Gaming desktop for 500 dollars

[xpeh]

I'm building a gaming desktop, but I only have a 500 dollar budget. I can't really afford to spend more than 500. And no, I don't live anywhere near a Microcenter



Approximate Purchase Date: Any time

Budget Range: 400-500 dollars before rebate

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Web browsing

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Monitor, Mouse, Speakers, Operating system, RAM, Hard Drive, CD/DVD Drive, Wireless Card

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, TigerDirect, NCIX, eBay

Country: United States

Parts Preferences: Graphics Card, Motherboard, Processor, Power Supply, Case

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1920X1080

Additional Comments: Can't go over 500. Going to play games like Skyrim and Battlefield 3 at Medium-High

 

[Max1s]

Intel i3-2100 (socket 1155)
Cheap m-atx p67 mobo from ASUS, Gigabyte, or ASrock (socket 1155)
LG super-multi CD/DVD burner
Sharkoon T9 case, Zalman z9 case, antec 300/500, coolermaster 430/431
Nvidia geforce gtx 460
Cheap (but not untrustworthy) PSU, at least 600 watts.

What would be your regional total on those parts?

 

[the_creed4]

if your on a budget then I would go with AMD , unless you can afford an i5, the i3 is a decent CPU, but only dual cores, for that price range you can get 4 core. The only reason that the i3 is so expensive, is because it has really good onboard graphics, but your going to have a graphics card, so the onboard graphics will be turned off. try a phenom II x4 960t for 120 bucks. It is a very reliable cpu

 

[Memnarchon]

I was searching for half hour for a good system to propose and then a few seconds before I post, electricity power supplier had a different opinion (shutted down entire area...) . If you can wait a bit more...

 

[Memnarchon]

Update: If gaming is your 1st Priority then Sandybridge is the best atm.

Case: NZXT GAMMA Classic Series GAMA-001BK Black Steel: 39.99$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146061

PSU: CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W: 59.99$ - 49.99$ after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

Mobo: ASUS P8H67-V (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H67 : 104.99$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131783

CPU: Intel Core i3-2100 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz: 124.99$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078

GPU: Two good options depends on what Company you prefer:
For Nvidia: Galaxy 56NGH6HS3KXZ GeForce GTX 560: 169.99$ - 154.99$ after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162084
For AMD: SAPPHIRE 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870: 164.99$ - 144.99$ after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948

Total BEFORE rebates: Nvidia Build: 499.95$, AMD Build: 494.95$
Total AFTER rebates: Nvidia Build: 474.95$, AMD Build: 464.95$

I hope this helps

 

[Memnarchon]

if your on a budget then I would go with AMD , unless you can afford an i5, the i3 is a decent CPU, but only dual cores, for that price range you can get 4 core. The only reason that the i3 is so expensive, is because it has really good onboard graphics, but your going to have a graphics card, so the onboard graphics will be turned off. try a phenom II x4 960t for 120 bucks. It is a very reliable cpu

This could be correct if he didnt want to go for gaming. Sandybridge core i3 is expenisve not for its gpu but for other reason. "No competition." And intel knows that when it comes to gaming, intel has cpus of no match.

He also asked performance most on two games: Skyrim and Battlefield 3.

So for max performance, according to toms hardware, even core i3 is superior to any AMD product.

edit: Source for these charts: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/battlefield-3-graphics-performance,3063-13.html and http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/skyrim-performance-benchmark,3074-9.html

 

[prototype18]

@ memnarchon U forgot RAM lol

 

[prototype18]

nvm im bad didnt read he had ram srry :S

The rest is a good build

 

[Memnarchon]

nvm im bad didnt read he had ram srry :S

The rest is a good build

I didnt notice it in the begining either xD.

 

[lothdk]

Question is though, what RAM exactly, it might not be compatible with the voltage limit of a Sandy CPU.

 

[DelroyMonjo]

Newegg is selling the I5 2400 for $189 right now. Last week they were $215. Get one now. There are slightly less expensive MB's which will still have 4 DDR3 RAM slots.
560TI's are in the $200-250 range.
Don't make the mistake of going cheap on the PSU. A 550W will be enough for now but they are in the $80+range when you include shipping.
Be patient and wait until Newegg, or whomever, has a good sale going. You just have to troll the sites to see how much prices and shipping can vary from day to day.

 

[Outlander_04]

Actually if you want a budget gamer use the $110 AMD FX 4100
4 real threads , overclockable , and more than a match for the sandy bridge i3's

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1766/

FX 4100 $110
AM3+ mb with 970 chipset $85
2 x2 gig of RAM $23
CM Elite 430 case $40
DVD drive $20
500 gig Hitachi hdd $70
Radeon 6770 $90
seasonic 520 watt psu $60

$498 shipped
Latest hardware, room for expansion , quality case and psu .
Kicks sand in the face of i3 builds

all from Newegg

 

[xpeh]

Actually if you want a budget gamer use the $110 AMD FX 4100
4 real threads , overclockable , and more than a match for the sandy bridge i3's

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1766/

FX 4100 $110
AM3+ mb with 970 chipset $85
2 x2 gig of RAM $23
CM Elite 430 case $40
DVD drive $20
500 gig Hitachi hdd $70
Radeon 6770 $90
seasonic 520 watt psu $60

$498 shipped
Latest hardware, room for expansion , quality case and psu .
Kicks sand in the face of i3 builds

all from Newegg

I have 4GB of 1.5v RAM. Also, If I don't get the RAM, HDD, and DVD Drive, and upgrade to a 6870, will that be good?

 

[Outlander_04]

I have 4GB of 1.5v RAM. Also, If I don't get the RAM, HDD, and DVD Drive, and upgrade to a 6870, will that be good?

a 6870 games very well at 1920 x 1080 .
It will run fine on that seasonic 520 watt psu

 

[roblov1]

Update: If gaming is your 1st Priority then Sandybridge is the best atm.

Case: NZXT GAMMA Classic Series GAMA-001BK Black Steel: 39.99$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146061

PSU: CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W: 59.99$ - 49.99$ after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

Mobo: ASUS P8H67-V (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H67 : 104.99$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131783

CPU: Intel Core i3-2100 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz: 124.99$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078

GPU: Two good options depends on what Company you prefer:
For Nvidia: Galaxy 56NGH6HS3KXZ GeForce GTX 560: 169.99$ - 154.99$ after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162084
For AMD: SAPPHIRE 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870: 164.99$ - 144.99$ after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948

Total BEFORE rebates: Nvidia Build: 499.95$, AMD Build: 494.95$
Total AFTER rebates: Nvidia Build: 474.95$, AMD Build: 464.95$

I hope this helps

Out of curiosity, which RAM would be best for this build?

 

[xpeh]

Out of curiosity, which RAM would be best for this build?

I actually wanted to know the same thing. Im planning to run some memory intensive applications.

 

[Kleme]

Erm

For a cheaper build,

NZXT GAMMA Classic Series GAMA-001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - 40$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146061

Biostar Motherboard (I believe it is core unlocker, so for an easy tweak in the BIOS it can step up the x3 Core to an x4 core for easy performance boost in some programs) - 60 Dollars, (Cheaper options avalible, but this is a sold board at a low price

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138283

Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus (Nice PSU, low price) - 49 $
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171031

Two Choices for GPU:
6790
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161377 - 120$

or

5770
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127490 - 100$

These are if you are really low balling, I suggest just picking up a 6850, 6790 also works well, and will last you through several years before games become too GPU intensive.

Team Elite 4GB Ram (DDR3 1333) - Hey, ram is ram.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313122 - 17$

AMD Athlon II x3 3.3ghz - 80$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103911


320GB 7200RPM HDD (Thanks flooding...) - 60$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136770

406$ - 5770
426$ - 6790



________________________________
:lol: Chaos :lol:

 

[xpeh]

Erm

For a cheaper build,

NZXT GAMMA Classic Series GAMA-001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - 40$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146061

Biostar Motherboard (I believe it is core unlocker, so for an easy tweak in the BIOS it can step up the x3 Core to an x4 core for easy performance boost in some programs) - 60 Dollars, (Cheaper options avalible, but this is a sold board at a low price

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138283

Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus (Nice PSU, low price) - 49 $
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171031

Two Choices for GPU:
6790
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161377 - 120$

or

5770
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127490 - 100$

These are if you are really low balling, I suggest just picking up a 6850, 6790 also works well, and will last you through several years before games become too GPU intensive.

Team Elite 4GB Ram (DDR3 1333) - Hey, ram is ram.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313122 - 17$

AMD Athlon II x3 3.3ghz - 80$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103911


320GB 7200RPM HDD (Thanks flooding...) - 60$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136770

406$ - 5770
426$ - 6790



________________________________
:lol: Chaos :lol:

A fellow brony? Also, I'd prefer an Intel i3 2100 and a Radeon HD 6870. And I don't need a hard drive or ram.

 

[rmiiirusty]

If you want a computer to game with that has to be under $500 you will have a hard time finding a complete system worth of parts to build brand new. It will be hard to meet your budget witheither amd or intel.
I have a system for sale on ebay that you may be interested in in your price range. with the right gpu, it would play your Skyrim like you want. It already has 8g ram and is is a core 2 duo processor. Here is the link

http://www.ebay.com/itm/220935357311?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

I just built a pc for my gf and I thought I could keep it under $500 but ended up close to $600 and only has a gt430 gpu. It was a i3-2100 and a msi h67 board. by the time I bought a decent case, psu,ram,dvd rom, hdd,win7 64bit,gpu. I dont think you can do it for $500 unless you find a great sale.Maybe if you aren't interested in the one I am selling, you should look around on ebay for used stuff to build with. You are going to want at least a 550ti if you want to play on med settings and that you may find for around $100 on ebay

 

[Memnarchon]

I actually wanted to know the same thing. Im planning to run some memory intensive applications.

Hello again. When I read that you had the RAM, I thought you had DDR3 1333 from previous pc which as you can see at these http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/memory/display/sandy-bridge-ddr3_7.html#sect0 or a lot of articles would do the job, but the sweet spot is 1600Mhz atm.

And one thing, at gpus AMD did a great job and atm they are trading blows on 130$+ with Nvidia (AMD dominates sub 120-130$ category atm), but at cpus there is not way a 4core bulldozer can be more powerful than an i3 in GAMING. It is not even more powerful than phenom...

 

[Outlander_04]

And one thing, at gpus AMD did a great job and atm they are trading blows on 130$+ with Nvidia (AMD dominates sub 120-130$ category atm), but at cpus there is not way a 4core bulldozer can be more powerful than an i3 in GAMING. It is not even more powerful than phenom...

Not sure where you get that information from but this is where I get mine from

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1766/

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=AMD+FX-4100+Quad-Core

The FX outgames the inel i3 , and in general performs better than any similarly priced phenom ..

And if you had ever read the Tomshardware system builder $500 builds from last year you'd have seen a Phenom 955 beat an i3 2100 everywhere except games where it was fractionally behind ....till it was overclocked and then it won that too .
By contrast the i3 cant be overclocked .

 

[Memnarchon]

Not sure where you get that information from but this is where I get mine from

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1766/

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=AMD+FX-4100+Quad-Core

The FX outgames the inel i3 , and in general performs better than any similarly priced phenom ..

And if you had ever read the Tomshardware system builder $500 builds from last year you'd have seen a Phenom 955 beat an i3 2100 everywhere except games where it was fractionally behind ....till it was overclocked and then it won that too .
By contrast the i3 cant be overclocked .

1st The info I get is from a few posts before if you didnt read, its from toms hardware.

2nd Its similar to 1st since I responded to the demands of the XPEH that asked for certain parts of pc to run gaming and most of them, skyrim and battlefield 3 which core i3 dominates as you can see http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/battlefield-3-graphics-performance,3063-13.html http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/skyrim-performance-benchmark,3074-9.html .

3rd As you read about the builder $500 you should also read about http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-3.html that at 120$ recommanded is core i3 2120 (and btw thank you for making me notice this XPEH this costs only 5$ more and its even better ^^ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115077 ) and not phenom 955 which is still just a honorable mention.

4th Overclocking the FX in acceptable speeds in order to trade blows with i3 will require a lot of psu power which means more money. Now why in earth you would spend more money to take same more or less performance with overclock in a build that the one that made the thread asked for NO overclocking?

Cheers.

 

[Kleme]

I3 2100 cannot b e overclocked. I know you are not interested in Ocing but I highly .suggest to get a 2500k, the price difference is well worth the value

 

[Memnarchon]

I3 2100 cannot b e overclocked. I know you are not interested in Ocing but I highly .suggest to get a 2500k, the price difference is well worth the value

I agree with you that 2500k worth extra $$ but I don't understand why highly suggesting overclocking a 2500k in a pc that is supposed to use a 6870 at 1920x1080. So a stock 2500k @3,4Ghz isnt enough???
I think most people overestimate the usage of o/c. The 6870 will bottleneck the stock 2500k at 99% of time, even an 6870 Xfire might/will bottleneck stock 2500k.

 

[xpeh]

Best answer selected by XPEH.