Budget Gaming Build Help!

[Reverb0209]

Hey everybody!

I need some help building a PC and wanted to ask for advice. With such a tight budget, I'm not expecting anything over the top but I would prefer if the system could max out Starcraft 2, Diablo 3, Left 4 Dead, Heroes of Newerth and possibly reach high resolution on Battlefield 3.

I would need a case, gpu, mobo, psu, ram, and processor. I'm not sure if I would need any additional fans/coolers/heatsinks as well so any additional input on that would help.


Approximate Purchase Date: Possibly by next week or week after

Budget Range: $400-600. Although the cheaper the better.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Movies/Music, Surfing Internet (Youtube, blogs, etc)

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers, OS, HDD

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: No preference.

Country: U.S.A (California)

Parts Preferences: I live near a Microcenter so I would like to keep the processor as either an i5-2400 or i5-2500k since that is what they have. I am open to suggestions though if it will help me budget wise or if it is a better option.

Overclocking: Maybe. It depends on the processor in the build.

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments:

I would like a quiet PC that doesn't get too hot. I am looking for the best bang for the buck performance wise. I am also hoping that the build is somewhat future proof haha


Thanks for reading and I appreciate any help that is offered!

 

[James McKeane]

Hey everybody!

I need some help building a PC and wanted to ask for advice. With such a tight budget, I'm not expecting anything over the top but I would prefer if the system could max out Starcraft 2, Diablo 3, Left 4 Dead, Heroes of Newerth and possibly reach high resolution on Battlefield 3.

I would need a case, gpu, mobo, psu, ram, and processor. I'm not sure if I would need any additional fans/coolers/heatsinks as well so any additional input on that would help.


Approximate Purchase Date: Possibly by next week or week after

Budget Range: $400-600. Although the cheaper the better.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Movies/Music, Surfing Internet (Youtube, blogs, etc)

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers, OS, HDD

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: No preference.

Country: U.S.A (California)

Parts Preferences: I live near a Microcenter so I would like to keep the processor as either an i5-2400 or i5-2500k since that is what they have. I am open to suggestions though if it will help me budget wise or if it is a better option.

Overclocking: Maybe. It depends on the processor in the build.

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments:

I would like a quiet PC that doesn't get too hot. I am looking for the best bang for the buck performance wise. I am also hoping that the build is somewhat future proof haha


Thanks for reading and I appreciate any help that is offered!

For this build you could substitute the 2400 for an i3 2120 and reinvest the savings towards a better graphics card.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-2400 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($186.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H61MA-D3V Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.79 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 6870 1GB Video Card ($159.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 600W ATX12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $566.73
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-05-09 19:51 EDT-0400)

 

[adgjlsfhk]

Using microcenter, I made a cheaper version of this list.
I5-3750 $189
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0388577

Biostar tz77a $99 but you get $50 off with an I5-2500k or 3750k processor in store
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0387326

Corsair xmx 8 gigs ram at 1600 MHz $29 after rebate
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0347306

HAF 912 $59
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0343331

The other parts are good, although you might be able to get them for slightly less at microcenter. These changes will save you $20 although you could save more if you went with the cheaper 430 case. Microcenter has it at the same price.

 

[Reverb0209]

Thanks for the quick answers! Apologies for just replying now as I've been away from the computer the past few days.

I will definitely take the build advice into consideration but have decided to hold off for a few more months on my build either for an upcoming sale on the currently priced higher tier parts or for the 660ti to release. Thanks again!

 

[Reverb0209]

Best answer selected by Reverb0209.