Budget gaming pc $350, may go a little higher

[icanhasalot]

Hey guys,

I live in Canada and I'm looking to build a budget gaming PC. I want to play mostly fps games, ( Far cry 3, Crysis, BF3) with a little bit of Skyrim.

Here's what I picked out: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/CFlK For the OS I'll get a copy of mint and buy windows later.

Want opinions, I might upgrade later. Am I missing anything, or is anything incompatible?

I don't know a lot about computers.


Approximate Purchase Date: this month ( I can wait, the closer the better)


Budget Range: $375 After Shipping Before rebates


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, youtube, school work


Are you buying a monitor: no


Parts to Upgrade: buying entire new pc, already have an optical drive


Do you need to buy OS: No



Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.ca, futureshop, bestbuy, - pretty much any site thats canadian, unless the price+shipping is less on other sites


Location: Brampton, Ontario, Canada


Parts Preferences: by brand or type doesn't matter


Overclocking: Maybe


SLI or Crossfire: Maybe


Your Monitor Resolution: 1280x1024


Additional Comments: Far cry 3, skyrim, crysis 1, 2, and 3, minecraft, etc.


And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: my computer is a dinosaur.

 

[Outlander_04]

The tr2 power supply is a doorstop

Use only 80+ bronze or better power supplies . Older models like the tr2 lack smoothing circuitry that stabilizes voltages. They may work but they could also make your computer unstable and they do burn more electricity

corsair cx 430?

 

[icanhasalot]

Really? I thought that power supply was 80+ bronze.

 

[Outlander_04]

Really? I thought that power supply was 80+ bronze.

That information is incorrect .I presume pcpartpicker has it listed incorrectly

It is an older model
and it definitely is NOT 80+ anything
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153113
See the small red voltage switch ? A sure sign its not what you want in your computer

And here
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=33_442&item_id=040841
in the specifications

72% efficiency
and non active PFC

So definitely a door stop

 

[icanhasalot]

That information is incorrect .I presume pcpartpicker has it listed incorrectly

It is an older model
and it definitely is NOT 80+ anything
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153113
See the small red voltage switch ? A sure sign its not what you want in your computer

And here
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=33_442&item_id=040841
in the specifications

72% efficiency
and non active PFC

So definitely a door stop

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-ss300esbronze This?

 

[Outlander_04]

The seasonic is a decent quality unit , and it should be powerful enough for your build but the smaller fan will be noisier than somethign like

Rosewill Green Series RG430-S12 430W $50
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182202

which should run cool and quiet in your build and also give you some head room for expansion .

 

[icanhasalot]

The seasonic is a decent quality unit , and it should be powerful enough for your build but the smaller fan will be noisier than somethign like

Rosewill Green Series RG430-S12 430W $50
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182202

which should run cool and quiet in your build and also give you some head room for expansion .

Ok, this is it so far: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/CGxj


Any changes I should make?

 

[Outlander_04]

You are good to go .

Im curious why you will use Mint Linux rather than Ubuntu?

 

[J_E_D_70]

http://m.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/pc-components/processors/amd-a10-5800k-1103125/review
You're not getting a gpu?

Based on the above i dont think you'll have an enjoyable gaming experience at that resolution.

 

[ARICH5]

id really consider getting a bigger hdd

 

[icanhasalot]

You are good to go .

Im curious why you will use Mint Linux rather than Ubuntu?

Idk, I was originally gonna get Ubuntu, but I heard somewhere online that mint was better.

 

[icanhasalot]

http://m.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/pc-components/processors/amd-a10-5800k-1103125/review
You're not getting a gpu?

Based on the above i dont think you'll have an enjoyable gaming experience at that resolution.

I'll deal with it for a while, I'll upgrade later, maybe an amd 7770 hd?

 

[icanhasalot]

id really consider getting a bigger hdd

Its alright, I have alot of spare hdds. Thanks.

 

[icanhasalot]

Another question, if you had another $50, what would you buy?

Is it worth it to buy a more expensive case that has usb 3.0?

Is there anything I could get thats better quality and cheaper?

 

[Retrowire]

I'll deal with it for a while, I'll upgrade later, maybe an amd 7770 hd?

You'll deal without a GPU for a while? I really don't think you'll be able to play any of those titles without a decent GPU. Though yes, the AMD 7770 HD would suit you fine for those titles.

 

[icanhasalot]

You'll deal without a GPU for a while? I really don't think you'll be able to play any of those titles without a decent GPU. Though yes, the AMD 7770 HD would suit you fine for those titles.

Really? I think its fine, if not maybe i'll turn down the resolution, what do you reccomend?

 

[Outlander_04]

Another question, if you had another $50, what would you buy?

Is it worth it to buy a more expensive case that has usb 3.0?

Is there anything I could get thats better quality and cheaper?

I havent ever plugged a USB3 device into the front ports on my case . I dont own any ...but maybe one day !

For around the $50 mark there are decent budget cases with front usb 3
Antec ONE gamer
CM Elite 431


You should be able to game reasonably well without a graphics card in that computer . You wont have games on highest detail settings but you will be able to play them

 

[Retrowire]

Really? I think its fine, if not maybe i'll turn down the resolution, what do you reccomend?

According to notebookcheck.net the benchmarks on the integrated Radeon HD 7660G are passable for the titles that you mentioned, however, you'll need to play all of them on low settings in order to enjoy them at all.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Radeon-HD-7660G.69830.0.html

This is fine since you plan to be upgrading later anyway. That said, the Radeon HD 7770 will suit you just fine when you purchase it.

 

[Outlander_04]

Idk, I was originally gonna get Ubuntu, but I heard somewhere online that mint was better.

Its free to try them both !

 

[icanhasalot]

According to notebookcheck.net the benchmarks on the integrated Radeon HD 7660G are passable for the titles that you mentioned, however, you'll need to play all of them on low settings in order to enjoy them at all.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Radeon-HD-7660G.69830.0.html

This is fine since you plan to be upgrading later anyway. That said, the Radeon HD 7770 will suit you just fine when you purchase it.

Okay, thanks. I think I may get higher frame rates though, since the desktop version of the a-10 has a higher clock speed... Right?

 

[icanhasalot]

I havent ever plugged a USB3 device into the front ports on my case . I dont own any ...but maybe one day !

For around the $50 mark there are decent budget cases with front usb 3
Antec ONE gamer
CM Elite 431


You should be able to game reasonably well without a graphics card in that computer . You wont have games on highest detail settings but you will be able to play them

Thanks.

 

[icanhasalot]

Its free to try them both !

Thanks, I will.

 

[Retrowire]

Another question, if you had another $50, what would you buy?

Is it worth it to buy a more expensive case that has usb 3.0?

Is there anything I could get thats better quality and cheaper?

There's not much of a need for USB 3.0 right now I believe. I don't have any devices that support it, so why need a front port with it?

That being said, I'd suggest this case since we're talking better quality and cheaper;

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

This Cooler Master case is vastly superior to the Thermaltake brand in my opinion. This model is pretty much the best Cooler Master case you can get for this price, and it's only a bit more. What's the difference?

The Cooler Master has more room for expansion with more internal drive bays, this allows for more hard drives and other accessories should you ever want to upgrade. You really gotta consider the long run when you choose a computer case. The case will be with you for a long time.

The Cooler Master HAF (High Air Flow) series of cases allows for superior ventilation compared to most cases of a higher price range. This model allows a maximum of up to 6 fans where as the Thermaltake you're currently eyeing can support only 4. One in the front, one in the back, 2 on top. Also, the Cooler Master comes with 2 fans already included, whereas the Thermaltake only comes with 1.

Other features of the Cooler Master include tons of room on the interior, great cable management, water cooling ports, 2 removable dust filters (The Thermaltake has one), a removable HDD cage to make more room for yourself and well, it's kind of a better brand in my opinion.

I highly recommend spending a bit more on a higher quality case. The case matters in the long run, because it'll last longer than most of the other components. Also, compare those reviews.

 

[azraa]

About the resolution idea, 1600x900 is really nice.
I love the aspect ratio, and it is much more manageable than 1080p for mid-range PCs
Probably you will enjoy it too c:

Good luck with your build!

 

[icanhasalot]

About the resolution idea, 1600x900 is really nice.
I love the aspect ratio, and it is much more manageable than 1080p for mid-range PCs
Probably you will enjoy it too c:

Good luck with your build!

Thanks!