Looking for a gaming pc build around $400 (just the tower and an OS)

wes hemp

Honorable
Dec 11, 2013
30
0
10,530
Hello, I am looking to build a gaming pc for around $400 on the tower, and the OS. I already have the accessories like the monitor, keyboard, and mouse. I have looked at many builds over the internet, but the prices are different than the prices available today. I am very new to this, and I am not sure what the best build is for a gaming pc. If anyone could help me it would be greatly appreciated!
 
Solution
For $400 with an OS, you will not be looking at a very powerful gaming computer.

Here is an option for $70 over budget that will play modern games comfortably at medium settings:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 750K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A55M-HD2 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($42.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: PNY Optima 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7790 1GB Video Card ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Case:...
For $400 with an OS, you will not be looking at a very powerful gaming computer.

Here is an option for $70 over budget that will play modern games comfortably at medium settings:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 750K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A55M-HD2 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($42.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: PNY Optima 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7790 1GB Video Card ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Merc Alpha (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($37.98 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $470.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-11 23:40 EST-0500)

If you HAVE to be at $400 here is the best you will do. It should be good for a mix of low/medium settings. At 1080p, in new games. Don't expect more than low settings if you want 60fps. :

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-6800K 4.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($119.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A55M-HD2 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($42.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG Gaming Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.00 @ Amazon)
Case: BitFenix Merc Alpha (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($37.98 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $418.94
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-11 23:44 EST-0500)
 
Solution

wes hemp

Honorable
Dec 11, 2013
30
0
10,530


Thank you! I've been searching for so long, and you have just solved my problem in minutes!
 

Wrock2000

Reputable
Jul 30, 2014
38
0
4,540
Here is a build for about $400 that has a good amount of power for the price. It has 8gb of memory and a 1tb hard drive. However, an optical drive is not included in this build but you can get a cheaper case and buy an optical drive instead.


Processor:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CPLGFM4?cache=b79666b7072744d6a9c7160605864ea0&pi=SY200_QL40&qid=1406479950&sr=8-1#

Case: http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-HAF-912-Computer/dp/B00BCXF6O4/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1406760436&sr=8-7&keywords=pc+case

Motherboard: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HGLX81O?cache=b79666b7072744d6a9c7160605864ea0&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&qid=1406486920&sr=8-13#ref=mp_s_a_1_13

Hard drive: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005T3GRNW/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1406487088&sr=8-2

Power supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438015

Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148540&cm_re=crucial_ballistic_sport-_-20-148-540-_-Product

OS: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00EDSI7QO/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1406742513&sr=8-1