pcpartpicker 5 lyfe.
If I had 700 dollars to build a gaming PC, this is how I would spend them.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.52 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($97.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 760 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $720.95
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-25 00:48 EST-0500
Backstory
CPU: I build gaming PC's with Intel, servers with AMD. This i5 is Generation 3 iirc but that isn't a bad thing, its still a very good processor.
Mobo: I use ASRock and MSI motherboards. Most manufacturers are great, I just choose to stay away from Biostar.
Memory: I have never purchased G.Skill RAM but I don't hear anything bad about them. They're just cheaper than most brands.
HDD: WD HDD's all day every day. I've had 3 Seagate HDD's crash before a WD has. Also, pineapple Hitachi drives, pomegranate always dies after 3 years.
Video Card: I've never had trouble with MSI. The video card is a couple years out but its still a good midrange one. STAY AWAY FROM EVGA! THEY USE pomegranateTY SOLDER!
Case: Pick your own case, I just grabbed a good one for 50 bucks.
PSU: Corsair PSU's have never failed on me. Learn to love them. This one is "Semi-Modular" meaning that some cables are removable.
Afterthoughts
If you have a spare 10 bucks pick up 2 case fans to help with cooling.
If you have an extra 20-30 bucks pick up an after market CPU heatsink/fan. I usually run coolermaster.
If I had 700 dollars to build a gaming PC, this is how I would spend them.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.52 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($97.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 760 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $720.95
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-25 00:48 EST-0500
Backstory
CPU: I build gaming PC's with Intel, servers with AMD. This i5 is Generation 3 iirc but that isn't a bad thing, its still a very good processor.
Mobo: I use ASRock and MSI motherboards. Most manufacturers are great, I just choose to stay away from Biostar.
Memory: I have never purchased G.Skill RAM but I don't hear anything bad about them. They're just cheaper than most brands.
HDD: WD HDD's all day every day. I've had 3 Seagate HDD's crash before a WD has. Also, pineapple Hitachi drives, pomegranate always dies after 3 years.
Video Card: I've never had trouble with MSI. The video card is a couple years out but its still a good midrange one. STAY AWAY FROM EVGA! THEY USE pomegranateTY SOLDER!
Case: Pick your own case, I just grabbed a good one for 50 bucks.
PSU: Corsair PSU's have never failed on me. Learn to love them. This one is "Semi-Modular" meaning that some cables are removable.
Afterthoughts
If you have a spare 10 bucks pick up 2 case fans to help with cooling.
If you have an extra 20-30 bucks pick up an after market CPU heatsink/fan. I usually run coolermaster.