Help Me Build a 400 Dollar computer

RedSheep · Mar 24, 2013

So I need help building a new gaming computer. I have already purchased the graphics card which is the pny gtx 560 ti. So all I need is the rest of the components. I will not be buying an OS a moniter or anything else I just need the computer. Thank you and have a nice day.

casparolesen · Mar 24, 2013

RedSheep :

A single question: Will you be overclocking?

lunyone · Mar 24, 2013

AMD Build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z5 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $375.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-24 17:23 EDT-0400)

Intel Build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI B75A-G43 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z5 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $403.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-24 17:19 EDT-0400)

Both build notes:
* Adjusted previous build to include a better PSU to power the 560 Ti you listed (I originally thought you were talking about the 560 GPU).
* RAM is cheapest with 1600 mHz @ CAS 9 timings and running at 1.5v (stock voltage).
* PSU can handle any single GPU option out on the market!

jnkweaver · Mar 24, 2013

Ah you beat me to it

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($84.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($49.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($47.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 1.5TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z5 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $373.90 (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.) (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-24 17:17 EDT-0400)

jnkweaver · Mar 24, 2013

according to this the 560ti needs 2x6-pin and 550W http://www.johnnylucky.org/power-supplies/gpu-power-requirements.html

ThaWade · Mar 24, 2013

Over budget I know. But there are no refunds to deal with except for the PSU.. and it should run that setup no problem (even with the power hungry GPU you have) Unless of course you max out on hdd's and what not

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LWaR
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LWaR/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LWaR/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 EXTREME4 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($98.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($47.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Rosewill BlackHawk ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $424.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-24 17:57 EDT-0400)

lunyone · Mar 24, 2013

ThaWade :

That PSU only has 1 x PCI-e power connectors, so you'd have to use an adapter to make the 2 x PCI-e power connectors. I'm sure the PSU "might" be able to power the 560 Ti, but I would like to favor a bit more PSU to power it.

jnkweaver · Mar 24, 2013

Thats why my build with the 600W supply is better.

lunyone · Mar 24, 2013

jnkweaver :

Quality wise I would gladly put the XFX 550w Pro PSU up against your Corsair CX 600w PSU any day, but it will be up the OP if that matters or not.

Flightsimluke · Mar 24, 2013

Frankly, I would always go with XFX. It's a true 550W PSU, no wattage tricks. I have the 850W version, and I must say, their customer service is brilliant, had a new heatsink for my 6770 in days, not months. It's silent and well built, so XFX always wins in my opinion. Corsair are good though.

jnkweaver · Mar 24, 2013

lunyone :

I don't necessarily disagree as I believe the XFX you listed is tier 1 while the CX corsair is tier2 but I don't think there is that much difference. As you can see by my signature I don't skimp on the psu.

Flightsimluke · Mar 24, 2013

jnkweaver :

lunyone :

I don't necessarily disagree as I believe the XFX you listed is tier 1 while the CX corsair is tier2 but I don't think there is that much difference. As you can see by my signature I don't skimp on the psu.

Nice to see I'm not the only one who looks to the future when buying a PSU!

swifty_morgan · Mar 24, 2013

1866 memory is a waste and so is a 5400rpm HD. other build, no way at this point in time would I buy a dual core processor.

lunyone · Mar 24, 2013

swifty_morgan :

Yeah 1866 RAM is a bit over-rated, IMHO. The 5400 rpm drive is okay, but why wouldn't you get the 7200 rpm version? As far as dual core, I'm with you as far as gaming is concerned (unless the budget can't afford one). Even the Athlon II x4 640 (quad core) is still a viable option and is around $70-80.

I gave both options (within budget), because some people want an Intel build no matter if an AMD build makes more sense.

jnkweaver · Mar 24, 2013

lunyone :

I was editing someone elses build and missed that he had picked 1833. I always pick 1600 for my builds.
I choose the WD green drive due to price. Most of my builds have an SSD and I want the bigest reliable drive I can afford. For my computer I went to the Black drive though.

lunyone · Mar 24, 2013

jnkweaver :

lunyone :

I was editing someone elses build and missed that he had picked 1833. I always pick 1600 for my builds.
I choose the WD green drive due to price. Most of my builds have an SSD and I want the bigest reliable drive I can afford. For my computer I went to the Black drive though.

Yeah I do the same, but on tight budgets I try and make sure there is at least 1600 mHz RAM and 7200 rpm HD's. The higher capacity drives are all good and well, but a 5400 rpm HD for a primary drive, I try and avoid.

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