The best video card deal you can get today is the Radeon Sapphire HD6950 2GB Dirt3 Edition in crossfire for $500. GTX 570 SLI is $100 more expensive and in the same league.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102945
The best keyboard in the market is the DAS Professional Silent. Much better than the Razer but without macro keys and isn't backlit.
http://www.daskeyboard.com/#slide3
Best Mouse I have ever used is the Steelseries Xai, very basic but flawless design.
How about recommending a headset with a built-in mic?

For the enthusiast build, I recommend changing the mobo from the Asrock P67 to a Asrock Z68 Pro3 Gen3, which only sells on Newegg for $109.99.

Much better board overall, cheap to boot and it has all the bells and whistles you can ask for.

Yep, me too. As far as I am concerned still no upgrade choice for me from my i5-750@4GHz+5870. Still play all games @ 1920x1200. A 20% max of more performance in some synthetic bench I would not call "smoked", it is normal that after 2 years the processor of the moment to have the same price as the one 2-3 years ago. It would be the correct choice if I would upgrade from a C2D.

Awesome guide. Thanks!

Just curious as to how is it that all the systems are using Asrock motherboards as the default?

HardOCP doesn't seem to be particularly enamored with the brand. Hard to fathom it being the default in each and every one of your listed builds.

Love your site by the way

As someone who has built hundreds of custom PC's, I will at least share my opinions about the Enthusiast's PC list.

Motherboard: an appropriate choice, but of course there are many options within that spec and price range that are suitable, but that range is the important thing

Processor: an excellent choice for most users, although the K-revision is only for overclockers

Memory: G.Skill DDR3-1600 is ideal for that system, and 8GB is sufficient

Graphics: similar to the motherboard - an appropriate choice that reflects the general video price range

Sound: debatable if a sound card is needed for even enthusiast, and the pci issue was mentioned by someone else, however this is a good price range for the inclusive Xonar, so it works

Storage: would suggest a (sync, if possible) 90GB SSD near that price instead; 1TB is a sufficient choice; tough category to select at the moment as prices scale quite a bit

Optical: would likely ditch the iHAS, the LG is quite capable. I do have a configuration like the one suggested and find it's more of a luxury, $20 is $20 in a tight build

Power: sufficient choice, again, it's about price range, and this hits it nicely; I'm fond of the 650W offerings, the better quality supplies can run CF/SLI comfortably

Case: I feel you can do more for less, the NZXT Phantom for example is regularly 100-130, there's the Tt Overseer (if ugly), etc. ~125 is a more suitable price range.

Monitor: some people love their big monitors so I can't really talk this down, but for me, I'd either save money and go with a higher quality 23", or even better go with two 23" for the same price.

Speakers: go with the cheaper Z-506. As for headset, there are tons of options for less money, but that's the problem here - people are strange about sound, esp. headsets. You're in for either the 20-40 range, or more likely the 100+ range, so finding a comfortable middle ground is tough; in that respect, your choice reflects this problem, although for me the headset is secondary and therefore a solid $40 set is the best match for all but serious music appreciation

Peripherals: okay, okay, I'm partial to Razer (my list would have Abyssus + Arctosa), and their entry-level stuff has people eyeing the $40ish range for both keyboard and mouse; but the two choices listed are suitable for gaming even if paying a bit more for those married to Logitech

Overall, not a bad list. As someone who deals with people on budgets, I'm used to tightening lists at all levels. I think fundamentally an Enthusiast PC should be in the $1500 range (not including some headroom for personal preferences), and I think that's doable here with some changes.

I'm a total ***** because I've never built a PC before. But if some of these designs are meant to be overclocked, should there be liquid cooling components? Did I miss something?

Hi all,

Is there any suggestion for a alternative to the Radeon HD 7850? New egg doesn't carry that particular model linked in the enthusiast build anymore. I have been waiting to pay for school before buying what is for the most part the enthusiast build.

Thanks

Hi Matthew, sorry for the confusing question. Your link initially directed to a particular model and brand of card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7850 2 GB DDR5 HDMI/DVI-I/Dual Mini DP PCI-Express Graphics Card 11200-00-20G. It is no longer offered at Newegg. At Amazon it is now only available from a third-party vendor at $319. I figured the reason you suggested that brand and model was because it was the best bang for the buck. The models left at Newegg for the HD 7850 are unfamiliar to me, at least the XFX and the HIS are. I want to make the best selection and because the video card industry moves so fast, I was wondering if there was an alternative pick to that particular Sapphire card.

I am way rusty on the latest and greatest regarding PC technology. These type of articles are great at helping make a decision, and in fact, is how I got introduced to this website. I now come here everyday to see what is new. My current computer is an AMD Athlon 3500+, and as you can see, a bit on the old side.

Best Regards.
I appreciate the help.