Very Low Budget, Upgradeable Gaming PC

[anemoneman]

Well, I only have about $300 being a broke, incoming college freshman, and I need to be able to play fallout 3/ New Vegas and Dragon Age, at low settings if necessary. I could possibly go up to a max of $500 if needed (which I understand probably will be haha). What I am looking for is to build a computer whose components I can upgrade over time so that it will eventually become a more capable rig.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

[striker410]

Hey there. It sounds like a challenge, to I'm willing to accept. Can you fill this form out first though? It gives us more info. http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

I'l get back to you!

 

[anemoneman]

Approximate Purchase Date: Before August 2011

Budget Range: $200-500


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (Xbox 360/PS3 Replacement), I have a laptop for everything else


Parts Not Required: Mouse, keyboard, monitor


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Any reliable website/ store


Country of Origin: Well, I'm in the US


Parts Preferences: Intel processor, Nvidia graphics

Overclocking: Yes / No / Maybe


SLI or Crossfire: Yes / No / Maybe


Monitor Resolution: N/A


Additional Comments: The smaller the better, but I value price and ventilation over size. I plan to upgrade this over time, as $300 is not much at all, so the case needs to be easily upgradeable.

 

[striker410]

Ok prepare yourself, I went overbudget. However, I did the best I could for a budget gaming system.

I didn't include OS, because if you have a .edu email address I believe you can get Windows for a significant amount off.

CPU: Intel core i3-2100 3.1GHz dual core BUNDLED WITH GIgabyte H67M-D2 motherboard: $209
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.660600

GPU: Not Nvidia, but still an excellent card. Performs slightly better than equivalent Nvidia card. HIS 5770 1GB: $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161338

Case: Xigmatek Asgard II $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811815006

PSU: Antec Earthwatts 380w 80+ bronze $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033

RAM: G.Skill 2x2GB 1333MHz ram $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253&cm_re=g.skill-_-20-231-253-_-Product

HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 $65 ($60 at amazon)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

DVD: Sony Optaric lightscribe $22
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118040

Total is $475 before shipping.

This rig should play some of the top tier games at lowered detail. It SHOULD be BF3 ready as it's DX11 capable and runs BC2 pretty well.

It should be in your budget, as long as you can get the OS for cheap.

 

[NotANerd]

Wow, great rig! going to book mark it for myself.

I have some info on the student discount.

Win7 @ 29.99

http://www.microsoft.com/student/en/us/windows/buynow/default.aspx

 

[striker410]

Wow thanks bro! And that's a very helpful link.

 

[NotANerd]

You're welcome! I"ve seen some of your other posts and you seem to give good heartfelt advice. I try to be helpful and not muck up too much around here, or anywhere else.

 

[anemoneman]

Thanks, that looks like a great build. However, I think I'll still go for an Nvidia only because my PS1 emulator, video plugin likes them better. And student discounts sure are nice.

 

[striker410]

Alright then. Subsitute this one for the 5770: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130573&cm_re=gts_450-_-14-130-573-_-Product It comes with photoshop and signature EVGA warranty!

 

[Outlander_04]

In this price range intel is not your best choice .

Have a look at the Toms hardware system builder $500 PC
An AMD quad , a graphics card that can kick sand in the face of any puny console , and
Its going to leave the intel build suggested above for dead in gaming

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/budget-gaming-pc-phenom-ii-radeon-hd-6850,2903.html


Use it as a guide , but pick deals on components. Replace the cpu with a phenom 840 if you have to , and you will still have a stronger processor than the intel 2100
BUT make sure you get an AM3 + motherboard so you can upgrade to AMD's next generation processors at some later time . Consider m-ATX motherboards . Generally cheaper and unless you have 6 expansion cards you want to use they work just as well as ATX

 

[ps3hacker12]

Ok prepare yourself, I went overbudget. However, I did the best I could for a budget gaming system.

I didn't include OS, because if you have a .edu email address I believe you can get Windows for a significant amount off.

CPU: Intel core i3-2100 3.1GHz dual core BUNDLED WITH GIgabyte H67M-D2 motherboard: $209
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.660600

GPU: Not Nvidia, but still an excellent card. Performs slightly better than equivalent Nvidia card. HIS 5770 1GB: $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161338

Case: Xigmatek Asgard II $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811815006

PSU: Antec Earthwatts 380w 80+ bronze $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033

RAM: G.Skill 2x2GB 1333MHz ram $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253&cm_re=g.skill-_-20-231-253-_-Product

Total is $475 before shipping.

This rig should play some of the top tier games at lowered detail. It SHOULD be BF3 ready as it's DX11 capable and runs BC2 pretty well.

It should be in your budget, as long as you can get the OS for cheap.

you forgot mobo and cd drive.

heres a list that i put together: (hopefully i havent missed anything)


ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
Item #: N82E16827135204
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$20.00


Xigmatek ASGARD II B/S CPC-T45UD-U01 Black / Silver 0.8 mm SECC / Aluminum and Aluminum Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer ...
Item #: N82E16811815005

$29.99


ASUS M5A88-V EVO AM3+ AMD 880G SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813131733

$129.99

Galaxy 44GGS8HX3VXZ GeForce GT 440 (Fermi) 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
Item #: N82E16814162077

$64.99


Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power ...
Item #: N82E16817371033

$39.99


Mushkin Enhanced Essentials 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model ...
Item #: N82E16820146748
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy

$38.99

AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - C3 Revision HDZ555WFGMBOX

$87.99

Subtotal: $411.94

leaves space for OS and anything else, the gt440 should play most games today on high/mid settings but for $55 more you can get a 5770 too, if you want to run games on high/ultra settings:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161338&cm_re=5770-_-14-161-338-_-Product

the mobo i chose is AM3+ CPU upgradable, will allow for Crossfire (with a small loss of 2-3fps due to x16/x4), USB3 and sataIII.

also forgot HDD, thats another $40 or so.

 

[striker410]

In this price range intel is not your best choice .

Have a look at the Toms hardware system builder $500 PC
An AMD quad , a graphics card that can kick sand in the face of any puny console , and
Its going to leave the intel build suggested above for dead in gaming

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/budget-gaming-pc-phenom-ii-radeon-hd-6850,2903.html


Use it as a guide , but pick deals on components. Replace the cpu with a phenom 840 if you have to , and you will still have a stronger processor than the intel 2100
BUT make sure you get an AM3 + motherboard so you can upgrade to AMD's next generation processors at some later time . Consider m-ATX motherboards . Generally cheaper and unless you have 6 expansion cards you want to use they work just as well as ATX

Do I need to bust out the benchmarks, again? Granted the 6850 will be better, but you still fail to comprehend that the 2100 is a much better processor for gaming. If he can fit a 6850, then good. But the 2100 will beat the pants off the 840. Time for benchmarks again I guess....... http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/188?vs=289 the 840 is nothing but a 100mhz clocked higher 645. They sell it under the phenom name to price gouge.
As you can see, the 2100 DOMINATES the phenom. Like, 30 FPS or more. Even in productivity apps it wins most of the time!

Even accounting for price drops, you are still well over budget with OS. You are looking at $550 easily with OS.

I'd also like to point out that you'd need to switch to the GTX 460 to fit with the OP's requests.

OP, I apologize for this confusion. Hopefully this should clear things up.

 

[striker410]

you forgot mobo and cd drive.

Ah, yes I did. However I did factor in the cost. Thanks for the catch.

 

[JoeMomma]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=500251&CatId=5205

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7283244&CatId=3669

$320 - $20 rebate + $110 - $35 rebate = $375

I won't debate there are better choices, but this answers your request.

 

[Outlander_04]

Do I need to bust out the benchmarks, again? Granted the 6850 will be better, but you still fail to comprehend that the 2100 is a much better processor for gaming. If he can fit a 6850, then good. But the 2100 will beat the pants off the 840. Time for benchmarks again I guess....... http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/188?vs=289 the 840 is nothing but a 100mhz clocked higher 645. They sell it under the phenom name to price gouge.
As you can see, the 2100 DOMINATES the phenom. Like, 30 FPS or more. Even in productivity apps it wins most of the time!

Even accounting for price drops, you are still well over budget with OS. You are looking at $550 easily with OS.

I'd also like to point out that you'd need to switch to the GTX 460 to fit with the OP's requests.

OP, I apologize for this confusion. Hopefully this should clear things up.

I see your inexperience with benchmarks leading you astray again .

Sure with the same graphics card the intel might win , but if you want a SYSTEM that matches the OP's desire for a $300 computer , upgradability then the system I mentioned above is the far superior .

The answer to everything is not " buy the fastest intel you can" . This is a lesson you should learn at some stage .
The intel system with a low end gfx card will not be a decent gamer compared to a Phenom/athlon with a better gfx card .
Worse still is the H67 mb being a dead end .

Here
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html
is a better representation of the relative strengths of various processors
In real life situations the Intel i3 2100 is about 3% better than the Phenom 840
The cost of that 3% is too high ......unless you plan on wasting the OP's money

Still dont believe me?
The guys that run this website think Phenom is the way to build a $500 computer .

 

[striker410]

I see your inexperience with benchmarks leading you astray again .

Sure with the same graphics card the intel might win , but if you want a SYSTEM that matches the OP's desire for a $300 computer , upgradability then the system I mentioned above is the far superior .

The answer to everything is not " buy the fastest intel you can" . This is a lesson you should learn at some stage .
The intel system with a low end gfx card will not be a decent gamer compared to a Phenom/athlon with a better gfx card .
Worse still is the H67 mb being a dead end .

Here
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html
is a better representation of the relative strengths of various processors
In real life situations the Intel i3 2100 is about 3% better than the Phenom 840
The cost of that 3% is too high ......unless you plan on wasting the OP's money

Still dont believe me?
The guys that run this website think Phenom is the way to build a $500 computer .

Alright buddy, we are at odds again. I say 2100. Why? It's $10 more for like, 30FPS more with an equal card.
I've proven that the i3-2100 wins IN GAMING, which is what this guy wants it for. Show me a gaming benchmark that doesn't have a significant difference.

As for saying H67 is a dead end, you are plain wrong. LGA 1155 is going to be around for AT LEAST 1 more generation, probably 2.
AM3+ can say the same, but I would bet you it won't be around for more than one generation. Look at AM2+.

Lastly, from the rumors circulating Bulldozer will only match Sandy Bridge. This means it will be outdated in the coming months. With LGA 1155, you have the option to get a new CPU with Ivy Bridge. AM3+? You better hope Bulldozer is good, FOR GAMING.

I can't seem to knock it into your skill. We are talking GAMING, not productivity. GAMING. As I've shown, the 2100 clearly wins.

As for price, this is the cheapest board I could find with USB3, Sata3, and AM3+: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157243&cm_re=am3%2b-_-13-157-243-_-Product It's $100. Same as H67. Now learn up.

 

[anemoneman]

What's your opinion on this case:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154098

And would it work with the power supply?

 

[striker410]

What's your opinion on this case:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154098

And would it work with the power supply?

Looks ok. I would prefer a HAF 912: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233&Tpk=haf%20912 But this one is pretty similar, albeit less cooling.

And yes, it has a universal power supply spot.

 

[anemoneman]

Here's a screenshot of my shopping cart. I'll buy the video card/dvd drive later when I get more money.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[striker410]

Looks OK. You'll be able to use the onboard for anything but gaming. And you'll need a DVD/CD drive to install OS.

 

[anemoneman]

I'll use ubuntu for a while probably

 

[ps3hacker12]

I'll use ubuntu for a while probably

you can use an external cd drive too, if you have one.

 

[Outlander_04]

I've proven that the i3-2100 wins IN GAMING, which is what this guy wants it for. .

If you had the same gfx card in both systems the i3 2100 probably would win .

But the phenom with the 6850 graphics card [thats about 4 times as powerful as the puny GTS 450 you were recommending] will game FAR better , and at higher quality settings .
If you dont know even this much why are you offering advice?


Now to fit in budget ,with the 2100 ,the poor OP cant even afford ANY graphics card .... so how did you help him build a GAMING computer?

 

[striker410]

If you had the same gfx card in both systems the i3 2100 probably would win .

But the phenom with the 6850 graphics card [thats about 4 times as powerful as the puny GTS 450 you were recommending] will game FAR better , and at higher quality settings .
If you dont know even this much why are you offering advice?


Now to fit in budget ,with the 2100 ,the poor OP cant even afford ANY graphics card .... so how did you help him build a GAMING computer?

It was his choice to wait... I don't intend to hijack this thread with any more useless arguing. OP has his build.

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

To the op, with you being a student, many times the colleges allow you to buy an OS for 20 bucks or so. At least that's the way it was when I was in school.