Gaming PC Build Advice on $500 Budget

reko221 · Jul 30, 2013

Due to a bad experiment where my brother tried to overclock my PC, I need to replace it. I'm new to building PC's but for now I'd just like build suggestions. OS does not have to be included, I'll probably go with the "Yaaarr" way of getting this-- I know that my budget isn't the best for a gaming PC but that's all for now

Approximate Purchase Date: Within the next week or so

Budget Range: ~$500

System Usage: Gaming, Live streaming
/ recording (I play League of Legends if it helps)

Are you buying a monitor: I need a monitor but this does not have to be included in your build

slomo4sho · Jul 30, 2013

Do you need the OS as well at this price?

reko221 · Jul 30, 2013

slomo4sho :

OS doesn't have to be factored into the build, I can handle that much

slomo4sho · Jul 30, 2013

Without OS:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 120M 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Biostar TA970 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($65.45 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7790 1GB Video Card ($99.80 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 431 Plus (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($45.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.94 @ Newegg)
Total: $508.18

reko221 · Jul 30, 2013

slomo4sho :

So this build would be pretty good for the gaming/ streaming I mentioned? Thank you for the build too, I'm still open to other builds as I won't make a final decision for a few days

ps3hacker12 · Jul 30, 2013

Without OS again:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Biostar TA970 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($56.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.94 @ Newegg)
Total: $500.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-30 20:00 EDT-0400)

slomo4sho · Jul 30, 2013

ps3hacker12 :

LoL isn't very GPU intensive so I opted for the better case, ram, cpu cooler, and power supply in lieu of the marginally better graphics card. Even a HD 7770 yields 100+ FPS at 1080P

ps3hacker12 · Jul 30, 2013

slomo4sho :

He also said "gaming" so i thought i'd try and put in as much as possible, but your right, if the other games hes interested in aren't high end either, the money is better spent on a better case, ram etc.

reko221 · Jul 30, 2013

So seeing how the game I play (League of Legends) isn't high end, you guys suggest I opt for slomo's idea? I mean if I can get the frames and all and be able to live stream then the build is ace for me. I'm no expert, so I'm not sure what is considered good for what I want out of this PC haha

ps3hacker12 · Jul 30, 2013

reko221 :

Yes, definetely

reko221 · Jul 30, 2013

Thank both of you very much, this has helped me a lot. Another question, would you suggest any overclocking in this set up? I've never been big on o'cing but if it would be better then I surely will

ps3hacker12 · Jul 30, 2013

reko221 :

If you needed to, yes, slomo did include a nice CPU cooler, it won't do crazy overclocking but it can perform some good overclocking. OCing is probably something to consider when your system starts to get old or starts to become too slow for your needs, if you don't need to OC at the moment, don't bother, but its nice that its there as an option.

reko221 · Jul 30, 2013

ps3hacker12 :

Alright, thank you! I just hope I can get that graphics card ordered before the sale ends, otherwise it would make sense to just go ahead and swap it for the one you suggested, we shall see though

Shawna593767 · Jul 30, 2013

I'm normally the one recommending AMD in a sea of Intel, but you need to remember you have practically an infinite number of choices.
If you can spare 30$ more, here's an i5 and HD 7850 build.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3330 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($168.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI H61M-P31/W8 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($47.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Merc Alpha (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.94 @ Newegg)
Total: $531.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-30 21:50 EDT-0400)

slomo4sho · Jul 31, 2013

reko221 :

The watercooler should provide plenty of headroom to overclock the 6300 and all HD 7790s can be overclocked to 1200 MHz core with relative ease.

Excellerates · Aug 22, 2013

slomo4sho :

I'm not trying to be a smartass. I'm actually computer illiterate almost. How do you know that certain parts are compatible and that they'll all fit?

BadQuotes · Aug 22, 2013

dont pirate the os... if u r dont say it..

ps3hacker12 · Aug 22, 2013

Excellerates :

Through general research, we know which motherboards chipsets are good for which situation, which socket the processor fits in, what ram etc. Once you know the basics from a bit of research its pretty easy

Gaming PC Build Advice on $500 Budget

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