$300-$400 ultra budget indie gaming PC advice.

[gar9]

I would like to build a budget pc to have at my GF's house just to play indie games such as Hotline Miami, Don't Starve, Terraria maybe some Doom 2 and such.
I already have an old case as well as an HD 6670 and an extra monitor.

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/5614/1119223920.jpg

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Approximate Purchase Date: now

Budget Range: $300-$450

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Playing indie games, using the internet, maybe watching movies

Are you buying a monitor: No I have a DVI-D monitor for it.

Parts to Upgrade: I need HDD or preferably SSD, RAM, MOBO, OS, CPU, PSU.

Do you need to buy OS: Yes, I would prefer Win 8 home.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Any Canadian Site eg. NCIX, Newegg.ca, DirectCanada, Memory Express etc.

Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Parts Preferences: none, reliability is more important to me than performance though

Overclocking: Probably not

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080 120Hz Asus VG236H

Additional Comments: Indie games such as Hotline Miami, Don't Starve, Terraria maybe some Doom 2 and such. Internet.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Need a PC to play on at GF's house.

Special Considerations: Storage space is not important to me. I would really like to squeeze a 128gb SSD into this rig.
Also, a decent 500W PSU would be nice to have for future mini-builds but I don't want to too far over budget.
Also, I would love to have 8GB of 1600Mhz memory but 4GB is probably fine.

 

[saltiren]

I actually made a youtube video that is a $300 gaming budget build. If you add a Windows 8 OS and tweak some parts such as adding a 500W power supply, it will fit perfectly in your budget!
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzwLSIs1M1k
This will do great for your internet needs and with that GPU of yours you could easily play those indie games! Hope this helps!

 

[ARICH5]

um...didnt you post this once before and ask the same question a few days ago?

 

[gar9]

No this is different. I am returning that dumpy PC I bought before as I cannot but a decent GPU into it. It is just a bit too crappy. I realized that I should just put my own together.

I apologize for any confusion caused by my n00bdom!

 

[ARICH5]

you got your answer about the psu here http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/364813-28-looking-cost-400w-explode

now you want more advice about cpu?

 

[ARICH5]

oh i see...i use ncix.ca also...so your gonna scrap the dumpy pc and looking for a 450$ build now.

 

[gar9]

Yeah, the guy I bought it from is really nice and felt bad about the MOBO not supporting any real GPU so he is letting me return it.

I realized I have an old case in my parents' basement an hour away and an HD 6670 on the way so I may as well build my own budget rig

I'd like to keep it under $400 but if I will be a huge quality improvement I will spend a little extra.

 

[ARICH5]

Intel Core i3 3225 Dual Core Hyperthreading Processor LGA1155 3.3GHZ Ivy Bridge 3MB Retail Box
Usually ships in 1-2 business days.

In Stock 75430 $129.99 $129.99

ADD NCIX EXPRESS EXCHANGE What's this?

None, I do not want NCIX Express Exchange
NCIX.com 1 Year Component Express Exchange - Only $10.99
NCIX.com 2 Year Component Express Exchange - Only $26.99
NCIX.com 3 Year Component Express Exchange - Only $42.99




ASUS P8B75-M/CSM mATX LGA1155 B75 DDR3 1PCI-E16 1PCI-E4 2PCI SATA3 DVI HDMI USB3.0 Motherboard
Usually ships in 1-2 business days.

In Stock 70521 $79.99 $79.99

ADD NCIX EXPRESS EXCHANGE What's this?

None, I do not want NCIX Express Exchange
NCIX.com 1 Year Component Express Exchange - Only $6.99
NCIX.com 2 Year Component Express Exchange - Only $17.99
NCIX.com 3 Year Component Express Exchange - Only $27.99




Mushkin Enhanced Silverline Stiletto 8GB 2X4GB PC3-10666 DDR3-1333 9-9-9-24 Dual Channel Memory Kit
Usually ships in 1-2 business days.

In Stock 55544 $46.99 $46.99

ADD NCIX EXPRESS EXCHANGE What's this?

None, I do not want NCIX Express Exchange
NCIX.com 1 Year Component Express Exchange - Only $3.99
NCIX.com 2 Year Component Express Exchange - Only $8.99
NCIX.com 3 Year Component Express Exchange - Only $14.99




Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB 3.5in 16MB Cache SATA3 Internal Hard Disk Drive HDD
Usually ships in 1-2 business days.

In Stock 63468 $57.99 $57.99

ADD NCIX EXPRESS EXCHANGE What's this?

None, I do not want NCIX Express Exchange
NCIX.com 1 Year Component Express Exchange - Only $6.99
NCIX.com 2 Year Component Express Exchange - Only $17.99
NCIX.com 3 Year Component Express Exchange - Only $27.99




XFX 550W PRO550W Core Edition Single Rail ATX 12V 44A 24PIN ATX Power Supply 80PLUS B *IR-$10*
Usually ships in 1-2 business days.
In Stock 59615 $59.99 $59.99

ADD NCIX EXPRESS EXCHANGE What's this?

None, I do not want NCIX Express Exchange
NCIX.com 1 Year Component Express Exchange - Only $6.99
NCIX.com 2 Year Component Express Exchange - Only $17.99
NCIX.com 3 Year Component Express Exchange - Only $27.99




Shipping Estimate:
Postal Code:
Check International Rates
Check to delete an item

YOUR TOTAL $374.95
Shipping and final tax calculation will be calculated at checkout
ALL PRICES QUOTED IN CANADIAN FUNDS
Total Shipping Weight: 10.1 lbs


now this is stuff on sale...and no os

 

[gar9]

Building on saltiren's video I went with this...

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/D0MV

What do you think? It is a little more expensive than I wanted though.

Oops sry simultaious replies. I'll read yours over arich5 thanks!

 

[ARICH5]

well you have a 6670 so you can take that off....that cpu is poor...but enough for doom 2

 

[agasis]

since you have a hd 6670 get a amd a10 5800kk so you can crossfire it with the cpu graphics for faster gaming

 

[gar9]

arich5 I really like your build a lot better, but I have to draw the line somewhere cuz I won't be using this computer all that much, I really should try to spend the smallest amount possible.

I removed the video card that is already ordered and it only comes to $405 with the OS. I know the processor leaves something to be desired but I don't think I can justify spending more than $405 + tax and shipping on a PC I won't be using all that much.

@agasis I don't think the 800MB HD 6770 is Xfire capable because it is the cheap DDR3 version. Am I correct?

Edit: I've decided to go with the XFX 550W PRO550W PSU from arich's build...


http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/D31M

 

[saltiren]

arich5 I really like your build a lot better, but I have to draw the line somewhere cuz I won't be using this computer all that much, I really should try to spend the smallest amount possible.

I removed the video card that is already ordered and it only comes to $405 with the OS. I know the processor leaves something to be desired but I don't think I can justify spending more than $405 + tax and shipping on a PC I won't be using all that much.

@agasis I don't think the 800MB HD 6770 is Xfire capable because it is the cheap DDR3 version. Am I correct?

Edit: I've decided to go with the XFX 550W PRO550W PSU from arich's build...


http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/D31M

That looks like a great build for the price. That Power Supply there is excellent, and going with an SSD is more pricey but good for a computer that isn't going to be holding a lot of items. You save yourself quite a chunk of money by having your own case, also. Glad I could help you out with your CPU/Motherboard!

 

[gar9]

Saltiren thank you but I have decided that I want to spend the extra $100 to get a better CPU and I little extra memory.
The Stelleto RAM is not available on DirectCanada so I went +$10 for the Blackline.

Will all this work?

Already have on the way Gigabyte Radeon HD 6670 800MHZ 1GB 1.6GHZ DDR3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASUS P8B75-M/CSM mATX LGA1155 B75 DDR3 1PCI-E16 1PCI-E4 2PCI SATA3 DVI HDMI USB3.0 Motherboard
$74.81

Intel Core i3 3225 Dual Core Hyperthreading Processor LGA1155 3.3GHZ Ivy Bridge 3MB Retail Box
$132.74

Mushkin Enhanced Blackline Frostbyte PC3-12800 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 9-9-9-24 1.5V Dual Channel Memory
$55.24

Microsoft Windows 8 64Bit Full Version English OEM
$89.45

Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5in SATA3 MDX Solid State Disk Flash Drive SSD
$95.87

XFX 550W PRO550W Core Edition Single Rail ATX 12V 44A 24PIN ATX Power Supply 80PLUS Bronze
$60.81

Estimated Shipping & Handling:
$0.00
Sub Total: $508.92

 

[saltiren]

Saltiren thank you but I have decided that I want to spend the extra $100 to get a better CPU and I little extra memory.
The Stelleto RAM is not available on DirectCanada so I went +$10 for the Blackline.

Will all this work?

Already have on the way Gigabyte Radeon HD 6670 800MHZ 1GB 1.6GHZ DDR3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASUS P8B75-M/CSM mATX LGA1155 B75 DDR3 1PCI-E16 1PCI-E4 2PCI SATA3 DVI HDMI USB3.0 Motherboard
$74.81

Intel Core i3 3225 Dual Core Hyperthreading Processor LGA1155 3.3GHZ Ivy Bridge 3MB Retail Box
$132.74

Mushkin Enhanced Blackline Frostbyte PC3-12800 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 9-9-9-24 1.5V Dual Channel Memory
$55.24

Microsoft Windows 8 64Bit Full Version English OEM
$89.45

Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5in SATA3 MDX Solid State Disk Flash Drive SSD
$95.87

XFX 550W PRO550W Core Edition Single Rail ATX 12V 44A 24PIN ATX Power Supply 80PLUS Bronze
$60.81

Estimated Shipping & Handling:
$0.00
Sub Total: $508.92

All you are really doing is loosing a core in exchange for 0.1GHz and 1.5MB of cache. And it costs A LOT more. But there are a lot of people who swear by Intel, but all I see is a terrible mounting bracket design and overpriced CPU's in comparison to AMD.

But your build should work. It will do what you want it to.

 

[gar9]

! I have no brand loyalty, I was swayed by Tom's Gaming CPU hierarchy table ! But you have me back on your side!

I just have one thing to ask, will the Mushkin Enhanced Blackline Frostbyte PC3-12800 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 9-9-9-24 1.5V Dual Channel Memory work with this MOBO? Even if only 1333Mhz will be used that is fine.

Edit: I mean the BIOSTAR A880GZ in your video.

 

[blake1243]

If i were you i would drop the 6670 and get a 7750/7770 or 550 ti. You could probably fit that, along with a athlon x4 640 for $400 (or a pentium g860).

 

[gar9]

@ blake1243 I have to draw the line though somewhere though... Also the 6670 is already on its way. This isn't my main rig.

Edit: Actually, the AMD Athlon II X4 640 is only like $6 more expensive on directCanada! Thanks I will definitely get it! As long as it works with the Biostar A880GZ MOBO.

Edit: I was thinking I would like to get a full ATX motherboard (I have a old mid-tower case I'm using for this build)... what would you suggest?

 

[blake1243]

@ blake1243 I have to draw the line though somewhere though... Also the 6670 is already on its way. This isn't my main rig.

Edit: Actually, the AMD Athlon II X4 640 is only like $6 more expensive on directCanada! Thanks I will definitely get it! As long as it works with the Biostar A880GZ MOBO.

Edit: I was thinking I would like to get a full ATX motherboard (I have a old mid-tower case I'm using for this build)... what would you suggest?

I wouldn't get the athlon over the i3 though.

 

[gar9]

But it is so much cheaper and this is just a spare rig to have at the gf's place.

Edit: Okay... unless there is an AMD MOBO that is full ATX and <$90 I am going to order this build tonight...

Thank you to everyone for a awesome and much needed advice.
Any further suggestions before I order it all tonight would be very much appreciated!

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/DlGn

BTW, this is the old case that I decided not to use for my main build last year... http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum2.php?config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=28&post=340727&page=1&p=1&sondage=0&owntopic=1&trash=0&trash_post=0&print=0&numreponse=0&quote_only=0&new=0&nojs=0


AMD Athlon II X4 640 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor $69.70 DirectCanada


Biostar A880GZ Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard $69.99 Newegg Canada


Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory $47.99 Canada Computers


Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk $95.87 DirectCanada


Gigabyte Radeon HD 6670 1GB Video Card (ordered already)


XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply $60.81 DirectCanada

Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) $89.45 DirectCanada

 

[blake1243]

But it is so much cheaper and this is just a spare rig to have at the gf's place.

Edit: Okay... unless there is an AMD MOBO that is full ATX and <$90 I am going to order this build tonight...

Thank you to everyone for a awesome and much needed advice.
Any further suggestions before I order it all tonight would be very much appreciated!

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/DlGn

BTW, this is the old case that I decided not to use for my main build last year... http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum2.php?config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=28&post=340727&page=1&p=1&sondage=0&owntopic=1&trash=0&trash_post=0&print=0&numreponse=0&quote_only=0&new=0&nojs=0


AMD Athlon II X4 640 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor $69.70 DirectCanada


Biostar A880GZ Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard $69.99 Newegg Canada


Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory $47.99 Canada Computers


Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk $95.87 DirectCanada


Gigabyte Radeon HD 6670 1GB Video Card (ordered already)


XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply $60.81 DirectCanada

Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) $89.45 DirectCanada

The athlon will be more than adequate for your spare rig (especially if overclocked). But why would you get a SSD for a spare rig? lol

 

[TemurAmir]

All you are really doing is loosing a core in exchange for 0.1GHz and 1.5MB of cache. And it costs A LOT more. But there are a lot of people who swear by Intel, but all I see is a terrible mounting bracket design and overpriced CPU's in comparison to AMD.

But your build should work. It will do what you want it to.

Ivy Bridge and the Athlon are two completely different architectures; you cannot just compare clockspeeds and caches and go with the higher number... not to mention that the Athlon is over 3 years old.

OP, to my knowledge your build can run an a10 and a 6670 in crossfire even if 6670 is ddr3. With that being said..

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

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($122.57 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A55M-DGS Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($44.88 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($59.99 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($95.87 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.45 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $462.75
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-13 18:08 EST-0500)

The a10 is about on par with an i3, both of which are better than an athlon. Some testers have shown some improvement with faster RAM speeds, so I put in 2133 memory.

 

[gar9]

Ivy Bridge and the Athlon are two completely different architectures; you cannot just compare clockspeeds and caches and go with the higher number... not to mention that the Athlon is over 3 years old.

OP, to my knowledge your build can run an a10 and a 6670 in crossfire even if 6670 is ddr3. With that being said..

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

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($122.57 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A55M-DGS Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($44.88 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($59.99 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($95.87 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.45 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $462.75
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-13 18:08 EST-0500)

The a10 is about on par with an i3, both of which are better than an athlon. Some testers have shown some improvement with faster RAM speeds, so I put in 2133 memory.

WOW! Thank you! The motherboard does not have sata 6Gbps but whatever. That build looks awesome! I am going to stick with the XFX 550 PSU though. That all looks great and I read here that it can indeed be "crossfired" with a DDR3 6670!
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?p=1039564077

 

[gar9]

The athlon will be more than adequate for your spare rig (especially if overclocked). But why would you get a SSD for a spare rig? lol

I have decided against getting an SSD for this rig, at least until the summer. I am going to get http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=1508116455S&vpn=WD10EZEX&manufacture=WESTERN%20DIGITAL

I don't want to order the parts until tomorrow night because I am gone all next week and purolator only holds items for 5 days

 

[gar9]

Just ordered it, this is the build I went with... http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/DJiq

I will update here how the build goes in a couple weeks.