Building good computer around $500

[RLJeff]

Hello, I am looking to build a good computer around 500 dollars. I would like to be able to play Enemy Territory Quake Wars with decent frame rates, I would also like to be able to use blender(3d program).

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 1 month

BUDGET RANGE: around $500

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming, 3D modelling(blender)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS(using ubuntu)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: tigerdirect.com newegg.com

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: U.S

PARTS PREFERENCES: not really picky but like AMD

OVERCLOCKING: Yes / No / Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes / No / Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1280x1024

 

[Alvin Smith]

looks like a fast x2 or x3 with a 5750 ..

 

[MadAdmiral]

This is as good as you're going to be getting. It doesn't have a powerful CPU or GPU, as to get better graphics, you'll need to cut down the CPU. Even then, you can't afford a decent discrete GPU, so you have to use the integrated graphics. The i3 is your best bet for a middle ground option.

CPU/Mobo: i3-530 and Gigabyte GA-H55M-S2H $200
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $115
HDD/PSU: Seagate 7200.12 500 GB and OCZ StealthXStream 700W $85 after rebate
Case: Coolermaster Elite $40
Optical: Cheap SATA DVD burner $24
HSF (if OC): Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus $35

Total: $499

 

[shortstuff_mt]

How flexible is your budget? As you can see, you can't really build a "gaming" computer for $500. You can build a system that will game decent at your resolution for $600.

AMD Athlon II X3 435 Rana 2.9GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103724&cm_re=athlon_ii_x3-_-19-103-724-_-Product $74.99

GIGABYTE GA-770T-USB3 AM3 AMD 770 USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128431&Tpk=gigabyte%20770t $89.99

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303&cm_re=g.skill_ddr3_1600_4gb_cas_7-_-20-231-303-_-Product $114.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395&Tpk=seagate%20500gb%207200.12 $54.99

SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223C - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151192&cm_re=samsung_22x_sata-_-27-151-192-_-Product $19.99

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&cm_re=antec_three-_-11-129-042-_-Product

Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.359308 $109.94 (Case + PSU combo)

SAPPHIRE 100284L Radeon HD 5750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102859&cm_re=5750-_-14-102-859-_-Product $129.99

Total - $594.88

 

[Alvin Smith]

Ewe !! Admiral !! That is grotesque !!

KID !! Save up your money !! ShortStuff *Has Got The Stuff*


= Al =

 

[logan the huge]

Spending a bit more will probably pay off in the long run but I you can't stretch your budget here's a good $500 build.

Note: all prices include shipping.

DVD burner: $25
Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030

HD: $55
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

Case: $45 ($25 after MIR)
NZXT BETA EVO Classic Series CS-NT-BETA-EVO Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146059

PSU: $51 ($36 after MIR)
CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

MB: $60
ASRock M3A770DE AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157176

RAM: $103
A-DATA Gaming Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model AX3U1600GB2G9-AG - Retail

CPU: $70
AMD Athlon II X3 425 Rana 2.7GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Processor Model ADX425WFGIBOX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103726
^ You could get the 2.9ghz x3 435 instead for $5 more.

GPU: $95
SAPPHIRE 100245HDMI Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102824
^I don't know how good ATI's ubuntu support is but if Nvidia's is better look for a GTS-250 instead(costs a bit more, though).

Total: $504 ($469 after 2 MIRs)

Once you get the rebates, you can add 3 120mm Yate Loon fans to your case for about $16-$17 shipped from Jab-Tech:
http://www.jab-tech.com/YATE-LOON-120mm-Case-Fan-D12SL-12-pr-3009.html
^These are OEM models so they don't come with screws. You'll need to buy some if you don't have any extras lying around.

 

[RLJeff]

Best answer selected by RLJeff.