Best gaming computer for $500?

D

djfsolo

Limp Gawd
Joined
Nov 17, 2008
Messages
136
Hey guys. Trying to help a friend replace his computer, but he only wants to spend $500.. yeah I know not much to work with, but I was wondering if you could come up with anything actually somewhat decent for that amount of cash.

Graphics card is the priority here, willing to cap the initial harddrive space under 300gb and memory at 2gb to maximize money available for the card.

I can barely put these things together and I am NOT the right one to pick out parts so I was hoping that you all could put in your 2 cents.

happy holidays~

target: play COD4 at max graphics at atleast 1024x768 with 50fps
play TF2 " "
play DOOM3 " "
play Farcry 2 at at least medium settings and low res. with at 50+fps

not an intense gamer, but he'd like SOME capability.

thanks again
 
tagging to see the replies. i'm curious as to what can be built for this price-range.
 
Please answer the questions in the sticky marked "ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS FIRST". Otherwise we cannot help you.
 
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc

Gaming

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?

currently $500

3) Where do you live?

Crofton, MD

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.

Need all parts.
Would prefer if the case had blue lighting and multiple fans, if possible with speed controls built in, although not required.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.

No parts will be reused, this computer is intended to replace a HP computer from 2000/2001

6) Will you be overclocking?

No.

7) What size monitor do you have or plan to have?

17" CRT. Probably 1024x768 native res.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?

As soon as possible

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.

No crossfire or SLI, No Raid, No Firewire

Just need internet interface, built in audio, standard connections, PCI 2.0 express slot for graphics
 
 
@ hossdaddy

Are you sure that AMD mobo supports the new Athlon 7700 series? Can't find a CPU compatibility list on Foxconn's website for that mobo.
 
hmmm thats a good question man, I forgot to look, I can't seem to find any cpu compatibility list on their site at all?? with that in mind I am recommending this board instead. I have it and its rock solid.

ASUS M3A78-CM AM2+/AM2 AMD 780V Micro ATX $72.99

I checked asus's site and it does support that cpu but with a bios update.
 
budget has been increased to $600, with $90 for the NXT Guardian Case, leaving $510 for parts, does this change anything? Personally I think that build would do fine, but just wondering
 
1024 x 768 is a low res. Here's another option. Intel Core 2 build option


Cpu/Video Card - Intel Core 2 E7300(2.66ghz) + Sapphire Radeon HD4830($10 MIR) both for $220
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.149117

Mobo - MSI P43 Neo3-F for $85($10 MIR) for $85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130185

Ram - 4gig OCZ Fatal1ty DDR 800 for $36 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227334

HDD - SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ 500GB for $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152052

Optical - SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R Sata DVD Burner for $25 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171

Case/Psu - Antec NSK4480 Black w/Antec Earthwatts 380 for $75 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129031


Total: $496
 
djfsolo said:
budget has been increased to $600, with $90 for the NXT Guardian Case, leaving $510 for parts, does this change anything? Personally I think that build would do fine, but just wondering
Click to expand...

That does change a few things since the case is no longer a factor. I would go HardwareGuru's build but swap out the case/PSU combo with this BFG PSU:
BFG Tech LS-550 550W PSU - $67

Use the leftover $22 in the budget towards the faster WD6400AAKS hard drive.

Or you can go with hossdaddy's build since it has a faster video card but slightly slower and higher power using CPU but swap out the PC P&C PSU for the higher wattage/amperage and quality BFG PSU.
 
Thank you all for your replies, this has helped a lot. One last scenario, is the cheapest possible computer using a GTX260 video card.
 
djfsolo said:
Thank you all for your replies, this has helped a lot. One last scenario, is the cheapest possible computer using a GTX260 video card.
Click to expand...


Just take out the video card they have included and add in a GTX260...no brainier.
 
djfsolo said:
Thank you all for your replies, this has helped a lot. One last scenario, is the cheapest possible computer using a GTX260 video card.
Click to expand...

Cheapest possible build with the GTX260:
Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 CPU - $120
MSI Neo3-F Intel P43 Motherboard - $85
Kingston KVR800D2N5/2G 2GB DDR2 800 RAM - $20
eVGA 896-P3-1264-AR GeForce GTX 260 SSC 896MB PCI-E Video Card - $230
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 320GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $60
Samsung SH-222F 22X DVD±R SATA DVD Burner - $25
BFG Tech LS-550 550W PSU - $67
Cooler Master RC-590-KKN1-GP ATX Case - $50
----
Total: $657 plus tax and shipping

Though for best bang for the buck, I recommend getting this hard drive and this RAM:
G.Skill F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 RAM - $40
Western Digital WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $75
 
Have you considered buying a used system? Or some of the stuff used to save some $
 
hossdaddy said:
Have you guys seen how the new amd cpu performs? Its on par with the E8200 in every test, and its $40 less than the e7xxx series. This cpu deserves some serious consideration, especially when his budget is so tight.
http://www.guru3d.com/article/amd-athlon-x2-7750-be-review/11
Click to expand...

It bearly gets near it even when its overclocked to 3.2ghz. I was upset they compared it to a e8200, and not a e5200. :confused:, even more paired it up to a p45 board instead of the 680i.
 
djfsolo, our threads are fairly similar now that you've upped your budget some. you'll find some similar builds of my own in the $600-660 range with the GTX 260 in my thread.
 
Thanks for all the replies, I think I have the information I need. This isn't a build for me but a friend of mine, and I think he should be satisfied.
Very good information here.
Happy holidays~
 
djfsolo said:
Thanks for all the replies, I think I have the information I need. This isn't a build for me but a friend of mine, and I think he should be satisfied.
Very good information here.
Happy holidays~
Click to expand...

Nice, hope he enjoys it :cool:

That msi gtx 260 is tempting, but im broke hehe ;)
 
barely gets near it? when oc'd its 1 frame behind @ 12x10 and 3 frames @ 1680x1050?(in the crysis bench) Do you really think you will see 3 fps difference? Especially when its $79 vs $170ish. In the COD4 benchs it beats the 8200 everytime.

This reply isnt meant to hijack or take the thread somewhere else but this cpu is getting the job done at almost 50 cents on the dollar to the intel chip.
 
Yes the X2 7750 is worthy of consideration now.

The X2 7750 is faster than the E5200 at stock speeds and at higher resolutiopns according to this review:
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2008/12/22/athlon-x2-7750-vs-intel-e5200-oc-review/1

However, at the OP's res of 1024x768, would seem that the two CPUs pretty much trade blows with one another according to this review:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/athlon-x2-7750_6.html#sect0

According to this review, the X2 7550 is roughly 17% slower than the E8500/E8400 at both 1024x768 and 1680x1050:
http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/16...e_2_7ghz_cpu_phenom_goes_dual_core/index.html

Since overclocking is not a factor and taking account the OP's low res, the X2 7750 is a good choice for a CPU. Also, the overclocking numbers provided in each of the reviews linked so far do not matter here in this thread since, as stated earlier, overclocking is not factor. So don't invoke overclocking performance here. Stock speeds is what matters the most in this particular thread.
 
Yes the 7750 certainly becomes attractive for the non-OCing super budget seeker. I think you could literally build a decent midrange gaming rig for $400 in hardware.
Still if OCing is a factor even the E5200 still has the legs
 
That's my usual budget for a gaming computer. Fry's usually helps a lot with that. ;)

I'd probably recommend something based on an E5200, P4x chipset board and a 8800GT or HD4750 (whichever is cheaper).
 
Alright guys, as am trying to avoid returning all of this stuff again (like what happened with my build) I thought I'd double check the final list with you all before I make the order

here is what I have decided on:
E7300 processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115132
MSI P45 Neo 3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130185
OCZ 4gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227334
OCZ 500w psu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341012
Asus 512mb HD4850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121272
Samsung 500gb hd
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152052
NZXT guardian case (his choice)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146050
Samsung dvdrw
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171

grand total $621.89 with shipping and tax included

let me know if I can save any here and there!
cheers and merry christmas to all
 
I, of course, would ditch that PSU, but eh, you've probably already bought it all. :p post pics!
 
hossdaddy said:
+1 with enginurd the following would be a better buy and worth it!

Rosewill RP550V2-D-SL 550W $59.99
BFG Tech GS-550 550W $59.99
Rosewill RP650-2 650W $69.99
PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS500 500W $69.99 ($20 mir)
Click to expand...

You have no idea how much it pains me to say this but I'd rather go with that StealthXStream PSU than with any of those PSUs for the following reasons:
- Both Rosewill PSUs are made by Magnell, an unknown and untested PSU manufacturer. At least I know that the FSP Epsilon design, which the StealthXStream is based off of, is decent at or below 500W. There's very little info on the actual quality of Magnell PSUs.
- The GS series is BFG's low-end line. IIRC, even JonnyGuru, the product manager over at BFG and retired PSU tester, says they're of low quality
- That Silencer is way overpriced IMO.

OP, if you have to buy from newegg, I recommend getting this significantly higher quality (Over the Rosewills, BFG GS and StealthXStream line:
BFG LS-550 550W PSU - $75
 
thanks for the tips, and no I have yet to buy the parts. If you have more to say, please say it. Most of all I was wondering if there was a better motherboard for the money.
 
P43 for $85 w/ an additional $10MIR? You can't get much better than that. I think the DS3L is $80, lol.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top