Need help for building a budget gaming PC

[MarloweE7]

Guys Im thinkin to build a budget gaming PC and I'm stuck b/w lot of questions so the first one is CPU: intel i3 3220 or AMD 3.4 GHz AM3 Phenom II 965 Processor I'm not able to decide and other is the GPU : nvidia gtx 650ti or sapphire 7770? And the next one is I don't know anything about mother boards if you could give me some suggestion it'd be really great and what does ddr2 ddr3 and gddr5 mean? I know they are a lot of question but plz help me :|

 

[ShadowVVL]

how much is the budget, what games do you play and are you shopping online or in store?

also any plans to Over clock?

ddr means double data rate, 2 and 3 are generations. you want ddr3 which is faster and cheaper then ddr2.

GDDR5 is graphics double data rate memory for gpu.

 

[Puppies04]

Hi marloweE7 welcome to the forums. Can you follow the steps listed underneath so we can try and help you without having to wait for replies to several important questions.

1. Go to general hardware (where this post should have been in the first place)
2. Copy the sticky thread questionnaire
3. Paste it here and fill in the relevant info
4. ???
5. Profit

 

[MarloweE7]

I'm planning to play a lot of new released games like fc3, black ops 2 and max Payne 3 and I do a bit of editing on adobe after effects and maya my budget is moderate like 600$

 

[ShadowVVL]

here is a list of parts without HDD or OS at newegg for $477.95 without shipping


cpu

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819113286

motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131872

memory

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145345

Gpu

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127687

psu

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151094

 

[Sleepingforest]

I disagree with that build because it has many rebates, the PSU is much larger and more expensive than what is necessary, and the memory is really overly expensive--not to mention the ostentatious and potentially cooler-blocking RAM fins. It also has no case or optical drive, the former of which is necessary, and the latter of which is helpful for installation, if not much else.

For just over $600, including everything you need:
CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor
Motherboard: MSI B75A-G43 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)
Total: $623.58, entirely from Amazon (free shipping, no rebates necessary, and probably no tax)

If you don't need the Windows license, you can move up to a GTX 650ti Boost or a Radeon 7850, depending on your willingness to overclock the video card. The 7850 typically overclocks well, and thus should giver better performance overall, but if you don't want to overclock, the 650ti Boost will probably provide better power out-of-the-box.

 

[SPBHM]

i5 3350P = $180
MB = $60 (b75 chipset, with support to USB3.0 and Sata III)
8GB DDR3 = $50
7200RPM HD = $70?
650 Ti Boost 2GB = $170
corsair 430w = $30-40

 

[ShadowVVL]

After seeing what you listed I agree the ram I listed is more expensive and no case is also an issue.I always recycle optical drives so I usually don't think to add one.

I guess I am just not that good at budget building

btw the psu and optic drive you listed both link to the optic drive.

 

[Sleepingforest]

After seeing what you listed I agree the ram I listed is more expensive and no case is also an issue.I always recycle optical drives so I usually don't think to add one.

I guess I am just not that good at budget building

btw the psu and optic drive you listed both link to the optic drive.

Man, I knew I messed up a link somewhere... time to fix it up! Thanks for letting me know.

Budget building takes some effort, and there are subtleties to it (like the fact that people who want budget builds typically can't wait for rebates). My own builds are still pretty hit-and-miss in the budget section--sometimes, they're great, and other times, they are a bit wasteful.

 

[MeldarthX]

man I would not be recommending a dual anymore.......

Honestly;

Along with the fact that it looks like A10-5800k will cross fire with 7750 - *Means possibly 7770*

I wouldn't recommend anything less than a quad core....


http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...=Combo.1224944
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...=Combo.1224947

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231552
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822236339
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0078271CS/
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146076
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817256061
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106289
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004Q0PT3I/


either one would be solid - also crossfires with the apu - and quad core...

but either system would do; but honestly I would not recommend a dual core at this time at all....

 

[Sleepingforest]

I'm sorry, but I just don't agree with your assessment at all. Can you show multiple examples of games (in other words, not just Crysis 3) that are CPU limited by having 2 cores versus 4? Even in development? Can you prove that the ostensibly superior framerate of the Crossfire won't be marred by noticeable microstutter and will succeed in a majority of games? Can you show that the Crossfire setup provides a noticeable improvement (as in, going from 30/40 frames per second to 60+ or enabling smooth play at a higher quality)?

 

[SPBHM]

man I would not be recommending a dual anymore.......

Honestly;

Along with the fact that it looks like A10-5800k will cross fire with 7750 - *Means possibly 7770*

I wouldn't recommend anything less than a quad core....

the dual core is faster than the A10 in most games,
also crossfire between 7750 and the 5800K IGP is a bad idea, it's not even officially supported, and from what some user here posted the gain was like 15%, not to mention all the problems that AFR brings...

with $600 I see no reason to go lower than a 650 Ti boost and the 7850 for a gaming PC.

also if you can get the 3350P and some cheap MB (good thing the CPU uses so little power!) it would be a pretty good PC.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/pc-gaming-overclock-build-a-pc,3443.html

but I would also consider the FX 6300, just be careful not to spend to much money with the MB (normally only MBs with the 970 or higher have good VRMs and USB3/Sata3) and cooling since it's a higher TDP CPU and can be easily overclocked.

 

[Sleepingforest]

with $600 I see no reason to go lower than a 650 Ti boost and the 7850 for a gaming PC.

I agree with you mostly except he needs a Windows License (from what I can tell, anyway). Since the effective hardware budget is $500, he'll have to settle for a a 7770 or 650ti.

 

[ShadowVVL]

Ok I used both of your lists and a bit of searching and got a fx6300 build for 601.06 with shipping.
btw I dont think the op is coming back but I hope he does.

cpu

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

motherboard

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

ram

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

gpu

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

hdd

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

optic

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

windows 7 home premium 64 bit oem

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

 

[turn_pike]

Ouch, 90 bucks for windows.
If you have a friend studying at a university or better yet, works for MS, then he might be able to get you one for cheap / free.

 

[AtenRa]

I'm planning to play a lot of new released games like fc3, black ops 2 and max Payne 3 and I do a bit of editing on adobe after effects and maya my budget is moderate like 600$

AMD FX6300 = $129.99
ASUS M5A97 R2.0 = $94.99
Patriot Memory Viper 3 Series Venom Red DDR3 8GB 1866MHz = $47.98
Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB = $74.99
GIGABYTE GV-N65TBOC-2GD GeForce GTX 650 Ti BOOST 2GB OC Version = $169.99
Corsair Builder Series CX 500 Watt ATX/EPS 80 PLUS (CX500) = $49.99

= $567,93

I leave the case for you to choose.

Just OC the FX6300 to 4GHz and you have a nice Gaming PC.

http://www.techspot.com/review/615-far-cry-3-performance/page6.html

http://www.techspot.com/review/601-black-ops-2-performance/page5.html

http://www.techspot.com/review/537-max-payne-3-performance/page7.html

 

[ShadowVVL]

atenra you forgot the os and shipping cost.

 

[AtenRa]

atenra you forgot the os and shipping cost.

He needs an OS ???

hmmmmm

 

[NTMBK]

My advice? Look for a prebuilt PC and upgrade it. Get something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883113241 And drop in a HD 7770 to go with it. With a low power graphics card like that, the PSU should handle it fine. Gives you an i5, Windows 7, and a HD7770 within your budget.

EDIT: Or this, it has slightly more RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883220247

 

[bgt]

but I would also consider the FX 6300, just be careful not to spend to much money with the MB (normally only MBs with the 970 or higher have good VRMs and cooling since it's a higher TDP CPU and can be easily overclocked.

Just look if the VRM's have a small cooling block on the MB. The FX series are able to draw a lot of amps when you need the processing power. To have 6 integer cores is awsome....much better than HT cores(which can behave erratic).

 

[AtenRa]

ASUS F2A55-M LK PLUS FM2 = $48.99
AMD A8-5600K = $108,79
Patriot Memory Viper 3 Series Venom Red DDR3 8GB 1866MHz = $47.98
Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB = $74.99
SAPPHIRE 100356L Radeon HD 7790 1GB DDR5 PCI-Express Video Card = $149.99
Corsair Builder Series CX 500 Watt ATX/EPS 80 PLUS (CX500) = $49.99

Windows 8 System Builder OEM DVD 64-Bit = $95,88

$576,61

Silverstone Tek Micro-ATX = $34,99

Everything has free shipping

You get an unlocked Quad core CPU + HD7790

 

[frozentundra123456]

My advice? Look for a prebuilt PC and upgrade it. Get something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883113241 And drop in a HD 7770 to go with it. With a low power graphics card like that, the PSU should handle it fine. Gives you an i5, Windows 7, and a HD7770 within your budget.

EDIT: Or this, it has slightly more RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883220247

Basically I like the idea of a prebuilt and adding a discrete card. However I doubt the power supply in either of those has a 6 pin connector for a hd7770. You might be able to use a molex adapter, but I had a prebuilt that didn't even have 2 free molex plugs.

 

[SPBHM]

My advice? Look for a prebuilt PC and upgrade it. Get something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883113241 And drop in a HD 7770 to go with it. With a low power graphics card like that, the PSU should handle it fine. Gives you an i5, Windows 7, and a HD7770 within your budget.

EDIT: Or this, it has slightly more RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883220247

this can be a good idea,
the second option
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883220247

3GHz sandy bridge i5, 6GB of ram
some asus motherboard, 1tb HD, windows 7, cheap case, psu, keyboard and mouse.
$439
add $40 for a good PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139026
(corsair 430w)
and $130 for a good VGA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125447
(650 Ti 1 GB)

if you are crazy enough you could try using a 7790 with the "300w PSU", it may work, but...

 

[shady28]

Guys Im thinkin to build a budget gaming PC and I'm stuck b/w lot of questions so the first one is CPU: intel i3 3220 or AMD 3.4 GHz AM3 Phenom II 965 Processor I'm not able to decide and other is the GPU : nvidia gtx 650ti or sapphire 7770? And the next one is I don't know anything about mother boards if you could give me some suggestion it'd be really great and what does ddr2 ddr3 and gddr5 mean? I know they are a lot of question but plz help me :|

If near a Microcenter..

Best combo deal around, $124 for FX-6300 and motherboard :

http://www.microcenter.com/site/products/amd_bundles.aspx

You could step it up to an FX-8320 for $175 at that same link (and get a better motherboard as well).

Graphics card :

I picked up a GTX 560 Ti refurb from microcenter for $89 a couple of weeks ago. They only have a 550 Ti for $69 right now, but if you watch the 560 Ti will probably pop back up.

560 Ti soundly beats a 650 Ti btw :

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/547?vs=680

 

[aarontpx]

Personally the terms "budget" and "gaming pc" shouldn't be used in the same sentence.

But if one must build one...

Recommended minimums -
CPU - Intel Core i3 from Microcenter - $99.99
Motherboard - MSI, Asus, ASRock or Gigabyte LGA1155 micro ATX ~$50-75
Video card - gtx 460 off of ebay - ~$100
- or - if you don't like used then go with the 7770 ~$125
Ram - major brand 4Gb DDR3 1333 or 1600 (2 sticks of 2gb each) ~$40
Hard drive - Western Digital Blue or SeaGate Barracuda 7200rpm 500Gb/1Tb ~$60-90
Power supply - major brand 500-550 watt ~$50
Optical drive - major brand DVD/CD burner combo ~$20
Case - major brand costing $50 or less
TOTAL COST - $469.99-549.99 without monitor, speakers, keyboard/mouse or operating system.
Including those items add approximately $200-250.

**If you are willing to spend a little more I'd look at the Core i5-3470 currently $149.99 at Microcenter and the 7850-7870 currently around $200-250.