Gaming PC Build Recipe:
| Processor: Intel Core i5-2400 | Motherboard: ASRock P67 Extreme4 B3 Motherboard |
| Graphics Card: HIS Radeon HD 6950 IceQ X Turbo 2GB | RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3 12800) 240-Pin DDR3 Memory Kit |
| Hard Drive: Western Digital 1 TB Caviar Blue | Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast Series 650-Watt |
| Computer Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 Mid Tower ATX Case | Optical Drive: Asus 24x DVD±RW Drive |
| Estimated Price: $ 893 |
September’s Gaming PC Build ( $500 – $1000 ) Overview:
The September 2011 ($500 – $1000) Gaming PC probably has the lease base changes to the actual build. Last month there were no significant releases, but I did decide to swap the Intel 2600K for the Intel 2400. The reason for this is because the only real benefit you get by going with the Intel i5-2500K over the Intel i5-2400 is a few hundred MHz boost in speed, and has an unlocked multiplier and is more expensive. If you are concerned about the very slight speed decrease, or are planning to over clock your CPU then still go with the Intel 2500K, or else you can save some money / put the extra saved money towards other hardware.
This month I have also added the Additions / Parts Swap section as these could be parts that may either be better suited for specific individuals, or those who can extend their budget a little further.
Additions / Part Swaps:
Note: Total Prices are Total for Whole Gaming PC Build with the addition / replacement
This month I have included additions for the ($500-$1000) Gaming PC Build since we are saving some money by going with a Intel Core i5 2400 instead of the Intel Core i5 2500K that I used in the August 2011 Gaming Build, and overall the build has decreased in prices. The above gaming build will work perfectly as is, however if you have a few extra bucks above the $893 estimated price then you can make this a very solid gaming build for under $1000.
| Add a SSD Boot Drive: Intel Core i5-2500K = ~$995 Total Price | Add a Blu-Ray Optical Drive: LG 12X SATA Blu-Ray Burner = ~$971 Total Price |
| Replace Graphics Card with: Geforce GTX 570 1280MB Graphics Card = ~$952 Total Price | More RAM (16GB): Get 2X instead of one Corsair Vengeance 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3 12800) 240-Pin DDR3 Memory Kit = ~$945 Total Price |
The Gaming PC Hardware:
Intel Core i5-2400 Processor
Last month I used the Intel Core i5-2500K since it is a fantastic Quad Core 3.3GHz, 95 Watt, 6 MB Intel Smart Cache CPU part of Intel’s second generation of CPU’s. But this month I decided to go with an Intel Core i5-2400 Processor instead. This is because the only real benefit you get by going with the Intel i5-2500K over the Intel i5-2400 is a few hundred MHz boost in speed, and has an unlocked multiplier and is more expensive. If you are concerned about the very slight speed decrease, or are planning to over clock your CPU then still go with the Intel 2500K, or else you can save some money / put the extra saved money towards other hardware.
ASRock P67 Extreme4 B3 Motherboard
The ASRock P67 Extreme4 B3 Motherboard has so much potential for a great gaming motherboard. With Memory: 4x 240pin DDR3-2133(OC)/1866(OC)/1600/1333/1066 DIMMs, Dual Channel, non-ECC, unbuffered, Max Capacity Upto 32GB, Slots: 3x PCI-Express 2.0 x16 Slots((Support ATI Quad/3-Way/CrossFireX and nVidia Quad SLI/SLI); 2x PCI-Express 2.0 x1 Slots; 2x PCI Slots, SATA: 4x SATA2 Ports, Support RAID 0/ 1/ 5/ 10; 3x SATA3 Ports(two Support RAID 0/ 1/ 5/ 10); 1x SATA3/eSATA3 Combo Port, Ports: 12x USB 2.0 Ports (6 rear, 6 by headers); 4x USB 3.0 Ports(2 rear, 2 by headers); 1x eSATA3 Port; 2x PS/2 Ports; 2x IEEE 1394 Ports (1 rear, 1 by header); 1x Coaxial SPDIF-Out; 1x Optical SPDIF-Out; 1x RJ45 LAN Port; Audio I/O Jacks, Audio: Integrated Realtek ALC892 7.1-Channel HD Audio CODEC, Supports THX TruStudio PRO & Premium Blu-ray audio, CPU: Socket 1155 Support 2nd Generation Intel Core i7/ i5/ i3 processors, Supports Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 Technology; Supports Intel K-Series unlocked CPU; Supports Hyper-Threading Technology, CPU: Supports Intel K-Series unlocked CPU; Supports Hyper-Threading Technology. Chipset: Intel P67 B3; LAN: Integrated Realtek RTL8111E PCI-Express x1 Gigabit Ethernet Controller
HIS Radeon HD 6950 IceQ X Turbo 2GB
The HIS Radeon HD 6950 IceQ X Turbo 2GB is currently one of the top graphics cards which can give you top notch 1920×1200 resolution performance and a good 2560×1600 resolution performance in most games. This HIS Radeon HD 6950 in particular has 2x mini display ports, 1X HDMI, and 2X DVI (HDCP) ports. So overall, a very versatile card!
Corsair Vengeance 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR3
Corsair Vengeance 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3 12800) 240-Pin DDR3 Memory Kit has some grate reviews as a memory supplier, and you cannot beat 8GB at the prices they are at now!
Western Digital 1 TB Caviar Blue
Western Digital 1 TB Caviar Blue is a great harddrive under a quality brand. 1TB may be a ton of space for storing all of your games and software right now, and again if you run out of space you can always purchase another!
Corsair Enthusiast Series 650-Watt
The Corsair Enthusiast Series 650-Watt power supply has more than enough juice to power this entry level gaming PC, and Corsair has always been a great power supply company.
Cooler Master HAF 912 Mid Tower ATX Case
The Cooler Master HAF 912 Mid Tower ATX Case is a really solid case for storing all of your gaming hardware. Great reviews, and a good look.
Asus 24x DVD±RW Drive
The Asus 24x DVD±RW Drive is your basic DVD drive that will support all of your CD/DVD media and comes at a decent cost. Beyond this the only upgrade worth doing is a Blu-Ray drive.
If you ever have any questions please do not hesitate to leave a comment or message me. As well, if you have any other suggestions for hardware that would fit into this September 2011 Gaming build of the month, then let me know via comment!
Check out the Other September 2011 Gaming Builds:
- Gaming PC Build of the Month (< $500 ): September 2011
- Gaming PC Build of the Month ($500-$1000 ): September 2011
- Gaming PC Build of the Month ($1000-$1500): September 2011