Need cheap gaming system for my kid

[mark_j]

I would like to build a cheap gaming pc for my youngest son. I have an i5-750/HD5850 machine and my oldest son has my old Q6600/8800GT.

I have:
1440x900 monitor (not great, but easy on the vid card)
speakers, keyboard, mouse

So I basically need everything else. He likes playing CODMW, Crysis, and Batman AA but need some horsepower for future games too.

Wants:
Quad-core (please no 2-3 core processors, I don't want to get into a debate either way)
AMD is fine, but I don't know what mobos are good
HD5770 or better graphics
Functional but cheap case
Dependable power supply

Personal experience with the case & power supply recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks very much for any help.

 

[Ayah]

Maximum $ spent?

 

[jtisgeek]

Just get a 620 quad with a 5770. Fill in the rest with what ever you need. It will be a nice little machine.

 

[Vette73]

Yea a Quad AMD will offer the best bang for the buck.

Get a AMD Board with the 870 chipset. Like this...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128443

$99 shipped and even has USB3.0 and supports 6core Cpus.


5770 for $119 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131328


Antec 380 Watt 80+ certified for $39 shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371033
Or a 400 watt Corsair 80+ certified for $35 after rebate shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139008


I like the WD Black 640gig 64mb Cache drive for $79
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136544
Or save some cash and get the 32mb cache version for $59 shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136319

 

[mark_j]

Thanks for the advice. Particularly the motherboard advice from Marlin1975 and the Athlon II quad suggestion. I really had no idea what AMD chipsets were good so this was a huge help.

Also, I really did not set a budget, just looking for cheap and capable.

 

[jtisgeek]

Yeah just remember that you need the most money put towards your video card for games.

 

[Rifter]

You wont go wrong with a Antec Case, the 300 is a good value, and a Corsair/Antec/Seasonic PSU, just stay away from the cheap crap PSU brands and you will be ok.

 

[Kantastic]

Any damn case is functional, but for a kid just make sure it's quiet. Honestly, for a mid-ranged (or even low-end) gaming computer you don't need to spend more than $20 on a case.

 

[Rifter]

true, but the cheap cases tend to have sharp edges, i have seen a few short out PSU's by cutting through wires, might as well spend the $40 on a Antec and at least get a quality case.

 

[cbn]

true, but the cheap cases tend to have sharp edges, i have seen a few short out PSU's by cutting through wires, might as well spend the $40 on a Antec and at least get a quality case.

Which one are you thinking about?

EDIT:http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16811129074

This one is $29.99 AR with 100% 5 star reviews. If you don't like the looks of this you might consider the Antec Three Hundred instead.

 

[jihe]

Come on, how about a bike and some outdoor time for your kid?

I would like to build a cheap gaming pc for my youngest son. I have an i5-750/HD5850 machine and my oldest son has my old Q6600/8800GT.

I have:
1440x900 monitor (not great, but easy on the vid card)
speakers, keyboard, mouse

So I basically need everything else. He likes playing CODMW, Crysis, and Batman AA but need some horsepower for future games too.

Wants:
Quad-core (please no 2-3 core processors, I don't want to get into a debate either way)
AMD is fine, but I don't know what mobos are good
HD5770 or better graphics
Functional but cheap case
Dependable power supply

Personal experience with the case & power supply recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks very much for any help.

 

[Axon]

System: X4 630 and a decent AM3 motherboard, DDR3 RAM, and a 5770 will do well for your son. That box will be able to run many games at max at 1440, and will run even challenging games at a decent resolution. If you're near a microcenter, you can get that chip along with a decent motherboard for $100 total. Awesome deal.

Case: If you're in the NYC area, I have a plastic mATX case you can have for $10. Box is open but case is unused. Otherwise, Rosewill makes a very nice value case. They're worth looking into. Antec 300 is hard to go wrong with as well.

 

[HumblePie]

Cheap cases work. I've put together many a system for someone else with some $20 case. Sure they typically have sharp edges, but that doesn't matter once the system is put together. It only matters to the person putting it together. Really good cases are only needed by enthusiasts that would be opening up the and switching out parts fairly often.

 

[lopri]

Spend $20~$30 extra for full-fledged PII instead of Athlon X4. The large L3 may help with games. The cost difference is very small and non-existent L3 doesn't spring from overclocking, either.

Phenom II X4's @the Egg

Edit: PII 940 is for DDR2-only, BTW. So I guess the price differential goes up to $40. (for 925) Then again, 945 is only $5 more.. XD And $50 more you're getting into i5-750 and X6 1055 range.. The fun of upgrading!

 

[deimos3428]

Come on, how about a bike and some outdoor time for your kid?

Bikes are great. You can play at max resolution/settings with minimal hardware, and still get optimal frame rates. The stock air cooler isn't bad, and you can always go water if it isn't enough.

 

[mark_j]

Come on, how about a bike and some outdoor time for your kid?

Wow, thanks for the parenting advice. My kids are not allowed inside during the summer between 10AM and 5PM unless it is raining. We live in a rural town with lots to do outside, including a public pool and lots of places to hike/ride bikes, or "adventure" as my youngest likes to say.

However, it rains a fair amount where we live though and I would like my youngest to not feel slighted compared to what his older brother has.

Thanks everyone for their input, I have a parts list in mind now.