Gaming PC build under $1000

Greetings, everyone.

I am looking to purchase a new computer this week. A friend put together this build for me:

Motherboard: ASUS B85-HD3, Intel B85, DDR3, audio, LAN, S-ATA, PCI-E 3.0, USB 3.0, D-SUB, DVI, HDMI, ATX, socket 1150
Processor: INTEL Core i5 4690 BOX, socket 1150, 3.50GHz, 6MB cache, GPU, quad Core
SSD 240.0 GB Intel Series 535, SSDSC2BW240H601, SATA3, 2.5'', MLC-Chip, up to 540/490 MB/s
Graphics Card: PCI-E GAINWARD GeForce GTX 960 Phantom, 4GB DDR5, DualDVI, HDMI, DP
Case: IN WIN GT1, Mid Tower, windowed, white, no PSU
Power Supply: 700W, EVGA Smart Series GPS-700A8, ATX v2.3, 120mm fan, PFC
Hard Drive: 1000.0 GB WESTERN DIGITAL Blue, WD10EZEX, SATA3, 64MB cache, 7200rpm, 3.5'', desktop

$2350

The PC will be used exclusively for gaming (such as FALLOUT 4). These parts are from Best Buy. Unfortunately, I have to buy this using an American credit card on a payment plan, and they are the only ones offering that option. I do not need peripherals or RAM, as I already have them from my old system. Any advice or suggestions for better components would be appreciated...

Thank you.

I guess you'd probably want a beefier graphics card if you're planning on playing FALLOUT 4. This particular Fallout 4 price reflects an option to pay online via 12 monthly installments.

SSD 250.0 GB Samsung 850 EVO Basic
550W Power Supply, COOLERMASTER G550M,
ANTEC GX300 Case, MIDI, black, no PSU
Hard drive 1000.0 GB SEAGATE ST1000DM003,
ASUS B85M-D3H Motherboard
PCI-E ASUS GeForce GTX 970 Strix Graphics Card,
Intel Core i5 4460 box $1000 Processor

$2503

@Ryan Hayes82/">@@Ryan Hayes82

It feels like a waste to pick up a case without front USB 3.0 when you're already dropping $2500 🤷

Ryan Hayes82 said:A stronger graphics card would probably be better for Bethesda. The price includes an option for 12 monthly installments if you pay online.

Sandisk 850 250.0 GB SSD
550W Power Supply, COOLERMASTER G550M,
GTX 300 MIDI case, black, no PSU
Western Digital ST1000DM003 1000.0 GB Hard Drive,
ASUS B85M-D3H motherboard
PCI-E NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 Strix graphics card,
processor Intel Core i5 4460 box

$2503

Maybe swap the board for an ASUS B85M Pro3 and the case for a Corsair GX505.

Ryan Hayes82 said:A stronger graphics card would be better for Bethesda. This price is for paying online in 12 installments.

Sandisk 850 250.0 GB SSD Basic
550W Power Supply, COOLERMASTER G550M,
Corsair GX505 Case, MIDI, black, no PSU
1000.0 GB Western Digital ST1000DM003 Hard Drive,
ASUS B85M-D3H Motherboard
PCI-E NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 Strix Graphics Card,
processor Intel Core i5 4460 box

$2503

Thanks for the suggestion. :-)

@crimsonstag84/">@@crimsonstag84

Thank you. I have changed the motherboard and the case.

I will wait a little longer to see if anyone else offers a suggestion. If not, I will head out to buy... :-)

The GTX 300 comes with front-panel USB 3.0 support, which makes it a pretty solid case for the price point. And honestly, I guess that Gigabyte board is a bit better than the ASRock one.

Got this rig from USA for $2500

You aren't factoring the online price into your rates... so that makes it $2633.

Robert Rodriguez2 said:PC from USA for $2500

Thanks :-)

@crimsonstag84/">@@crimsonstag84

When selecting the installment plan via credit card, the total remains the same amount Robert Rodriguez2 put together. Of course, I haven't finalized the purchase yet...

Between these two offered configurations, if anyone is willing to explain the difference. It has been a long time since I kept up with hardware developments...
So I can decide what to buy and we can close this thread...

wanderingharbor59 said:Thanks :-)

@crimsonstag84/">@@crimsonstag84

Even when choosing the installment plan, the total stays the same as what Robert Rodriguez2 put together. I haven't pulled the trigger yet, obviously.

Between these two builds, can someone explain the actual difference? I stopped following hardware specs ages ago.
Just want to pick one so we can kill this thread. :-)

The main split is just the GPU and the SSD. The NVIDIA card pulls slightly more power and has 4GB of VRAM (which is basically 3.5GB effective), while the AMD one has 8GB. That extra headroom helps if you're playing at higher resolutions with heavy textures. As for storage, the SSD is cheaper than the Sandisk 850, but you lose two years of warranty. Everything else is pretty much identical.

wanderingharbor59 said:When selecting the installment plan option, the total amount remains exactly what Robert Rodriguez2 calculated. Of course, I haven't officially pulled the trigger on the purchase yet.

Actually, I just placed an order for someone recently. The discounted web price applies specifically to cash or single-use card payments. For any other method, you're stuck with the "standard" online price—even though the cart automatically pulls in the discounted rate. If you want to pay in installments through the website, you actually have to select the cash option during checkout to make it work.

You need to select the cash payment option. Even if you end up walking into a branch and paying with a credit card via an installment plan, you should still choose "cash" online. Think of the card option strictly as the method for direct internet transactions.

To whom it may concern,

Online pricing is strictly reserved for cash payments or single-transaction credit card purchases.

Things have been a bit hectic at the office, so I’m just now getting around to announcing that my PC is officially ordered. I wanted to reach out and thank everyone for all the suggestions. Much appreciated. :-)

I actually had to stop by a local bank branch because the online payment wouldn't go through... which led to a slight change in plans...

motherboard: I can't quite recall if it was the MSI H97-PC Mate with the Intel H97 or the MSI PCMate with the Intel Z97... I added a few extra fans too... and for the GPU, I ended up going with the PCI-E ASUS GeForce GTX 970 Strix... even though I was dead set on an AMD...

Thanks again, everyone. :-)