Low Budget Gaming Build ($500)

Dagm

Reputable
May 5, 2014
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4,510
I have been lurking around on the forums for a while and also just made an account to receive some input from more experienced people, unlike myself, on choosing the right components for building a PC. I plan on having about a budget of 500 dollars in the next month or so after I come back from a trip, so I thought to myself,"Why not upgrade my Sony Vaio to the gaming build I've always wanted?"

Well here I am and this is where I've reached so far.

Along with these notes, could you guys please answer the question(s) listed after some of the components and suggest better components?

Notes:
First, I would like my PC to be able to play Minecraft on the absolute highest with mods at about 80 FPS. I want to be able to at least play bf3/4 on ultra at about 35-45 FPS and if not possible suggest what you see fit.
-I would also like to note that I put the Rosewill Challenger Black Gaming case one there because it came with fans :3. If I'm missing something very obvious and stupid throughout the thread please point it out.
-I would also like to point out that with the storage I thought that the SSD would be better, but the space to price ratio stopped me from finalizing my choice. I have about 200gb currently filled on my hardrive.

CPU: AMD or Intel i3/i5?
Motherboard: ?
Memory: 2 x 4gb ______ ?
Storage: SSD and/or HDD
Video Card: ?
Case(s):
http://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-Black-Gaming-Computer-CHALLENGER/dp/B003YVJJ5Y
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005SRC3HS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
Power Supply: Do I need 500W?
Optical Drive: Do people still use these? (I'm installing windows from a USB, if I need CD/DVD drive I'll use my laptop)
Operating System: Obtained
Monitor: [HP s2031] I have a 1600 x 900 20 inch screen already in possession.
Any other parts missing?
Total: Around $500

Feel free to suggest anything you think would be nice to add.

I have an old Sony Vaio laptop that is at its death point that I use and also a 10 year old Compaq Presario swr...(if this is important tell me and i will get the details) and I was just wondering whether any of the parts would be salvageable.

The Sony Vaio comes with 3 gb of RAM, DVD drive, has windows 7, lots and lots of programs (which I assume are nontransferable), 2.26 ghz processor, etc.

The only part I see that might be salvageable in the Compaq is the DVD drive if I need it. Tell me what I need to find out about it because I'd rather not take apart my laptop if I could use this one.

I'm willing to go over my budget if absolutely necessary.

Thank you guys so much for reading through this, hopefully I learn something tomorrow.

P.S. I should also note that I plan on getting a headset (more of a priority than mouse and keyboard) due to me most likely not having speakers (monitor doesn't have them).

For the future
1st Headset [Below $30; durable and cheap]
2nd Keyboard (Preferably Mechanical; splurge a litte)
3rd Mouse [below $30; durable and cheap and comfy :3]

Sorry for the long thread. Thanks to anyone who reaches the bottom.
 
Solution
Photonboy's build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3Fplv

Analysis of build:
1. X4-760K
It was hard to justify a better CPU as that would severely limit the Graphics Card option. There's a good VIDEO on this CPU which I don't have the link to but in most games it got 90% or better performance of the higher-end CPU's.

I can't find really solid data on Minecraft though (some of it is contradictory).

2. Motherboard:
Found the cheapest board that I thought still good quality. I tend to stay away from MSI especially the cheaper boards as I've seen a lot of issues.

3. Hard Drive:
This 1TB drive is pretty standard at this budget level. See the customer comments. Again, an SSD just isn't practical for price or storage amount.

4. System RAM...
Intel:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($119.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-E33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill AEGIS 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 460 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($97.81 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 750 1GB Video Card ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Inwin Dragon Slayer MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 300W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($41.99 @ Mwave)
Total: $554.74
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-07 00:33 EDT-0400)

AMD:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 760K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($84.73 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($18.16 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88M-HD+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($58.90 @ Newegg)
Memory: AMD Radeon R9 Gamer Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($71.34 @ NCIX US)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 460 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($97.81 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R7 265 2GB Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cougar Archon ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Rosewill Hive 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $570.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-07 00:34 EDT-0400)
 

tabascosauz

Honorable
Nov 5, 2012
125
0
10,710
^ go with the X4 760K.

Not sure if 2133 memory is necessary, this is not an APU. 1866 C9 should be fine.

The 760K also is very hot at its 100W TDP, might want to invest in a good air cooler or a cheap AIO like the H60. Anyways you'll be overclocking to take advantage of the 760K and beat the Haswell i3s, so get a good cooler.
 

Dagm

Reputable
May 5, 2014
20
0
4,510


Is there any reason you chose different RAM for each of the builds?
 

Dagm

Reputable
May 5, 2014
20
0
4,510


Do you think I would actually be able to reach my actual goal of FPS?

Note: I do not plan to overclock.

EDIT: Thanks guys, I'll be back tomorrow to see if there's anything new and to choose a solution.
 
Quick points before my build:

1. Minecraft is very CPU-intensive.
It doesn't look like it should be, but it is due to the way it's coded. I've seen lots of people say an FX-6300 isn't good enough so I recommend an i5-4440 Intel or similar.

A good 2-core Intel might be optimal if you didn't do anything else but I can't confirm that.

2. SSD:
Don't get one. You said you had 200GB used so obviously a 120GB isn't big enough (90GB actually after format and overprovision).

It makes very little difference for gaming, so a 1TB (1000GB) HDD makes more sense at $57 then a 250GB for about $100 more.

3. X4-760K and DDR3 memory:
Someone said that you need 2400MHz memory. No. Pretty sure that's completely incorrect.

This is a CPU (not an APU). The problem with higher memory frequency is that the APU's use some of the System RAM for Video RAM and are bottlenecked below 2400Mhz depending on the APU.

A regular CPU is fine with 1600MHz DDR3 memory.

4) DVD drive:
You can get a new one for $15 so I suggest that. Your laptop is a SLIM version. I guess in theory you could just attach the cables and not mount it. Mounting would require an adapter I guess but that's pointless considering the cost.

My BUILD will be below.
 
Photonboy's build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3Fplv

Analysis of build:
1. X4-760K
It was hard to justify a better CPU as that would severely limit the Graphics Card option. There's a good VIDEO on this CPU which I don't have the link to but in most games it got 90% or better performance of the higher-end CPU's.

I can't find really solid data on Minecraft though (some of it is contradictory).

2. Motherboard:
Found the cheapest board that I thought still good quality. I tend to stay away from MSI especially the cheaper boards as I've seen a lot of issues.

3. Hard Drive:
This 1TB drive is pretty standard at this budget level. See the customer comments. Again, an SSD just isn't practical for price or storage amount.

4. System RAM:
1600MHz (2x4GB) is adequate for any CPU (not APU) for gaming.

5. Case:
Nice, inexpensive micro-ATX case with at least an intake fan.
- I got the impression you'd buy the one you linked but I included this anyway.
- has a front 120mm intake fan, but if you get this case I'd buy a 92mm VARIABLE fan to use as exhaust to take some heat away from the Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186034

*Fan control:
a) only VARIABLE fans can be controlled
b) BIOS and Motherboard software usually need to be setup properly
c) CPU and Case fans should be controlled if possible (lowest speed and ramp up with temp)
d) Motherboards are switching to PWM control of the fans. Most CPU fan control is only PWM (so be careful if buying a fan or cooler). I think many motherboards support BOTH Voltage or PWM for case fans (if they can be attached to the motherboard AND are variable) but it's hard to find the info.

6. CPU cooler:
Wasn't in the budget (has a stock) though I recommend the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO.

7. Graphics Card:
Gave a lot of thought here. At $140 this Asus GTX750Ti is a great value as it can overclock by roughly 25%.

The GTX750Ti also uses much less power than similarly performing cards due to the new Maxwell GPU which helps reduce the Power Supply cost slightly.

8. Power Supply:
This one is adequate. It got good a good review when tested (see below):
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Antec-VP450-Power-Supply-Review/1487/11

SUMMARY:
This is the best BALANCE of quality parts I could find for a gaming build. Here's some TIPS for you when looking at advice:
a) Look at customer reviews, or even Google for reviews to see if any issues (including Amazon). Especially the MOTHERBOARD.

b) Don't get a better CPU at the expensive of Graphics. It's all about BALANCE.
 
Solution
Video card benchmark (18 games averaged):
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/GTX_750_Ti_OC/25.html

The Asus GTX750Ti in this review is by default at 10% overclock I believe. New drivers came out later when they discovered it overclocked better (Nvidia was being cautious with the new Maxwell GPU).

25% overclock (above stock) is apparently easily achievable so that would put the card a the level of the R7-265 in the linked benchmark. When overclocked it should be slightly faster than an HD7850 2GB card.