Low Budget Gaming PC for my Friend

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Winter7211

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Sep 14, 2013
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I recently purchased a Samsung Series 7 Chronos which fulfills snd exceeds all of my gaming needs. My friend is new to the PC gaming world and needs one that can get the job done.Unfortunately he is on a much stricter budget, and can't just go out and buy a 1,200$ pc. His current computer, which is a dell laptop, is not capable of running anything higher then, well, lets just say nothing. After doing much research on different computers, I concluded that the best, cheapest course of action would be to build our own. Here's the catch though, He is on a very strict budget and can only afford a PC $400.00 or less, And it must be able to Handle very graphic intensical games such as Battlefield 3 and 4, as well as some other games lower on the scale that we need not worry about. If anyone out there sees this, and uses PCpartpicker.com, we have a few specific things that we have already decided on:

Graphics Card: Saphire Radeon HD 7770
CPU: anything, at least 2.9 or higher Ghz
RAM: at least 8gb
Harddrive: 250 gb at least
CPUCooling: Coolermaster Hyper212 EVO
As for motherboard, PSU, case, and maybe intake/outtake fans there are no specifics, just enough to get the job done. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration

Sincerely,
~Winter7211
 
Solution
WarWolverineWarrior
You will have a very hard time playing BF4 with that 7770
If you didn't need an OS and peripherals, it would be alot better
Basic needs
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1PbYq


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8120 3.1GHz 8-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A78L-M LX PLUS Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.00 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case:...
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smorizio

smorizio

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Jan 22, 2010
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PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1Pc2W
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1Pc2W/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1Pc2W/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 740 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($67.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A55M-DGS R2.0 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($53.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Toshiba 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 500W ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.00 @ Newegg)
Total: $423.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-15 16:29 EDT-0400)

best i could do it 23 over.
 
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WarWolverineWarrior

WarWolverineWarrior

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Sep 24, 2013
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You will have a very hard time playing BF4 with that 7770
If you didn't need an OS and peripherals, it would be alot better
Basic needs
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1PbYq


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8120 3.1GHz 8-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A78L-M LX PLUS Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.00 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $518.94
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-15 16:48 EDT-0400)




With perefirals
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1Pc46


EDIT:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1Pcpx





PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 645 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($74.34 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus M5A78L-M LX PLUS Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.00 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $465.28
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-15 16:49 EDT-0400)
 
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Solution
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Winter7211

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Sep 14, 2013
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There is no need for a monitor, keyboard, don't worry about that. We need only need the parts for the tower. Thank you guys for trying to help him, but what would really be of assistance is a compete list of parts on Pcpartpicker.com, thanks
 
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Winter7211

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Sep 14, 2013
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It looks great! This part list actually looks amazing, the whole thing might just work, thanks again! I might have a few additional questions, could I possibly get your email so we can stay in touch? For example, I noticed there was no cooling system in the build... I am aware that AMD runs hot, could this cause any major issues? Also, why wouldn't a 7770 preform better than a 660? Besides, the saphire is a little less as well as coming with a free video game, which would save us even more money. Thanks again,

Sincerely
~Winter7211
 
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WarWolverineWarrior

WarWolverineWarrior

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Sep 24, 2013
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You can contact me here. PM me, or reply on the forums. AMD does run hot but not on stock clocks or even if you overclock a little. AMD 7770 is a 128 bit 1Gb Vram low end entry card. GTX 660 is 192 bit 2GB vram mid level card.

BTW I would get this CPU just to make sure it doesn't bottleneck BF4 http://pcpartpicker.com/part/amd-cpu-fd4130frgubox
 
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coozie7

coozie7

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Jun 2, 2007
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Nice listing by WarWolverineWarrior! Particularly like the GTX660, plenty of muscle and the famed EVGA warranty/support is a nice bonus.
If you want to add better cooler on a tight budget the Coolermaster Hyper212 Evo is a fine choice, silent at stock speeds and even with a little overclock to sweeten the rig it's still very quiet.
 
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Winter7211

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Sep 14, 2013
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10,510


Thanks. I swapped out the CPU for the cheaper one and dropped the price by quite a bit. I do have a few questions though. I swapped out the case for something a little different. Also, does the motherboard have 3.0 ports? And if not, are they really that important? I saw that you agreed about the heat of the AMD, but would the stock fan that comes with the processor (it comes with one right?) keep it cool enough? If not, I'll just add in the hyperevo212, but I would like to attempt to avoid that extra cost. Sorry, but I have another question, the some of the feature on the motherboard were not what i hoped they would live up to, could you check the second link below to see if that one would be up to par with the rest of the stuff? also, The case I chose has many slots for case fans, I chose a 120mm fan, but I'm not sure if I should make it intake or outtake or if it's even necessary... Will the fan fit in the case or be compatible or will anything else cause problems, here's my edited part list, if you could take a look at it that would be great, thanks!
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Winter7211/saved/2CeH

(Motherboard: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-760gmp21fx )
Sincerely,
~Winter7211
 
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Winter7211

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Sep 14, 2013
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Should I go ahead and give him the parts list? And also, did you see the edited Motherboard? And two more questions, does that "GAMING EXPERT" tag after your name actually mean you gained that title, or did you add it on yourself. Second question, how do I PM someone on tomshardware?
 
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smorizio

smorizio

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Jan 22, 2010
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i got that for having solved a set number of people question and was selected top answer by the person that made the link on toms. usb 3.0 is a faster port device then 2.0 you have to have a newer mb wit hthe right chipset and a case that has the headers.
http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/960GMU3S3%20FX/
http://www.zalman.com/global/product/Product_Read.php?Idx=836
this is a newer gaming case should be the same 30-40 price point when it goes onsale world wide. it can take gpu up to 330 in length. the 210 case you have to remove the hard drive tray for longer gpu.
 
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Winter7211

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Sep 14, 2013
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Is there any IM Chat on tomshardware that I could use to ask you a few questions?
 
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Winter7211

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Sep 14, 2013
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I don't see either part on pcpartpicker, but if I order them seperately we would lose the discount on shipping... I love the case, no doubt about it, but you are 100% sure that it will be compatible? Same with the motherboard? Also, I noticed the motherboard says "Windows 8 Ready" does this mean that we will not need to purchase an OS? Thanks.

Sincerely
~Winter7211
 
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smorizio

smorizio

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Jan 22, 2010
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with all newer mb there cut to the same size per atx spec.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATX
most newer cases have the motherboard tray drilled out for more then one atx mb. if it a cheaper case they do atx and atx mini.
most cases and parts if ordered at the right time will have free shipping from most of the big online stores and micro center. windows 8 ready means they tested the mb and you should not see any issues with the newer os.
motherboards and cases dont come with the os. you have to buy an copy the windows oem runs about 100.00 online. if your in school ask your school if there part of the microsoft edu program or check online. if they are you can get windows and word at a reduced rate.
 
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Winter7211

Honorable
Sep 14, 2013
23
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10,510


Thanks soo much, as long as your sure that all of these pieces will fit together and work properly, I guess I will go ahead and send him the list, I'll paste it one more time with all of the edits and if you could look at it, that would be great, thanks again for all your help. Although there are two problems. One, the case. I can't find it... Two, I think something went off sale and the price of the build went way up, was it the power supply? Any advice about it?
Sincerely,
~Winter7211

list: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Winter7211/saved/2Fi7

Motherboard: found it on Pcpartpicker.com (in list)

Case: (HELP!: can't find where to buy it, it's not on any sites that I can find)

Well, my friend gave up on the idea. I dont know why, but I guess I'll change this into a tutorial for others...
 
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