affordable gaming pc under $400 - helps, hints, tips

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Borsty

Borsty

Honorable
Feb 12, 2014
5
0
10,510
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-6800K 4.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A55M-DS2 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($52.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 250GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($32.94 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $335.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-12 23:27 EST-0500)

Price before rebates: $367.92
...................Shipping: +$12.94
Total w/out rebates: $389.86


Hey all,
I am a novice with computer hardware and building pcs, and unfortunately am strapped for cash; I've created a moderately cheap pc that I would love to be critiqued. Mainly, I am after future modifications because I love modifying any sort of technology I have. I don't know if the parts will fit, and I've researched most of the items if they will cooperate with one-another, however, I am not a veteran and am new to this. I'm looking for a decent machine that can be used while I save up more $$$ for the upgrades. I have a monitor, mouse, keyboard. Any suggestions are welcome and preferred. I will be adding a bigger better hdd and an ssd, also, 2x4 gb 2133 ram

Thank you!
Derek


P.s., I know there are a lot of cheap gaming builds and forum entries, but i would like to learn by doing it all myself with some helpful veteran advice
 
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Borsty

Borsty

Honorable
Feb 12, 2014
5
0
10,510
It does, and I've read the reviews extensively and, unfortunately, it is a piece of junk cooler, and has burnt out a few customers' cpu. When I heard that it made me depressed b/c it added another purchase to my list lol :/
 
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filippi

filippi

Distinguished
Oct 18, 2012
4,047
0
18,960
How about a faster dual channel RAM?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-6800K 4.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($18.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A55M-DS2 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($52.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 250GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($32.94 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $334.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-12 23:57 EST-0500)
 
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Borsty

Borsty

Honorable
Feb 12, 2014
5
0
10,510
While I was researching the cpu, a lot of people were recommending the faster ram. I didnt even think to get the dual 2x2, just $10 dollars more for enhanced performance, that's a good idea. Eventually I'll be upgrading the ram to 2x4 gb g.skill ddr3 2133, with those work with the build?

My main problem is having a decent computer now, and upgrading where it counts in the months to come while not neglecting certain key areas such as the mobo, cpu, or even the casing
 
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tshrjain

tshrjain

Honorable
Nov 26, 2013
227
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10,760
If you'll be upgrading the ram to 2x4 gb g.skill ddr3 2133, then it would be better if you get a single 4gb 2133MHz ram now. And the second one later. The performance will be almost similar to 2x2gb 1866MHz ram. P.S: Do not go below 1866MHz RAM if you want playable frame rates for games.

Update: Just saw the post above. Looks like you need a different MoBo.
 
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Borsty

Borsty

Honorable
Feb 12, 2014
5
0
10,510
@tshrjain, thanks for the tip about the frame rates. I was hoping to get a deal with 2x4 when I needed them, but I'd probably end up wasting money if I bought something I knew I'd get rid of, im definitely gonna go the route of the 1x4gb initially.

And as for the mobo, I swear I looked at that and 2133, I must've had too many tabs open confusing myself.

@giantbanana, I've got a gpu within the cpu, the gpu is going to be my biggest expense in about a month since the incline in prices because the damn bit coining buzz and such
 
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tshrjain

tshrjain

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Nov 26, 2013
227
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10,760
You can try the MSI FM2-A75-E35 MoBo. It does support 2133MHz RAM (when overclocked). However, upon reading a few reviews, people could run GSkill 2133MHz ram on this MoBo just by setting the option to 2133MHz from BIOS without any problems.
 
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Borsty

Borsty

Honorable
Feb 12, 2014
5
0
10,510
I appreciate everyones help so far! I decided that I should stick with 1866, mainly I researched and the 2133 (for my purposes) would be overkill, as would 16gb ram be overkill as well. I love performance on my pc's and I believe I'd get enough with the 1866, and the msi fm2 mobo would be perfect for the expansion capabilities as well, if it came to it. Ill start with 1x4gb 1866, probably g.skill, and add another in about a week. I'll be buying the cpu, gpu, mobo, cooler, and case today, and sunday (when I get my paycheck) I'll get the psu and ram. Hopefully the performance and quality is good to be recommended to others!
 
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leeb2013

leeb2013

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Aug 5, 2013
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12,460


I'd be a bit sceptical of that. Even if people overclocked, CPUs have built in mechanisms to throttle when getting too hot and even shut down at extreme temps. It's difficult to kill a CPU, unless severely over-volted. There's no way a stock APU would die due to the stock cooler.
 
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X

XeonGuy

Honorable
Jan 22, 2014
11
0
10,520
Xeon e5462
2 for $50
http://empiredealsonline.com/463076-b21-slant-hp-intel-xeon-quad-core-e5462-processor-20140211234931
$190
https://www.google.com/search?q=gtx+760&tbs=vw:l,p_ord:p&tbm=shop&ei=iLrtUsntIrPlsATxs4HQCQ&start=160&sa=N&biw=881&bih=415#spd=2964037943959856488
Case 19$
http://www.amazon.com/Rampage-Size-Desktop-Tower-Computer/dp/B009JABJ8Y/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1392348657&sr=1-3&keywords=mid+tower+case
Sata 1 Harddrive 19$
http://www.amazon.com/Generic-160gb-Internal-Desktop-Drive/dp/B00A6FGZ2Q/ref=sr_1_42?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1390955580&sr=1-42&keywords=sata+1+hard+drive
PSU(19$)
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/coolmax-power-supply-zx600
or
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/coolmax-power-supply-zx700
Motherboard $50
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000GGTYIC/ref=sr_1_4_olp?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1392348214&sr=1-4&keywords=socket+771+motherboard&condition=used
6*1gb ddr2 $30
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0053GE5PC/ref=sr_1_3_olp?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1390955021&sr=1-3&keywords=ddr2&condition=new
$358.99(with Linux/Open OS)

CPU configuration should novabench ~1150
GPU configuration Passmark bench over 9000
 
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