[Suggest a Build] Gaming PC between $400-500

christian25555

Distinguished
Nov 21, 2010
26
0
18,530
Hello, please suggest me a build between this price range. This must include everything (excluding keyboard, mouse, and monitor) I don't have an OS either (would like to go with Windows 7). It has to be within this budget, I am an high school student who does not receive much money so make sure to take into consideration shipping and taxes.

Please outline the pros and cons of this build, I would like an overall super fast computer (I am not really sure about what CPU's i should get, but I want my computer to be lightning fast), I want to be able to game but I am not a huge gamer, I am mainly a student, play some MMO's but not stuff like modern warfare, but hopefully this build can handle it.

Please tell me why you put each part.

Thanks in advance!
 

Bbpsword

Distinguished
Aug 8, 2010
100
0
18,690
There's been no suggestions because it's impossible to get a lightning fast rig for 400-500. I have the cheapest "lightning fast" compy I can configure, and it's 950 bucks. You will have to make SERIOUS compromises, especially if you want Windows 7.

Also, it wont be a gaming computer.
 

christian25555

Distinguished
Nov 21, 2010
26
0
18,530
it actually isn't 'impossible' to do so. I just received a reply from a different forum, which is not half bad, as long as someone helps i would appreciate it but this type of comment doesn't help me out at all (neither anyone else who would look at this thread for an idea for their own build)
 
Blp is wrong. He is just being dumb. What resolution is the monitor? If it is a high res like 1080P at 500$ don't expect a SUPER performing system. By the way, just something to tell you, after a few hours you don't need to bump your post. It's in the forum rules... Mods hate it. I hate it to.

Anyway, your build defineatly won't be LIGHTNING fast, but it'll be good enough to run games at like 1440x900 or 1280x800 or around that area. But yeah, no 500$ build is going to be a "Lightning fast build" that's where Bbp is right. But He's being dumb when he says 950$ is the cheapest lightning fast you can do. 800$ could get you one.

I'll post the build later.
 

Bbpsword

Distinguished
Aug 8, 2010
100
0
18,690
You forgot to include Windows 7. He said he needed it in the build. When I said 950 for a lightning fast pc, that was with windows. To get that hardware for 500 is fine, but without an OS (requested in first post) and then call me stupid is just plain ignorant.
 
Well Sorry if you took that to offense bps. I mean you could get a pretty fast build for only 800$ in the current market. Another thing is I didn't include OS because if he DOES know a person who works at Microsoft, they can get Win7 for 1 user for only 30$.

Umm This'll allow room for upgrade in the future, but BD (Bulldozer) is coming out next year Q2 or Q3ish. And that is a AM3+ socket. But perhaps it might allow you to use it on AM3 socket like AM2+ and AM3.

Another thing that is Wintec AmpX ram, if you can save any money I'd save it. Even if at the cost of a cheaper brand ram.

Umm total cost is 466$. But if you don't include OS you could add this card, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121390

A much better card and it's really great OCer plus it'll play most games you want. With that your price would be 495$ instead of 466$. So yeah. You pay for performance.
 

duk3

Distinguished
Jan 15, 2010
757
0
19,010
Computer for $498.91 with windows 7 included:

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F4 HD322GJ/U 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152244

MSI N450GTS-M2D1GD5/OC GeForce GTS 450 (Fermi) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127527
Comes with free HAWX 2 and an upgrade for civ5 to deluxe
Promo code BTEZZZS32 and a $25 mail in rebate

AMD Athlon II X3 445 Rana 3.1GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX445WFGMBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103872

Rosewill Blackbone Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
and
LG 22X DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model GH22LS50 LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.542821

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
and
ASUS M4N68T-M AM3 NVIDIA Geforce 7025/nForce 630a Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.552625

OCZ Signature 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model OCZ3SR1333LV4GK
and
OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC ...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.545738
$10 and $20 Mail in rebates, Promo code nov68

You can upgrade the graphics card, get a better processor (Phenom II x4) and get 8gb of ram (2x4gb only, not necessary however as gaming only uses 4gb max).

If you have a friend that you can get windows 7 from, let us know so we can find you some faster parts.
 

christian25555

Distinguished
Nov 21, 2010
26
0
18,530
Thanks for another option. as for now i do not have a friend that has windows 7, but if anyone knows where i can get it for extremely cheap then that would help a lot! Also quick question about the mobo, what is better the micro atx or just atx, cause i don't know much about mobo's. But when i wanted to build a comp before (but never found the money to do so) people suggested me the regular atx.
 

duk3

Distinguished
Jan 15, 2010
757
0
19,010
ATX is larger so more stuff can fit on the board, that is the only real difference in general.

That particular microATX board only has 2 ram slots, that is fine however as 4gb is all you will need for gaming and I wanted to get the fastest components possible.

Another downside is that it only has 1 PCI-E slot, this means that you cannot use two graphics cards in an SLI/Crossfire configuration. However, you can still buy a new graphics card that is faster in the future, and sell your old one to help with costs.

However, despite all of this, the upside to all of this is that it makes fitting in the gts450 possible for the best FPS at your budget.

Microsoft used to have a very nice deal where you could get Windows 7 Home Premium for $30, however it looks like they got rid of it and replaced it with this one for Windows 7 Professional for $65: http://www.microsoft.com/student/en/us/windows/buynow/default.aspx

Unfortunately, you need an email address that has .edu at the end (like leina@contoso.edu), and you have to be taking credits in college, which unfortunately makes you, a high school student ineligible for M$'s student discount...

If you have a friend in college though they could get you a copy with the discount.
 
Well if you looked at my picture, you could see the case is a mid tower ATX usually that'll fit everything, Full towers are usually for water cooling or just larger cards and larger heatsinks.

The cheapest way is A MICROSOFT EMPLOYEE!!!! If your parents know someone who works at microsoft they can get it for 30$.
 

christian25555

Distinguished
Nov 21, 2010
26
0
18,530
oh okay, another quick question about the os, i hear that you have to download it, is there a way for them to send you a CD instead?

also i have been researching builds all day and i came up with this, it may be a little over my budget but i am still in need for a video card, which would you suggest can't be that expensive though, here is an image of what i have so far:


Untitled-5.jpg

 

duk3

Distinguished
Jan 15, 2010
757
0
19,010
I am not sure about the download.
You really don't want to get that build.
You left no room for a video card, which is arguably the most important part of your build as you are gaming. What games are you playing?

If you aren't going to include windows 7 in the budget, than I'd go for this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147023
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152244
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130572
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.543364
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.545738
Total: $502.22
That build has a GPU that can actually play games, and the same Phenom x4 955.