I need a new gaming PC

[Drakmorg]

So my old computer is starting to screw up in enough ways that I'm fed up and have decided to get a new one.

Thing is, I'm not sure how to proceed. I've heard that building a PC is cheaper than buying a pre-built one, but I have no real knowledge regarding computers, so that might just be a massive headache for me.

I don't do much aside from gaming and browsing the Internet, so I don't need something terribly amazing. All I need is something that can run games, new ones preferably since I'm looking forward to Dark Souls 2, without dropping the frame rate.

So what do you all recommend? Should I look into trying to build my own PC, or just save myself some possible hassle and buy a pre-built one?
I don't feel comfortable throwing a whole lot of money around right now, so I'd rather not spend more than $1200 when all is said and done. Under $1000 would be most preferable though.

EDIT

So I've done some research and looked into some parts to buy. Thing is this is the first computer I'm going to be building, so I'm not 100% sure if all the stuff I have in mind is good/will work together. So I'm gonna list everything and hope you guys can help me out some more.

For Graphics I got a Radeon R9 270X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150686

For CPU, AMD FX 6350
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CLBZAHY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

For Heatsink, a 212 EVO
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005O65JXI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

An ASUS M5A97 R2.0 motherboard
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008V9959O/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

This model for 8GB of RAM
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007TTEHUY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2NG4HB43UEDVL

A Seagate Barracuda 1TB Hard Drive
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005T3GRNW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

SanDisk Ultra Plus 128GB SSD
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00APEG8OI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_7?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Seasonic M12II 620 BRONZE power supply
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003HE260I/ref=ox_sc_act_title_8?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

And a Rosewill R5 case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147161

So is this stuff all good? Or will it not work/I can get something better for the same price?

 

[AWAR]

Check out the outstanding tier here, although the superb one is I think more suited for your needs.

 

[Frezzato]

I've never built one myself, but take it from me that building your own is the way to go. There are too many factors involved with buying from a big box company like HP or Dell (Alienware) that you can't control, in which case you either end up paying too much or get stuck with something fundamentally flawed, like in my case a motherboard that can't utilize full RAM frequency in configurations of 8GB and above.

One thing's for sure, you don't want to rush this. Take your time and research the facts (or what you deem to be the facts).

There are a handful of really helpful techies that wander in and out of the Advice Forum (AWAR, OneCatch, xXSnowyXx, and others) who will often have differing opinions about certain things, but those minor differences don't really matter in the end, because you're the one that's going to pay for it.

So even though I'm more of a power user, as opposed to a builder, I would like to throw the first suggestion into the ring:

• -Don't skip the DVD Burner, possibly combination Blu-ray reader

-
Yes, I know that DVDs are woefully small compared to what is needed today. The only reason I suggest it is so you can read DVDs, not specifically burn them. They really are an archaic technology, but I wouldn't nail that door shut just yet.