New gaming build

[brandonr23]

PLEASE when you POST threads asking for input on system builds tell us...

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Hoping to play modern games at 1080p and my kid play Minecraft with mods that include some hardware heavy shaders.

I've got a Microcenter close, so probably getting the CPU from them.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
1000$ Limit according to the wife.
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
US

5. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.
Prefer Nvidia graphics, but bang for the buck is the bottom line

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Monitor/TV is a panny 1080p plasma/23" lcd
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Overclock is a definite option
8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Tax return should be in the first week of February

X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?
Windows 8.1

Possibility of running a Minecraft server for the kid, and streaming movies/music to the living room.

I'm looking for bang for the buck and quiet efficiency in the case/Psu.

My microcenter has had some good open box deals on 970 gpu's(msi <300) so I'll be keeping an eye on those.

I'll need a good airflow case(aesthetics don't really matter) good cooler(i like to try and push the cpu) and prefer a vid card thats gonna last for a good while.

Maybe a suggestion for a decent gaming keyboard too, but not necessary at this point.

 

[brandonr23]

Lol at my sig. I haven't posted on here in many years.

 

[lehtv]

This one's easy . Take this as your base:

01/11/2015 update:
i5 4690K $240
ASRock Z97 Killer $90 AR
G.Skill DDR3 1600 8GB $69
Zotac GTX 970 4GB $330
Crucial MX100 256GB $111
Seagate 7200RPM 1TB $55
Lite-ON DVD Burner $15 AP
EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650 G $75 AR
NZXT Source 220 $50
Total: $1035 AR AP

- For multi-tasking and productivity applications, you might want to also upgrade to this Team DDR3 1600 16GB kit for $125.
- There is an R9 270 2GB for $140 AR and an GTX 760 2GB for $190 AR if you want to spend less but still get good gaming performance.
- If you intend to OC (the system is capable) grab an aftermarket HSF like the Zalman CNPS10X for $18 AR.

And swap the CPU and motherboard to a Microcenter combo deal: i5-4690K + Asrock Z97 Extreme4 $290 AR. Obviously, if you're buying in February, the midrange build quoted above is going to have changed a few times, but it'll still be a $1K build with the best bang for buck components at that time.

I don't think an open box graphics card is a good option, you're better off with a card covered by the full warranty. Speaking of warranty, I'd try to avoid brands with only 2 years, so no Zotac or Sapphire. I'd go with any of Asus, MSI, Gigabyte, EVGA (NVIDIA only) and XFX (AMD only).

 

[Charlie98]

...and make sure you plan ahead if you go to MicroCenter. I went in last week to get a i5/mobo combo and the mobo shelves were bare (very few mATX Z87 boards, no mATX Z97 boards) I walked out empty handed... Go online first to see what they have in stock.