$350 Mini-System

[coderwalker]

I am building a new gaming computer. It seems that every-time I upgrade my computer I have to swap out the Motherboard and RAM because it's no longer supported by the newer processors, so this PC does not need to be upgradable. When this PC becomes out-dated I'm just going to by a new MB, CPU and RAM combo again anyway. I use my computers for years before upgrading (usually 4).
I would much prefer to have this PC use a small form factor than be upgradable since it will all be swapped out in a couple of years anyway.

The goals of this build would be as follows:
* Small Form Factor Case
* Nice GPU for playing Modern Games at 1080P
* 4 GB RAM
* CPU able to drive GPU
* >= 500 GB HDD
* Power Supply that supplies just enough for the system (again not upgrading)
* $350 or less total cost
* (Up-gradability not necessary)

I have found something along the lines of what I was thinking, however it's $700:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RafZCg04wV4
Generally since there is a large mark-up with pre-built machines I would like to see if it's possible to build a decent machine with 1/2 the cost.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

 

[pete123edgar]

So you want to build a computer that would last 4 years and play modern games at 1080p? That is impossible, well technically not but still, get a bigger budget mate. I am going to assume you have a monitor since you have an "out-dated" pc and an os? If not an os alone cost you $70+ unless you use it illegal.

 

[pete123edgar]

If I am wrong and your budget is $700, then I could pick one for you.

 

[TimeLass]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Fz1S
if you want to game on 1080p, then no. If you want to game on 720p/768p, then yes.

 

[leandrodafontoura]

* Nice GPU for playing Modern Games at 1080P
Thanks in advance!

That alone would be the Titan wich is $999

altough a GTX 650 is $100 and its already a great card

what you want is impossible. Usually when budge people upgrade they spend $350 on the CPU/Mobo/RAM combinatin alone. and thas budget.

$150 CPU
$100 Mobo
$100 GPU

If you really want a small form factor computer, try the MacMini

 

[coderwalker]

I was hoping to be able to beat the price of a console with a PC. Oh well.
Would it be possible with a $500 budget?

Again this does not need to be upgradable, the CPU only needs to be strong enough to drive the GPU (It wont be running CPU intensive applications only GPU intensive)

I looked into the GTX 650 and that is a great card, that card is sufficient for this build.

Thanks for the replies thus far!

 

[SHORYUKEN]

Quick question, what games are you looking to play?

 

[coderwalker]

I really don't have any specific games in mind that are new. The only two I would like to play thus far are Sonic Generations, Amnesia, Minecraft and Battlefield 3.

Also OS is not included in this budget. I will be running Linux and Wine.

 

[coderwalker]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Fz1S
if you want to game on 1080p, then no. If you want to game on 720p/768p, then yes.

Very nice, my only concern is the ASRock board. I have heard bad things about those boards. Anyone else?

 

[TimeLass]

Very nice, my only concern is the ASRock board. I have heard bad things about those boards. Anyone else?

Swap that out for something like this then
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gah77nwifi

 

[coderwalker]

Swap that out for something like this then
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gah77nwifi

Do you think it would be cheaper to go an AMD route?

Also I have never heard of http://pcpartpicker.com/ thanks for the link to it!

I just ran across the AMD A8-3870K, is that a good gaming solution or a pitfall ?
Battlefield 3 1080p: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb9DKRBrCXA
Mass Effect 3 1080p: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8B-DJt1LCk
$350 build video: http://teksyndicate.com/videos/kill-your-console-350-gaming-pc-june-2012

 

[TimeLass]

Do you think it would be cheaper to go an AMD route?

Also I have never heard of http://pcpartpicker.com/ thanks for the link to it!

I just ran across the AMD A8-3870K, is that a good gaming solution or a pitfall ?
Battlefield 3 1080p: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb9DKRBrCXA
Mass Effect 3 1080p: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8B-DJt1LCk
$350 build video: http://teksyndicate.com/videos/kill-your-console-350-gaming-pc-june-2012

yes if only tou're not going to buy a discrete GPU...you will get something like this
http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/
however you can always add in another HD 6670 for Hybrid CFX which will increase by nearly 15-20%(i'm not sure)