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Low budget gaming computer

I

I Rumba

n00b
Joined
Feb 13, 2011
Messages
3
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming (e.g. Starcraft 2)
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Max $600, after tax & shipping
3) Where do you live?
MD
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
Need cpu, mobo, case, power supply, ram, dvd drive, video card.
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Already have keyboard, mouse, monitor (I think it's 1680x1050).
6) Will you be overclocking?
I don't intend to, at least not currently.
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
1680x1050
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Now
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? etc.
No features needed, though some overclocking capability might be nice for down the road.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Windows 7 64 bit.

My friend's brother is looking to build a budget gaming computer. His budget is $600, but I figure the less expensive the better (don't feel the need to spend all of the allocated budget). Right now he plays Starcraft 2 and is interested in "lite" games. I beleive his resolution is 1680x1050. I have a nearby Microcenter, but no Frys. Plan to put it together as soon as we get the parts figured out.

Here are the parts I'm currently considering...

Processor / Mobo: ($96-$160)

Athlon x4 640 or Phenom x4 965

Biostar a780L3G AM3 760G matx or Asus M4A78LT-m LE AM3 780L matx

link

He initially mentioned the Athlon, but as far as I understand the Phenom will generally offer better performance in games (due to l3 cache), without gambling on core-unlocking with the x2 or x3.


Ram: (I have some of this sitting around, I could sell it to him for $30)

Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3

link


Power Supply: ($55-$80)

I'm thinking the xfx 650W Modular, since it seems to go on sale a lot. Currently on sale for $55 AR,AC at TD

link

Alternatively Microcenter has it for $80 AR

link


Case: ($20-$55)

I have a Centurion 5 I could sell him for cheap, maybe around $20, but I was thinking the Antec 300 might be nice as well.

link


DVD Drive: ($20)

Pretty sure this doesn't really matter, as long as it reads DVDs. I figure the cheapest one that is SATA and can also burn would be best.

link

Video Card: ($110)

This is where I'm not really sure. Currently, he plays Starcraft 2. As for other games he might be intersted in, here's a direct quote from him. "I was thinking playing lite current games (I was thinking of a radeon hd 5000 series or better)..."

It might be a tad overkill, but I think the TigerDirect Galaxy 460 for $90 AR would be by far best bang for the buck. It should suffice for a while without being overkill. Plus, I figure the video card will be by far the easiest to upgrade in the future.

link


Total price:$331-$455

Looking to see the basics here will be good enough, or if there are better alternatives.
 
Don't factor in rebates since they are not guaranteed discounts.

I said:
Right now he plays Starcraft 2 and is interested in "lite" games.
....
"I was thinking playing lite current games (I was thinking of a radeon hd 5000 series or better)..."
Click to expand...
Find out exactly what he means by "lite current games". That can mean anything dude. In addition, his exact and clear definition of that will dictate what video card, CPU, and PSU he should be aiming for.

I said:
Case: ($20-$55)

I have a Centurion 5 I could sell him for cheap, maybe around $20, but I was thinking the Antec 300 might be nice as well.

link
Click to expand...
Unless you modded that Centurion 5 to have a front 120mm fan, get him the Antec 300.
 
Danny Bui said:
Unless you modded that Centurion 5 to have a front 120mm fan, get him the Antec 300.
Click to expand...

I agree with the Antec 300. Although the OP might want to add two inexpensive 120mm fans to the front of that 300 since they are not included (the stock fans are one 120mm rear and one 140mm top).
 
Thanks for the quick responses. I've sent him an email asking for him to elaborate on what games he might be interested in.

Also sounds like the Antec will be a much better choice, which I was leaning towards anyways.
 
I spoke with him again. Games he mentions are Starcraft 2, some older (2006-2008) fps's, and madden 07.

I'm guessing the 460 will be more than sufficient. The XFX power supply would probably be overkill, but it should also give some headroom for future upgrades, so I'm not sure where I stand on the psu.
 
I said:
I spoke with him again. Games he mentions are Starcraft 2, some older (2006-2008) fps's, and madden 07.

I'm guessing the 460 will be more than sufficient. The XFX power supply would probably be overkill, but it should also give some headroom for future upgrades, so I'm not sure where I stand on the psu.
Click to expand...

Be careful. Some of those old games might not run at all on Windows 7, even in XP compatibility mode. Other old games will require reconfiguration to run in XP compatibility mode in order to run in Win 7.

Specifically, Madden 07 requires running in XP compatibility mode in Vista or Win 7. EA, the publisher of Madden, is now no longer developing or publishing new sports games for the PC - but instead concentrating entirely on consoles. As a result, the last three Madden titles for the PC are nothing more than mere ports of the crappy PS/2 versions of those same games, and did not receive the graphics updates that the XboX 360 and PS/3 versions received.
 
You should consider using the Gigabyte GA-MA78LMT-S2 motherboard. It's been getting great reviews and Gigabyte motherboards have always been rock solid performers overall. I've used 3 of these so far and just ordered a 4th one for a budget build. No problems and can be used to unlock cores/mild OC.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128455 Comes out about the same price ($10 rebate too)

Biostar isn't bad either and Asus matx boards are often hit or miss (from my experience)...but I would go with the Gigabyte board.
 
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