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  1. #1

    Can you build a gaming computer for ~$500?

    Looking to build my fiance a decent gaming rig for around 500. Some people are pros at finding just the right decent parts at the right price.
    So if you could show me a build or 2 that'd be great.

    Also, would prefer a i5-3570k as it is what I have in my computer and I believe it to be pretty solid for gaming. Also an SSD would be nice, but beggers cant be chooser, and my woman is a begger... MUAHAHA

  2. #2
    Hoof Hearted!!!
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    You can build one, but not a very good one.
    when all else fails, read the STICKIES.

  3. #3
    that CPU alone is like half the price of what you're asking, lol

  4. #4

  5. #5
    For $500 you can get a pretty low end build, for $750 you can get a decent mid end.

    Do you need peripherals and operating system?
    If you have a monitor already what resolution is it?
    Intel i5-3570K @ 4.7GHz | MSI Z77 Mpower | Noctua NH-D14 | Corsair Vengeance LP White 1.35V 8GB 1600MHz
    Gigabyte GTX 670 OC Windforce 3X @ 1372/7604MHz | Corsair Force GT 120GB | Silverstone Fortress FT02 | Corsair VX450

  6. #6
    It depends what you want to play and on what settings. $750 is a good start and the thing about desktops is that you can add parts and upgrades over time as you get the cash to do so. Check out Marest's sample builds which are stickied in the computer forums.

    http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/...-Sample-Builds

    Let us know what kind of games you/your fiance is planning on playing and we can go from there.
    Rig: i5-3570K, SLI EVGA 680 SC Sig 1. Will take pictures eventually.
    Past: Proud First Generation College Graduate (B.S. in Chemistry and Biology)
    Present: Medical School, Class of 2017.

  7. #7
    Worlf of Warcraft, Black Ops 2 and D3 is what she plays right now, she is looking forward to this Crysis 3 also.
    And of course she wants smooth gameplay and good graphics.

    Also already have a monitor.
    Have a few Asus VE247H 23.6" (1920 x 1080)

    I still have my OS from building my computer. I think it's got 2 uses left.

  8. #8
    nvm didnt read thread
    Last edited by Burritaco; 2013-02-02 at 03:29 AM.

    Dumbest Thread 2012

  9. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by Nuex View Post
    I still have my OS from building my computer. I think it's got 2 uses left.
    Is it a family pack? Otherwise it is only 1 use.
    Intel i5-3570K @ 4.7GHz | MSI Z77 Mpower | Noctua NH-D14 | Corsair Vengeance LP White 1.35V 8GB 1600MHz
    Gigabyte GTX 670 OC Windforce 3X @ 1372/7604MHz | Corsair Force GT 120GB | Silverstone Fortress FT02 | Corsair VX450

  10. #10
    Deleted
    Mine was about $790 or so back in august/september.

    cpu: i5 3550
    mobo: gigabyte Z68AP-D3
    memory: 8gb
    gpu: geforce gtx 550ti
    hard drive: 500gb (I skipped ssd, I will get one soon though)
    OS: Win7 home premium 64 (got this for free however)

    Run most games on high to ultra with no issues. Probably much cheaper today, aand probably alot cheaper where you live. Sweden is expensive

  11. #11
    What are her expectations of Crysis 3? It is pretty intensive on the GPU.
    Intel i5-3570K @ 4.7GHz | MSI Z77 Mpower | Noctua NH-D14 | Corsair Vengeance LP White 1.35V 8GB 1600MHz
    Gigabyte GTX 670 OC Windforce 3X @ 1372/7604MHz | Corsair Force GT 120GB | Silverstone Fortress FT02 | Corsair VX450

  12. #12
    I built my gaming PC for $600 and I get 85+ FPS on all games around max settings. I bought everything off of new egg, and I only bought parts that had free shipping/best reviews.

  13. #13
    Quote Originally Posted by Gurushockin View Post
    I built my gaming PC for $600 and I get 85+ FPS on all games around max settings. I bought everything off of new egg, and I only bought parts that had free shipping/best reviews.
    I'd love to see the specs of that bargain monster.
    Intel i5-3570K @ 4.7GHz | MSI Z77 Mpower | Noctua NH-D14 | Corsair Vengeance LP White 1.35V 8GB 1600MHz
    Gigabyte GTX 670 OC Windforce 3X @ 1372/7604MHz | Corsair Force GT 120GB | Silverstone Fortress FT02 | Corsair VX450

  14. #14

  15. #15
    PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

    CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($223.79 @ Amazon)
    Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)
    Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.98 @ Outlet PC)
    Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($78.98 @ Outlet PC)
    Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($209.99 @ Microcenter)
    Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
    Power Supply: Antec Neo Eco 520W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
    Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Microcenter)
    Total: $741.70
    (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-01 22:52 EST-0500)

    Decent build within the bigger budget, it is perfectly capable of running blizzard games on ultra but it won't run Crysis 3 on max settings.
    Intel i5-3570K @ 4.7GHz | MSI Z77 Mpower | Noctua NH-D14 | Corsair Vengeance LP White 1.35V 8GB 1600MHz
    Gigabyte GTX 670 OC Windforce 3X @ 1372/7604MHz | Corsair Force GT 120GB | Silverstone Fortress FT02 | Corsair VX450

  16. #16
    That looks awesome Nocturnal. Once taxes come out ill throw in a SSD and call it good? Or what are the first 3 changes you would do to improve preformance?
    Oh btw, how would this do streaming? Or recording (fraps)?

  17. #17
    Moderator chazus's Avatar
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    This system is a little over budget ($520) but ought to be able to play WoW and D3 on high. Crysis I can't be sure, though.

    http://pcpartpicker.com/p/AWJO

    ---------- Post added 2013-02-01 at 08:10 PM ----------

    Quote Originally Posted by Nuex View Post
    That looks awesome Nocturnal.
    For the record, the system Nocturnal linked is pretty much verbatim what mine is now (except I have an SSD). It's a baller system and will pretty much chew up anything you throw at it, within reason. If you can afford that, definitely roll it. If you feel you'd want to save a couple hundred, the one I linked will certainly play most games quite well.

  18. #18
    It should stream 720p without any problems, Fraps doesn't effect performance much if you have a dedicated hard drive that you record to.

    Personally I would go for a more powerful GPU, a SSD and a better case but that doesn't effect performance directly. Also a cheap after market cooler would be nice for some light overclocking, Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO or Xigmatek Gaia are excellent budget coolers.
    Intel i5-3570K @ 4.7GHz | MSI Z77 Mpower | Noctua NH-D14 | Corsair Vengeance LP White 1.35V 8GB 1600MHz
    Gigabyte GTX 670 OC Windforce 3X @ 1372/7604MHz | Corsair Force GT 120GB | Silverstone Fortress FT02 | Corsair VX450

  19. #19
    Deleted
    Well you can certainly buy a computer for that price that can run most of games, because most games are just console ports.

  20. #20

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