Gaming PC Under $500

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andrasveto

Junior Member
May 8, 2011
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1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing. Gaming, movies, school work, and the usual internet surfing and multitasking

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread. Around $500

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from. USA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc. No preferences

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are. Don't have anything to use

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads. Not that much as of yet, I'm new to the PC crowd

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds. I plan on overclocking

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with. 1920 x 1080

9. WHEN do you plan to build it? This summer

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned. Understood :p

Thanks in advance for any assistance you can offer on the matter. I'm willing to go a little bit over $500, but I'd prefer to stay under it for now.
 
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VirtualLarry

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,570
10,204
126
$500 for a complete gaming rig, and you don't own an OS or monitor? That's a tough one.


i would suggest watching deal sites for some Dell deal, where they throw in the monitor for free. Then add you own lower-powered video card, like a 5750 or something.

Edit: That, or scour Craigslist religiously for a few months, and see if anyone wants to let go of a used gaming rig cheap, and might sell or throw in a monitor cheap too.

You're not going to build one out of new parts for that cheap, and have a competent gaming rig with an OS and a monitor.

Maybe if you used Linux, and picked up a free CRT on Craigslist.

Edit: To break this down, if your total budget is $500, then an OS (windows 7 HP OEM) is going to cost $90, and a new monitor that does 1080P is at least $100 (21.5" on sale at Staples this last week or this week, saw it on FW.) So your total budget for the computer proper is only going to be $300.
Even a Shellshocker super combo at Newegg isn't going to include ALL the parts needed, and those generally run near $300.

If you have a Microcenter or Frys nearby, you might be able to avail yourself of a CPU+mobo combo, where the mobo is discounted or free.

You would end up with a machine that would struggle with current modern games.

You could build an AMD quad-core combo with 4GB of RAM and a 500GB HD for roughly $300, but then you still have to purchase a gaming-quality video card.
 
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mnewsham

mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
14,539
428
136
Without OS and needing a 1080p monitor leaves you about 275 for the machine itself, step up to 750 and you might get something that can play games.
 
aphelion02

aphelion02

Senior member
Dec 26, 2010
699
0
76
Do you have a Microcenter and a .edu student email? You might be able to do it for around $600 if you do.
 
aphelion02

aphelion02

Senior member
Dec 26, 2010
699
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mvbighead

mvbighead

Diamond Member
Apr 20, 2009
3,793
1
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Meh, what the hey I'll give it a shot to truly stay under your 500 mark...

DVDRW - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106289 - 22

Case w/PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147010 - 40

HDD (refurb 250gb) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136696 - 22

Monitor - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824254023 - 100

MB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138179 - 50

VC (GTS 250) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150513 - 95 - 30MIR

KB/MS - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823126097 - 19

4GB mem - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231253 - 40

AMD Dual Core CPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103903 - 61

Price shipped equals 472.72.

Assuming you could take advantage of aphelion02's Student OS suggestion, you'd have a PC for a few bucks over your goal.

If that doesn't work for you, you could buy Windows for 100, drop the monitor above, and pick up a 1280x1024 monitor off of Craigslist for 50 bucks.

Note - I would really suggest scrapping 100 more or so for your system as the $500 for everything really cuts your options.
 
G

Gigantopithecus

Diamond Member
Dec 14, 2004
7,664
0
71
mvbighead said:
Or:

http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/vostro-230/pd?oc=bv1cs3x2&model_id=vostro-230

$420 for Dell with Core2Duo 2.93GHz and 2GB of RAM and 20" Monitor

Just add in something like:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125304

I would assume there are better VCs for $80, but picked the first that looked near enough to your tasks.
Click to expand...

Nice. I'd only add that the Radeon HD 5670 is superior to the GT 240, and it does not need a 6 pin PCIe power connector, which the Dell's PSU might not even have. You should be able to score a 5670 for less than $80 shipped; Newegg recently had a Sapphire model for $70 shipped with a $10 rebate.
 
aphelion02

aphelion02

Senior member
Dec 26, 2010
699
0
76
mvbighead said:
Meh, what the hey I'll give it a shot to truly stay under your 500 mark...

DVDRW - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106289 - 22

Case w/PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147010 - 40

HDD (refurb 250gb) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136696 - 22

Monitor - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824254023 - 100

MB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138179 - 50

VC (GTS 250) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150513 - 95 - 30MIR

KB/MS - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823126097 - 19

4GB mem - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231253 - 40

AMD Dual Core CPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103903 - 61

Price shipped equals 472.72.

Assuming you could take advantage of aphelion02's Student OS suggestion, you'd have a PC for a few bucks over your goal.

If that doesn't work for you, you could buy Windows for 100, drop the monitor above, and pick up a 1280x1024 monitor off of Craigslist for 50 bucks.

Note - I would really suggest scrapping 100 more or so for your system as the $500 for everything really cuts your options.
Click to expand...

Pass a certain price point I think it no longer becomes feasible to build a PC. I, for one, would never entrust any PC to the power supply that comes with that case. At this point I think your Dell option is much better, at least you get the comfort of a manufactuerer's warranty.
 
mvbighead

mvbighead

Diamond Member
Apr 20, 2009
3,793
1
81
aphelion02 said:
Pass a certain price point I think it no longer becomes feasible to build a PC. I, for one, would never entrust any PC to the power supply that comes with that case. At this point I think your Dell option is much better, at least you get the comfort of a manufactuerer's warranty.
Click to expand...

Oh I can certainly agree. I just know I have built a number of systems with the built in Foxconn/Supercase PSUs and most seem to work fine for at least a few years. Sure, there were some old types back in the day that would blow up and take everything with 'em, but most of the Allied and similar branded PSUs work when they work and quit when they die. If it provides power, and your stuff works... well, it works.

And for $500, I don't figure anyone can be too picky... hence the refurbed HDD, cheap PSU that comes with the case, and some other stuff.

However, for $500, basically all you do is look at every list and aim for something of a relatively decent tier, but the lowest part of the tier. IE - X2 CPU instead of an X4. If the OP were to build the above system, it would game OK. Nothing fancy, but it'd work.

And, much like I said, throwing another $100 at it would give him a wealth of options... including upgrading the PSU, case, HDD, etc.
 
mvbighead

mvbighead

Diamond Member
Apr 20, 2009
3,793
1
81
It also appears that the board will allow core unlocking (page 7 of the BIOS manual), so he could buy the x2 and potentially unlock it to x3 or x4, no?

While I see the Dell as a pretty good buy, I have always been one who likes to build my own. If the kid fancies himself a gamer, it would be a good idea for him to build one to get started with, and tinker with it along the way. Only good reason not to go Dell.
 
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andrasveto

Junior Member
May 8, 2011
6
0
0
Thanks everyone for your assistance, but I seemed to have forgotten to mention that this $500 is for the actual system itself, not OS or monitor or anything. Sorry about that...
 
aphelion02

aphelion02

Senior member
Dec 26, 2010
699
0
76
You said you did need one when mnewsham asked you :p. Without OS and monitor it becomes more possible, still a very tight budget. Just $100 more would do wonders. I'll see what I can come up with.
 
shortylickens

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,080
136
Any time you need a low cost gaming rig:

1. Cheap ass Dell or HP
2. Add-in video card


Also, as much as I hate to say it, makes more sense to research on Newegg and buy on Amazon or ZipZoomFly.
 
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andrasveto

Junior Member
May 8, 2011
6
0
0
Thanks to everyone who contributed! Even with my limited knowledge in this area, I think that build is more than enough for my needs, and still stays under my budget! Thanks again everyone :D
 
M

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
22,400
5
71
www.mfenn.com
andrasveto said:
Thanks to everyone who contributed! Even with my limited knowledge in this area, I think that build is more than enough for my needs, and still stays under my budget! Thanks again everyone :D
Click to expand...

You're welcome. :) Feel free to update this thread if you run into any trouble during the build.
 
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