Staying abroad; really cheap build needed to play LoL

[empeel]

As the title suggests, I am in a bad spot. I am staying in Arizona for a year and I'd like to continue playing League of Legends, but as I can't take the PC back home, I want to spend as little as possible on it. The only thing I brought with me are a mouse, a hard drive and headphones.

The requirements for the game in question are:

Minimum System Requirements

2 GHz processor
1 GB RAM
750 MB available hard disk space
Shader version 2.0 capable video card
DirectX 9.0 capable video card

Recommended System Requirements

3 GHz processor
1 GB RAM
750 MB available hard disk space
GeForce 8800 or equivalent video card

That's not a lot, the challenge for me though is the "as cheap as possible" part. I tried to build a system on my own on Newegg, but I doubt that any good will come of it.
My humble attempt:

Rosewill R101-P-BK 120mm Fan MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $29.99
eMachines E210HVB Black 21.5" Full HD WideScreen LCD Monitor - $99.99
SAPPHIRE 100292DDR3L Radeon HD 5450 1GB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card - $39.99
RAIDMAX RX-450K 450W ATX12V Power Supply - $24.99
GEAR HEAD KB2500U Black USB Slim Keyboard - $2.99
2 x Kingston 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Desktop Memory Model KVR1066D3/2GR - $13.99
SAPPHIRE Pure White Fusion E350 AMD E-350 APU (1.6GHz, Dual-Core) AMD Hudson M1 Mini ITX Motherboard/CPU Combo - $109.99

Subtotal: $321.93

A used system would probably do fine, but I don't know any trustworthy sources around here and I don't want to buy a system that only lasts for a week.

So yeah, as you can see, I am somewhat lost. Should I build from scratch and if yes, which parts, or should I buy a cheap complete build and replace the graphics card? Or does anybody know a good place to get used computers from?

I would greatly appricate any help, I am at my wits' end.

 

[AdrianPerry]

You could:

Buy a cheap crappy case,
Buy a cheap mobo (no crossfire/sli support ect)
Buy a cheap PSU, enough to power the GPU

Leave those behind when you leave

Then:
Buy a fairly decent processor i3/i5
Buy a decent GPU
Buy 4GB of RAM

with the intention to keep the processor, GPU and RAM. After all these are fairly small components and could easily be brought back in hand luggage. Then when your back home just buy a motherboard and case and you have a build again.

---

Just an idea

 

[empeel]

How much would these cost? Also, could you show me a cheap mobo that works, I am always worried that I pick one that then has issues with some other part of the system.

Thanks.

 

[AdrianPerry]

Im really bad with US prices, so take this as a guideline, not the cheapest option:

Motherboard: ASRock H61 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157241
PSU: Corsair 500w http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027
Case: Mid-Tower ATX http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811233062
---

RAM: G.Skill http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276
GPU: 6870 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948
Processor: i3-2100 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078

It would be great if you could post a budget aswell. Bearing in mind im suggesting you keep the GPU, RAM and Processor, you'll only be leaving behind Case, PSU and Motherboard which totals about $130

 

[empeel]

I am aiming to spend about $300, roughly.

I should also say that I have a pretty decent rig at home, so taking the parts with me loses some of its appeal. To be honest, I'd rather pay less than having something that is useful after the year here in America. Staying abroad is expensive enough

Thanks for your help, I appriciate it a lot.

 

[AdrianPerry]

I am aiming to spend about $300, roughly.

I should also say that I have a pretty decent rig at home, so taking the parts with me loses some of its appeal. To be honest, I'd rather pay less than having something that is useful after the year here in America. Staying abroad is expensive enough

Thanks for your help, I appriciate it a lot.

Based on that then i presume your best option is to just literally buy the cheapest option of everything, while meeting the requirements to run the game. AMD and ATI is probably the best way to go in terms of value for money. Sadly im abit of an Intel/Nvidia fan-boy so i wouldn't know where to start on suggesting a budget AMD build for you.

 

[empeel]

What do you think of the setup in my first post? These were chosen using your critera, but I don't know if they work together, are complete crap or if I missed something.

I would be grateful if you could take a look at the build.

 

[AdrianPerry]

I think theres a fairly big question mark over the quality and reliability of RAIDMAX PSU's.

As for the CPU i honestly have no experience with those AMD processors so i wouldn't like to give a definitive yes or no.

 

[empeel]

Thanks for your advice, unfortunately I still have no idea where to go from here

Maybe my inital post is too confusing, should I create another thread like one of those "xxx $ - xxx $ budget gaming build" with just the necessary information?

Something along the lines of:

Looking for really cheap build, requirements:

3 GHz processor
1 GB RAM
GeForce 8800 or equivalent video card (directX 9.0+, Shader version 2.0 capable)

Also need monitor, keyboard.
Have mouse, headphones.

Do you think this would attract more attention, luring in budget oriented people? :lol:

 

[empeel]

Best answer selected by empeel.

 

[AdrianPerry]

^^ Id say thats a good place to start