$500 Gaming build

[Randomacts]

Approximate Purchase Date: (e.g.: this week (the closer the better)) today? I guess I kinda want to specs for him before I go to bed tonight


Budget Range: 500$ Before rebate


System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming, surfing the internet

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg ---> Amazon


Country of Origin: USA


Parts Preferences: by brand or type: None


Overclocking: Maybe I am sure he would want to if he can


SLI or Crossfire: No, but room for him to upgrade on his mother board/case would be a plus but not needed.

Monitor Resolution: Not sure what res is on his monitor


Additional Comments:





tldr;

I have a friend that won $500 on a bet or something and he asked if I could get him a system speced out for him.

He has a monitor, and he has Windows 7.

Newegg.com would be best if it was from there but if it is cheaper I am sure he is willing to get it from Amazon as well.

 

[Randomacts]

I updated in the format that you want

 

[walleyepro]

I highly suggest you wait until the system builder marathon $500 article is released tomorrow. These builds tend to be a great starting point for a custom build and can be tweaked to match your friends needs more closely.

 

[zooted]

Those are always my favorite of the 3 builds in the SBM.

 

[photonboy]

$500 is not nearly enough for a "gaming" PC.

To be considered a "gaming PC" I would not spend less than $150 on the graphics card (often the weakest link).

In fact, when you factor in $100 for Windows 7 x64, a PSU, case, tax, shipping etc it's very difficult to build ANY desktop for $500 or less.

It's important to note the following:
System A: basic PC ($500)
System B: basic PC + $200 (better graphics and CPU)

The extra $200 in System B would make a far, far better gaming system. Once you shell out the minimum to build a system if you spend an extra $200 for better graphics and CPU it makes an incredible difference.

If you can't spend more than $500 my advice is basically to get an XBox Slim, but forget about PC gaming.

 

[Randomacts]

He has a copy of Windows 7... No need to waste money there.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

here you go:

Athlon II X4 640 3.0 GHz: $99.99
ASRock 880GM-LE: $59.99
GSkill 4 GB DDR3-1333: $39.99
Antec EarthWatts 380W 80+ Bronze: $39.99
Seagate 500 GB HDD: $35.99
LG DVD burner: $18.99
HIS HD6850: $169.99 w/ $15 MIR + $10 Newegg gift card
Rosewill R-102 MicroATX mini-tower: $29.99

Toal $494.92 w/ $16 shipping