Here is WCCF's picks for best $500 and $1000 PC Builds. For the $1K PC Build we will go with a dedicated build while for the $500 PC build we will go with AMD's Flagship APU.
WCCF Recommended PC Builds of the Year 2013
WCCF Recommended $500 PC With AMD A10-6800k APU
For the first build we are running with a budget $500 PC. Massive Resolution Size Optimization is not the goal here. Rather a fully rounded entry-level gaming rig. We decided to go with 8GB (6GB would be fine too) Worth of RAM for future proofing and the A10-6800k APU as the CPU and GPU. This rig should be able to play all modern games and even max out some. This kind of build is perfect for casual gaming.
CPU: AMD A10-6800K 4.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($139.29 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master V8 69.7 CFM Rifle Bearing CPU Cooler ($54.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88X Extreme6+ ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($104.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($75.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 431 Plus (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ Microcenter)
These prices were fetched using an automated tool and will tend to fluctuate though the approximate price should be $500.
WCCF Recommended $1000 PC (Dedicated)
For our $1000 Gaming Rig, we decided to go with the fully unlocked i5-4670k (an i7 is not really needed for gaming). You might notice neither build included an SSD. That is because its is our firm belief that an SSD is optional in a Gaming PC, since the only thing it will affect is OS boot time and Game Level Boot Time. We decided to go with the R9 290 Hawaii GPU. Nvidia Fans can switch over to the GTX 780 by adding just 90$ to the overall price.
CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($224.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master V8 69.7 CFM Rifle Bearing CPU Cooler ($54.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($75.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290 4GB Video Card ($429.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 431 Plus (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($94.99 @ Amazon)
These prices were fetched using an automated tool and may vary, though the approximate price should be around $1000.
#WCCF's Recommended #PC Builds for the $500 Mark and $1000 Mark. http://t.co/fFBmXlOiSC
— Usman Pirzada (@usmanpirzada) December 8, 2013
