Looking for much needed advice on Budget gaming PC

[alexgamer415]

I've been looking to build a new PC for a while now, except I have very little experience with picking out parts that will work together/be good. I have no preference for any of the parts. I have a budget of 600-650$. An operating system will not be needed. If you guys could help, I would be very grateful. Thanks.

 

[Emelth]

What kind of games do you plan to play?

 

[inzone]

Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.4GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I52400 $189.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074

ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $124.99 and a $10 rebate for $114.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9Q-8GBXL $52.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231491

Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-750 750W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
$109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049

HITACHI Deskstar 7K1000.D HDS721075DLE630 (0F13179) 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145532

EVGA 01G-P3-1556-KR GeForce GTX 550 Ti (Fermi) FPB 1GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card $144.99 and a $20 rebate for $124.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130625

Total $702.94. This will give you something to start with and you can make adjustments as you like with what you want and don't want.

 

[cutebeans]

Hello, do you need a monitor?

 

[buzznut]

I've been looking to build a new PC for a while now, except I have very little experience with picking out parts that will work together/be good. I have no preference for any of the parts. I have a budget of 600-650$. An operating system will not be needed. If you guys could help, I would be very grateful. Thanks.

Yes, please specify what games you are going to play and PLEASE if you want graphics cards recommendations include your resolution!!

 

[hapkido]

This is way better than inzone's build for less money. (edit: And it includes a case and dvd.)

cpu: Intel i5-2400 $189.99
gpu: Gigabyte HD 6850 (factory OC) $149.99
mobo: Biostar H67 $79.99
ram: Kingston 2x4GB DDR3-1333 $34.99
hdd: Hitachi 500GB 7200rpm $89.99
dvd: LG 22x $17.99
case: NZXT Source 210 $39.99
psu: Cooler Master GX 450W 80+ Bronze $44.99

total: $647.92 (before $11.28 shipping and $35.00 mail-in-rebates)

 

[alexgamer415]

Wow! Thanks for all the quick responses guys! The games I am planning to play are StarCraft2, Skyrim, L4D2 and some other low need games. I currently have a 1280 x 800 monitor so I don't need a new one. Again, thanks for all the suggestions already!

 

[DelroyMonjo]

inzone? What is the deal with you? You're recommending a $110 750 W PSU to run minimal hardware! I like the Antec 750W HCG, I own one but it's sure not needed to run a GTX550 and a 95W CPU.

 

[andrewcarr]

Here save yourself $50 and get this PSU it will work for future upgrades and allows you to get a better GPU.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341018
Why would you get only 450w when for $5 more you can get 700w?
Also it is modular.
I would also spend more to get the better motherboard for future upgrades.
Lastly I would pay $10 more to get a better case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108229
Comes down to personal preference.

 

[hapkido]

Here save yourself $50 and get this PSU it will work for future upgrades and allows you to get a better GPU.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341018
Why would you get only 450w when for $5 more you can get 700w?
Also it is modular.
I would also spend more to get the better motherboard for future upgrades.
Lastly I would pay $10 more to get a better case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108229
Comes down to personal preference.

That PSU is $45 more, double the price of the one I suggested. The Cooler Master case you suggested is $20 more, 50% more than I suggested. And why would he need a better mobo for "future upgrades". What future upgrades? Is he buying a motherboard with the intention of overclocking, running ivy bridge, and doing crossfire? He didn't say he was, so I'm not going to assume it. In that case, a $75 mobo serves the purpose. He said he needs a gaming machine on a budget. He doesn't need a $200 mobo to run an i5-2400. Buy what you need and can afford now. I suggested what I did because it meets his budget. You're going way over what he can afford. So is inzone. I could suggest a $3000 machine, but that's not what he asked.

 

[andrewcarr]

Sorry if I look at rebates. Wouldn't he want the option of upgrading in the future?
My initial part was towards the other build posted not yours.
I wouldn't want that case and I listed two that I would actually buy.
P.S. The PSU is $50 because it has a $10 promo code and then a $30 rebate. Your PSU is actually $51 because of $6 shipping, where the PSU I posted is free shipping.

 

[alexgamer415]

Best answer selected by alexgamer415.

 

[hapkido]

Sorry if I look at rebates. Wouldn't he want the option of upgrading in the future?
My initial part was towards the other build posted not yours.
I wouldn't want that case and I listed two that I would actually buy.
P.S. The PSU is $50 because it has a $10 promo code and then a $30 rebate. Your PSU is actually $51 because of $6 shipping, where the PSU I posted is free shipping.

You realize you pay the full price and wait +3 months to get your rebate money back, right? If you're willing to wait, that's one thing, but some people aren't willing to, or can't wait. But if you're figuring shipping AND rebates into prices (I think that's misleading, as sometimes rebates aren't honored), the build I linked is $624.20 net cost. The case is big enough for that graphics card, has a bottom mounted PSU, top exhaust fans, and cable routing options. When you're on a budget, I think it's silly spending more than you need to on parts (as long as they're quality and meet your needs), as $10 here and $20 there is money that can go towards a better video card.