Gaming build $1200 CAD help

[Trap05]

So I have a buddy that needs a new gaming build. Last one I did was Z97 so I'd like some help with the hardware choices. What are the best bang for buck choices currently and I was going to go with an i5 unless you suggest something else. i7 is not required. He mostly plays older games off of Steam (Rome total war) but would the option to play newer stuff if anything catches his attention. No monitor or peripherals included in the $1200 CAD. What says you experts?

 

[Jeff G]

What cpu does he have now? I imagine an i5 Haswell would still do well today. Is any gear going to get reused? The more you can re-use from the last build, the more you have to spend on a nice GPU!

 

[Trap05]

Completely new build and I'll be using a current i5

 

[Tír na nÓg]

Wait the 5th of October for Coffee lake: it is 2 weeks away and sees major improvement over current line (50% extra cores and some IPC improvement too).

 

[Johan45]

Do they need everything like monitor keyboard mouse and OS or is there anything they'll be reusing?

 

[Trap05]

As I stated completely new build. Old system is a q6600 and will be staying in service in another capacity so this build has to include everything as nothing will be reused.

 

[Johan45]

Well ground up new build with all peripherals $1200 is a pretty tight budget

 

[Trap05]

Sorry 1st post also states no monitor or peripherals included in the $1200

 

[Johan45]

How about this. I game right now with a 1600X and a 980 works fine https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/TZjb3F
Don't know how you feel about AMD but...

 

[Trap05]

AMD would not be my preferred choice that's for certain. If we were to go the i5 route what board and cpu is the popular choice?

 

[Johan45]

https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA9H557G0623 mobo $160
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117728 i5 7600k $300
Plus a CPU cooler
You could go cheaper on the board and CPU but no OC and lower base clocks

 

[Jeff G]

Add in another $335 for the cheapest GTX 1060 6gb listed on Newegg and you're down to $400 for cooler, psu, case, ram, etc. That'll be a tight budget on new items, but with some good shopping you could pull it off.

 

[Trap05]

Budget is not set in stone

 

[Trap05]

I have my friend checking out cases and deciding what he likes the looks of

 

[Johan45]

One of our members has been putting together a list of decent cases here http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php/748535-Recommended-Cases-of-OCF

 

[||Console||]

Thats from memory express in cow town .

I think your friend would be better off finding a use Haswell (i7 for the extra life expectancy ) + 1070/80 then buying all parts new .

 

[Jeff G]

View attachment 193562

You could save a little bit on this build by only using one case too

 

[||Console||]

LOL =)

 

[Johan45]

That's a lot like the build I linked earlier on. For the budget it'll work just fine