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Started by arealmanzter | | 11 answers
Help me build a gaming PC worth $550
I already have these

1TB Caviar Blue HDD
FSP Blue Lighting 500W PSU
20.5 LG LED Monitor (E2041)

The PC is for playing NBA 2K15 preferably maximum settings. And I hope it can also play some good games.

I will be needing your expert advice because it is my first time spending my hard earned money building a PC.

I think I will be needing CPU, GPU, Motherboard, Ram, Case, and anything that you could advise me. :) 


Thank you so much.
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October 9, 2014 8:55:59 AM

I am from the Philippines sir. Yes the FSP Blue Lighting is 80+ bronze sir. Maybe not well known there in USA. I am amazed how cheap the parts are there in USA. If only I knew someone who could ship items here. lolz
a b à CPUs
October 9, 2014 8:47:09 AM

You are welcome. The FSP is not that great. You can use it until you are able to get another one in the near future in my opinion...depending on what rating it has. It should be at least 80+ bronze certified. Where are you located? I only used the HIS brand because there is a very nice sale on it here in the states. Same for the Team brand RAM. But if you tell me where you are located, I might be able to help you find good parts in your area.
October 9, 2014 8:34:02 AM

^

Thank you sir. I think I have to re-adjust my budget to $500 since the parts here in my country is much higher. Really sorry. But will consider those suggestions. So the FSP Blue Lighting is not a good PSU?

And what is a good substitute for the HIS brand sir because I cannot find that here in our local stores. And same with the RAM. I can't see Vulcan brands here. And also the case. lolz. Really sorry.
a b à CPUs
October 9, 2014 8:29:29 AM

Ok here is the Intel build. I was able to find an AMD R9 280 on sale for only $150. So I would definitely go with this build over the other one I posted. I included a Z97 motherboard in this build, which is not necessary for the CPU that I have listed with it. But it will allow you to be able to upgrade to a K series Intel CPU (which are the high end chips designed for overclocking) in the future without having to switch motherboards. It is a very nice motherboard, as it supports both SLI and crossfire. I think it is a very wise choice to go with as it will last you quite some time into the future. The Z97 chipset will support all the new Intel CPU's that come out next year.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($175.44 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z97 Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($71.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: HIS Radeon R9 280 3GB IceQ OC Video Card ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H22 ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $547.40
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-09 11:25 EDT-0400
October 9, 2014 8:10:07 AM

Thank you so much for your replies. Didn't know people here answer very fast. Are those builds future proof? I mean good enough for how many years? Or do I need to upgrade something from time to time? Really sorry because I am a total NOOB when it comes to building a PC.
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October 9, 2014 8:07:10 AM

Here would be my suggestion. You get a 280x, which is quite powerful. For that price range though, I would rather have the 280x with a 6300 over an i5 with like a 270.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($98.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Killer ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($71.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: HIS Radeon R9 280X 3GB IceQ X² Video Card ($229.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H22 ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $540.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-09 11:05 EDT-0400

But I will also give you an Intel build.
a b à CPUs
October 9, 2014 8:07:01 AM

arealmanzter said:
I forgot to mention that I prefer Intel... Anyway, yes I do have my mouse and keyboard already. Do you think the FSP Blue Lighting is not a good PSU? I already have my OS here.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($119.87 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($48.99 @ Mwave)
Memory: Team Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($244.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Window ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.00 @ Newegg)
Total: $516.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-09 11:06 EDT-0400
October 9, 2014 8:02:44 AM

I forgot to mention that I prefer Intel... Anyway, yes I do have my mouse and keyboard already. Do you think the FSP Blue Lighting is not a good PSU? I already have my OS here.

Best solution chosen by arealmanzter

a b à CPUs
October 9, 2014 8:00:10 AM

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6350 3.9GHz 6-Core Processor ($129.94 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($84.89 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Team Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 280 3GB TurboDuo Video Card ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Window ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.00 @ Newegg)
Total: $497.81
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-09 10:59 EDT-0400

best i could come with. as others suggested, you might need a better psu. so you can get another video card like the 270x and get a better psu :) 
a b à CPUs
October 9, 2014 7:59:09 AM

Do you also have an operating system, monitor, keyboard and mouse?

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