As with my other guides, this $1000 gaming PC shopping list includes everything, OS, monitor and all. Unlike other guides that get away with low prices by leaving these essential items out, this guide lists everthing you’ll need to build and use a gaming PC from scratch. Even with the extras, this PC is a powerhouse. It can play any game out there at high settings, including the venerable Crysis. Without further ado, here’s the list:
Case and Power Supply: RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP With 500 Watt Power Supply – $89.99
I like to start these guides from the outside in, so we’ll begin with the Raidmax Smilodon PC case. The case itself looks great, with blue LEDs and a black and grey finish, it just oozes style and power. An included 500 watt power supply only sweetens the deal, making this buy even better.
Motherboard: BIOSTAR TFORCE TA790GX 128M AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX – $109.99
Again, AMD has the best budget platform around with it’s AM2+ socket. Fully compatible with AM3 CPUs means no upgrade is necessary in the near future. This motherboard supports all current AMD processors and boasts nifty integrated graphics, though we won’t need it in this build.
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 920 2.8GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Processor – $189.99
A blazing fast quad-core CPU for under $200? Amazing, simply amazing, which is why we had to include in this build. 4 cores means more CPU power to bring to bear on all the latest games, and other applications as well. This processor is also a notable overclocker, so you can push its performance even further.
Memory: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 – $52.99
4 gigabytes of DDR2 1066 RAM brings a level of performance not seen in many sub-$1500 PCs. With this kit you’ll have plenty of RAM to run Windows Vista, games, and any applications as well.
Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100259L Radeon HD 4870 512MB – $164.99
The Radeon HD 4870 is a high end card with a budget price. It can consistently keep up with $250 competing cards, and will blow through any game in its way. The video card is the heart of a gaming system, and this card just exudes power.
Hard Drive:Seagate Barracuda 250GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive – $54.99
A hard drive, while one of the more boring parts of a system, is no less necessary than any other. This 250 gigabyte model affords you plenty of space for games, as well as movies, music and pictures.
DVD Drive: LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner SATA – $22.99
Your standard DVD burner fare here, cheap, but completely reliable and it gets the job done. You might consider replacing this with a cheap Blu-ray drive, if you find a deal.
Monitor: Hanns• G Hi-221DPB Black 22″ 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor – $159.99
A high-def 22 inch widescreen monitor, with a resolution of 1680×1050, providing sharp, beautiful picture for games and video. You definitely notice the extra space if you’ve ever used a smaller monitor, and will surely appreciate it.
OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit – $99.99
Windows Vista 64-bit, great for games, and it will recognize all 4 gigabytes of RAM, unlike 32-bit operating systems.
Well, there we have it, a powerful gaming system for less than $1000. In fact, the total comes to just $945 before shipping! Spend that extra $50 on a game or part of your choosing. That wraps up this $1000 gaming PC shopping list, have fun putting it all together!
