Budget PC, 200-300 dollar range

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elia127

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Jul 21, 2013
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Hi everyone,
I am somewhat new to computer building. I want to build a budget PC, mainly for browsing and gaming (older games, I don't need a system that can handle next gen games on max graphics or anything). From what I understand, AMD is better for lower-end performance per dollar, but I really have no knowledge of the best brands etc. I have a moniter and keyboard already, and I also have an old computer case that I can salvage if needed, depending on how close/over budget I go with this build. Thanks for helping a noob out.
 
Solution
Maxime506
How about this one, is it too expensive for ya? http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-660s/pd?oc=fdcwst14b&model_id=inspiron-660s

U could put another same 4GB RAM if u find out it's not enough in the future. In this way, your update option of this rig will be sealed.

Or go for this rig. http://pcpartpicker.com/user/maxime506/saved/20Cr
At least it has 4 cores and a IGP equivalent with HD 5570. Should be enough for ya and has more upgrade potential. And...it's cheaper. (I am not sure about your case so I add one)
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Maxime506

Maxime506

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Apr 22, 2013
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Still some questions:

1. how old is your case? Has front USB ports and audio ports? And what kind of mobo (ATX/mATX) can it hold?

2. Do u need a OS?

3. If u don't mind, list the "older games" u play. ('cause Crysis 1 is old game, too)
 
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elia127

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Jul 21, 2013
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10,510



My case is around 5 years old. It has front usb and audio, not sure what motherboard it could hold. I don't need an OS, and when I say older games I'm talking BG2. The newest game I play is Mark of the Ninja, which isn't very performance heavy. If a new case is quite cheap, I can just buy a new one. If a custom PC is the same price as a DIY, I'd rather get a custom, but I don't mind building one, I'm sure it will be a great experience. I want a computer that will last me a few years.
 
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Maxime506

Maxime506

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Apr 22, 2013
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How about this one, is it too expensive for ya? http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-660s/pd?oc=fdcwst14b&model_id=inspiron-660s

U could put another same 4GB RAM if u find out it's not enough in the future. In this way, your update option of this rig will be sealed.

Or go for this rig. http://pcpartpicker.com/user/maxime506/saved/20Cr
At least it has 4 cores and a IGP equivalent with HD 5570. Should be enough for ya and has more upgrade potential. And...it's cheaper. (I am not sure about your case so I add one)
 
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Solution
angaddev

angaddev

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Jan 10, 2012
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No wait! Buy used and you can get this, I recently made a $300 dollar rig for a guy on Skial, you can do the same

Athlon II X3
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMD-Athlon-II-X3-450-3-2-GHz-Triple-Core-ADX450WFGMBOX-Processor-/281139335803?pt=CPUs&hash=item417535d27b
$50
Motherboard
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ASUS-M5A97-LE-R2-0-AM3-AMD-970-SATA-6Gb-s-USB-3-0-ATX-AMD-Motherboard-/181169867060?pt=Motherboards&hash=item2a2e90c934
$60
Kingston 4GB Ram
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kingston-Hyper-4-GB-1600MHz-DDR3-Memory-/251308582617?pt=US_Memory_RAM_&hash=item3a8328a6d9
$30
1TB WD HDD
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Western-Digital-Caviar-Blue-1-TB-Internal-7200-RPM-3-5-WD10EZEX-HDD-NWOB-/390628120777?pt=US_Internal_Hard_Disk_Drives&hash=item5af34018c9
$55
6870
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMD-Radeon-HD-6870-3-GB-GDDR5-PCI-E-3-0-Reference-Graphics-Card/111123249816?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D163%26meid%3D21570448730265263%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1088%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D2%26sd%3D271241261458%26
$100
CX500 PSU
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Corsair-CX-500W-80-PLUS-Bronze-Certified-ATX12V-Power-Supply-/221256058681?pt=PCA_UPS&hash=item3383e38739
$50
 
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elia127

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Jul 21, 2013
19
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10,510
I just realised I can scab 4x 1GB Ram sticks and my DVD drive from my old comp. I'm pretty sure 4gb ram is alright, and the DVD drive doesnt need to be up to date, even if its around 6 yrs old. I definitely want to keep upgrading over time as money trickles in.
 
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elia127

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Jul 21, 2013
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10,510
Is used worth it? I'm not sure I can trust used computer parts (admittedly I have no experience buying used parts). Especially some of that new other stuff, it sounds kinda suspicious. Btw, I live in Australia, so many popular hardware sites are inaccessible/not worth the shipping.
 
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Maxime506

Maxime506

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Apr 22, 2013
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Only if u really used can u trust it (like your old DVD drive, your monitor, your case). But never buy second hand or refurbished parts when building your rig. Even all brand new rigs can cause some issues when u finish building.

The guy who give u such suggestion is surly a specialist, however, the majority of us are not. So don't risk buying second hand parts. The config of the rig I've gave u should be pretty enough even some newer 2009,2010 games can work smoothly in this rig.

BTW, so u live in Australia? Why not telling me? I'm a Canadian and if u don't mention the location I assume that most of us live in the States.
 
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