Need to build a "Gaming" PC, Budget $400 (Read Closely Please)

cameroncr95

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Jun 1, 2014
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I know, $400 won't get me much, but I have an excuse: Its only for TWO games, which are Fallout 3 and Fallout New Vegas, and both are games from 2008/2010.

My old PC maxed both out, but sadly, the motherboard died and I was sadly left to play these two on PS3. The only reason why I want these specifically on PC, is the mods. This game is the funnest game I have ever played with mods. I can care less about playing other games (Except older games that will run if FO3/NV run.)

Anyways, I need a PC, under $400, that can run it on Max Settings. The sys requirements to max the game require at least 4GB ram and a 1GB Video Card. (That was my setup on my former PC)

So... I need a PC that can max the game, and want to build it myself since I heard some nasty stories about prebuilt PC's from places like Ibuypower and such. ALSO, I would like to say that I need a setup that can easily air itself out. I am a bit scared of expensive computers now, because my motherboard failed in my old one due to overheating, despite the fact that I was told by "Experts" that the cooling would be fine.


So thanks!

What I already Have:
1. Wireless Card
2. Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse
3. Windows 8 Discs


Notes:
1. I cannot go over $400 by no means. I am a very, very, broke student and it takes FOREVER for me on my salary and bills to save this. I'm talking maybe about 4-5 months. I already am half way there.
2. I only want it for 2 games really, but don't want a console because I want the mods for these games.
3. I already have a monitor and such.
4. Must be Windows. I do not like Mac or Linux.
 
Solution


Fallout 4 will have vastly greater recommended system requirements compared to Fallout 3. Don't get your hopes up about modding it.
If you don't need the optical drive, you can cut that to save $15. This far exceeds the recommended specs, so assuming they're not totally wrong this should run either of them on ultra.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($58.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-DGS R2.0 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($52.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 320GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($37.48 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 260X 1GB Core Edition Video Card ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Apex SK-393-C ATX Mid Tower Case ($26.30 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $375.70
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-01 13:56 EDT-0400)





 

cameroncr95

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Jun 1, 2014
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I cannot. The only thing left of that PC is the PSU and Case, but the PSU cords have been ruined by a cat who decided it was funny to chew the wires while it was in storage. The rest of the stuff is gone, and the case is pretty damaged from falling off a table.
 

cameroncr95

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Jun 1, 2014
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Update:
I found my DVD Burner and 8GB Ram from my old PC tucked in a box.
Not sure If I should use the ram, as I am a bit afraid it might be damaged from what happened to my old PC and might break the new one.
 

SnakeGTX

Distinguished


I think you could save the DVD burner, but the using the old RAM is risky. I think you should just start over.
 

cameroncr95

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Jun 1, 2014
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I will probably be going with this one. I will do some more research into it, but according to what I've dug up so far, all that together could easily max what I wanted it for.

lol... I feel crazy. A $400 machine just to mod Fallout 3 and its sequel. Lovely. :D
 

Icaraeus

Honorable


Fallout 4 will have vastly greater recommended system requirements compared to Fallout 3. Don't get your hopes up about modding it.
 
Solution

cameroncr95

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Jun 1, 2014
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I was referring to New Vegas, not 4.