Cheap, low intensity gaming build

[jeffdcollier]

Hey guys,
I'm thinking about building my first computer. I have a pretty nice laptop, but I'm sick of it not being able to run any new games, so I started looking into building a relatively cheap PC to run some less demanding newer games and do some video editing too. I'm not trying to run Crysis or anything like along the lines of the new SimCity and things like that.
Like I said, I've never done anything like this before and I thought it would be a good idea to run my preliminary list by a community of some nice, knowledgeable (and incredibly good looking) people to see if there are any better options or any glaring missing pieces before I made any commitment.
Here's my list from PC Part Picker: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zLom

CPU: AMD FX-6200 3.8GHz 6-Core
Motherboard: ASRock 970DE3/U3S3 ATX AM3+
Mem: Patriot G2 Series 16 GB (4x4GB) DDR3-1600
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5' 7200RPM Internal HDD
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card
Case: Apex PC-389-C ATX Mid Tower Case
Pwr Supply: Logisys 550W ATX12V
Optical Drive: Lite-On IHAS324-98

Total: $511.90

Thanks for all your help and suggestions!

 

[MauveCloud]

You need to use the "permalink" value or the BBCode markup. The link you included shows me whatever I put in there last, rather than your build. However, first thing: get a different power supply. Logisys is a very *un*trusted brand here. Get yourself a Corsair, Seasonic, or XFX instead.

 

[bigj1985]

If your objective is budget I would ditch the 6200k and go with an AMD APU like the (A10-5800k). That processor is $10 cheaper than the 6200 AND you can ditch the GFX card because the 5800k already has AWESOME GFX onboard. That right there save you over $100 from your current setup.

Buy the 5800k and a cheap $60 FM2 socket motherboard and you're GOLDEN

 

[jaguarskx]

I would not say the A10-5800k has an "AWESOME GFX onboard". The integrated Radeon HD 7660D is less powerful than a Radoen HD 6570.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/graphics/display/amd-trinity-graphics_6.html#sect3

Using faster RAM can improve performance, but probably only as good as a Radeon HD 6570.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/graphics/display/amd-trinity-graphics_8.html#sect0

The Radeon HD 7770 has about 85% - 90% the performance of a Radeon HD 6850. And it is a little bit faster than the Radeon HD 6790. The difference between the Radeon HD 7660D / Radeon HD 6570 to the Radeon HD 7770 is massive. I'm talking about a 2.5x increase in performance.

 

[mohit9206]

how about A10-5800k +6670 crossfire

 

[darkspartenwarrior]

A GTX650Ti beats the 7770 for a similar price.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-650-ti-benchmark-gk106,3318.html

Logisys PSU use a very old technology that dedicates most power to the EPS, not the ATX, meaning, your ATX only gets about 225W, your CPU and GPU draw most of their power from the 225, add to that Logisys horrible safety feautres, and once it overloads, BOOM, your build is gone.

You don't need 16GB, 8GB provides the same performance for less.

 

[jaguarskx]

how about A10-5800k +6670 crossfire

That's probably equivalent to a Radeon HD 7750 at best... assuming the game supports XFire.

Any graphics card installed that is more powerful than a Radeon HD 6670 (or HD 7670; old only as OEM; same card different name) will disable the integrated graphics core. Any nVidia graphics card installed will also disable the iGPU. Lastly, it is unknown if any Radeon HD 8xxx cards will be XFire compatible with the A10 APU.

 

[justinxtreme]

I would honestly recommend going second hand for a video card, 128-bit video cards are horrible

GPU:
For the same price range as the HD 7770 and 650 Ti you can get a GeForce GTX 560 Ti or an HD 6950/6970 used, maybe even new in box, sealed, on eBay/craigslist. All three will destroy the 7770.

Processor (CPU):
As for the processor I would get a Phenom II 965 BE, they are going right now for $75 on TigerDirect brand new. Anything over $100 and I would just go Intel at this point, since they're processors are superior clock-for-clock and an Intel i5 2400 only goes for around $189 new (and lesser, used) which would also destroy the FX 6200. Plus you get that added OSX (Hackintosh) compatibility which is pretty much native on most Intel-based computer at this point.

Memory:
As for the RAM, I would cut back on that 16GB, that's way too much for gaming, 4GB is enough although 8GB would future-proof it. Don't go full on 16GB though especially when you don't need to.

I can build a similar system you were planning to build with a better GPU and case for about half of the price! (Around $300). If you're going to aim for a $500 budget I would honestly go Intel, the only reason I go AMD is because of how cheap it is to go the AMD route (which is what they're known for).

 

[Azn Cracker]

Yea the APU's arn't really cut out for gaming. They are only a good solution when the budget is $400 or under. At $500 you will do much better getting a discrete gpu and a better cpu.

As others have mentioned, get a better psu. $23 w/o rebates for a 550w? Would not trust it
According to this guide, The psu is in the lowest tier.

http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx

 

[justinxtreme]

The system I built below on in my signature only cost me $600 to build, that was going full on i7 and getting a 570. I could have easily saved $100 though if I went with an i5.

I got a good deal on the i7 and GTX 570 which I got for $350 altogether and the motherboard for $50, the case I got for $80 used, and everything else like the cooler was bought used as well, I got the H50 for $30 online although I was lucky with that one, I don't see it being necessary, you can get any decent cooler for $30. If you're really trying to save on a gaming system I would definitely consider going second hand or at least taking a look at eBay. Prices on their are a lot lower than retail and you can expect to save yourself around $200 to $300 just because.

 

[justinxtreme]

I was able to save enough that I built another computer for my brother. A Phenom II-based PC (975 BE) paired with a GTX 470, 870A-G54 Crossfire AM3 motherboard, and 4GB of DDR3 RAM. That one cost me around $350 to build altogether, $130 for the processor and motherboard combo ($50 on the mobo, $80 on the processor), $80 on the GPU, and the rest on the other components like the case and PSU, the PSU I got for $60 and the case for $40 used.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been moved from the section CPU & Components to section Systems by Mousemonkey