Need to spec a $1,200 gaming desktop build

My brother wants to build a new gaming desktop PC. Budget is around $1,200 (just for the case and everything inside. He already has the monitor, mouse, keyboard, etc.). His monitor is 1080p 120 Hz. He might upgrade to a 1440p monitor somewhere down the line but not anytime soon. One game he is really looking forward to is Elder Scrolls 6 (but I am not sure how far out in terms of release date that game is). Will appreciate if someone could spec out a PC around $1,200 that would fit his needs.

His current PC (built in 2017):

Intel Core i7-7700K
16 GB DDR4 RAM
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB

dell.com

He'd prefer to build one.

1200 is a tall order without going used. A kit of ram is 300+. A gpu is 400-600. That's half of your budget right there. Maybe you could swing something if there was a microcenter somewhere near. Their bundles are decent.

THUMPer said:

1200 is a tall order without going used. A kit of ram is 300+. A gpu is 400-600. That's half of your budget right there. Maybe you could swing something if there was a microcenter somewhere near. Their bundles are decent.

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Considering that the RAM and GPU are probably the most expensive parts, will it not be possible to squeeze in the rest of the components within the budget?

Edit: If it is not possible, what would you say is the minimum budget for a good mid-range build?

Quiz said:

Considering that the RAM and GPU are probably the most expensive parts, will it not be possible to squeeze in the rest of the components within the budget?

Edit: If it is not possible, what would you say is the minimum budget for a good mid-range build?

Click to expand...

Ok lets see what we can get here... $1245 give or take. This is actually closer to 1200 than I thought. But only because the RAM is essentially free. These are just examples, as there are plenty of other options out there. Some Microcenter combos only come with 16GB of RAM. I would ignore those. If you don't have a microcenter the price gets closer to $1600.




$170
https://www.microcenter.com/product...nand-flash-pcie-gen-4-x4-nvme-m2-internal-ssd

$420
https://www.microcenter.com/product...ked-dual-fan-16gb-gddr6-pcie-50-graphics-card

$95
https://www.microcenter.com/product...-fully-modular-power-supply-atx-31-compatible

$60
https://www.microcenter.com/product...pered-glass-atx-mid-tower-computer-case-black

is said "friend" even in north america though?

THUMPer said:

Ok lets see what we can get here... $1245 give or take. This is actually closer to 1200 than I thought. But only because the RAM is essentially free. These are just examples, as there are plenty of other options out there. Some Microcenter combos only come with 16GB of RAM. I would ignore those. If you don't have a microcenter the price gets closer to $1600.


View attachment 797136

$170
https://www.microcenter.com/product...nand-flash-pcie-gen-4-x4-nvme-m2-internal-ssd

$420
https://www.microcenter.com/product...ked-dual-fan-16gb-gddr6-pcie-50-graphics-card

$95
https://www.microcenter.com/product...-fully-modular-power-supply-atx-31-compatible

$60
https://www.microcenter.com/product...pered-glass-atx-mid-tower-computer-case-black

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Thanks.

Don't have a Microcenter as we are not in the US. But around $1,600 for non-Microcenter prices should be doable.

How's this: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/Yk3ykD

looks fine, send it. although you can get an aio much cheaper than that corsair, but it doesnt seem to be part of that price.

Final specs with different Corsair AIO cooler: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/GnRvW9

Quiz said:

Final specs with different Corsair AIO cooler: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/GnRvW9

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id step it up to a 4000D, they are on sale and move to a 360 aio, also cheaper, forgot youre over in the desert....
https://www.amazon.com/CORSAIR-Frame-4000D-Modular-Mid-Tower/dp/B0DFHNV7TK
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...36m_a18pz_r1_masterliquid_360l_core_argb.html

pendragon1 said:

id step it up to a 4000D, they are on sale and move to a 360 aio, also cheaper, forgot youre over in the desert....
https://www.amazon.com/CORSAIR-Frame-4000D-Modular-Mid-Tower/dp/B0DFHNV7TK
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...36m_a18pz_r1_masterliquid_360l_core_argb.html

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I'm not sure how much larger the 4000D is over the 3000D but he wants a smaller case this time around. I also have a 3000D for my build and it is a good case.

I am also using a Corsair 240 mm AIO cooler for my 9800X3D and it generally cools it well (at least during gaming). Gaming temps are in the low to mid 50 C average. If I am not mistaken, the 7700X should be easier to cool?

sure. looks like you got it handled without us.