Video Card - EVGA GeForce GTX 770
RAM - Corsair Vengeance Blue 8GB
SSD – Crucial 128 GB m4 2.5-Inch
HDD - Seagate Barracuda 7200 1 TB 7200RPM
Case - NZXT Crafted Series ATX Full Tower
Power Supply - PCP&C Silencer MK III 600W
Optical Drive - Samsung 24x SATA DVD RW

Grand Total: $1,470-$1,530
(Prices fluctuate on a daily basis, click here for current pricing)

With one of the highest performing processors on the market you can expect big things out of this computer. And with the incredible graphics processing power that the GTX 770 brings to the table, there’s really no reason why this build won’t stay relevant for gaming for years to come…

(Follow the link and select “Add all items to Cart” and don’t forget to add a second HD 7950 video card!)

A $2,000 Gaming Computer? Now You’re Just Showing Off…

So you’ve decided to go all out… You’re not spending a dime under $2,000 on computer parts for your new ridiculously awesome computer build. Alright… that’s cool…

I guess some people just have to have the best!

Fortunately, for $2,000 you can really max out your build. You can run dual video cards. You can utilize an i7 processor and its advanced hyperthreading technology (which will really help you with stuff like video rendering and image editing.)

Through some serious research, I believe these parts will treat you well at $2,000:

CPU - Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5 GHz
Motherboard - ASUS Z87 PRO LGA 1150
CPU Fan - Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
Video Card - EVGA GeForce GTX 770 (SLI)
Video Card - EVGA GeForce GTX 770 (SLI)
RAM - Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3 1866 MHz
SSD - Crucial 128 GB m4 2.5-Inch
HDD - Seagate Barracuda 7200 1 TB 7200RPM
Case - CM Storm Stryker – Full Tower
Power Supply - XFX XXX Series 850W
Optical Drive - Samsung 24x SATA DVD RW

Grand Total: $1,970-$2,030
(Prices fluctuate on a daily basis, click here for current pricing)

Okay, so you’re going to go a little over $2,000 on this build (unless of course the prices go down…) And if $2,000 isn’t enough, you could always tack on something extra like a cool fan controller, or if you don’t have a monitor yet, you could get a nice 24″ LCD 1080p screen!

With an i7-4770k and an ASUS Z87-PRO motherboard you’re really going to be getting some attention… but adding two GTX 770′s to the mix is just downright ridiculous!

Let me guess… you’re the person who has a full dance routine planed out for when they score a touchdown… or the one who has to send an insulting message to the other players after you’re victorious in your favorite game.

Well, if that’s the case, then this build is perfect for your over-the-top nature…

(Follow the link and select “Add all items to Cart” and don’t forget to add a second GTX 670 FTW video card!)

Don’t Settle for Less… Go All Out on Your Gaming Computer in 2013

If you’re looking to spend a good chunk of change in order to get a top gaming computer in 2013, make sure you consider the consequences if you don’t build it yourself…

For more information on how to build a gaming computer, or if you have any questions about component compatibility, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be happy to steer you in the right direction.

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