Building a Computer for $800-1000

Budget: 800-1000(Don't want to overspend)
Where do you live: USA
Is there a retailer you prefer?: I tend to prefer retailers that don't charge shipping(ex. physical retailers)
Do you need or already have peripherals: I have a old ps/2 mechanical keyboard which is quite nice however the pins of socket are bent. I would love to use this instead of buying a new keyboard, however, I am unsure of whether I will be able to fix the pins. Also i have an old dell sp2009W monitor.
What will you be using your Glorious computer for: Browsing, Gaming, Programming, Printing, and maybe a media server for my PS3.
Do you overclock or want to get into overclocking: Not really
Do you plan on going for custom watercooling now, or in the future?: NOPE
Operating System. Do you need a new one: I would like to use a linux distro for my primary operating system. However, gaming might be a problem which is why I am considering purchasing Windows.

Gaming:
What kind of settings do you like or what FPS do you want to play at?:60 FPS. I'm not too worried about being able to run amazing settings, as long as the graphics look better than consoles and look nice for the price I am paying.
What resolution will you be playing at? //or would like to play at: My monitor is the Dell SP2009W, which has a resolution of 1680 x 1050.
What kind of games do you like to play?
What specific game will you be playing (if you really only play one): Dota 2, CS:GO, GTA V with Mods, Skyrim with Mods, Bioshock Infinite

If you don't have peripherals -

What kind of keyboard do you prefer? Mechanical, scissor, membrane, etc. Mechanical
What kind of games do you play? (mmo vs fps, for button management): all types, but more fps.
What size monitor are you looking for, and what resolution? Screen type (IPS, S-IPS, TN, etc.) ,hertz (60, 120, etc.) 20-22 Inch

MY BUILD:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/CcdCnQ

Feel free to modify the build as you see fit; I am a new builder.

Final Thoughts:

This computer will most likely be ON CARPET. Any case suggestions. I kinda of just picked a cheap case

Do I REALLY need Windows if I am going to game?

Should I stick with my current monitor of buy a new one?

Is there a good way that I can fix the bent pins of my ps/2 keyboard?

THANKS.

I left the periferals and case out and room in the budget for it as those choices are highly personal.
Also, I know this motherboard seems a bit scary because of the price but it's great it's something I recommend for non overclocking builds (however it is capable of a mild overclock if you ever change your mind) and I used it in a xeon build for my uncle half a year ago, that build is still working fine and it runs 24/7.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8mdCnQ

To fix the bent pins use the end of a pen/mechanical pencil. whatever you can get to fit on it.

You don't REALLLY need Windows but this isn't my area of expertise

For the monitor, get a 1080p off craigslist for 50 bucks.

Your CPU cooler is overkill, especially for a locked CPU.

Otherwise consider ditching the SSD and putting the money else where.

And you could easily get away with using an R9 280 which is about 50 dollars cheaper than the 960

The cpu isn't locked... also keeping it cooler alows for it to stay in turbo longer :P and why would you ditch an ssd in a 1000 dollar build? that's silly.

I don't see a K on that CPU man, and even just a hyper 212 evo is going to do a good enough job cooling for it to stay turbo'd. Talking about OP's build of course.

Because an SSD takes up a good chunk of your budget that could go into more important things, like the GPU mainly.

Also no @xl9000 you don't technically need to buy windows for games wink**wink

Ya no the second build there is fine for the most part, you could easily get away with just getting a 290 over a 290x though, new cards are coming out soon anyways.

@Streetguru 's talking about the OP's partpicker build, I think. Not yours. ;P

1 Like

So is the general consensus that I should completely ditch the ssd

No that's just me mostly, though do you still need peripherals? Like a mouse? Monitor? Headphones and/or speakers? Your monitor is a bit old there, you could drive that with just like an APU build, and that would only be like 500 at best.

IMO, no, having even a 120GB SSD for a boot drive and a few games, at least, is pretty nice if you can fit one in a budget.
It depends upon how much you're spending upon other components though, the money might be better spent elsewhere.
In this case, with $800-1000 I'd reckon an SSD wouldn't be too significant a cost. What SoulFallen's thrown together looks pretty decent.

Updated Build:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8zM83C

If am going to use linux, will the r290x be okay? The reason I picked a GTX 960T was b/c I heard NVIDIA had better linux drivers and AMD's drivers sucked for gaming.

Yeah some suggestions for a monitor and a keyboard woud be nice. I already have some speakers.

Well this monitor is pretty solid overall it seems, also has a tiny bezel.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824160167&cm_re=AOC_IPS-_-24-160-167-_-Product

As for keyboards/mice that's going to depend on what you want, mechanical, membrane. A 12 button mouse like the Utech Venus?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823129037

the cooler master bundle seems popular enough.

AMD should work fine on linux, I believe wendell has a 290/x something in his main rig.

Though again, you could save a bit of money by getting a 290.

Do i need an after market cooler if not overclocking?

You can always get that later.

If you live near a Micro Center they have excellent deals on CPU Motherboard combos.
Those are pretty much the only two parts I would pick up from there though.

$1k build - http://pcpartpicker.com/p/YPpGzy
- need windows to game - well depends on the game - linux + wine /playonlinux etc does have mixed results or there is the vm route. all depends on if you can be arsed or not.
- on carpeted surface - any case is fine, either put a flat surface (timber panel, pane of plastic etc) underneath if psu is facing down or if bare carpet reverse the psu orientation so it faced up (fan pointing up).
- save up and grab a monitor that you like, even hunt around for a nice one locally.
- fixing bent ps2 pins is best done with a pair of narrow headed pliers. I remember once using the emptied inside of a biro pen (the ink filled bit), it was quite rigid and fit perfectly over the pins.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/NDLPWZ
It's a big tower since its gonna be on the floor.
Also 200$ over budget but thats because I included a gaming monitor, mouse, keyboard and Windows
(free upgrade 29. July from Win 8.1 to 10)

Thanks for all the responses. Here is an updated part list:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/gQGGzy
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/gQGGzy/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($200.00)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-S1 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($39.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill NS Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk Solid State Drive 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($319.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H22 Window ATX Mid Tower Case ($43.99 @ Directron)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($87.98 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($38.84 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Acer G226HQLBbd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($99.98 @ NCIX US)
Other: Keyboard Bundle ($29.00)
Total: $1039.63
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-12 21:03 EDT-0400

You could save about 50 bucks by going with a 290, it performs nearly on par with the 970.

You should also get an IPS display, it's about 30 dollars more for the cheapest one I've seen, it has much better viewing angles and color reproduction than TN, at least I think the one you've selected is TN.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824160167&cm_re=AOC-_-24-160-167-_-Product

290 or 290x?

If so, which specific model(ex Asus, Gigabte, Sapphire etc.)