Best Gaming PC under $400

Lessthangood · Feb 27, 2014

I need a gaming PC for under $400 to replace my old one. I am trying to run COD Ghosts, but if it is not possible to do that with this budget then its fine. I would like for everything but the Video card to be under $300 because that is all I have right now, but when I get the extra $100 I will buy the card and put it in. I allready have a monitor, mouse, and keyboard. Also I have an ATX tower with a 300w power supply -but that doesn't need to be used- I also have a DVD drive so that is not needed either. For an operating system I can get Windows 8.1 for $69.99 since I am a student. Now for the tricky part: 8gb of ram is a must have, if you can fit in anything more I would kiss you. Way excited to build this and help is much appreciated!! Thanks! PS Do you think I could record/stream League of Legends with a computer like this? That has always been a dream of mine. Thanks again!

IDontUnderstand · Feb 27, 2014

Is that 69.99 included in that $300

Lessthangood · Feb 27, 2014

IDontUnderstand :

Yes it is. So I need a CPU, motherboard, RAM, and storage for $230

IDontUnderstand · Feb 27, 2014

I can add a GPU in there now if you want

Edit: forgot about HDD

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($117.12 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus M5A78L-M/USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($54.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Kingston Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Other: Windows 8.1 Student Discount ($69.99)
Total: $332.08
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-27 02:16 EST-0500)

IDontUnderstand · Feb 27, 2014

May I ask why 8GB of RAM? We can just have 4 GB for now and you may purchase an identical one later on

Lessthangood · Feb 27, 2014

IDontUnderstand :

If you could add the HDD that would be great, and remember that I have a 300w power supply to. The cpu can be tuned down a little bit if that helps. Also above 700GB hdd would be nice!

Lessthangood · Feb 27, 2014

IDontUnderstand :

I could do that, I just really like having 8GB of ram. If it comes down to that then I could buy the extra stick later. Thanks for the suggestion.

IDontUnderstand · Feb 27, 2014

I'm not sure how reliable that PSU can be and since a bad PSU has the chance of destroying the entire system, I won't bet on it.
I can only come up with 4 GB of RAM with your budget, so here you go.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 750K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($79.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus A55BM-E Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($53.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital RE3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.94 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $235.28
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-27 02:33 EST-0500)

Lessthangood · Feb 27, 2014

IDontUnderstand :

I am pretty confident that it is good, it is a 2011 and it was in my current computer but when I added a video card I needed a new one because the Video card was old and sucked alot of juice

IDontUnderstand · Feb 27, 2014

It could run fine, but it depends on your future GPU. If you're looking into purchasing a R7 250X, then you would need a 6 pin PCI-E connector from your PSU, which it's unlikely for your PSU to have, but you can check.

Lessthangood · Feb 27, 2014

IDontUnderstand :

It doesn't have 6-pin so I will pick up that power supply you mentioned. What exact video card would you recommend for under $100?

envy14tpe · Feb 27, 2014

Why not just get a A10-6800k + 2133 RAM? You won't need a discrete GPU. Also, it'll consume less than 300W to run them.

IDontUnderstand · Feb 27, 2014

envy14tpe :

I've thought about that, but then if he does decide to spend $100 on discrete, R7 250X can easily out perform A10-6800K

IDontUnderstand · Feb 27, 2014

Lessthangood :

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 750K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($79.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus A55BM-E Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($53.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital RE3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.94 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R7 250X 1GB Video Card ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Other: Windows 8.1 Student Discount ($69.99)
Total: $415.26
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-27 03:38 EST-0500)

envy14tpe · Feb 27, 2014

With a budget of $400 you are better off with a A10 build and you can use that 300W PSU and case for it.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/30VRO
CPU: AMD A10-6800K 4.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75M PRO4+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($67.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($76.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $334.51

srimasis · Feb 27, 2014

See my build if you like it, 400$ gaming pc is possible...
this should run next generation games at medium and 1080p..
plus this gpu has enough power to record your gameplay..
total: 369$
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/30X0g

envy14tpe · Feb 27, 2014

srimasis :

If there is one thing that you listen to it should be this: Do not buy a Diablotek PSU. This is extremely cheap and could damage your entire system.
And that HDD, it is really ancient.

Would it be possible to save up some more money and wait to build this? Cuz right now you are scraping by and I wouldn't try to game and record on this system. It'd be stressed.

envy14tpe · Feb 27, 2014

Get this PSU instead:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cx430

srimasis · Feb 27, 2014

envy14tpe :

These PSU are completely fine as long as your system's total power draw remains under 200watt.. But to be frank, I think pcpartpicker is giving higher price for parts coz I have bought a psu cheaper than this one and it is rated 450watt bronze..

sadams04 · Feb 27, 2014

PCPartPicker part list

CPU: Intel Pentium G3420 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.68 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($42.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.20 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill FBM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $424.82

envy14tpe · Feb 27, 2014

$70 CPU + 4GB RAM +750Ti. ouch for over budget? not impressed.

SKf0rest · Feb 27, 2014

A PS4. That's an insanely low budget

sadams04 · Feb 27, 2014

envy14tpe :

The Intel dual core will perform better than the dual AMD modules. Its IPC is much higher. ...and the 750ti will outperform the HD 8670D. Please tell us how your 6800k build is more impressive on this budget level.

Lessthangood · Feb 27, 2014

Thanks for all your guys help! I will do a little bit more research by my self between the 2 major systems. Thanks a ton again!

envy14tpe · Feb 27, 2014

sadams04 :

I built a $335 system based on OP's wants. You built a $425 one. Also, OP wanted 2x4GB;which your build did not have. Add +$40. Now your build cost OP $465. So, the build would be (+70 for OS) $535, which doesn't seem very close to the initial $400 budget.However, my build is $405 = in budget.

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