Building a gaming PC on a budget

[CrayolaAutumn]

I won't beat around, it's fairly intimidating to be leaving this message here. But a good friend of mine recommend I come here to ask questions regarding building myself a decent gaming PC for under $600, so here I am. Simply put, I'm not the savviest goon when it comes to the "Recommended Specs" at the bottom of a game's Steam page, so I have little to no idea what I'm getting into. That said, getting some advice from people who DO know what they're doing would be a boon for me as I contemplate how to build this thing come summer. If anybody feels like throwing me a line, I would greatly appreciate whatever ropes people can throw.

The nitty-gritty is that I want to play some performance-heavy games that my poor little laptop simply cannot handle. Mainly, Dark Souls and Dark Souls II, which another friend of mine got me into and I am now obsessed with. Being that my laptop chugs like locomotive even with Dark Souls on a modded resolution (800 x 400), the abysmal framerates make the game difficult to manage in multiple locations. So I've decided to try and build myself a PC.

If anybody can help me out, tell me about particular components or different builds, ones that work with these games or anything else in particular, I would love to hear whatever you guys can tell me.

 

[96Firebird]

For advice on a completely new build, it is best to visit the General Hardware section and see what they have to say. I'm sure a mod can move it there if you want.

To get started, a couple of questions. Do you already have peripherals (monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers, etc...), or are those to be included in the budget? If you already have a monitor, what is it's native resolution? Do you have any left over parts from a past computer (hard drive, optical drive, etc...) that you can salvage for this build?

Don't let the task of building a computer scare you, it is pretty simple once you get all the components down. Sorry I can't give you a list of components, I am not up-to-date with all the best deals around right now.

 

[stahlhart]

Moving to General Hardware.
-- stahlhart

 

[Ken g6]

Welcome to General Hardware. Designing gaming builds is something we do around here quite a bit.

First, could you please answer [thread=80121]these ten questions[/thread]? They will help us understand your needs better. 96Firebird's questions also apply.

[thread=2381565]Here is a thread[/thread] with some recent $500-ish gaming builds. They would seem to be sufficient for the games you're currently playing, as long as peripherals and software don't eat into your budget too much.

 

[CrayolaAutumn]

Let's see here:

1. This will be a gaming PC. I do not plan on doing ANYTHING else with it. As long as it can download games off GOG and Steam, as long as I can access Nexus mods and the occasional Wiki page, I'm good.

2. $600 dollars is my upper limit, although I could conceivably go up to $700 depending on where I get my parts and how much it costs to ship them.

3. Wherever New Egg gets their stuff, because I'll be getting my stuff from them.

4. N/A

5. I have no brand preference outside of preferring an Intel CPU. I am open to anything and everything that people wish to suggest.

6. I do not currently have any other parts save a mouse, speakers, and potentially a monitor (but I'm not assuming anything at this point, so basically yeah, just mouse and speakers). I'm not particularly interested in anything fancy as far as keyboard and monitor are concerned. If I needed to, I'd just hook up the computer to the television and play on that. As for other components to salvage, I've got absolutely nothing, so I'm basically starting from scratch.

7. I am unfamiliar with the term "overclocking", so I'm not sure what to say about that.

8. Uncertain, but probably something around 1280x800. I'm not particularly concerned about resolution as long as the game runs smoothly on the vanilla settings the developers set for it. In that light, I suppose resolution is important? I know a lot of games come set at 1280x720 by default, so maybe resolution is a big deal. As I said, I'm not certain if it has any impact on the components I buy, but if it does, then I'm interested in acquiring something that can run those resolutions without coughing up a lung.

9. Most likely at the end of Summer, or alternatively, in January of next year. It all depends on how my summer classes and my next semester of college works out. If there isn't enough time to do it in the summer, then I'll be waiting until I graduate. For now, assume end of summer.

10. Yes, I have to buy Windows 7 for the system. I am uninterested in Windows 8, given all the troubles I have been hearing that it causes for many games, and I have a Windows 7 partition on my Mac right now, and it hasn't given me much trouble so far (except for Fallout 3).

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Let's see here:

9. Most likely at the end of Summer, or alternatively, in January of next year.

Post again when you are ready to buy. At your price point we will be building you a rig that you need to purchase realtively quickly. There will be coupons, deals, and rebates involved.

For example see here: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2381565

Throw in a $100.- screen and a deal on mouse/KB and you've got a great gaming PC for very little $$$$

In the meantime, google "how to build a pc" and read/watch some guides on how to do it.

Hope to see you come back when your ready to go!

 

[mfenn]

Post again when you are ready to buy. At your price point we will be building you a rig that you need to purchase realtively quickly. There will be coupons, deals, and rebates involved.

For example see here: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2381565

Throw in a $100.- screen and a deal on mouse/KB and you've got a great gaming PC for very little $$$$

In the meantime, google "how to build a pc" and read/watch some guides on how to do it.

Hope to see you come back when your ready to go!

Agree. Building a gaming PC with monitor, keyboard, and OS for $600 requires chasing very time-limited deals. Any specific parts we tell you about today will be completely out of date by the end of the summer.

Here's a general cost allocation that you should be looking at:

CPU $70
Motherboard $60
RAM $50
GPU $130
HDD $60
No ODD
PSU $40
Case $40
Monitor $100
Keyboard $20
OS $30 - $30 instead of $100 because you seem to be a student and can probably get a good deal through your school

 

[Charlie98]

Any specific parts we tell you about today will be completely out of date by the end of the WEEK.

There... FTFY, Mfenn...

...or, in some cases, DAY.

OP, I've build a budget PC over about a 3 month period, buying components I picked as they came on sale (usually with free shipping...) and stashing them until I had all the components. It works if you are set on an absolute budget but there is some risk of getting a part that tests bad... and you are already outside the return window and then have to work with the manufacturer to RMA.

2. $600 dollars is my upper limit, although I could conceivably go up to $700 depending on where I get my parts and how much it costs to ship them.

$600 or $700... pick one. $100 in a budget gamer build is a BIG difference.

 

[toughtrasher]

If you're unfamiliar with the term "overclocking" I suggest just buying an already built PC rather than building one yourself. Just my 2 cents

 

[CrayolaAutumn]

Well, I've watched some Newegg tutorials, checked out a few budget gaming PC build videos, and I think I'll be ready to buy in June. Specifically, June 22nd is when I can actually start making the purchases. I've decided that $650 is the amount I can spend, and no more. That includes a monitor and a keyboard. My head is buzzing right now with images of motherboards and GPUs and power supply boxes and this is all very daunting, but I trust that everybody here knows what they're doing and knows what sort of recommendations are appropriate within my price range. I'll keep looking around on Newegg and any other sites I can find for parts, reading reviews, thinking about specific CPU/GPU combos and whatnot, and once June 22nd is at hand I will be ready to make my order. In the meantime, I will take any advice you guys have into consideration and I am very much open to discussion about various parts, part combos, what tools to use, power distribution, memory allocation, and where to find good deals and when.

In the semi-tarnished words of Gary King, Let battle commence.

 

[Ketchup]

If you are a student, can you tell us what you can get a copy of Windows 7 for?

 

[mfenn]

My cost allocation from above stands, with the extra money potentially going towards the GPU or OS (if my $30 guesstimate was wrong). June 22 is still a ways out, but you could and should start investigating the OS options available from your college.

 

[CrayolaAutumn]

@ mfenn:
What version of Windows 7 do you recommend for my purposes? Home? Professional?

 

[Techhog]

My cost allocation from above stands, with the extra money potentially going towards the GPU or OS (if my $30 guesstimate was wrong). June 22 is still a ways out, but you could and should start investigating the OS options available from your college.

Try $70 (or free if the OP in in a STEM major and his school had Dreamspark access).

@ mfenn:
What version of Windows 7 do you recommend for my purposes? Home? Professional?

It really doesn't matter at all for a gaming machine. Just get the cheapest copy of Windows you have access to.

 

[mistersprinkles]

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/mistersprinkles/saved/BNhj4D

$712

That's the minimum spec I'd recommend building to if you want a decent gaming PC. If you can afford an extra $30 upgrade the GPU to a GTX 760 2GB. It'll make a difference.

You want to play games at the native resolution of your monitor or they will not look good. If you have a 1080P monitor, play games at 1080P.

 

[mfenn]

Try $70 (or free if the OP in in a STEM major and his school had Dreamspark access).

Completely depends on the school, their contract with MS, and how much they're willing to subsidize the purchase. I wouldn't be surprised if it was $70, but I also wouldn't be surprised if it was $30 or free through DreamSpark/MSDNAA.

It really doesn't matter at all for a gaming machine. Just get the cheapest copy of Windows you have access to.

Agree.

 

[DominionSeraph]

Your best bet will probably to wait for a sale at Dell Outlet (they're having a 20% off sale right now if you're feeling froggy) and keep checking until a low-end XPS 8700 configuration comes in. You can pick up an i5 for under $500 that way. Since they come with keyboard, mouse, ODD, Windows, and even wireless you'd be REALLY hard pressed to do better for the price.
Throw in a video card like this 6970 which is sitting at $86 after rebate with code MASTERPASS10, and all you're looking at needing is a monitor.

 

[CrayolaAutumn]

Your best bet will probably to wait for a sale at Dell Outlet (they're having a 20% off sale right now if you're feeling froggy) and keep checking until a low-end XPS 8700 configuration comes in.

Where can I find a Dell Outlet? Can I order this online, or do I have to go into a store?

Also, and forgive my computer illiteracy, but what exactly is an XPS 8700 configuration?

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Where can I find a Dell Outlet? Can I order this online, or do I have to go into a store?

Also, and forgive my computer illiteracy, but what exactly is an XPS 8700 configuration?

http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnline...arch.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dfh&cs=22&puid=ce188e4e

above your budget though even with coupon. I haven't seen any 8700's come through at the low price Dominion is quoting, but I also do not frequent the dell outlet site that much.

Are you ready to buy?

 

[Shirosaki]

I know this might be revival of a thread, and I hope you are having good fortune with your new rig, if you did buy and build it.

But I registered today after seeing a previous posts here stating that it doesn't matter which OS you get, just the cheapest.

This is wrong, you want Windows 7 Professional, and the reason is your memory. Home doesn't allow anything above 4 gigs to be used. After installation you don't have much ram to do anything with. Trying to argue that a gaming rig doesn't need anything more is ridiculous. Minimum should be 8 gigs, you leave enough room that a game can use 1-3 easily. Especially if you are into Dark Souls, and Dark Souls II. Let alone when Witcher 3 comes out, I'm sure you will be wanting to play that too!

With all that said, I do hope you are having fun on the new rig. And I welcome another enthusiast into the world of real gaming

 

[DSF]

I know this might be revival of a thread, and I hope you are having good fortune with your new rig, if you did buy and build it.

But I registered today after seeing a previous posts here stating that it doesn't matter which OS you get, just the cheapest.

This is wrong, you want Windows 7 Professional, and the reason is your memory. Home doesn't allow anything above 4 gigs to be used. After installation you don't have much ram to do anything with. Trying to argue that a gaming rig doesn't need anything more is ridiculous. Minimum should be 8 gigs, you leave enough room that a game can use 1-3 easily. Especially if you are into Dark Souls, and Dark Souls II. Let alone when Witcher 3 comes out, I'm sure you will be wanting to play that too!

With all that said, I do hope you are having fun on the new rig. And I welcome another enthusiast into the world of real gaming

If you are buying 64-bit Windows (and pretty much everyone should be at this point) this is incorrect. It's 32-bit Windows that won't address more than 4GB of memory.

 

[Shirosaki]

If you are buying 64-bit Windows (and pretty much everyone should be at this point) this is incorrect. It's 32-bit Windows that won't address more than 4GB of memory.

Yes, you are correct, 32bit is limited to 4 gig, but if someone is a novice, they wouldn't know the difference between the 32 or 64 bit. It should still be stated that you should be getting a 64 bit version.