• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Gaming computer

xXdragonbatXX

xXdragonbatXX

Senior member
I am wondering what I can build for a gaming computer for around $500. I am not picky on brands. Wanting mini tower and micro atx mobo. Parts from anywhere, cheap is good. Doesn't matter if the OS is XP. I like AMD processors.

The only use for it is World of Warcraft.
 
Last edited:
xXdragonbatXX said:
I am wondering what I can build for a gaming computer for around $500. I am not picky on brands. Wanting mini tower and micro atx mobo. Parts from anywhere, cheap is good. Doesn't matter if the OS is XP. I like AMD processors.

The only use for it is World of Warcraft.
Click to expand...
Wait for AMD richland, if you're fine with IGP, & in the meantime check for deals on RAM cause they've certainly gotten expensive since the end of last year !
 
Do you already have a copy of Windows XP? If so:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 640 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($49.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.20 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Momentus 7200.4 500GB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7790 1GB Video Card ($139.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($37.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $453.14 (before $30 back across 2 MIRs)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-20 10:36 EDT-0400)

That gets you more graphical power than any current APU can offer. It also offers more CPU upgrade options.
 
Last edited:
Sleepingforest said:
Do you already have a copy of Windows XP? If so:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 640 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($49.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.20 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Momentus 7200.4 500GB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7790 1GB Video Card ($139.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($37.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $453.14 (before $30 back across 2 MIRs)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-20 10:36 EDT-0400)

That gets you more graphical power than any current APU can offer. It also offers more CPU upgrade options.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup: Nice build.
 
I'd like to add that dropping the video card to a cheaper 7770 instead of the 7790 leaves enough money to get a Windows 7/8 license.
 
Unrelated to this build, if I want better video editing, should I add 8gb more of ram to my current build?

I am going to be taking a lot of computer classes online that require video editing software and other software.
 
Video editing is helped by two things: lots of RAM and MOAR COARS!!!! If money is a constraint, it's cheaper to get an extra 8GB of RAM.

I would try to get it in two 8GB sticks rather than a 4x4GB set if you're building new. If you've got a build with 2x4GB already in it, it's up to you to choose whether you'd rather have cheaper future upgrades (and likely a cheaper purchase immediately) by going with one 8GB stick (so 2x4GB plus 8GB across 3 sticks) or if you want the immediate benefits of dual-channel by going with an additional 2x4GB (4x4GB total).
 
I already built it but I am toying with more RAM because I will be using a lot of computer software for my college classes the next two semesters. I have mushkin radioactive 8gb(2x4)
 
I'm not sure why you've you've got two builds, but ok. If you're using windows xp there's no reason to go with 8gb of ram unless you're running xp x64 version which is rare. And, I would not recommend XP unless this machine is really just a spare box for your friends to run WOW.
 
On the topic of your friend's rig, here's a much cheaper build. I still refuse to compromise the 8GB RAM ($10 savings at most) and the quality PSU (at best $10 savings, but VERY risky):

CPU: Intel Pentium G2020 2.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.93 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B75M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($58.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: PNY Optima 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint M8 320GB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7750 1GB Video Card ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill FBM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX12V Power Supply ($37.79 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ TigerDirect)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($96.04 @ Amazon)
Total: $483.68
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-21 16:39 EDT-0400)

On the topic of the RAM: since it is occupying a different pair of DIMM channels, you should be totally fine. On the other hand, you can save about $30 by getting two sticks of this instead.
 
xXdragonbatXX said:
Unrelated to this build, if I want better video editing, should I add 8gb more of ram to my current build?

I am going to be taking a lot of computer classes online that require video editing software and other software.
Click to expand...

Depends on what your current build is.
 
The blackline matches my radioactive haha

That's a good build. Similar to what I came up with on pcpartpicker.

That was not suppose to be a double post, sorry. Glitchy phone.
 
whatever you end up building, try to make it work with this mobo
biostar h77
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138358

it comes with 8gb of 1600mhz ram free, and I had this motherboard so I know from experience it's great. Also, the 8gb ram isn't limited time only, I bought mine back in October and the same deal was going on. I had crossfire 6870's in it along with a xonar dsx sound card squished in between and it ran beautifully. Also, with RAM prices so high these days, you are essentially getting the motherboard for $20.

I'm still using the ram today, it was patriot viper, which I can now sell used for more than it costed new when I bought it XD
 
Last edited:
Here's a suggestion
CPU: pentium g2020 it's really no slouch, I had a g860 and was impressed
Motherboard: biostar h77 nice board (see previous post), and free 8gb of 1600mhz ram
Memory: comes with board
Storage: WD caviar blue 1 tb drive nice drive, 7200rpm
Video Card: powercolor hd 7850 1gb it's only the 1gb model, but overclock it and you'll be fine
Case: silverstone redline very well built, good looks, and dust filters
Power Supply:corsair builder series 430w psu great quality, enough power
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer if you actually need it
Total: $492.93

this build will be able to play any game at decent settings, you can save money by getting a cheaper case, or hdd, or not get a dvd drive, but those are the only things I would change with this build, unless you save some money to get the 2gb 7850 for $20 more, which is actually a worthwhile investment as you won't run into frame buffer problems, but the 1gb 7850 is still a good card

edit: psu just went out of stock, so get this antec basiq instead, same power, just not 80 plus bronze, still good enough though
 
Last edited:
Dragantoe's build will work well for sure, but it does cost more. The 7750 will run WoW smoothly, but not at high settings, while the 7850 gets more eye candy. So it's really up to you and your friend.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top