$1200 build

[grimmjow660]

Hi, my friend needs a very powerful gaming rig for $1200. He needs everything, including keyboard/mouse, monitor and windows 8.1 copy.
Here's what I came up with. Any help would be great.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/W823Mp

[adamsjus1]

You know that the final price is after mail in rebates right? But that is what I would go with. Well I prefer the gigabyte version of the 970. 

[Rangelov]

Buy an SSD down the road it will speed up your PC, if you want. I have use the CM Devastator bundle, the keyboard will do the job but I am not a fan of the mouse. The PSU is overkill, you could get a 500w PSU, there is just no need for a 650w.

[Lotus]

What is this for? Gaming, productivity, or both?

[johngo90]

What is this for? Gaming, productivity, or both?

I believe post says a gaming rig.

 

His current build is pretty much what I would go for in this situation. As @Rangelov mentioned, a cheaper PSU, and ssd in the future would be smart. 

[Imakuni]

Man... this build was hard. I decided to compromise on the system's raw power in order to fit a 1440p monitor in. You can always upgrade your GPU later, and the CPU can hold on for a while, but in regards to the monitor, upgrading now to 1440p will last your a LOOONG time.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($189.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($41.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Dark 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($56.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($47.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 290 4GB PCS+ Video Card  ($282.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($34.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Rosewill 500W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit)  ($92.00 @ B&H)
Monitor: BenQ GW2765HT 60Hz 27.0" Monitor  ($380.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1187.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-25 17:15 EST-0500

[Lotus]

Ah, whoops. Honestly, if it were me, I'd do this:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($219.95 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($29.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($96.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory  ($62.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($47.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 290X 4GB PCS+ Video Card  ($303.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($67.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($128.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit)  ($92.00 @ B&H)
Monitor: AOC i2267Fw 60Hz 22.0" Monitor  ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse  ($27.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1208.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-25 17:17 EST-0500

 

Very similar, but doesn't rely on rebates. The R9 290x trades blows with the GTX 970 but is cheaper. Plus, the motherboard and PSU are good enough to support crossfire should he ever decide he wants to throw in a second R9 290x, all for cheaper than your build. If you'd prefer to get an SSD, one option is to instead get the Capstone 750W PSU, AsRock Anniversary Z97 board (full atx, matx version is bad), and drop the HDD for the 250GB Crucial BX100. Just buy an HDD down the road as a mass storage drive when you start filling up the SSD. That's an easy addition.