Looking for a budget gaming build.. 500 - maybe 600 dollars, need advice

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pistolonmyside

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Aug 14, 2015
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NOTE. SKIP TO BUTTOM AND READ A SHORT SUMMARY OF WHAT I WANT IF YOU DONT FEEL LIKE READING MY SORT OF UNNECESSARY OTHER INFORMATION.

Hello Toms Hardware users, My current PC has been experiencing painful and cost worthy issues that i no longer have the time or patience for.. So im going to sell it.

I want to start fresh and build a gaming pc for 500-600 U.S dollars.

I'm pretty confident in building it my self.. I know a lot about computers (i certainly DON'T claim to know it all) and I've installed a PSU, and GPU into my computer with no problems. Seems pretty simple, there are alot of guides online too so i think i can put it together and all.. now the parts. thats where you guys come in :D

So Currently my computer contains the following parts
Intel Core I7 920 @ 2.67 GHZ (Cooler master n520 cpu cooler)
2x nVIDIA GeForce GTS 450's in SLI mode
ThermalTake TR-2 500W PSU.
8GB RAM (*Not sure brand or DDR3 Or 4, ETC)
Intel DX58SO
DVD Drive
Military Case
NOTE ; Windows has become NON genuine, i would format the hard drive and sell the computer with no OS..

I always run into the Kernel Mode Driver/ Display driver crash when gaming. i have had this problem for 2 yrs... im done with it. ive tried a different psu (850w) and different gpu (gtx 950) and it still happens.. now im learning my HDD has failed a long generic test and may be faulty. my ram sometimes prevents my computer by booting because my mobo cant detect it, may just be dust but im tired of that too. ive cleaned the slots and connecters. i havent had that problem in about a month though.

I'm thinking, maybe i can sell this computer, which works 100% fine for browsing the web, you can watch videos and movies with no problem. Doesn't crash on games like Minecraft, and casual games. Good for facebook etc. The kernel mode driver crash sometimes happens frequently and sometimes not at all in a day. So its very usable still and contains expensive, usable parts. Im thinking of selling it as is, as a parts kind of thing.. for around $400.. ive put alot of money into it (new mobo, 2 psus, etc) and $400 seems fair.. im not an expert though.

Anyways, with that out of the way, i need a some advice on a new build..

i need everything
case
psu
cpu
dvd drive
mobo
ram
gpu
and i want the OS. i know its kinda hard to fit into a 600 budget especially with the OS, but im not looking to play Crysis whatever the latest version is, on ultra settings . Just some fps games, and GTA V at 60 fps. 1080p. medium settings at the least.. the gpu i have now (im taking it and the psu back because i thought theyd solve the crash issue, obviously not though) are a EVGA GTX 950. And a 850W PSU. i can play gta v on max settings and high resolution at 60 fps no problem.. So should i keep the card for a new build? i mean i spent $180 on the card alone so keeping the build under 500-600 may be a problem.. anyways this is getting too long. I just want to be specific.

SHORT SUMMARY of what i want.
Nice Mid grade gaming pc, that can play modern games at 1080p and 60fps.
I dont care if it has a intel cpu or amd in it, dont care if it has a NVIDIA or AMD gpu in it. whatever is cheaper :)
Basically something equivalent to the build i have now in terms of gaming and speed.
I dont need over 500gb hdd storage either. but if you know of a cheap 1tb drive, great.
(also the moniter im using is a 42 inch tv..)
Im cool with buying a barebones too or something. throw me some ideas :D

Thank you so much.
P.S If you made it this far and actually respond, thank you. my post is kind of messy but ive been stressed about what to do for a while now and am kind of tense.
 
Solution
K
The number one thing to skimp on with any build is the case. You can get a $40 case/psu combo deal that includes a 450W PSU. You likely don't need 750W (I did not check the above suggested system). You may not want to skimp on the PSU though.
So one option would be to get a decent 500W PSU and make your own case (or use an old case).

As for the computer you are selling, the CPU alone when bought new would run over $300. I think you are giving away too much to sell that whole system for a mere $400. But if you want to sell it quick, that price will do it. I understand the frustration though.


I'm not knowledgeable about what graphics card and CPU will ensure most games play around 60fps, so all I can say there is I don't know.
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weberdarren97

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Aug 10, 2015
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Sell your 950 and use it towards this build here, then it'll only be a small amount above your preferred budget.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/hhr2qs
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/hhr2qs/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-6350 3.9GHz 6-Core Processor ($124.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($92.88 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($87.77 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 380 2GB Video Card ($183.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($88.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM (64-bit) ($124.75 @ OutletPC)
Total: $852.32
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-16 19:50 EDT-0400
 
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weberdarren97

Glorious
Aug 10, 2015
8,137
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I meant to sell your 950 and use the money from that towards the build I posted... However the one you put together isn't bad other than the fact that you chose a mechanical hard drive so you won't get the fast responsiveness you would get from an SSD...

I changed a few things... Although I should warn you that the parts I select are usually more expensive because I prefer the brands that serve the best...

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/M4TdNG
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/M4TdNG/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-6350 3.9GHz 6-Core Processor ($124.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master GeminII S524 Ver 2 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($37.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Biostar TA970 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($51.88 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($42.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($85.49 @ OutletPC)
Total: $636.30
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-16 20:25 EDT-0400
 
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kedwa30

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Jul 28, 2011
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The number one thing to skimp on with any build is the case. You can get a $40 case/psu combo deal that includes a 450W PSU. You likely don't need 750W (I did not check the above suggested system). You may not want to skimp on the PSU though.
So one option would be to get a decent 500W PSU and make your own case (or use an old case).

As for the computer you are selling, the CPU alone when bought new would run over $300. I think you are giving away too much to sell that whole system for a mere $400. But if you want to sell it quick, that price will do it. I understand the frustration though.


I'm not knowledgeable about what graphics card and CPU will ensure most games play around 60fps, so all I can say there is I don't know.
Most CPU's come with a stock cooler that is good enough as long as you're not overclocking, so you can save $7 there.
Rather than get a 500GB drive now, you could start with a 160GB drive for only about $13 and get more storage later. Or you could start with a 32GB SSD drive for around $30, and again, get more storage later. The price per GB is lowest around 2TB ($54). You never want to have only one drive. You need a separate drive for backups anyway, so start with a small $13 drive and that will get you started within your budget.
Windows might need more than 32GB, so maybe get that SSD later.
Speaking of Windows, I would avoid an OEM version. You won't get support from Microsoft. If it's only a little more, I believe it's worth it to have the non-OEM version. On the other hand, you can save there too by using a Linux distro such as Linux Mint. If it's a cash flow problem, you could use Linux just until you have the money to buy windows and that way you have more to put into the hardware.
You can also run windows as a demo for 30 or 90 days (I'm not sure). I haven't done it myself (I prefer Linux) but I read an article awhile back saying you can download a demo from the Microsoft site or an official mirror.

Other considerations: keyboard, mouse, UPS, thermal compound, etc.

 
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pistolonmyside

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Aug 14, 2015
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Hey man thanks for all the info and help. I bought a new PC about 2-3 weeks ago for $600. Only problems I'm having with it are some heat issues and the CPU likes to throttle sometimes. My room gets really hot, can't open a window as I live in Florida lol so I'm gonna get a fan to circulate the air in my room. Other then that I'm all good. Thanks. I'll select your answer as best answer :)
 
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