Need help with decent gaming build. $400 - $600

NoahL

Honorable
Aug 5, 2013
9
0
10,510
Hello, my name is Noah. My 17th birthday just passed and I've decided I want a new computer. The one I am currently using to write this forum post is used by most members of my family and the speed which it runs games is below my expectations (which aren't too high). My current PC is an HP Pavillion Slimline S4-1050z (I know it's junk).

So down to the point:

Approximate Purchase Date: This month.

Budget Range: 400 or 600 after shipping

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, School, Surfing the Internet.

Are you buying a monitor: No

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Any. (I have an Amazon Prime membership.)

Location: Spokane Valley, WA.

Overclocking: Maybe (Not sure what this is.)

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe (Not sure what this is.)

Your Monitor Resolution: 1280 x 1024

Additional Comments: My gaming quality does not have to be maxed, I am comfortable with average mid - high quality gaming. I would like to know the best builds I can get with $400, $500, and $600. The look of the case is moot.

Why Are You Upgrading: Want my own PC, Senior Project, Better Gaming.

Thanks, Noah.
 
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI 970A-G46 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($76.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card ($70.00 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $604.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-06 00:15 EDT-0400)

This should do well. At your resolution, the HD 7770 GHz edition is an ideal card, and 1GB of VRAM will be all that you need. The FX 6300 is a great CPU, and it overclocks well, so the option is there if you ever become interested. There is limited Crossfire capability with that motherboard, but at your resolution, single card upgrades will suit you better. (Crossfire is the use of two or more AMD graphics cards to render an image, or frame. This is particularly helpful at higher resolutions in more demanding games, but it often generates more heat, and not all games support it. SLi is the nVidia equivalent.)
 
Solution
Those cases should be OK, but they do not offer much in terms of cable management, which is very important IMO. The next upgrade you should get should definitely be a new 1080p monitor. Then, the graphics card. AMD's new lineup of graphics cards are supposedly coming out at the end of this year, so it may be good to grab one of the lower end cards in the next gen. After that, the CPU could be upgraded to Steamroller, which is AMD's next generation of CPU's. They will also support the AM3+ socket, which is nice, and it gives you an upgrade path.
 

NoahL

Honorable
Aug 5, 2013
9
0
10,510
Alright, thank you very much. Will I need to upgrade my graphics card at the same time as my monitor or can I do them within a few months of each other. (I'm thinking Christmas gifts). I was able to find every item but the cooler master case and video card for approximately the same price on amazon and they are all prime compatible! I'm still getting the same video card though.

What benefits come with better cable management?
 


I would grab the monitor first, even though the 7770GHz will struggle a bit. If you plan on upgrading that as well, then it doesn't matter that much. Better cable management makes for better airflow, which yields better temperatures. Also, dust is less likely to settle on things inside the case. Lastly, it just makes for a better looking and more ergonomic build experience.