re: Build the Best Gaming PC Your Money Can Buy: A Detailed Guide (Updated Sep 2014)

As I've said, ignore the build examples. They've been out of date since October, really. I probably should have never put them in the guide, because deals, rebates, etc. make brand prices change wildly. The components with the most volatile prices are GPUs, PSUs, and RAM.

Here's a build I'd do with a $1000 budget today:
PCPartPicker part list: LINK
Price breakdown by merchant: LINK /
Benchmarks: LINK /

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card ($327.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair Graphite Series 230T Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G-750 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1029.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-18 19:00 EDT-0400)

Just a bit above $1000. As always, the case is just a placeholder. Choose whatever you want, and just make sure there's clearance for the Hyper 212 Evo.

(There's a nice promo and rebate on that seasonic making it a great deal for $79.99 - rare to find 80+ Gold modular high-quality PSUs for that price/watt.)