Gaming PC Help!

[AssossaGPB]

I only have $609 to spend and was wondering which would be better: Building a gaming pc or using a pci to usb converter to hook up a graphics card to my current computer (acer aspire 7740-5691). If I build a computer I can only afford a $30 graphics card, but if i hook up a graphics card to my laptop, I can buy a $500 graphics card. please answer!

 

[Gate9er]

Well to be honest there is no point of building a computer with just 600 bucks.... You will most probably buy the cheapest hardware in the market. Also you cannot install a pci graphics card, on a laptop! So if you need my opinion, keep your money and try save a bit more (probably around 900 bucks). Then you can come back and discuss about a new computer

 

[rmiiirusty]

Well to be honest there is no point of building a computer with just 600 bucks.... You will most probably buy the cheapest hardware in the market. Also you cannot install a pci graphics card, on a laptop! So if you need my opinion, keep your money and try save a bit more (probably around 900 bucks). Then you can come back and discuss about a new computer

+1

 

[xomm]

Also you cannot install a pci graphics card, on a laptop! So if you need my opinion, keep your money and try save a bit more (probably around 900 bucks). Then you can come back and discuss about a new computer

You can, actually, but it's pointless as a budget solution (you'd need a thunderbolt port and a rather expensive PCI-e enclosure).

 

[stickmansam]

If you're willing to run linux and use your TV you can get a pretty decent build

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($133.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($85.49 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.48 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($73.52 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone SST-RL01B-USB 3.0 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $573.24
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-02 19:12 EST-0500)

Build with OS
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($122.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock B75M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($58.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.48 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.60 @ Compuvest)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone SST-RL01B-USB 3.0 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $611.97
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-02 19:14 EST-0500)


Build with OS and screen (albeit only a 1600x900p)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G2120 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor ($77.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock B75M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($58.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.48 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.60 @ Compuvest)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 650 Ti 1GB Video Card ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone PS08B (Black) MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($34.90 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: HP W2072a (A3M50AA#ABA) 60Hz 20.0" Monitor ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $603.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-02 19:22 EST-0500)

 

[rmiiirusty]

If you're willing to run linux and use your TV you can get a pretty decent build

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($133.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($85.49 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.48 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($73.52 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone SST-RL01B-USB 3.0 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $573.24
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-02 19:12 EST-0500)

That actually looks pretty good, I would save the extra for win7 tho. You can usually finda deal for $79- $89 somewhere

 

[swifty_morgan]

here's a few items ( complete build )$612.93 with operating system.

the SSD can be swapped for a standard 7200rpm 500g HD to save money. ( about $130 ) But an SSD is the rage right now.

case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146065
ps
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103013
ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104260
cpu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113281
ssd
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231614
mobo/opsys combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1224791.13-157-334

 

[rmiiirusty]

here's a few items ( complete build )$612.93 with operating system.

the SSD can be swapped for a standard 7200rpm 500g HD to save money. ( about $130 ) But an SSD is the rage right now.

case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146065
ps
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103013
ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104260
cpu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113281
ssd
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231614
mobo/opsys combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1224791.13-157-334

This also looks like a good build, but why would youpay $42 for 4g ram when you could get 8gigs for about $50

I like the ssd choice, A hdd could be added for storage later if needed... Also, I would not be to confident with the sparkle psu... Would rather go to ebay for

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321082810828?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

or

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271155511122?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

or even

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251235120351?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

[swifty_morgan]

I'd trust sparkle before I'd trust corsair. That's how much respect I think they deserve. Maybe the odd name sways people but you need to look beyond that. PS's aren't "gay".

the ram, I chose 4gigs first so I wouldn't run out of funds for the build ( $609 ) . But like I said, if the SSD could or would be dropped for a standard HD more money could have been spent elsewhere. But in reality 4gigs is plenty.

It's my build, different from what others posted and I'll stick with it. I even thought about buying that stuff for myself. Would fit a niche. But am building a work machine I hope to finish this year.

 

[rmiiirusty]

I'd trust sparkle before I'd trust corsair. That's how much respect I think they deserve. Maybe the odd name sways people but you need to look beyond that. PS's aren't "gay".

the ram, I chose 4gigs first so I wouldn't run out of funds for the build ( $609 ) . But like I said, if the SSD could or would be dropped for a standard HD more money could have been spent elsewhere. But in reality 4gigs is plenty.

It's my build, different from what others posted and I'll stick with it. I even thought about buying that stuff for myself. Would fit a niche. But am building a work machine I hope to finish this year.

Wasn't meaning to cut down or call sparkle Gay or anything, just unsure about their psu's. I have had lower end sparkle gpu's before and they were satisfactory.

Why the hate toward corsair psu's... They are one of the most respected psu's on the market? (except for the builder series) I have used them for years.

I have the one I linked in my current system. Its 3rd system in 3 years. I checked it with my volt meter and it still puts out closer to 730 watts stable. That is why I stick with it and why I suggested it over a supply that I wasn't sure of... No offense intended!

Also, your build didn't include a gpu, so the OP will have to spend more anyway!

 

[swifty_morgan]

not knocking Corsair. Have 2 right here. But also had 1 go bad so they're not infallible.

gotta edit: mine was a 520 and now that i think about it my nephew had one go belly up. ( a 650 )

 

[rmiiirusty]

not knocking Corsair. Have 2 right here. But also had 1 go bad so they're not infallible.

gotta edit: mine was a 520 and now that i think about it my nephew had one go belly up. ( a 650 )

Yeah, I guess there can be a dud in any brand. I once bought a kohler faucet for my sink and once I turned on the water supply, I couldn't turn off the faucet! lol

 

[swifty_morgan]

..........LOL......