$500 Budget Gaming PC (already have some parts)

[ibex333]

Recently sold a couple of things I didn't need, and freed up some funds.

Help me build a PC for no more than $500. This is the absolute max. Do not go over this amount please.

Few points:

I already have a case, SSD, Windows OS, and a 750W PSU.

I also have a Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler. I don't know if it is compatible with Ryzen motherboards/CPUs. I'll buy a new one if needed.

If you cant fit a descent graphics card within my budget, forget it. I have an old 6950 HD which will hold me over for a while. Just concentrate on CPU, RAM and Mobo.

I don't care if this build will be based around AMD or Intel, and I do not mind overclocking. Just please make sure the parts you select will allow for a painless overclock.


Here's my attempt at an Intel build: (I could probably do better)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Pentium G4600 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($86.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master - Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI - B250M MORTAR Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($90.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial - Ballistix Sport LT 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1060 3GB 3GB Windforce OC Video Card ($224.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $437.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-07-24 10:16 EDT-0400


And a Ryzen Build: (leaves no money for a video card upgrade)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1600 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI - B350 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard ($91.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial - Ballistix Sport LT 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($67.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $369.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-07-24 10:22 EDT-0400

 

[Crumpet]

Parts coming out very VERY soon for Ryzen 3 chips.

R3 1200 - expected to be $110 comes with a decent cooler

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Motherboard: Asus - PRIME B350-PLUS ATX AM4 Motherboard ($83.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LPX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1060 3GB 3GB Windforce OC Video Card ($224.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $384.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-07-24 13:17 EDT-0400

Should total $494.94

If your Hyper 212X is new you should be able to get an AM4 bracket for it if you have the reciept. But it is in high demand.

When overclocked to 3.8-4ghz should be the equivalent of a non-k i5 in most games.

Also, friendly warning, i'd avoid MSI motherboards for AMD at the moment, there are reports of overclocking bugs that limit the cpu to 1.55ghz, and that can get fiddly to deal with unless you're confident with BIOS updates and settings etc.

 

[whm1974]

@ibex333 The G4600 build seems to be pretty good, but I don't think you can overclock it and for ~$500 you will be limited in doing that anyway. But still a good choice.https://forums.anandtech.com/members/ibex333.165892/

 

[IEC]

Ryzen 3 supposedly launching in next 3 days or so:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/3207...competitive-quad-core-cpus-to-the-masses.html

That's what I'd go for with a $500 budget if building new. Quad core CPU is the minimum I would build for gaming, barring building an emulation box or something.

 

[whm1974]

Ryzen 3 supposedly launching in next 3 days or so:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/3207...competitive-quad-core-cpus-to-the-masses.html

That's what I'd go for with a $500 budget if building new. Quad core CPU is the minimum I would build for gaming, barring building an emulation box or something.

Yeah that would be a better choice then the G4600.

 

[VirtualLarry]

https://forums.anandtech.com/thread...e-rig-off-ebay-and-thowing-in-a-gpu.2512054/p