Help with build - 400 or less

qarano · Jun 5, 2012

Approximate Purchase Date: within a couple weeks

Budget Range: no more than 450, but the less spent the better

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming*, general pc usage

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, os

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg, but any reputable dealer will do.

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: none

Overclocking: As much as can be done on such a low budget, but I don't expect much

SLI or Crossfire: no

Monitor Resolution: 720p currently, plan to upgrade to 1080p soon (running through a small lcd tv right now)

Additional Comments: This is where the '*' on gaming comes in. I'm not a major graphics whore. Honestly, I just want something that will be able to play current games at or just above console levels, and will be capable of playing newer games for the next 5 or 6 years. Can it be done?

nekulturny · Jun 5, 2012

at 450? For a computer that can handle newer games for 5 to 6 years? Probably not.

600? Yes, I could do something with that.

450 might get you a system for 2 to 3 years. Do you have any games specifically in mind?

At your current price, I would probably be building you a system based around the AMD Llano APU, its a CPU and graphics chip in one. Its pretty decent for what it is, but its not going to be an aggressive system. Its basically going to be a powerful laptop in a desktop's body.

nekulturny · Jun 5, 2012

nekulturny · Jun 5, 2012

qarano · Jun 5, 2012

that looks pretty good, but I don't think I can swing 600. Thing is, I'm also trying to build a cushion for when I go to college, so I can live in case I don't find a job within a couple months, so I'm hesitant to take much more out of it than the 450. I'm thinking of going with a sandy bridge based celeron, like the g850, which would save me like 40 bucks over your suggestion (although it is only dual core, and cant oc)

I was also looking at something more along the lines of a 6850, for roughly the same reason.

Would a build using those components be able to run new games for the next 5-6 years (albeit at low graphics settings)?

nekulturny · Jun 5, 2012

I can't make any guarantees about what happens 5 or 6 years down the road, I don't think anyone can. Its up to you, I personally am of the opinion a dual core CPU is not an appropriate choice for a modern computer, especially as we go forward. Right now software technology is somewhat behind hardware, in that many programs are still 32 bit, and still don't use all 4 cores as effectively as they could, when you're talking 5 or 6 years from now I think you'll find more quad core games and applications. I would advise keeping the Phenom II since obviously a Sandy Bridge/Ivy Bridge quad core is out of the question.

You could always stick a better video card in later, since this is what matters the most in gaming. Upgrading the CPU say in 2 or 3 years would involve a new motherboard, and maybe even RAM (since DDR4 will be coming out at some point in time)

Maybe you could go with a weaker video card today in the 100 dollar price range? Would that help you out?

capt_taco · Jun 5, 2012

nekulturny :

I generally agree with most of the build above, but you could shave off a few bucks by doing this:

RAM: PNY XLR8 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 - $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820178265

also this ($20 better price on the video card after rebate)

XFX HD-687A-ZHFC Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 - $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150561

You may also consider an i3-2120 as your CPU, which is technically a couple rungs higher on the chart than the Phenom II 965, for about the same price. Either one will work, though.

nekulturny · Jun 5, 2012

I'd add to captain taco, you can drop down further on the video card this is a GTX 460, they have some miles on them, they were originally priced over 200 dollars, but they're an older generation, I have one of these in a system with an i5-2400, its still a very capable graphics card:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130749

With Mail in rebate, it can be had for $115 bucks.

capt_taco · Jun 5, 2012

^^^ second on that. 460 will work fine be fine as long as you're not going crazy.

For that matter, so will an HD6850 or HD7770, which are a little newer generation-wise but basically the same performance. Right now there's a 7770 on sale for $119. Man, they sure love giving out Dirt 3 or Dirt Whatever game vouchers with video cards these days.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102967

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Help with build - 400 or less

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