Can I get a PC for 360$ that performs like the one mentioned inside?

[theorist]

OK, I know that might sound like a stupid question, and I know the answer already, but I'm just asking here because a couple of weeks ago I've helped my uncle buying a new PC, here are the specs:

Processor: AMD Phenom ll 955 3.2 GHz
VGA: Gigabyte 450GTS 1 GB
MoBo: I think it was GA-770T-UD3P
H.D.D.: WDC Blue 5000AAKS
RAM: 2X2 GB non-brand-name 1333GHz DDR3
DVD Writer: Lite-On (didn't pay attention to the exact model because there is only one model in my country)
PSU: FSP 500 Watt SAGA ll+
Monitor: Samsung BX1931N

Total cost: 600 USD

Anyway, a couple of ours ago a medio-core technician (in 3rd world standards) told him that he could built a similar machine with 400$, and taking into consideration price differences, 400$ equals about 360$ in global prices (each distributor here can put the price he likes), and now as you can see it looks like if I cheated on my uncle, I just hope that you guys clear this by answering the question mentioned in the title, I'm seeking the truth no matter what it really is, and I'll send the link to my uncle so he can see your posts.
(Take into considration that he doesn't want to buy anything from cheap brands like AsRock)
Thanks in advance and many apologies for the inconvenience if any.

P.S.: (BTW, I highly doubt the guys intentions)

 

[theorist]

And there is a little more thing, he told him that AMD processors aren't good, and Intel's are the TOP NOTCH wehn it comes to CPUs..
Is that true?
(Take into considration that the bdget can never go above 600 $ and gaming is important, OC is not)?

(I know it isn't true anyway)

 

[mortonww]

There's absolutely no way you could get that level of performance from a $360 computer. The Phenom II + GT450 you might swap for a lower-spec athlon + GTS 450, but you'd lose frames and your cpu wouldn't be as strong. You could get 2 GB of RAM, but that's just not enough.

Yeah, you can't do it. Especially not with a monitor included. At least, I can't imagine how.

EDIT: Intel CPUs are generally faster than AMD cpus, but at $600 with gaming as a priority an AMD cpu is the right choice because it will perform very well /for games/. It will be outdone by an i5 760 or i5 2500k in anything else, though. http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/191?vs=102

But it's more expensive and won't improve your frame rates as much as having a stronger graphics card, so you definitely made the right choice for the budget.

 

[flatbaler87]

Can you get that exact build for $360? No.

All the parts you listed are currently on Newegg for ~ $542.93 + $21.79 Shipping

Could you get something comparable for a lot less?

Yes you can!

 

[aebome]

As you can see below, I have matched your build as closely as possible using Newegg ($US) pricing. While the monitor you list is not available here, the one used below should be comparable.

Using the parts specified, I have reached a price about $630. Given some tweaking on parts and some combos, I could probably get it down to $550-$575, but that requires US parts availability and Newegg's combo prices, which clearly aren't available to you. To get to $400 USD would likely require dropping the graphics card significantly or altogether, and using a slower processor, as well as potentially dropping to 2GB RAM.


LITE-ON DVD Writer - Bulk - Black SATA Model iHAS224-06 LightScribe Support - OEM
Item #: N82E16827106333
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$18.99


Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136073
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$49.99


SAMSUNG E1920X Glossy Black 18.5" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor
Item #: N82E16824001382
Return Policy: Monitor Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
-$20.00 Instant
$139.99
$119.99


GIGABYTE GA-770T-USB3 AM3 AMD 770 USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813128431
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$89.99


GIGABYTE GV-N450-1GI GeForce GTS 450 (Fermi) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Item #: N82E16814125342
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
-$10.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$129.99
$119.99


FSP Group SAGA+ 500R 500W ATX2.2 Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817104069
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
-$10.00 Instant
$64.99
$54.99


G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBNS
Item #: N82E16820231396
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$39.99


AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX
Item #: N82E16819103808
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$139.99

Subtotal: $633.92

 

[stingstang]

I second the above post, and as far as AMD vs Intel is concerned, there's a nice post about low-cost CPUs on toms which compares the processors. If you can afford an i3 2xxx then you'll have the best proc up to 180 dollars or so. Under 120 dollars, you're best bet is an Athlon II.

 

[banthracis]

For $360 no. However, for $400 not including a monitor, may be doable.

Quick search, this Newegg combo for $355 after rebate does perform about the same, but lacks a monitor.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.611783

CPU isn't as good, but other components are better.

Throw in a 5770 for $100 and it's around ~$455

You can probably look around for your own combo's and bring the price after rebates to about $400. Also doable if you live in the US near a microcenter and take advantage of their excellent CPu + mobo deals.

However, I'd personally never use either build due to the low end PSU's used.

Yes Intel CPU's are the top performers, but they're also a lot more expensive than AMD ones. This may be changing though, since in the $100-$200 range the new Sandy bridge CPU's actually are a better value if you don't OC.

 

[bliq00]

Dollars to donuts that tech is planning to use used and/or last generation parts.

 

[theorist]

Thanks all, I apreciate all posts..



banthracis
In my country there is nothing called combos, and 5770 costs 180 USD here..
And Sandy bridge didn't reach our markets.

Can you get that exact build for $360? No.

All the parts you listed are currently on Newegg for ~ $542.93 + $21.79 Shipping

Could you get something comparable for a lot less?

Yes you can!

Hmmmmmmm..
I hope you tell me how, because if that is true I seriously may consider buying a new machine..
But remember, no combos in my country whatsoever..

As for my uncle, take into consideration that the PC wasn't meant only for games, you can say that he wanted a PC that handles pretty much everything at the best performance for the money. He is the kind of people that would be mad if he tried BadaBoom for example and didn't get the highest performance available for the budget.
So you can't favor "one kind of performance' to "other kind of performance" here.

 

[theorist]

and 5770 costs 180 USD here

Sorry, I meant 160$.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

your build with the 955 and GTS 450 is a VERY solid all-around build. To get to $400 requires at the least dropping the CPU to an X3, and probly cutting back to something like a 5450 or older generation graphics card. You can't be better for less money.

that tech is lying.

 

[theorist]

Best answer selected by theorist.