Extreme budget first-person shooter build

[allegator]

I'm in college and I have a macbook that is strictly for school work and projects. I used to have a gaming PC that was pretty nice and a homebuild back at home and I'm starting to miss it.

Since I already have a laptop for school, I will be using this PC strictly for running OLD FPS GAMES and EMULATORS. I do NOT run games like Crysis. I run games like Crossfire and Counter Strike 1.6 and Source.

I will need all hardware. I'm starting from scratch so a cheap monitor and keyboard will suffice (I have a copy of Windows XP).

Because of the spacial constraints of a typical dorm, I will need the case to be small and the monitor will also need to have a small footprint.

My budget is about $500. All will be purchased from Newegg (USA). I am hoping for a small, quiet, FPS machine.

Thank you for your input and time!

 

[Alvin Smith]

Lessee ...
Going smaller than a mid-tower complicates your choices for PSUs and Discreet graphics cards, not to mention possible cooling and RAM/cooler clearance issues. I would hope that a standard mid-tower, under the desk, would not cramp your style, too much.
So ... I'm just going to spec a standard fps, on the low end, and not cheap out so bad that you would feel it in the next few years. Something that would last 'till you graduate and would be easy to upgrade, if need be.

I'm going to say a Socket AM3 *standard* ATX mobo ... An Athlon II x4 @ 3.0GHz ... And 4GB (2x2) of G.SKILL 1600c7 eco-ram ... a sub-$50 120mm cooler ... uhm ... A 5750 GPU (stretch for a 5770 if u can) ... A CORSAIR or Antec PSU at 550W~650W ... Two 500GB SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 drives and a $22 DVDR (SONY OR SAMSUNG).

I might throw some links, later ... pretty lazy.

= Al =

 

[allegator]

I'm a college student, so I understand the laziness.

I have a coolermaster case at home and it is much bigger than I thought it would be. The reason it isn't at college is because of the size. A small mid tower would be fine. I'm looking to build something that will give me more possibilities for the money rather than a PS3... Cause otherwise I'll just buy a PS3 haha.

The biggest thing is that:
I can get 80+ FPS in low-grade shooters
Fits in the dorm
Comes in under 400-500$ WITH MONITOR (it can be a crappy monitor...)

 

[karma831]

I don't know if the case or monitor footing is small enough

Its a few bucks over budget...could switch the HD for the 500GB version if staying under is important (its $10bucks for double the capacity).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433
vs
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

 

[Alvin Smith]

Karma's build looks good ... You can get an Athlon-II x4 @ 3.0GHz for $100 (I would).

 

[allegator]

Budget is extemely important. This PC won't be used for anything except wrecking people in first person shooters (in low detail).

Pretty much attempting to build a small PC that is a gaming system.

This is the case at home: Cooler Master 690 II
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137&cm_re=cm_690-_-11-119-137-_-Product

And it is way too big. I do like your build though.

What would you guys change about this build?
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-pc-build-a-pc-overclock,2739.html

I would probably try and balance the budget to get 4 gigs of RAM in the SBM build, but I'm unsure of where I could find the wiggle room for that purchase in that build.

 

[Alvin Smith]

COOLER MASTER Centurion 541 RC-541-SKN1 Black Aluminum bezel, SECC chassis MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case 5/5(262 reviews) Now: $54.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119088&cm_re=mini-tower-_-11-119-088-_-Product

GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard 4/5(1,012 reviews) In stock. Was: $84.99Now: $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128394

AMD Athlon II X3 440 Rana 3.0GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX440WFGIBOX 5/5(171 reviews) Now: $74.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103843&cm_re=440-_-19-103-843-_-Product


Antec EarthWatts EA-500D Green 500W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply Was: $89.99Now: $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371035

Mushkin Enhanced Essentials 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996586 5/5(15 reviews) Now: $49.99

 

[Alvin Smith]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146748

So ... Are we getting warmer???

That was a mini-tower ... half the size of a mid-tower .... takes a regular PSU and a MATX mobo ...

... I would NOT go with a cheaper PSU ... REALLY! ... Check the mobo specs against the RAM but I'm sure this will fly.

 

[allegator]

I know integrated graphics performance is not as great as discrete. But, I'm unsure how great the gap between them is.

What's the best bang-for-your-buck graphics card under $100? Or, do you think those integrated graphics can handle low quality shooters?

 

[Alvin Smith]

Nope ... you are going to need a 5750 ... period.

You can get a 250GT or a 5670, and eek by.

 

[Alvin Smith]

PS ... you pay nothing for integrated graphics but very few gamers use/enable the /iGP ... almost all MATX mobos come with IGP ... good to have, if you ever re-task the sys or GPU ... good for troubleshooting and very simple games, HTPC, etc.

 

[batuchka]

GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard 4/5(1,012 reviews) In stock. Was: $84.99Now: $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128394

Mushkin Enhanced Essentials 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996586 5/5(15 reviews) Now: $49.99

Negative: AM2+ with DDR2 DIMM slots for RAM mobo incompatible with DDR3 RAMs

Memory
Number of Memory Slots
4×240pin
Memory Standard
DDR2 1200 (OC) / 1066 /800 / 667

 

[Alvin Smith]

@Bat,

I can afford to be sloppy, with sharp kitties, such as yourself, around, but yaz coulda also thrown a link for the right sticks.

= ?? = ( slob )

 

[Alvin Smith]

I thot AM3 implied DDR3x240p

 

[ScrewySqrl]

this build down to basics.

Here is a build that no only can do your old school FPS, but can run modern games as well:, its a little over budget at $511.92.

AMD Athlon II X3 445 and AS Rock 770 Mobo: $123.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.547178
the triple core is a great choice for your older games, while still enough muscle to run modern games.

500 GB Seagate HDD: $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

Samsung 22x DVD Burner: $16.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151192

COOLER MASTER Elite RC-310-OWR460 Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case RS-460-PSAR-J3, Elite 460W Power Supply : $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119218

Hanns-G 18.5" 1366x768 Monitor: $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254054
small screen, but it will do the trick.

ECS GTS 450 1 GB Video card: $114.99 w/ $20 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814134119

Rosewill EK-200 Keyboard $6.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823201009

X-Gene 800dpi mouse: $3.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826129049

Mushkin 4GB DDR3-1333 RAM: $49.99 w/$10 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146748

Total: $506.91, $476.91 after rebates

you can save a bunch on shipping by buying a keyboard and mouse locally instead of these, but they should be typical prices for a local mouse/keyboard

 

[Timop]

Why are you guys using Tri-cores and GTS450s for source and emulators? A dual core+mid-range GPU will do fine. At that resolution, the GTS450/5750 can even run Metro with nice settings.

Heres a (relatively) tiny build for the cheap.

Rosewill slim uATX case: $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147098

Athlon X2 250 $59
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103903

Biostar AM3 board $38
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138180

Mushkin 4GB DDR3 $50/$40AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146748

Seagate 500GB HDD $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

Sony DVD Burner: $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151192

Sapphire 5570 $70/$55AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102875

i-rocks keybrad: $13
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823204019

Mouse $10
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826281002

Hanns-G 18inch Monitor $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254054

Total: $430/$405AR

 

[Alvin Smith]

I like the squirrel build better ... College lasts 4 years (if you don't play too many games and drop out). I would hardly call a fast tri-core over-kill.

 

[Timop]

I like the squirrel build better ... College lasts 4 years (if you don't play too many games and drop out). I would hardly call a fast tri-core over-kill.

Tri-core isn't "overkill", but since for for his needs a dual core would be enough, a cool and energy efficient Dual-core CPU stuffed in a little case (rather than a full ATX tower) might just be better considering his size limitations.

Its up to him to decide though. Maybe skipping the tri-core and nicer GPU might just result in his timely graduation.

 

[Alvin Smith]

Well he did say "Extreme Budget" ... maybe, he really did mean that.

I believe there is a point (in cheaping out) that you actually "shoot your foot off" .

The world's landfills are full of under-built PCs that met a too-early demise.

Heck, with "The New Global Literacy of Multimedia Communications" ... It is hard to imagine a dorm PC as not being used to rip-burn-transcode and "surf-while".

My kid is going into kollidge next year and she needs a new puter now ... A 440 is the least I would consider, for her dorm-kit, and she does not even game.

This is more of a philosophical debate, tho. "Throw-Away" solutions *can* be best.

= touche' = (pr. "tooshie").

 

[Timop]

Well he did say "Extreme Budget" ... maybe, he really did mean that.

I believe there is a point (in cheaping out) that you actually "shoot your foot off" .

The world's landfills are full of under-built PCs that met a too-early demise.

Heck, with "The New Global Literacy of Multimedia Communications" ... It is hard to imagine a dorm PC as not being used to rip-burn-transcode and "surf-while".

My kid is going into kollidge next year and she needs a new puter now ... A 440 is the least I would consider, for her dorm-kit, and she does not even game.

This is more of a philosophical debate, tho. "Throw-Away" solutions *can* be best.

= touche' = (pr. "tooshie").

Since you're going this route.

First of all, remember this is a secondary machine as he has a trusty old macbook for his everyday activities. Then, for the needs he stated the dual core setup will actually be already slightly over-qualified as source games on 1366*768 can be actually passable with a IGP, so the 440 will not fare any better.

Even in the case that he ever wants to do some more extreme gaming/number crunching, the most environmentally friendly solution will be using his existing rig he has back home, as neither the 440 nor the 250 will satisfy his needs and he definitely will need a better CPU. So as a result of the 440s higher TDP, he will waste roughly ~40KWh of electricity per year it is used(4 hours a day, 300 days/year), without factoring in the increased A/C costs due to a warm room.

Besides, this build is definitely not "under-built" for 75% of the population. Even for an enthusiast, it wont go to waste in the next few years, as it could live a happy new life in a TV cabinet as a nice litter streamer/HTPC.

XD

 

[Alvin Smith]

PS3

 

[allegator]

Wow! This all looks great. I'm going to take some time tomorrow and comb through all of this and do some deep thinking of what I really need and can afford.

Thanks!

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

If you have a microcenter nearby, run in there many great deals, like now, you can grab an athlon II x4 and get an msi board for like 12.99. Also, lets be real guys, a 5750? Good choice, but a 4670 will fit the budget a lot better and give him a bit of good gaming, my old 9600 gt gives about the same performance and runs most things just fine, may have to turn details down sometimes or turn down AA sometimes but cmon he can always upgrade. Power supply, not what everyone will say, but there is a 460 watt cooler master in microcenter for 27.99 i would think newegg has it too. Its not your best top of the line unit, however you are trying to save money, and this helps, but does have 2 12 v+ rails at 18 amps each, and seems to have decent weight, cut the psu cost in half, it should power fine, i would not run sli on it, but should power a single card rig no problem, u can always put another in later. I think you grab that psu, 4 gb ram, and a 4670, you will love your computer. I like the quad better bc you are more future proofed, you want more power next year, grab a new power supply and a 5850 or 460, whatever way you want.

 

[Alvin Smith]

I'll just say that it is not possible to manufacture a safe PSU for under $45 ...
Don't put your entire dorm in danger.

I ain't being a hissy, about this ... I used to be on the other side of this argument but ... There have been MANY threads on this subject and every tech that I respect agrees that PSU is NOT the place to shave cost ... ever.

I won't argue, at this point ... been there ... done that.

"We" *did* warn you.

 

[allegator]

Yes, I did mean "exteme budget". The only purpose of this machine will be to do the things that my Macbook is incapable of doing (gaming).

I'm just a college kid who misses his old military-style, search and destroy shooters. I just need cheap, small, PC that is able to achieve 80+fps on a relatively low resolution monitor.

I wouldn't buy a PSU that does not have a good reputation. As for it lasting me the next 4 years? I'd prefer something that has a little upgrade-ability for the next generation of military style shooters, but that's just a bonus.

Just askin' you pro's to find that thin line that borders on budget, reliability, and gaming. I need the cheapest components that fit my size and performance requirements. Pretty much a PC-gaming-console

If they do not exist: I'll go Xbox, Playstation route.

Thanks again!