Please give me a Low Budget build with these preferences

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bigboss900

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Please give me a low budget build that will run Dragon Age Inquisition with solid framerate. I want to buy from Amazon/Newegg, I prefer Intel/Nvidia, and like low heat output that I can leave on all day (last pc had ATI Radeon HD 4870 which turned room into sauna). So maybe I need graphics card that does not use much power or extra heatsinks/fans. I already have Windows. 2 parts to reuse maybe:

1) brand new power supply CORSAIR X550M I bought last week trying to revive old computer (didn't work - mobo was fried). I can use if sounds good (I can return it if bad choice) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139147

2) I have a WD Blue 640gb Hard Drive in good condition I could reuse from old pc. I don't care much about SSD and don't need extra storage space so if this is enough I am fine with it. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

I will say around $500 but I am trying to get it lower if possible. I am poor. Really looking for bare bones - no need for optical drive, extra storage hdd, etc. I don't mind using rebates and will order this pc within the next week.

Also why don't people use sound cards anymore? I have Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer from my old pc is it worth using or should just use the motherboard sound? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102006

Thank you for helping.
 
Solution
Aeacus

I checked the internet and seems DA:I does require minimum of quad-core @ 2.0 Ghz.
I switched out i3-6100 for i5-6500.
comparison: http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i3-6100-vs-Intel-Core-i5-6500/3511vs3513

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Mac070

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

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($110.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($53.88 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon RX 480 8GB Video Card ($239.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Thermaltake Core V21 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($56.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $521.73
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-09-16 19:47 EDT-0400

Solid Build and you can change the RX 480 brand. References run a bit hot
 
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Mac070

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I found a good deal for memory sticks. Having the motherboard support only 2133MHZ shouldn't change anything. It'll underclock it automatically ;)
 
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Aeacus

Aeacus

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Yes, i know that RAM will be downgraded but in my opinion, it's still a waste of performance.
 
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Aeacus

Aeacus

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I do see a price difference. Thing is, "good deals" don't last long and by the time OP gets down to buy the items, that "good deal" might be over.
 
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Aeacus

Aeacus

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As far as $53.99 GeIL Evo Potenza 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 goes,
(pcpp: http://pcpartpicker.com/product/KF8H99/geil-memory-gpr416gb2133c15dc )
OP might like it's appearance over $59.99 Mushkin Blackline 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400.
(pcpp: http://pcpartpicker.com/product/sQqbt6/mushkin-memory-997199t )
Or the color doesn't matter to him at all and he likes to save some money. We don't know that. And therefore there is no point to argue over RAM.
 
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bigboss900

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Jun 28, 2016
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Thank you both for the reference builds. I have a few questions:

1) Will CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor work on games like Dragon Age Inquisition? I remember reading some time ago that a lot of newer games such as DA:I demand quad core processor to run properly.

2) Is there any noticeable performance improvement from 16gb ram over 8gb ram or is it just for future proofing? RE: ram discussion above I am interested mainly in performance/price ratio. Aesthetics don't matter to me since my case won't be on display

3) Can I get away with a cheaper graphics card or do you think something like these 2 are necessary? I play mainly World of Warcraft which doesn't have high requirements, but I would like to be able to run Dragon Age Inquisition at at least medium settings on 1680 x 1050 res with a solid framerate. If a lower card has less heat output that is a bonus as it is an issue for me. I am looking to find that bargain performance/price ratio. Can you list any lower alternatives if viable?

4) Is CORSAIR X550M something you might use on this build or do I need something better? I read power supply is very important to prevent damage to other components. I paid $55 - $20 rebate = $35 for it but I can exchange it for something else

5) On second thought I may have to get a new hard drive because I need to access the files on my old one before wiping it (If I use it in my new build I have to wipe it and install windows without being able to backup my old files first). Might as well get a SSD since I have the other one to use as storage. Can you suggest a SSD with 100gb+ space to use for operating system + a couple games?
 
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Aeacus

Aeacus

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I checked the internet and seems DA:I does require minimum of quad-core @ 2.0 Ghz.
I switched out i3-6100 for i5-6500.
comparison: http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i3-6100-vs-Intel-Core-i5-6500/3511vs3513


There isn't much to gain for having 16GB of RAM. Most games use only up to 3-4GB of RAM. 8GB is well enough since you can always add more RAM easely.


There are cheaper graphics cards that you can use to play DA:I.
Switched out GTX 1060 (power consumption 120W) with GTX 950 (power consumption 90W).

Here's also a nice site where you can test out different CPU and GPU combos to see how well they work with DA:I : http://www.game-debate.com/games/index.php?g_id=1883&game=Dragon%20Age%203:%20Inquisition


I wouldn't use the Corsair CX550M since it's Tier four PSU.
I added a good Tier two PSU (Seasonic S12II-520) to the pcpp list.

PSU tier list: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html


As far as SSDs (and RAM) goes, i suggest Kingston due to their solid performance, great compatibility and low failure rate.
Put in a Kingston HyperX Fury 120GB 2.5" SSD
You can switch it out for Kingston HyperX Fury 240GB 2.5" SSD that costs $34 more.
pcpp: http://pcpartpicker.com/product/TqYXsY/kingston-internal-hard-drive-shfs37a240g

The final list is more expensive than the last one since i had to add additional components.
Refurbished pcpp list: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/rTz4M8
 
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Mac070

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

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($198.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($53.88 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon RX 460 4GB WINDFORCE OC Video Card ($127.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Thermaltake Core V21 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($56.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $497.73
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-09-18 09:45 EDT-0400

Newer generations of cards are out. No reason to recommend the GTX 950. Instead I went
with the RX 460 as It's better than the GTX 950.

The power supply you have is fine. Corsair revised the CXM and equipped them with more reliable
protection. No reason to send it back , it's a hassle.
 
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Aeacus

Aeacus

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Here's a comparison of RX 460 vs GTX 950: http://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/AMD-RX-460-vs-Nvidia-GTX-950/3641vs3510

RX 460 is cheaper and uses less power (under 75W).
GTX 950 does offer a little bit better performance and uses more power (90W).

As far as PSU goes, i, personally don't trust Corsair and their "upgrade" for Tier four PSU. I'd rather buy my PSU directly from OEM (Seasonic) and be safe with Tier one or Tier two PSU.

But it's up to OP to decide which parts to get.
 
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