It's completely possible to build a great gaming PC today for about $1000. In this section of the site, I've already done the leg work for you as far as planning and design. The only things left for you to do are order the parts and put together your new gaming PC. Now, keep in mind that I've assembled a list of parts that should come in under $1000, but I'm not including a monitor in this total. If you're in need of one to accompany your new gaming computer, feel free to check out my page on monitors to get an idea of what you'll need.

Since computer technology is constantly changing, I'll be updating this page as time goes on. My goal is to provide a complete listing of compatible parts that will allow you to build your own computer for around a current market price of about $1000 (excluding your monitor, speakers, and printer). Of course, you can always tweak the parts list to help you keep your costs down (or upgrade components as well). However, if you do decide to modify the list, make sure your alternate choices will be compatible with the rest of your hardware!

For more information on choosing components, follow the Quick Links for each listed component on the left-hand side of this page.

As of Dec 4th, 2008 here's my parts list for a building a gaming computer for about $1000

Now, let's examine the steps I followed to choose my parts:

Step one: Choosing my processor. For this gaming PC, I've chosen to purchase an Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 Processor. It's a dual-core processor running at 2.66Ghz with 3MB of SRAM cache. It has an 1800Mhz Front-Side Bus (FSB) and includes a fan and heatsink. Be sure to purchase the Retail version, otherwise you'll have to purchase your own fan and heatsink. Now that I've chosen my processor, this clears the way to decide on a motherboard that will support it.

Step two: Choosing my motherboard. I've chosen a quality, name-brand board that supports my processor type and also allows me to install up to 16GB of RAM (although I'm only installing 4GB since I'm installing the 32-bit version of Vista). My board of choice for this project: the Asus P5Q Deluxe Motherboard - Intel P45, Socket 775, ATX. This board has plenty of USB and SATA connections to support additional peripherals, and 2 PCI Express 2.0 slots allowing for expansion of video functionality. The board also has integrated high definition audio on board providing true surround-sound capabilities. Knowing what type of motherboard I'm purchasing now allows me to choose the appropriate memory.

Step three: Choosing memory. Memory prices have dropped dramatically over the past year, so this will be extremely helpful in keeping our costs down. My choice: Kingston HyperX Dual Channel 4096MB PC8500 DDR2 1066MHz Memory (2x2048MB). The memory configuration is 2x2048, meaning you get two 2GB DIMMs per package, for a total of 4GB of RAM.

Step four: Choosing my gaming pc case. I wanted a gaming case that is easy to work with and provides adequate ventilation to keep my gaming pc running cool. I also wanted a case that will show off my handywork, so I chose one with a clear side panel. The choice: the Aspire X-Plorer ATX Mid-Tower w/ 600w Gaming Power Supply. It includes an ample 600 watt power supply, two chassis fans (with space for two more if needed), plenty of drive bays, convenient front-panel USB/Firewire ports and audio connectors, and a really cool LCD displaying the internal temperature of your computer.

Step five: Choosing my Hard Disk (HDD). I've chosen the Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB Hard Drive - 7200, 16MB, SATA-300, OEM . I ordered the OEM version since my motherboard already includes one SATA cable for connecting my new drive.

Step six: Choosing my CD/DVD Burner. I went with a SATA DVD Burner, the PSony DRU-V200S/BR DVD Rewritable Drive SATA . Again, I made sure to purchase the Retail version. This drive is capable of reading and writing just about any CD or DVD format out there. The price for this drive is extremely reasonable, and I'm considering installing two of them to make copyng from disk-to-disk more convenient.

Step seven: Choosing my Video Card. I wanted a video card that performs well with most games out there on the market, so I've decided on the Diamond Radeon HD 3870 Video Card - 1GB GDDR3. It's a PCI-Express 2.0 card and is compatible with my chosen motherboard. This card is recommended for use on monitors up to 30" for a great gaming experience and sharp HD video playback.

Step eight: Choosing a card reader. I wanted the convenience of being able to plug memory cards from my digital camera directly into my gaming pc without the hassle of breaking out a cable to download photos. This is a very cheap add-on to your computer and is well worth the small cost. I chose the Ultra Internal 3.5" Floppy Drive w/Multi Card Reader - Black . It will install nicely into one of my case's 3.5" floppy bays. The brand I chose is a little more expensive that your run-of-the-mill $15 model, but it's worth paying a little extra. Quite often, the $15 models give computer users a lot of unecessary headaches.

Step nine: Choosing a keyboard and mouse: For my keyboard, I chose the Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard. It's subtle backlight makes it easy to see in low-lighting conditions. For my mouse, my needs are simple, so I chose the Microsoft Basic Optical USB Mouse. However, if you need a serious gamer's mouse, check out the Logitech G5 Gaming Mouse.

And... don't forget to choose a monitor for your new gaming computer!