Building really cheap gaming PC.

[ButterLump]

Hello!
Basically, I want to build a computer that is almost a console. I don't care about graphics. I would be content with playing all games at 1280 x 720 on low. I just want the other PC features such as mods, mouse and keyboard, etc.

Approximate Purchase Date: As soon as I know what to get.

Budget Range: ~$300

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, internet.

Are you buying a monitor: Already have one.

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: NewEgg.ca

Location: Canada

Parts Preferences: Nope.

Overclocking: Not sure if it's within budget.

SLI or Crossfire: Not in this price range, lawl.

Your Monitor Resolution: It's 1600 x 900, but I would be fine playing at 720P.

Additional Comments: Kind of did this at the top.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Tired of console limitations.

 

[voiidwulf]

Umm. $300 isn't really enough for a gaming PC. This may meet your needs though.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A8-5600K 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A55M-DGS Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($55.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill FBM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($21.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($53.94 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $368.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Alternatively, if you'd rather do Intel and a Discrete GPU:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G630 2.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($65.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H61M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($51.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 6570 2GB Video Card ($76.97 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill FBM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($21.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($53.94 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $397.83
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[dscudella]

Not going to get your hopes up, I can come up with some decent builds for $400 but $300, that's going to be tough using new components.

Do you need a mouse & keyboard too or do you already have them?

 

[ButterLump]

Already have mouse/keyboard. I suppose $400 would be alright if $300 isn't possible.

 

[guerrero]

Do you care about case size?

 

[dscudella]

This isn't bad for $400. You don't have much room to upgrade though.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G850 2.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H61M-DS2 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($55.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($18.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card ($119.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Rosewill Blackbone ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: Thermaltake TR2 430W ATX12V Power Supply ($39.98 @ NCIX)
Total: $399.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

I didn't go for any rebates or anything, so that's $399.92 out of pocket, not $440 out of pocket and wait around for the rebate checks.

 

[voiidwulf]

This isn't bad for $400. You don't have much room to upgrade though.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G850 2.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H61M-DS2 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($55.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($18.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card ($119.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Rosewill Blackbone ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: Thermaltake TR2 430W ATX12V Power Supply ($39.98 @ NCIX)
Total: $399.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

I didn't go for any rebates or anything, so that's $399.92 out of pocket, not $440 out of pocket and wait around for the rebate checks.

^ Much better than either of my suggestions.

 

[dscudella]

Thank you sir. I specialize in low budget builds lol. I built the rig in my sig for $500 just from Newegg, no other sites. It's hard to work at this price point though.

 

[SingingThroughTheStorm]

This isn't bad for $400. You don't have much room to upgrade though.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G850 2.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H61M-DS2 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($55.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($18.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card ($119.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Rosewill Blackbone ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: Thermaltake TR2 430W ATX12V Power Supply ($39.98 @ NCIX)
Total: $399.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

I didn't go for any rebates or anything, so that's $399.92 out of pocket, not $440 out of pocket and wait around for the rebate checks.

Sweet build at this price point considering no rebates or anything. I'm unsure on that ThermalTake PSU though.
If he waits on coupons and such he might be able to squeeze a similar build in at around $300, although I'm unsure of Canada's pricing.

 

[dscudella]

Yeah...I'm skeptical about the PSU too lol. Not going to lie. I've been looking to try and swap it out.

Here we go

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G850 2.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H61M-DS2 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($55.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($18.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card ($99.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Rosewill Blackbone ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply + Free Dirt 3 game coupon ($39.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $409.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

You're looking at $410 out the door shipped. You get a $10 MIR for the PSU and a $20 MIR for the 7770. So in the end it will actually be $379.93

 

[sonicers]

For $300:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/mTiJ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/mTiJ/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/mTiJ/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD A8-5600K 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($101.39 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: MSI FM2-A55M-E33 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($46.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($23.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.79 @ DirectCanada)
Case: Rosewill FBM-02 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $300.14
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

For $400:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/mTkd
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/mTkd/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/mTkd/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Pentium G630 2.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($60.99 @ Computer Valley)
Motherboard: MSI B75MA-E33 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($49.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: Kingston Value 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($17.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.79 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1GB Video Card ($149.99 @ Memory Express)
Case: Rosewill FBM-02 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $406.73
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

The GTX 560 absolutely RAPES the 7770, and the G630 won't bottleneck it, which is good news. Another thing to note, the G630 actually beat the Phenom II X4 645 BE at stock speeds as a CPU, so the Pentium is certainly not a bad pick. The GTX 560 is the rough equivalent of a 6870. You are paying more for it, but the money is well spent. The money you save from the other items (while also getting better performance) will allow you this.

The B75 MOBO has USB 3.0, which you might find useful later on. The H61 lacks USB 3.0 ports. It's also a cheaper motherboard at the moment, so I'd get it while I still could. B75 is a generation newer as well.

The only real difference between the Pentiums and the i3's are hyperthreading, and the name. The only difference between the G850 and G630 is clock speeds, which won't matter much for your price point if you want to game. The GTX 560ti will allow you to get MUCH better frame rates than the 7770, like 10-20 more in a game like, say BF3.

The XFX PSU is Seasonic made, and Seasonic makes the best power supplies on the market right now. This build I picked out if probably one of the best builds you can get for $400.

 

[Darkmonk]

Honestly, I don't even know if this is a good investment. Sure, at this price point, you can have this decent rig dscudella listed you (nice work!), but there will be absolutely no room for future upgrades... Maybe with $100 more, you would build something more long-term oriented and therefore you would save some money in the future.

But anyway, that's just my advice, feel free to ignore it.
To save even more, because you're Canadian, go to DirectCanada.com . Sometimes cheaper than NewEgg, most shipping prices included. I brought a complete computer yesterday (CPU to Keyboard) and for the same components, I saved around $100 with DC ($887.61 and something like $970) with tax an shipping. Definitly worth a look, although you really have to know what you want to buy (crappy website!)

 

[dscudella]

For $300:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/mTiJ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/mTiJ/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/mTiJ/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD A8-5600K 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($101.39 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: MSI FM2-A55M-E33 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($46.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($23.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.79 @ DirectCanada)
Case: Rosewill FBM-02 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $300.14
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

For $400:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/mTkd
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/mTkd/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/mTkd/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Pentium G630 2.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($60.99 @ Computer Valley)
Motherboard: MSI B75MA-E33 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($49.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: Kingston Value 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($17.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.79 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1GB Video Card ($149.99 @ Memory Express)
Case: Rosewill FBM-02 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $406.73
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

The GTX 560 absolutely RAPES the 7770, and the G630 won't bottleneck it, which is good news. Another thing to note, the G630 actually beat the Phenom II X4 645 BE at stock speeds as a CPU, so the Pentium is certainly not a bad pick. The GTX 560 is the rough equivalent of a 6870. You are paying more for it, but the money is well spent. The money you save from the other items (while also getting better performance) will allow you this.

The B75 MOBO has USB 3.0, which you might find useful later on. The H61 lacks USB 3.0 ports. It's also a cheaper motherboard at the moment, so I'd get it while I still could. B75 is a generation newer as well.

The only real difference between the Pentiums and the i3's are hyperthreading, and the name. The only difference between the G850 and G630 is clock speeds, which won't matter much for your price point if you want to game. The GTX 560ti will allow you to get MUCH better frame rates than the 7770, like 10-20 more in a game like, say BF3.

The XFX PSU is Seasonic made, and Seasonic makes the best power supplies on the market right now. This build I picked out if probably one of the best builds you can get for $400.

Very nice build, unfortunately the 560 Ti is sold out. It has been sold out everywhere that listed it for under $175. I keep checking.

 

[sonicers]

The GTX 560 is $107, you're not losing too much performance, and you'll save quite a bit of money. You can use the saved money to get an i3 2120, possibly. That would balance the build more.

 

[peep1988]

I recommend going with a Intel pentium 6850 and a AMD 7850 2gb 8gb ram corsair 430. Builder PSU either a h61 or b75 mobo 500gb HDD cooler master elite 120 case priced out newegg it would be around 450

 

[pinooooo]

I have an intel G620 with a HD6770 and an Asrock z68 itx mobo, it cost me around 350 euro it is great for high settings (not ultra) gaming. Right now i am considering to get an AMD A10 Apu only itx build with a pico psu and a M350 case. Not sure how it is going to compare to the G620+HD6770 setup tho..

 

[MasterMace]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Celeron G540 2.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI H61M-P31/W8 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 250GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 6670 1GB Video Card ($55.97 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill FBM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($21.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Raidmax 380W ATX12V Power Supply ($20.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $264.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-17 03:29 EDT-0400)


it's late, I'm not figuring out PPP for NewEgg.ca. I checked myself on Newegg.ca, total after rebate is $298.42