Best gaming computer for the price

Moonlight177 · Jul 21, 2014

Hello,

I would really appreciate any help. I am going to purchase a gaming computer for my son's birthday but I have no idea what to get. I have a budget of $750. I can go a bit over if needed. Can I get a good gaming computer for this price? I am not going to be able to afford to buy him another new computer in two years. This computer needs to last him for a long time. Below are the games he wants to be able to play. I want to be sure I get him a computer that will handle these games without any issues. Please help!!

Beamng Drive, Elite: Dangerous, Gmod, Minecraft, Dayz Standalone.

Thanks!

Amy

tiny voices · Jul 21, 2014

Yes, you can build a very decent computer for this price.

Do you need an OS/ monitor included in the price? That will change things, but it is still possible.

schau314 · Jul 21, 2014

You can build a great computer for him that he will appreciate. I can help you design a build if wanted. It only takes a couple of hours to build, and he can help.

tiny voices · Jul 21, 2014

We will be able to steer you in the correct direction no problem. We just need the info from my first post and we can help.

I know quite a bit out BeamNG Drive as it DOES NOT perform like a traditional game. I play it quite alot. DayZ is another game that is TERRIBLY optimized but we can work the build to its needs.

Moonlight177 · Jul 21, 2014

Okay, so it sounds like I should not just go and buy a computer that is already built? I would prefer to buy one that I don't have to build. I don't have a lot of time ... however, it would be a great experience to help my son build it with me. I'm just not sure I feel confident that I could do it. We have a monitor that he was going to use for now, however, he might need a new one if the current monitor is too old. He wants Windows 7.

tiny voices · Jul 21, 2014

You DEFINITELY want to build it yourself, otherwise you will get a MUCH worse computer.

I recommend windows 8.1. Simply put, it is better in every way.

Building a computer is very simple and easy.

What resolution is the current monitor?

Moonlight177 · Jul 21, 2014

I don't know what resolution the current monitor is. I will try to find out tonight. It is probably 7 years old. It is a Dell. I'm not real concerned with the monitor right now. I can pick one up later if needed.

Moonlight177 · Jul 21, 2014

My son is pretty firm on wanting Windows 7. I might need some help convincing him that Windows 8 is best. I have also heard that Windows 8 sucks.

tiny voices · Jul 21, 2014

Well, games perform better on Windows 8. That is a fact. It also can be installed more than once without having to call Microsoft and get a new key or having them tell you you are SOL. It is just better. People are stubborn.

I would not recommend building a 750 dollar PC to play on a 7 year old monitor. that defeats the purpose.

Moonlight177 · Jul 21, 2014

Okay, that is all I need to hear. I will tell my boy that Windows 8 is the way to go with a gaming PC. BTW, I really appreciate your help with this.

tiny voices · Jul 21, 2014

Always glad to help! once we get some more details ironed out, we will make a build.

Moonlight177 · Jul 21, 2014

I'm ready when you are. I will get a different monitor later, if needed. We will go with Windows 8 if that is best for gaming.

tiny voices · Jul 21, 2014

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zgsgFT

This is a great option. IT will be great for those games and will last a long time and have great upgrade-ability.

schau314 · Jul 21, 2014

I really don't think it will have upgrade potential since the fx-6300 is on a dead socket. Anyhow, when he gets us his information, we can recommend a good build. I think intel is a better path for this.

tiny voices · Jul 21, 2014

schau314 :

He can go all the way up to an 8350 which at sutok clocks competes with i5s and i7 s in mos tall games. It has plenty of upgrade possibility. If he goes intel and gets an i3, he can forget about playing BeamNG Drive as it NEEDS 4 cores or more.

Moonlight177 · Jul 22, 2014

schau314 :

What additional information do you need?

Moonlight177 · Jul 22, 2014

tiny voices :

Thanks! I will check this out!

LucoTF · Jul 22, 2014

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($86.66 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($76.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 270 2GB Core Edition Video Card ($139.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $753.56
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-07-22 10:13 EDT-0400

Moonlight177 · Jul 22, 2014

tiny voices :

Looks good... but I have to say, I don't know much about this sort of thing. Here is a question...please excuse my ignorance. This includes an O/S but what about other software? I will want my son to have MS office so he can also do his homework on his computer. I'm assuming this and any other software will make the price go way up? Are there any software packages that we should include so that he has everything he needs?

LucoTF · Jul 22, 2014

Moonlight177 :

Free office-type software (opens the same file types)

Open office - https://www.openoffice.org/
Libre office - http://www.libreoffice.org/

Otherwise you need to knock $100 off the build price to allow for MS office

Moonlight177 · Jul 22, 2014

LucoTF :

Okay, thanks! What about a modem? My son will need to be able to get online. I don't believe I saw a modem in the build list?

tiny voices · Jul 22, 2014

The computer has built in LAN. Any modern motherboard has built in LAN.

Moonlight177 · Jul 22, 2014

tiny voices :

Perfect! Thank you for your help! Now I just need to purchase these items and have them shipped to my house.

When it comes time to actually build the unit, should I just go to YouTube for instructions?

garl6 · Jul 22, 2014

Yup! I watched some of Newegg's YouTube build tutorials. Can't hurt to watch them now to familiarize yourself. They're like 10 minutes long.

tiny voices · Jul 22, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls

Follow this guide.

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