Super Budget Gaming Rig?

[Cowmill45]

Here's the part list:
Core 2 quad Q9400
GTX580
4GB DDr2 Ram
250w PSU

All for $150

Good idea if my budget is below $200?

I already own the psu, motherboard, operating system, and storage.

 

[TechyInAZ]

Excellent for a budget rig like that. The 580 is still a good card, and the Q9400 will have no trouble keeping up with it.

 

[rhysiam]

Yes but... that GTX 580 has a TDP of 244W all on it's own. It needs both a 6 and 8 pin PCIe power connector. That CPU is 95W too. You need at least a 450W PSU if you're leaving everything thing at stock (and I don't know if they'll include an 8 pin PCIe connector).

Otherwise, yes, fine for a budget rig.

 

[tlalotoani]

It all depends on the games you want to play with it

 

[TechyInAZ]

Yes but... that GTX 580 has a TDP of 244W all on it's own. It needs both a 6 and 8 pin PCIe power connector. That CPU is 95W too. You need at least a 450W PSU if you're leaving everything thing at stock (and I don't know if they'll include an 8 pin PCIe connector).

Otherwise, yes, fine for a budget rig.

Good call, I totally overlooked the PSU.

Even 450W wouldn't be enough actually. You'll want to get at least a 550W PSU, the 580 is a very hungry video card.

 

[rhysiam]

Even 450W wouldn't be enough actually. You'll want to get at least a 550W PSU, the 580 is a very hungry video card.

Yeah, you're probably right. I was thinking OP could probably squeeze by with a good quality 450W unit, but 520-550 should really be the place to start.

OP - this Seasonic unit is probably the best US deal right now for your rig: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Unfortunately that adds nearly $50 to your already tight budget. But just to be clear, a 250W is an absolute no-go with that rig. Often the advice around PSUs is that it's not a good idea, but you might be okay. With your rig, a 250W unit will, as the best-case scenario, simply hard power off as soon as you launch a game. If it's got poor quality protection circuitry it'll likely blow itself up and could take any and all components with it.
So do NOT even power on that rig until you get a better PSU.