~$550 Budget Gaming Build

IndyAJD

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Sep 6, 2013
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I'm looking to build a budget gaming PC for a friend of mine. I'm looking to get him maximum performance for around a $550 pricepoint. I wanted to build something that would be capable of casual gaming and mid-high graphics for some years, and with the ability to add a second GPU. Here is what I have come up with.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($105.99) Microcenter In store
Motherboard: MSI 970A-G43 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($70.91 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Xtreem Dark Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.92 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 270 2GB TurboDuo Video Card ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($37.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $572.76
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-09 10:20 EDT-0400)

As you can see, I'm a little overbudget, however for the extra $20 I was able to get a crossfire capable motherboard and a R9 270 instead of an R7 265.

So what do you guys think of this build? Any suggestions? Ways to reduce the price without sacrificing performance?




 
Solution
Get one of these 2.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($77.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $77.98
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-09 10:53 EDT-0400)


or


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($88.79 @ Newegg)
Total: $88.79
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-09 10:53 EDT-0400)...

IndyAJD

Honorable
Sep 6, 2013
377
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Do you know of a good crossfire capable board that would fit this pricepoint?
 

IndyAJD

Honorable
Sep 6, 2013
377
0
10,960

Dark Lord of Tech

Retired Moderator
Get one of these 2.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($77.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $77.98
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-09 10:53 EDT-0400)


or


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($88.79 @ Newegg)
Total: $88.79
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-09 10:53 EDT-0400)

http://www.overclock.net/t/946407/amd-motherboards-vrm-info-database
VRM database.
 
Solution

IndyAJD

Honorable
Sep 6, 2013
377
0
10,960


Thank you so much! I appreciate the help, I'll definitely pick yours as the solution. If you have the time, is there a wireless antenna you would recommend?

 

IndyAJD

Honorable
Sep 6, 2013
377
0
10,960


Cool, that looks good. I think I'll go with that. Thanks so much for all of your help!