PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.99 @ NCIX)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ NCIX)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($66.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($257.75 @ Vuugo)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced ATX Full Tower Case ($134.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($74.88 @ Canada Computers)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($17.50 @ Vuugo)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.99 @ NCIX)
Monitor: HP W2072a (A3M50AA#ABA) 60Hz 20.0" Monitor
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($279.00 @ Canada Computers)
Keyboard: Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Rapid Wired Gaming Keyboard ($97.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder 2013 Wired Optical Mouse ($59.99 @ Memory Express)
Total: $1546.02
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-16 14:49 EDT-0400)
Put this together inbetween classes so its probably not the best config but its something along the lines of what i would probably get if i were to look for a pc w/ that budget. If you're really itching to burn the 100$ saved, put it into a small-ish ssd for your OS.