I'm sorta' annoyed that people keep getting the same build recommended over and over again. It's incredibly redundant. So I figure I'll keep this up to date with the most Price/Performance build. If you feel inclined to dispute something, feel free to mention it, provide a sound explanation, and I'll consider changing the OP.
A word of warning. Before posting, all of these WILL RUN WORLD OF WARCRAFT. The $1000, $1500, and "Performance" build can run it on Ultra no problem, the $500 build can run ultra without shadows.
Last edited 5/29/2011. Prices confirmed accurate up to this date.
New policy. I'll no longer be updating this every week, as I just don't have the time. If you see something that's been deactivated, experienced a price change, or is out of stock, please notify via this thread or PM.
$500 Build
Case: Thermaltake V3 Black $39.99
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts EA-380D 380W $44.99
Motherboard: AsRock H61M-VS $59.99
Processor: Intel Core i3 2100 $124.99
CPU Cooler: Stock - Free
RAM: G.Skill 4GB (2x2GB) $34.99
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB $44.99
Optical Disc Drive: Sony Optiarc SATA DVD/CD Burner $19.99
Graphics Card: Galaxy GTS 450 $124.99
Total: 519.92 USD
$700 Build
Case: Antec 200 $49.99
Power Supply: Corsair CX500 $59.99
Motherboard: AsRock Z68 Pro3-M $114.99
Processor: Intel i5 2500k $219.99
CPU Cooler: CoolerMaster Hyper 212 $49.99 == OVER BUDGET
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 4GB $38.99
Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 $64.99
Optical Disc Drive: Sony Optiarc SATA DVD/CD Burner $19.99
Graphics Card: Asus ENGTX 460 768 MB $144.99
Total: 731.92 USD == 771.91
$1000 Build
Case: CoolerMaster Haf 912 $59.99
Power Supply: Corsair TX650 $89.99
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z68X UD-3 $169.99
Processor: Intel i5 2500k $219.99
CPU Cooler: CoolerMaster Hyper 212 $49.99
RAM: G.Skill Sniper Low Voltage 8GB $84.99
Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 $64.99
Optical Disc Drive: Sony Optiarc SATA DVD/CD Burner $19.99
Graphics Card: MSI GTX 560 Ti Twin Frozr $249.99
Total: 1009.91 USD
$1500 Build
Case: Antec 900 $99.99
Power Supply: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W $89.99
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z68 UD-4 $189.99
Processor: Intel i7 2600k $314.99
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 $89.99
RAM: G.Skill Sniper Low Voltage 8GB $84.99
SSD: OCZ Vertex 90GB $168.99
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 64MB Cache 1TB $89.99
Optical Disc Drive: Sony Optiarc SATA DVD/CD Burner $19.99
Graphics Card: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6970 $349.99
Total: 1502.90 USD
High Performance
Case: CoolerMaster HAF X $189.99
Power Supply: Corsair AX1200 $279.99
Motherboard: Asus Maximus IV $349.99
Processor: Intel i7 2600k $314.99
CPU Cooler: Corsair H70 $104.81
RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) $174.99
SSD: OCZ Agility 3 120GB $224.99
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 64MB Cache 1TB $89.99
Optical Disc Drive: Sony Optiarc SATA DVD/CD Burner $19.99
Graphics Card: MSI N580GTX Lightning GeForce GTX 580 $525.99
Graphics Card: MSI N580GTX Lightning GeForce GTX 580 $525.99
Total: 2796.71 USD
Peripherals:
Disclaimer: These parts are my own opinion. While the above parts have statistical basis, these are based personally on my own feelings towards the products. I recommend you go to a local Electronics store and sample the products if possible before purchase to decide which mouse and keyboard satisfies you the most.
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium OEM $99.99
Mouse: Razer Abyssus $39.99
Keyboard: Orange KBC2408SB $6.99
Monitor: Acer S231HLbid Black 23" 5 MS HDMI LED-Backlit 1920x1080 $149.99
Total: 296.96 USD
This IS different from the "Build of the Month". Me and Chaud are two different people. I respect Chaud's builds and have actually used several of them. However, that being said, some of them aren't the best price/performance choices.
Prices may vary based on location, Mail in Rebate, Discounts, Offers, Combos, and Promotional deals.
- Converting these directly into Euros to figure out how much your system will cost is unwise. Prices are higher in European countries.
- I appreciate any feedback you're willing to give in order to make this the BEST Price/Performance build to date.
- I will need assistance when the new Bulldozer platform comes from AMD later this year. (Maybe.) When it is released, please PM any benchmarks you find or create yourself.
Parts will be linked exclusively to NewEgg, regardless of availability. This is for simple ease of thread creation. (That and I don't want to hunt all over Tim Berners-Lee's creation to find the lowest possible price. You're free to do your own hunting and use this as a simple parts list.)