Budget Gaming PC Recommendations

[Bosshippopotamus]

I'm trying to build a budget gaming PC for under $550. I know I can't make a crazy supercomputer for that money, but i just want it to run a game like Skrim on medium settings. My friend who is quite knowledgeable on computers helped my put together this build, and i wanted some of your opinions and recommendations. Thanks.



CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 975 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($86.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 550 Ti 1GB Video Card ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 431 Plus (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Cooler Master 600W ATX12V Power Supply ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $533.92

Note: I already have all of the other stuff like a hard drive, monitor, etc.

 

[clutchc]

For $550, you did pretty good. The GTX550ti * will give good FPS up to 1680x1050 resolution if you back off on some of the eye candy. You could save a buck or so by going with 1333MHZ memory, because the PhII memory controller tops out at 1333MZ. You have to O/C the RAM to get 1600MHZ.

* I just sold an AthlonII X3 455 build with a GTX 550ti. It did surprisingly well. The only game I had to back off from 1680x1050 was Deus Ex: HR.

 

[rolli59]

This is a better PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028 unless you have the silent pro600M
But really you only need around 500 watt PSU so there are some savings there if you want.
More powerful GPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127664