cheap gaming pc

[Yero]

Hey guys I know there's a ton of threads on this so I just want a quick thumbs up or advice on how to squeeze more performance on a budget ~$600. I am in US, and using microcenter brick and mortar. plan on building in next week or so.

I do mostly gaming (dota team fortress 2 etc.) and want something that can handle these plus running new games decently.

I live near microcenter so my part choices are based on what they offer:

Intel Core i3 3225 3.3GHz LGA 1155 Boxed Processor: $120
ASRock Z77 Pro3 1155 ATX Intel Motherboard: $45
Logisys Mid Tower ATX Computer Case with 480 Watt: $36
Corsair Vengeance Series 4GB DDR3-1600 PC3-12800) $35 (i dont need a ton of ram)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 500GB 7,200 RPM SATA 3.0G: $67
Sapphire Technology 11200-16-20G AMD Radeon HD 7850: $185
Lite-ON 24X SATA DVD Burner - OEM $18

total: $506.93

I need advice for the videocard. is the 7850 too much for my needs? what else should I look into?

thanks

[Ken g6]

The numbers you listed add up to $458.

I know you left at least one thing out: The answers to (a few of) these questions.

[Yero]

ok, math lesson taken. still need some advice

[Torn Mind]

The sticky helps people give advice that is pertinent to your needs more efficiently. That's why you are asked to do it.

I can see one thing though. That Logisys case has a crappy Logisys PSU, so a different PSU is definitely needed. Bare minimum is the Corsair CX430, but you might need more if a 7950 is suitable for your rig.

[Yero]

Yea I agree the psu is crappy in the case. Will pick up an antec basiq 450W

[Termie]

A number of thoughts:

$35 is too much money for 4GB of RAM. You can get 4GB for ~$25. I'd recommend this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148654

You can also step up to 8GB for $45, and I'd recommend this very fast kit: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231550

Also, while the i3-3225 is a great processor, you're really missing a huge opportunity by not stepping up to a quad core if you're shopping at MicroCenter. You're shooting for the i3-3225/z77 deal, but it doesn't actually makes much sense. You're spending $165 on that, when z77 doesn't do anything for an i3 over a B75.

So, either get the i3 with the Gigabyte B75 for $145, or step up to the i5-3470 and B75 for $225. While it doesn't seem like as good a deal because you lose the combo discount, the price on the 3225 is not very good, whereas the price on the 3470 is amazing. It's really a much better gaming processor, and therefore a much better long-term investment.

Also, the price on that Seagate 500GB is too high. Here's the 1TB model for a few dollars more: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148697

Alternatively, a 500GB model for $60: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136769

And finally, scrap that junky Logisys case/PSU and go with the low-end stuff from Corsair or Antec. It will cost you a bit more in the short-run, but it's worth it in the long-run. If you want suggestions, just ask.

Overall, I'm giving you a bunch of options, either to take the price down or up on each component, depending on your budget, other than the PSU, which absolutely must go up in price to get a quality unit.

[Yero]

^ thanks so much.

Edit: I dont mind spending extra 7-10 dollars on ram or HD since I will be picking this up in person so no shipping costs. I appreciate the processor advice, I can afford the i5-3470. what about video card?

[Torn Mind]

Originally Posted by Termie

A number of thoughts:

$35 is too much money for 4GB of RAM. You can get 4GB for ~$25. I'd recommend this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148654

You can also step up to 8GB for $45, and I'd recommend this very fast kit: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231550

Also, while the i3-3225 is a great processor, you're really missing a huge opportunity by not stepping up to a quad core if you're shopping at MicroCenter. You're shooting for the i3-3225/z77 deal, but it doesn't actually makes much sense. You're spending $165 on that, when z77 doesn't do anything for an i3 over a B75.

So, either get the i3 with the Gigabyte B75 for $145, or step up to the i5-3470 and B75 for $225. While it doesn't seem like as good a deal because you lose the combo discount, the price on the 3225 is not very good, whereas the price on the 3470 is amazing. It's really a much better gaming processor, and therefore a much better long-term investment.

Also, the price on that Seagate 500GB is too high. Here's the 1TB model for a few dollars more: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148697

Alternatively, a 500GB model for $60: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136769

And finally, scrap that junky Logisys case/PSU and go with the low-end stuff from Corsair or Antec. It will cost you a bit more in the short-run, but it's worth it in the long-run. If you want suggestions, just ask.

Overall, I'm giving you a bunch of options, either to take the price down or up on each component, depending on your budget, other than the PSU, which absolutely must go up in price to get a quality unit.

If he's going to spend $225 for a mobo+CPU, he might as well get the 3570K and Gigabyte mobo instead for about $10 less before tax; the combo works on the 3570K.

Also, if Biostar or MSI(cannot speak for either) is not noticeably worse than Gigabyte, they have cheaper mobos than the Gigabyte motherboard. But I'm not sure of their quality. MSI has a couple B75s and the Biostar is an H77 motherboard. http://microcenter.com/search/search...a-Micro-Center

[ElFenix]

run far, far away from that case + power supply combo

you can get 8GB of ram for $40 (after additional $5 off if you buy a processor or mobo from microcenter)
http://www.microcenter.com/product/3...Memory_Modules)


you can get a 1TB toshiba 7200 rpm drive for $7 less than that 500 GB seagate
http://www.microcenter.com/product/4...01ACA100_-_OEM

bitfenix has reviewed well on the main site:
http://www.microcenter.com/product/3..._Computer_Case

power supplies aren't microcenter's forte, this seems about $15 high, but if you just want to get everything in one place it's a good supply for not a ton of money.
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...spx?sku=937086

[Ken g6]

I've heard BioStar has improved in quality noticeably recently. It seems like MSI...hasn't - but YMMV.

The video card you selected is not bad. One problem: It only has 1GB RAM. That's fine for now, but if you plan to use it for awhile, see if you can step up to the 2GB version.

Also, you didn't answer a few questions:
- Do you have a monitor? What resolution? If it's below 1920x1080, go back to the 1GB card.
- Do you have any other parts you can re-use?
- Do you have an OS license you can use?

[Termie]

Originally Posted by Torn Mind

If he's going to spend $225 for a mobo+CPU, he might as well get the 3570K and Gigabyte mobo instead for about $10 less before tax; the combo works on the 3570K.

Also, if Biostar or MSI(cannot speak for either) is not noticeably worse than Gigabyte, they have cheaper mobos than the Gigabyte motherboard. But I'm not sure of their quality. MSI has a couple B75s and the Biostar is an H77 motherboard. http://microcenter.com/search/search...a-Micro-Center

Great point.

[Yero]

I appreciate the advice guys, I know I'm a noob now, been about 10 years since I've built pc/kept up with hardware.

I've updated my list accordingly:
Intel Core i5 3570K 3.4GHz LGA 1155 Processor (it says its unlocked, which I assume allows you to overclock easier): $189.99 (do I need a cpu cooler too?)
Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3H LGA 1155 mATX Intel Motherboard: $25
Diablotek EVO Mid Tower ATX Computer Case: $38
Antec Basiq Series VP450 450 Watt ATX Power Supply $34.99 AR
Ram: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB DDR3-1600 PC3-12800) C $44.99
Toshiba 1TB 7,200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal H $60
HIS H785QN2G2M Radeon HD 7850 IceQ X 2048MB GDDR5

Same dvd

total: $665.04 w/ tax

[Yero]

Originally Posted by Ken g6

I've heard BioStar has improved in quality noticeably recently. It seems like MSI...hasn't - but YMMV.

The video card you selected is not bad. One problem: It only has 1GB RAM. That's fine for now, but if you plan to use it for awhile, see if you can step up to the 2GB version.

Also, you didn't answer a few questions:
- Do you have a monitor? What resolution? If it's below 1920x1080, go back to the 1GB card.
- Do you have any other parts you can re-use?
- Do you have an OS license you can use?

I upped to 2gb version. Will get a widescreen monitor 23 inch. I have mouse/keyboard and crappy 19inch monitor for now. I have an OS license for Win 7/8

[Termie]

That's an excellent build!

Just one point, which is partly my fault - the B75 motherboard is a great deal at $25, but it won't allow you to take advantage of the unlocked overclocking of the 3570k. If you are not on a strict budget, go for the Pro3 you found before. I only suggested the B75 because the i3-3225 was not unlocked.

And no, you don't need to buy a separate CPU fan, because the 3570k comes with an adequate one, although for serious overclocking, you should get an aftermarket cooler.

[lehtv]

You cannot overclock on a B75 chipset board, you need Z77. Get an Asrock Z77 Pro3 $35 AR (combo discount).

A 7850 isn't fast enough for the CPU to become a bottleneck at stock clocks, but later GPU upgrades may prove different. So you don't have to OC right away, but once you do, you will need an aftermarket cooler like 212 Evo.

[Yero]

Will get the asRock Z77. back when I overclocked my pentium 4, I did so without raising the voltage so heat wasn't an issue. I assume its still possible to oc without raising voltage?

[Termie]

Originally Posted by Yero

Will get the asRock Z77. back when I overclocked my pentium 4, I did so without raising the voltage so heat wasn't an issue. I assume its still possible to oc without raising voltage?

Yes, you can OC without extra voltage, but heat is still an issue.

If you're interested in overclocking, just pick up an inexpensive cooler when you're at MicroCenter:

CoolerMaster Hyper 212+ ($20AR): http://www.microcenter.com/product/3...sal_CPU_Cooler
CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Evo ($30): http://www.microcenter.com/product/3...sal_CPU_Cooler

[mfenn]

Originally Posted by Ken g6

I've heard BioStar has improved in quality noticeably recently. It seems like MSI...hasn't - but YMMV.

MSI is totally fine. Thinking about it further, both of my main PCs have MSI motherboards right now. I didn't plan it that way, but they happened to be the best value when I went to purchase. Neither has given me any trouble whatsoever.

[lehtv]

Originally Posted by Termie

Yes, you can OC without extra voltage, but heat is still an issue.

To be fair, OC with no extra voltage will be pretty limited. But OC with stock voltage is usually good for up to 4.2-4.4 ghz or around there (stock voltage being stock VID which is different for different frequencies).

[lehtv]

Originally Posted by mfenn

MSI is totally fine. Thinking about it further, both of my main PCs have MSI motherboards right now. I didn't plan it that way, but they happened to be the best value when I went to purchase. Neither has given me any trouble whatsoever.

I agree that MSI is fine, but not because you happen to have boards that work fine. Anecdotal evidence, not statistically significant

[Hubb1e]

Just to help you spend the extra cash this updated build is costing you, if you live by a microcenter and game it is almost criminal to NOT get a z77 board with an i5 3570k. This processor is unlocked and hits at least 4.2ghz on stock voltage with nothing more than a simple setting in the bios. Easy as pie. At that stock voltage you can get away with the stock fan, though you may want to get one of those $20 CPU fans just so you don't have to do it later on. I did and I don't regret it.

Just for reference, the price on that CPU and board combo is so cheap that even my wife is running a Z77 and i5 3570k when all she does is the internet and some basic photo / video editing. Why not at that price?

This CPU will last you MUCH longer than the i3 you were planning to build with so the initial cost will be worth it.

[camoxiong]

pick a new PSU, like the Corsair cx430 or Antec NEO Series

[mfenn]

Originally Posted by lehtv

I agree that MSI is fine, but not because you happen to have boards that work fine. Anecdotal evidence, not statistically significant

Yeah, I know. I was anecdoting Ken's anecdote.