Christmas 2013 Budget PC advice. Appreciate any helpful advice:) For sons Christmas

Spinalslap · Dec 14, 2013

Wanting to build a PC for my son at Christmas. Don't have a lot of extra cash but would like a machine that can play current games. BF3, Minecraft, COD, etc.
Don't need 200 fps or max settings, but still want a good experience. Prefer Intel (I don't know why, familiarity I guess). Biggest hurdle is processor, i5 seems to be the way, but which one for??? 3570, 4570,4670, too many and no definite answers around. Could I even consider an i3 and again, which one, would a certain one allow us to upgrade to i5 later?

Probably need to keep it below $500-$600 for case, board, ram, cpu, gpu (we have OS, peripherals, 650w PS and 2TB drive)

suggestions?
Thanks

Nuclear101 · Dec 14, 2013

You can still play BF3 on high with integrated graphics from AMD. Here is a recommended parts list for <550 USD: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2kjes
The AMD A10 has the best integrated graphics, and can easily play minecraft on the near highest settings. You can still play COD on high at >30 FPS. I listed a CPU cooler as AMD processors tend to run a bit hotter than Intel, so the Cooler Master cooler will keep the temperature lower and quieter than the stock fan. I recommend fast RAM as the performance of integrated graphics is partially determined by the RAM speed, as the graphics and computer share the same RAM. I listed a Corsair RM 550 Watt power supply as it is much more reliable than any other power supply, has the second highest energy efficiency (lower electrical bills) and until it reaches a specific load, it is silent, and even with the fan, it is still extremely quiet.

I hope this helps

--Nuclear101

Spinalslap · Dec 14, 2013

Hmmm, that is a very intriguing idea Nuclear! And I suspect the fact it has a PCIe slot means he could add a better Gpu with his birthday being in January. I like this idea, very helpful, thank you.

Vic 40 · Dec 14, 2013

Seeing you already have a psu i would look at this,

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2kp55

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2kp55/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($139.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS10X OPTIMA CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($70.55 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270 2GB Video Card ($183.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z11 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $534.49
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-14 20:34 EST-0500)

A better motherboard would be this one,
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-990fxextreme3

This is a build with which you can overclock.

For intel i would look at the next,

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2kpsb

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2kpsb/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H87M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($72.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($70.55 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270 2GB Video Card ($183.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z11 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $557.49
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-14 20:47 EST-0500)

Either of these builds would be much better for gaming,looking at BF3,than the one with an igp (integrated graphics).

Spinalslap · Dec 15, 2013

Vic 40 :

Seeing you already have a psu i would look at this,

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2kp55

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2kp55/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($139.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS10X OPTIMA CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($70.55 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270 2GB Video Card ($183.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z11 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $534.49
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-14 20:34 EST-0500)

A better motherboard would be this one,
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-990fxextreme3

This is a build with which you can overclock.

For intel i would look at the next,

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2kpsb

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2kpsb/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H87M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($72.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($70.55 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270 2GB Video Card ($183.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z11 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $557.49
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-14 20:47 EST-0500)

Either of these builds would be much better for gaming,looking at BF3,than the one with an igp (integrated graphics).

Thanks Vic40!! I think I will go with your i5 solution. This is great! I appreciate your taking the time. (Nuclear101 as well).

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Christmas 2013 Budget PC advice. Appreciate any helpful advice:) For sons Christmas

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