Need A 600 Gaming Build - Don't Know What To Do...

Shawn221 · Mar 30, 2014

Hello, I've been browsing around for parts lately but I can't decide what to choose. I have my main rig all good to go with a GTX 780, but I need to build a $600 gaming rig for my friend. He's been saving money for a while to get it. I already have a mouse and Windows 7 Home Premium, but I need the rig to include a monitor and keyboard since he's coming from a laptop. He plays Minecraft with tons of mods primarily, but he wants to play tf2 and titanfall as well. He doesn't care much about graphics quality, more about performance, and doesn't care about size of the monitor, as long as it isn't "laptop size" (17 inches or lower). As for the form factor, I think mATX would be best for him, and the cheapest case I could find was the Fractal Core 1000, which is fine with him. I'm lost as to the rest of the build, but I'm trying to stay away from APUs because Minecraft is more CPU intensive, and I want him to be able to upgrade graphics if he needs to, but this can hold him for a while. Thanks in advance.

megamanx00 · Mar 30, 2014

. Still this build should be more than enough for what your friend needs.

Shawn221 · Mar 30, 2014

megamanx00 :

Well, he needs a cheap keyboard with it, but not an optical drive, so maybe find a very cheap keyboard and allocate the excess to something else? Also, I looked at the motherboard, and I am not happy with the reviews on it. I'm not sure that it will be a good choice.

realchaos · Mar 30, 2014

Hard to get a decent gaming rig at $600 including the monitor, but this should be fine for Minecraft and TF2:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Biostar TA970 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R7 260X 2GB Video Card ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Dell S2240M 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($119.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $605.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-30 21:13 EDT-0400)

-FX-6300 is a bit faster than the i3 and it can be overclocked in the future if you friend plans to add an aftermarket cooler. Note that the stock cpu heatsink can get pretty loud (I used to have it and it would ramp up to 5000rpm under load).
-The Biostar motherboard isn't the best, but it's definitely worth it considering it's price. The only options are an extra ~$15-20 extra and the Biostar one comes in a bundle with the processor. It's a basic board and would allow for decent overclocking. Not sure about Biostar's customer support though. They aren't as big of a brand as other companies.
-The 260X is pretty cheap right now and should be able to play the games you listed.
-The 210 Elite is a regular ATX mid tower, as the motherboard is ATX size.
-While the XFX 650w is overkill for this system, it allows your friend to add any future upgrades such as a stronger graphics card. I chose this one because it's only $5 more than the 550w one.
-The monitor is an IPS panel so it has better image quality than regular TN panels.

Its_Byte_00 · Mar 30, 2014

realchaos :

Hard to get a decent gaming rig at $600 including the monitor, but this should be fine for Minecraft and TF2:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Biostar TA970 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R7 260X 2GB Video Card ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Dell S2240M 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($119.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $605.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-30 21:13 EDT-0400)

-FX-6300 is a bit faster than the i3 and it can be overclocked in the future if you friend plans to add an aftermarket cooler. Note that the stock cpu heatsink can get pretty loud (I used to have it and it would ramp up to 5000rpm under load).
-The Biostar motherboard isn't the best, but it's definitely worth it considering it's price. The only options are an extra ~$15-20 extra and the Biostar one comes in a bundle with the processor. It's a basic board and would allow for decent overclocking. Not sure about Biostar's customer support though. They aren't as big of a brand as other companies.
-The 260X is pretty cheap right now and should be able to play the games you listed.
-The 210 Elite is a regular ATX mid tower, as the motherboard is ATX size.
-While the XFX 650w is overkill for this system, it allows your friend to add any future upgrades such as a stronger graphics card. I chose this one because it's only $5 more than the 550w one.
-The monitor is an IPS panel so it has better image quality than regular TN panels.

+1

Shawn221 · Mar 30, 2014

realchaos :

Hard to get a decent gaming rig at $600 including the monitor, but this should be fine for Minecraft and TF2:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Biostar TA970 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R7 260X 2GB Video Card ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Dell S2240M 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($119.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $605.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-30 21:13 EDT-0400)

-FX-6300 is a bit faster than the i3 and it can be overclocked in the future if you friend plans to add an aftermarket cooler. Note that the stock cpu heatsink can get pretty loud (I used to have it and it would ramp up to 5000rpm under load).
-The Biostar motherboard isn't the best, but it's definitely worth it considering it's price. The only options are an extra ~$15-20 extra and the Biostar one comes in a bundle with the processor. It's a basic board and would allow for decent overclocking. Not sure about Biostar's customer support though. They aren't as big of a brand as other companies.
-The 260X is pretty cheap right now and should be able to play the games you listed.
-The 210 Elite is a regular ATX mid tower, as the motherboard is ATX size.
-While the XFX 650w is overkill for this system, it allows your friend to add any future upgrades such as a stronger graphics card. I chose this one because it's only $5 more than the 550w one.
-The monitor is an IPS panel so it has better image quality than regular TN panels.

That ends up being almost 630 after all of the shipping and taxes. That won't work

realchaos · Mar 30, 2014

Well...if you really can't spend an extra $30 then go for this monitor: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/acer-monitor-etws0hpa01
It's not an IPS panel so it won't look as good but it's still perfectly fine.

Shawn221 · Mar 30, 2014

realchaos :

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0uLOs-phiaKQU01R0JRZTI0MFk/edit?usp=sharing
I scraped this up. Is it any good?
It's a Kaveri build (I chose the higher memory speed to compensate for APU

Its_Byte_00 · Mar 30, 2014

No tax if you buy from amazon/tgdr/newegg online i believe. Also many items have free shipping

Shawn221 · Mar 30, 2014

Its_Byte_00 :

Nah, All three have tax, and the shipping for the monitor and case alone is $15. The APU build is the best I could come up with.

realchaos · Mar 30, 2014

Are you willing to buy from other stores? While Newegg is a great retailer, there are always some cheaper parts else where. For example, instead of that smaller, lower res monitor for $100 at Newegg, you can get the Acer 21.5" 1080p monitor for $100 at Amazon. The build I posted above is A LOT STRONGER than the APU build.

Its_Byte_00 · Mar 30, 2014

realchaos :

that or pick up parts at your local microcenter/frys.

RazerZ · Mar 30, 2014

Shawn221 :

For $600 definitely do not get an APU build. I can post a pcpartpicker build here if you'd like

Shawn221 · Mar 30, 2014

realchaos :

It doesn't really matter where it's from, but I want all the parts from the same website. Whenever I try to do that, it ends up being a different price, being too expensive because of shipping or this damned NJ tax. If you post any builds, all of the things have to be from the same site.

realchaos · Mar 30, 2014

Take this build for example:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Biostar TA970 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R7 260X 2GB Video Card ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Acer S220HQLAbd 21.5" Monitor ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $584.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-30 22:03 EDT-0400)

Buy the processor + motherboard bundle, RAM, and GPU from Newegg. Everything has free shipping, but not sure how much tax is for you.
Get the HDD, case, and psu from NCIX. NCIX has free shipping on orders over $100, but $5 shipping for cases. Add an extra $5 to the case to accommodate shipping.
Get the monitor from Amazon for free shipping.

Basically, everything is free shipping except $5 for the case. Then just add tax and you'll be only a bit over $600. This does include the rebates though.

Shawn221 · Mar 30, 2014

realchaos :

Take this build for example:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Biostar TA970 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R7 260X 2GB Video Card ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Acer S220HQLAbd 21.5" Monitor ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $584.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-30 22:03 EDT-0400)

Buy the processor + motherboard bundle, RAM, and GPU from Newegg. Everything has free shipping, but not sure how much tax is for you.
Get the HDD, case, and psu from NCIX. NCIX has free shipping on orders over $100, but $5 shipping for cases. Add an extra $5 to the case to accommodate shipping.
Get the monitor from Amazon for free shipping.

Basically, everything is free shipping except $5 for the case. Then just add tax and you'll be only a bit over $600. This does include the rebates though.

That totals up to $674: $20 tax at Newegg
Tax is 7%
Also, rebates can't count, he has 600 cash....
I have to go to sleep, I'll see your reply tomorrow.

realchaos · Mar 30, 2014

$600 before rebates, after tax and shipping, and with a monitor won't get you a very good build. You can always lend him some money to get the build and then he can pay you back with the rebates, but whatever. So with 7% tax, you have about $560 before tax.

Here you go:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Biostar TA970 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R7 260 1GB Video Card ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Best Buy)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Acer S220HQLAbd 21.5" Monitor ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $542.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-30 22:58 EDT-0400)

Before rebates it is ~$555 with free shipping on everything. Put on 7% tax and you get just under $600. It only has 4gb, but for most games 4gb is enough and when your friend gets more money he can add another 4gb. The R7-260 is a bit slower than the 260X, but still great for its price point considering it's stronger than a 7770.

megamanx00 · Mar 30, 2014

Well considering the budget you're working on it's a bit hard to get a good motherboard. Personally I like ASRock on the budget end as I rarely have a problem with them and they offer great bang for the buck. I don't see as many budget board round ups now adays. With the lack of an optical drive I guess you could go with

GIGABYTE GA-H81M-HD3 $62.49
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128662

As for a keyboard this should do
Rosewill RK-700M Black 7.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823201039&ignorebbr=1

so with

PowerColor AXR7 260X 119.99
HyperX 8GB $64.99
Intel Core i3-4130 $124.99
Western Digital Blue WD10EZEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache $59.99
Acer G196HQLb Black 18.5 $84.99
CORSAIR CX $39.99
HEC Vigilance Black $24.99 + 5.99 ship

That will give you a grand total of $596.40

You could also choose for the motherboard this ASUS instead

ASUS H81M-A LGA $63.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132044

Need A 600 Gaming Build - Don't Know What To Do...

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