Building Budget Gaming PC

[Loudandproud]

I am looking to build my first pc. My budget is about 500. If it really helps I could probably throw in a little more. I want something that can handle basically any games I throw at it. I plan to play steam games, gw2, bf3, and other games like that.I need very graphic intensive games to atleast be played well on medium settings. I would like it to be somewhat futureproof as much as my budget allows. I really want to make sure the core of the system (cpu,gpu) are very game capable and if I have to sacrifice by getting a junkier hdd or so forth thats what I prefer. I really just want to get a base system that works for now, and I will upgrade as need be. Sorry if I'm forgetting something. Thanks for any replies in advance.

 

[cball1311]

What about monitor, OS, or any other peripherals? Do you have any?

 

[Loudandproud]

I have OS, I'd like the price to include a monitor, but if thats too much to ask I could use an old junky one I have until I could swing a new one. I don't need a keyboard or mouse.

 

[casper1973]

Your budget is 500 what? Pounds, Dollars, Rupee, Gold Pieces?

 

[Loudandproud]

Oh.. sorry, US dollars

 

[Loudandproud]

Actually, I probably need an os, and I don't need a monitor

 

[cball1311]

Here you go. It is a little over $500. You need to check your monitor for DVI. If it doesn't support DVI, you need a DVI to VGA adapter for the GPU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 975 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($82.18 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($49.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Kingston Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($36.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card ($114.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($31.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $512.06
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-27 16:36 EST-0500)

 

[Loudandproud]

How is that processor compared to a i5 or a10? Also would it be worth putting like $50 more into the gpu and get radeon 7870, or like $20 more and get the asus geforce gts450?

 

[cball1311]

Well, there is no comparison to an i5 but for an Ivy Bridge, you are looking at like $170. Even for the sandy bridge, it will be much more. As far as the a series is concerned, they are older FM2 chips, you would be better off getting an AM3 chip with an AM3+ motherboard and you can just upgrade the CPU to an FX later.

If you could at least get the 7850, that would be a big improvement especially if you overclock it (even a bit) but that is a big jump in price. For the 450, no the 7770 is better

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/609?vs=536

 

[Loudandproud]

Yeah, I meant 7850, is it worth spending the extra for the i5, or will I be fine will the one you already recommended?

 

[cball1311]

Well, with the i5 (Ivy bridge) and the 7850, you are going to be looking at at least $675 if you can go that high, I would definitely get the i5.

 

[cball1311]

Here is what I mean.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.50 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($179.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($31.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $696.39
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-27 17:00 EST-0500)

 

[Loudandproud]

Wow... I went to the link you provided, the 7850 really blows the 7770 out of the water. That may just be worth it to me

 

[Loudandproud]

I can't upgrade both to i5 and 7850, what should I choose to upgrade?

 

[cball1311]

Here is an i3 build, still $650.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3225 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.50 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($179.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($31.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $651.39
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-27 17:06 EST-0500)

Definitely get the 7850. You can always get an FX processor later.

 

[Loudandproud]

Alright I think I may wait on an os till I get this beast built, so I'll spend that money on the 7850, now I see you did the HIS 1gb, I was looking at the gigabyte 7850 2gb for 194.99 on pc part picker. Is this a good option, is there a better option for the same price?

 

[Loudandproud]

Best answer selected by LoudAndProud.