Gaming PC to run games on low/med AS CHEAP AS POSSIBLE

[frankcomputer]

I was planning on getting a 300-400$ computer to last me a year or two until I decided if I wanted to game more seriously...The other option was to get a $600-700 computer that can be upgraded in the future...I would prefer to spend 3-400 right now and deal with it later...Don't need monitor/keyboard and if I can't figure out how to install an OS its not factored into the budget. Anything not necessary can be taken out to make the build cheaper...Thanks for any help

Approximate Purchase Date: After christmas

Budget Range: 300-400

System Usage from Most to Least Important: low graphics gaming

Are you buying a monitor: no


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: new egg/amazon

Location: Westchester NY

Parts Preferences: Whichever is more cost effective

Overclocking: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050

 

[DeusAres]

Here's something you can check out. It's not the best, but it'll get the job done. There's also plenty of room for upgrade-ability with the Z75 based motherboard.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G860 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($67.53 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($31.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Apex SK-393-C ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($35.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $395.47
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-18 20:24 EST-0500)

 

[DeusAres]

Here's an AMD build which can yield significantly better performance than the APU alone in games when crossfired with the HD 6670.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75M-DGS Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($60.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($31.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 6670 1GB Video Card ($49.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($35.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($35.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $389.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-18 20:35 EST-0500)

If you want to save some money, you can remove the HD 6670 entirely and still be able to play games such as Battlefield 3 on medium settings.

 

[leto7235]

DEusAres has very solid Builds.
That said i would prefer an intel 1155 build.
Maybe when next gen comes you can pick up a 3570k or 2500k for cheap.

 

[azathoth]

The first build posted by DeusAres, with the Intel processor would be a much smarter but than the APU-based build

The CPU's are pretty close in terms of performance, with the APU pulling ahead in a game like BF3, due to its core count. GPU side the HD7770 is slightly faster, and will not suffer from microstuttering as well, which can be detrimental to a gaming experience.

It also leaves a clear upgrade path on the LGA1155 socket, so you can upgrade to a processor like an i5-2500k/3570k in the future if you feel you need to.
The AMD build is a dead end, it's the highest tier processor for it's socket, so there is no upgrade path.

 

[frankcomputer]

Thanks...I think the AMD processor is what I am looking for...If I want to get a higher end PC, $400 isn't even enough for a high end video card so I am not too worried about upgrading...Can you link me the intel processor you are suggesting with the build?

NZXT Source 210 S210-002 White w/Black Front Trim “Aluminum Brush / Plastic” ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$39.99

Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$64.99

ASRock FM2A75M-DGS FM2 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
$54.99

MSI R6670-MD1GD3 Radeon HD 6670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
$64.99

CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 430W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
$45.99

Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Edition 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model PVI38G160C9K
$40.99

AMD A10-5800K Trinity 3.8GHz (4.2GHz Turbo) Socket FM2 100W Quad-Core Desktop APU (CPU + GPU) with DirectX 11 Graphic AMD Radeon HD 7660D AD580KWOHJBOX
$119.99

Subtotal: $431.93

Does this look good? All off newegg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll201/franksphotos1992/computerparts_zps84ac540c-1_zps9e2da9a3.jpg

 

[Onus]

Get the Antec VP-450 instead. The Corsair V2 Builder was made by CWT, not Seasonic, using some inferior Samxon capacitors from a line known to experience early failure. The VP-450 is made by FSP. It is efficient enough for 80+, but is disqualified for not having active PFC (it has a little voltage switch, which typically indicates an obsolete design, but not in this case).

 

[frankcomputer]

thanks everyone...just need the A OK to pull the trigger...going to order tomorrow morning

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll201/franksphotos1992/computerparts.jpg

 

[DeusAres]

Looks good to me. Also, there are plenty of other case options out there. You can even get the case I recommended in a black finish rather than white. Just throwing some suggestions out there.

 

[frankcomputer]

Looks good to me. Also, there are plenty of other case options out there. You can even get the case I recommended in a black finish rather than white. Just throwing some suggestions out there.

Thanks a lot for the help, hopefully I get the parts before xmas

 

[DeusAres]

Thanks a lot for the help, hopefully I get the parts before xmas

No problem and good luck!