Cheap gaming computer

Fuzzyco1 · Nov 23, 2015

Hey fellow people of tomshardware you all helped me get a nice little budget desktop and now my brother wants one. I managed to find a used desktop for $220 and plan on putting in a GPU and wanted a little input on the system.
the system consists of
3.0 Ghz phenom x4 945
8gb ddr3
some hp motherboard
gtx 9800+
300 watt bistec power supply

I have a gtx 750 1gb that I would like to put on it and just for general knowledge what would the best gpu for the system be if I got a new power supply?
Thanks to anyone that replies in ahead of time!

rolli59 · Nov 23, 2015

GTX750 is about as fast a card I would put in there.

geofelt · Nov 23, 2015

GTX750 will run on less than 300w. You are good there.

As to the best gpu you can install, that might be a GTX980ti and a 600w psu. (total overkill)
More likely, something like a GTX960 and a 430w psu would be the most the cpu can reasonably drive well for fast action shooters.

For mmo, sims, and strategy games, you will be cpu limited.

johnnyb105 · Nov 23, 2015

I THINK THE 750 TI WOULD BE BEST SUITED FOR YOUR RIG AND WOULD BE THE CARD I WOULD USE because of the older and slower cpu hes going to start bottlenecking the card if he gos to a higher end card.

geofelt · Nov 23, 2015

johnnyb105 :

The OP already has a GTX750.

Fuzzyco1 · Nov 23, 2015

geofelt :

Would the 970 be a bad idea? if possible I would like no gpu bottleneck with a good enough gpu that my brother wont have to buy a new one when he gets a new rig or is it so powerful that it would it be a total waste of money?

geofelt · Nov 23, 2015

A GTX970 would also need a psu upgrade to 500w or so.
The graphics card would be about as good as you can get for 1080P.
The problem is that the cpu has relatively slow cores.
The single core passmark rating is only 1041.
By comparison, the cheapest cpu that Intel makes, the $43 G1820 has a single thread passmark rating of 1587.
Games such as strategy, sims, and mmo are mostly single threaded and cpu limited.
If the games your brother plays are more fast action shooters, then the focus should be on the graphics card.

For a good budget gaming pc, I would look for one with a lga1150 motherboard that can take a $65 G3258. Passmark single thread rating of 2174 . And... it can oc another 30%

Even then, I think a 2gb GTX960 would be an appropriate card for most games.

Fuzzyco1 · Nov 23, 2015

geofelt :

i know il need to upgrade psu regardless if i dont use 750 but the only reason im trying to go the phenom route is that its 220 with 1tb and windows 10. i guess my main question is even for 220 will i be disappointed with this system? if the answer is yes i can try to scrounge up some more money for a pentium build but at the same time is dual core good enough anymore?

geofelt · Nov 23, 2015

Look at some Lenovo refurb units.
Here is one with a I5-4570 for $310:
http://outlet.lenovo.com/outlet_us/itemdetails/10B0X001US/445

On newegg, there are a bunch, here is a I3-2120 for $179:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883798554

For the most part, a G3258 will be a winner.
Here is one comparison with a X4-860K that is considerably stronger than the X4-945.
http://www.techspot.com/review/1017-best-budget-gaming-cpu/

The nice thing about a Intel starter is that there is a upgrade path to i3/i5/i7.

Or. if you are comfortable with ebay, look for a used pc from a reputable seller.

Fuzzyco1 · Nov 23, 2015

geofelt :

im considering that i5 one but is the i5 worth paying almost a hundred more?
p.s. you like your lenovo's dont you?

geofelt · Nov 23, 2015

Worth is something only YOU can determine.
I think for a budget gaming pc, a strong I3 is probably optimum.

I do shop on Lenovo, but primarily for thinkpad laptops.
I see stuff offered on their outlet.
My experience with upgrading laptops for ssd's has been good.

Fuzzyco1 · Nov 23, 2015

geofelt :

fair enough. let m rephrase it real quick. will the performance i get from the i5 be a better bang/buck than the henom or i3. i really dont want to get the i3 simply because its a dual core but if its a good deal il look at it more.

geofelt · Nov 23, 2015

An i3 is dual core, but it is a 4 thread chip.

Two threads are very fast, and the two extra threads use residual cycles and are slower.

I consider the i3-4170 or i3-6100 skylake to be excellent gaming processors.

Fuzzyco1 · Nov 24, 2015

geofelt :

which one would you buy? this seems a better question than what is a better value and this will be what I go off of.

geofelt · Nov 24, 2015

Unfortunately, we all have a budget.
You are starting with a GTX750 which I think is a very nice card. My grandson plays minecraft on a PC I built for him using a GTX750.
It happens that it also uses a G3258 for a cpu, but that is just convenience.

My suggestion is to buy a used pc that includes a OS, I like windows 7 better right now, but really any modern os will do.
That gives you a $100 value right off the top.
I would look for a used pc with a lga1150 motherboard. Virtually any intel cpu that is installed will be a decent gamer.
If it has a G3258, great, otherwise any i3 will be a decent gamer. A i5 is likely to be expensive and the funds can be better spent elsewhere.
Your GTX750 will be fine with any low powered psu that might be included.
4gb of ram is fine.
I like this approach because it leaves open a reasonable way to a future upgrade, either cpu or gpu.

I find that many complete pc's being sold go for less than the sum of their individual parts.
That is because the buyers are not happy with the complete package.

By buying used with minimum specs, you can add what you want when you have the budget and the need.

If buying new, I think going latest skylake tech is better for the long run.
I3-6100 for example. But.. that is likely to exceed your budget.

Or... what is your current pc? Might you want to upgrade?
Give your brother yours, or most of it, and upgrade yours.
My biggest obstacle to satisfying my upgrade urges is what to do with the old.

Fuzzyco1 · Nov 24, 2015

geofelt :

i have this computer which a nice member of this site helped me put together but since i have upgraded a few parts such as cpu and ram.

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($106.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.49 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($73.99 @ SuperBiiz)

i have this housed in a nzxt phantom case since getting it i have replaced the pentium with a i5 4460 and the 750 that im giving my brother came form this build because i got my hands on a used 780 for a nice $215. i guess i could give him the 4460 and maybe go 4790k.
So if i got a used computer in theory i might have to upgrade psu, throw in gtx 750 and maybe the 4460 then sell the pentium. Sound good?

geofelt · Nov 30, 2015

If your G3258/GTX750ti was good enough for you for starters, it is likely to satisfy your brother.
I would look for a used pc with a lga1150 motherboard.
Plan on installing the G3258, or if the used pc has a stronger i3, for example, then sell the g3258.
It is likely that the used pc will have a strong enough psu, you only need 300w.

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