~$1000 Computer

[Taotaisei]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Pro3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($151.95 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($319.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1013.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-15 18:03 EDT-0400)

Comments, concerns. It's going to be mostly used for WoW and ESO however he does want to play Watch_Dogs. Has about a $1000 budget for the machine. No need for OS, Case, or peripherals. No brand loyalties. Not looking for a major OC on the CPU, just around 4.0ghz.

Thank you for any input,
Tao

[chazus]

Honestly that's a pretty perfect setup for the price.

My only quip is, swap the Corsair CX for an XFX 550. Pretty much the same price. I can't recommend Sub-750w Corsair CX's anymore due to excessive failure rate.

Also (and this is totally up to you), you could drop the DVDRW entirely, and get a slightly nicer board if you want.

[Taotaisei]

I have heard that Seasonic PSU's are better so I would have no problem swapping to the XFX. What board would you suggest over the ASRock Z87 Pro3 if I did drop the ODD? Would anybody suggest the R9-280X over the GTX 770 for any specific reason?

[Darcascia]

I have heard that Seasonic PSU's are better so I would have no problem swapping to the XFX. What board would you suggest over the ASRock Z87 Pro3 if I did drop the ODD? Would anybody suggest the R9-280X over the GTX 770 for any specific reason?

I use the MSI Z87-GD65 GAMING Motherboard with the Core i5-4670K, and I love it; it's easy to overclock and future components will remain compatible for some time to come. You will not regret spending the extra cash on it.

[chazus]

After looking around, the only board in the $100-110 range that is a worthwhile upgrade seems to be the MSI Z87-G55. I believe it's a 6 phase VRM, as opposed to the other equal/lower boards' 4 phase. The Z87-GD65 is nicer... But also well out of the relative price range, and not worth the $40 really.

Honestly, the Pro3 is fine, but for the same price (minus drive) the G55 is nicer.

[Deleted]

Couple of tweaks to the inital build, keeping the optical as an option for a similar price post-rebate:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G43 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($116.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M500 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($319.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Rosewill Hive 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1008.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-16 02:45 EDT-0400)