Under $500 Computer Build

[buttersftw]

Hello,
I'm trying to find the best computer for my friend.

Requirements:
At least 500GB HD
Can run TF2, Bioshock, all decent graphics games.

The main concern is money, he can upgrade as he goes along. We just need something that'll get him along for a bit.

 

[shell shocke]

Do you need a Monitor, OS, and all that stuff?

 

[buttersftw]

Do you need a Monitor, OS, and all that stuff?

Yep.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

needing monitor, keyboard, mouse, and OS will eat into our options a bit, but gimme a bit with newegg.

 

[buttersftw]

needing monitor, keyboard, mouse, and OS will eat into our options a bit, but gimme a bit with newegg.

It doesn't need to be fantastic, but thanks a bunch!

 

[ScrewySqrl]

biggets problem I'm running into:

Cheapest 500 GB HDD is $85 (Samsung F3)
Cheapest monitor is $90 (Acer 1600x900)
Windows 7 home is $100
Keyboard & mouse runs about $20

this is about $300 of out $500 budget. if you could reach $600 then a Llano build with an A8-3870K is possible. (or if Windows 7 doesn't have to also be purchased)

 

[buttersftw]

biggets problem I'm running into:

Cheapest 500 GB HDD is $85 (Samsung F3)
Cheapest monitor is $90 (Acer 1600x900)
Windows 7 home is $100
Keyboard & mouse runs about $20

this is about $300 of out $500 budget. if you could reach $600 then a Llano build with an A8-3870K is possible. (or if Windows 7 doesn't have to also be purchased)

Alright, well thanks! I appreciate it. This'll help get me started.

 

[440bx]

For $500.00 or less it is really tough to build your own machine because Windows alone eats about $100.00 leaving very little to buy reasonable quality components.

You may want to consider looking at www.techbargains.com, on occasion I have seen Dell offering reasonably decent full systems for under $400.00 - whether they will play the games you mentioned well, I cannot say but, if the system has a PCIe 16 slot you could always purchase a video card later.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

well, I managed to get only a LITTLE over budget here:

AMD Llano A8-3850 2.9 GHz Quad core + AS Rock A55 motherboard: $172.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.836474

Windows 7 OEM: $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

Parema 4 GB Stick DDR3-1600: $19.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820576010

Pixxo Keyboard & Mouse: $9.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823664006

Corsair CX430W 80+ PSU: $44.95 w/ $20 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026

Acer 20" 1600x900 screen: $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009317

Seagate 500 GB HDD: $84.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767

Rosewill R102 Micro-ATX mini-tower w/ 120mm fan: $29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147111

LG 22x DVD burner: $15.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136240

Total is $568.90 before the $20 rebate



the A8-3850 chip w/ DDR3-1600 should get you about 35-45 fps at medium settings in most modern games at 1600x900.
the red bar in this chart is 1680x1050 performance at DDR3-1600. 1600x900 should be similar

 

[shell shocke]

AMD build, I don't like AMD but considering the cost I'd go with the build. Nice build too. I actually made a build as well for $600 had OS, Monitor, all. Except I went with intel, Sandybridge FTW

 

[ScrewySqrl]

yeah, but Llano is respectable at games, intel HD3000 isn't