Gaming system build for 300$?

mattbarber51993

Distinguished
Feb 16, 2010
9
0
18,510
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 2 weeks - a month.

BUDGET RANGE: 300-350 before rebates.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, movies.
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, keyboard, mouse

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com - Best prefered.

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel preferably but AMD is fine.

OVERCLOCKING: No
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I would like a window in the case and well cooled system.

Thanks in advance!
 
Let me get this straight. You need all of the following:

CPU
Motherboard
RAM
HDD
GPU
PSU
Case
Optical
OS

Not happening on $350. The OS alone is $100. The cheapest CPU is about $50, as is the board. RAM doesn't get cheaper than $50. A good case and PSU is at least $100. Right there is your entire budget. No GPU, no optical, no HDD, and definitely no gaming.

You really need at least $600 to start a decnet quality build. Now, if you don't need some of those things (mainly the OS and either GPU or CPU/mobo/RAM), then we can do something.
 
What type of RAM? I'm assuming DDR2. It's not a good idea to build a new PC using that right now. It's dying tech.

A 320 GB HDD is still $50. For $5 more, you can get one of the fastest 500 GB drives out there.

I'll see what I can throw together real fast. It will not be good for gaming though...

Working on the actual build...

CPU/Mobo: X2 240 and ASUS M4A77TD Combo for $109 after rebate
RAM: Kingston ValueRAM 2 x 1GB DDR3 1066 $58
HDD: Seagate 7200.12 500 GB $55
PSU/Optical: Corsair 400W and cheap SATA DVD burner $60 after rebate
Case: GIGABYTE gz-ph1a3 $20
GPU: HD 4650 $30 after rebate

Total: $332 after rebates. I'm only confident in saying you can play games at 1280x1024 decently.
 
That's also a DDR2 version of the HD4650, which will be muttly. If a HD4650 is all the GPU you can afford right now, at least get a DDR3 version. Better still, stretch your budget to a HD4670.
Particularly assuming a future GPU upgrade, pick up a 430W Antec Earthwatts or 400W Corsair PSU at the least, although for 1920x1080 gaming, you will really want a GPU more likely to need a quality 500W PSU. Look for full range active PFC (no little voltage switch) and 80+ certification. Antec, Corsair, PC Power & Cooling, Seasonic, and Enermax are among the better brands.