My old PC is from 2004-ish and my laptop just really isn't cutting it anymore so I'm going to build a mid-range $1000 budget gaming PC.  Had someone help me out and this is what I got (all the stuff not listed I already have and don't need).

I'm heading over to Fry's this evening because I know they have the processor cheaper and I think they have the motherboard cheaper.

This is right at my budget so I can't really go any higher but if I can save about the $60-70 I think I can on the processor and motherboard, that's $60-70 I can spend somewhere else so suggestions welcome!

Hi, do you do any of your work at home?

Anyway, I think you can do better than that!

Your CPU is probably over-powered, also its on a dead socket so maybe you should avoid if you want to upgrade later?

The PSU is over-powered, you need no more than 600W as typical systems never use more than 300W.

The motherboard is over-specced from what I see.

So my suggestions are:

• Go for a Core i5 xxx CPU on an LGA 1156 motherboard OR an AMD CPU. The AMD CPU will give you better compatibility with the future and a cheaper motherboard.
• Go for a cheaper PSU which is still decent quality.
• Get a better quality case, an Antec Sonata with a 500W PSU would be perfect IMO.

If you want, I can spec out a cheaper AMD system.

Sure, go ahead!

For the power supply, both he and I are paranoid about those.  I don't know why he is but I've had a few crap out on me because they were cheap and/or underpowered so I would rather splurge on that.  As for the case, these are the ones we use at work and they work fine enough.  I don't really care what the case looks like since it's generally stuffed somewhere I never bother looking at it.

Have you considered AMD? A good AM3-socket motherboard costs about half of an i7-compatible motherboard, and you can get a 6-core CPU for $200 (though I admit it might be slightly worse in some games which are optimized for less cores, but you'll be more future proof and in any case most games aren't limited by the CPU but by the GPU instead). So in all you may save $200 on that.

If you are set on Intel then it doesn't look bad. Just a small note that you will just lose 1-5% of the performance for not having 3 memory sticks to take advantage of the i7's triple-channel. But that's something you can easily fix later on if/when you get an additional 2 GB of memory.

Looking good, I7 is a beast and you might want to overclock it up to 4.0 ghz just like mine, extra power always come in handy if you like to push those settings high.

Also go 6gb RAM with triple channel.

I have Radeon HD 5850 and does the job incredibly well, running bad company 2 1920 x 1080 at high smoothly. Also its about 30 bucks cheaper than GTX 460.

If you do go overclocking though, I recommend a specilized case with very good airflow, fans with manual switch are great.

Take a look at this spec: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-101-OE

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024

Antec Sonata 3 $120 with $20 MIR

It comes with a 500W PSU and Antec Earthwatts PSUs from the latest reliability survey I saw topped the chart for reliability. Also free shipping. This case has some noise dampening features.

Nets you a saving of $85.

Alternatively:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.481406

This combo with a 550W PSU costs $15 extra but doesn't rely on the mail in rebate and is modular so set up will be easier. 

Yeah, I plan to add more later, just that fits within my budget and more than I need at the moment.

I would suggest this combo:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.460527

Its a Phenon II X4 3.0Ghz and an HD 5850 for $400 which nets you a savings of $25 on the video card. Also it helps that the video card and motherboard will be using the same driver vendor.

Gigabyte 870 class motherboard with USB 3.0 $110

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128443

Use the ram you already have.

 Edit: Mine came up to $720 with $15 MIR to come.

That is:

• Phenom X4 3.0Ghz
• HD 5850 GPU
• 4GB ram you listed
• Antec Sonata 3 and a 550W PSU which is modular
• AMD 870 motherboard with USB 3.0. High quality still!

So overall, its a faster GPU, slower CPU but with a motherboard which is forward compatible and a quieter overall design and with a better case.

Oh yeah as an aside: Dave Baumann, the product manager for the HD 58xx GPU range from ATI ran that exact same CPU with an HD 5870. The balance is perfect.

Get this instead of the GTX460 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121383&cm_re=gtx_465-_-14-121-383-_-Product

ITs cheaper and about equal to the 460 in benchmarks...but its clocked 100hz lower. Both cards should overclock easily to 800 Mhz and at those speeds the GTX465 will beat the 460 by a solid 20%