We put together five of the best gaming PC builds for 2018. You can use these builds as is, or customize them to suit your needs, and they are ideal for virtual reality and 4K gaming.
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BUDGET | SPECS | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
WORK/GAMER
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$2,000 Gaming PC |
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EXTREME
|
$1,750 Gaming PC |
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ENTHUSIAST
|
$1,500 Gaming PC |
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SWEET SPOT
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$1,250 Gaming PC |
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BUDGET 4K
|
$1,000 Gaming PC |
|
[expand title=”Check Update History »” trigclass=”noarrow” targclass=”maptastic”]
1/1 Update: Switched up a few out-of-stock items in some of the builds and made other changes to accommodate for increasing RAM and GPU prices.
11/29 Update: Updated most of the builds to accommodate for fluctuating RAM prices and to swap out some components that went out of stock.
11/17 Update: Swapped out Ryzen processors for Intel’s Coffee Lake processors as well as swapped out a few other items that had changed in price.
10/27 Update: Switched out the memory on a few of the builds as prices had increased significantly. Also swapped out the EGVA GTX 1080 Ti FTW edition for the SC edition as the price on the FTW had gone up significantly.
10/17 Update: Since Coffee Lake processors are out of stock on Amazon right now, I switched the builds to Ryzen 5 and 7 CPUs.
[/expand]
HOW TO BUILD THE BEST GAMING PC IN 2018!
With modern PC games advancing at such a rapid rate, there is no surprise that there are multiple games on the market that most standard cookie-cutter computers can barely handle.
And, as PC gamers we like to have and experience the best… We like to play our games on the highest settings possible, with the highest framerate possible.
Fortunately, in this day and age, even a budget gaming PC will allow you to play most games on higher settings on a 1080p monitor. (Although, in this guide, we’ll be talking about high-end gaming computers, rather than budget-friendly systems.)
This is especially as true when you take it upon yourself to build your own custom gaming desktop, which will ultimately save you a ton of money on the markup prices that you would’ve paid for a pre-built computer (like an Alienware or Cyber Power PC system) or a high-end gaming laptop.
The good news is that building a computer is a very doable thing for just about anyone. Seriously… if you can operate a screwdriver and read, then I’m pretty confident that you can build your own gaming computer.
In this guide I’ll be going over all of the different options you have for each component if want to build a really high-end system that is ready for 4K gaming and for virtual reality gaming. In the end, you’ll have a plan of action, as well as a number of different components to choose between, and you’ll be well on your way to building the best PC for gaming for your budget.
To get started, let’s take a look at some pre-made part lists you can use as is or modify to your own needs… These are some of the best gaming computer builds for the money.
PRE-MADE GAMING PC BUILDS
Don’t Want to Waste Time? START HERE.
For those of you who just want to get right into building your system, I’ve put together five different pre-made part lists ($1,000, $1,250, $1,500, $1,750, & $2,000) so that you can bypass the component selection process and get right into playing on your new high-end, self-built gaming PC for 2018.
The builds in this section are what I’d like to call “high-end” gaming PC desktops. This is not because the PCs on this page are liquid-cooled, or have insane mods, or do anything of an “extreme” nature.
Rather these builds are for those who want maximum in-game performance on higher resolution monitors and who don’t need a flashy liquid-cooled system or a bunch of case mods to help their systems stand out.
It’s not that custom liquid cooling or case mods is bad, it’s just that if your main goal is to game at a high-level, these part lists (and most importantly, the graphics cards in these lists) will allow you to do so.
These part lists are updated with the top components at the best prices on a regular basis. So, if you’re looking at these builds you can bet they’ll give you maximum performance for the budget you’ve set.
*NOTE: It should be noted that these builds do not include a monitor, keyboard, mouse, or operating system. However, I have made some peripheral recommendations for each build. You will definitely need an operating system to get your computer up and running. Also, if you’re building a high-end system, make sure you pick up a high resolution monitor so that you get the most out of your gaming experience.
In any case, if you have any questions about these builds, please post them below in the comments section!
CHOOSE YOUR BUDGET
$1,000 GAMING PC (VR-READY)
Overview
For $1,000 you can expect to put together a system that can max out any game on 2560×1440 resolution and is ready for VR gaming and the Oculus Rift headset. And, you can even expect a $1,000 gaming PC to serve as a very viable 4K gaming PC.
The $1,000 mark is the sweet spot for building your own computer, as $1,000 in components is enough to provide optimal in-game performance while still maintaining a reasonable budget.
The following are the parts I currently recommend for building the best gaming PC under $1,000:
Part List for $1,000 PC Build
CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 1600 |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B06XNRQHG4″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
MOBO | MSI B350 TOMAHAWK |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B06WVFFXXL” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
GPU | Zotac GTX 1070 |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01LLAJ8PU” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
RAM | Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00UFBZOVE” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
SSD | WD Black 256GB |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01MS6BYJD” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
HDD | Seagate 1 TB |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01LNJBA2I” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
CASE | MasterBox Lite 5 |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0718W92D7″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
PSU | Corsair CX 550M |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01B72W0A2″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″ ]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
ODD | Install O.S. from USB drive |
Grand Total: $970-$1,030
*Component prices fluctuate daily. Click here for current pricing.
**Price includes the components that make up the tower only. Windows 10 is included in the list, but will cost extra—and you will definitely need an operating system one way or another.
$1,250 GAMING PC (VR-READY)
Overview
With a budget of $1,250 or more, you can expect to get a truly awesome custom gaming desktop.
At this price range, you will be able to put together a machine that will be able to play games on a high-end 1440P monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate. It will also serve as a 4K gaming PC as well.
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 custom 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.
And, this system easily meets the Oculus Rift requirements so it is definitely VR-gaming ready.
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 desktop gaming computer:
Part List for $1,250 PC Build
CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 1600 |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B06XNRQHG4″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
MOBO | MSI B350 TOMAHAWK |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B06WVFFXXL” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
GPU | ZOTAC GTX 1080 |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01GCAVRSU” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
RAM | Patriot Viper 16GB |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B074Q1LM4K” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
SSD | WD Black 256GB |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01MS6BYJD” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
HDD | Seagate 1 TB |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01LNJBA2I” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
CASE | Corsair Carbide 270R |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01M35FI12″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
PSU | EVGA BQ 650W |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01FYDU8X6″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″ ]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
ODD | Install O.S. from USB drive |
Grand Total: $1,220-$1,280
*Component prices fluctuate daily. Click here for current pricing.
**Price includes the components that make up the tower only. Windows 10 is included in the list, but will cost extra—and you will definitely need an operating system one way or another.
$1,500 GAMING PC (VR-READY)
Overview
For $1,500 you’re getting a very similar build to our $1,250 build. The only difference? You get a better GPU!
While the GTX 1080 Ti won’t give you any significant added benefit if you’re playing games on a 1920×1080 monitor, if you want to play games at higher resolutions like 2K or 4K, then the extra GPU-power will help give you better FPS at those resolutions.
Ultimately, this build is capable of maxing out anything on a 2560×1440 monitor, handling pretty much anything on a 4K monitor, and will allow you to play VR games with the Oculus Rift.
The following is a list of components that will help you build the best computer for gaming under $1,500:
Part List for $1,500 PC Build
CPU | Intel Core i7-8700K |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B07598VZR8″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
FAN | CRYORIG H5 |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0154AXB4C” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
MOBO | MSI Z370 PC Pro |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B075VLR7Z3″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
GPU | ZOTAC GTX 1080 |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01GCAVRSU” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
RAM | Patriot Viper 16GB |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B074Q1LM4K” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
SSD | WD Black 256GB |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01MS6BYJD” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
HDD | Seagate 1 TB |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01LNJBA2I” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
CASE | NZXT S340 |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00NGMIBUU” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
PSU | EVGA SuperNOVA BQ 650W |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01FYDU8X6″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″ ]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
ODD | Install O.S. from USB drive |
Grand Total: $1,470-$1,530
*Component prices fluctuate daily. click here for current pricing.
**Price includes the components that make up the tower only. Windows 10 is included in the list, but will cost extra—and you will definitely need an operating system one way or another.
$1,750 GAMING PC (VR-READY)
Overview
For $1,750 the sky is the limit in terms of performance. Seriously, with a GTX 1080 Ti this build is ready to push games at 4K resolution…
$1,750 will also give you plenty of other options as well.
For instance, if you’re planning on doing some system tuning, this kind of budget will allow you to hit some decent overclocks. And, it’s definitely Oculus Rift and VR ready.
You will also get an SSD and 16GB of RAM. While 16GB of memory won’t be used in most games, more newer games are starting to utilize over 8GB of RAM and so the extra memory will ensure that you have enough to meet their demands.
This build comes with the following components:
Part List for $1,750 PC Build
CPU | Intel Core i7-8700K | |
FAN | CRYORIG H5 |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0154AXB4C” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
MOBO | MSI Z370 PC PRO |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B075VLR7Z3″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
GPU | EVGA GTX 1080 Ti |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B06Y15DWXR” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
RAM | Patriot Viper 16GB |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B074Q1LM4K” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
SSD | WD Black 256GB |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01MS6BYJD” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
HDD | Seagate 1 TB |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01LNJBA2I” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
CASE | Phanteks P400S |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01NALAFU9″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
PSU | EVGA SuperNOVA GQ 650W |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B017HA3SQ8″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″ ]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
ODD | ASUS 24x SATA |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0033Z2BAQ” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
Grand Total: $1,720-$1,780
*Component prices fluctuate daily. Click here for current pricing.
**Price includes the components that make up the tower only. Windows 10 is included in the list, but will cost extra—and you will definitely need an operating system one way or another.
$2,000 GAMING PC (VR-READY)
Overview
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 a high-end video card. You can utilize an eight-core, 12-thread Ryzen 7 processor (which will really help you with stuff like video rendering and image editing.) And, you can leave yourself with a ton of options for upgrading in the future.
This is a high-end 4K gaming PC that can easily handle virtual reality games with the Oculus Rift headset and can serve as a powerful workstation as well. Also, if you’re going to drop this much on a PC, be sure to pair it with some high-end peripherals as well, like a solid gaming chair, and a nice-sounding PC gaming headset.
Through some serious research, I believe these parts will treat you well at $2,000:
Part List for $2,000 PC Build
CPU | Intel Core i7-8700K | |
AIO | EVGA CLC 280 |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01N16CAKN” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
MOBO | ASUS PRIME Z370-A |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B071ZHCF41″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
GPU | EVGA GTX 1080 Ti |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B06Y15DWXR” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
RAM | Patriot Viper 16GB |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B074Q1LM4K” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
SSD | Samsung 960 500GB |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01LYFKJR7″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
HDD | Seagate 1 TB |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01LNJBA2I” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
CASE | Phanteks Enthoo Pro |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00LW3X1PA” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
PSU | EVGA SuperNOVA GQ 850W |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B017HA3SO0″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″ ]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
ODD | ASUS 24x SATA |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0033Z2BAQ” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]BUY[/easyazon_link] |
Grand Total: $1,970-$2,030
*Component prices fluctuate daily. Click here for current pricing.
**Price includes the components that make up the tower only. Windows 10 is included in the list, but will cost extra—and you will definitely need an operating system one way or another.
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
For the More Thorough Guide, Start Here.
This guide is going to cover many of the components that enthusiasts use in their custom gaming computer builds. With so many components on the market, there are a ton of options you have. Therefore, this guide is ridiculously long.
In order to make this guide more readable I have included a Table of Contents (which can be found below) and each component has its own navigational guide.
You can skip jump to the component section you’re most eager to read about, or you can skim through the entire guide using the scroll function on your mouse/keyboard.
At the end of the guide, I have put together five different high-end builds, ranging from $1,000 on the low-end to $2,000 on the high-end. These builds can be used as is, or they can be customized to your liking.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
KNOWING YOUR BUDGET
The amount of money that you are planning on spending on your badass gaming PC is going to determine the kind of performance you get out of it.
Obviously, the more you spend, the more games you’ll be able to play on higher settings and the higher the framerates you’ll get.
Setting your budget will give you a price to work with when selecting your components and it will make it easier to make decisions on each part. So, set a budget that you are comfortable with and use that as a guideline for which components you can choose.
For this guide, we’ll be looking at systems that come in over $1,000.
How Much Do I Need to Spend on Components to Max Out My Favorite Games?
By building yourself the best gaming computer for your budget, you’ll have a machine capable of playing all today’s top games on the highest settings. However, it’s important to note that if you’re looking for the most performance for the least cost, there is such a thing as spending too much on your system.
If you’re looking for the best gaming PC for 2018 that can max out most of today’s games, you can easily achieve that with around $1,000.
*NOTE: Although, that price point will change depending on the type of resolution you want to play on (1920×1080, 2560×1440, etc.) The higher the resolution you want to play on, the more you’ll have to spend.
So, while it may be fun to tack on money to your budget by setting up fully customized liquid cooling loops, running 4-way SLI/CrossFire setups, spending $500+ on your case, or adding any other expensive items/features, if it’s ideal in-game performance that you’re looking for, you don’t need to spend money on all of the extras. In my opinion, staying between $1,000-$2,000 on your build is a good idea if you’re main concern is maxing out today’s top games.
However, (and as previously mentioned) if you want to run your games on higher resolutions or run multiple monitor setups (check here for gaming desks that will hold multiple monitors), you should expect to spend a littler more.
Ultimately, though, there is nothing wrong with going all out and building the best gaming PC around. If you do choose to build the ultimate PC, just know that the difference in conceivable performance between a $2,000 gaming rig and a $4,000 machine is not nearly as noticeable as the difference in conceivable performance between a $500 system and a $1,500 gaming computer.
Let’s Get Started Choosing Components
In the rest of this guide, we’ll take an individual look at each component category and go over the different options you have if you’re building a high-end custom gaming PC. Each component is going to be broken down into a separate section.
First up, we’ll look at the best high-end gaming processors and then we’ll proceed to look at all of the other components you’ll need.
THE BEST HIGH-END PROCESSORS
In this part of our Best Gaming Computer Builds guide, we’re going to take a look at all of the different CPU options you have for your top-of-the-line custom built gaming PC.
PROCESSOR OVERVIEW
(Jump to a Processor) |
The processor you choose for your gaming desktop PC is going to play a big role in how well your system performs.
It’s true that the video card is going to have the biggest impact on your in-game experience.
However, if you don’t choose a good enough processor, it won’t matter how awesome your video card is, because a low-quality processor will actually hold your entire system back.
The good news is that there are plenty of high-end processor options you have if you’re building a top-notch gaming computer. Typically, for the best gaming PC for 2018 possible, you’ll want to spend at least $200 on your processor.
In this guide I will take a look at all of the CPU options you have for your high-end gaming desktop.
Any of the processors listed in this article will give you ideal in-game performance and will not bottleneck your video card.
High-End Gaming Processors for AMD’s AM3+ Socket
While AMD’s AM3+ socket has been the subject of much scrutiny over the past couple of years, it does support a few different capable high-end gaming processor, namely the FX-8320, FX-8350, FX-9370, and FX-9590.
While there are definitely other capable processors in the AM3+ socket (FX-4300, FX-6300, FX-6350), those processors are better suited for budget gaming computers.
So, if you do want to go with a high-end PC based off of AMD’s AM3+ socket, then these CPUs are your best bet.
And, while I’d definitely recommend the Intel alternatives for new system-builders, the AMD options below do bring more cores to the table.
[expand trigclass=”noarrow” rel=”fx-8320″]
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Recommendation
“If you have a budget over $1,000, I wouldn’t recommend choosing an FX-8320. Not because it’s a bad processor, but because you have a budget sufficient enough to choose a higher-end CPU. If you are considering the FX-8350, though, and you need to squeeze out an extra $30-$40 from your budget in order to jump up to the next highest video card, then you can always save some money by getting the FX-8320. It’s really not a bad CPU, especially since you can overclock it to FX-8350 levels. However, in this price range, it makes sense to go with a higher-end AMD CPU (if you’re an AMD diehard) and even more sense to go with a more efficient Intel Core CPU.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B009O7YU56″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
AMD FX-8320
TECH SPECS
FREQ. | 3.8 GHz |
CORES | 8(8) |
TDP | 125W |
PROCESS | 32nm |
SOCKET | AM3+ |
In most cases where you are working with a budget of over $1,000, there is really no reason to include an FX-8320 in your build… even if you are an AMD diehard.
The reason is that, with a $1,000+ budget, you can just as easily include the FX-8350, FX-9370, or FX-9590 in your build and not have to sacrifice in any other areas of your build.
So, while the FX-8320 is a nice CPU (especially for budget builders) you can do a lot better with a bigger budget.
Still, though, if you are working with a $1,000 budget, you have your parts chosen, and you need just an extra ~$30-$40 or so in order to jump up to the next GPU, then you could always downgrade to an FX-8320. As long as you pair it with a good CPU cooler and an overclock-friendly motherboard, you can get it to perform on par with an FX-8350.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B009O7YU56″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS CPU[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
[expand trigclass=”noarrow” rel=”fx-8350″]
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Recommendation
“Thanks to the fact that modern games are more GPU-dependent than they are CPU-dependent, an older CPU like the FX-8350 is still very viable in PC gaming today. Still, though, with a higher budget I’d rather get a newer Intel Core CPU as they are more efficient and perform better overall. But if you’re an AMD enthusiast, an FX-8350 will work just fine.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B009O7YUF6″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
AMD FX-8350
TECH SPECS
FREQ. | 4.0 GHz |
CORES | 8(8) |
TDP | 125W |
PROCESS | 32nm |
SOCKET | AM3+ |
The FX-8350 has been around for quite awhile, but that hasn’t stopped it from maintaining it’s spot as one of the better gaming CPUs on the market.
One of the biggest reasons for the FX-8350’s long stay as one of the top CPU options (especially for gamers working with a more moderate budget) is not because of how it performs, but rather how the nature of PC gaming has become more and more GPU dependent.
And, because GPUs are the primary determining factor in the in-game performance you will get, there are a lot of older CPUs (like the FX-8350) that will give you ideal performance (assuming it’s paired with a high-end video card).
So, while I typically recommend Intel Core processors for higher budgets, if you’re an AMD diehard, there is really nothing wrong with going with an FX-8350.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B009O7YUF6″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS CPU[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
[expand trigclass=”noarrow” rel=”fx-9370″]
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Recommendation
“I’d avoid the FX-9370 if nothing but for the fact that you can get similar performance by overclocking the FX-8320 or FX-8350. And, the 220W TDP is a major turn off.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00DGHD2TA” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
AMD FX-9370
TECH SPECS
FREQ. | 4.4 GHz |
CORES | 8(8) |
TDP | 220W |
PROCESS | 32nm |
SOCKET | AM3+ |
The AMD FX-9370 is one of the two most power hungry consumer-level CPUs on the market. With a 220W TDP, you cannot pair this CPU with just any AM3+ motherboard. You must pair it with a high-end board.
While the FX-9370 is a flashy option, in my opinion, it really isn’t worth the extra cost.
In reality, the FX-9370 is just an overclocked FX-8350. And, since the FX-8350 is just an overclocked FX-8320, you could technically purchase an FX-8320, pair it with a high-end motherboard and superior cooling, and you can hit the same performance levels as the FX-9370.
So, while the price isn’t too bad and on paper the FX-9370 looks like a “beastly” option, the truth is that you can get the same performance for less money with an FX-8320 or FX-8350 and some good overclocking components.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00DGHD2TA” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS CPU[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
[expand trigclass=”noarrow” rel=”fx-9590″]
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Recommendation
“Just like the FX-9370, I’d recommend passing on the FX-9590 as well. It’s a flashy CPU, but it consumes a ton of power and must be paired with an expensive cooler and motherboard in order to function properly.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00GPJFEJC” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
AMD FX-9590
TECH SPECS
FREQ. | 4.7 GHz |
CORES | 8(8) |
TDP | 220W |
PROCESS | 32nm |
SOCKET | AM3+ |
The AMD FX-9590 is another CPU I probably wouldn’t touch. As I mentioned above, most of today’s top games are much more GPU-dependent than they are CPU-dependent.
And, so it doesn’t make sense to spend money on a CPU like the FX-9590, when it needs a high-end cooling system and overclocking-friendly motherboard that can push enough power to support it.
In my opinion, the better option is to start with an FX-8320 or FX-8350 and pair it with a moderate cooler like the Hyper 212 EVO and a solid 990FX motherboard and overclock it to make up for the difference.
Ultimately, though, the FX-9590 isn’t going to give you any significant in-game performance boost over the FX-8320 or FX-8350, even if both are kept at stock speeds.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00GPJFEJC” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS CPU[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
High-End Gaming Processors for Intel’s Socket 1151
Intel’s latest CPU micro architecture, Skylake, has completely changed sockets. Whereas the previous lines of processors used the LGA 1150 socket, Intel has now moved to the LGA 1151 socket.
While Haswell processors are still very viable, I have not included them on this page, simply because the LGA 1151 CPUs are the newer and better chips. That’s not to say you shouldn’t consider Haswell CPUs for your new build. The truth is that you could go back a few generations of Intel processors and find some CPUs that will run any of today’s top games with no problem.
However, if you are working with a bigger budget, you might as well stick to going with the newest and best-performing platform.
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Recommendation
“Don’t let the low base clock fool you… the extreme efficiency of the Skylake architecture allows the quad core i5-6400 to get more done at a lower frequency than a lot of the similarly-priced CPUs in this price range. If you have about $200 to spend on your CPU and you don’t need to overclock, the i5-6400 or the i5-6500 are your best bets.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0136JOMXC” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Intel Core i5-6400
TECH SPECS
FREQ. | 2.7 GHz |
CORES | 4(4) |
TDP | 65W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
For those of you who are looking to build a custom gaming PC that is capable of maxing out any game, but who don’t want to get involved with any kind of system tuning, you won’t need an unlocked processor, and the Intel Core i5-6400, -6500, -6600, and i7-6700 are your best bets.
The i5-6400 is plenty fast enough at stock speeds to run any game at ideal settings. And, if you aren’t planning on overclocking, the i5-6400 (or any of the other locked Intel CPUs mentioned above) will enable you to go with a less expensive H170 (or even H110) motherboard.
So, the bottom line is, if you’re working with a decent budget $1,000-$1,500 and you don’t need to overclock, then this processor or the others mentioned above will work for you.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0136JOMXC” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS CPU[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
[expand trigclass=”noarrow” rel=”i5-6500″]
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Recommendation
“For non-overclockers and for those who won’t utilize hyperthreading, the Intel Core i5-6500 quad core CPU is about as good of a processor as you will find. So, if you won’t be overclocking and you won’t be needing extra power in running multi-threaded applications, then either get the i5-6500 or the i5-6600.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0136JON7M” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Intel Core i5-6500
TECH SPECS
FREQ. | 3.2 GHz |
CORES | 4(4) |
TDP | 65W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
For just a little bit more than the i5-6400, you can step up and get the i5-6500 which has a base clock rate of 3.2 GHz as opposed to the 6400’s 2.7 GHz base clock rate.
If it were me and I had the room in my budget, I’d definitely step up to the i5-6500, but in the end, it’s not necessary as both CPUs are powerful enough to run any game on max settings (assuming they’re paired with a solid video card.)
Ultimately, though, the extreme efficiency of the i5-6500 makes it an extremely attractive option at around $200 and you won’t go wrong by choosing it.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0136JON7M” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS CPU[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
[expand trigclass=”noarrow” rel=”i5-6600″]
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Recommendation
“While the Intel Core i5-6600 is a very solid processor, it costs more than the i5-6500, is only a little bit faster, and, ultimately, will not give you any kind of noticeable in-game performance increase. So, my recommendation would be that, if you aren’t overclocking and you have about $200 to spend on a CPU, go with the i5-6500.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0136JONRM” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Intel Core i5-6600
TECH SPECS
FREQ. | 3.3 GHz |
CORES | 4(4) |
TDP | 65W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
The Intel Core i5-6600 is essentially bringing the same thing to the table as the i5-6400 and i5-6500 in terms on in-game performance. The only difference is that it has a little bit higher clock rate.
Overall, though, if you’re looking for a solid quad core Intel Core i5 CPU that is efficient and that will not hinder your in-game performance, then the i5-6600 will more than get the job done.
The only thing you have to figure out is whether or not you can justify spending the extra money to step up from the i5-6500 to the i5-6600. I wouldn’t do it, because the i5-6600 won’t really give you any kind of performance boost, but it definitely won’t hurt if you do…
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0136JONRM” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS CPU[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
[expand trigclass=”noarrow” rel=”i5-6600K”]
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Recommendation
“The Intel Core i5-6600K is currently the best all-around gaming processor on the market. So, if you want a high-end experience and the ability to overclock, then the i5-6600K is the CPU you want.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B012M8M7TY” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Intel Core i5-6600K
TECH SPECS
FREQ. | 3.5 GHz |
CORES | 4(4) |
TDP | 91W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
The only real difference between the Intel Core i5-6600K and the Intel Core i5-6600 is that the “K” version is unlocked and can be overclocked.
The Intel Core i5-6600K is currently the best gaming processor on the market. This is due to many reasons, but mainly because it can be overclocked, it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, and it is plenty powerful enough for any game on the market.
There are alternatives like the Intel i7-6700K that offer hyperthreading technology. However, hyperthreading isn’t well-used in most games, which makes it somewhat of an obsolete feature for gamers.
In the end, you can’t go wrong with the i5-6600K, as it has everything a gamer and enthusiast could want.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B012M8M7TY” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS CPU[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
[expand trigclass=”noarrow” rel=”i7-6700″]
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Recommendation
“Go with the Intel Core i7-6700 if you aren’t going to overclock and if, aside from playing games, you plan on using your computer for other CPU-intensive tasks.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0136JONG8″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Intel Core i7-6700
TECH SPECS
FREQ. | 3.4 GHz |
CORES | 4(8) |
TDP | 65W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
One thing that the Intel Core i7 processors bring to the table that the i5 processors don’t, is hyperthreading technology. Basically, hyperthreading allows your processor to operate more efficiently, thus giving it a small overall performance increase.
However, in order for hyperthreading to work properly, the programs you’re using have to utilize it. And, unfortunately, as of right now, most games do not take advantage of hyperthreading.
Although, that trend does seem to be changing…
Still, though, the fact that hyperthreading isn’t widely-utilized doesn’t mean that the Intel Core i7-6700 is not for you.
If, aside from gaming, you will be using your computer to carry out CPU intensive tasks (like video editing/graphics design work) the hyperthreading will give you a very noticeable boost. And, if that’s the case, then you’ll definitely want to consider the Intel Core i7-6700.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0136JONG8″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS CPU[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
[expand trigclass=”noarrow” rel=”i7-6700K”]
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Recommendation
“Choose the Intel Core i7-6700K if you have a larger budget, you want to overclock, and you can make use of Intel’s hyperthreading technology.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B012M8LXQW” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Intel Core i7-6700K
TECH SPECS
FREQ. | 4.0 GHz |
CORES | 4(8) |
TDP | 91W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
The Intel Core i7-6700K offers the very best of all worlds for the LGA 1151 platform. It is the perfect processor for those who are looking to build a system with absolutely no limitations.
The i7-6700K is good enough to run any games on max settings, can be overclocked to achieve higher levels of performance, and features hyperthreading technology for improved multi-threaded performance.
So, if you’ve got the money to spend and you’re going to use your computer for other CPU-intensive tasks, then the i7-6700K is the best LGA 1151 processor for you.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B012M8LXQW” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS CPU[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
THE BEST HIGH-END MOTHERBOARDS
In this section of the Best Gaming PCs guide I’m going to list all of the viable motherboard options you have if you’re going to be building an awesome gaming computer. These motherboards are top quality and they have all the bells and whistles.
MOTHERBOARD OVERVIEW
(Jump to a Motherboard) • ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX Killer |
The motherboard you choose for your gaming computer will have a big impact on the overall quality of your system.
Your motherboard basically sets the table for your whole system.
It determines what parts you can and cannot choose and it dictates what kind of performance you can get out of your components.
So, if you’re looking to build a top gaming desktop, you need to make sure that you get a motherboard that is capable of supporting the features and performance you want.
The good news is that there are a ton of different motherboard options you have if you’re looking to build a high-end system.
This section has been broken down to give you the best motherboards for the following sockets: AM3+ and LGA 1151.
High-End Gaming Motherboards for AMD’s Socket AM3+
While the AM3+ socket may not be the first choice among gamers, that doesn’t mean that you can’t go with an AM3+ build and not get ideal in-game results.
Despite the fact that Intel’s LGA 1151 and LGA 1150 sockets get all the love, an AM3+ build with an FX-8320 or FX-8350 (and a high-end video card) is definitely good enough to max out any game on the market.
And, while I ultimately recommend an Intel-based build if you have a large budget, there’s definitely nothing wrong with going AMD.
[expand trigclass=”noarrow” rel=”GA-990FXA-UD3″]
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Recommendation
“I recommend getting the Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 if in-game performance is your main aim. While there are more expensive boards on the market, this one has everything you need and you don’t have to pay a premium.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00ZYK7I8I” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3
TECH SPECS
USB 3.0 | Yes |
RAM | Max 32GB/DDR3 |
CHIP | AMD 990FX |
FORM | ATX |
SOCKET | AM3+ |
If you want to overclock your FX-8350 you’re going to need an AM3+ motherboard with the 990FX chipset.
The 990FX chipset is AMD’s prime overclocking chipset for the AM3+ platform. Fortunately, AMD has some very affordable high-end motherboards. The Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 is one such board.
With all the features and support of a high-end board and a decent price, the GA-990FXA-UD3 is the perfect option for gamers who have a decent budget, but who do not need all extra fancy bells and whistles that come with the expensive AM3+ boards.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00ZYK7I8I” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS MOTHERBOARD[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
[expand trigclass=”noarrow” rel=”M5A99FX”]
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Recommendation
“Either the ASUS M5A99FX PRO or the Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 will serve you well in this price range. They both have everything you need to build a high-end overclockable AMD-based build.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B008B6ONXK” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
ASUS M5A99FX PRO
TECH SPECS
USB 3.0 | Yes |
RAM | Max 32GB/DDR3 |
CHIP | AMD 990FX |
FORM | ATX |
SOCKET | AM3+ |
ASUS is no stranger to making high quality motherboards, regardless of whether their motherboard in on an Intel-based platform, or an AMD-based platform.
So, it’s no surprise to see that the ASUS M5A99FX PRO is one of the more popular AM3+ motherboards on the market.
Not only will the M5A99FX PRO give you a solid AM3+ build to pair with your FX-8320 or FX-8350, but it won’t force you to break the bank, as it comes in well under $150.
Ultimately, the M5A99FX PRO is a great motherboard for moderate overclocks and building a high-end AMD-based gaming computer.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B008B6ONXK” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS MOTHERBOARD[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
[expand trigclass=”noarrow” rel=”990FXKiller”]
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Recommendation
“If you, unlike most people, want to push your DIMMs to their upper limits, then you might want to consider the ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX Killer, as it is the only AM3+ motherboard listed in this section that will allow you to use up to 64GB of RAM.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00HQRDE7Q” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX Killer
TECH SPECS
USB 3.0 | Yes |
RAM | Max 64GB/DDR3 |
CHIP | AMD 990FX |
FORM | ATX |
SOCKET | AM3+ |
ASRock is another popular name in the motherboard market as they consistently put forth quality motherboards.
The ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX Killer is the only 990FX motherboard in this section that will give you the option of running up to 64GB of RAM.
Not that you will ever need 64GB of RAM… but at least you have the option…
In the end, the Fatali1ty 990FX Killer is a solid high-end AMD AM3+ motherboard that will allow you to build a monster gaming PC for your desktop.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00HQRDE7Q” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS MOTHERBOARD[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
[expand trigclass=”noarrow” rel=”CrosshairV”]
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Recommendation
“The ASUS Crosshair Formula isn’t for everyone and it does come at a premium. However, if you can afford this motherboard, you won’t be disappointed.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00906DHLE” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
ASUS Crosshair V Formula-Z
TECH SPECS
USB 3.0 | Yes |
RAM | Max 32GB/DDR3 |
CHIP | AMD 990FX |
FORM | ATX |
SOCKET | AM3+ |
The ASUS Crosshair V Formula is another high-end motherboard that brings a ton of really cool–but perhaps not very necessary–features to the table.
With excellent support for overclocking, enthusiasts who want to take their custom gaming computer to the next level will love the array of system tuning features this board has.
And, despite the premium that you will have to pay to get the Crosshair V Formula, the board is of the highest build quality.
So, if you have the money and you want top-notch quality, the ASUS Crosshair V Formula motherboard is right up your alley.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00906DHLE” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS MOTHERBOARD[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
High-End Gaming Motherboards for Intel’s LGA 1151 Socket
If you’re looking for the most performance as humanly (or computerly) possible out of your high-end gaming computer, without going into the realm of ridiculous prices, then Intel’s LGA 1151 socket is what you should be looking at.
As the newest microarchitecture from Intel, Skylake currently offers the most processing performance for gamers (outside of the extreme CPUs on the market).
However, it is true that Haswell chips are still very viable, even though Skylake does bring a performance boost. It’s just that the performance boost is not so drastic in terms of the in-game performance, that Skylake is a must have.
With that being said, I’d still recommend Skylake CPUs for any new setups, with Haswell being a close second. It really all depends on if you want to spend a few extra bucks for the new architecture and the small performance gain.
[expand trigclass=”noarrow” rel=”PRO4S”]
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Recommendation
“While this isn’t the best H170 motherboard on the market, the ASRock H170M PRO4S will definitely serve you well if you’re not looking to overclock and you don’t need some of the—in the grand scheme of things—insignificant features that more expensive H170 boards come with.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0148D8O5W” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
ASRock H170M PRO4S
TECH SPECS
USB 3.0 | Yes |
RAM | Max 64GB/DDR4 |
CHIP | Intel H170 |
FORM | MicroATX |
SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
If you’re looking for a solid H170 board to pair with your locked Skylake CPU (i5-6400, -6500, 6600, or i7-6700) then you can definitely get by with ASRock’s H170M PRO4S motherboard.
No, the board won’t blow you away and yes, it does come in the smaller MicroATX form factor. But it will allow you to add a second video card down the road (AMD CrossFireX only… no SLI) and it does have everything you need to build a high-quality gaming desktop.
Ultimately, if you’re planning on building a straight-forward gaming PC and you don’t need to overclock, this motherboard will serve you just fine.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0148D8O5W” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS MOTHERBOARD[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
[expand trigclass=”noarrow” rel=”GA-H170N-WIFI”]
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Recommendation
“The Gigabyte GA-H170N-WIFI is a solid option if you want to build a small form-factor custom gaming rig that you can take to LAN parties. “
[easyazon_link identifier=”B015CQ8D9Q” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Gigabyte GA-H170N-WIFI
TECH SPECS
USB 3.0 | Yes |
RAM | Max 16GB/DDR4 |
CHIP | Intel H170 |
FORM | Mini-ITX |
SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
For those of you who want to build a compact LAN gaming PC, the Gigabyte GA-H170N-WIFI will help you do so.
Coming in a smaller mini-ITX form factor, the GA-H170N-WIFI allow you to choose a smaller and more portable case so that you can build a high-performing LAN gaming PC.
It can hold up to 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and it even gives you the ability to add dual video cards in the future (CrossFireX only.)
Ultimately, if you’re looking for an affordable mini-ITX board, this one is hard to pass up.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B015CQ8D9Q” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS MOTHERBOARD[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
[expand trigclass=”noarrow” rel=”GA-Z170XP-SLI”]
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Recommendation
“The Gigabyte GA-Z170XP-SLI is a solid option for anyone who is looking for an affordable Z170 motherboard. It will allow you to overclock your unlocked Skylake CPU and give you the ability to run dual video cards in the future.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B012AQGL4A” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Gigabyte GA-Z170XP-SLI
TECH SPECS
USB 3.0 | Yes |
RAM | Max 64GB/DDR4 |
CHIP | Intel Z170 |
FORM | ATX |
SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
If you’re looking for a relatively affordable Z170 motherboard so that you can build a custom gaming PC that can be overclocked, then the Gigabyte GA-Z170XP-SLI will definitely be an option you will want to look at.
With the Z170 chipset, the GA-Z170XP-SLI will allow you to push your unlocked Skylake processor to new levels and the motherboard also gives you the option to add up to 64GB of RAM, and the ability to run dual video cards in SLI configuration.
In the end, there really is no such thing as an affordable Z170 motherboard… at least not at the time of writing this. However, this Gigabyte board is about as close as you can get.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B012AQGL4A” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS MOTHERBOARD[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
[expand trigclass=”noarrow” rel=”Z170-A”]
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Recommendation
“I recommend going with the ASUS Z170-A motherboard if you plan on doing some moderate-to-heavy system tuning. This motherboard will pair well with either the Intel Core i5-6600K or the Intel Core i7-6700K.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B012NH05UW” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
ASUS Z170-A
TECH SPECS
USB 3.0 | Yes |
RAM | Max 64GB/DDR4 |
CHIP | Intel Z170 |
FORM | ATX |
SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
If you’re looking for a few more features than what the standard Z170 motherboards offer, you could always pay a little extra and get the ASUS Z170-A LGA 1151 motherboard.
While the extra money you spend on the Z170-A won’t get you any extra FPS while gaming, it does have quite a few helpful features for enthusiasts and system tuners.
The BIOS is very easy to use and is made to make system tuning incredible simple. The board also offers a ton of different fan controls so that you can customize the way your system is cooled.
Ultimately, this is one of the most feature-rich Z170 motherboards under $200. And, that’s why I include it in my a few of my pre-made builds at the top of this page.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B012NH05UW” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS MOTHERBOARD[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
[expand trigclass=”noarrow” rel=”Z170FTW”]
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Recommendation
“The EVGA Z170 FTW is a very capable motherboard and will work great with the i5-6600K or the i7-6700K. If you’re looking for a solid overclocking motherboard between $150-$200, this is definitely an option you should consider.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B013ALA6T0″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
EVGA Z170 FTW
TECH SPECS
USB 3.0 | Yes |
RAM | Max 64GB/DDR4 |
CHIP | Intel Z170 |
FORM | ATX |
SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
When you think of high-end motherboards, companies like ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, and ASRock come to mind. However, EVGA—who is well-known for making NVIDIA GeForce graphics cards—has some of the better Z170 motherboards currently on the market.
The EVGA Z170 FTW is, in fact, their least expensive Z170 motherboard. However, that doesn’t mean that it lacks features…
The Z170 FTW has everything you need to build a ridiculously awesome rig, including support for dual video cards (plus a dedicated PhysX card), 64GB of DDR4 RAM, and an M.2 Slot.
Ultimately, the EVGA Z170 FTW offers a similar set of features to the ASUS Z170-A. So, if you have to decide between the two, there’s nothing wrong with going with your favorite brand.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B013ALA6T0″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS MOTHERBOARD[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
[expand trigclass=”noarrow” rel=”VIIIHERO”]
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Recommendation
“Get the ASUS ROG MAXIMUS VIII HERO if you have an enormous budget and you want to do some serious system tuning. Otherwise, save your money and get the Gigabyte GA-Z170XP-SLI, ASUS Z170-A, or the EVGA Z170 FTW.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B012NH1SK8″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
ASUS ROG MAXIMUS VIII HERO
TECH SPECS
USB 3.0 | Yes |
RAM | Max 64GB/DDR4 |
CHIP | Intel Z170 |
FORM | ATX |
SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
If you’ve got some money to spend and you want to do some serious system tuning, then you might want to take a look at the ASUS ROG MAXIMUS VIII HERO LGA 1151 motherboard.
While this board does come in at a steep premium, it definitely does have enough features to make it worth it for those certain individuals who like to push their system to the absolutely max.
The ASUS ROG MAXIMUS VIII HERO is not for everyone. However, it is the perfect board for anyone looking to build an over-the-top LGA 1151 overclocking rig.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B012NH1SK8″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS MOTHERBOARD[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
THE BEST HIGH-END VIDEO CARDS
Next up in the Best Gaming Computers guide is video cards. In today’s article I’m going to take a look at all of the high-end video card options that you have for your extreme gaming desktop.
VIDEO CARD OVERVIEW
(Jump to a Video Card) 1. Video Cards Between $300-$400 |
There is no component that dictates your overall in-game performance like your video card does.
The video card you choose is incredibly important and it’s essential that you take your time to ensure that you get the best one possible for your budget.
Fortunately, there are a ton of different video card options you have. And, each one brings its own benefits.
One question that most first-time builders will ask is whether they should go with an AMD or NVIDIA. For a detailed answer on that question, check out this post.
Ultimately, though, for cards over $300, the two manufacturers are so close on performance that it doesn’t make sense to say that one company is better than the other.
Top Video Cards Between $300-$400
[expand trigclass=”noarrow” rel=”R9390″]
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Recommendation
“The AMD Radeon R9 390 is a hard video card to pass over in this price range when it’s priced right around the $300 mark. If you’re looking for high-end performance at a great price, the R9 390 is definitely a solid option.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00ZGF3UAQ” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Gigabyte R9 390
TECH SPECS
CLOCK | 1025 MHz |
VRAM | 8GB |
MEMORY | GDDR5 |
HDMI | Yes |
LENGTH | 9.6″ |
As a card that originally hit the market at over $500, it’s hard not to like the ~$300 R9 390… especially considering that it delivers high-end performance and will even allow you play at 4K resolutions.
While the R9 390X does give a little more performance than the R9 390, it also costs nearly $100 more. And, the difference between the two is slim enough to where nobody would knock you (nobody sensible, anyways) for choosing the R9 390 over the R9 390x.
The other good thing going for the Radeon R9 390 is that it comes with 8GB of VRAM, which will help it perform better on higher resolution monitors. However, it does require quite a bit bigger power supply than it’s more efficient competitor, the GTX 970…
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00ZGF3UAQ” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS GPU[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
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Recommendation
“In the $300-$400 price range, the GTX 970 and the R9 390 battle it out for supremacy. It will really come down to how much you value those extra 4GB of VRAM that the R9 390 comes with, or if you’d prefer the more efficient GTX 970.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00NVODXR4″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
EVGA GeForce GTX 970
TECH SPECS
CLOCK | 1165 MHz |
VRAM | 4GB |
MEMORY | GDDR5 |
HDMI | Yes |
LENGTH | 9.5″ |
Performance-wise the GTX 970 and the R9 390 trade blows, with the R9 390 edging it slightly overall. So, why would anyone pay the same—if not a little extra—for the GTX 970?
Well, for starters (and as previously mentioned), most games are developed to work better with either AMD or NVIDIA. So, depending on your favorite game, it may make more sense to choose NVIDIA over AMD, or vice versa.
Another thing NVIDIA has going for them is how efficient their video cards run and how much less power they need. For instance, where the R9 390 requires a 600W power supply, the GTX 970 only requires a 500W power supply.
And, the difference between a quality 500W and 600W power supply can often be fairly substantial.
On the other hand, with only 4GB of VRAM in comparison to the R9 390’s 8GB, the GTX 970 lags behind the 390 in higher resolutions settings in certain scenarios. So, ultimately, neither card is perfect… but both cards are excellent options.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00NVODXR4″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS GPU[/easyazon_link]
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Top Video Cards Between $400-$600
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Recommendation
“If you’re looking for a video card priced between $350 and $475, the 390X is really your only option. Fortunately, the 390X will deliver incredible performance and will allow you to game on ultra high-definition resolutions.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B011D7AAEE” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
ASUS STRIX R9 390X
TECH SPECS
CLOCK | 1070 MHz |
VRAM | 8GB |
MEMORY | GDDR5 |
HDMI | Yes |
LENGTH | 11.8″ |
While the GTX 980 Ti, R9 Fury, Fury X, and R9 Fury Nano are all faster cards than the R9 390X, it’s the price point that makes the R9 390X an extremely attractive option.
Most R9 390Xs sit right around the $400 mark, which makes it the only video card occupying the $350-$475 price range. And, for that price, the 390X definitely delivers…
The AMD Radeon 390X will allow you to get into 4K gaming, or it will allow you to max out anything on a 1440p monitor.
Ultimately, if you are looking in between $350 and $475, the 390X is your best (and only) option.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B011D7AAEE” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS GPU[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
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Recommendation
“If you don’t quite have the budget for a GTX 980 Ti, R9 Fury X, R9 Nano, or R9 Fury, the GTX 980 is a pretty solid alternative. With it you can game on higher settings on a 4K monitor with no issues. “
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00NYQPOEE” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
ZOTAC GeForce GTX 980
TECH SPECS
CLOCK | 1165 MHz |
VRAM | 4GB |
MEMORY | GDDR5 |
HDMI | Yes |
LENGTH | 10.94″ |
If you don’t quite have enough to reach for one of the $500+ video cards, you don’t have to feel too bad about it…
That’s because if you have just under $500 to spend on your video card, you’ll be able to get a GTX 980… which for all intents and purposes, is a very high-end video card.
The GTX 980, like a lot of the cards in this section, will allow you to play games on higher settings on a 4K monitor with good framerates.
Overall, the GTX 980 is the perfect balance between extreme performance and a not-quite-so extreme pricetag.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00NYQPOEE” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS GPU[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
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Recommendation
“The R9 Nano is the most powerful small form-factor video card ever built. But, that doesn’t mean it should only be used by those looking to build a mini-ITX gaming PC. The Nano performs so well that at it is currently the best price-to-performance card in its price range. So, whether you’re building a high-end desktop PC, or an extreme LAN build, the Nano is an option worth considering.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B014SEK4VI” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Sapphire R9 Nano
TECH SPECS
CLOCK | 1000 MHz |
VRAM | 4GB |
MEMORY | GDDR5 |
HDMI | Yes |
LENGTH | 6.22″ |
Regardless of whether or not you want to build a small form-factor gaming computer, the R9 Nano is a great option for both mini builds and standard size builds alike.
The Nano was designed with an incredible 4096-bit High Bandwidth Memory, which is the highest bandwidth memory in a GPU to date (also found in the R9 Fury).
This higher bandwidth memory helps the Nano excel in 4K gaming and VR gaming and it doesn’t require a large space-consuming video card to do it.
So, whether you want a really powerful video card for 4K/VR-gaming, or you want to build a high-end mini-ITX gaming PC, or both, the Nano is an excellent option for the price.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B014SEK4VI” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS GPU[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
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Recommendation
“At this price point you’re basically looking at either the R9 Fury, or the R9 Nano. Since the R9 Fury isn’t stuck in a small form-factor, it outperforms the R9 Nano by a small margin. Still, though, for $20-$30 less the Nano can give you a very similar experience. Ultimately, though, I’d go with the Fury if you’re building a traditional desktop gaming PC and a Nano if you want a smaller form-factor build.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B014FFL95K” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
XFX R9 FURY
TECH SPECS
CLOCK | 1000 MHz |
VRAM | 4GB |
MEMORY | GDDR5 |
HDMI | YES |
LENGTH | 12.4″ |
The R9 Fury sports the same 4096-bit High Bandwidth Memory that the R9 Nano does, but it does so in a large video card.
In terms of performance, the R9 Fury will outperform the R9 Nano by a small margin. It also costs about $20-$30 more… which, given how high the prices are on both of those cards, isn’t too significant in the grand scheme of things.
Ultimately, the R9 Fury is a little bit better option than the Nano, especially if you aren’t building in a small form factor case.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B014FFL95K” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS GPU[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
Video Cards Over $600
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Recommendation
“The GTX 980 Ti is the currently the most desired single GPU video card by everyone who isn’t an AMD diehard. Yes there are definitely some solid AMD video cards at or above $500 and, yes, the Fury X trades blows with the GTX 980 Ti at 4K resolutions… but in terms of the best overall video card (performance, efficiency, cooling, price, etc.) the GTX 980 Ti still stands on top.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00Z9D1AIE” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
ZOTAC GeForce GTX 980 Ti
TECH SPECS
CLOCK | 1051 MHz |
VRAM | 6GB |
MEMORY | GDDR5 |
HDMI | Yes |
LENGTH | 12.4″ |
As far as performance goes, only the R9 Fury X can match the GTX 980 Ti… but the R9 Fury X does so at a higher price and in a less efficient manner.
And, while in the past you could expect to pay ~$1,000 for the best single GPU video card on the market, you can grab a GTX 980 Ti for as low as ~$600.
This is good news for enthusiasts, as owning a ridiculously high-end video is now more affordable than ever.
Ultimately, though, while there are other high-end cards that will deliver good performance, if you want the best overall single GPU video card on the market, and you don’t want to spend a $1,000 on an NVIDIA GeForce Titan, the GTX 980 Ti that is the card to have.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00Z9D1AIE” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS GPU[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
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Recommendation
“While the R9 Fury X trades blows with the GTX 980 Ti it falls behind in pricing (at least currently) and efficiency. However, if you are an AMD diehard, you finally have a GPU to match NVIDIA’s GTX 980 Ti, and, as such, there is nothing wrong with choosing the Radeon R9 Fury X over the 980 Ti.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0106IJXX0″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
XFX R9 FURY X
TECH SPECS
CLOCK | 1050 MHz |
VRAM | 4GB |
MEMORY | HBM |
HDMI | Yes |
LENGTH | 8.0″ |
The GTX 980 Ti stood on top of the single GPU sub $1,000 video card market for quite awhile. However, the R9 Fury X has now established itself right alongside the GTX 980 Ti as being the king of the single-GPU video cards.
That doesn’t mean the Fury X is without its flaws, though…
For one thing, the GTX 980 Ti is still the more efficient of the two cards and it also doesn’t require as much power to run. And, the GTX 980 Ti is currently a little bit cheaper.
Ultimately, the Fury X did just enough to match the GTX 980 Ti, but not a whole lot more. So, if you’re choosing between the two, I’d go with the less expensive and more efficient GTX 980 Ti.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0106IJXX0″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS GPU[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
THE BEST HIGH-END MEMORY
Now we’ll take a look at the RAM options you have if you’re building a high-end gaming desktop. The memory options in this section are all capable of doing their part to help you secure an ideal in-game experience.
One thing that gamers who are trying build the best gaming desktop possible often ask, is whether or not faster memory has any effect on in-game performance. The answer to that question is: not in a significant way (most of the time).
There are plenty of benchmarks all over the world wide web that point to the fact that, in gaming, faster memory just doesn’t offer any significant performance advantage.
Now, of course, there is an exception to that. And, that exception has to do with systems that are using integrated graphics. In systems that utilize integrated graphics (especially AMD’s APUs), faster memory does actually have an effect.
However, since you’re building a high-end custom gaming computer, you will be using a discrete video card and therefore will not gain any real advantage by choosing faster memory.
So, how then should you choose your memory?
Well, that’s actually pretty easy… choose the most affordable memory from a reputable brand that offers a good warranty and has a color scheme you like. You’ll also want to choose enough RAM to suit all your needs.
In the past, I would usually avoid recommending more than 8GB of RAM unless you were doing some video editing or carrying out other intensive operations. There just aren’t any games out there that are going to use more than 8GB of RAM. However, with the growing popularity of RAM discs and the cool benefits they offer, it may be time to ditch the popular notion that 8GB is all you need for gaming…
With that being said, I recommend at least 8GB of RAM and if you are planning on doing any video editing, or you want to setup a RAM disc, then I recommend going with either 16GB or 32GB. Below you’ll see all of the brands of memory I recommend buying.
*On a side note, some kits of memory have tall heat spreaders on them and, as such, can get in the way of your CPU cooler. So, make sure to take that into consideration when choosing your RAM. (For the most part I’ve only chosen memory kits without tall heat spreaders.)
High-End DDR4 Memory Options
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Recommendation
“If you’re going with a Skylake-based build, then you need DDR4 memory. The Kingston HyperX FURY is an affordable option that will suit most builders just fine.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00TY6A56U” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Kingston HyperX FURY
Kingston has been around and producing memory since 1987. And, they are definitely one of the top names in memory among gamers and system builders.
Their HyperX FURY DDR4 line of memory is the perfect balance between speed and affordability and it will definitely do its part to bring you an ideal in-game experience without bottlenecking your other components.
As far as comparing it to the other brands listed in this article, the HyperX FURY is one of the most affordable set of DDR4 memory at under ~$50. And, since the speeds are similar to other kits, there’s no reason not to go with it.
And, with a lifetime warranty and superb customer support, you can have peace of mind in knowing that you will be covered in the rare occasion that something goes wrong.
In the end, the HyperX FURY is a solid option for gaming memory and you won’t be disappointed by choosing it.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00TY6A56U” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS RAM[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
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Recommendation
“Along with the Kingston HyperX FURY DDR4 memory, the Crucial Ballistix Sport DDR4 memory is also very affordable. Obviously, you’d want to pair this kit with a Skylake-based build and if you’re trying to decide between this kit and the HyperX kit, flip a coin or choose which one you think looks better… because neither will provide any kind of significant in-game performance boost.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00MTSWEQE” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Crucial Ballistix Sport
The Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB kit is another really affordable option if you are looking for a solid set of DDR4 memory to pair with your Skylake build.
Crucial is easily one of the bigger names in computer memory and as such they have become known for producing reliable kits. So, it’s no surprise that their Ballistix Sport line has been very popular over the past few years.
With the ability to run this kit in dual channel and hit speeds up to 2400MHz, you really can’t go wrong with this set of RAM… especially for the price.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00MTSWEQE” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS RAM[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
[expand trigclass=”noarrow” rel=”ddr4vengeance”]
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Recommendation
“Corsair’s Vengeance line of memory is perhaps the most well-known line of memory on the market. However, it is a little bit more expensive than the Ballistix Sport and HyperX Fury memory kits listed in this section. Still, though, if you have brand loyalty to Corsair, then there’s nothing wrong with choosing their kit over the others.“
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00S51XM5Q” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Corsair Vengeance
Of the four memory modules listed in this section, perhaps none are more recognized than Corsair’s Vengeance line of memory.
The most noticeable aspect of the Corsair Vengeance lines of the past was their tall heat spreaders (which not everyone is crazy about). However, this kit is the low-profile version, which, in my opinion, is nicer-looking and won’t cause you any problems when trying to fit your CPU cooler onto your motherboard.
And, the performance is definitely not something you’ll need to question with the Vengeance line of memory (which we have included in out article on the best gaming memory.) While you will have to pay a small premium for the brand, you do get a little tighter timings and that will lead to a small performance increase.
In the end, you can’t go wrong with Corsair’s DDR4 Vengeance kit… although, if you want to save some money, there are definitely more affordable options that will perform just as well.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00S51XM5Q” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS RAM[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”89″ identifier=”B012ASF1YE” locale=”US” src=”https://elitegamingcomputers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/51CiRCdA84L.SL110.jpg” tag=”topgc13-20″ width=”110″] | [easyazon_link identifier=”B012ASF1YE” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]PNY Anarchy[/easyazon_link] | 8.9/10 |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B012ASF1YE” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]CHECK PRICE[/easyazon_link]
|
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Recommendation
“PNY’s Anarchy DDR4 memory kits are some of the most affordable DDR4 kits currently on the market. And, since they will perform on par with the other kits listed in this section, they are definitely an option you should consider.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B012ASF1YE” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
PNY Anarchy
While PNY is not the most popular name in computer memory, they have been around for awhile (founded in 1985), and they do produce some quality kits.
PNY’s Anarchy DDR4 memory kits are cost effective and will perform at an ideal level.
In fact, in most games and scenarios, your RAM really won’t provide any significant performance increase.
So, this set of memory (as well as the other affordable DDR4 sets listed in this article) are plenty fast enough to play any game out there.
So, if you’re looking for a solid and affordable set of gaming memory, then PNY’s Anarchy series is definitely a worthy choice.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B012ASF1YE” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS RAM[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
High-End DDR3 Memory Options
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Recommendation
“Ultimately, the memory listed in this article are so similar in terms of performance, that you’ll probably want to go with whichever one costs less. At the time of writing this article, the Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB memory kit is the most affordable.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B006WAGGUK” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Crucial Ballistix Sport
Crucial has been producing memory for awhile. And, they are definitely one of the top names in memory among gamers and system builders.
Their Ballistix Sport memory is the perfect balance between speed and affordability and it will definitely do its part to bring you an ideal in-game experience without bottle-necking your other components.
As far as comparing it to the other brands listed in this article, the Ballistix Sport has the most affordable [easyazon_link identifier=”B006WAGGUK” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]8GB[/easyazon_link] (~$40) memory kit on the market. And, since the speeds are similar to the competition, there’s no reason not to go with it.
In the end, the Crucial Ballistix Sport is a solid option for gaming memory and you won’t be disappointed by choosing it.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B006WAGGUK” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS RAM[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
[expand trigclass=”noarrow” rel=”hyperxfury”]
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Recommendation
“The Kingston HyperX FURY is another solid and affordable DDR3 memory option. At 1866 MHz, you won’t see a huge difference over 1600 MHz, but hey… every little bit counts, right?”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00J8E91UO” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Kingston HyperX FURY
Kingston’s HyperX FURY DDR3 memory is another solid and affordable memory kit. At 1866MHz, you will get a little bit more speed than the other DDR3 options listed in this section.
However, you probably won’t notice that difference in real-life scenarios… still, though, the more speed, the better, right?
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00J8E91UO” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS RAM[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
[expand trigclass=”noarrow” rel=”vengeance”]
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Recommendation
“Corsair is well known for their Vengeance memory. However, it does come in at a few bucks more for 8GB than the Ballistix Sport and HyperX Fury memory kits listed above. Still, though, if you have brand loyalty to Corsair, then there’s nothing wrong with choosing their kit over the others.“
[easyazon_link identifier=”B005T63BJM” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Corsair Vengeance
Of the four memory modules listed in this section, perhaps none are more recognized than Corsair’s Vengeance line of memory.
The most noticeable aspect of the Corsair Vengeance line is their tall heat spreaders (which not everyone is crazy about). However, performance is not a question with Corsairs most established memory modules (which we have included in out article on the best gaming memory.)
While you will have to pay a small premium for the brand, you do get a little tighter timings and that will lead to a small performance increase.
In the end, you can’t go wrong with a set of Corsair Vengeance. They offer everything you could ever want out of a kit of memory. And, since they make their modules in Low Profile as well you can easily fit this set in a system with a bigger heatsink.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B005T63BJM” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS RAM[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”110″ identifier=”B007BEJ5EA” locale=”US” src=”https://elitegamingcomputers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/41ICo1gvCDL.SL110.jpg” tag=”topgc13-20″ width=”110″] | [easyazon_link identifier=”B007BEJ5EA” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]G.SKILL Ares[/easyazon_link] | 8.7/10 |
[easyazon_link identifier=”B007BEJ5EA” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]CHECK PRICE[/easyazon_link]
|
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Recommendation
“G.SKILL has quickly become one of the most popular memory brands among enthusiasts. While their Ares kit is a bit more expensive than the others listed here, the fact that the kit comes with tighter timings may sway you to its side. Ultimately, the performance difference will be minimal and not likely noticeable, but if you must have the best, then this memory kit will at least make you feel cooler. “
[easyazon_link identifier=”B007BEJ5EA” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
G.SKILL Ares
G.SKILL is a relatively new face in the industry (founded in 1987, but started selling memory in 2003), but they have quickly made a name for themselves as a leading memory manufacturer.
While the G.SKILL’s Ares kit listed here is more expensive than any of the other kits, it also has tighter timings and is generally the memory of choice among enthusiasts.
So, if you’re looking for a solid and still not that expensive set of gaming memory, then the G.SKILL Ares kit listed here is definitely a worthy choice for you to consider.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B007BEJ5EA” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS RAM[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
THE BEST HARD DRIVES
Next we’ll take a look at some hard drives. Hard drives aren’t the most difficult components to choose as there are really only two main decisions you have to make: what brand you want and how much storage space you need.
There are really only two hard drive manufacturers that you should consider… Western Digital and Seagate.
After that, you just need to decide whether you want 1TB, 2TB, 3TB, or more of storage space. And, with the rise of SSDs, choosing a faster hard drive (like the Velociraptors) is kind of pointless.
Ultimately, your best bet is to get enough storage to hold all of your files and then get a solid state drive to store all of your important programs/games. Below is a look at the two hard drive manufacturers you have to choose from…
Best Hard Drive Options
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Recommendation
“Choose your hard drive based on current prices or on the manufacturer you feel most comfortable with based on previous experiences. So, go with the Seagate HDD if it’s cheaper than the Western Digital drive, or if you’ve had a good history with Seagate.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B005T3GRNW” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Seagate Barracuda
Seagate has been making hard drives since 1979. That’s a long history of producing PC storage devices. And, with that history comes dependability.
The bottom line, though, when choosing between Seagate and Western Digital is price. You really can’t go wrong with either manufacturer.
So, the best way to make your decision on your hard drive is just to choose which one is cheaper at the time of purchase.
I personally use Seagate hard drives because they have never failed me. However, there are just as many people who say the same thing about Western Digital.
If you have a preference between the two manufacturers, then stick with it. If not, choose the one that is more cost effective.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B005T3GRNW” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS HDD[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
[expand trigclass=”noarrow” rel=”westerndigital”]
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Recommendation
“Choose whichever budget hard drive is the least expensive at the time, or choose from the manufacturer that you feel most comfortable with.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00D8X0JRU” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Western Digital
Western Digital has been around even longer than Seagate. However, despite the fact that they were founded in 1970, they didn’t start making storage devices until 1980.
Still, though, that’s a long time in the game.
Basically, you’re going to get the same performance out of a Western Digital drive as you will out of a Seagate drive.
So, as mentioned above, the real determining factor is going to be price and possibly your previous experience with either of the companies.
If you’re just looking for a hard drive to get the job done, then go with the cheaper option between the two. Although, if you prefer Western Digital over Seagate, there’s definitely nothing wrong with choosing the WD drive.
Anyway you choose you will be fine.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00D8X0JRU” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS HDD[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
THE BEST HIGH-END GAMING CASES
Not only is the case you choose the first thing anyone will see of your system, it’s also critical in the cooling process, and it dictates the size and the amount of components you can use. Therefore, it’s important that you take time in order to ensure that you choose a case that meets the demands of the system that you want.
CASE OVERVIEW
(Jump to a Case) 1. Antec Cases 5. NZXT Cases |
As mentioned above, not only does a case protect your components, but it also plays a huge role in the cooling process of your components.
Air flow is crucial to keeping your components at an appropriate temperature level and therefore it’s vital that you choose a PC chassis that offers good air flow.
Also, for some gamers, the style of a case is very important. I often recommend going with the NZXT GAMMA Classic case due to its solid air flow for the price and option to add a bunch of different fans.
However, many prospective builders have written me to ask about alternatives because they don’t like the GAMMA Classic’s design. And, that’s completely understandable.
So, in this list I have tried to incorporate many different budget gaming case options, including stylish cases, and cases that provide good air flow.
Ultimately, you should pick a case that you like, as it is the one component that will be visible at all times.
Antec Cases
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Recommendation
“The Antec Three Hundred Two is a well-built mid tower case with a sleek, but not overpowering design. It’s perfect for gamers who want an affordable nice looking case that can hold all of their high-end components.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B006TVQTHW” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Antec Three Hundred Two
TECH SPECS
FORM | Mid Tower |
USB 3.0 | Yes |
VGA | 12.5″ Max |
HEATSINK | 6.7″ Max |
PSU | Bottom Mounted |
The Antec Three Hundred Two is a great sub-$100 mid tower case. It has a ton of storage bays and plenty of room for the biggest and baddest components (including liquid cooling setups).
With a simple straight-forward design, this chassis is perfect for those gamers who don’t want all the flashy lights, but still want all the high-end features.
And, with great airflow and plenty of fan options, this case will not only look good and give you a bunch of room, but it will also help you keep your components cool.
So, if you’re looking for an affordable solid mid tower case that can hold your high-end components, the Antec Three Hundred Two is definitely a good option.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B006TVQTHW” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS CASE[/easyazon_link]
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Recommendation
“The Antec Twelve Hundred V3 is a formidable full tower case. I recommend choosing it if you need a full tower chassis and you like the design/color scheme.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B004INH0FS” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Antec Twelve Hundred V3
TECH SPECS
FORM | Full Tower |
USB 3.0 | Yes |
VGA | ~17.5″ Max |
HEATSINK | 8.8″ Max |
PSU | Bottom Mounted |
If you’re looking for a full tower case, Antec’s Twelve Hundred V3 is a good one to consider.
With a side window and a number of blue LED lights, the Twelve Hundred V3 does not try to be subtle. So, if you’re looking for a simpler design, you should look elsewhere.
However, if you’re looking for a more flashy design and you want all the features of a high-end full tower case, the Twelve Hundred V3 has all of that and then some.
With 13 drive bays and a ton of room for all of your components, there’s really nothing lacking with this case.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B004INH0FS” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS CASE[/easyazon_link]
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More Antec Cases
Antec Sonata Proto Black ATX Mid Tower (~$70)
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower (~$90)
Antec P280 Black ATX Mid Tower (~$100)
Antec Eleven Hundred Black Super Mid Tower (~$110)
Antec Sonata III 500 Quiet Super Mid Tower (~$120)
Antec Sonata Series SOLO II Black ATX Mid Tower (~$130)
Antec Performance One Series P183 V3 Black ATX Mid Tower (~$130)
Cooler Master Cases
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Recommendation
“The Cooler Master HAF XB EVO is a great option for LAN gamers or for enthusiasts who want to use it as a test bench. However, even traditional desktop PC gamers can use this case, as it has everything you could ever want and need.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00FFJ0H3Q” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Cooler Master HAF XB EVO
TECH SPECS
FORM | Cube/Standard |
USB 3.0 | Yes |
VGA | 13.2″ Max |
HEATSINK | 7.1″ Max |
PSU | Bottom Mounted |
The Cooler Master HAF XB EVO is a pretty unique computer case. It abandons the traditional long rectangular tower-shape for a more cube/box shape, which gives it a different feel to it.
With two handles and a removable top, the HAF XB is great for LAN gamers or for enthusiasts looking for a test bench computer case.
Aside from its unique design, the HAF XB offers all of the features of a high-end case. It will fit a standard ATX motherboard, it’s capable of supporting multiple video card setups, and it has plenty of storage space.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00FFJ0H3Q” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS CASE[/easyazon_link]
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Recommendation
“The Cooler Master Cosmos II is a case designed for extreme enthusiasts who want the best of the best. If you need to build the biggest and baddest gaming PC around, the Cosmos II is definitely a good place to start.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00BCXF4JQ” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Cooler Master Cosmos II
TECH SPECS
FORM | Ultra Full Tower |
USB 3.0 | Yes |
VGA | ~15.15″ Max?? |
HEATSINK | 7.5″ Max?? |
PSU | Bottom Mounted |
Cooler Master just knows how to separate their cases from the pack. The same is true for their Cosmos II Ultra Full Tower computer case.
With a race car inspired design, the Cosmos II definitely stands out from the crowd. However, the eye-catching design is just one of many features to like about the Cosmos II.
For starters, the case is gigantic. It can support even the most complex water cooling setups, as well as quad-GPU configurations, and it will hold an XL-ATX motherboard.
Ultimately, the Cosmos II is a must-have case for enthusiasts as it can hold the most extreme setups imaginable.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00BCXF4JQ” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS CASE[/easyazon_link]
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More Cooler Master Cases
Cooler Master HAF 912 Mid Tower (~$60)
CM Storm Enforcer Mid Tower (~$90)
CM Storm Scout 2 Advanced Mid Tower (~$95)
Cooler Master HAF XM Mid Tower (~$110)
Cooler Master HAF X Full Tower (~$160)
CM Storm Stryker Full Tower (~$170)
Corsair Cases
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Recommendation
“Get the Corsair Carbide 400R if you don’t want to spend a ton of money on a case, but you want all the features and the high build quality of a top-of-the-line case.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0055Q7BR4″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Corsair Carbide 400R
TECH SPECS
FORM | Mid Tower |
USB 3.0 | Yes |
VGA | 12.4″ Max |
HEATSINK | 6.9″ Max |
PSU | Bottom Mounted |
Corsair’s Carbide series of cases have a lot to offer gamers and enthusiasts alike. The Carbide 400R case sits right in the middle of the Carbide series and offers affordability, functionality, plenty of features, and a nice sleek design.
With room for 240mm dual radiators and support for up to ten fans, the Corsair Carbide 400R offers the ability to reach superior air flow and cooling. This case also has plenty of storage space.
Overall, the Corsair Carbide 400R Mid Tower case is a solid all-around case that is worthy of any top desktop gaming computer.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0055Q7BR4″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS CASE[/easyazon_link]
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Recommendation
“Choose the Corsair Obsidian 900D if you have a huge budget and you want one of the biggest, most feature-rich cases on the market.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00B1R8JT0″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Corsair Obsidian 900D
TECH SPECS
FORM | Super Tower |
USB 3.0 | Yes |
VGA | ~19.7″ Max?? |
HEATSINK | 6.7″ Max?? |
PSU | Bottom Mounted |
For those of you seeking a monstrous case, the Corsair Obsidian 900D Super Tower computer case will fit the bill perfectly.
The Corsair Obsidian 900D was designed for extreme enthusiasts who want an enormous case to house their dream gaming computer.
With excellent air flow, room for up to 9 hard drives/SSDs (15 if you add additional drive cages), and an exception build quality, the Corsair Obsidian 900D is the perfect case for gamers who want to go all out.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00B1R8JT0″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS CASE[/easyazon_link]
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More Corsair Cases
Corsair Carbide Series 200R Compact ATX Case (~$60)
Corsair Carbide Series 300R Mid Tower (~$70)
Corsair Graphite Series 230T Compact Mid Tower (~$80)
Corsair Obsidian Series 350D Performance Micro-ATX (~$90)
Corsair Vengeance Series C70 Black Mid Tower (~$120)
Corsair Obsidian Series 550D Mid Tower (~$120)
Corsair Carbide Series 500R Mid Tower (~$130)
Corsair Carbide Series Air 540 Cube Case (~$140)
Fractal Design Cases
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Recommendation
“If you prefer more a more simple looking case that has a ton of features and good functionality, then the Fractal Design Define R4 is a case you should consider.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B008HD3CTI” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Fractal Design Define R4
TECH SPECS
FORM | Mid Tower |
USB 3.0 | Yes |
VGA | 16.9″ Max |
HEATSINK | 6.7″ Max |
PSU | Bottom Mounted |
If you’re a minimalist looking for a solid mid tower computer case, then you might want to check out Fractal Design’s Define R4 case.
The Define R4 offers a “minimalistic” Scandinavian design and it was also made to significantly reduce sound, as well as to provide ultimate functionality.
Fractal Design has made waves with their simple-looking, yet well-designed cases, and if you’re someone who doesn’t need a flashy case, but rather something that is just functional, the Define R4 is for you.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B008HD3CTI” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS CASE[/easyazon_link]
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Recommendation
“If you like the Fractal Design Define R4 but you’d prefer something a little bigger, then the Arc XL might be the better choice. The Arc XL is a well-built case that will suit any gamers needs.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00ET0OFQC” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Fractal Design Arc XL
TECH SPECS
FORM | Full Tower |
USB 3.0 | Yes |
VGA | ~14.2″ Max?? |
HEATSINK | 7.1″ Max?? |
PSU | Bottom Mounted |
Another gem from Fractal Design is their Arc XL full tower case. For starters, this Fractal Design case is just like all of the others… it’s extremely well-built.
Aside from that, it has a sharp-looking design that isn’t over-the-top and, therefore, would suit most minimalists perfectly. And, just like other Fractal Design cases, it’s main upside is its functionality…
The case has simple-clean dust filters, a built-in fan controller, flexible hard drive mounting, and a windowed side-panel to show off your components.
Overall, the Arc XL is an exception case that should appeal to many gamers.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00ET0OFQC” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS CASE[/easyazon_link]
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More Fractal Design Cases
Fractal Design Core 3000 (~$70)
Fractal Design Node 304 Mini-ITX Hybrid (~$90)
Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 (~$110)
Fractal Design Define XL R2 (~$130)
NZXT Cases
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Recommendation
“If you’re looking for an affordable, well-designed, and feature-rich full tower case, the NZXT 530 is the best option. Especially when you consider that it has no real competition in its price range…”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00FUC6S5O” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
NZXT Source 530 Full Tower
TECH SPECS
FORM | Full Tower |
USB 3.0 | Yes |
VGA | 17.4″ Max |
HEATSINK | 7.2″ Max |
PSU | Bottom Mounted |
NZXT has become quite the popular case manufacturer over the past few years. And, one of the big reasons for that was because of their affordable Phantom full tower case.
However, they’re now making owning a full tower case even more affordable with their Source 530 case.
Coming in at around $90, the NZXT Source 530 is a steal for the price. While not as big as other full tower cases, it is big enough to hold any setup and it doesn’t lack for features.
It can hold up to 9 fans, as well as a full liquid cooling setup, and it has plenty of storage options (including the ability to remove hard drive cages for more room). Overall it’s a great case and there aren’t many other options in its price range that can compete.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00FUC6S5O” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS CASE[/easyazon_link]
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Recommendation
“The NZXT Phantom 820 Ultra Tower case is a real beast. If you’re looking for a high-end full tower case, the Phantom 820 is definitely a solid option.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B009QZH23S” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
NZXT Phantom 820
TECH SPECS
FORM | Ultra Tower |
USB 3.0 | Yes |
VGA | ~7.2″ Max?? |
HEATSINK | 13.1″ Max?? |
PSU | Top Mounted |
It might just be me, but I think the black NZXT Phantom 820 is one of the best-looking cases on the market. Looks aside, though, the Phantom 820 is one monster of a case and it definitely doesn’t lack for any features…
Aside from it’s spectacular design, the Phantom 820 is designed for high air flow (option to add up to nine fans) and optimal cooling (can support a full liquid cooling setup), as well as for providing ample space for a high-end system.
Overall, the Phantom 820 is an excellent full tower option with more features than most gamers will be able to make use of.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B009QZH23S” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS CASE[/easyazon_link]
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More NZXT Cases
NZXT Guardian 921 RB ATX Mid Tower (~$60)
NZXT Phantom 410 Mid Tower (~$85)
NZXT Phantom ATX Full Tower (~$100)
NZXT SWITCH 810 Full Tower (~$145)
NZXT Phantom 530 Full Tower (~$130)
SilverStone Cases
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Recommendation
“The SilverStone Tek GD08B is an excellent case for anyone who wants the compact size of an HTPC case, or who wants to build a high-end HTPC/gaming PC hybrid.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B007X8TQYI” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Silverstone Tek GD08B
TECH SPECS
FORM | HTPC/ATX |
USB 3.0 | Yes |
VGA | 13.6″ Max |
HEATSINK | 5.4″ Max |
PSU | Bottom Mounted |
Who says you can’t use an HTPC case for your gaming computer? While you may not get as ideal cooling in an HTPC case, that doesn’t mean it won’t work. And, if you do like the small compact size of an HTPC case, there are measures you can take to keep your system cool…
However, it should be noted that the Tek GD08B HTPC case from SilverStone is not your ordinary HTPC case. This thing has a ton of room in it…
It can fit a standard ATX power supply and all the way up to an extended-ATX motherboard. Not to mention, it has plenty of room for even the biggest video cards on the market.
So, if you like the compact nature of an HTPC case, or if you want to build an awesome HTPC/gaming rig hybrid for your living room, the Tek GD08B is definitely a good choice.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B007X8TQYI” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS CASE[/easyazon_link]
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Recommendation
“If you have to have the absolute best in every area of your life, then you probably won’t mind spend truck loads of money to get the Temjin TJ11-BW full tower case.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B004MKNNGM” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
SilverStone Temjin TJ11-BW
TECH SPECS
FORM | Full Tower |
USB 3.0 | Yes |
VGA | ~12.4″ Max?? |
HEATSINK | 6.7″ Max?? |
PSU | Top Mounted |
The Grand Daddy of all cases, the SilverStone Temjin TJ11-BW stands alone in both price and features.
With the ability to install two different power supplies and a ridiculous amount of room, I’m sure you could mod two computers inside of this beast. Why would you want to put two systems into this case? I have no idea… But it just sounds cool.
The TJ11-BW is an extreme enthusiast and modders dream. It has plenty of customization options that make it ideal for anyone who is looking to build a ridiculously powerful custom gaming PC.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B004MKNNGM” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS CASE[/easyazon_link]
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More SilverStone Cases
SilverStone Tek Redline Series ATX Mid Tower (~$60)
SilverStone Temjin Series SST-TJ04B-E Mid Tower (~$150)
Silverstone Temjin TJ04-EW Mid Tower (~$160)
SilverStone FT01B-W Mid Tower (~$185)
Silverstone Tek RV01B-W-USB3.0 Full Tower (~$205)
THE BEST HIGH-END POWER SUPPLIES
In this section we will cover the different high-end power supply options you have if you’re building the best custom PC for your budget. I’ve broken down the power supplies by price range. For each price range you’ll see two features power supplies and a list of others below it.
If you’re building a high-end gaming computer, you’re going to need a lot of power to ensure that it runs at its full capacity.
Unfortunately, power supplies are the least understood and most wrongly picked components. In fact, choosing a cheap power supply is probably the biggest PC building mistake most beginners make.
A lot of gamers end up picking cheap power supplies that have high wattage ratings thinking they got a steal of a deal…
This couldn’t be further from the truth…
More often than not, the no-named manufacturers of cheap power supplies put much higher wattage ratings on their units than the unit actually deserves. They do this, of course, to sell more of their product.
However, for anyone expecting to power the best gaming desktop computer possible with a cheap power supply, you run the risk of seriously damaging your system.
If you’re going to build a badass custom gaming PC, you need to use a high-quality power supply to power it.
And, while better quality power supplies do cost more upfront, they are much more efficient, and fail far less often than cheaper units. So, in the long run you save money by buying a better power supply now.
Listed below are a number of power supplies I recommend if you are building a high-end gaming PC.
Best Power Supplies Under $100
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Recommendation
“If you want to make your power supply a priority and you have a moderate budget, definitely get the Antec HCG 520M, assuming it stays at this price. At it’s current price, it’s easily the best budget-friendly PSU on the market.“
[easyazon_link identifier=”B006TVQTAY” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Antec HCG 520M
The Antec High Current Gamer 520M power supply is the best power supply listed in this section. However, if you are working with a tight budget, you may not be able to fit it in.
Still, though, if you want a high quality power supply at an affordable price, the Antec HCG 520M is probably the best price-to-performance power supply currently under $100. It provides 48 amps on the +12v rail, which is plenty to run just about any single video card out there, it has low ripple, it’s semi-modular, it runs quiet, and its level of efficiency is definitely one of the highest in this price range.
So, ultimately, if you want to get budget-friendly power supply that you can depend on, then this is your best bet.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B006TVQTAY” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS PSU[/easyazon_link]
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Recommendation
“The SeaSonic M12II-620 Bronze power supply is a good option if you want a high-quality unit that you can count on lasting for a long time. It will power just about any single card high-end setup.“
[easyazon_link identifier=”B003HE260I” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
SeaSonic M12II 620
SeaSonic is one of the premier manufacturers of computer power supplies. In fact, many of the high-end Antec, Corsair, PC Power & Cooling, and XFX units on the market are actually built by Sea Sonic.
So, it’s no surprise that their M12II-620W Bronze unit would make this list. Not only is this unit more than capable of powering just about any high-end setup, it also comes in at well under $100.
With dual 24A +12V rails, the SeaSonic M12II-620 can handle just about any video card on the market and it gives enough headroom to make serious overclocking a reality as well. Overall the unit is well-built and backed by one of the most reputable PSU manufacturers around. You can’t go wrong with this unit.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B003HE260I” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS PSU[/easyazon_link]
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Recommendation
“I recommend getting the XFX XTR 650W power supply if you’re not building an over-the-top system with multiple video cards but you still want a high-end and efficient power supply.“
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00I5HF0KU” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
XFX XTR 650W
If reliability and plenty of power are what you want out of your power supply, perhaps no unit can offer that better than the XFX XTR 650W.
While 650W isn’t an extreme amount of power (especially if you want to run multiple video cards), with 54A on the +12V rail, this power supply has plenty of power to accommodate any single video card setups.
Overall the XTR 650W PSU from XFX is a great unit that doesn’t cost a ton of money. So, if you aren’t planning on running dual video cards, or trying to power your house, this unit should do the trick.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00I5HF0KU” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS PSU[/easyazon_link]
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Recommendation
“If you want the best-of-the-best, but you don’t want to spend more than $100 to get it, then the EVGA SuperNOVA G2 750W power supply is the unit you want.“
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00IKDETOW” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G2
It wasn’t long ago that EVGA’s mid-range power supplies were looked down upon from the likes of system builders and PC gamers everywhere. However, the negative perception of their power supplies changed quickly when they updated their SuperNOVA line.
Now, the SuperNOVA G2 is viewed as one of the best price-to-performance power supplies currently on the market. And, the SuperNOVA 750W G2 is no exception. With a fully modular design and 62.4 amps on the +12V rail, this power supply can easily handle any single card setup and will even handle most dual video card setups.
Ultimately, this is currently one of the best—if not the best—power supply currently under $100.
*NOTE: There is also a 550W and 650W unit in the SuperNOVA 750 G2 series that deserve to be on this list, but for the sake of giving you multiple quality options, they aren’t listed.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00IKDETOW” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS PSU[/easyazon_link]
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Best Power Supplies Between $100-$200
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Recommendation
“Choose the XFX XTR 750W if you’re looking for a high-end power supply that will allow you to setup dual video cards in the future.“
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00B88Z314″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
XFX XTR 750W
The XFX XTR 750W power supply is another steal of a deal. It’s not often that you find such a high-end +700W power supply priced so close to $100. But that’s what you get from this unit…
With SeaSonic as the OEM of this power supply, you can rest assured that you’re choosing a high-quality unit. And, with 750W and 62A on the +12V rail, this unit has enough power to hold most 2-way SLI/CrossFire setups.
So, if you’re looking for SeaSonic quality for your high-end build and you don’t want to pay a premium, then this unit fits the bill perfectly.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00B88Z314″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS PSU[/easyazon_link]
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Recommendation
“Go with the SeaSonic X Series 850W power supply if you want the option to run multiple video cards and/or turn your gaming computer into an extreme enthusiast rig.“
[easyazon_link identifier=”B004ETEFTK” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
SeaSonic X Series 850W
The X Series 850W power supply is another stellar unit from SeaSonic. With 850W of power and 70A on the +12V rail, the X-850 is a real monster.
And, with 80 PLUS Gold efficiency this unit is primed to deliver optimal power to even the biggest and the best gaming desktops.
This unit is also fully modular and is backed by a 7-year warranty. Overall, it’s a very powerful power supply capable of handling even the most extreme setups.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B004ETEFTK” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS PSU[/easyazon_link]
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Recommendation
“Get the Corsair AX860 if you need a ton of power and maximum efficiency and you want to stay under $200.“
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00A0HZMKG” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Corsair Professional Series AX860
Corsair is no stranger to the power supply world… With their Professional Series AX 860W unit, they deliver a fully modular power supply with an 80 PLUS Platinum rating. And, for just under $200 that’s a pretty good deal.
Ultimately, the Corsair AX860 will live up to meet your demands just as long as you aren’t planning on running quad GTX 980 Ti’s and overclocking your system to insane levels.
So, if you’re in the market for a high-end power supply for your high-end gaming computer, you may not find a better option below $200.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00A0HZMKG” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS PSU[/easyazon_link]
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EVGA SuperNOVA 1300 G2 | 9.6/10 |
|
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Recommendation
“Get the EVGA SuperNOVA 1300 G2 if you need a monstrous power supply to run a triple or quad video card setup. And, ultimately, you will not find another quality power supply with this much power under $200.“
EVGA SuperNOVA 1300 G2
A 1300W 80 Plus Gold PSU for under $200? Surely, that can’t be correct, right?
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Best Power Supplies Over $200
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Recommendation
“Choose the SilverStone ST 1500W power supply if you are building an overkill multi-video-card, overclocking monster of a gaming computer.“
[easyazon_link identifier=”B002BH3Z84″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Silverstone Tek 1500W
If you want to talk about a behemoth, let’s talk about the SilverStone ST 1500. With eight 25A +12V rails, there are not too many power supplies around that can match the output of the ST 1500.
What it all comes down to is how crazy do you want your system to get? Do you want to run Quad SLI/CrossFire and overclock your system to extraordinary levels? This power supply will handle it… no problem.
The only thing that brings me a little down about this unit is its price. I mean, technically, in times past the $300+ price tag that this unit comes with would see acceptable. But the fact that you can get the EVGA SuperNOVA 1300 G2 for nearly half the cost is a bit disheartening…
[easyazon_link identifier=”B002BH3Z84″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS PSU[/easyazon_link]
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Recommendation
“Choose the LEPA G Series 1600W power supply if you are building a quad SLI or CrossFireX overclocking beast… or if you just want to be ‘that guy’… you know, the one who has to one up everybody…“
[easyazon_link identifier=”B007W5TV6K” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Get it on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
LEPA G Series 1600W
Oh I’m sorry, 1500W isn’t enough for you? Fine… Here’s a 1600W monster to appease you…
The only way I’d recommend getting this unit is if you want to run Quad SLI/CrossFire setups… or if you want to power a small military compound…
No, but seriously, this power supply is ridiculous. It’s literally the most powerful power supply on the market.
*WARNING – Before you setup a gaming computer that will actually require this power supply, check with an electrician to make sure the wiring in your house can even output enough power to run your system… This isn’t a joke.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B007W5TV6K” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]GET THIS PSU[/easyazon_link]
[/expand]
THE BEST OPTICAL DRIVES
For gamers with a higher budget, optical drives are just more of throw-in components due to their convenience. In all reality, optical drives are slowly dying. With games and software moving to a digital download format, the optical drive isn’t nearly as important as it once was.
However, that doesn’t mean that you won’t need an optical drive for your system. If you have older games in disc format that you’ll want to put on your new system, or if you want to use your PC as a home theater where you can play Blurays/DVDs from Red Box, or from your home collection, then you’ll need an optical drive.
And, while it’s not 100% necessary, having an optical drive makes installing your operating system a little easier. If you don’t choose an optical drive for your build, you’ll have to install your operating system from a USB drive. This actually isn’t that difficult of a process and you can read a guide on how to do it here.
The bottom line, though, is that if you have a larger budget, throwing in a $15-$20 optical drive isn’t going to hurt you any. So, you might as well include one.
Here are a few options:
DVD/RW
Lite-On Super AllWrite 24X SATA DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive
LG Electronics 24X SATA Super-Multi DVD Internal Rewriter
Samsung Optical Drive SH-224DB/BEBE
BD-ROM (Blu-ray)
ASUS Black 12X SATA Internal Blu-ray Drive
LG Electronics 14X SATA Blu-ray Internal Rewriter
There’s really nothing fancy you need to look for when choosing an optical drive. The only thing you might want to consider is the color of the front plate of the optical drive. If you’re going for style points, you’ll want to match the optical drive to your case.
If you’re choosing a Blu-ray drive just remember that you’ll need software to go along with it. In some cases the BD-ROM will come with the necessary software. However, in other scenarios (like with both of the BD-ROMs above) the software is not included. You can always download and install VLC for free. Or, if you don’t get the software with the BD-ROM you buy software like Cyberlink PowerDVD.
OPERATING SYSTEMS
You have to have an operating system if you want to actually use your gaming computer. Currently there are really only a couple of viable options for operating systems if you’re building a gaming computer: [easyazon_link asin=”B00H09BB16″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”topgc13-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” ]Windows 7[/easyazon_link] and [easyazon_link asin=”B00ZSI7Y3U” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”topgc13-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” ]Windows 10[/easyazon_link].
Both options are suitable for gaming, but both also have a couple of aspects that you might want to consider before buying…
[easyazon_image align=”right” height=”330″ identifier=”B00ZSI7Y3U” locale=”US” src=”https://elitegamingcomputers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/41us3IirKL.jpg” tag=”topgc13-20″ width=”330″][easyazon_link identifier=”B00ZSI7Y3U” locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Windows 10[/easyazon_link]
Microsoft has not made very many people happy with their last two releases of Windows. Windows 8 released to harsh criticism and multiple errors and while Windows 10 didn’t get attacked nearly as much, it still wasn’t viewed in a positive light.
But Windows 10 did bring a few changes for gamers…
For starters, Windows 10 will come with DirectX 12, which will be the first version of DirectX to truly take advantage of multi-core CPUs. And, while there aren’t very many games that are designed for DirectX 12 yet, in the future this will be an important factor.
Another big point for anyone considering choosing between Windows 10 and Windows 7, is that the boot times on Windows 10 are significantly higher than they are on Windows 7.
Ultimately, it’s just a matter of time before Microsoft stops updating Windows 7, just like they stopped updating Vista and, as such, it’s not a bad idea to embrace the future now, rather than being forced to adapt later.
[easyazon_image align=”right” height=”330″ identifier=”B00H09BB16″ locale=”US” src=”https://elitegamingcomputers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/41EWevTEaqL.jpg” tag=”topgc13-20″ width=”330″][easyazon_link identifier=”B00H09BB16″ locale=”US” tag=”topgc13-20″]Windows 7[/easyazon_link]
Windows 7 is definitely the more popular decision for operating systems among enthusiasts. It’s stable and much more familiar than the new Windows 8. And, in terms of performance, there aren’t many (but there are some, see above…) instances where Windows 10 clearly pulls ahead. At least not as of yet.
As of right now, Windows 7 is still, perhaps, the best choice for an operating system. Though, that’s likely to change in the future, as it looks like Microsoft is going to stop releasing important updates for Windows 7 in an effort to get more people to switch to Windows 10.
In the end, the decision comes down to you. Do you prefer an easier-to-use and more comfortable operating system? Or, are you concerned about the future and want to make sure you have the best OS (performance-wise) going forward?
Ultimately, the newer version of Windows is always ideal if you’re looking to build the best gaming computer possible.
HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
LEAVE THEM BELOW
Nyd3r says
After putting all the physical parts together … how do I actually install the operating system ?
1-Put everything together
2-stick in the USB containing windows 10 and pray ?
Brent Hale says
Hey Nyd3r!
Essentially, yes. Except on the second part, instead of praying, you just boot from the USB drive (which can be done by pulling up the boot menu before BIOS loads).
When you boot from the USB drive, you’ll go directly into the Windows installer, which will walk you through setting up Windows. Once that is done, the next time you boot the system (assuming the drive you installed Windows on is ahead of all other devices in boot priority) it will go right into Windows.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
All the Best,
Brent
Nyd3r says
Thank you for your quick reply.
I appreciate it.
I will be buying parts from your recommendations soon BUT I will use the desktop for deep learning in addition to gaming so I need lots of RAM and top of the line GPU -NVIDIA- and CPU.
If you have any advice on that, I would really appreciate it.
David Cerrato says
I’m trying to buy a pc from you but when I got to get this pc amazon doesn’t have all of the parts so how do I get the pc for the price on the website or do I find the parts elsewhere please e mail me at ldcerrato1@gmail.com
Brent Hale says
Hey David,
I need to update the builds, but the market is a bit crazy right now. Video card demand is insane right now and memory prices are ridiculously high. I’ll shoot you an email and try and help you find something that works.
All the Best,
Brent
David Cerrato says
Thank you for your fast response Brent I really appreciate it
Thanks,
Dave
PATRICK says
Hi I’m looking at the $1250 build for my new rig. Sorry if this is a dumb question but will it connect to the internet with these parts listed or do I have to also purchase a network adaptor? It’s been a while since i’ve looked at building a PC, and I’ve never actually done it before. Just trying to have all my bases covered before I shell out for it.
Snidbit says
You will be able to connect via wired ethernet, but to connect via Wifi you will need to buy an additional network adapter card.
Coltin Wilson says
Thank you!
Zachary says
Amazing stuff man!
Neldyn Hernandez says
I purchased your 1,250 build. put everything together, and turned it on. It turns on and stays on but get no signal on the display. I removed the gpu and plugged in on the motherboard and same thing. What’s causing the issue?
Saad Ghani says
First time building a gaming PC moving away from console don’t know exactly how to make a good build but this definitely makes it easier thnx
Snidbit says
Thanks for this. For the $2k model, which SLI bridge is recommended? It’s not in the parts list but assume it’s required. Gigabyte Xtreme Gaming SLI HB bridge (1 slot spacing) ?
Chapla1n says
I really appreciate this resource, what a find! What about fans for the $1000 setup? I don’t think they are included in that case. Any recommendations?
Methusela says
Brent, this is an amazing resource! Of course we’ve all seen build guides before, but you’ve really thought it through for various cost points, explained the options, provided complete build lists for each alternative, updated it through time, and, amazingly, tied in to an Amazon order that even someone as disorganized as me can still succeed! Amazing!
I ran the $2000 build costs through Amazon, and today they came up at $2,444,08 for an Amazon Prime customer. Out of curiosity, I pulled costs for the same parts from NewEgg, which came up at $2,677,31 — about 10% more. I started the same comparison with Tiger Direct, and it came out similar for those parts which they carried. At first blush, it looks like your very handy shopping link is also the most affordable.
Thanks for all the love you’ve shown on this site — we really appreciate it!
With respects,
Methusela
C.A.P. says
Nice stuff!!
BCB says
I’m planning on ordering the parts for the $2,000 rig. However, I want to use a LG 4k OLED Curved screen tv as the monitor for this. Will I be able to hook this to TV and play games at the 4K resolution and ultra settings that this build was meant for?
Much thanks
Aaga says
I want to use asus strix 1080ti in the $1500 build…..r all the components compatible ???
Seth says
Very thorough and very well put together. Ty
Martin says
Can I do the $2000 build with one card to save some cash and add a second one ata later time? I’m a newbie. And all this is super intimidating.
nb says
yes
Christian says
Im new to building a pc and was wondering, for the $2000 pc build, can i opt out on getting the ODD and instead of getting the cpu cooler listed, will the corsair hydro series H100i v2 be compatible with the rest of the system.
Nader says
Do you guys build PCs ?
Jonathon says
Just ordered the $1700 gaming rig list from Amazon. I opted for the EVGA GTX 1080 FTW card instead of the one in the list. I also ordered an HTC VIVE to go along with it. I will definitely need help building this thing as I am new comer to the PC master race lol. Good bye PS4 and XBox One. Its time to play with the big boys haha
Kirstin says
Just an FYI the amazon link for Windows 10 is a company that is sending out the operating disks in german. No where in the product description does it mention this. So far I have been unable to change it English. I have followed several different tutorials to fix this but no luck yet.
Brett says
I’m going to buy the $1000 build. Can the motherboard connect to wifi or is there something i can buy to make it wifi enabled?
Nader says
Where is the titan Pascal ?
Methuselah says
Titan Pascal is another name for one generation of NVIDIA’s graphics technology.
Nader says
Please help.
I need to build a PC with GTX 1080 sli with all the components.
I would appreciate suggestions.
Thank you
Corbin says
First time building a PC, I am doing the $1500 build. Do I need to buy the mount with the Samsung 850 EVO?
Methuselah says
I have several of the 1TB versions of these. They’re lovely! The Samsung 850 EVO fits in any 3.5″ drive bay — no additional mount is required.
Dave says
Ok, I have a really dumb question. I bought my son the $1750 build for Christmas. It’s his first build, and he knows a lot more about this stuff than I do (which makes me feel really old). Other than the items listed in the article, is there anything else that he needs to complete the build – i.e., wires, connectors, screws, special tools, etc.? Thanks in advance for your help!!
Rick says
Hey these builds are computer only, he will need a monitor (look at the section on picking one, the parts you got will only be put to use if you have a monitor capable of using them). He will also need, mouse and key board, there will be no software on it at all so you probably got windows 10 in you bundle, if not you will need it and any other programs like office that he wants. All parts should come with everything you need to assemble the computer but I personally would get some high quality thermal past, I believe the site recommends a good one. I should say, I love Brent’s builds but other then doing a few I have nothing to do with his site but can lend my 2 cents if it’s needed.
Dave says
Thanks, Rick. I really appreciate the reply. He has a monitor, keyboard and mouse from his current computer, so I think he’s good there, and, yes, I got Windows 10 and thermal paste. Will he need any sort of modem? He plays most of his games on Steam. Thanks again.
Rick says
The actual parts for each build change time to time so I don’t know exactly what Mother board you have but check out the features of it, while anything is possible, I can’t imagine that one for a build in this price range would not have both wireless and Ethernet capabilities. The monitor from his old computer will work but to get the most use out of the graphics card in this build he might want to upgrade at some point in the future. If this computer is going to be set up the same as the old one he should be able to unplug everything from the old one and plug back into the new one. Best of luck and let me know if there is anything else I can help with.
Dave says
Thanks again, Rick. I got this motherboard – ASUS Z170-A ATX DDR4. Best I can tell, it has Ethernet, but not wi-fi. Do you think I’m better off returning it and getting one that has wi-fi, or buying a seperate wi-fi card (if that’s even possible)? Thanks for the heads up on the monitor.
Rick says
That depends, there are cards out there that will allow for wifi if it’s needed but Brent, who’s site this, is the master of compatibility and in the off chance he recommends something that does not work out he has taken care of the issue personally so I would ask his opinion on the card you have and a compatible one to swap if this does not meet your needs, I will take a quick look at the card you posted and repost in a bit.
Jur van Bergen says
All the cable should be included in the boxes of the rig
Vaibahv Khairnar says
Dear Sir/Madam,
I have a gamezone in nashik, maharastra, india. i want 6 gaming pc for dota 2 & csgo
please suggest me a g best gaming pc for both requirment
Thanks & Regards
Vaibahv Khairnar
sohan1571919@gmail.com
+91 9270927038
Lew says
Hi first id like to say your site is incredibly helpful for someone like myself who hasn’t done a pc build in close to 15 years, especially with compatablity issues. Im looking at the 2k build and im confused, reviews on amazon state either the z170x-g7 mobo either has no wifi/blue tooth capabilities or poor wifi performance. can you clarify if this mobo has wifi? And if not what would be a good choice in cards and still have room for the 2 graphics cards?
thanks again!
CG says
I agree, Love the site!!!
Wyngard says
Hi Man I like ur build but for newbie and noob like me its hard to assemble it. Can you help me out? Im planning to buy one items at a time. Seriously im tired of buying expensive gaming laptop and desktop with Alienware its hard in my pocket.. Can you help me out with instructions or something I really appreciate it. I like playing games online..
Rick says
Hey, I don’t mean to speak for Brent but most of the people that frequent this site (including me) could help with questions on assembling your computer but the reason it is so cheap is because you are doing the work. Personlly I would save up for the build you like and get all the parts at once so nothing is out of date and so you have everything under warranty when you have the finished computer (you won’t be able to test anything if all the parts are not built. If time is the issue don’t worry about it, a pro can unpack everything and put it together in about 15 min or so not including software installation and you would likely be able to to do it in an hour or so even if you are following a walk through or tube videos. Best of luck with your build!
James says
what 1440p montitor would you recommend for the $1250 build?
bob says
I’m gaming in 4k and I know for a fact you need more then 8gig ram. 16 gig min and your videocard has to have at least 8 gig vram. so at least a 1070
Methuselah says
My kid is gaming with two 4k monitors. The resolution gives him an edge, because he can see things before others can. He began to think he was a better gamer than everyone else, until he had to live with an “average” PC for a few weeks. Then, he became an “average” gamer :)
Ali says
Hello I’m just wondering if the 1750$ build have a liquid cooling system? i see most gaming pc have it.
Jesse Ramirez says
I am very interested in the answer to this question as well. I have done some research and cannot really make a determination of whether to get the suggested Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO ($30) or “upgrade” to the Corsair Hydro Series H100i v2 Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler ($110)….
I am a first time builder, so I know very little, but the Hydro series just looks cleaner to me. The Cooler looks like a sort of ugly chunk of metal on an otherwise beautiful setup… Some help on which is best and why not the Hydro would be awesome. Thanks
Methuselah says
Back in 2013, we built a 3D graphics server from consumer class gear. Now past it’s sell-by date, it has become my kid’s gaming rig. It has an i7-4930 LGA 2011, Asus Rampage Black Edition, GTX 780 Ti, etc. With the 212 EVO cooler, the CPU junction temperature initially ran at a surprisingly low 27C. Years later without a vacuum cleaning, it’s running around 30 C. Those seem like very acceptable temperatures, suggesting that the cost, complexity, and leak risk inherent in a hydro rig is probably unwarranted. Of course, the Rosewill Thor case does have four or five large diameter fans built in, which (I don’t know) may make a great deal of difference.
Allo buyer says
Hello i have a question
Whould the full tower case RIOTORO CR1280 fully customizable RGB color gaming case with clear window panel be able to fit the 2000$ build
Thanks
Brent Hale says
Hi Allo, how’s it going?
Yes, the RIOTORO CR1280 should be able to accommodate all of the components in the $2,000 build.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
All the Best,
Brent
Allo buyer says
Also the case that you suggested how many hdmi monitors can it support
A says
Check pcpartpicker.com, that site can tell you what components will fit together. Although I’m guessing if it says full tower it should be able to fit all computer parts. Mid or mini are the tower sizes you may want to look out for or atleast check as they may be too small for certain components.
Paul-Vincent Alexander says
Hey Brent,
Thank you for this page! Video/VFX Editor here, this is my first time building a PC, returning to my love/hate relationship
with PCs after Macs just don’t cut it for the price.
Questions:
On the $1500 build, is it ok to switch out the Motherboard ( ASUS Z170A ) and Case (Phanteks Enthoo Pro Full Tower ) for the $2000 build’s Motherboard ( Gigabyte GA-Z170X-G7 ) and Case ( Corsair Graphite 780T ) ?
Reason for Motherboard Swap is eventually I want to run two Graphics Cards on it ( does it require two off the bat? ) and the Case is just much cooler.
Cheers and thank you,
PVA
Brent Hale says
Hey Paul, how’s it going?
Yes, you can definitely swap out the motherboard and case on the $1,500 build for the motherboard and case on the $2,000 build.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
All the Best,
Brent
evan says
I bought your 2000$ build thinking everything was all good other than there isnt even a place for the dvd/cd box and the motherboard you have provided for the nzxt case is far too large the case you have in your build is a mini case and there is no way to fit that piece without a mini itx board so now i will now have to buy a FULL size tower in order to fit the motherboard i ordered that was on your package think you need to update that so others are finding themselves in the same situation.
Brent Hale says
Hey Evan, you’re right, that was a complete mistake on my end. I’m going to send you an email right now and I’ll replace the case.
Very sorry about the mixup!
All the Best,
Brent
Cyrus says
The 1000$ build is wayyy over priced right now because of the gpu please update it
ME says
Yes, and what happened to the $300 to $800 maximum build prices I saw just 3 days ago???
Mike T says
You go hover over Gaming PC then Cheap PCs. You will find it.
Scott says
Now that the GTX 1070 and 1080 cards are available they went +100 to +250 overnight! Wow. Might want to revise the choices as you are way out of the budgets when originally written.
SV says
The Amazon link to the builds tell me that some of the recommended computer parts are unavailable?
Brent Hale says
Hi SV, how’s it going?
Yeah, unfortunately right now with the GTX 1080 and 1070 being in such high demand, the cards are constantly going out of stock. I updated it today, but even in the middle of updating, some of the cards I chose went out of stock and I had to switch them again.
So, if you see that the 1080 or 1070 that I have chosen are out of stock, just search on Amazon for one that a different manufacturer has listed.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
All the Best,
Brent
Eric says
Hi, love your builds and guilds.
When you get around to it would you mind recommending a reasonable monitor for each build?
Jacky says
Hi, I want to buy a computer mainly for Blade and Soul. It’s the only game I play, but i wan’t the max gaming experience. Can you give me a build that’s 1250 or less?
Krish says
I would wait for AMD RX 480 it can run any game at great settings and is going to launch for only 200 USD
Isobelle says
In the $2000 build you put the graphics cards as SLI, but AMD cards use Crossfire, not SLI
Dylan R says
Why are there only hard drives in the list, and no SSDs?
Andrew Depow says
Hey Brent,
First off awesome guide, thanks so much for posting!
I just had a question about monitors, what would you recommend if you wanted to be able to run 4k/VR and is it worth investing and getting a higher end monitor?
Thanks,
Andy Depow
Kim Petersen says
Hi was looking at the 1200$ build and was wondering if its really enough with just a cpu fan.
Dionicio Fernandez says
I really like to build the $2000 dollars rig but I never build one before so I really need more than just the parts ,I will love to have a video or something step by step instructions and wires and cables or fiber optics every single item that I’ll need to build it , is there something you can help me with to get it started?
Benjamin Hondorp says
Hey Dionicio
I don’t know about one specific video, but there’s a youtube channel with enormous amounts of computer hardware information called LinusTechTips:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXuqSBlHAE6Xw-yeJA0Tunw
Otherwise you can try their other channel with loads of smaller bits of information, which are usually a little more beginner friendly. It’s called TechQuicky: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0vBXGSyV14uvJ4hECDOl0Q
Hope it Helps
Benjamin
Dionicio Fernandez says
Thanks a lot, I’ll check it out
Kevin says
Hey Brent,
So I actually went ahead and change up some stuff. The processor was change to i7-4790K and my Gpu to an 980Ti. The parts are already order! The last question I had was if I should change my motherboard or not? I was thinking maybe the MSI ATX DDR3 2600 LGA 1150 Motherboards Z97 GAMING 5? I still have time to change the motherboard so please let me know! Also I’m sort of thinking of maybe changing the case as well but I’m not sure to what, hope you can help with that as well. I will send picture as soon as I build it all.
Thank you,
Kevin
Liam Michallet says
Yes definitely! Thanks, good to see that there are still active people willing to help :3
Liam Michallet says
What about the Fractal Design R5? I wanted to build a pc and so for christmas I was given it as a sort of start up. But what I want to know is if it will support all of the parts listed here or at least the higher end parts because I am going for a $1900-$2000 build.
Thanks
Brent Hale says
Hey Liam, how’s it going?
The R5 is definitely a solid case. I’m pretty sure it will fit just about any system, but make sure you check your video card’s length, because you might have to remove the top HDD cage on the R5 to make some of the bigger video cards fit in it.
Ultimately, though, it’s a great case for a high-end build.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Best,
Brent
Adrian Shepard says
What about Hitachi hard drives?
Brent Hale says
Hi Adrian, how’s it going?
I don’t have any experience with Hitachi drives, but I don’t see why they wouldn’t work. Worth a shot if you can find one for a good deal!
Best,
Brent
Jamal Tuggle says
Hello!
Looking at the $2000 build and was wondering if Dual graphics cards is really the best way to go?
Also, i have emailed you guys but i am not getting a verification code to sign into the forums
i have tried multiple times with no luck
Jamal Tuggle says
Like would i be able to run most recent games like The Witcher 3 and others at max settings with them?
Mario says
I am also looking into making the $2000 but after doing a lot of research i decided to get one Gtx 980 ti. I am choosing the gigabyte gtx 980 ti xtreme gaming because it is comparable to sli gtx 980 and it is cheaper than getting two gtx 980.
Dylan says
Hi, I’m going to build from your $1000 parts list, but I was wondering if it would work with a different case. I want to use the Antec 900 black steel mid tower(https://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Antec+900+black+steel+mid+tower), because I like the look of it.
Will it work with the other parts on the list? Would I need to get different fans?
David Humphreys says
What would be your ultimate build using the LGA-2011 socket with no budget. I’m just curious about the top HIGH end products.
Adrian Shepard says
Commercial / Gaming: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/C99BsY
Workstation: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/CJVHYJ
Both of these systems are HUGELY impractical.
Mario says
Hello everyone
Would the 2000 build still work if I replaced the zotac gtx 980 sli to one gigabyte gtx 980 ti xtreme gaming. Also is the power supply good quality
Sean C says
Hi brent how you doing
I just have two quick questions for my next 2k build!!
The GPU(s) you recomended is the GTX 980 but im confused because a love your current build but my heart wants to go with the titan
And then the Mobo… i thought of getting de maximus VIII hero to be able to keep up with future updates… but I really need your expertise on that one
Btw I want to play 4k games at highest quality possible and be ready for VR for future games
Thx a lot your doing an amazing job one of the best website i’ve seen on the web with the best affordable build possible
Kevin says
Hey Brent,
We spoke some time ago about a gaming gig I wanted to make and you told me it was a solid build. My question is, from that time is there anything I should change from it or no? Please let me know asap as I’m going to be ordering the parts today.
Thank you
Brent Hale says
Hey Kevin, how’s it going? Not sure if you went ahead and purchased the parts yet, but if you did, you made a good decision!
Good luck with the build and send some pictures afterwards if you get a chance!
All the Best,
Brent
Mario says
Hello again to everyone. I have another question about the 2000 build. How good is the ASUS Z170-PRO that is included in the parts list. And also how good is this PC for an entry 2D game development workshop? Please reply and thank you.
Mario says
Hello i just wanted to know if the 2000 build supports wi fi or wireless internet.
please reply and thank you
Brandon says
I’m obviously not Brent, but I’m pretty sure you can add a wireless card on any of these builds. Wireless cards are around $15-$50 and that is what lets you have wireless internet. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong. :)
Dylan says
Wait, wi-fi connectivity is extra? Do you know any good ones?
John Edwards says
I am in the market for a new gaming system.
If you havent heard the news there is a new game out called star citiizen and Im looking for a system to keep me comfortable moving along with a 2 screen setup.
I would like to know if this can be done in the 1750.00 to 2000.00 range,and payment options.
Johnny Baker says
What if you want an AMD system and are not concerned about VR ready builds. I am interested in a build around 1K but AMD, not Intel as I have had much better success with this brand. Can you recommend the parts needed for it?
Thanks
Devin says
Hey Brent.
I was looking at your $2000 build and I saw the optional items. Just out of curiosity, will the $2000 build be able to play any game on the 4k monitor, or will it have to be certain games? I am new to pc gaming and building so any tips/info would be great. Thanks in advance!
Mamdouh Nabil says
Depends on what game you’re playing, some have 4K resolution and some don’t.
Tino says
Hey just a question on your $2000 rig part list, I’m considering building it but i was wondering why you went with 2 gtx 980s SLI instead of a single GTX 980ti due to the ability to upgrade in the future to a SLI 980ti and you save a bit of cash for not a lot of loss in performance.
Brent Hale says
Hey Tino, how’s it going?
Just trying to stick within the budget (even though it does go quite a bit over.) If I were to just switch to a single GTX 980 Ti, though, it would basically be the $1,750 build.
GTX 980s in SLI actually do provide a pretty decent performance increase over a single GTX 980 Ti in certain games at 1440p and 4K resolution (like GTA V and Far Cry 4). Ultimately, though, if your goal is to run dual 980 Tis in the future, then definitely start with the single 980 Ti now.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!
All the Best,
Brent
Jae says
Hi,
I’m building the $2k build, with some adjustments to save a few dozen dollars (I’m a bargain hunter :D) and I was wondering if you could give me advice on liquid cooling? I’m asking in regards to efficiency, price, effectiveness, etc., when compared to a typical fan. Thanks!
Brent Hale says
Hi Jae, how’s it going?
It really depends on how complicated you want to get and whether or not you want to liquid cool your CPU, GPU, or both. Are you looking to build a custom liquid cooling loop? Or are you looking for something easier to install, like the Corsair Hydro Series liquid coolers?
Jae says
Hi Brent, doing well, thanks. Yourself?
I’m actually fairly new to PC building, but I have successfully built my first rig for around 1.2k. It works well, but I’m going to give it to my little sister and build an upgraded PC for myself. That being said…
Liquid cooling was not included in my current rig. I was simply told by friends that liquid cooling was a “better” option. From your personal experience, do you think a liquid cooling system is all-together worth it or “better” than a typical fan?
Currently, the fan I have installed is incidentally the same model as the one in your build and it’s fairly quiet and I haven’t run into any temperature problems. Thanks for your help and great article!
Jack Bogart says
Hey thanks for the guide. Just ordered all the parts. Should come in 2 weeks from now. (Btw I ordered everything for the 2000 build including the optional) but heres a question. Any suggestions on what brand for headphones?
Brent Hale says
Hey Jack, that’s awesome! You’re going to have a real monster once it’s up and running.
For headphones, it depends on how much you want to spend. I have this guide:
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/the-best-pc-gaming-headsets/
It does really need to be updated, but the Beyerdynamic MMX300s are still great if you want to pay that much. You can also go with a non-mic headset/stand-alone mic setup. I currently use the Blue Yeti Blackout and a pair of Blue MoFis, but that’s even more than the MMX300s.
The Kingston HyperX Cloud 2s are also a really good option under $100.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
All the Best,
Brent
Sid says
Hey can u do this every month…..
Brent Hale says
Hey Sid, how’s it going?
Do you mean update the builds? I typically update them once a week. I’ll be updating them later today.
Hope this helps!
All the Best,
Brent
Steve says
Iam building the 2000.00 computer. It say’s that the GPO Zortac GTX 980 {SLI X2}. I need to know does that mean I need to but 2 of them. Were it says {SLI X2}.
Steve says
Hey brent can you answer my ? Do I need to buy 2 GTX980
Dominik says
There are already two GTX980s included in the $2000 build.
Nick says
Hi Brent
Are these prices based on the American Dollar? As I live I in Australia and am thinking about buying a top end Gaming Computer. So what would be the prices for the same products here?
Thank you
Regards Nick
Brent Hale says
Hey Nick, how’s it going?
Yes, these are all American prices. I am not too familiar with the Australian market for PC components, but I’m assuming it’s a bit higher even after the conversion.
Your best course would be to find some Australian online retailers that sell computer components and check the prices there.
All the Best,
Brent
Nick says
Thanks mate will keep that in mind
Aidan says
Hi, I am looking into the 1000 dollar build and want to get a different graphics card.. Will the EVGA GeForce GTX 960 4GB SSC GAMING ACX 2.0+, Whisper Silent Cooling work??
Please get back to this soon thanks
-Aidan
David says
I would like to ask a few questions Brent, for your 1500 build i’m interested in building it. I just want to make sure if all those parts are compatible with each other since i’m completely new to pc building, and I don’t want to end up with parts that aren’t compatible with each other or don’t fit with each other. Also, I was wondering if I could switch out the case for this one and still have everything fit correctly. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FH6KE76/ref=ox_sc_act_title_13?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AEHA1AAWZIC3L
Two more questions, I was reading up on the mother board and looking at reviews for it (mostly from newegg) and most customers aren’t too happy with it saying it isn’t a good motherboard for a first time pc builder, kinda had me worrying a little and inclined me to ask if maybe I should get a different, or better one that you would recommend.
Final question, for the power supply would it be better if i got this one instead since its also modular. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IKDETOC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_12?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER And if you would recommend this one over the one you have listed, would it also be able to fit in the case i would like to switch yours out for?
I do have a little more of a flexible budget, so help would greatly be appreciated. Thanks again Brent
Jarret says
Hey Brent,
I just found this article because I’ve been thinking about building a new computer. (this one is getting old). i was just wondering with your Pre-made builds, lets say i build the 1500$ computer and one day i wanna install another graphics card. would it be possible with that build and case?
Sina says
Hi Brent,
Thank you for an awesome guide. couple questions. Is there any specific reason why you chose the Z170-A for the 1750 build (considering it’s bit more expensive) than the GA-Z170MX-G5? do any of these cards come with on-board Wireless? if not, what wireless adapter do you recommend?
Jeff says
Hey Brent,
Thanks for making these guides! It really steered me in the right direction as I undertake my very first gaming build. I was just wondering, what monitor/s would you recommend to compliment each of these builds?
Thanks again,
Jeff
Brent Hale says
Hey Jeff, thanks for reading and commenting! Glad you’ve found the guide to be useful!
Since these are higher-end builds, I would recommend either getting a gaming-specific 1080p monitor, like something from BenQ, a 2560×1440 (1440p) monitor or a 4K monitor.
Here are some good gaming-specific 1080p monitors: http://amzn.to/1PdwJbB
Here are some solid 2560×1440 monitors: http://amzn.to/1JrylSo
And here are some 4K options: http://amzn.to/1PdwNbj
In my opinion, for a higher-end build, a 2560×1440 monitor is the sweet spot right now in terms of resolution, adoption, and price.
And, of course, you always have the option of running triple monitors. I, personally, run triple monitors and while I rarely using them for gaming, I have found that having three screens makes doing any other tasks (browsing the internet, working, reading and answering emails/comments, etc.) so much easier.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
All the Best,
Brent
Arthur says
Perhaps a newbie question, but is it possible to build my own setup without any third parties? As in, is it possible to assemble the computer without any prior knowledge? Haha, thanks for the list.
Brent Hale says
Hey Arthur, how’s it going?
Yes, it definitely is possible to build a computer without having prior knowledge.
You can use our step-by-step guide to help you through the building process, or you can use one of the many helpful building tutorials on YouTube (this one is my favorite.)
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Dave says
I hit the buy price for your Grand Total: $970-$1,030 computer and it’s over $3,000.00. All the computers I looked at and then click on the Amazon Price are atleast double the price you quote (and triple in this case).
Brent Hale says
Hi Dave, not sure how you’re seeing that unless you are based outside of the United States. The builds do need to be updated and the prices on some of the builds are a little higher than normal ($10-$20 over), but nowhere near double the price.
If you’re based out of the US, though, you will be taken to the closes Amazon site to you (Amazon Canada, UK, Germany, etc.) and those prices will be completely different due to exchange rates and the fact that computer components are priced differently in different countries. Unfortunately, it’s challenging enough to keep the Amazon US prices updated regularly as the prices change on an hourly basis, let alone trying to update all of the different foreign prices as well.
My recommendation, if you are based outside of the US, is to use these parts as a general guideline. And search on your own. If you’re somewhere where the conversion rate is a lot lower in comparison to the US, then you’ll want to look at a lower-priced build.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
All the Best,
Brent
Mike says
The RAM you list for the $1250 computer is wrong. I had a computer team put together that computer, and for the longest time they could not figure out why the monitor wasn’t working with the computer. Finally they tested another RAM and told me your list is dead wrong.
You need to realize that when you list this stuff, when it’s not right, it affects people. I have a VERY disappointed kid this Christmas — because of you.
Brent Hale says
Hey Mike, sorry you had problems with the RAM.
The Crucial Ballistix Sport DDR4 RAM is supported by the ASUS Z170-A. Here is the supported list of memory for the motherboard:
http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1151/Z170-A/Z170-A_DRAM_QVL_20151218.pdf
If you scroll down to the 4th page and look at the 3rd listing for Crucial memory, that is the RAM that is included in the $1,250 build. (You can check it with the model number listing on the Amazon listing “BLS8G4D240FSA”)
Now, that’s not to say that the computer team was lying, because the RAM could have come DOA (dead on arrival)… but the RAM will work with that motherboard.
Sorry for the inconvenience, but I’m glad it was sorted out.
All the Best,
Brent
Bryant says
I confirm that the parts all work excellent. I just built this computer 4 days ago with the exact parts.
It works great! I am running all my games on ultra settings while running a couple monitors and video capture software.
Thanks for the guide. I plan on reaching out to you in the future for suggestions on what parts to upgrade. Although i doubt I will need to any time soon!
greenche says
Hey, you didn’t give explanations or options of the SSDs or cooling. Monitors either, though that’s less surprising and not as much of an issue
I really enjoyed, as someone attempting this for the first time, how even handed your explanations were and how clear they were.
Another thing I was wondering is all the builds you have modeled are based on the 980ti, and that’s not mentioned or compared in that list.
Bryant says
regarding the 1250 build.
I am buying it exactly as listed. Thanks for the help!!
one question though:
will the power supply truly be enough for that set up?
Bryant says
And if you think i should get a larger power supply, what case would i need?
Thanks again is advance! I’m just waiting to click the purchase button so hopefully you respond soon.
Gilad says
oh god im so sorry, idk the link was glitched and everything, this is the true link, im really nervousm this is my first pc im building and i REALLY dont wanan fk it up, my parents would kill me lol https://www.amazon.com/gp/cart/view.html/ref=nav_cart
Gilad says
ok, sorry, dont listen to my earlier comments here is it list, u think this can play games like mad max, fallout 4, dying light on high quality and good fps, im not a fps whore so its good lol 50 G20 80+ Gold 750W
Crucial 8GB RAM 2133 MT/s
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU COOLER
Cruical BX100 120GB SATA 2.5 Inch SSD
Seagate 1TB
Thermaltake Chaser A31 (WHITE)
Gilad says
Intel Core I5-4690K 3.5 GHz
MSI ATX DDR3 200 LGA 1150 Motherboards Z87-G43 Gaming
Evga GeForce GTX 970 4GB SCC GAMING ACS 2.0 (3975-KR)
Evga SuperNOVA 750 G20 80+ Gold 750W
Crucial 8GB RAM 2133 MT/s
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU COOLER
Cruical BX100 120GB SATA 2.5 Inch SSD
Seagate 1TB
Thermaltake Chaser A31 (WHITE)
Gilad says
Hello, Im building my pc this christmas (SO EXCITED) and i was using your 1000 build. changed a little stuff, just wanted to know if its a good build, wanna be able to run NEW games at a really good quality, sorry for the long link, couldnt find all the parts on pcpartpicker https://www.amazon.com/gp/cart/view.html/ref=lh_cart_vc_btn
Gilad says
oh and also iwanna know if i could make it a little cheaper but acheive the same goal if you know what i mean
Michael says
Brent,
I bought the parts for the $1000. I have installed everything but the computer keeps shutting down. It stays on for about 1 minute and then shuts off. I have tried everything. I currently have everything out and it still shuts off.
Any ideas what needs to be changed on the motherboard that I am not taking thinking about?
Brent Hale says
Hey Michael, sorry you’re having problems. It really could be a number of problems…
Have you tried the following:
1. Starting the computer without the video card (use the video on the motherboard)
2. Testing one stick of RAM at a time
3. What kind of temperatures is your CPU getting while the system is on? If it’s getting too hot, you may need to check and see if the heatsink is installed properly and reinstall it if necesary.
Try those three things out and let me know how it goes.
Best,
Brent
Someone says
I built a Comp in Feb 2015 before seeing this site and probably would have changed to a intel cpu at the time but instead i built with AMD.
-cpu fx9590 with a corsair cooler
-gigabyte mobo
-gigabyte 970 wind force gpu
-2-8 GB kingston Fury x 1866 Mhz sticks
-256 GB Samsung EVO SSD(bought a Samsung 500GB PRO SSD later)
-650 watt psu
What i learned is that i need a bigger psu or to run the system with turbo boost. My motherboard limits my cpu’s clock speed to 4 Ghz (with the newest bios(older versions will run cpu at max speed))but it can max out to 5 Ghz when turbo boost is enabled and this can cause my psu to overlimit and shut down/just supply power to motherboard and peripheral but essentially shut down gpu and cpu. I have no problems since turbo boost was disabled and bios at newest revision but going overboard with power supply when building could be a good thing for one you can upgrade components without worry and secondly you won’t have to worry about being under-powered(unless of coarse the psu is so expensive you can’t pay for electricity). Difference between fx amd series and intel i7/i5 processors other than architecture they process with would be that intels chips use 19 nano meter transistors and use less power while AMD uses 32 nano meter transistors. If you price it out the amount of power you would need to use to make up the price difference between and i7 and an amd processor would be that you would have to run the i7 processor for about 7 years straight at about 15 cents per KWh to make up the savings in power(it might only be as low as 3 years forgot since i did that equation 4 months ago). i7 is around 1,200 CAD and amd is around 300CAD.
Brent Hale says
Hey Someone! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Your post was insightful and I think it’s definitely a good idea to go overboard on your PSU if you plan on doing some heavy overclocking (especially if you run an AMD CPU).
All the Best,
Brent
Tony Cruz says
Hey Brent, how it is going? well i have found this guide really useful and im definetly using one of this set ups to start building my own. I think i would go for the 2000 set up but, i wouuld like to have a single 980 ti and then over time get another one. my only problem is that on pcpartpickers says that the 980 ti doesnt fit in the 810 switch, so what other case would you recomend? something allowing enought space for future changes and upgrades.
Arturo says
I will also like to know that too please
Ty says
Brent, I have the following components in my current rig that I built in 2011, I want to upgrade and was wondering if you could help recommend which components I should replace, and what I should replace them with. If I was building from scratch I would probably be budgeting 1500 or so on the system but am willing to spend more (2000 or so) on it if it will mean helping to future proof the system so I can add to it later with whatever tech is on the horizon. Any recommendations and help is greatly appreciated.
CPU – Intel Core I7 3930k
Fan – Corsair H80 Hydro Cooling Kit
MOBO – Gigabyte GA-X79-UD5 2011 ATX
GPU – EVGA GTX680 2GB D5 PCIE3 DDHDP
RAM – 2 x 4GB Corsair VNBLU 2×2 D3 1600 C
SSD – INTEL SSD520 SER. 180 GB
HDD – 2x Seagate 3TB 3.5 5900 RPM Internal SAT
Case – Cooler Master Cosmos II Full Tower
PSU – Seasonic 1000W 80+ Platinum ATX P
DVD – ASUS 12x Blu-Ray Burner (Internal)
I have been looking at using one of these two GPUs for the upgrade, thoughts? Or is there something else I should consider?
a MSI GeForce 4GB 256-Bit GDDR5 Graphics Card (GTX 970 GAMING 4G)
– or
a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 TI
sylvester says
hello .. I have a problem pc lag. im install game cod advance warfare but I will not be satisfied because the lag problem. what should I upgrade .. The list part of my pc. motherboard g1 sniper A88X, proccessor APU A10 7850k, KINGMAX Nano Gaming Ram 8GB DDR3 1866, cpu fan Thermaltake water cooling type, gpu asus gtx760 oc edition, psu 850w, hdd wd caviar green 1tb, windows 7 ultimate 64 bit and 24-inch monitor .. so can I ask what the problem my phello .. I have a problem pc lag. install my game advance cod warfare but I will not be satisfied because the lag problem. what should I upgrade .. The list part of my pc. A88X motherboard gigabyte g1 sniper, proccessor APU A10 7850k, KINGMAX Nano Gaming Ram 8GB DDR3 1866, cpu fan Thermaltake water cooling type, gtx760 oc asus gpu edition, 850w psu, 1TB hdd wd caviar green, windows 7 ultimate 64 bit and 24-inch monitor .. so can I ask what the problem pc…
Brent Hale says
Hey Sylvester, how’s it going?
What settings are you playing on? That setup should definitely be able to run COD Advanced Warfare on at least lower or medium settings with no lag. Your CPU isn’t the best, but your GPU is good enough to play COD on higher settings.
However, I notice you say that it “lags.” Is that just when you’re playing online? It may be your internet connection rather than your computer. What kind of FPS are you getting and what settings are you running the game at?
Before you upgrade anything I would try turning down the settings or checking that your internet connections isn’t the culprit.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Caius D Sharman says
I’m in Australia and I was just wondering if this price list is is USD or what.
Andreas says
Hey, I’m thinking of getting gigabyte gtx 980, will it fit on the 200r case?
Because 980 has 312mm length and the 200r can handle 300mm with drive cages and 430 without drive cages.
I’m not sure if I have to remove the drive cages or not , and if it hard to remove, can you please suggest another best case for gtx 980?
Thank you (:
Luke rosser says
Could you make one of those builds for a $4000 budget
Chris says
Thanks for this guide, it’s been really helpful!
I have a question about Operating Systems:
I’ve heard a lot of mixed reviews about Windows 10, but I imagine they might patch 10 like they did with 8. Even so, would you still recommend 8.1 over 10? Or is 10 now the go to since Microsoft will probably leave 8.1 out in the cold next?
adam says
hey Brent.
I just have 1 question please:
can you give me a link of a video for assembling those new parts of the 2000$ build and if it was full assembly with booting it and putting an operating system would be great cz i’m kinda new for building new desktops. i just know how to format and disassemble and re-assemble a used one and not new. thanks.
Devin says
Brent,
Just a quick question, would the $1000 rig be able to stream on twitch and still be able to run games well? Or would you suggest moving up a tier?
Thanks much!
Devin
Devin says
Also what OS would you suggest. Your section on OS doesn’t include Windows 10.
Thanks,
Devin
Anders says
Hi Brent,
I have looked through your $1250 build and it looks great. Too bad in Sweden all the components are a lot more expensive, around $1700 for the exact same ones, ahwell. =/
Only thing I want to change though is the case and no optical drive. I want to go with the NZXT H440.
Is there something, like the PSU, in the build that is relevant to change or should everything else be fine?
Jack M says
Hi Brent,
I play a lot of high end video games and I also do a lot of video editing/animation, but I’m not so good with the hardware side of things :/
I was just wondering whether the above builds would also be optimal for editing big video projects. If so, which build would you say is ‘enough’. If not, what changes would you make. I’ve saved up some cash, so my budget is 2-2.5k, but my priority is getting a really good computer.
Thanks for doing the builds above. I’m sure they’ve helped a lot of people!
Jack
Josh says
hey Brent im looking for a gaming computer with a good wireless card connection. what is a good wireless card for gaming? and what would be a good affordable build with 980 and has I 7 for future proof games?
Brent Hale says
Hey Josh, how’s it going?
I would look at something like this for your USB adapter:
http://amzn.to/1UqVqpV
You could also go with a PCI card like this one:
http://amzn.to/1EbEMRB
I would look at the $1,500 build, but use the Gigabyte GTX 980 from the $1,250 build, and the i7-4790k from the $1,750 build.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Josh says
Hey, Brent
Thank you for helping me earlier I am not looking to build my brother a good affordable computer but I need some help with the motherboard what would be a good motherboard for an i5 4690k and an MSI gtx 970 graphics card set up. One that will create the most efficiency and effectiveness in gaming. please and thank you.
-Josh
Josh says
now* my bad
Burninghorns says
Hey Brent can you help me out im dead set on ordering a pc around 1500 and i like the one you have but i dont like the case NZXT Phantom 530 (White) ATX Full Tower Case this is the one i want is your 1500 build really the best right now ive looked around quite a bit and i just want to make sure that the case i want will be compatable i know it proably is its bigger pretty sure but i want to make sure that your build everything is 100% compatable pcpart picker aggrees with this, really want the best for the money and also would the 1500 work with i7 and i wouldnt run into any bottleneck isues with an i7 instead of the I5-4690K right? would love a quick response proably ordering today
Brent Hale says
Hey Burninghorns, how’s it going?
If you want to swap out the Carbide 200R for the NZXT Phantom 530, you definitely can, as all of the parts from the $1,500 build will fit in the Phantom 530 case.
In my opinion, for pure gaming purposes, the $1,500 build is as good as you can get. Of course, the price is based off of if you were to buy everything from Amazon and if you shopped around you might be able to get that price down, or upgrade to different components.
Depending on what games you’re playing and what resolution you plan on playing at, you could also change around the parts to better suit your needs. For instance, if you’re planning on playing games like The Witcher 3 on a 1920×1080 monitor, but you want to stream yourself playing, then you could easily drop down to a GTX 980 and upgrade the CPU to an i7-4790k to help with the streaming.
There’s a million different combinations you could do at that price and it really all depends on your personal needs.
As far as the difference between the i5-4690K and the i7-4790K, for gaming purposes, there isn’t really a difference. If you want to stream or edit videos, or do graphics design work, then the extra threads will help.
Hope this makes sense! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
cprv19 says
Hey Brett I just wanted to say thanks for making these lists and answering all these questions. You’re awesome.
Brent Hale says
No problem! Glad these lists could be of some help! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Mike says
Hi,
Since my budget is of $1000 I will probably be going for the $1000 build. Now my question is, will I need an audio card? Is it totally necessary?
Also, do the $1000 build will last a couple of years before upgrading?
I’m new to all of this.
Brent Hale says
Hey Mike, how’s it going?
The motherboard already has pretty good audio built-in to it, so you can definitely forego an audio card. I’m not an audiophile myself, but as I understand it, you need to spend a lot on a sound card to really see any significant difference.
Yes, the $1,000 build will be able to play the top games for at least 3-4 years to come on higher settings with high FPS.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Joao says
Hey, Brent!
By the way, great article!
I have been making some updates over time, How long do you think it will last? If somehow in the future I’d have to improve again, if so what would that be in your opinion?
My rig is:
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T Black Edition 3.3ghz
ASUS m4a87td evo USB 3
Corsair vengeance 4X4GB 1600mhz
MSI GTX 680 2GB Twin Frozr III
Corsair 750W
Sandisk 320GB SSD
Seagate barracuda black 1TB 7200rpm
NZXT H440 Razer Edition
Cheers!
Brent Hale says
Hey Joao, how’s it going?
Is that your current build? Or what you are planning on building?
If it’s your current build, I would say that your next upgrade would be to get a new CPU/motherboard combination. All-in-all it should still be handling games fairly well, but I’m worried the CPU will start to impact your performance as new games come out over the next couple of years.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Marco says
Hello there Brent! Great guide you have here.
I was wondering, however, if I have a budget of $1,000 – $1,250 (including monitor[s] and peripherals) and was looking to stream at about 1080p 60fps, what would you build?
On a side note, on the $1,500 build, you say you’re going to upgrade your processor to an unlocked i7, but you mistakenly left it as an i5 still. On the $1,750 build, you say you have dual 970s but you have a 980 ti (which tbh is better than SLI 970s anyway).
Marco says
Oh I forgot to mention one more thing JUST to make it harder for you Brent (Have fun XD).
The money is Canadian and NOT USD (I’m Canadian).
Brent Hale says
Hey Marco, how’s it going?
Since your budget includes monitors and peripherals and you will also likely need a copy of Windows and since you’re paying in Canadian dollars, I would look at either the $700 or $800 builds on this page:
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/good-cheap-gaming-computers
Either of those will give you room to play with in your budget as well as make up for the exchange rate. And, either of those builds will allow you to stream most games at 1080p on higher settings at around 60FPS.
Also, thanks for pointing those mistakes out. In previous versions the $1,500 build included an i7 and the $1,750 included dual 970s. But I changed that a couple of updates ago and forgot to change it in the description. I’ve changed it with today’s updates, so thanks again for finding that!
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Jacques says
Hi,
Thanks for the extensive guide, I have been thinking about upgrading my 3 or 4 year old rig which is getting outdated — i7 860, Asus Nvidia Geforce 465, 4Go of RAM… I have done well so far but new games never stop coming, and ARK slapped me hard! — So all these suggestions are great to know what are the good pieces today in the market.
My feedback regarding your guide would be to mention mid-term or long-term vision of builds. By this I mean that, for instance I personally do not buy a computer every 6 months. I aim to make the best buy for the best performance while not ruining myself, and keep the rig a few years. Even if it means sacrificing some options over the time (example: I play BF4 with a custom medium/high setting).
So, even knowing that some new games keep pushing the boundaries every year or two at an unknown rate, would it be worth talking about how long one of your builds/suggestion should be kept? For example, a EVGA 760GTX under 200$ while have great performance for only the next year… compared to another… I do not know how complex can this be since it may be subjective.
Other subject: When buying parts, should overclocking be an essential feature to think about, whether it is for boost or long term performance? I am no expert so I have for example only used inluded ASUS tools without pushing things, I fear I would burn the whole thing if I started tweaking settings manually.
Oh and another question that comes to my mind: I have a double monitor settings, the main one being an ASUS 22″ which is a few years old. I am entirely satisfied by it, but I was wondering, is it worth changing to a 1440p screen or even another 22″ but more recent model? Would I see a real difference? I have heard of new features such as G-Sync and such…
Best regards,
Jacques
Brent Hale says
Hey Jaques, how’s it going?
It would be beneficial to add how long each build will be able to last playing the most-demanding games, but it’s just too difficult to know what the future holds in terms of power required to run games at a high level. It’s also tough to say how prevalent 4K monitors will be in a couple of years… will they be the norm like 1080p monitors are now? If so, then a lot of these builds will need video card upgrades if they want to play at 4K with maxed out settings.
But seeings as how 1080p will still look like 1080p in two years, most of these builds will be fine for 4-5 years as long as you still want to play at 1080p. (If that makes sense.)
Overclocking isn’t essential and it’s really not as important as it was 10 years ago as the in-game performance gain that comes with overclocking is marginal at best. It’s more of an enthusiast feature now than it is something that is necessary. Although, if your computer is aging, it doesn’t hurt to have an unlocked CPU, as you can definitely push it a little more and push its lifespan a little further.
If you’re happy with your monitors now, there’s no need to change them. You could add a third monitor if you really wanted to, but I’d use that money to upgrade your GPU, RAM, CPU, and motherboard first. G-Sync is only useful in certain situations and in my opinion you’re better off with a video card upgrade than an upgrade to a monitor with G-Sync… especially if you’re playing at 1080p.
In my opinion, upgrading from 1080p to 1440p wouldn’t really be worth it right now. Wait until 4K is more affordable and better-integrated and then upgrade.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Jacques says
Hi Brent,
Thank you very much for your reply, it helps a lot.
Have a good day,
Jacques
Ant says
On the $1500 you say that you upgrade the processor to i7, but you don’t. You kept the i5 and Instead you increased the ssd space.
Brent Hale says
Hey Ant, how’s it going?
A couple of updates ago I changed the $1,500 build from an i7 to an i5 and increased the GPU and SSD. I finally caught that the description said that it had an i7 in it thanks to you and another person’s comments and I updated it and corrected it today.
So, thanks for pointing that out!
Best,
Brent
John says
Thanks Brent. I had originally picked a smaller drive and 8GB RAM, but I went with the bigger hard drive and more memory because of a killer deal I got during Amazon’s Prime Day.
I appreciate the feedback.
Thanks!
John
Brent Hale says
Well, you can’t argue with a good deal!
Hope the build went well!
Best,
Brent
Hussein says
Hey can you Please make a 3000 build
Brent Hale says
Hey Hussein, how’s it going?
I have been meaning to add a $3,000 build to this list for awhile and perhaps I’ll get around to it on the update coming tomorrow. But for now I would say switch the two GTX 980s to two GTX 980 Tis, upgrade to a 1,000W PSU, add a nice custom liquid cooling kit, and then perhaps a bigger case and SSD.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Best,
Brent
Hussein says
So can you make a 3000$ computer build
Use titan cards maybe?
Hussein says
Hey what happened to the 3k build
And can you use Titan cards
Just saying
Thanks
Brent Hale says
Hey Hussein, it’s still in the works. Just need to sit down and put the part list together. I wouldn’t use Titan cards, though, as the GTX 980 Ti performs similarly to the Titan X and costs a lot less. So, the build would likely be the $2,000 build with a second GTX 980 Ti and some other upgrades.
Koon Hong says
I am thinking of getting either the 1500 or 1750 build. I currently have a Alienware M14x R2 and would like to know how much better is the builds. My laptop can never push past 35fps on TF2 and CSGO. I want to reach 720p+ and 60fps. Can the builds achieve it?
Brent Hale says
Hi Koon Hong, how’s it going?
I’m not too familiar with the M14x R2 and its specs, but I see that it is a laptop. I’m 99% sure that either the $1,500 or $1,750 builds will far outperform it if you aren’t getting over 35FPS on TF2 and CSGO. Neither of those games are very demanding.
In fact, if you are solely playing TF2 and CSGO (or other similar non-demanding games) and you have that big of a budget, I would look at the $700-$800 builds on this list:
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/good-cheap-gaming-computers/
Either of those builds will easily max-out TF2 and CSGO and will play any other game on max settings on a 1080p monitor.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Koon Hong says
I also have some demanding games (I think) like Skyrim, which I would like to run on 720p+, 60fps. I cant play Skyrim at all because my computer will just overheat.
Brent Hale says
Even still, on a 720p monitor you could max Skyrim out on the $500 build listed on the Good Cheap Gaming Computers page.
I would either come down on your budget and save a ton of money, or get a new monitor if you want to get the $1,500 or $1,750 build. I would even say with those builds it would be best to get a 4K monitor to really take advantage of the hardware.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Koon Hong says
Sorry for adding more questions but, how long can I expect the build to last? I will just spend a little extra cash on it and go for the 1000 build
Brent Hale says
Anything from the $700 build and above are going to be viable gaming PCs for at least the next three years, and more than likely the next 4-5 years.
The $1,000 build will be way more than enough power playing those games and it will last you quite awhile.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
John says
My son and I are building his first gaming computer. I wanted to get something that would be good now, but leave him some headroom to improve later. Here’s what I came up with:
Intel Core i5-4690K Processor 3.5 GHz LGA 1150 BX80646I54690K
2 of EVGA GeForce GTX 750Ti SC 2GB GDDR5 Graphics Cards
Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB Kit (8GBx2) DDR3 1600 MT/s (PC3-12800) UDIMM Memory BLS2KIT8G3D1609DS1S00/ BLS2CP8G3D1609DS1S00
Gigabyte Black Edition LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboards GA-Z97X-UD5H-BK
Corsair Carbide Series 200R Compact ATX Case CC-9011023-WW
Seagate 3TB Desktop HDD SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive (ST3000DM001)
Samsung SATA 1.5 Gb-s Optical Drive, Black SH-224DB/BEBE
TP-LINK TL-WDN4800 Dual Band Wireless N900 PCI Express Adapter,2.4GHz 450Mbps/5Ghz 450Mbps, Include Low-profile Bracket
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO – CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Fan (RR-212E-20PK-R2)
A friend of his is giving him a Thermaltake 500W power supply.
Would love your thoughts on this build.
Thanks!
John
John says
Just realized that the EVGA GeForce GTX 750Ti SC 2GB GDDR5 Graphics Cards aren’t SLI compatible.
So I’m going with a single EVGA GeForce GTX 960 4GB Super SC ACX 2.0+ with Back Plate GDDR5 128bit, PCI-E 3.0, DVI-I, 3 x DP, HDMI, SLI, HDCP, G-SYNC Ready Graphics Card
Would still like your thoughts on the build.
Thanks!
John
Brent Hale says
Hey John, how’s it going?
Yeah, a single GTX 960 4GB card would be a better option anyways. You can also look at the R9 380 4GB as well. But definitely don’t get the 960 or 380 2GB versions as more and more games are starting to utilize more than 2GB of VRAM.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Brent Hale says
Hey John, how’s it going?
With the change to a single GTX 960 4GB, that build is definitely solid.
Though, you may want to consider dropping to 8GB of RAM and 1TB of storage and putting the extra $70-$80 into getting a better video card. You may be able to reach a GTX 970 or R9 390 with that extra savings.
The reason why doing this would be better is because you can always add more RAM and storage for cheap, but to add more GPU power you either have to buy a more expensive and bigger video card, or you have to add a second video card. So, upgrading your video card is definitely more expensive.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Luis says
So, if i were to build the $1000- $1500 build, how long would the computer last before i have to build another one. I usually play on my laptop 4 hous*(3-5) days a week.
Brent Hale says
Hey Luis, how’s it going?
The $1,000-$1,500 builds should last you at least 4 years playing games at a high level.
The good news is, though, that when the computer starts to slow down in games a little, you won’t have to rebuild the whole system. A simple video card upgrade may be all you need to upgrade to get your system playing games at a high level again.
But still, I’m thinking at least four years before you’ll want to start thinking about an upgrade. (That is, of course, unless you get addicted to doing upgrades like a lot of PC builders typically do!)
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Josh says
Hello Brent!
I love the lists you have created above and am interested in building the 1,250 system. I was wondering though, if there are any alternative WHITE cases that i could use in place of the Carbide 200R?
Thanks!
Brent Hale says
Hey Josh, how’s it going?
Here’s a link to quite a few white cases you can browse through. Just make sure they’ll fit the video card in them before you buy them.
http://amzn.to/1DhhedA
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Kevin says
First time building a gaming computer and after much research this is what i came up with http://pcpartpicker.com/p/b7ywf7 if theres anything you think that needs update and why please let me know.
Brent Hale says
Hey Kevin, how’s it going?
That’s definitely a solid build! I wouldn’t change it.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Gordon says
Hi!
I’m wondering if the NZXT H440 PC case created by NZXT and Razer would work.
On the product page it says that It has extensive customization so I don’t know if that means that It’s prebuilt or It’ll be customizable.
Product page: http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-systems/h440
Thank you and if possible maybe you can reply!
Brent Hale says
Hey Gordon, how’s it going?
Yes the NZXT H440 Razer edition will work with any of the builds listed above.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Angel says
Hi Brent,
I was looking at your $2,000 build. I was looking for the parts and there are two links on your post. One that says (prices fluctuate frequently click here for current prices) and one that says (Get This PC). I have clicked on both but they lead to different lists. Some parts are similar where others are different like the graphics card. Which one is the most up to date list? Which link? Thanks Brent I know you can be a busy guy. I’m soo excited to build my first pc :)
shahshah says
hi brent,
is there a better tower for the $1250 build and can you also recommend a monitor, keyboard and mouse
thanks,
Yohan says
Hey hope you are doing well
here’s my build
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/yohanferns/saved/zWPH99 i am pretty sure of this but can you suggest if anything needs to be changed and is it smart going for ddr4 or good to stick with ddr3 ram
Tommy says
I found your recommendations extremely helpful, thanks a lot Brent!
This will be my first time building all the hardware completely from scratch (hardware upgrades, firmware, OS and apps I’ve done many of times) so I’m sure there are a few minor things I should also consider.
I’ll probably get the most bang for the buck with the 1K or even the 1.25K build, but the 1.5K build seems right to me with the future in mind. I don’t want to overclock now but might later as games become more demanding. I don’t plan to ever 4K with this build, so something like a single QNIX QX2710 LED Evolution ll monitor at 1080P (or even 1440P) will be my target resolution and a Gigabyte GTX 980 Gaming G1 currently @ $500 sounds good to me (even the GTX 970 is probably enough).
So with all that in mind:
1. Will I need a CPU fan (CM Hyper 212) and thermal compound now or only later if I do eventually overclock?
2. Will I need separate SATA cables?
3. Mounting brackets for SSD?
4. Anything else I can’t think of (I’d hate to have it all in front of me only to wait additional time for something else to ship)? :-)
Tommy says
BTW: since Microsoft is basically giving Windows 10 away (with DX12) for free starting July 29, now is the time to jump on any qualifying OS! The upgrade window (Win7 and up, no RT) lasts a year with the option of a full clean install from external media (including EOMs as I read it)! :D
Tommy says
Opps, got too excited: should read OEM.
Cole Gotcher says
I’m not amazing at computer stuff (I have a very basic idea of what it means :P)… but here is my build:
– Intel Core i5-4670 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
– Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
– Prolimatech PK-3 Nano Aluminum High-Grade 30g Thermal Paste
– Gigabyte GA-Z97MX-Gaming 5 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
– Kingston HyperX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
– Samsung 840 EVO 500GB 2.5″ Solid State Drive
– EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card
– NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case
– EVGA 400W ATX Power Supply
– Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit)
– Asus Xonar Essence STX 24-bit 192 KHz Sound Card
– Intel 7260HMWDTX1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter
– Acer G257HU smidpx 60Hz 25.0″ Monitor
– Logitech G910 Orion Spark Wired Gaming Keyboard
– Seagate Expansion 2TB External Hard Drive
Honestly I have no idea if these parts will fit together, but it would seem like this would be a beast computer if they do fit together… Also, if you want to know the price incase you’re considering this build, the price as of 06/08/2015 12:15 PM, is $2087.19 (all parts at their cheapest).
Cole Gotcher says
note not all the parts listed are cheapest on amazon, and some require things like amazon prime, and if you want to know which “vendors” sell the parts listed at their cheapest, here is the link to the part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/L9B8qs (If the link doesn’t work, I’m sorry :P)…
Cole Gotcher says
Also can someone explain why to install windows 8 to a computer, why the computer already needs some sort of OS so it can download windows 8???
shadow/t says
the motherboard comes with a barebones OS so you can test the system before you install Windows (never ever mac for gaming) from a USB or DVD drive
hope that helps :D
bradford smith says
Hello Brent,
I am looking to build a gaming computer with other capabilities such as streaming and home entertainment like watching movies and TV online. My main game is World of Warcraft and Hearthstone from Blizzard and The Lord of the Rings Online from Turbine. My question is which build would be best both from price and quality stand point for someone who doesn’t make a lot of money but loves to afford reasonable products when he can. I don’t have to be able to afford all parts at one time but if I can make a cheap build work with the games and programs listed above then that is the main priority. Also need to upgrade my monitor with above recommendations without needing more than $100-150 to purchase and preferably from a local store such as BestBuy or Walmart. Also if you know of another computer outlet store like Fry’s that is close to San Angelo, TX then I would appreciate your help thanks in advance and hope I didn’t ramble too much to get your help.
Aurelio says
Hi Brent will you update any parts of your 4 builds in the future like adding the 980TI. And can you only run an SSD but with a lot of memory.
Brent Hale says
Hey Aurelio, how’s it going?
Yes, the builds are always updated within a couple days of newer products becoming available on Amazon. So, when the GTX 980 Ti comes out it will likely make it into some of these builds.
Also, Intel has new processors coming out soon and AMD is releasing their new video cards as well. So in the course of the next few months these builds will start to look a lot different.
It doesn’t matter how much memory you have, it won’t affect whether or not you can use an SSD.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Austin says
I was looking into your $1000 build and i did not really like the case and i was wondering if i could replace it for the Thermaltake Versa H21 Window CA-1B2-00M1WN-00 Mid-tower Computer Chassis (Black)?
Here is the link to the case: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IXNPU0Q/ref=s9_simh_gw_p147_d0_i4?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=0MCD8ZH2TCJVHKQ31AJF&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2079475242&pf_rd_i=desktop
Brent Hale says
Hey Austin, how’s it going?
Yes, the Versa H21 will work with the $1,000 build just fine!
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Leonard says
Does the motherboard MSI Z97 PC MATE LGA 1150 have a built in wifi adapter or do I have to purchase my own? If so, should I buy theTP-LINK TL-WDN4800 DUAL BAND WIRELESS N900 PCI EXPRESS ADAPTER 2.4GHz 450Mps/5GHz 450Mps, including Low-profile Bracket?
Brent Hale says
Hey Leonard, how’s it going?
I don’t think the motherboard as built-in WiFi and my experience with built-in WiFi on a motherboard has never been good.
So, yes, I’d recommend getting a USB or PCI WiFI adapter. The one you mentioned is fine, but it really all depends on how fast your router is… if your router can’t do 450Mbps then a 450Mbps WiFi adapter is overkill.
So, just make sure you’re matching the WiFi adapter with your router’s capabilities.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
patrick says
is there a way to get this to 700 dollars and still run at a decent framerate i just cant do 1k feel free to email me
Brent Hale says
Hey Patrick, how’s it going?
Take a look at this page:
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/good-cheap-gaming-computers/
That will give you more builds in your budget. The $700 build listed there can max out most games on a 1920×1080 monitor.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Martin says
Hi Brent, I was thinking of going the chicken way and just buying a mainstream CYBERPOWER Empire Pro Gaming PC. 700 pounds
(1) Are they any good ?
The reason I ask as I thought an easy optipn would be to buy one then upgrade different parts,
(2) Can you do that with such a PC, Upgrade parts easily ?
Brent Hale says
Hey Martin, how’s it going?
It really all depends on the specs of the computer. Though, undoubtedly, you will be paying more for the computer than you would if you built it yourself.
But, yes, you should be able to upgrade it down the road.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Leonard says
Is it recommended to switch the PSU 550w to 850w for the $1250 build. FYI, I may upgrade the pc in the future.
Brent Hale says
Hey Leonard, how’s it going?
If you plan on running dual video cards in the future then, yes, it’s a good idea to go up to 800-850W. Otherwise, for the GTX 980, the XFX 550W is more than powerful enough to run it.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Leonard says
Brent, what’s a recommended monitor for the $1250 build that has a refresh rate up to 144hz, more than 60 fps, and isn’t to pricey (no more than $500). FYI, I play lots of gaming and I’m hoping to get Star War Battlefront.
Leonard says
Also, what’s a recommended camera webcam that’s decent enough for skype, and isn’t too expensive.
Brent Hale says
Hey Leonard,
I would look at BenQs monitors as they specialize in making gaming monitors. Here’s a good 144Hz monitor from them:
BenQ XL Series 24-Inch LED Monitor
And, here’s a list of a bunch of 1080p webcams you can use:
1080p Webcams
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Nesh says
Dear Brent,
I plan to use your $1000 build to buy a computer next week. However, I saw the oldest comment was from March 27, 2014. Does this mean that these builds are from back then?
Also, is it best to wait for Broadwell to be released next month, so the Haswell chip drops in price?
Many, many thanks!
Best regards,
Nesh
Nesh says
Dear Brent,
I’ve made my decisions. You needn’t spend time responding to my questions :)
Best regards,
Nesh
Nguyen says
Can I use the Phanteks Enthoo Pro Full Chassis for the $1500- $1000 build? Is it recommended?
Nguyen says
FYI, not using water cooling. The reason why I’m asking is because the chassis seems to have more space and room for additional fans.
Brent Hale says
Hey Nguyen, how’s it going?
Yes, you can definitely use that case. For the most part, all of the cases in the $1,000 builds can easily be interchanged with other mid-to-high-end cases as long as they can fit the GPU and motherboard in the build.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Nguyen says
Thank you Brent, it did help. I just have one additional question. How much would the $1500 build parts cost by December? Im asking this because I’m saving up and I’m not sure how much it would cost by the time I buy it.
Yohan says
Hi great review i was planning on going for the 2000$ rig i am curious will it ship to india? and how much do you think the price will be after shipping also i am new to this so will i be able to sli the titan x’s?
Brent Hale says
Hey Yohan, how’s it going?
I’m not sure whether or not Amazon.com will ship to India. And, if they do ship there, I’m not sure on how much they would charge for the shipping. I know Amazon has a site specific to India (Amazon.in), but I’m not sure whether or not they will have the same parts.
And, yes, you can SLI TITAN Xs.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Yohan says
Thanks for the info amazon.in and every other site charges 30% extra my best bet is to have a friend from us or canada bring me the parts any good beginners tutorial on how to assemble pc’s would be appreciated thanks for the help.
Bryan M says
Hey Brett,
So i’m fairly new to gaming. I have a budget nothing more than 2k. I wanted advice as far as what would be the best build for me. I’ve been reading around and i get pumped up whenever i see specs and think that I NEED these things because everyoen else is getting them. But then i start to think, i dont think the games i play really require much.
I play lots of League of Legends. My main focus is being able to stream easily. I also want my build to be able let me play new games such as witcher 3, new batman, while i stream these games.
Just thought i’d ask for your opinion on what you think i should get for a new gamer who wants to stream up coming games.
Thanks for your ideas on this site!
Bryan
Bryan M says
I meant Brent, not Brett! Sorry!
Brent Hale says
Hey Bryan, no worries!
You could easily play those games on max settings with a $1,000 budget. If you really want to spend $2,000, you could always build the $1,000 or $1,250 builds, then spend the rest on multiple monitors, a good microphone (for streaming), a good keyboard/mouse, and other accessories.
If you really wanted to, you could build one of the higher budget builds from this page and be able to max out those games fairly easily (especially if your main focus is League):
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/good-cheap-gaming-computers
In my opinion, I would stick right around $1,000-$1,250 for the build itself and then if you want to spend extra, do so on things that will improve the overall quality of your stream (mostly a mic and webcam).
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Sam says
Hey Brent! Just wondering, but do we have to buy and apply thermal paste on the processor?
Brent Hale says
Hey Sam, how’s it going?
It’s been awhile since I have installed my Hyper 212 EVO, but I’m pretty sure it comes with a pre-applied thermal sticky pad. You can use that, or you can remove it and use thermal paste.
Doing the thermal paste yourself usually gives you a little bit better temperatures on your CPU. So, it’s not a bad idea to do.
In fact, I’m in the process of getting my own brand of thermal paste made and it should be available on Amazon earlier this month. If you haven’t built your system by then I’d love it if you’d try it out!
And, let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Sam says
Hey Brent, is the Dell UltraSharp U2412M 24-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor decent enough for the $1250 build? And can I use the $1250 build with the Crucial MX 200 250GB from the $1500 build?
Sam says
Hey Brent! Thanks for the advice, it helped me out a lot. But I have some questions that are probably stupid. First of all, is it hard to make ur own pc? And do they give u a manual? Second of all, if I buy the $1000 pc on black friday, how much would it cost? If you can answer these two questions for me, it would help me put tremendously.
Brent Hale says
Hey Sam, no problem!
It’s not too difficult to build your own computer. In fact, I’m pretty sure that if you can operate a screwdriver and read, that you can build your own computer!
Each component you buy comes with a manual and it’s definitely a good idea to ream those manuals before you build.
However, we have a free step-by-step guide that can be downloaded here:
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/how-to-build-a-gaming-computer/
And, this is one of the best step-by-step video tutorials that will help you out as well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIF43-0mDk4
If you waited until Black Friday to get your parts you can save quite a bit of money. However, the $1,000 build listed above will likely be completely different on Black Friday than it is now. But that’s a good thing, as newer and components (mainly video cards) will be available by then.
Ultimately, if you can wait until Black Friday it would definitely be worth it in savings.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Liam says
Hey Brent,
Thanks for replying so quickly and for clearing it up.
Thanks again,
Liam
Fran says
Hi Brent, may I ask the pros & cons between the two motherboards?
Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0 and the Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3
thank you,
Fran
Brent Hale says
Hey Fran, how’s it going?
There isn’t a whole lot of difference. Both have the 990FX chipset and both ASUS and Gigabyte make quality boards.
I would go with whichever one is more affordable of the two.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Liam says
Hi Brent,
I’m thinking of building a PC, and my friend keeps telling me that I need two things; a sound card and an airport card. Could you just clear up for me what they do and are they necessary?
Thanks,
Liam
Brent Hale says
Hey Liam, how’s it going?
You don’t really need a sound card unless you are an audiophile, as most modern motherboards have good enough sound built right into them.
As for the AirPort card, I believe that’s an Apple-specific thing. If you want your PC to be able to connect to the internet wirelessly then you will need a WiFi adapter. Either of these will work:
TP-LINK TL-WN881ND Wireless N300 PCI Express Adapter
Panda 300Mbps Wireless-N USB Adapter
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
John says
Hey Brent.
I have another question for you. Do you think it would be a good idea to get this bundle[http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q7HZZUK/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=EU7DCJ7HEPMS&coliid=I2N7YVVXS345DA] rather then just buying the $1250 hard drive and then buying the windows operating system and having to put it on manually?
Thanks.
Brent Hale says
Hey John, how’s it going?
Windows 8.1 costs about $90 right now and the WD 1TB Green costs about $52. So, they’re about the same price. And, I still think you have to install it yourself. Or, at least I couldn’t find anything that said that it would come pre-installed.
Also, the WD 1TB Green is the more “energy-efficient” version of the Caviar drives and as such doesn’t run as fast as the WD Blue. The Blue is only about $3 more, so I would go with that instead of the Green.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Marcus says
Hey Brent,
Thanks sooo much for putting this guide together and more importantly answering the comments, they have been a big help!
Do you have any advice on how to adjust for a tri-monitor setup? I want it to play online poker with a plethora of programs running. Also, I would love to use it on the side for gaming, but don’t want to go crazy with spending.
I’m looking for an SSD for my apps and am looking at an i7 4790 and a GTX 980 setup. Do you think I need a second GPU for a 3 monitor setup? Also, any recommendations on monitors?
Thanks again,
Marcus
Brent Hale says
Hey Marcus, how’s it going?
Setting up triple monitors isn’t too difficult. With the GTX 980, you definitely won’t need a second card. The 980 can handle three monitors fairly easily.
You’ll just need to make sure that the video card you get has at least three ports of either DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort. It can either be 1 of each of those ports (most common), or 3 of one of those ports.
Then, you need to make sure the monitors you have will connect by the ports you have.
For instance, I’m running triple monitors and have two of my monitors connected via DVI and one of my monitors connected via DisplayPort with a DVI-to-DisplayPort adapter.
I think most GTX 980s have three DisplayPorts, one HDMI port, and one DVI port. So, getting monitors that have DisplayPorts is probably your easiest route.
As for monitors, it depends on what resolution you want. This is a solid option for a 1920×1080 monitor that has a DisplayPort connection:
Asus Monitor VE248Q 24-Inch Screen LCD Monitor
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Marcus says
Hi Brent,
Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions, I really appreciate it.
I’m looking at the tri-monitor setup with three 27″ monitors at 1440p. Would the GTX 980 still hold up for these? (Should I hold out for the GTX 980 ti?) Also, I’m looking for a small a bevel as possible. Do you have any recommendations for this? I searched and found this one – XG270HU – but honestly don’t have much of a clue aside from some internet searching.
Thanks again,
Marcus
Ed Williams says
Greetings,
It is time to build a new PC, I do this every two years or so. I decided this year that I would again look at Alienware, and see if I can suck up throwing so much money into someones pockets, just to save a little time.
As you can imagine, after pricing out their top of the line pc’s, I decided, yet again, NOT!
My question to you is, I have a $2k-$3k budget, would you be willing to do the leg work(research) for me and put together a screaming all SSD monster? (thinking 2 SSD, 1 boot, 1 games + 1 massive non SSD for all other)
I have monitors, keyboard, and mice… just need case and all it’s innards. Water cooled is on the table if needed, although I have never done it. Been building them since I was a kid, and I’m 47 now.
I only ask because I want to make sure I get the best bang for my buck, and your top in the article stops at the $2k line, wouldn’t it be fun to add just a bit more? :) Or convince me I should stay at the $2k line… Either works.
I look forward to your reply!
Respectfully,
Ed Williams
Ed Williams says
Just realized, might be time to go with a 3rd monitor and use my dual 24’s as sides. Any recommendations on a killer new center monitor? All about the games, and occasional streaming… :)
Racerjr2387 says
Hi Ed. I use an awesome website called pcpartpicker maybe you have heard of it. Anyway I usually make random builds on different topics such as budget prices and I have a $3000 build already ready. This is my personal opinion so you don’t have to use all the exact parts but you it is kind of a template for you to use if you want I hope it’s helpful and good luck.
http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/
Racerjr2387 says
I would also like to state that I am not a hardware expert and so I do not exactly know what all the V-RAM and Cache stuff do but I am learning and it is a nice thing to research while I am not gaming or have nothing else to do. I hope you guys and gals understand.
Brent Hale says
Hey Ed, how’s it going?
I would probably say to do the $2,000 build, add a second GTX Titan X, add another SSD, and up the 1TB HDD to a 2,3,or 4 TB HDD.
Although, I’m sure that will go over $3,000. You could also run triple GTX 980s, but the returns (in terms of performance) diminish significantly when you add a third card.
However, I would say that if you aren’t using 4K monitors, then this kind of setup will be way overkill as even a single ~$250 video card can max out pretty much any modern game on a 1920×1080 monitor with high FPS.
So, another option is to go with the $2,000 build and add a 4K monitor (or three!)
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Howie says
Hi I would like to know if there are any other tiny bits and bobs that are not included in the sale list for the 1k build and the 2k build like cords and other small parts like that?
Brent Hale says
Hey Howie, how’s it going?
Everything you need to assemble the tower will come with the components provided. This includes all cables and screws needed for assembly. The one exception, though, may be with SATA cables. In most scenarios, your motherboard will come with enough SATA cables for your components, but it’s not a bad idea to get a few extra (especially some that are a little longer to help you with cable management) just in case.
You will need to add a copy of Windows, though, as that doesn’t come with the build. And, of course, you’ll need a keyboard, mouse, and monitor.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Howie says
What would be the cheapest monitor I could buy? Other than that I’m good to go!
Howie says
Cheap as possible but 25 inches at least.
John says
Hi Brent!
I have a few questions. First off, I am looking at the $1250 build and was wondering what would be a good keyboard and monitor for it. Secondly, would my build still be stable if I changed my power supply to 850?
Brent Hale says
Hey John, how’s it going?
For the $1,250 build I would look at getting either a 2560×1440 monitor or a 4K monitor.
Here are some good 4K monitors that aren’t ridiculously expensive:
Samsung 28-Inch Ultra High Definition LED Monitor
ASUS PB287Q 28-Inch Screen LED-Lit 4K Monitor
It really depends on what games you are planning on playing, though. For some games, a single GTX 980 won’t be enough to play them on a 4K monitor with max settings. So, if you’re playing games like Metro Last Light, or Crysis 3, or Thief, you may only be getting around ~30FPS on max settings on a 4K monitor.
These are some good 2560×1440 options:
ASUS PB278Q 27-Inch Professional Graphics Monitor
BenQ GW Series 27-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor
If you’re planning on adding a second GTX 980 in the future and you don’t mind playing on a little bit lower than maximum settings for some of the more demanding games out there, then I would go with a 4K monitor.
And, yes, an 850W PSU will be fine, especially if you want to add a second GTX 980 later down the road.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Eric says
If I’m looking at the $1250 system, how can I reduce noise? What tips/techniques work? I really don’t want an airplane taking off in my office. Thanks!
Brent Hale says
Hey Eric, how’s it going?
Noise is going to depend on the case (to a degree), the types of fans you have in the case (including your CPU cooler), your video card, and your power supply.
Ultimately, you shouldn’t have to worry about the system being too loud at all, as all of the components in the $1,250 are good quality. The Hyper 212 and EVGA GTX 980 are pretty quiet and you shouldn’t have to worry about the power supply as well.
If you’re really concerned about sound you can try one of Fractal Design’s cases (like the Define R4) as the case utilizes sound dampening sheets in their sound panels to reduce noise.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
PJC says
Hey Brent,
I recently bought the listed items under the $1000 pc you have listed above, but I am confused as to why you have both an hdd and a SSD in the components listing? I bought the seagate 1 TB HDD SATA 6 gb/s 64 mob cache 3.5 internal bare drive and the crucial mx100 128 GB SATA 2.5 inch SSD. Am I supposed to choose between the two or do I need both?
Here is a list of all my components, could you verify that it will work?
The two parts listed above
Case: Antec 900 Black Steel ATX mid tower case
Ram: crucial ballistix sport 8 GB kit
Fan: cooler master 212 evo (what does this do? Go over the power supplies?)
PSU: Firepower Silencer MK III series 600w modular PSU features 100% Japanese 105degree Celsius rated capacitors
Mobo: MSI ATX DDR3 2400 LGA 1150 Mobo Z97 pc mate
Processor: Intel core I-5 4690k 3.5ghz LGA 1150
Vid card: the gtx 970 listed in the $1000 pc
Do these components come with instructions for assembly? Or how do you know what plugs into where correctly? Do I need to purchase a sound card or is there an integrated one?
Thanks in advance!
PJC says
Also, what extra things do I need in terms of hardware? Do I need to buy all the cables, mounts, etc? I noticed the seagate HDD is bare. If I need this hdd what cables do I need?
Brent Hale says
Hey PJC, how’s it going?
As Corky pointed out you will be using both the SSD and the HDD. Since SSDs are still expensive in relation to HDDs price/GB, it makes sense to put your OS and your favorite games/programs on the SSD and all of your other files on your HDD.
As for assembly instructions, it’s always a good idea to read the manuals for the components (especially the motherboard) as that will give you a good idea of what goes where. And, as Corky also pointed out, there are a bunch of building tutorials online that will help you through the process.
We have a free step-by-step building guide available here:
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/how-to-build-a-gaming-computer/
And, this is my favorite building tutorial on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIF43-0mDk4
Those will help you through the building process.
As for cables, mounts, etc. the motherboard will have some extra SATA cables but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to buy a couple extra just in case you don’t have enough. All the other cables and screws are provided.
You will need a copy of Windows, though, and if you want to get a little bit better cooling, applying your own thermal paste (rather than using the thermal pad) is a good idea.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Corky says
Hey PJC,
I’m not Brent, but I can offer some advice.
You will use both the SDD and HDD. Your solid state drive (SSD) is what you will load your operating system (Windows) onto (and other big programs that you can fit on it afterwards; eg Skyrim, etc.). SSD drives are much much faster than HDD, but come at a much higher price per gigabyte. So, you load your OS on there and you’ll get super fast boot up speeds & loading speeds for whatever else you put on there. And then you have your HDD that you put everything else on (pictures, videos, etc.)
This seems to be your first build. No worries. I would definitely hit up youtube and just look up PC building instructional videos. There are a lot of good ones out there. It may seem daunting at first, but don’t worry.
-Corky
PJC says
I really appreciate the work gone into this guide. This guide was a god send for me after my ancient pc finally gave out. I had the original Alienware pc from before they were bought out by dell and was running a gtx 260 still lol. It finally died today after having another bsd with vista 32-bit and I tried to clean it up by dusting it. After cleaning it it simply would not turn on and I found a blown capacitor, shame really. Anyway I bought the pc on your $1000 budget with a dif chassis though and am looking forward to “catching up” from the dark ages. I hope I’m in for a big surprise! Thanks!
PJC says
BTW, I bought my pc in 2008 for $2,400 from Alienware with horrible customer service and got left in the dark who dell bought them out. I really wished I would hav pe invested in building my own pc instead of making that purchase. I will never buy a pre built system again!
Brent Hale says
Hey PJC, I’m glad the guide was able to help you find a replacement for your aging machine! Best of luck with the build and have fun with your new monster!
Best,
Brent
Corky says
Hi Brent,
Great guide. I’m looking to do a new build. It’s been about 5 years since my last build and after a few upgrades to try and keep up, it’s time to start anew. The $1750 build looks close to what I’m going for.
My main goal is to game in 4K on maxed out settings. (No video editing/rendering, etc.)
My main question would be if going for an X99 set and DDR4 is worth it for this application? Or would 4970K and DRR3 be solid enough to last and game in 4K for a long while.
Also leaning towards 2 x GTX 970s for the build.
Any advice would be great! Thanks
Brent Hale says
Hey Corky, how’s it going?
Since you’re not editing or rendering, then I would just stick with the Z97 platform. DDR4 doesn’t offer a significant advantage and if you’re going to get bottlenecked in 4K gaming it will be by the GPU.
With that being said, dual 970s in SLI will be enough to run even the most demanding games at 4K with respectable frame rates.
http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/geforce_gtx_970_sli_review,22.html
That Guru 3D benchmark shows dual 970s running Crysis 3 at 4K with ~31FPS. That’s not amazing, but Crysis 3 is ridiculously demanding and most of the other games on that bench were at least 40FPS.
So, you should be good to go with the $1,750 build.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Corky says
Awesome, thanks for the input. I’ll definitely be sticking with Z97
One other side question: I noticed the Mobo for the $1750 has an M2 slot, but we are going with a SATA cable for the SSD.
Any preference or thoughts on M2 vs SATA?
Thanks,
-Corky
Aurelio says
Hey Brent I’m going with the $2,000 build and I want to change the cpu, motherboard, and cooling fan. I don’t want any bottlenecking can you give me a list of some parts. I also don’t have a mouse and a keyboard can you recomend me some.
Brent Hale says
Hey Aurelio, how’s it going?
The CPU, motherboard, and cooling fan in the $2,000 build won’t bottleneck you if that is your concern.
I’m not sure what your total budget is, but you could always get an i7-5930K, an LGA 2011 motherboard, and build your own custom water cooled loop.
If you’re looking for a higher end mouse and keyboard, then I would look at a mouse that is at least $50 and a keyboard that is over $100.
I personally use a GX Gaming Maurus X mouse and a Tesoro Lobera Supreme mechanical keyboard. They have worked great for me. I also have a Razer Black Widow Ultimate for my HTPC (when I turn it into full PC gaming mode) and the Logitech MX Performance mouse. The Black Widow Ultimate is awesome, but I would look for a wired mouse rather than the wireless Logitech MX.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Rhys says
Hey man.
I was just wondering which build would be best for running games like GTA V and Witcher 3 on their max settings? I have a monitor and would like to run both games at 1920 X 1080. Also (if possible) would aim for around 60fps. The cost isn’t really an issue (it just changes how long before i can purchase haha). Also are all these builds relatively easy to put together as this is my first time attempting a build? And also would i be able to upgrade all these builds in the future?
Cheers
Rhys
Brent Hale says
Hey Rhys, how’s it going?
The $1,000 build should be able to handle GTA V fine on max settings on a 1920×1080 monitor if you’re looking to spend as little money as possible. It’s always nice to have an SSD, too, so you can add one of those if you have a little more to spend.
Yes, building your own system isn’t too difficult as all. If you can operate a screwdriver you can put together a computer. We have a free step-by-step guide here:
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/how-to-build-a-gaming-computer/
You can also use Newegg’s video tutorial found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIF43-0mDk4
Both of those will help you with the building process. And, I would just make sure you have internet access through a laptop or smartphone so that if you run into any problems you can ask for help on forums, or Google search for the solution.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have other questions.
Best,
Brent
Aurelio says
Thanks for the suggestions but what about upgrading the motherboard, the CPU, RAM, and the Fan on the $2000 build. And I’m also wondering if there is any bottlenecking with the CPU and GPU.
Cole B. says
Hey Brent, I’m very new to building computers (This is the first article I could understand so far) and I had some questions about the 1,000$ build. A. Is there any other cords or bits I would need that aren’t inside the wishlists? B. Where can I find a guide for absolute dummies to assembling all this? Thanks!
Brent Hale says
Hey Cole, how’s it going?
All of the cables you’ll need will come with the components but it doesn’t hurt to grab a few extra longer SATA cables just to be safe.
And, if you want the best cooling possible on your CPU, you will probably want to get thermal compound and apply it yourself rather than using the pre-applied thermal sticky pad that comes with the CPU cooler.
As for guides, you can use our free step-by-step guide and/or you can use Newegg’s Build A PC video tutorial:
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/how-to-build-a-gaming-computer/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIF43-0mDk4
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Glenn says
Brent
Great article. Thanks. I am going to do the $2000 build. A couple of questions…..
Should I do dual video cards? If so, what cards? Why would or would not this be a better option or something to consider? Also, I assume it it something that can be added later, correct?
Second, can you recommend a monitor? Preferably one that is “reasonably priced” but also allows me to take advantage of the high resolution the computer allows.
Thanks
Brent Hale says
Hey Glenn, how’s it going?
Dual video cards will give you higher framerates but they aren’t always ideal as some games aren’t optimized for them and they can take some work to get setup and working properly. With that being said, for about the same price as the Titan X you can get two GTX 980s. And, NVIDIA definitely does dual video cards (SLI) better than AMD, so that’s a plus.
And, yes, you can always add a second GTX 980 (or Titan X if you want to get real crazy) later as long as your power supply is up for the task.
Since you’re going with the $2,000 build, you will want at least a 2460×1440 monitor, but since you’re spending all that money, a 4K monitor would be better.
I would look at these monitors:
Samsung 28-Inch Ultra High Definition LED Monitor
ASUS PB287Q 28-Inch Screen LED-Lit 4K Monitor
Just a side note, though, I would either get the Titan X or two GTX 980s right now if you’re going to get a 4K monitor. The 980 can handle 4K gaming fairly well, but you may not be getting as high of framerates as you’d want out of a $2,000+ system with a single 980.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Aurelio says
I want to be able to play in 4k on high settings on any game like GTA 5 or other games. Any suggestions on what else to add or change on the $2,000 PC like in the $2,250-$2,500 range?
Brent Hale says
Hey Aurelio, how’s it going?
The GTX Titan X that comes in the $2,000 build is actually capable of running games at 4K pretty well. Although, you could also run GTX 980s in SLI for about the same price and get better performance. Just depends on whether or not you want to run an SLI setup or not.
The 980s are pretty efficient so even a quality 750-850w power supply would be able to accommodate them.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Shawn H says
Hi, I want to build a high-end gaming PC that can run GTA V and Arma 3 on max settings. I already have a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. My max budget is $1,500 but if I can spend less I’d rather do that. Should I get the $1,500 build or can I save and get the $1,000 or $1,250 builds?
Brent Hale says
Hey Shawn, how’s it going?
If you want to save money the $1,000 build will work fine for GTA V and Arma 3. Arma 3 is a strange game that is under-optimized for today’s video cards, but the GTX 970 will allow you to run it on high-to-ultra settings with good frame rates.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
luis says
Hey Brent Im looking at the $1,000 build. Would it be able to run games like BF4, DayZ, and H1Z1?
And what is the best monitor for this build? Thanks.
Brent Hale says
Hey Luis, how’s it going?
Yes, the $1,000 build will be able to run all of those games on high or max settings with no problems.
I would either pair it with a high-end 1920×1080 monitor or a solid 2560×1440 monitor if you want a better picture quality.
These monitors will work well:
1920×1080
1. ASUS VE248H 24-Inch Full-HD LED-lit LCD Monitor
2. BenQ GL2460HM 24-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor
3. BenQ Gaming Monitor 24″
2560×1440
1. ASUS PB278Q 27-Inch Professional Graphics Monitor
2. BenQ GW Series 27-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Michael says
You do realize that the R9 290 Tri-x is considered a R9 290x right? the Video i showed you(TekSyndicate) is the exact same graphics card as this,
http://cdn3.wccftech.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Sapphire-Radeon-R9-290X-Tri-X.jpg
I didnt state that it was a R9 290x that was my fault.
http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/product_index.aspx?pid=2090&lid=1
Brent Hale says
Hey Michael,
Those are two different products. There is a Tri-X R9 290 and a Tri-X R9 290x.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202143
There’s the specs on Newegg, if you scroll down to GPU it says R9 290.
Also, here’s the actual product listing on Sapphire’s page:
http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&gid=3&sgid=1227&pid=2091&psn=&lid=1&leg=0
http://media.sapphiretech.com//images/prods/2091/11227-00_R9_290_TRI-X_4GBGDDR5_DP_HDMI_2DVI_PCIE_FBC_635225388978943351_600_600.jpg
Michael says
Sorry about that, i saw my error right after Typing that last Message, Question tho. The 970 only runs 50Mhz faster than the R9 290 and with the 3.5 GB usable issue i dont know if it would be worth the extra money still.
Thanks for your time,
Michael says
Question, why pay so much on GTX cards? the 970 is outperformed by a card that it 50 dollars cheaper (R9 290 Tri-x OC)(Sapphire). Your trying to build 1,250$ Gaming Pcs but your forgetting big parts. Where is my SSD? if i am building a PC i want fast speeds . Personally for people wanting to build i card heres a tip, do not just run a GTX card because some sites say its what you want, do some research with benchmarks and what you prefer. I am in no way apposed to GTX the Titan looks sexy but i wouldn’t pay that much when i can SLI or crossfire and get better performance for less.
Brent Hale says
Hey Michael, thanks for reading and commenting.
For starters, where is the Sapphire R9 290 Tri-X OC $50 cheaper than the GTX 970 (Gigabyte) I have listed?
On Amazon it’s $300 ($280 after rebate) and it’s currently out of stock. It’s $294 on Newegg and it’s out of stock there as well.
The Gigabyte GTX 970 I have in the build is $315 ($$295) after rebate on Amazon. So, yeah it’s $15 more expensive. I don’t know what benchmarks you’re going off of, but these suggest the GTX 970 outperforms the R9 290 in pretty much every scenario:
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_970_Gaming/10.html
http://www.techspot.com/review/991-gta-5-pc-benchmarks/page2.html
http://www.anandtech.com/show/8568/the-geforce-gtx-970-review-feat-evga
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2014/09/19/nvidia-geforce-gtx-970-review/1
The only time the R9 290 edges the GTX 970 is in 4K gaming on AMD-friendly games (like BF4). Outside of that, the GTX 970 beats the R9 290 in pretty much every other scenario.
In fact, the GTX 970 stays on par with (and at times exceeds) the R9 290X.
As for the SSD in the $1,250 build… if you want big parts, surely you’re talking about the most important parts in a ‘gaming’ rig, like the video card, right? If you put an SSD in that build you can’t get the GTX 980, which means you have to drop down to an R9 290x or a GTX 970.
That’s fine, but if your goal is to maximize in-game performance, then you would go with the GTX 980. There’s other items that you could reduce (the case, motherboard, and CPU to an unlocked process), but why not leave out the SSD–which can be easily added later–than lose the extra FPS the 980 offers, the ability to overclock, or a roomier case?
I’ve never included NVIDIA cards just to include them. In fact, over the course of providing these builds I would say that these higher-end builds have included AMD cards more often than NVIDIA cards. However, with the GTX 900 series outperforming the R9 200 series cards for similar or chepaer costs and being much more efficient, it’s a no-brainer.
When the R9 300 series cards come out from AMD, those will likely take the place of the GTX 900 series cards in these builds.
Anyways, thanks for your input!
Best,
Brent
Michael says
One thing to do with people that are building their own computer for the first time would be to Give them a site, Not Newegg or Amazon. pcpartpicker itself offers amazing deals being as it has contracts with theses sites. Why pay more on Newegg when i can get it from Pcpartpicker that is going through newegg for less? For Example http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-1003623
Heres a Indepth review
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2014/03/11/sapphire-radeon-r9-290x-tri-x-oc-review/10
Along with BF4
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sapphire/R9_290X_Tri-X_OC/9.html
at 1920 x 1080 you do have a FPS drop of around 5 FPS but your price difference makes up with that, along with the Tri fan system doing a much better job of keeping the heat off of the Main GPU chip
As for GTA V
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch2dqsZeNHs
Personally i don’t know why you wouldn’t check prices on PcPartPicker because they have deals with the merchants.
Thanks,
Michael
Brent Hale says
The link you provided to the Sapphire card on PC Part Picker didn’t work.
If I look for the Sapphire R9 290 Tri-X video card on PC Part Picker I get this page:
https://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-1003622sr
That only has an Amazon listing. And, just like I said, it takes you to the page that says it’s out of stock…
The price difference is $10 between the two cards and you can’t get the Tri-X right now anyways.
The reviews you listed were from before the 970 even came out. And, again, the 970 beats it. You’re also backtracking, because you originally said:
“the 970 is outperformed by a card that it 50 dollars cheaper (R9 290 Tri-x OC)(Sapphire).”
But now you’re admitting that the GTX 970 is faster.
And, your link to the GTA V video is a benchmark of the R9 290X. That is a different card than the R9 290. It’s more expensive than the GTX 970. Are we comparing the R9 290x to the GTX 970 or the R9 290 to the GTX 970?
PC Part Picker is great, no doubt, but there are benefits to buying solely through Amazon. For instance, if you have a Prime account you get free two-day shipping, which means you’ll be building two days after you make your purchase. I have a Prime account because I hate waiting for stuff. I doubt I’m the only one. The other thing is that if you buy all through one site, you get all of your parts at the same time. Whereas if you buy from multiple sites you’re waiting on all your parts to get there before you can build.
I appreciate you taking the time to comment and thanks again for your feedback!
Best,
Brent
Michael says
For one you didn’t even send me back the link i sent you, My link was from Pcpartpicker selling through newegg… I also used the links you sent me to compare the 2 Graphics cards, as you said it was outdated. So you sent me outdated links instead of giving me new ones? If you read my first reply along with many benchmark videos you can research about said card.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6xzzt2tL38
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy2NqJ3MeGY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c92qm8LhTU0
And i agree about Amazon prime, its nice but the extra money isnt worth it. Id much rather save 40+ dollars and hae it takes 3-5 days. For people just starting to learn building computers giving them a online are like PcPartPicker that allowes you to Compare items works much better.
Once again Heres the link for the Cheaper Card:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-1003623l
Brent Hale says
Hi Michael,
I wasn’t trying to send you back the link you sent me. The first link you sent me didn’t work. I tried to find the Sapphire Tri-X on PC Part Picker and the link I sent you was the result of my find. And that page on PC Part Picker showed the Tri-X only being sold through Amazon. The new link you provided now works (there is an “l” at the end of the new one you provided) and I can see the Newegg price.
This is the Tri-X on Newegg that I originally found:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202080
Hence why I thought it was out of stock. So, now I see where you are getting the $50 difference between cards. Yes, that’s a great deal.
Another reason why I have all these parts listed through Amazon is for convenience. This way if people really don’t want to do all the comparing, they can hit a couple of buttons and they have everything they need. So, if I were to include parts from Newegg, Superbiiz, TigerDirect, it would add to the confusion for first-time builders who don’t know what’s compatible with what.
I would argue that, while PC Part Picker is great, it has a learning curve for people who have never built a computer before. My lists are meant as options for first-time builders who just want the peace of mind knowing they’re getting everything they need, without having to spend time manually choosing each part not knowing what works with what.
Also, again, the first YouTube benchmark (TekSyndicate) you sent me was for the R9 290X, not the 290. And, the benchmarks in the other videos you sent still show the R9 290 losing to the GTX 970. The third video is from a guy with 7 subscribers and there’s no comparison with other cards so I don’t know why you would trust a single benchmark when you can look at one that uses the same setup and just switches out the video cards. It also doesn’t show average FPS. (Like the TechSpot benchmark I sent.)
Thanks again for commenting!
Best,
Brent
Malaka says
Hey Brent!
I just built the 1250 build and it is great! Thanks a lot! This build really helped me a lot!
Malaka
Brent Hale says
Hey Malaka, that’s awesome to hear! Glad the guide was able to help you out.
If you get a chance, be sure to post pictures of the build in the forums! We’d love to see it.
Best,
Brent
Torgny says
Hi Brent,
After playing and working on laptops for years, the urge to build a proper gaming-pc is getting out of hand.
I want to use my build for gaming, video editing and 3D-rendering, but because I’m new to the computer part market, I’m not sure if my build would work.
I’m aiming for a 1 700€ build (With monitor: 2 200€) with lots of upgrade capabilities (2nd GPU, overclocking, more HHDs/SSDs) in a year or so.
Build:
CPU: intel i7-4790k
Fan: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
GPU: MSI GeForce GTX 980 Gaming 4G
PSU: Seasonic M12II-850 EVO Edition
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport (4x4GB)
MOBO: ASUS Z97-PRO
HDD: WB Black 1TB
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 Advanced
Monitor: Viewsonic VP 2770
Here I have my questions:
a) Does this build work like it is?
b) Are there better cases for the same sort of price (substance over style, as I like it)
c) Any advice for upgrades?
Brent Hale says
Hey Torgny, how’s it going?
That’s definitely a solid build that will allow you to upgrade in the future.
A) Yes, everything will work together just fine.
B) I, personally, run this case in my HTPC build (yes, it’s pretty big for an HTPC case) and I love it:
Cooler Master HAF XB EVO
It’s not for everyone, though. Here is a list of some other cases that will work:
NZXT Technologies Phantom 240 Mid Tower Case
NZXT ATX Mid Tower Case
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Case
There’s plenty more that will fit your needs as well. These are just a few others.
C) As far as upgrades go, you could add an SSD and, as you said, a second GTX 980 down the road. Triple monitors is always nice, too, especially if you’ll be doing design work on it. Other than that, this build is very high-end.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Josh says
Hey!
First off, I echo the praises of those before me. This guide is fantastic and has been a constant reference point in my own research.
Considering the $1.5 k build but with the GeForce 970 GPU since I think this will be enough for me. I prefer the relative gaming overkill of the i7 since I intend to do some video editing.
Few questions.
1. The GeForce 970 GPU in the $1k build is huge. Will it obscure some of the HD bays in the case? I’ll be likely to swap the case for a Fractal Design R4 mid tower too, for which I have the same concern.
2. I’m considering some video editing and as such, have opted for the i7-4790k and 16GB of RAM. Is 4x4GB better than 2x8GB?
3. I live in the UK. Is there an easy way to transfer your parts list to the .co.uk site and modify it from there?
Sadly the parts are far more expensive for us too :( if anyone has suggestions on how to cut the cost of parts I’d much appreciate the response!
Thanks again,
Josh
Brent Hale says
Hey Josh, how’s it going?
1. The Gigabyte 970 will fit in the HAF 912 but you have to remove one of the HDD cages and it looks like the same thing for the Fractal Design R4. This case right here will fit the 970 fine:
NZXT No Power Supply ATX Mid Tower Case
In fact, on the next update, I will switch to this case as it’s cheaper and fits the build better. There are quite a few other cases that should fit the 970 fine as well if you don’t like that NZXT case.
2. I would stick to 2x8GB for a couple of reasons. While 4x4GB gives you a very slight performance boost, running it will slightly increase the risk memory failure. Also, with 2x8GB you have the option to add more RAM. And, even though most will never need more than 16GB of RAM, it’s nice to have the option.
Some people like to run 4x4GB for aesthetic purposes, though, and there’s no harm in that. Either way, there’s no real significant advantage whichever configuration you decide to choose.
3. Unfortunately, since Amazon US and UK have different product catalogs, I don’t think there is anyway to transfer the parts unless you add them one at a time.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Aurelio says
Hi Brent I am planning on building the $1,500 PC and am wanting to add another
MSI GeForce GTX 980 in the future and more ram should I get a higher power supply
and if so which one?
Brent Hale says
Hey Aurelio, how’s it going?
The GTX 980 is pretty efficient, so even a quality 750W PSU would be able to run dual GTX 980s.
With that being said I would look at a quality 800-850W PSU to be on the safe side.
Any of these three will be more than enough:
1. XFX PRO850W Core Edition
2. Seasonic M12II-850 BRONZE
3. EVGA SuperNOVA 850G2 80PLUS Gold Certified
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Evan says
Hey dude!
Thanks for the awesome post. I’m looking at the $1500 build right now, but there are 2 things I am wondering about. Doesn’t the MSI GeForce GTX 980 recommend at least 600W of power? Could you help me find the best *compatible*(I’m not an expert with compatibility) power supply from 600-750W while retaining the cheapest price possible? Also, I noticed the SSD only has 128GB. I won’t be gaming heavily, mainly playing Guild Wars 2 and using Sony Vegas, Adobe Photoshop, etc. Is 128GB enough?
Thanks!
Evan says
Woops! One more question. I was also searching for a monitor. I saw one of your replies recommending a couple monitors, and this is the one I was planning on purchasing. Would it work with the $1500 build?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007HSKSMI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007HSKSMI&linkCode=as2&tag=thowisguy-20&linkId=NCQARWCBW5EZBR7J
Brent Hale says
Hey Evan, how’s it going?
The MSI GTX 980 actually only requires a 500W PSU, so the XFX one will be fine. If you need a bigger power supply, then you might as well go with this:
XFX PRO850W Core Edition
It’s only about $25 more than the 550W unit included in the build.
I, personally, have a 128GB SSD and that is just enough for my needs. I use it for a few games and programs and then put everything else on my 1TB HDD. However, prices have come down quite a bit for SSDs and you may require more SSD storage… so there wouldn’t be anything wrong going with a 256GB model.
And, yes, that monitor will work well with the $1,500 build.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Jamal Johnson says
Wtf you deleted my comment? Why?
Brent Hale says
Nobody deleted your comment. Our servers reverted back to ~April 10th and all comments since then were lost.
Michael says
Hi Brent,
I appreciate the article, it gave me some great food for thought. I’m looking at building a computer, and have come up with the following. The last one I built was back in 2008 or so, so it’s been a bit. I’m looking to max everything out there, and be fairly ‘future proof’ with minor upgrades(namely eventually utilizing SLI). Any thoughts/comments/red flags I may have missed? Right now it’s right around $1500, and I’m hoping to keep it around there.
Case: Antec 900
Mobo: ASUS Z87-PRO LGA 1150
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K
Fan: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
GPU: EVGA 04G-P4-2972-KR GeForce GTX 970 4GB
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (within a few months getting another stick to bump it to 16GB total)
PSU: XFX P1-750B-BEFX
SSD(OS and most drive heavy games): Crucial MX100 256gb
HDD 1(general storage/games): WD BLACK SERIES 1 TB WD1003FZEX
HDD 2(for backup from HDD1): Western Digital Blue 1 TB WD10EZEX 1TB
OS: Windows 7 home premium
CD/DVD/BluRay: LG Black Blu-ray Disc Drive
Brent Hale says
Hey Michael, thanks for reading and commenting!
Everything looks great and it’s all compatible with each other.
The only thing you might want to look at is getting the ASUS Z97 Pro as it’s the newest chipset, whereas the Z87 is a little bit older.
Not really a big deal, as there isn’t a ton of difference between the two, but it’s something to consider.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
jack robbin says
hi brent
great article indeed
i’m building a new pc in the next few days and my budget is open
using it for gaming and recording while gaming on the best resolotion/performance/speed you name it , as much as possible
as well using editing programs in the process
can you recommend me a solid setup from a-z as if you were in my place and building one with a open budget for it
i read the article and i only decided the best out of all of them but i felt like i’m gonna be spending on stuff i may do not need or just wasting money , so ill appreciate your opinion
Thanks for the effort in this article ..
regards , jack
jack robbin says
i saw the 2000 build and still not enough for my needs
i can go to 4000- 5000$
max says
I can help you no problem….
spending money is not hard…..
the hard part is earning it….
i would also love a titan x donation for my pc :) :) please !!!
Brent Hale says
Hey Jack, how’s it going?
For $4,000-$5,000 I would take the $2,000 build and make the following changes:
1. Upgrade to a +1,200W PSU,
2. Add another GTX Titan X
3. Get a 4K monitor
Other upgrades you can make:
1. Upgrade to an Extreme Intel Processor (i7-5930K) with a compatible LGA 2011 motherboard.
2. Add extra 4K monitors
3. Add liquid cooling
4. 32GB of RAM
5. Upgrade storage
You really have a lot of options with a $5,000 budget. But I would ultimately start with dual GTX Titan Xs and a 4K monitor and build around that.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Jack robbins says
Gtx titan gddr5 duals
Mother board rampage extreme asus
i7intel 5930k processor
Corsair liquid h100i
Ssd samsung pro 850 pro
Western digital hard 1tb
32gb ram
1500 wat psu silent pro
It cost 7000 bucks tho lol without the 4k monitor
4kmonitor cost alone 2500bucks lol
Anyhow thank you for your guidance
Its being builded as we speak xd
brent says
Good day brent, first of all I wanna thank you for this guide. This will help me build my first ever $1500 gaming desktop! Some parts are already been shipped. But I have few questions about the OS widows 8.1, which one should I choose 8.1 SL/OEM or 8.1 PRO? Which would you prefer for gaming? What are the pros and cons between the two version? I hope you could help me. Thanks in advance. By the way my name is also brent :)
Brent Hale says
Hello fellow Brent! How’s it going?
I would stick with the regular Windows 8.1 as the difference between the two isn’t too significant. Here are the three main things 8.1 Pro has that the regular version doesn’t:
1. Encrypt your data with BitLocker
2. Access your PC on-the-go with Remote Desktop
3. Connect to company networks with domain join
Most people don’t use those features, so the regular 8.1 is fine.
Just make sure you get the System-Builder version!
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Ollie says
Hey there Brent, how are you?
I just want to say thank you so much, first of all, for this in-depth guide on how to find the best gaming pc components based on your chosen budget.
Since I am kind of a “noob”, with basically building PC’s, I wanted to learn what the benefits are and what would be best to buy. This guide has it all and I am so pleased and thankful for what you have done here.
I just wanted to ask one question though as well. I like to Twitch stream as many other people like to do. I hold a pretty good reputation over there and I wanted to expand my arsenal for when I stream live gaming. I would be streaming games such as CS:GO, MMOs and other various high-end graphical games. I just wanted to ask your own personal opinion as to whether the $2,000 PC has either enough or too much hardware for this dream to come true? All without lag and delay would be prefect as well.
Sorry to ramble on but I just have one tiny question left! I know this is not the site for it but could you possibly recommend me some decent gaming/high-quality monitors? I was thinking of delving into ASUS or BENQ monitors but I am unsure of which ones to look at. My price budget for these would be enough to acquire three monitors, preferably of the same model.
Thank you so much for reading Brent and I really can’t thank you enough for this post. You have no idea how much this has helped me and my thoughts.
Good day from the UK and I hope all is well,
Ollie
Brent Hale says
Hey Ollie, how’s it going?
It really depends on what monitor you want to play on. If you’re playing on a 1920×1080 monitor, then the $2,000 PC will be overkill for streaming games.
For streaming on 1920×1080, I’d look at the $1,000, $1,250, or $1,500 builds.
All of those builds will easily handle streaming games on max settings as well.
As for the monitors, yes, I would go with either an ASUS or a BenQ monitor. BenQ has a bunch of gaming-specific monitors.
I’d probably go with one of these:
BenQ GL Series GL2760H 27-Inch Monitor
BenQ Gaming Monitor (24-Inch LED)
ASUS PG278Q ROG Swift 27-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor
ASUS PB278Q 27-Inch WQHD LED-lit Professional Graphics Monitor
Asus VS247H-P 23.6-Inch Full-HD LED-Lit LCD Monitor
Those are all solid options, depending on your budget for the monitor and your desired resolution.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
arthur says
What monitor, mouse and keyboard would you recommend for the 1500 build?
Brent Hale says
Hey Arthur, thanks for reading and commenting!
I’m probably not the best to recommend a keyboard and mouse, but I personally own a Tesoro Lobera Supreme keyboard and a GX Gaming Maurus X mouse. There are a ton of good options out there.
For a monitor, I have a triple monitor setup, but I want to jump into the world of 4K, so my next upgrade for my system might be three 4K monitors (and a GTX Titan X to power them).
I love triple monitors because nowadays I do more work on my computer than I do playing games. But for the $1,500 build, I’d either pair it with a single 2560×1440 or 4K monitor, or triple 2560×1440 or 1920×1080 monitors, depending on your preferences.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Marshall says
Hey Brent
Hey man
I’m looking at getting that $1250 unit, looks mean, but just a couple queries:
I cant get that motherboard with it because of the shipping from Amazon doesn’t allow it out of the US, whats another good motherboard I could put in to replace that one??
Also bro will that power supply be compatible with a 50hz frequency that we run in New Zealand, rather than that wack voltage US runs haha
Last thing man I swapped out the case for another mid tower, more aesthetic!
Will she work with all this gear?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NGMIBXC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3AFCSA6JU2B0W
Cheers man, thanks for putting all these builds together!
Regards, Marsh
Brent Hale says
Hey Marshall, how’s it going?
I’m not completely sure how that works with the power supply, but you might want to look into buying your PSU and motherboard (if not all of your components, depending on the price) from a New Zealand or Australian retailer.
http://www.ascent.co.nz/
http://www.mwave.com.au/
My guess is that you’ll have an easier time buying a compliant PSU from these and the shipping costs will likely (I think) be lower than if you bought from Amazon US.
Hopefully this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
PRASUN says
i want a setup for samsung UN65HU8550 ….will that $2000 setup run the top end games at ultra high settings in this tv….or i have to spend more….please email me….
Brent Hale says
Hey PRASUN, thanks for reading and commenting!
Yes, the $2000 build will run games on a 4K TV. However, I need to update the video card from two GTX 980s to a single GTX Titan X. It’s actually cheaper and will handle 4K gaming better.
So, if you’re going to get the $2,000 build, just make sure you swap out the two GTX 980s for a GTX Titan X.
And, also make sure you set the monitor’s refresh rate to 60Hz if that is not what it defaults to when gaming.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Dave says
Hi Brent
I’m getting new pc for Birthday
I bit changed the 1500$ build and aren’t there any problems?
CPU- Intel core i7-4790k
Mobo- Asus Maximus VII Hero
CPU Cooler- Coolermaster V8 GTS
GPU- Evga Geforce GTX 980 (Titan Look)
RAM- Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB 1600
HDD- WD Black 1TB
SSD- Crucial MX100 256GB
Case- Coolermaster Storm Trooper (rev.2)
PSU- XFX PRO850W Core Edition (Will add second GTX980 In future)
ODD- Samsung SH224
Thanks.
Dave says
Evga Geforce Gtx Titan X just came out for 1000$
Should i choose it instead of 980?
Brent Hale says
Hey Dave, how’s it going?
Yeah, if the debate is between two GTX 980s or a single Titan X, I’d go with the Titan X (I need to update the $2,000 build to include a single Titan X). If the debate is between a single GTX 980 and a single Titan X and you have the money to get the Titan X, then go with the Titan X.
Of course, this is all assuming you’re planning on playing at 4K resolutions. If you just want to play on a 1920×1080 monitor (or three) then, a single GTX 980 is way more than enough power.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Brent Hale says
And, yes, everything on your list will work together fine. Definitely a solid setup!
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Avishka says
hey Bret ,
hows it going??
I’ve been a pre-computer user & needless to say this whole site is simply the truth. building a pc is better than buying a bullshit over expensive pc,
i’ve been surfing around trying to assemble parts which are compatible, and this artical has proven more than usefull…. Alien ware’s , alien fx software has always amazed me… i will be putting together a pc and i was just wondering if you could inform me, if i can do the same thing that alien fx does… just with my home made pc, i hope you could be able to provide me with a Software & Hardware solution….
oh & can i use 2x MSI GTX 970 in the 2000 $ setup, and later upgrade it with a gtx 980 and make the three work togethed..
and well i’m not a hardware tech genius so i’ll be posting around to get answeres for questions about building a pc at home….
thanx for all the help !! now & the future ;)
Brent Hale says
Hey Avishka, I’m good, thanks for asking!
I’ve never had any experience with Alienware’s software but you’re not the first person to ask me that. If I remember correctly, I think it was determined that you can’t get Alienware’s OS unless you have an Alienware computer.
Yeah, you can definitely go with two GTX 970s to start, but it’s not possible to SLI two different GPUs (970s and 980s) unless there’s some crazy hack to make it work that I haven’t heard about.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Racerjr2387 says
Brent I need help with choosing a pc. I have a $1000 budget and I would like to buy the $1000 build you recommended but I would not have enough for anything and $900 isn’t bad for a gaming pc but I would like to get a high quality gaming computer. What do you recommend?
Brent Hale says
Hey Racerjr, how’s it going? Maybe take a look at these builds:
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/good-cheap-gaming-computers/#23
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/gaming-computers/#3
Those two are ~$700 and ~$800 so you’ll have some money left over for a monitor, OS, and keyboard/mouse.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Racerjr2387 says
Thanks Brent I think I will go for the $700 pc build. Thanks for all your help and awesome content.
victor jones says
Hi,
I would like to know if you can use the 2000 build’s case on the 1750 build ?
Brent Hale says
Hey Victor, how’s it going?
Yep, the Stryker will definitely work for the $1,750 build. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Adrian Ibarra says
Hey Brent, I got the $1k setup (with a different case)and ive got it all plugged in but nothing shows on the monitor? any sugestions or a build log?
Kris says
Is your monitor plugged into your gfx card? I’ve made the mistake and plugged into the motherboard on accident. Nothing will come up unless u have integrated gfx.
Brent Hale says
Hey Adrian, how’s it going?
Check what Kris mentioned as this is sometimes the case. Both your motherboard and video card will have video inputs on the back of the case. Your video card will be lower down. If you plugged the monitor into the motherboard you will not get a video signal.
Hope this helps! Let us know if that was the problem or not and, if not, we can go from there.
Best,
Brent
Micah says
Sorry for the dumb question, Would 16 gigs ram help? in the 1k build or would it help in a different build at all? Or not help at all?
Brent Hale says
Hey Micah, how’s it going? Thanks for reading and commenting.
If you’re just gaming then 16GB of RAM won’t have much (if any) impact on your performance. Most games can’t even utilize 4GB of RAM fully, so 8GB will be plenty.
However, if you’re doing any kind of intensive work-related tasks (like video editing, CAD work, graphics design, etc.) you may benefit with more RAM.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Tim says
Hey Brent, how’s it going?
I was just a little concerned about the ram used in the builds. You know it’s CL10 right? Wouldn’t CL9 be better, since you can get it for about the same price?
Brent Hale says
Hey Tim, I’m great thanks for asking. How are you?
Thanks for the heads up on this. Typically, I don’t worry about whether it’s a CL10 vs CL9 kit. I’m usually looking for whatever reputable manufacturer has their DDR3 1600 MHz RAM for the lowest cost. It was the Kingston HyperX Fury for awhile and so that’s what I went with.
But, in my opinion, the difference between CL9 and CL10 in real-world scenarios is so small that if there is $10 to be saved by going with a CL9 kit then I will do that so I can put that towards getting closer to a video card upgrade. However, seeing as Crucial Ballistix has their RAM (which is CL10) $12 cheaper than the HyperX Fury, that’s definitely the better buy.
Thanks for pointing that out, though, as the deal on the Crucial Ballistix RAM is awesome right now. I’ve added their 8GB kit to all of the builds.
Tim says
Wow, I’m flattered that you actually changed the builds.
Thanks for answering, and after further research, I realize how little the difference between CL 9 and CL 10 really is…
Brent Hale says
Hey Tim! It was a money-saver so I had to add it.
Best,
Brent
Masaru says
Hey Brent
Thanks for this awesome guide! I’ve modified the 2000$ build and i’d like to know if it’s viable…
CPU – Intel Core i7-4790K
FAN – CM Hyper 212 EVO
MOBO – ASUS ATX DDR3 2600 LGA 1150 Motherboards Z97-PRO (Wi-Fi AC)
GPU – 2x ASUS STRIX-GTX980-DC2OC-4GD5
RAM – Dominator Platinum DDR3 1866MHz 16GB
SSD – Samsung 840 EVO 500GB Basic
CASE – CM Storm Stryker Full Tower
PSU – Corsair AX860i Digital
ODD – ASUS BC 12D2HT
Thanks in advance for your reply
Brent Hale says
Hey Masaru, thanks for reading and commenting.
Yes, that is definitely a powerful build and everything is compatible and looks good! Enjoy the monster and let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
newtothis says
Hey Brent! Thanks for all these guides, I’m sure you’ve already heard this from all the other people that have commented on this, but I really appreciate you taking the time to put this all together into one comprehensive website. However, I do have a few questions. 1) I would like to do the $1000 build, but I am probably going to be a very casual gamer, do I really need a whole TB of storage? 2) I’m going to need a monitor for this, what size would you recommend?
PrePost says
Hi, I’m buying my own gaming PC in a few more days and I only have a budget of $900. I want it to be able to run the upcoming MMORPG game black desert online on full settings. can you recommend me a PC build or make one for me? I would also prefer if the gaming PC was upgradable.
Oblivions says
Hey Brent,
Thank you so much for this post. I have really learned so much and i am ready to build my first Gaming PC! I am still deciding on whether i should go with the $1,500 build or the $1,750 build, maybe you can help?
I will be doing a lot of hardcore gaming playing the most demanding and newest games out there. I will also be streaming and i want to be able to play at max settings on all games while still getting high FPS and having the smoothest game play. Also, should i go with a 2560×1440 or 1920×1080 screen?
On the $1500 build i changed a couple things, how does this look? And also are you sure i will not need a water cooling system? Also, the Power Supply seems a little low, no? maybe 600w+?
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K
FAN: CM Hyper 212 EVO
MOBO: ASUS Z97 PRO LGA 1150
GPU : EVGA GeForce GTX 980
RAM: Kingston HyperX Fury 8GB (Switched to) —> Kingston HyperX FURY 16GB Kit (2x8GB) 1600MHz DDR3 CL10 DIMM – Blue (HX316C10FK2/16)
SSD: Crucial MX 100 128GB
HDD: Western Digital Blue 1 TB
CASE: Cooler Master HAF 912
PSU: XFX Core Edition PRO550W
ODD: Samsung 24x SATA
So, will i be able to max out on all games and play at the smoothest possible while also streaming sometimes, or should i get the $1750 build? And will this PC last? And how will the airflow be throughout the case while i am playing 10+ hours a day?
Oblivions says
Also could i add a Wifi card to the $1500 build or the $1750?
JakeH says
I am going to build the $1,750.00 model but wanted (due to bills) to do just a single nvidia 970, no SSD, and was wondering if setting it up w/o dual SLI to begin w/ and no SSD to begin with will impact me in any major way when I am able to order the 2nd g-card and the SSD. Also changed the case on it to the NZXT Phantom 820.
Other question I have is eventually I wan’t to get x3 Asus monitors connected via HDMI is that going to be a problem?
Brent Hale says
Hey Jake, how’s it going?
Yes, you can definitely start with one 970 and add a second one down the road, as well as foregoing the SSD now.
It’s hard to say whether or not you can run triple monitors all from HDMI… I’m not sure if there are any GTX 970s out there that have three HDMI ports on them. You could probably do it if you got to three cards. However, you could always just run some combination of HDMI, DVI, and DisplayPort connections.
You can use this tool to give you a good idea of how to setup a GTX 970, or dual 970s, to run multiple monitors:
http://www.geforce.com//hardware/technology/surround/system-requirements
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Kris says
Hey Brent,
Thanks for the guide very well done and easy read. Taught me a lot in a short amount of time. One question though. How does going with a couple gtx 760’s compare to the latest gtx 980’s? The latest optimal card is like $600-$800 but two 760’s would be around $400 even less for me because I own one already. In other words will the latest gfx card always be better than two or more of the outdated cards? and if thats the case why have sli/crossfire?
Brent Hale says
Hey Kris, thanks for reading and commenting.
Typically, I recommend that people either go with one big single GPU and if that’s not enough (and they have the money) then go for two big GPUs.
The problem with running dual cards is that they cannot be utilized in certain games and they aren’t always easy to configure.
However, in certain scenarios, multiple GPUs are necessary… For instance, if you want to run games at 4K resolution, then you will need at least two higher-end cards. Since 4K gaming isn’t very mainstream and it’s so much more demanding than the middle-tier (and even higher-tier) video cards can handle, it’s one of those rare scenarios where having multiple video cards is actually necessary.
Ultimately, it depends on what kind of setup you want to have, how many monitors you want to play on, and what games you play. If you’re just planning on playing games on a 1920×1080 or 2560×1440 monitor, then I’d go with a single 980. If you want to get into 4K gaming, I’d still go with a single GTX 980 and add a second one when you have the money to do so.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
MicahDeWitt says
I am truly grateful for you list of awesome computer parts, I have two questions I am very dumb at this kind of stuff, 1 is their a wireless internet motem thing to use internet on your pc, and does this come with a windows operating system?
Sorry for your time you must be a busy man.
Brent Hale says
Hey Micah, how’s it going?
The builds listed above do not have Wi-Fi built in. However you can get a cheap USB adapter for about $17:
Panda 300Mbps Wireless-N USB Adapter
The builds do not include operating systems. You can get a copy of Windows 7 or 8.1 (you need the system-builder version) for about $90 on Amazon, though.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions. And, now worries on asking for help, that’s what I’m here for.
Best,
Brent
MicahDeWitt says
Good, How about you? and thank you for the info
Brent Hale says
I’m doing great thanks for asking. And, no problem. That’s what I’m here for.
Paul says
Hello Brent, thank you for these wonder guides! I was thinking about building your recommended $2,000 but I was wondering if it would still work if I only used one gpu instead of two from your guide. Thanks in advance!
Brent Hale says
Hey Paul, thanks for reading and commenting!
Yes, the $2,000 build can definitely be run with only one of the video cards.
If you go with a single GTX 980 instead of two, you could also drop to a ~550W power supply as well to help you save some more money.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Best,
Brent
Justin says
Hi Brent,
First of all I would like to say thank you for putting this information out there for everyone to see, much appreciated! Anyway I was thinking about the 1500 or 1750 builds. Ive been told the 1TB Western Black is better for gaming though compared to the blue, I was wondering if you could explain your choice for blue over black?
Also, I am interested in streaming games at a high resolution. I run two monitors, and want to get back into some FPS games such as battlefield. How would those builds hold up, and would you recommend any changes to them for someone who wants to play and stream?
Thanks again!
-Justin
Brent Hale says
Hey Justin, how’s it going?
Personally, I would just go with the cheaper Blue drive. The difference in performance between the two drives is insignificant and you likely wouldn’t be able to notice it. Both the $1,500 and $1,700 drives come with SSDs as well and if you want a particular game to load faster, you could just install the game on there.
And, as for streaming, both of those builds will easily stream Battlefield and other demanding FPS games on max settings on a 1920×1080 monitor.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Luis says
Could you please tell me if all this would work? looking at building a gaming PC.
Thanks in advanced.
Samsung SATA 1.5 Gb-s Optical Drive, Black SH-224DB/BEBE
XFX TS 550w Full Wired 80+ Bronze Power Supply – P1550SXXB9
WD Blue Desktop Hard Drive 1TB, 7200 RPM, SATA 6 Gb/sec
Intel Core i5-4690K Processor 3.5 GHz LGA 1150 BX80646I54690K
Corsair Vengeance K70 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard – VENGEANCE MX Red, RED LED
Kingston HyperX FURY 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 CL10 DIMM – Red (HX316C10FR/8)
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO – CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Fan (RR-212E-20PK-R2)
MSI GTX 970 GAMING 4G Graphics Cards GTX 970 GAMING 4G
MSI ATX DDR3 2600 LGA 1150 Motherboards Z97-G45 GAMING
Corsair Graphite Series 230T Black with Window Compact Mid-Tower Computer Case
http://amzn.com/w/1ZHSSEIUOE6D7
Brent Hale says
Hey Luis, how’s it going?
Yep, all of those parts are compatible with each other and will work great together.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
Best,
Brent
Luis says
Thanks for your help, I finished my gaming pc and it works great, now I can finally play my favorite games in all their glory, thanks again
Luis says
Here is my build
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/luis452/Mobile%20Uploads/2E8A4827-2DF3-4BCF-B153-F88F3C729969_zpssyd3xdrg.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/luis452/Mobile%20Uploads/6D8FD2BC-62B1-4D29-9E11-D1931DE631F0_zpseik451xq.jpg
Thanks for your help
Brent Hale says
That’s legit Luis! Nice color scheme!
Glad you built yourself a beast and happy that we could be of some assistance.
Have fun on your new rig and thanks for posting pictures!
Best,
Brent
Jaris says
Hello, I would like to say “thanks” to the people who prepared this guide; I already bought all the components (at $1500) in order to build the system by myself, it took me no more than 3h to build my new gaming computer and it was possible because I read this guide and I got most of tips from here. Thanks again and this is the list of my computer’s components, I’m really very happy.
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790k
FAN: Noctua NH-U12S
MOBO: ASUS MAXIMUS VII HERO Z97
GPU: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 Overclocked 4GB GDDR5
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 1600 MHz
SSD: Crucial MX100 256GB SATA 2.5″
CASE: Corsair Graphi te Series 230T
PSU: Corsair RM Series 750
ODD: Asus 24x DVDRW Serial ATA
Regards!!!
Brent Hale says
Hey Jaris, thanks for commenting and I’m glad the guide was able to help you!
That’s definitely an awesome setup! If you get a chance, we’d love to see pictures of your build in the forums.
Enjoy your new beast!
Best,
Brent
jeff says
Brent,
I’d like to say thank you for your builder guide and the parts list guide.
Yesterday my 16yr old son and I followed your guide and built a computer from the $1000
Parts list. My son was under the impression that he had to have an Alienware computer.
He had been saving for a year and was still only half way to the overpriced AW product.
After repeatedly promising him that we could build him a great gaming rig ourselves for a $1000
He finally relented . (With Mom guaranteeing a different comp if dad was wrong)
Not only did he have to say how right I was (miracles do exist) he admitted that we had a great time
Building it together!
Once all was ready to go he went online and downloaded his Tank battle game. Then went through and changed all the settings to max. Then he positively giggled as we averaged 124 FPS! A far cry from a computer I built 6 or 7 years ago where all the settings were at the minimums
And it was under 15 FPS. Not only did you make me look good to a teenager, a miracle in itself
We had a great time! With an added bonus that this thing rocks!
Thanks again for all of the great no BS info!
Brent Hale says
Hey Jeff, thanks for coming back and sharing your build!
I’ve been getting quite a few more parents showing up and telling me about their build with their sons and as a new father myself that’s probably the coolest thing ever.
I’m also glad you showed your son the light and got him to build his own setup. I think it’s a great way to bridge the gap between gaming and an interest in the technical side of things.
Have fun with the new build and if you guys have some free-time definitely post some pictures in the forums in the Show Off Your Build section!
Thanks again for sharing your build with us!
Best,
Brent
poji says
I am not much on gaming (sure will do sometimes). The specs will be video editing PC for my office.
please advise
CPU Intel Core i7-5820K Haswell-E 6-Core
CPU Cooler liquid cooler
Video card GTX 980
RAM 32GB DDR4 (4 x 8 GB)
Motherboard X99
PSU 800-900 watt
Storage SSD 240 GB
HDD 2 x 500 GB WD velociraptor (10000 rpm)
HDD 1 TB WD black (7200 rpm)
ODD DVD-RW,
Mechanical keyboard
Mouse sensor & DPI : laser, 250-5500
Operating System Windows 7 (64 bit).
Software bundled Adobe Premiere Pro CC
Speakers Stereo + sub-woofer (2.1) 60-100 watt peak power
Monitor 24″ IPS Monitor, Full HD 1080p
Brent Hale says
Hey poji, how’s it going?
How much video editing will you be doing? Your setup is definitely powerful enough to handle heavy video editing. The only thing I would say is that you could probably cut costs if you’re only doing light editing.
Otherwise, this setup is great.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
poji says
I will do HD video editing. i am sure one day the job will require good machine to handle heavy editing.
is this setup looks overkill?
if need to lower a bit or cut cost .. i can start with 16GB RAM, storage 2 x 1TB WD blue only and u may suggest suitable video card.
but i7-5820 & x99 are must have in the system.
thanks
Brent Hale says
If you’re planning on moving into heavy video editing, then the system is fine if you have the budget for it.
Sky Love says
Hi, I built the $1000 build, but when i turned it on it won’t display. I have done everything i could think of, (i used anti-static), reset CMOS, reseated everything( but CPU), switched the ram stick to different slots, tried hmdi and vga. I can’t think of anything else to do.
Brent Hale says
Hey Sky Love, sorry for the delayed response. Have you sorted the issue out yet?
Sometimes, the common solution to the no display problem is that you may have plugged the monitor into the motherboard, rather than the video card.
If that’s not the issue and you’re still having problems, you can email me directly at bhale@elitegamingcomputers.com and I can try and walk you through some troubleshooting tests to see if you received a bad part or if it’s something we can fix.
All the Best,
Brent
Archie says
Hello,
This was a nice guide however I am a little unsure with some decisions. I am planing to get a system that would last me a while and cost roughly $1750 however I am a little unsure if it is worth the money to get a system with DDR4 RAM or not. I was thinking that it would be nice to have a DDR4 system however the cost would rise a lot due to the required motherboard and CPU. Secondly I don’t know if it is recommended to get 2x GTX 970 or a single GTX980. I currently don’t have any monitors so I will either be buying a 27″ 1440p monitor or 2x ~23″ 1080p monitors. What would be smarter (as a casual gamer)?
Archie says
*Correction, not as a casual gamer but an all round gamer. I want to play Battlefield 4, Assassins Creed Unity and some more games.
J.D says
Help on My Build will this be all compatible?
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K
Fan: CM Hyper 212 EVO
Motherboard: ASUS MAXIMUS VII HERO Z97 ATX DDR3 2600 LGA 1150 MAXIMUS VII HERO
Video Card: MSI GTX 970 GAMING 4G Graphics Cards GTX 970 GAMING 4G (1 for now)
SSD: Crucial MX 100 256gb/Samsung Evo Pro 256 ( i have the samsung one in my laptop so is the crucial at similar speed or is higher?)
HDD: Western Digital Blue 1 TB
Case: Sentey® Gaming Case Optimus Gs-6000r – Black and Red ( will this case be compatible? )
PSU: XFX PRO850W
ODD: Samsung 24x SATA
Chris says
Hi there Brent!
First off, I just want to say thank you for the affordable custom computers you have on this site (helps newbies like myself). As I was looking through each build, the $1500 gaming PC caught my attention, and I just wanted to ask you a couple of quick things. Firstly, I chose the EVGA GTX980 that you had listed, expect I didn’t overclock/super clock it. I simply did this because I’ve gotten mixed reviews about how overclocking a gpu can sometimes cause it to not run as efficiently over a period of time, along with overheating. Also, I took the Crucial MX100 SSD (128 GB) and bumped it up to 256 GB because I plan to save most of my larger games on there. So, I was just wondering whether you think this is an ok decision. One last thing, the $1500 gaming build you have setup, all the parts fit properly correct? I apologize for asking, but I just want to make sure since this will be the first computer that I ever assemble. Have a good day, and thank you once again for your work, I really appreciate it!
Sincerely, Chris
Ollie says
Hey there Brent, how are you?
I just wanted to say thank you so much for this in-depth guide on how to find the best gaming pc components based off of your chosen budget.
Since I am kind of a “noob” with basically building PC’s, I wanted to learn what the benefits are and what would be best to buy. This guide has it all and I am so pleased and thankful for what you have done here.
I just wanted to ask one question though as well. I like to Twitch stream as many other people like to do. I hold a pretty good reputation over there and I wanted to expand my arsenal for when I stream live gaming. I would be streaming games such as CS:GO, MMOs and other various high-quality games. I just wanted to ask your own personal opinion as to whether the $2,000 PC has either enough or too much hardware for this dream to come true? All without lag and delay would be prefect as well.
Sorry to ramble on but I just have one tiny question left! I know this is not the site for it but could you possibly recommend me some decent gaming/high-quality monitors? I was thinking of delving into ASUS or BENQ monitors but I am unsure of which ones to look at. My price budget for these would be enough to acquire three monitors, preferably of the same model.
Thank you so much for reading Brent and I really can’t thank you enough for this post. You have no idea how much this has helped me and my thoughts.
Good day from the UK and I hope all is well,
Ollie
Usama says
I am going to build the following PC build:
CPU: i5 4690(or i7 4790)
GPU: MSI Gaming Gtx 970
MOBO: Gigabyte B85M-D3H
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8 GB 1600 MHZ
PSU: AcBel API4PC24 550W Gold
Casing: Gigabyte GZ-G1 plus
Hdd: Seagate SATA 1 TB
Are all the parts compatible with each other?
Utkarsh says
How can you use a 212 EVO on a $2000 rig?
You can easily go for the H100i or the NZXT Kraken.
Brent Hale says
Hi Utkarsh, thanks for reading and commenting!
As to your questions, take a look at these benchmarks:
http://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/cpu-cooler-roundup-2013-q1-review,8.html
Water cooling is really only beneficial if you’re building your own custom loop, otherwise a closed loop cooler doesn’t really offer much of an advantage over a good air cooler. So, why spend an extra $60 on the H100i when you can use that money to double your SSD storage, get a bigger case, upgrade your motherboard, get a bigger PSU, add more system fans, etc.?
Ultimately, a difference of 8-9 degrees in temperature at load is not going to make that big of a difference, especially when you consider that with a stock cooler, the i7-3770K (using this CPU because of the benchmark above) would be considered normal if it were operating at 76 degrees Celsius. The Hyper 212 EVO is able to take the 3770K OCed at 4.2GHz to 50 degrees Celsius… So, I just don’t see any reason to add a more expensive closed-loop cooler when the temperature gains are marginal at best.
Hope this helps clarify why I chose the 212 EVO.
Best,
Brent
GazRevs says
Hi Brent,
This is a great post! I’ve been thinking about a new gaming computer, now it’s just to figure out my budget and the best components, which you’ve made quite easy, thanks!
I actually found your site on the easyazon plugin comments, it looks to be working fantastic on this page! I’m from the UK and everything goes to amazon.co.uk, job done! :)
I’ll be sure to visit your site again, keep up the good work!
Thanks,
GazRevs
Brent Hale says
Hey Gaz, how’s it going? Thanks for reading and commenting and I’m glad the site has helped you out.
Yeah, the EasyAzon plugin has worked well in getting visitors outside the US to the right Amazon page. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work for the lists of components… perhaps I’ll figure out a way to do that in the future.
Anyways, thanks again for stopping by!
Best,
Brent
Stewart says
First thing first, thanks for putting this info out here for all to see. Now the question I have is in regards to running a driving simulator such as iracing with 3 monitors and possibly motion controls down the road. What computer would you recommend for this application. Thanks for any input you may have in this regard.
Thanks,
Stew
Stewart says
One more thing, this thing will also need to have the option for 3 sound cards due to multiple transducers in the future. Thanks again!
Stewart says
:(
Brent Hale says
Sorry for the delayed response, Stewart!
Any of the builds listed above could handle iracing on triple monitors. As for having the option to run three sound cards (I didn’t even realize that was a thing), you’re going to need a motherboard with a ton of PCI slots.
I think this could be achieved with the ASUS Z97 Pro. So, if you wanted to, you could go with the $1,000 build and put the ASUS Z97 Pro in there to save some money.
Hope this points you in the right direction! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Kevin says
Hi!
Im looking to get a new gaming PC, but im not into the different components and stuff.
I dont’ know how but I ended up getting to this site and I saw the 1750 dollar pc build at the pre-made part lists. I have been looking at pre-build PCs but most have been missing parts I would like in my set-up, so I have chosen to try building it myself.
My question is: Is it possible to get the parts from the 1750 dollar pre-made build on amazon.co.uk instead of amazon.com or does .com have some advantages? Im from europe and would prefer not paying the toll which is added from buying stuff outside of europe. Im hoping you can help me. :)
Brent Hale says
Hey Kevin, how’s it going?
I’m based in US and that’s where the majority of my audience comes from, so as of right now my lists just point to Amazon.com.
I haven’t figured out an effective method of creating a UK list for each of the builds yet, but in the meantime you can search UK for the parts listed above. And, if Amazon UK is missing anything just let me know and I’ll try to find a viable replacement.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Niels says
Looking to put a powerfull yet fairly affordable gaming pc together (ideal budget between 1500-2000 but could potentially go up to 2500 euros) im intending to play on 1920×1080.
The thing is i feel i might be overdoing it with certain components, my main goal is being able to run games like far cry 4 on max settings without issues.
While my goal IS a powrfull gaming pc, i was wondering if there were anny thoughts or comments on the components.
My main concern is overdoing it and paying for an extremely high end component while an older cheaper version performs the same way.
i was preparing for the following:
Cpu : intel core i7-4790k
Motherboard : ASUS Z97 PRO LGA 1150
Video card : Geforce gtx 780 ti
Memory : Corsair vengeance memory 16g
Hard drive : seagate barracuda 1t
Ssd : samsung 500g
Case : Nzxt phantom 820 ultra tower OR CM Storm Stryker Full Tower
Power supply : Silverstone strider st 1500w
Optical drive : Samsung optical drive sh-224d/bebe
Operating system : windows 7
Sep says
First off happy new years!
Second, amazing site, i have been looking to get a new pc and this site and the comments really helped me get a good idea of what i want (me being the amateur that i am pc spec wise, thats saying alot :D)
So ive been looking to make a relatively affordable pc (1500-2000 ideally) that can run new games like far cry 4, dragon age inquisition etc on max settings without anny fps dips or other issues (on 1920×1080)
Going by a previous post that seemed to have a pretty good build and the information offered by this site (again, awesome site) ive come up with the following:
— CPU : intel core i7-4790 K
— MB: : Asus maximus ve extreme or asus pro z97 pro coa 1150
— Video card : Geforce GTX 780 TI
— Memory : Corsair vengeance m emory 16G
— Hard drive : Seagate barracuda IT
— SSD : Samsung 500G
— Case : NZXT Phantom 820 ultra tower (though the CM Storm Stryker Full Tower is looking reall good to me as well, though i have no idea if its even possible in this build)
— Power supply :Silver strider ST 1500W (i was told this was excessive but id rather have a little overkill then a blown power supply)
— Optical drive : Samsung optical drive SH 224D/BEBE
In terms of cooling im still looking for one that can handle this build and then some just to be sure (anny tips would be most welcome)
Again im hardly an expert at this, so i was hoping for some feedback on this build in terms of budget and wether or not its good enough (or not good enough) to handle the aforementioned games without anny hiches
Sep says
ASUS Z97 PRO LGA 1150* excuse the typo
Brent Hale says
Hey Sep, how’s it going?
Everything looks great, but honestly, if you’re playing on a 1920×1080 monitor, the $1,000 build listed above will give you more than enough power.
If you want to stick with your setup, I’d say drop the 780 Ti and go with the GTX 980. Also, I’d go with a quality 600W PSU for the GTX 980. That would save you a ton of money and it’s plenty of power for your setup.
If you want to run dual 980’s in the future, then go with a quality 750W-800W PSU.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Brian says
This might be a stupid question, but does the hard drive matter for the $1000 build? What hard drives could I use and would you recommend for it that are 2 tb instead of 1 tb? This is the link for the hard drive I was thinking of getting instead of the 1 tb one as my current pc has 1 tb and I would like a little bit more space. I’m really excited to try the $100 build and any other tips would be really appreciated thanks. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006GDVREI/ref=twister_B00DI12KRO?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Brent Hale says
Hey Brian, how’s it going?
I would go with the hard drive listed in the builds as it is faster. The Caviar Greens are meant to be more energy efficient drives at the expense of speed.
If you want a 2TB drive, take a look at Seagate’s 2TB HDD:
Seagate Barracuda 2 TB HDD
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Daniel says
Hi Brent.
I would like to know which of these processors would help me to have a best performance for gaming and video editing:
Intel Core i7-4790K
Intel Core i7-5820K Haswell-E 6-Core
Thanks.
Brent Hale says
Hey Daniel, how’s it going?
It depends on how much video editing you’re doing. If it’s a heavy amount I’d say pony up the little bit extra to get the i7-5820k (and a corresponding LGA 2011 motherboard), if it’s a moderate amount of video editing or less, then I’d say stick with the i7-4790K.
Either are more processing power than you could ever need for modern gaming.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Hao says
for the 1750 computer can i use two MSI GTX 970 GAMING 4G Graphics Cards GTX 970 GAMING 4G instead? whats the differnce?
Hao says
difference*
Brent Hale says
Hi, Hao, how’s it going?
You can use whichever GTX 970 you prefer. They will all give similar performance. The only difference is the cooler and factory clock speed that it comes with.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
David says
This blog is a must read for all gaming buffs. An extremely well-written blog with all the required technical inputs required for building the top-gaming computers, Brent.
Joshua says
hey there I’m looking at different builds for a PC with relatively the same budget and so I wanted to ask what you think about this build:
(1) Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K
(2) Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD5H Black
(3) Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 Gaming 4GB
(4) Memory: Patriot 2x8GB DDR3-2133
(5) Solid-State Drive: Crucial MX100 512GB
(6) Hard Drive: Toshiba 3TB 7200RPM
(7) Case: Corsair Carbide Air 540 Silver
(8) Power Supply: EVGA Supernova G2 850W
(9) Optical Drive: Samsung 24x DVD Burner
(10) Operating System: Windows 8.1
(11) CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S
Jacob says
What’s your budget?
casey says
hey brent,
i want to build a $1k pc and i want it to be water cooled. any suggestion about it? thanks
william says
Hey Brent,
I’m looking to make a build that can run games like Elite: Dangerous, Star Citizen, etc…
I’m kind of tight on a budget (1000 to maybe 1300). I was wondering what build you would recommend for being able to play these type games on the highest settings and still be able to plan for future upgrading and maybe 4K possibility. I am new to these so i might not even be able to afford that kind of capacity but I dont know any better. Thanks and I hope you reply!
Yiking says
Hi Brent great range in your listings for any specific needs.
By the way when are we all going to need a 4k ready system, before we get flooded with 4k games?
I also am planning on getting a new gaming rig, should never have sold my 2k $ antec 1200 looking pc a few years ago for a laptop….
Heres what i’m considering at the moment to get back in the ”game”, racing, fps, etc
-Corsair Carbide Series Air 540 High Airflow
-Cooler Master GXII 650W
-ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 1 LGA1150
-Intel Core i5 4690K
-Cooler Master X6
-Corsair Vengeance 8GB Kit (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 9-9-9-24
-eVGA GEFORCE GTX 970 SUPERCLOCKED ACX
-Samsung 840 EVO 120Gb sata SSD
-ASUS DRW-24F1ST 24X DVD±RW SATA
-Microsoft Windows 8.1 64bit
My budget is around 1700$CAN, more or less. But less then 2k. Now before you ask, the case and mobo, i choose for longevity of all components, cooling, dust freeness and looks. Didn’t mind putting some money there instead of more performance. Maybe i’m missing another hard drive. thanks!
Clint Reagan says
Brent,
Such a helpful site. Your discussions about building over buying are swaying me and I hope for it to make for a better machine and better bank account afterwards. So thank you for all of your great advice and efforts.
I am thinking that I will start with the Pegasus build but there are some modifications I was interested in getting comment on. I do heavy Maya, Motionbuilder, Premiere and After Effects work and am now moving into Oculus work and real time work with Cryengine, Unreal and Unity.
I would like to start with 32GB RAM and one GTX 980 and have the ability to later expand to 64GB and a 2nd GTX 980. It looks like I will need an Asus X99-A ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard in order to have that expandability. Though I dont understand the major differences between the other X99’s.
Do any of the other parts in the Pegasus build falter with this motherboard? Or do you have additional thoughts to help me accomplish goals for this machine.
Thank you much for your help and efforts. Merry Christmas.
Clint
Susan says
Hi —
My son is going to build your $2000 computer. I have two questions…
1. He always has trouble with overheating. Is there a different or upgraded component needed to
keep this build cool (when it’s on for, like a bazillion hours?)
and
2. He also records and mixes music. Is there something else we should be buying that would help
that? Sound card?
oop. I guess I have 3 questions.
3. Will he be able to plug speakers into the $2,000 build? It takes an act of god right now to find a way to get music out of the computer he has. Do we need to buy something else so he can have speakers??
Thank you so much for your help. Please understand… I know NOTHING about this stuff — so patronize me as much as you like!!
thanks, Susan
Ryan says
Hello,
I don’t know much about hardware.
Can you tell me which are the gaming hardware that go inside people you are gaming with, rather than inside the desktop case?
It would be good to start an email conversation with you guys.
Thankyou,
Ryan
(repeated with follow-up notification activated)
Niel says
HI Brent
I am from South Africa, and I must say I like your site. Some interesting combos here and increased my insight in regards to performance setups.
I am building a PC right now for R32000. To put that in perspective 1$ is R11.18
That puts my build at R2862.64
The build is:
1. Intel 2011 Haswell-e i7-5930K
2. Motherboard – ASUS RAMPAGE V EXTREME, LGA2011, Intel X99 Chipset, E-ATX
3. Memory – Corsair LSC Ram CMK16GX4M4A2666C16 D4 Lp 4Gx4
4. CPU Cooler – Corsair Hydro Series H90 High Performance CPU Cooler
5. Gigabyte GV-N970G1-GAMING-4GD , with WindForce3x – 3 fans design with Triangle R6,031.00
Cool , Ultra Durable 2 ( with Low RDS(on) MOSFET + Low Power Loss – Ferrite Core
Choke All-Solid Capacitor ) , gold plated
6. RAIDMAX AE SERIES 1200W PSU
7. Corsair Force LS, 240GB, 2.5″, SATA6G, 560/535MB/s
8. HAF X 942 E-ATX
Let me know what you think of this build. I am receiving it in 4 days.
I will be Running Windows 7 on it.
Thanks
Brent Hale says
Hey Niel! Howzit? (I spent the summer of ’08 in South Africa. Best trip ever.)
The build is great as is, but if you are still able to make changes, I would recommend going up to a GTX 980. It’s such a high-end build, so you might as well go with the best single-GPU video card on the market.
If you need to make room in the budget for the GTX 980, you can come down quite a bit on the power supply. Even a 800W PSU will allow you to run dual GTX 980s in the future.
You can also drop from the LGA 2011 platform down to a Z97 setup (i7-4790K and Z97 motherboard) and you won’t see an in-game performance dip.
So, ultimately, my suggestion would be to bump up to the GTX 980 however you can.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions. And go Boks!
Niel says
Hey Brent
Thanks for the response.
I know the GTX 980 is a awesome card, But i had a $2800 Cap on my spending for my PC.
This is the best I could build, it leaves a lot for upgrading, and I wont be using the computer for anything more than gaming.
My wife uses Maya and does some rendering when she does 3D animations but even the current AMD Phenom I got 5 years ago does a decent job at that.
The problem here is that I will drop 40$ in price with the PSU but still need to make up the $200 difference of the GTX 980. I would like to keep the MB i suggested as that is currently one of the best boards. Which enables me to Run the new CPU. The 4 Series of Intel doesn’t give the same lanes as the new 5K range which helps with running 2 cards at full capacity. I can always sell and change the MB, but having this current setup will allow me to upgrade in the near future and keep the latest tech,
SA is a wonder place, just a shame its run by the most greed/ blind/power obsessed parliament. Such Potential to be a awesome place. I wont change this place for any other but for the sake of my future and my kids it has become a necessity to look abroad for work.
Take care dude
Niel says
Hey Brent
Thanks for the response.
I know the GTX 980 is a awesome card, But i had a $2800 Cap on my spending for my PC.
This is the best I could build, it leaves a lot for upgrading, and I wont be using the computer for anything more than gaming.
Check this link for more info on the GPU:
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html
My wife uses Maya and does some rendering when she does 3D animations but even the current AMD Phenom I got 5 years ago does a decent job at that.
The problem here is that I will drop 40$ in price with the PSU but still need to make up the $200 difference of the GTX 980. I would like to keep the MB i suggested as that is currently one of the best boards. Which enables me to Run the new CPU. The 4 Series of Intel doesn’t give the same lanes as the new 5K range which helps with running 2 cards at full capacity. I can always sell and change the MB, but having this current setup will allow me to upgrade in the near future and keep the latest tech,
SA is a wonder place, just a shame its run by the most greed/ blind/power obsessed parliament. Such Potential to be a awesome place. I wont change this place for any other but for the sake of my future and my kids it has become a necessity to look abroad for work.
Take care dude
luka says
Hi. Im luka and I am wondering what pc is good for Minecraft shaders. I might tweak them so they have hardcore graphics. Look up for minecraft shaders. I might have grammar errors because im on phone. Please reply.
Brent Hale says
Hey Luka, how’s it going?
I’ve been looking around to see what the specifications are for running Minecraft with shaders and I can’t find anything concrete… everything from you need dual Titans to a GTX 660.
My guess is that even the $1,000 build will be able to handle Minecraft with shaders.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbMApN6o37c
This guys seems to be doing it with a GTX 570, so I think any of the builds on this list will do the job. You may even look at the $700 build here:
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/good-cheap-gaming-computers/#23
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Daniel says
Hi Brent.
Congratulations for this site and thanks for the help you are giving us.
I just bought a SAPPHIRE TRI-X Radeon R9 290 GPU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202080)
I wonder if I can use it with the rest of the components listed in your $1.500 build, changing the hard drive for this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=22-236-604&utm_medium=Email&nm_mc=EMC-GD110514&cm_mmc=EMC-GD110514-_-index-_-Item-_-22-236-604
Have a nice week and thanks again.
Brent Hale says
Hey Daniel, thanks for reading and commenting!
Yes, you can absolutely substitute both of those into the $1,500 build.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Daniel says
Thanks for the answer Brent.
Just one more thing: I’m planning to work on Cryengine and Blender and use it for gaming too (Star Citizen, Elite Dangerous, No Man’s Sky, Alien: Isolation, Dragon Age and The Witcher 3).
Do you think this build will do it?
Regards!
Bob says
Excellent guide! Thank you so much for putting it up!.
Just of the top of your head, is there a monitor you would recommend for the 1250$ gaming PC?.
Brent Hale says
Hey Bob, how’s it going?
I would definitely look at gettin a 2560×1440 monitor for that build in order to get the most out of it.
Something like this would be an affordable 2560×1440 option:
Acer K272HUL 27-inch WQHD (2560 x 1440) Widescreen Display
But then again with Black Friday and Cyber Monday upon us, it would be worth it to look around Amazon, Newegg, TigerDirect, and some of the other online retailers for the best deal.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Oscar says
Hello,
I am looking to build a gaming computer for my son. Right now, he’ll only be playing Minecraft, but I’d want it to still be solid a few years down the road. I’d also want enough power to do video editing as well as word processing. Would the $1000 setup be the best option? or is there a better configuration? Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.
Brent Hale says
Hey Oscar, how’s it going?
If your son is just playing Minecraft and you’re doing some video editing, you can definitely get by with something more affordable.
I’d look at either of these builds:
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/good-cheap-gaming-computers/#23
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/gaming-computers/#3
If you’re doing some heavy video editing, then you could always upgrade those processors to an i7-4790 for the hyperthreading. But, if you’re not getting to crazy with your videos, both of those setups will be fine… in fact, if your video editing needs aren’t too serious, you could get by with the $400 or $500 builds on the first link provided.
As far as longevity goes, the two builds I linked to will hold up for at least 3 years–and will more than likely be relevant for 5 or so–playing the more demanding games on the market.
But since your son is primarily playing Minecraft, those setups would give him more performance than he could ever need.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Ahmid Abbas says
I NEED UR HELP immediatly plz read
i am extremely interested in the 1500 dollar computer and i was wondering is it all built when it gets shipped or when it arrives i need to build it plz answer
Brent Hale says
Hey Ahmid, how’s it going?
All of the builds listed below are just the individual components grouped together. So, you will have to build it yourself.
If you’re not familiar with building your own system, I suggest you get our free computer-building ebook here:
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/how-to-build-a-gaming-computer/
And, if you’re more of a visual learner here, you can watch this tutorial as well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Allen says
Hi,
What do you think about this configuration?
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790k
Fan: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
MBO: ASUS Z97-A LGA 1150
GPU: MSI GeForce GTX 970
RAM: Kingston HyperX FURY 8GB
SSD: Samsung Electronics 840 EVO-Series 120GB
HDD: WD Blue 1 TB
PSU: XFX TS 550w
Case: Corsair Carbide Series SPEC-01
ODD: Samsung 24x SATA
I essentially mixed and matched with the 1,000 computer as my base. I plan on gaming, editing videos, and maybe streaming some. Want the computer to last awhile but have room for improvement in the future. Don’t need/want mind blowing graphics. I’m fine with pretty good graphics. I plan on getting 2 of these monitors – either http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AVYNS7M/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER OR http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GMGHCVG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER) with the possibility to expand to three at some point.
Do you have any suggestions on improving the setup? Do I not have enough or not enough of some aspect?
Also I see there is a CPU fan included in your list, do you think I will need to get additional fans for the case? If yes, how many would you suggest?
Any advice would be much appreciated,
Allen
PS. thanks for all the great work on the site. Much help for a noobie like me.
Allen says
Actually thinking about going with a Corsair CX Series CX600M 600 Watt ATX Modular Power Supply. Found it for the same price and hopefully will remove some of the clutter :)
Brent Hale says
Hey Allen, thanks for reading and commenting!
Yep that system looks great and either the XFX 550W or the Corsair CX600M will do the trick. Both monitors look good, too.
Overall it’s a very solid setup for what you’re looking for. And, even though you don’t need mind blowing graphics, the GTX 970 will definitely deliver that for you. So, you’re stuck with it whether you need it or not!
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Brent Hale says
Oh, and as for the fans, the stock fans that the Carbide Spec-01 comes with should be more than enough to keep your system within the recommended temperatures.
Allen says
No other questions. More looking for reassurance I wasn’t being stupid. Thanks for the help!
Brent Hale says
No problem! Best of luck with your build and be sure to post it in the forums when your finished. We’d love to see the final product!
Tony says
/Sorry if this is a repost.
Great site. Great info.
I’d like to build a system for X-plane. Starting with one monitor, maybe three total at a future date.
What pre-set parts list do you recommend from your site? Thanks in advance.
Brent Hale says
Hey Tony, no worries. I answered your question on the Good Cheap Gaming Computers post, but I’ll just copy and paste it here as well:
“I’m not familiar with X-Plane, but looking at the requirements (found here) I’d say you could run it with most of the builds listed above.
However, the requirements seem kind of vague. Game debates requirements suggest that you don’t need too high-end of a video card… but those requirements aren’t always spot on.
My gut feeling says you’d be fine with the $500, $600, and $700 builds. And, you can definitely add more monitors to those later on.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.”
For that answer I was assuming your budget was $700 or lower. Any of the builds listed on this page should get the job done as well.
Tony Fletcher says
Thanks, Brent,
What do you make of this machine set-up “for X-Plane.” Overkill?
http://xforcepc.com/store/index.php/computers/high-end-html.html
Thanks!
Brent Hale says
Hey Tony,
If you absolutely don’t want to build it yourself, you could go with that setup. I’m sure it will be plenty powerful enough to run X-Plane.
However, if you want to spend that much, I’d recommend building it yourself. You could get similar performance to that for about $1,000, and that leaves you with almost $800 to spend on monitors, and other peripherals.
Either way you go, (building it or buying that pre-built system) you should be able to run the game on max settings fairly easily.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Tony Fletcher says
I definitely want to build my machine. I wanted to you to see that X-Plane build to see if it changed your recommendations at all. It appears to include a pretty heavy-duty video card.
Are you thinking that I would get a similar machine/performance with your $1000 build? Thanks! Tony
Brent Hale says
Hey Tony, how’s it going?
Yes, the $1,000 build will actually outperform the build they suggested. If you take a look at these GTX 970 benchmarks (or any other site’s 970 benchmarks), you’ll see that the 970 actually outperforms the GTX 780:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/8568/the-geforce-gtx-970-review-feat-evga/4
The only thing that the X-Force PC has more of, is memory and storage space. But with an extra $700 to play with you can easily add these things in and still be well under their $1,700 price tag.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Tony Fletcher says
Thanks, Brent. I’m going to order the parts for the $1,000 build. He we go! Thanks for all your insight.
Taylor says
Hey Brent,
Amateur computer builder, hardcore gamer here. First off amazing site, your site has been a large influence on what I’m plan on buying.
For the last two months I’ve been researching on what parts I should buy for a gaming desktop that will be able to run anything and everything on max settings for the next few years.
I’ve been looking at the sexy $2,000 beast on your site
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/top-gaming-computers/#23
but I’ve also noticed your list of “Best High-End Processors, Motherboards…ect
Now I’m lost on if I should buy the $2,000 machine or start my research on what you consider to be the Best High-End products.
The main uses of my desktop is gaming, watching movies and listening to music while surfing the net and sometimes a bit of work. It is very common for me to have YouTube going while playing a graphic intensive game and jump back and forth between 7-10 different programs
I have two 24” resolution1920 X1880 Dell monitors, I would like to have a total of four with this new computer.
The games I play such as: Call Of Duty, Far Cry 3, The Witcher 2, -Rage -, Battlefield, Sim city 5, along with a mix of different games.
I think the most graphic intensive game I play is modded Skyrim. I’ve tried running Skyrim on low with some of my mods, but my old but reliable machine just can’t keep up.
I’m trying to stay within the $2,000 range unless an extra $200 will really push it to the next level. My question to you is do you believe the $2,000 machine mentioned above will be able to fulfill my needs or do I need to look for alternative products?
Thank you so much for all the time you put into the website.
Taylor
Brent Hale says
Hey Taylor, how’s it going?
For what you want to do, yes, the $2,000 build will be more than enough. And, depending on your monitor’s resolution, it may even be overkill.
For instance, if you’re planning on playing on a 1920×1080 or 2560×1440 monitor, I’d recommend looking at the $1,500 build as that will allow you to max those games out with ease at those resolutions.
If you’re looking into getting a 4K monitor, then I’d stick with the $2,000 build.
So, I guess it all depends on whether or not you have a monitor, and if so, what resolution that monitor is.
Ranik says
Hi Brent!
Can you recommend me a Monitor for the 1250 $ Build?
Also, do you know about the soundquality of headphones?
If i would use a Beats Pro or a Gaming headset?
Thanks!!
Brent Hale says
Hey Ranik, how’s it going?
For the $1,250 build, I’d go with at least a 2560×1440 monitor. Something like this would be great:
ASUS PB278Q 27-Inch Professional Graphics Monitor
Though, depending on what games you play, the GTX 980 will serve as an entry-point for 4K gaming. However, if you play more demanding games like BF4, Crysis 3, DayZ, etc. you probably won’t get the performance you’re looking for.
So, I’d say a 2560×1440 monitor–like the one linked to above–is your best bet, but 4K gaming is a possibility if you want to go that route. You just won’t be able to play the more demanding games on max settings.
Ranik says
When would a Performance of These Games, Flow without lagging?
1750 $ Build?
And if so, should i stay with that mentioned Monitor of yours then?
thank you for your reply. :)
Brent Hale says
It depends on what resolution you want to game on. 4K resolution is about the highest you can get right now, but it’s not fully optimized and is more of a hassle to run at max settings.
If you’re looking for a hassle-free experience, I’d go with the $1,250 build plus the monitor I recommended. 2560×1440 resolution is still very impressive.
Ranik says
Thank you Brent, i really appreciated your answers!
Brent Hale says
No problem Ranik! Good luck with the build and let me know if you need anything else.
Jake says
Hello Brent,
I have been going crazy the past couple of months trying to figure out what components to go with. I will have a budget of exactly $2,000, due to an insurance claim with FedEx destroying my $4,300 extreme water-cooled PC but, my fault for not isuring it for its full value. Anyways, I think I am just confussing myself with the more I research parts. This will be my third build but, I have been out of the game of current technology for about five years. What is the bennifit of a Z97 platform vs. an older platform, also is 2400MHz memory overkill for gaming? Questions such as those. Here is a list of the parts I have narrowed it down to. I just need some help with your expertise to let me know if anything is lacking or vise-versa, too overkill and could be scaled back to get a better monitor.
Corsair Graphite Series 760T Black Steel / Plastic ATX Full Tower Windowed Gaming Case. $180
Intel Core i7-4790K Haswell Quad-Core 4.0GHz LGA 1150 Desktop Processor. $339
ASUS MAXIMUS VII HERO LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Motherboard. $204
ASUS STRIX-GTX970-DC20C-4GD5 Graphics Cards. $349.99
Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB 2x8GB DDR3 2400MHz PC3 19200 Red Desktop Memory $183
Corsair Professional Series 860 Watt Digital ATX/EPS Modular 80 PLUS Platinum Power Supply AX860i. $220
Corsair Neutron Series GTX 2.5-Inch 240GB 6Gb/s SATA 3 Exclusive LAMD LM87800 Toggle SSD. $205
Western Digital 1 TB SATA III 7200 RPM 64 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive. $75
ASUS ROG Front Base Dual-Bay Gaming Panel. $75
Asus Black 12X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-Ray Drive. $58
As you can see I am going with a red/black themed build. As for the monitor, I am unsure as to what to get, whether it be a TN/ISP or either of the two in 4k. Any recommendations on that would be much appreciated also. As for what this system would be used for, would be, gaming: WoW, BF4, Crysis, SWtoR ect, and Programming: Java and C, college engineering applications etc. For me it is more about the fun in building a good looking PC than it is the actual best price on the parts. I just want to make sure it is not too overkill.
Thanks for your time! Sorry for the LONG post, Jake.
Brent Hale says
Hey Jake, how’s it going?
That build looks good, and since you’re sticking to a red and black theme I don’t really have too many recommendations.
However, if you’re looking to play games like BF4 and Crysis on 4K resolution at max settings you’ll want to modify your build or stretch your budget to include one or two GTX 980s. A single 970 just won’t max those games out at 4K.
You could also drop down to a 1440p monitor and be fine.
As for Z97 versus older platforms, I’d stick with Z97 simply because it’s the newer chipset, which means it has better support, and it’s pretty similar in price anyways, so there’s no reason not to go with it.
And, 2400MHz really isn’t going to give you a noticeably boost in in-game performance. So, in my opinion it would be best to save some money and stick to 1600MHz.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
David says
Hi Brent I’m a little tease by this guide to try to build my own computer even if it is a little scary. From what I look at I think I’ll go with one of the pre-build you made and it would be The Kraken build. I was thinking to not need to buy any new screen to use my 40inch LED TV as the screen through the HDMI port. Could it work ? or since the max resolution of the screen would be 1920×1080 in 1080 24p would be wasting the ability of the build ?
Of course I was thinking to replace the current optical drive with a blue ray driver so I can play film on the LED TV what would be a good optical blue ray driver in this case ?
Brent Hale says
Hey David, how’s it going?
Yes, The Kraken would be a little overkill for a single 1920×1080 monitor. You could easily get away with the $1,000 build and max anything out on your TV at that resolution.
And, yes, definitely use a Bluray drive if you want to play Blurays on your PC, but if you’re using Windows make sure you have the appropriate software to play the Blurays, because a Bluray drive alone won’t work.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
David says
Thanks for the reply, ok so maybe I could just keep the kraken and take one month later another screen so the kraken wouldn’t overkill like a nice ASUS PB278Q 27″. I guessed that the kraken would be able to play future game like Assasin’s creed Unity or some heavy graphics game near max settings too ?
jody says
i am a beginner when it comes to building a gaming computer .
i play wow and swtor so tired of playing on minimum specs i want to build a gaming desktop where im gonna be blown away by the performance i only have 1,000 to do this is there any advice ? i do not know too much so i admit im a noob when it comes to building any help would be great , and since i cant find any good gaming computer i figure i would have to buy and build
ty in advance for your help……..
Tassos Greece says
Hey there Brent thanks for sharing all this usefull tips with all of us.
I would like you to suggest me a pc build is possible.
I just play dota 2 / lol / lineage 2 / wow / aion / warhammer 2
Mostly rpg online games.
I would love to read your reply
thanks in advance
Tim says
First of all, great site! There is so much information on here yet it is easy to read and is not overwhelming. It has been a great starting place for me as I do my first build. Anyway, I want to build a moderately priced gaming rig (around $1000 for hardware since I have to buy OS and monitor too) to run games like Battlefield 4, Assassins Creed 4+, and similar games at max 1080p and here’s what I have so far:
-Intel i5 4690k 3.5Ghz
-MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
-Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
-Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5″ Solid State Drive + WD Caviar Blue 1TB 7200
-EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Superclocked ACX Video Card
-NZXT Phantom 630 Windowed Edition (White) ATX Full Tower Case
-XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
Is there anything I should consider changing? In particular, I am not sure about the motherboard and how different motherboards compare to each other. Also, for the GTX 770, does it matter what brand it is (MSI/ASUS/EVGA)? The prices are all different on them but I’m not sure if they would perform any different. Thanks in advance!
Fahim Hoque says
Hi! I wanted to know what parts I should buy for my first build.I have a budget of $4000 and want the absolute best parts. But they should work in a perfect sync so that I could get as much as fps as possible and also want to have the very best gaming experience. Please help!
Brent Hale says
Hey Fahim, how’s it going? What games are you planning on playing? Are you looking to game on a 4K monitor?
You might want to take a look at this build.
It’s a little out of date, but you’d just need to swap out the i7-4770K and the Z87 motherboard for an i7-4790K and a Z97 motherboard.
If you’re not planning on playing on a 4K monitor, though, there’ no reason to spend $4,000 on your build. So, it really all depends on that.
Giordi says
Hello there! i wanted to ask you if u can suggest a build for me. I am going to play the next expansion of WoW and i want to be able to play in ultra at 1080p with 60 fps in 25 man raids. I have heard that WoW is one of the CPU intensive games and the GPU does matter as much… what is your opinion? should i look to make your 1000 dollars build but with a 47970k or a 4790k instead? Bare in mind that I am in greece and prices are a bit higher than in the US (meaning your 1k rig would be like 1k euros wich is like 1.3k usd). thanks in advance mate
Brent Hale says
Hey Giordi, how’s it going?
Fortunatley, WoW isn’t too demanding of a game. If you want to save a little bit of money, I suggest taking a look at these two builds:
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/gaming-computers/#2
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/gaming-computers/#3
Either of those two builds will handle WoW just fine and they’d save you some money in the process as well.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Giordi says
A friend of mine had trouble playing with an amd cpu in raids. His fps was dropping to 30 in most raids. Do u think it is worth going at the 1k build and swapping for a Sapphire r9 280 and going for an i7 4790k instead? And that because i agree that it is more cpu intensive than gpu… what gpu would u suggest to go to a build like the one i described? Keep in mind that i will play in 1080p and not more… and do u suggest corsair psus? That’s all i think :P
Mario says
As a fanatical MMO player, I can tell you there is a lot of truth to that comment although most gamers who don’t engage in large scale MMO PvP are not aware of it.
As an example, I have a build that uses an i5-4690K, 16GB of Geil 1600 RAM, and a GTX 780Ti. I can run Skyrim at Ultra settings with high res textures and all sorts of texture mods at 1080p with a constant fps > 100 thanks to that 780 Ti. The card is a beast.
In ArcheAge, I run 120 fps all over the wild. But if I get into a crowded city, my fps can drop to 45. Same goes for large scale PvP. The numbers in Wildstar were even worse. Large scale PvP in MMOs is very CPU intensive. The standard party line that an i5 can handle any game is sort of true in that I still get fps > 30 in all cases. But there is zero doubt that my i5 is the bottleneck for me in those situations.
If I had it to do over again, I would get an i7 and if you can afford the upgrade and are running a good graphics card like a 290 or 780 I would suggest you do the same. CPU power is essential to performance in MMOs — especially if you like large scale PvP. Don’t sacrifice your graphics card to get it — but don’t ignore it either.
giordi says
Thing is that only games i am gonna playis the new expansion of wow and football manager… So ithink that anything more than an r9 280 is an overkill… I just found the r9 280x tri-x oc ina very good price for the standards of the Greek market (330 usd) and i think it is by far the best i can get for thatamount of money. Imagine that it is even cheaper than the good gtx770… Now my only question is… Should i go for the i5 4690k or the i7 4790k? T get the i7 i am gonna have to stretch my budget a bit… Aa and i forgot. What psu brand do u reccomend? I was thinking of corsair cx750m but i have read many negative comments about it…. Do u suggest an xfx pro 750? Also found the superflower gold in a better pric than the xfx which is bronze plus
Ashley says
Hello, Brent! :)
My name is Ashley and I’m in the process of building my very first gaming pc (yay!).
I was looking at your $1250 and your $1000 builds and wasn’t sure which was right for me–or one that might need slight tweaking.
I want to be able to play Skyrim on ultra settings, as well as mods such as environment/textures, which I know will probably need 3-4 GPU GB rather than 2GB I’ve been told.
I also would like this computer to last me a bit for the future as well, both with new games and longevity.
I’m sure the cases you’ve listed have good ventilation, but do you have any suggestions for a “blue” themed build? Meaning LED lighting, fans, etc?
Thanks, and sorry for the questions, just a bit confused by it all.
-Ash :)
Brent Hale says
Hey Ashley, sorry for the delayed response. Hopefully this is still applicable to you.
I’d say you’d be fine with the $1,000 build. It will easily handle Skyrim on max settings and has extra VRAM for added mods.
As for future-proofing, it should hold up fine for quite awhile and it can easily be upgraded if necessary.
Also, on the last update I did I included a Cooler Master Elite 431 Plus in the $1,000 build, which has blue LEDs.
Hope this is still relevant! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Rowan K says
I looked up and “built” all the recommended parts in the $1250 build on PC Part Picker, but it told me there were two compatibility issues with the build. It told me that “In order to fit, the Gigabyte Radeon R9 290X 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card may require removing drive bays from the Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case. The case only supports video cards up to 270mm in length without removing drive bays, while the video card is 294mm long.” and that “the Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard has an onboard USB 3.0 header, but the Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case does not have front panel USB 3.0 ports.”
Are these issues trivial, or did I put together the wrong parts?
Rowan K says
Sorry Brent for the double post, I couldn’t see my post at the bottom!
Brent Hale says
Hey Rowan, how’s it going?
Yes, that is an error that I need to fix. The build will still work fine with the HAF 912, but you will have to take out the hard drive cage to get the video card to fit. And, you’d only be able to use the USB 3.0 ports on the I/0 panel with that case.
The Cooler Master Elite 431 Plus would be a similarly priced case that has one front panel USB 3.0 port and can accommodate the Gigabyte R9 290X.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Rowan K says
Thanks!
Rowan K says
On PC Part Picker.com, it says that the graphics card is too big for the case in the 1250$ build, and that the Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard has an onboard USB 3.0 header but the case has no front port for USB 3.0.
Is this a problem, or did I just put together the wrong parts?
Daniel Rojas says
Hi Brent.
Going through your website I managed to pick some parts to make my killing gaming and designing machine, though I’m not sure if I can put all this together without having any technical issue. Can you tell me if this is a good combination and how much could it cost?
Thanks.
– Processor Intel Core i7-4930K, 64 bits.
– ASUS Maximus VI EXTREME LGA 1150 Intel Z87.
– Dual EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti, 3GB.
– RAM Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB Kit (8GBx2) DDR3.
– DD Westerm Digital WD Blue 3 TB Desktop.
– Ssd Samsung Electronics 840 EVO-Series 250GB.
– Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO.
– Corsair RM Series 1000 Watt ATX.
– Drive Asus Black 12X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-Ray.
– CM Storm Stryker (negra).
Brent Hale says
Hey Daniel, how’s it going?
Everything looks good except the motherboard. the i7-4930K is an LGA 2011 CPU and the motherboard you have chosen is an LGA 1150 motherboard.
So, you’d need to switch that.
However, before you do, there are reports that the new Haswell-E CPUs will be out later this month. So, if you want an Intel Extreme processor, you might want to wait a couple of weeks, because they’re bringing 8-core CPUs and the new X99 chipset out.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Daniel Rojas says
Thanks Brent. I think I´ll better wait.
George says
Hi there Brent. I was looking at your pc build for around 1000 dollars. I am in greece and prices in computer parts are way higher than in the US somi wanted to ask u if it is worth putting 100 usd on top to get a cm haf912plus and i was thinking of putting the sapphire r9 280x triple oc instead of the r9 280x you have in your build. What do u think? Could u suggest me. A couple of cheaper towers with good cooling instead of the haf?
Brent Hale says
Hey George, how’s it going?
I probably wouldn’t spend an extra $100 to upgrade the NZXT Source 210 to the Cooler Master HAF 912. You won’t notice that much of a difference.
It depends on how much the Sapphire R9 280X TRI-X OC is priced in Greece. If it’s significantly higher, I wouldn’t get it over one of the standard R9 280Xs. If they’re similarly priced, then yeah I’d jump on it.
As for some cheaper cases, you can look at the NZXT 210 (or 220), the Cooler Master Elite 430, or the Thermaltake V4 Black Edition. The Antec One is another solid option, but it’s usually the same price as the HAF 912.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
George says
Hello again m8. well i was checking now and prices are very different from last time i checked… well me give u a list of the gpus i am thinking of and u can give me your opinion…
first of all for ati gpu i would choose the sapphire ones cause i think they are the best so i will be talking about these.
R9 280 sapphire is 195 eu
R9-280x starts at 240 and i can’t find the triple x oc any more. the dual x oc costs 260 eu.
R9-290 tri-x oc is 360 and the vapor x is 430
Prices in Nvidia cards have dropped significantly here in greece as we are speaking but still think the 780 is a bit more than my budget and i also think that the 770 is worse than the r9 280x or the r9 290 but let me give u prices anyway
GTX 780 gigabyte oc is 435
GTX 780 asus oc is 445 and Zotac which i don’t know if they are good is same price as asus
GTX 780 sc oc EVGA is 455
GTX 770 oc are from 275 till 330 for the evga sc acx dual bios
George says
I forgot to ask one last thing. a friend of mine reccomends going for a full towers so that i will have much lowers temperatures. i think that the difference ain’t that big but please also tell me what u would choose between the following towers.
NZXT source 210 for 60 eu
NZXT phantom 240 for 85
NZXT source 530 for 98
NZXT phantom 410 for 98
the source 530 is the same money with the phantom but it is a full tower so gimme your thoughts there
Preston Brown says
Hey Brent, thanks for the guide. This is going to be my first computer build and I was just wandering if all the parts in my set up work together and what your thoughts are on it as a whole. Thanks
Cpu: intel core i7-4790k
Motherboard: Asus Maximus v1 extreme
Video card: Geforce gtx 780 ti
Memory: Corsair vengeance memory 16g
Hard drive: seagate barracuda 1t
Ssd: samsung 500g
Case: Nzxt phantom 820 ultra tower (white)
Power supply: Silverstone strider st 1500w
Optical drive: Samsung optical drive sh-224d/bebe
Operating system: Windows 8.1
Monitor: Asus pb278q 27″ 2560×1440
Thanks again,
Thankfully Preston
Preston Brown says
Also I was wandering which would be better for my build the: asus maximus vi extreme or the asus maximus vii formula
Brent Hale says
Hey Preston, how’s it going?
Yep that setup is all compatible and is very beastly.
Either of those motherboard will work, but I’d look at a Z97 motherboard for the updated chipset. The Extreme and Formula are Z87.
The Sabertooth Mark1 Z97 and ASUS Z97-PRO would be good options. Also, make sure you throw in a good CPU cooler since it looks like you’ll be doing some decent overclocking.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Preston brown says
I believe the Asus maximus vii formula has a z79 and the asus maximus vi extreme has a z87. So im going to get the formula. Also for my cpu cooler im thinking of a Phanteks PH-TC14-PE. Tell me what you think Brent? Thanks again
MuslimGamer says
Hey Brent, great website you got going here. Here is build I am thinking of going with, I am interested in maxing out any game on 1440p one a monitor setup, In game performance is my primary concern.
1.CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz
2.Motherboard: ASUS Z87 PRO
3.CPU Cooler: Corsair Hydro Series High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler H60
4.GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti
5.RAM: Kingston HyperX Fury 8GB
6.SSD: Samsung Electronics 840 EVO-Series 250GB
7.HDD: Western Digital Blue 1 TB
8.Case: Cooler Master HAF 912
9.Power Supply: Seasonic M12II 620W
10.Optical Drive: Pioneer Internal Blu-Ray Writer
Are all these parts compatible ? also I have a question about cooling, is liquid cooling the best for this particular system and should I use the H80 instead of the H60 ? Lastly would you recommend that SSD from samsung ? I’ve heard it is slightly faster than the one you suggest for a very similar price
MuslimGamer says
Hey Brent how about some feedback ?
Justin says
Hi Brent,
This is the first time i have ever attempted to build a computer and would like some help. I would like you to look at the 1500$ build i would like to build and see if there are parts that would work better than the ones i am thinking of installing:
Processor: Intel Core i5-4690K
SSD: Intel 300 Series 180GB SSD
MoBo: MSI Z77A-G45 motherboard (not too sure about this one)
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 3TB hard drive
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR3 RAM
PSU: Corsair GS700 power supply (not too sure about this one but it has red lights)
CPU Cooler:Corsair H100i
Fans: Corsair SP Quiet fans
Case: Cooler Master CM Storm Scout II
I based my build off a video from a year ago (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roFb3TNePIg) then modified the build with some of the newer parts from the 1500$ build section of this build guide. The theme I am going for is a black computer with bits of red here and there almost like red trimming. My goal is to be a stylish 1500$ computer that is as money efficient as possible, can play any high end game moderately well, and will last a long time.
Any feedback would be great and i would love to hear what you think of my build.
Brent Hale says
Hey Justin, how’s it going?
Everything in that build looks good except for the motherboard. The Z77 chipset features the LGA 1155 socket, whereas the i5-4690K is an LGA 1150 CPU.
Not too difficult of a fix, though. You can swap that motherboard out for this one:
MSI ATX DDR3 2600 LGA 1150 Motherboards Z97-G45 GAMING
That has the same black and red color scheme as well.
The power supply is a good choice as well, but I do believe it has quite a bit of blue in it. Might be better off going with something like an all-black PSU like the XFX Core Edition PRO650W unit if you want to maintain the color scheme.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Tucker says
Hey there. This guide is great what I’ve read so far. I’m a computer noob though and don’t know much beyond basics. So my question is that I need a computer that can be built to handle live streaming while playing League of Legends without lag or video issues. Thank you!
Aaron says
Hey Brent, this article really opened up my eyes, such a great article. I’m really into pc gaming and I’m thinking of going for a $2000+ rig. Will the dual 290x’s on the $2000 build get me max settings with a 1920×1080 display with good frame rates, was also considering samsung 4k monitor. Will this build have good 4k capability as I don’t mind future proofing the rig. Any modifications and build suggestions from you would be awesome. Sorry for long comment, really excited.
demandred says
Hi Brent
If i take the 2000$ setup but
modify it a little bit like:
motherboard: ASUS sabertooth z97 mark 1
corsair hydro h100i
instead of the hyper 212 cpu cooler
a NZXT 820
I don’t know if i’m fine with
a 850w psu
or should i take
a 1000w psu
maybe for upgrades in the future
i need the 1000w
what’s your opinion?…
Andrew H. says
Hey there Brent! First of all, I’ve got to give you props for all the research you’ve done, your guide is going to save me a lot of money when I go to purchase my computer parts! Anyways, I have a question about the $1,250 build. The current graphics card you recommended was the Gigabyte R9 290X, but I also have the GeForce GTX 780 in mind. I have a few questions about these two graphics cards, and I’d appreciate it if you could give me some insight.
1. Which one of the two are better?
2. If the GeForce GTX 780 is better, is it compatible with the rest of the components of the $1,250 build?
3. Ultimately, which one do you suggest out of the two?
Andrew H. says
Sorry, I meant the GTX 780 Ti, not the regular GTX 780.
James Storer says
Andrew, the GTX 780 ti is a more powerful card than the R9 290X, so if you just want the best gaming GPU, get that. The R9 290X, however, is better value, in the sense that the ratio of what you pay to what you get is better than the more expensive GTX 780 ti. One other thing to consider, though, is that the R9 290X will put out a lot more heat than a GTX 780 ti, so depending on the rest of your components and the ambient temperature of the room in which you’ll be running it, that could be an important factor. For example, if I knew I was going to be putting the computer in a hot city apartment that gets above 85F during the summer, I might not go with the R9 290x.
Personally, when I build my computer recently, I went with two GTX 780 cards in SLI (which is overkill, to be honest), but if I had decided to go with a single card solution it would have been a GTX 780 ti.
Thomas Blackmore says
Hey man firstly your website has been the biggest lifesaver especially as a new builder so thank you very much! I’ve seen you haven’t chosen the asus maximus vii hero at all instead going for the z97 pro, what would you recommend? And any equivalent level alternatives?
Demandred says
Hey Brent,
I like this case here,
but it looks a little bit more complicated to build
then the other coolermaster case of the $1500 PC
http://www.amazon.com/NZXT-Case-torre-media-H440/dp/B00I44EUAK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1405493699&sr=8-2&keywords=nzxt+case
Do i go fine with this NZXT case?
Brent Hale says
Hi Demandred, thanks for reading and commenting!
I have not specifically built inside of an NZXT H440, but I have built in NZXT cases and I’m positive that it won’t be much more difficult to build inside of than the HAF 912 is.
While on first appearance the drive cage area and PSU slot look a little unorthodox, if you look at an open view of the motherboard-backplate side, you can see that everything is inserted from the back, rather than the front.
I recommend watching a video or two of people building in it to get an idea of what it’s going to be like. Here’s a video PCPartPicker did with the H440 in February:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCbxJYTeBN0
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
Neocyte says
I have ordered all of these parts on amazon with the exception of an i5-4690k instead of the i5-4670k. I am extremely concerned about the 550w PSU you have recommended. The manufacturer of the GPU recommends a minimum wattage of 600. Are you sure that the 550w PSU will not cause any issues for the $1000 build?
Brent Hale says
Hey Neocyte, thanks for reading!
When getting a power supply for your system, the most important thing to look at is the amperage rating on the 12v rail. An R9 290 requires a power supply with at least 31 amps on the 12v rail. The XFX Core Edition Pro550W has 45A on the 12v rail.
The manufacturer may recommend a minimum of a 600W PSU, but that’s mostly to protect themselves from users who purchase cheap PSUs that claim to have a high wattage, but are poorly built.
The XFX Core Edition is a Tier 2A unit and has received excellent reviews from trusted sources (like Jonny Guru). Even if you’re planning on overclocking the 4690K, you’ll still be fine with that unit.
However, if you want to CrossFire two 290s in the future, then you will need a high quality 800W PSU or so.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Ryan M says
Hi there
Here’s my setup. All I care about is in-game performance. No video editing or graphic design or anything like that.
Intel i5-4670K
Gigabyte GA-Z87-D3HP
Sapphire Radeon R9 290X
Kingston Hyper X Blu 8G
Seagate Barracuda 1 TB HDD
Antec Three Hundred Two
PC Power & Cooling 750W Silencer MK III
Asus 12X BD-ROM
A couple questions:
1. Most important: will this setup be able to play the most demanding games on the highest settings, even higher than 1080p?
2. Are all of the parts compatible?
3.Would it be wise to include a cooling system? Can I get by without it?
4. If I wanted to add a second 290X in the future, would I need to upgrade other parts as well?
Sincerely,
Ryan M
Brent Hale says
Hey Ryan, how’s it going? Thanks for reading and commenting.
1. Yes, this setup will max games out on 1080p and 1440p. However, on a 4K monitor you will not be able to max out the more demanding games. For that you need a multi-card configuration. It will max out non-demanding games on a 4K monitor, though.
2. Yep, all the parts are compatible. You might want to look at a Z97 board, though, for the updated chipset.
3. Yes, I’d add an aftermarket heatsink or liquid cooler to the build if you want to overclock. On the cheap end you can pick up a Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO and that will give you adequate cooling for moderate overclocks. If you’re looking for something to hit higher overclocks, try a Noctua NH-D14 or pick up a Hydro series liquid cooler.
4. I wouldn’t recommend that PSU for dual R9 290Xs plus overclocking. Maybe look at an 800W unit with at least 65A available on the 12v rail.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Andri says
What do you think about I7-4960x ?
Brent Hale says
Hi Andri, thanks for reading and commenting!
The i7-4960X is way too expensive for most users and I wouldn’t recommend it for a gaming rig unless you have an unlimited budget and don’t mind overpaying.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Jernoble says
Hey Brent i wanna build a pc that can play Call of duty while i record it then afterwords be able to edit and render the video. i have a 2000 budget and was wondering if the pc that you put on the article for 2000 was good for that. thx
P.S. can you also tell me if i need to buy 2 of anything on that list this is my first time XD
Rupert says
Hi Guys,
I have been doing a lot of reading online on what computer to build(this is my first build)….and this page is by far the best. So thank you very much for the info.
I was wondering what you thought about the following rig.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tkCTzy
Brent Hale says
Hey Rupert! How’s it going? Thanks for stopping by!
The build is solid as is, but it really all depends on what you’re planning on doing with your computer.
If you want the most in-game performance possible, I’d suggest dropping the CPU to an i5-4670K (or 4690K), the RAM to 8GB, and the power supply to a quality 550W unit (like the XFX Core Edition PRO550W) and then upgrading your video card to an R9 290X or a GTX 780.
However, if you’re also planning on using the computer for things like editing video, or graphics design work, then sticking with the extra RAM and i7 processor isn’t a bad idea.
And, unless you’re planning on running dual video cards in the future, I’d recommend dropping down a 550-600W PSU.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
James Storer says
One thing to consider is that the new i7-4790K is an upgrade to the older i7-4770K (the main difference is that it runs cooler and the stock clock is faster), but it only costs $20 more on amazon right now. I also believe that despite the rumors that it would require a new Z97 motherboard it actually will work with a z87 motherboard like the one you picked.
That being said, you could also consider going for a z97 motherboard, which has a newer chipset and therefore more forward compatibility. The asus z97 pro is again only $20 more expensive than the older z87 pro on amazon right now.
You should use the EVGA supernova 850w power supply instead. It costs the same, but quite frankly its just plain better, and it has a 10 year warranty, which is fantastic.
Personally, I just built a system a few weeks ago with the asus z97-A, an intel core i7-4790k, and the CM storm stryker, and I can whole heartedly recommend those components. The case is a really good pick and easy to build in. I recommend rotating the front drive cage and fans so that the fans pull air in from the front of the case, not the side, as it will give you better airflow. The instructions for how to do that are included in the case manual.
You could consider a better air cooler considering that your components will allow it. For my build, I went with a noctura NH-D14 CPU cooler, and it works REALLY well in this set up. The case is roomy enough to allow a massive air cooler like that, and the noctua is better than the EVO 212, although it is 40 bucks more expensive.
If you decide you like the noctua, just make sure your RAM fits under it. A double tower cooler will overhang the RAM slots, so you need low profile ram. The corsair RAM you have picked won’t fit, but you can get comparable RAM, like crucial balistix sport 2x 8GB, that will perform the same.
So basically I would recommend spending an extra 80 bucks. 20 for a newer version of the CPU, 20 for a newer version of the motherboard, and 40 for a better CPU cooler. Considering your price point, thats not too much of an increase but it will give you better performance and more options for the future due to having the newer intel z97 chipset. I also recommend switching to the power supply I mentioned, and switching your RAM to low profile RAM if you think you like the Noctua cooler.
James says
I have a question about the CM storm stryker case you mention in this guide. I really like it and it seems to have great reviews, but my one concern is that because it is a larger case the cables that come with the power supply you recommend for the case (Seasonic M12II 850) might not be long enough to reach the motherboard or graphics card. This concern is based on some reviews of that power supply on newegg that mention this kind of problem. Any thoughts? If I did run into this problem, are there extension cables I could buy? Any help would be appreciated, I am very new to this.
By the way, I’ve been wanting to build a PC for a long time now, and this is the best written guide BY FAR that I’ve come across, so thanks very much.
Brent Hale says
Hi, James! How’s it going? Sorry for the delayed response.
I personally have the SeaSonic M12-II 850W PSU in my build inside of a Cooler Master HAF X full tower case and there is no problems with cable-length for the motherboard or graphics card.
However, if you want to get really tidy with your cable management, longer SATA power cables wouldn’t be a bad option, as the ones provided just barely reach the top optical drive in my build.
Here’s a link to a number of options:
http://www.frozencpu.com/cat/l3/g11/c413/s1222/list/p1/Power_Supplies-PSU_Cables-SATA_Power_Extensions-Page1.html
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
David Moore says
Hello,
thanks for the article, great help, but I have a question, being aware that the price would be pushed up, could I possibly switch out the Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4 GHz from the $1000 rig for the one on the $2000 rig? If so, would it still fit the socket and the case, etc?
Respectfully,
David Moore
Joel D. says
The short answer is yes. They are both the same socket.
Dan says
Hi, I noticed for the last two build’s you has two video cards, does that mean I need to buy two if I wanted to build this or was that a typo, also if I was to build this, could I use two MSI GeForce GTX 780 Ti’s instead?
ThePunisher says
Usualy two GPU’s give better performance for money and you dont need to put two if you dont want.And yes you can use MSI ones it depends wich ones you prefer and MSI twin frozer has a good cooling
Dan says
Thank you! :D
ThePunisher says
Hi guys so its my first time building a pc and i came up a list of thing is would like to get
-Intel i7 4770k
-Asus sabertooth z98 mark 1
-Evga geforce gtx 780 x2 sli
-Corsair hydro H100i (CPU liqui cooling)
-Corsair 2x8GB Vengeance black 1600
-Samsung 840 EVO 250GB (SSD)
-WD 1TB cavari blue (HDD)
-Corsair RM850 (psu)
-Corsair 750d (case)
With all these components beeing listed im not sure should i go for dual 780’s or mybe single
780ti or even Titan.And for PSU not really sure if its enough if im gonna use duals and Corsair RM850 and RM1000 are like 40 bucks diffrence and i would like to OC the hole system probably to its max.If you guys have any reccomendations or point out some stupid choises i made would like if you could post them.Thank you
Tobias says
Hey Brent,
Thank you for this magnificent article and the effort you have put in it.
It really helped me a lot and it reads very fluent.
After reading it i’ve decided to go for it and build one my own PC.
These are the components that i would like to put together:
-ASUS SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0
-AMD FX-8350 BLACK EDITION
-MSI GEFORCE GTX 780TI GAMING 3G/Gigabyte Radeon R9 290 WindForce OC 4GB
-CRUCIAL BALLISTIX SPORT 16 GB DIMM DDR3-1600
-WD BLUE WD10EALX 1 TB
-COOLER MASTER HYPER 212 EVO
-XFX PRO 750W
-CRUCIAL M500 120 GB
-case:(not decided)
I still have my doubts about 2 things tough:
You’ve recommended not go for the Fx-8350 if it’s your first time build but i really like the fact that it has eight cores(for multithreading and next- gen gaming). So is it really a bad idea to do this?
Next one is the video card. I am a gamer but not a hardcore one and high frame rates aren’t the most important thing for me.
The only thing that i do care is that i can’t see a notable difference on the monitor an that my gaming card wouldn’t get outdated in a long time
That’s why i’m wondering if i should go for ‘the epic beast 780ti card’ or the Radeon R9 290 WindForce OC 4GB and maybe in the future upgrade to crossfire ( with the Radeons).
I’ve read about the Physx on the Nvidia cards but is it really worth it?
And with worth it i mean like paying 250 dollars( I live in Europe so hardware like this is more expensive) more for an Nvidia card :) .
Any suggestions and help are most welcome!
All the best,
Tobias
Brent Hale says
Hey Tobias! Thanks for reading and commenting!
There’s nothing wrong with going with the FX-8350 over the Intel Core i7-4770K. I typically recommend Intel processors for their added efficiency, but for in-game purposes, an the i7-4770K/i5-4670K aren’t going to give any noticeable performance increase over the FX-8350 and vice-versa.
So, you’re fine getting the FX-8350.
As for the video card, it really depends on what games you play… If you’re not a hardcore gamer and frame rates aren’t super important, then I’d say you could spend a lot less total on your build. (Under $1,000, in fact.)
You have the budget to max anything out on 1440p resolution, but if that’s not important to you, then you’d might prefer saving quite a bit of money by going with a less-expensive build.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Tobias says
Well i’m planning to play Witcher 3: Wild hunt, The Division, Far Cry 4,Mass effect, Max Payne 3, Deadspace 3 maybe Total War,Hoping new Borderlands… and al the other epic games that you can play. I want ultra setting on al of these games with a 2560×1440 monitor and good frame rate that won’t be slacking down.This for the next 4-6 years. Will crossfire wit the Radeons give me that? Or should i invest in a more expensive video card? The most important thing for me is that it isn’t going to lack down behind next- gen consoles
PcBuilder65 says
Im planning on building a gaming computer. I created a list of what to buy, i want to max out games on 1080p like Battlefield 4, call of duty black ops 2, Grand Theft Auto 5 when its released..
Here is the list:
– Cooler master Haf Xm mid tower
– 60 gb sandisk ssd (for fast bootup only)
– Western Digital 2 Tb black series 7200 Rpm
– Corsair 600W Bronze 80 plus certified
– Asus z897 pro motherboard
– Kingston ddr3 1600 mhz 8 Gb
– Saphire r9 270x dual x 2gb ddr5
– Intel Core i7 4770K
– Corsair H80i Dual fans for liquid cooling
Good build?
Brent Hale says
Hey PC Builder! How’s it going?
That build will get the job done, however, I’d drop down to an i5-4670K (or the 4690K when it’s released in a week) and then upgrade to an R9 280X/GTX 770. Unless, of course, you’re also doing a good bit of streaming/video editing.
Also, I’m assuming you’re going with the Corsair CX600? I’d advise getting something like the OCZ ZT 550 or XFX Core Edition PRO550W, as they are better units and cost the same or less.
All in all, though, that build will get the job done. But the GPU upgrade makes more sense in my opinion.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Jsteve says
hey,
out of almost 100 sites that I’ve been through, this is the one website I think would help everyone, not only for those who are starting.
So okay, I am new to building a computer, BUT I’m starting now. I’m a real fan and an enthusiast of computer in every way, I just didn’t get the chance to acutally think of building one.
So, I love to play MMORPG games and at the same time, I love to edit videos and other multimedia stuffs.
can you help me build something that would suit my lifestyle but the same time, Since I am starting to learn building my own computer, something that is fully flexible for upgrades.
My starting would be like around $1250-1500.. I’d like to start from the bottom but at the same time I want it to be able to do everything that I needed it to do.
I’m really looking forward for this.
Thank you very much! :)
Brent Hale says
Hey Jsteve, how’s it going? I’m glad you like the site!
Since you’re into editing videos I’d recommend going with either the $1,250 or the $1,500 builds and then adding an i7-4770K (or i7-4790K when it’s released in a few days).
If you want to save money, you could even go with the $1,000 build (and add the 4770K/4790K) and be completely fine, seeing as MMORPG’s typically aren’t very demanding.
All three of those builds have plenty of upgrade potential as well. Though if you plan on running dual video cards in the future, you might want to consider a high quality 700-800W power supply.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Jsteve says
Brent,
So, I really do a lot of multi tasking, just my nature. Like while I’m editing a video in a minute, next thing you know I’ll be playing a game on alt+tab. Will this builds allow me not to have any freeze or lag?
Again, thank you!
Brent Hale says
Well, it depends on how much you’re doing at one time. Video editing while gaming at the same time will be taxing for most systems, but this setup has the extra threads to handle those kinds of situations better.
Tom Harris says
Hey i was wondering what is the most ideal rig for Star Citizen because its release date is possibly years away with modules coming out that i cant handle. First i am on a 2000$ Dell inspiron laptop from late 2012. i cant even run it on default res for my laptop which handles ultra graphics pretty well. I am looking to get a PC max budget is 3000$ atm is 3000 to high or is 2500-2000 pretty much the same? thank you for reading this
Sorkary says
Hello,
I need some help and Iknow this question is a little dumb. I’m planning to play the game Black Desert once it releases but I will need to buy a new computer. Taking in count my budget I was looking at your 1.750 dollar gaming computer and I want to know if the game will play decently in that computer.
The game requirements I know are the following:
– Intel Core i5
– 40 GB of disk space
– 6GB Ram
– GTX 650 / GTX 550 Ti / Radeon HD 7770 / Radeon HD 6770
Brent Hale says
Hey Sorkary, how’s it going?
Yes, the $1,750 rig will handle Black Desert just fine. It meets and surpasses every category with ease. So, you’re good to go.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
AJAF says
Where do you think I can get the $1250 one built cheaply? Thank you for your guide (:
Mahavir Jain says
Hey which z97 board to consider for 200$ ..with i5 4670k and suggest me PSU for 660 ti graphic card nvidia ..please help me with this confusion ..
Brent Hale says
For $200 go with the ASUS Z97 PRO and for the GTX 660 Ti a 550W PSU like the XFX Core Edition PRO550W will give you more than enough power.
Wren says
I like this whole guide, very thorough, I have never put together a computer but this helps. I feel I still need help in actually putting it together and making sure the components work together, this worries me. Do you have any recommendations? Here is what I have picked so far
-NZXT Phantom 820 case.
-i7-4470k processor
-I’m going to put in an optical drive and I know it doesn’t matter which one.
I just need to find out what motherboard and graphics card will work with this processor and with each other, and which power supply would be best, I was thinking the XFX black edition I’m just confused on compatibility
Brent Hale says
Hey Wren, how’s it going?
You can download our guide for the step-by-step directions, or use a video like this one to help you through the build itself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls&feature=kp
As for the components you’ve selected, those are great options. However, if you’re just gaming, you can drop down to the i5-4670K and put the extra $100 into your GPU.
For your motherboard, you’ll want to look at a Z87/Z97 motherboard. And, your power supply depends on the GPU you get, but if you’re running a single GPU setup with no plans of running dual video cards in the future, a solid 550W or 600W PSU will do the trick.
If you need additional help, you can either post in the forums with your total budget, or email me directly at bhale@elitegamingcomputers.
All the Best,
Brent
Joe says
Hey i’m looking at creating the very best rig i can with $2000+ but am getting far too confused with people around me saying what i should and shouldn’t get. I was hoping someone here could point me in the right direction. Like i say i have more than $2000 to spend and am just looking for the smoothest and fastest gaming rig that i can also use for movies and downloads like MMOs that i could possibly ever need.
Hero887 says
I am building a HTPC and I was curious if I could use the Mac OS on a AMD build. Is that possible? (I understand that Mac OS does not play many video games and Windows is king when it comes to PC gaming, but I plan to dual boot.) If it’s not possible on an AMD build, is it possible on a Intel build to install Mac OS?