Suggestions for budget computer for games

[dario03]

So I have a friend that wants to get a new computer for playing games. He wanted to do it a couple months ago but had to delay so I waited till he said he had the money and is ready to buy this week. I'm not up to date on the best bang for the buck so looking for suggestions.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Playing newer games and web surfing.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Around $600 with shipping and tax.

3) Where do you live?
SE Michigan, could drive to a Microcenter but its about a hour away.

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.
Case, CPU, Mobo, RAM (8GB), GPU, HDD (~1TB), Blu-ray reader/DVDRW,

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, already bought a new Antec 620W PSU

6) Will you be overclocking?
Yes, but nothing crazy, probably would stop once it starts requiring a lot more volts for little gains or when temps get too high, whatever comes first.

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
have a 22"

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Plan to order the parts in the next few days.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video? etc.
If it doesn't cost to much more SATA 6Gb/s and USB 3.0 would be nice but not required.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Yes, Windows 7 64bit

 

[Dangman]

Which psu did you buy?

 

[tiraides]

What's the model number of the PSU?

What's the resolution of that 22" monitor?

Which games do you want to play?

 

[E4g1e]

Guys, there are/have been only two Antec-branded 620W PSUs: The NEO ECO 620c and the High Current Gamer 620. Both are made by Seasonic - but the High Current Gamer is of a newer platform.

 

[Dangman]

Must've caught a ninja edit or something: I could have sworn the OP didn't list that he had an Antec PSU. Oh well, my mistake.

 

[Forceman]

Guys, there are/have been only two Antec-branded 620W PSUs: The NEO ECO 620c and the High Current Gamer 620. Both are made by Seasonic - but the High Current Gamer is of a newer platform.

If I remember correctly, there used to be a Antec Neo 620W - which may be the same as the ECO, but came out before the ECO branding. Pretty sure I still have mine in the closet at home.

 

[dario03]

The PSU is a Antec Neo Eco 620W just bought it a couple weeks ago because it was on sale.

Also I edited the first post because the Budget for the remainding parts is now $600.

 

[Deleted member 88227]

What is your 22" monitor resolution? 1680x1050? or 1080P?

 

[dario03]

1680x1050

 

[Dangman]

This should do the trick:
$343 - Intel Core i5-2400 CPU + XFX HD-687A-ZHFC Radeon HD 6870 1GB PCI-E Video Card
$90 - Gigabyte GA-Z68P-DS3 Intel Z68 ATX Motherboard
$42 - G.Skill Value Series F3-10666CL9D-8GBNT 2 x 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM
$60 - Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$20 - LG iHAS124-04 DVD Burner
$50 - NZXT Source 210 Elite White with Black Front Trim ATX Case
----
Total: $605 shipped.

 

[dario03]

Would he not benefit from a better gpu but lower level cpu? Its a gaming computer so games would be the only taxing programs he runs. And I think if I do go with a cpu in that price range I'll just drive out to Microcenter and get a 2500k. And can you overclock a non k version of the 2400/2500?

Anybody have suggestions for a blu-ray reader/dvd burner? He wants to be able to play movies on the computer.

And are there any good boards in that price range that come with USB 3.0? I saw some ~$100 Asus and Gigabyte boards on newegg that had it and sata 6gb, are any of them good?

 

[Deleted member 88227]

Would he not benefit from a better gpu but lower level cpu? Its a gaming computer so games would be the only taxing programs he runs. And I think if I do go with a cpu in that price range I'll just drive out to Microcenter and get a 2500k. And can you overclock a non k version of the 2400/2500?

With his resolution, he wont really notice much of a difference with going with a faster GPU. The games he will be playing at that resolution will be more than fluid enough. Having the faster CPU in this case will allow him to upgrade the GPU at a later date should games get more demanding and/or he goes with a higher resolution monitor.

And are there any good boards in that price range that come with USB 3.0? I saw some ~$100 Asus and Gigabyte boards on newegg that had it and sata 6gb, are any of them good?

It will bring you further over your budget, but yes those ~$110 dollar Asus, Gigabyte or MSI motherboads that come with USB 3.0 will be fine.

 

[dario03]

So Microcenter is having a deal where if you buy a 2600k you get $80 off a Z68 motherboard. So do you guys think I should go with that? My understanding is that a 2600k won't give much of a boost in games since most won't take advantage of the HT but since its only $58 more and has the better board I'm torn on what to do. My friend decided to just use a dvdrw and buy a spare case from me so with the 2500k I'll be right on budget but if the 2600k and better mobo are worth the money I'll tell him to go with that. Need to find out quick though since the sale ends tommorow.

$180 + $11 tax 2500k http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589
$90 - $10mir GIGABYTE GA-Z68P-DS3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128520
total $281 - $10mir

Or

$280 + $17 tax 2600k http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354587
$110 - $80instant rebate + $2 tax GIGABYTE GA-Z68AP-D3 http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0375352
total $329