1. #1

    Wanting to Build 2 Gaming Desktops on a Budget

    My girlfriend is just starting to get into PC gaming and I want to encourage it because I don't really like console gaming. The problem is she has a broken hp touchsmart so the only game we can play together atm is League of Legends, on top of that my computer is 4-5 years old, I got it as a present and someone else made it for me but its been through a 6 or 7 moves and a lot of college parties so it barely works.

    I know my way around the inside of a case pretty well because I've had lots of problems with my PC that I've had to fix myself but most of this is self taught however I really don't understand much about technical terms or to put it easier I don't know what I should be buying and don't want to make a mistake.

    Is it worth upgrading my computer or should I start from scratch? Here is what I am working with.

    Asus P5B

    under processors it lists Pentium D CPU 3 twice ?

    ATI Radeon HD 4600

    ISO 500 - power supply

    Anything I should have included? And also where do I start with the other computer?

    Oh I guess I should include my price range, 1000$ is probably my cutoff or close to that since we dont have a lot of money

    thanks

  2. #2
    Deleted
    I wouldn't bother upgrading anything in that PC. Build something new.

    PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

    CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
    CPU Cooler: Xigmatek GAIA SD1283 56.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
    Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)
    Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($35.57 @ NCIX US)
    Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ B&H)
    Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
    Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($231.98 @ Newegg)
    Case: NZXT Source 220 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
    Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
    Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer ($18.99 @ Newegg)
    Total: $876.47
    (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-26 12:27 EST-0500)

    Add an extra ~$90 for Windows 7 if you need it.

    _____________________________________________________________________

    Cheaper alternative but still decent performance:

    PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

    CPU: Intel Core i3-3240 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
    Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
    Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($35.57 @ NCIX US)
    Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ B&H)
    Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
    Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($194.99 @ NCIX US)
    Case: NZXT Source 220 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
    Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
    Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer ($18.99 @ Newegg)
    Total: $757.05
    (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-26 12:34 EST-0500)

  3. #3
    Brewmaster Biernot's Avatar
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    @OP: Are the $1000 for one computer or both? If for both, then the budget is fairly tight. But let's see what we can work with...

    PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

    CPU: Intel Pentium G2120 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
    Motherboard: ASRock B75M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($59.99 @ SuperBiiz)
    Memory: G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($19.99 @ Newegg)
    Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
    Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($174.99 @ Newegg)
    Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($38.99 @ SuperBiiz)
    Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($42.99 @ NCIX US)
    Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ Outlet PC)
    Total: $499.82
    (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-26 17:46 EST-0500)

    Now some annotations:
    - Windows should be re-usable from your old machines. If your girlfriend wants to continue using the HP Touchsmart, then obviously you will need an additional license.
    - If you want to save some money now, you probably can put your old GPU in one of the computers and buy a decent card later. (unless this card has an AGP slot, which is rare, but i have seen HD4650 cards for that slot)
    - CPU can be upped to any intel Sandy/Ivy Bridge 1155 model. It would probably be a good choice to get an i3-3220 even if that means to go a bit over budget.
    Why do something simple, when there is a complicated way?
    Ryzen 7 2700X | BeQuiet Dark Rock Pro 4 | 16GB DDR4-3200 | MSI X470 Gaming Pro | MSI GTX 1070 Gaming X 8G | 500GB / 750GB Crucial SSD
    Fractal Define C | LG 32UK550 | Das Model S Professional Silent | CM Storm Xornet

  4. #4
    Why the hell would you put a 7850 on a terrible CPU? Doesnt matter if its new, its a terrible CPU.

    To the OP.

    2 actual gaming PC's and by actual i mean, "Play everything in 2012-13 at least at medium-high" is impossible at 1k , since the PC comes out at around 750 without SSD, in total it would be 1400-1500.

    You can do some okay PC for 500 each with, i cant give links since i dont know where you are, but the prices are mostly worldwide the same, give or take 5-10euros.

    PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

    CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
    Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G41 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
    Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($36.99 @ Newegg)
    Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ NCIX US)
    Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card ($109.99 @ Newegg)
    Case: Cooler Master Elite 361 (Black) ATX Mini Tower Case ($39.99 @ SuperBiiz)
    Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
    Optical Drive: Samsung SH-222BB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ SuperBiiz)
    Total: $491.92
    (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-26 18:18 EST-0500)

    Dont expect to play BF3 on High and stuff, but i guess you are leaning towards lighter games with your GF.

    Anyways the above is a rough example as to how you should head, your might not find everything for the exact same price or the same model where you are.

    You want motherboard with at least 1 Sata 3 port for your HDD, which should be sata 3 also.
    Last edited by potis; 2012-12-26 at 11:20 PM.

  5. #5

    gaming desktop

    Hi! If your pc is 4-5 years old, the best thing to do is to set up a new one, especially if it is for gaming. Alienware is usually one of the top gaming desktops and computers but if your budget is tight then you can go for HP or cyberpower. you can go check amazon for options but make sure to read review like this: squidoo.com/best-gaming-desktops-and-computers

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by jeremy2013 View Post
    . Alienware is usually one of the top gaming desktops and computers
    What? no. You pay for the brand, not for the computer

    Build something yourself, cost a lot less, and you can fix it yourself if something break.

    500 is pretty tight for 2 pcs, if you could go at 1500 for both it would be a lot better

    Quote Originally Posted by jeremy2013 View Post
    if your budget is tight then you can go for HP
    You won't game on a hp...
    Last edited by Punisher; 2013-03-04 at 01:33 PM.
    My first build:
    Storage: Kingston SSD Now V200+ 120G and WD Caviar Blue HDD 500 G
    Processing Units: i5-3570k @ 3.8 Ghz cooled by 212 Evo and MSI Twin Frozr 3, R7850 @ 900, 1200
    Mobo, Ram, PSU Gigabyte Z77-D3H and G.Skill ripjaw 2x 4G with XFX 550w
    If I am unreadable, its not because I hate grammar, its because Im french-canadian

  7. #7
    Deleted
    Quote Originally Posted by jeremy2013 View Post
    Hi! If your pc is 4-5 years old, the best thing to do is to set up a new one, especially if it is for gaming. Alienware is usually one of the top gaming desktops and computers but if your budget is tight then you can go for HP or cyberpower. you can go check amazon for options but make sure to read review like this: squidoo.com/best-gaming-desktops-and-computers
    Yo are trolling right? Yea we will just assume you are trolling...

    OP, You save money buy building it yourself so PLEASE ignore this guy...

  8. #8
    Mechagnome Lapetos's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jeremy2013 View Post
    Hi! If your pc is 4-5 years old, the best thing to do is to set up a new one, especially if it is for gaming. Alienware is usually one of the top gaming desktops and computers but if your budget is tight then you can go for HP or cyberpower. you can go check amazon for options but make sure to read review like this: squidoo.com/best-gaming-desktops-and-computers
    As nice the thought is of trying to help, sorry that's terrible advice. OP said about being on a tight budget, and Alienware is well known for throwing extra money just at a brand name and getting nowhere near your money's worth... And HP again won't get your money's worth and on top of that you end up with a shoddy PSU and overall a very limited system for the money.
    Friendship is like peeing on yourself, everyone can see it, but only you get to feel the warmth it brings.

  9. #9
    Deleted
    Nother option for you, Slightly over budget but less then 1100 for 2, this is without OS though... You could save a bit if you dont get the Optical drives. Also prices will very depending on where you are and what you can catch on sale... I think the biggest thing would be to save a couple extra hundred bucks. If you can get your budget to 1200-1300 you will be in retty good shape for 2 budget PC's with OS...

    PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/HrAf
    Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/HrAf/by_merchant/
    Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/HrAf/benchmarks/

    CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($122.98 @ SuperBiiz)
    Motherboard: MSI B75MA-E33 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($58.30 @ Outlet PC)
    Memory: Corsair 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.00 @ Amazon)
    Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Best Buy)
    Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 650 Ti 2GB Video Card ($163.98 @ Newegg)
    Case: Athena Power CA-GSB01DA (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($28.98 @ Newegg)
    Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Mac Mall)
    Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.98 @ Outlet PC)
    Total: $537.20

  10. #10
    You can get one optical drive so you save money and you can swap them to each computer when you need them
    My first build:
    Storage: Kingston SSD Now V200+ 120G and WD Caviar Blue HDD 500 G
    Processing Units: i5-3570k @ 3.8 Ghz cooled by 212 Evo and MSI Twin Frozr 3, R7850 @ 900, 1200
    Mobo, Ram, PSU Gigabyte Z77-D3H and G.Skill ripjaw 2x 4G with XFX 550w
    If I am unreadable, its not because I hate grammar, its because Im french-canadian

  11. #11
    Blademaster
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    Quote Originally Posted by drglnc View Post
    Nother option for you, Slightly over budget but less then 1100 for 2, this is without OS though... You could save a bit if you dont get the Optical drives.
    He should probably be able to re use his old pc's optical drive, not that it saves alot of money though..

  12. #12
    If its a IDE optical drive, he can't use it and its a old comp
    My first build:
    Storage: Kingston SSD Now V200+ 120G and WD Caviar Blue HDD 500 G
    Processing Units: i5-3570k @ 3.8 Ghz cooled by 212 Evo and MSI Twin Frozr 3, R7850 @ 900, 1200
    Mobo, Ram, PSU Gigabyte Z77-D3H and G.Skill ripjaw 2x 4G with XFX 550w
    If I am unreadable, its not because I hate grammar, its because Im french-canadian

  13. #13
    Quote Originally Posted by PunisherQc View Post
    You can get one optical drive so you save money and you can swap them to each computer when you need them
    The USB DVD drives are pretty cheap too, so he doesn't have to take off/put on the bay plate every time. Newegg shows them at about the same price.

    @OP:
    Could you clarify the budget? $1000 total or $1000 per computer?

  14. #14
    Deleted
    Using a removable hard drive or flash drive to load OS is no big deal, just use the old computer to set it up, change bios to boot from usb and you eliminate the need for the optical. you can always add a blue ray drive or what ever later when the budget allows.

  15. #15
    Quote Originally Posted by swunt View Post
    My girlfriend is just starting to get into PC gaming and I want to encourage it because I don't really like console gaming. The problem is she has a broken hp touchsmart so the only game we can play together atm is League of Legends, on top of that my computer is 4-5 years old, I got it as a present and someone else made it for me but its been through a 6 or 7 moves and a lot of college parties so it barely works.

    I know my way around the inside of a case pretty well because I've had lots of problems with my PC that I've had to fix myself but most of this is self taught however I really don't understand much about technical terms or to put it easier I don't know what I should be buying and don't want to make a mistake.

    Is it worth upgrading my computer or should I start from scratch? Here is what I am working with.

    Asus P5B

    under processors it lists Pentium D CPU 3 twice ?

    ATI Radeon HD 4600

    ISO 500 - power supply

    Anything I should have included? And also where do I start with the other computer?

    Oh I guess I should include my price range, 1000$ is probably my cutoff or close to that since we dont have a lot of money

    thanks

    There are also some packages for desktop computers which are very affordable. As yous aid, your budget is $1000. It will be just perfect if you'll check those gaming and desktop computers around the web.

  16. #16
    Deleted
    Quote Originally Posted by renjamolin View Post
    There are also some packages for desktop computers which are very affordable. As yous aid, your budget is $1000. It will be just perfect if you'll check those gaming and desktop computers around the web.
    Don't recommend people to buy a complete system, please. It's awful advice, and should never be given unless under special circumstances.

    Also, this got necro'd like, two times already.

  17. #17
    Quote Originally Posted by swunt View Post
    My girlfriend is just starting to get into PC gaming and I want to encourage it because I don't really like console gaming. The problem is she has a broken hp touchsmart so the only game we can play together atm is League of Legends, on top of that my computer is 4-5 years old, I got it as a present and someone else made it for me but its been through a 6 or 7 moves and a lot of college parties so it barely works.

    I know my way around the inside of a case pretty well because I've had lots of problems with my PC that I've had to fix myself but most of this is self taught however I really don't understand much about technical terms or to put it easier I don't know what I should be buying and don't want to make a mistake.

    Is it worth upgrading my computer or should I start from scratch? Here is what I am working with.

    Asus P5B

    under processors it lists Pentium D CPU 3 twice ?

    ATI Radeon HD 4600

    ISO 500 - power supply

    Anything I should have included? And also where do I start with the other computer?

    Oh I guess I should include my price range, 1000$ is probably my cutoff or close to that since we dont have a lot of money

    thanks
    YOu just came in the right place. If you really want to have a new gaming desktop and computer you should have the right spec and make sure that its in the best quality. I hope it helps. < snipped >

    User was infracted for advertising.
    Last edited by llDemonll; 2013-03-19 at 03:23 PM.

  18. #18
    The Lightbringer Toffie's Avatar
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    Is it the same guy making 3 accounts just to say anything positive about overpriced HP/Alienware garbage? What is wrong with people..
    8700K (5GHz) - Z370 M5 - Mugen 5 - 16GB Tridentz 3200MHz - GTX 1070Ti Strix - NZXT S340E - Dell 24' 1440p (165Hz)

  19. #19
    Must be. Alienware is just /facepalm.
    Case: Corsair 750D MB: ASUS Sabertooth Z170 MARK1 CPU: i7 6700K (4.7GHz) CPU Cooling: Corsair H115i
    PSU: EVGA Supernova P2 750W Platinum GPU: EVGA GTX 980 Ti Classified 6GB SSD1: 256GB Samsung 840 Pro
    SSD2: 1TB Samsung 850 Pro RAM: Corsair 32GB DOMINATOR Monitor: Asus 27" VG278H 120Hz

  20. #20
    Folks, if you suspect someone is someone else, feel free to report one account and link the others in the report, it is a big help.

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