Question Need a cheap desktop for general use, very light (older) gaming. Been out of the game a long time...not sure what route to go, buy/build

murphy55d

Lifer
Dec 26, 2000
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Long time no see. So anyway. I haven't built or upgraded anything in years. I don't even know what's what anymore. What I need, is something to replace an AMD A10 6700 with 8GB of RAM. Just assume I have no usable parts other than monitor keyboard mouse. Would prefer something I could stick a gpu into, and would require DVI, as the monitor does not have HDMI. Gaming would only be in the form of Civilization 6 and prior, so if integrated will handle that, then fine. All "new" gaming is on an Xbox Series X. Do not need 60FPS at 4K. General use desktop. Any advice here? Can I do this for $300 or under? Thanks guys :) :)
 

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
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All "new" gaming is on an Xbox Series X. Do not need 60FPS at 4K. General use desktop. Any advice here? Can I do this for $300 or under? Thanks guys
That's kind of my dept., budget (gaming) rigs.

Might I suggest, a 10th-Gen Comet Lake Pentium rig?

Pentium Gold G6400 2C/4T 4.0Ghz ($70 if quick / lucky), or even an i3-10100 ($80 @ MC, supposedly, $115-150 @ Newegg).

ASRock B560M-HDV mobo ($75 @ Newegg) (Supports memory OC / XMP settings)

A suitable DDR4-3200 16GB kit of RAM for $70-90.

Case / PSU to taste. ($60 for PSU, $80 for case).

WD Black 500GB SN750 NVMe SSD ($65 @ Newegg)

GPU? (Good luck~!)

Edit: So, I guess the answer is, NO, you can't build a rig these days, even a budget one, for $300, using NEW parts, and especially not when considering the price of GPUs.

Look for an ABS Gaming PC @ Newegg with a GTX 1650 (Super) in it, and at least a 10100(F) CPU, or a Ryzen 3 3100 / 3500X / 3600. Probably run you $500-600, but it would be well worth it, given your position.
 

Insert_Nickname

Diamond Member
May 6, 2012
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Would prefer something I could stick a gpu into, and would require DVI, as the monitor does not have HDMI.
[/QUOTE]

Unless it's a dual link DVI monitor, that is easily solved with an adaptor. If it is a dual link, that might be a bit trickier depending on what you end up with.

Can I do this for $300 or under? Thanks guys :) :)

Not without serious compromises, and you simply can't get -any- GPU right now. So it's pretty much a non-starter.

I'd look a good deal on either a pre-built or a refurb. Seems the best course currently. On the plus side, you'll see a major performance increase from that 6700. Bulldozer has not aged well. Try to get at least a 4 core system, 2 cores are adequate currently, but don't have too much future.
 
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murphy55d

Lifer
Dec 26, 2000
11,542
5
81
That's kind of my dept., budget (gaming) rigs.

Might I suggest, a 10th-Gen Comet Lake Pentium rig?

Pentium Gold G6400 2C/4T 4.0Ghz ($70 if quick / lucky), or even an i3-10100 ($80 @ MC, supposedly, $115-150 @ Newegg).

ASRock B560M-HDV mobo ($75 @ Newegg) (Supports memory OC / XMP settings)

A suitable DDR4-3200 16GB kit of RAM for $70-90.

Case / PSU to taste. ($60 for PSU, $80 for case).

WD Black 500GB SN750 NVMe SSD ($65 @ Newegg)

GPU? (Good luck~!)

Edit: So, I guess the answer is, NO, you can't build a rig these days, even a budget one, for $300, using NEW parts, and especially not when considering the price of GPUs.

Look for an ABS Gaming PC @ Newegg with a GTX 1650 (Super) in it, and at least a 10100(F) CPU, or a Ryzen 3 3100 / 3500X / 3600. Probably run you $500-600, but it would be well worth it, given your position.

I can get a cheap case locally. There is a corsair cx 430 psu here and a GeForce GT640 1GB. I assumed they were well past their prime, but would they help this situation at all? 5-600 is simply out of budget for what is needed here.
 

murphy55d

Lifer
Dec 26, 2000
11,542
5
81

Unless it's a dual link DVI monitor, that is easily solved with an adaptor. If it is a dual link, that might be a bit trickier depending on what you end up with.



Not without serious compromises, and you simply can't get -any- GPU right now. So it's pretty much a non-starter.

I'd look a good deal on either a pre-built or a refurb. Seems the best course currently. On the plus side, you'll see a major performance increase from that 6700. Bulldozer has not aged well. Try to get at least a 4 core system, 2 cores are adequate currently, but don't have too much future.
[/QUOTE]

Where's a good place to look for refurb?
 

DAPUNISHER

Super Moderator CPU Forum Mod and Elite Member
Super Moderator
Aug 22, 2001
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Where's a good place to look for refurb?

Since you game on console and don't need great gaming capability, here is my pick.

IdeaCentre Ryzen 4300G There are only 7 left while typing this so be quick. It even comes with dual channel ram so the APU can perform properly.

ETA Prime reviewed it -

 
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VirtualLarry

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Aug 25, 2001
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IdeaCentre Ryzen 4300G There are only 7 left while typing this so be quick. It even comes with dual channel ram so the APU can perform properly.
No! No! Stand back you 'o tempter. Not ANOTHER PC! Decisions, decisions.... :p

/s

Seriously, that PC looks cool, but this month, I've decided to actually pay my rent.

Edit: This appears to be the HP equivalent ($449.99):

Lenovo 4300G @ Newegg, same price as ebay ($434):
 
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murphy55d

Lifer
Dec 26, 2000
11,542
5
81
We're getting a little too expensive here. I'll revisit after there's a little more cash saved up. This machine will have to do for the time being it seems.
 

mxnerd

Diamond Member
Jul 6, 2007
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Dell Optiplex 9020 SFF i5-4570 3.20GHz 8GB RAM 500GB HDD Windows 10 Pro c | eBay
MSI GT 1030 2GH LP OC 2GB GDDR5 Graphic Card 824142146545 | eBay
Kingston 240GB SSD SATA III 2.5” Solid State Drive 240 GB HDD Disk | eBay

$310 including shipping. You can sell your old stuff to recoup some money back.

i5 4570 is good enough for most jobs. GT 1030 will let you watch 8K video without problem.

==

Sorry VirtualLarry, 2 cores Pentium sucks. 4 cores i3 10100 is much better. There is no reason to use any dual core processor nowadays.
 
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DAPUNISHER

Super Moderator CPU Forum Mod and Elite Member
Super Moderator
Aug 22, 2001
28,223
19,710
146
Dell Optiplex 9020 SFF i5-4570 3.20GHz 8GB RAM 500GB HDD Windows 10 Pro c | eBay
MSI GT 1030 2GH LP OC 2GB GDDR5 Graphic Card 824142146545 | eBay
Kingston 240GB SSD SATA III 2.5” Solid State Drive 240 GB HDD Disk | eBay

$310 including shipping. You can sell your old stuff to recoup some money back.

i5 4570 is good enough for most jobs. GT 1030 will let you watch 8K video without problem.

==

Sorry VirtualLarry, 2 cores Pentium sucks. 4 cores i3 10100 is much better. There is no reason to use any dual core processor nowadays.
He wants to play Civilization 6. That old Haswell is going to take a long time on turns as the game goes on compared to a modern 4/8 CPU. And who knows when the PSU or board goes belly up in that old dog.

All moot, OP has potato quality budget so he may as well keep console gaming.
 

murphy55d

Lifer
Dec 26, 2000
11,542
5
81
No! No! Stand back you 'o tempter. Not ANOTHER PC! Decisions, decisions.... :p

/s

Seriously, that PC looks cool, but this month, I've decided to actually pay my rent.

Edit: This appears to be the HP equivalent ($449.99):

Lenovo 4300G @ Newegg, same price as ebay ($434):

Ended up finding this at target of all places for $228. Can throw my GT 640 in it and be well off enough for awhile.

 

Insert_Nickname

Diamond Member
May 6, 2012
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Ended up finding this at target of all places for $228. Can throw my GT 640 in it and be well off enough for awhile.


You should take the opportunity and put an SSD in while you have the case open. Windows 10 does not like 5400RPM HDDs when doing updates and maintenance.

That's the best general purpose PC upgrade you can do, hands down.
 

Insert_Nickname

Diamond Member
May 6, 2012
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I will do that. Feel like thats a solid setup for 228, agree?

Seems an OK deal, except for that HDD. I don't really have a good feel for US pricing, not being american, so my opinion might not weigh that much of course.

But anything with an i7 and SSD should be good enough for basic web-browsing, light gaming and such. Unless you really need cutting edge graphics, but that's more the graphics card that's important there. Plus, Thinkcentres are usually well built, so they should last a good while.
 

murphy55d

Lifer
Dec 26, 2000
11,542
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81
Seems an OK deal, except for that HDD. I don't really have a good feel for US pricing, not being american, so my opinion might not weigh that much of course.

But anything with an i7 and SSD should be good enough for basic web-browsing, light gaming and such. Unless you really need cutting edge graphics, but that's more the graphics card that's important there. Plus, Thinkcentres are usually well built, so they should last a good while.

I picked up a cheap adata 512gb ssd locally with a gift card we had. Total into this 248 with tax. I'm satisfied. Don't need cutting edge anything. That A10 just has not aged well.
 
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