Processor, ram , mobo, gpu in $230

Mitzshady · Feb 20, 2015

Hello experts,
I need to build a gaming pc, not hardcore gaming but it should be able to play most games at 720p/1080p. I only need the motherboard,processor, ram, and if required gpu in $230. Rest i have with me from my old pc.
What should i get?

-HH- · Feb 20, 2015

Okay, So I used an APU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($85.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A55M-HD+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($48.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($70.97 @ OutletPC)
Total: $234.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-20 04:34 EST-0500

LucoTF · Feb 20, 2015

That's a tight budget. You'll be looking at an APU build or a dual core build.

LucoTF · Feb 20, 2015

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($85.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-D3H Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($64.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($73.95 @ OutletPC)
Total: $224.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-20 04:44 EST-0500

Similar to HH's build but I ditched the aftermarket cooler in favour of a slightly better motherboard and faster ram.

-HH- · Feb 20, 2015

LucoTF :

Thing I was thinking is if you grab the 212 you can overclock the APU a little bit and get slightly better FPS in games, none the less though great deal on the RAM

Mitzshady · Feb 20, 2015

For some reason i cant reply guys. Thing i wanted to ask was can a cheap ati radeon hd 5450 make much difference to the fps?

LucoTF · Feb 20, 2015

-HH- :

I used to own that exact ASrock board and it's very poor for overclocking. The gigabyte board, while also dirt cheap, should at least be able to get to 4.5ghz or so - although as you said, you'd need an aftermarket cooler to get that far. You wouldn't even need a 212 evo though, a cheap zalman or even a coolermaster TX3 would be enough I think

LucoTF · Feb 20, 2015

Mitzshady :

No. That is not a gaming card at all.

Mitzshady · Feb 20, 2015

4gb ram in your setup. Will it make a huge difference?

-HH- · Feb 20, 2015

We have 8GB RAM.

I'd suggest if you want a dedicated graphics cards I suggest an R7 series card. Either a 260X or a 265!

Mitzshady · Feb 20, 2015

R7 series card with fx 4300??

-HH- · Feb 20, 2015

No, why with an FX4300 where did that come from?:S

Mitzshady · Feb 20, 2015

My friend's fx6300 is great so I thought fx4300 would be good too

. Isn't it?

-HH- · Feb 20, 2015

In this case, I don't think so.

For a tight budget on these items, the best thing you can do is run an APU. is $230 your MAX budget or are you willing to stretch?

Mitzshady · Feb 20, 2015

250 255 maybe

LucoTF · Feb 20, 2015

Dual core build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($52.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($41.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 260X 1GB Core Edition Video Card ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $254.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-20 05:52 EST-0500

LucoTF · Feb 20, 2015

Quad core build. Slightly weaker GPU, 4gb ram instead of 8gb

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($73.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A58M-HD2 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($50.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R7 250X 2GB Video Card ($93.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $248.46
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-20 06:06 EST-0500

-HH- · Feb 20, 2015

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A10-6800K 4.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI A88XM-E35 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($67.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.95 @ OutletPC)
Total: $252.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-20 06:57 EST-0500

Honestly what I wanted to do was run an A10 APU and crossfire it with an R7 260X but that's too much! I did however upgrade the mobo and APU a little bit!

That pentium build Luco posted is also great!

Mitzshady · Feb 20, 2015

Thanks a ton guys for so many suggestions

Mitzshady · Feb 20, 2015

I'll just use an apu for now and maybe a month or later buy a gpu.

Adroid · Feb 20, 2015

LucoTF :

Go with this build. It is faster than the others by leaps and bounds. If you can squeeze a few more dollars go for a R7 265 or 270x.

You get what you pay for, and an APU setup is not near powerfull enough for modern games at 1080p. The good thing about this build is that it would allow you to install a higher end GPU later and you would get some serious performance increase.

LucoTF · Feb 20, 2015

Mitzshady :

Well the A10 is a reasonable budget gaming CPU when used with a dedicated graphics card, but it seems like inefficient spending to do it this way...

-HH- · Feb 20, 2015

LucoTF :

The thing is you can crossfire the APU with a R7 260X or 265 which therefore means even more performance gain, right?

LucoTF · Feb 20, 2015

-HH- :

It won't run dual graphics with a 260x, only a 240 or 250 (aka hd6670)

A single, more powerful dedicated GPU will always give you the stronger system

-HH- · Feb 20, 2015

ah, that makes some more sense now!

Processor, ram , mobo, gpu in $230

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