$500 gaming pc for younger brother

[themaniac]

hows this

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

 

CPU:  Intel Core i3-4330 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($132.97 @ OutletPC) 

Motherboard:  Asus H81M-K Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($52.99 @ Newegg) 

Memory:  Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($66.99 @ Microcenter) 

Storage:  Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.66 @ OutletPC) 

Case:  Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($59.99 @ Microcenter) 

Power Supply:  Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($19.99 @ Microcenter) 

Optical Drive:  Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer  ($19.98 @ OutletPC) 

Operating System:  Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit)  ($89.99 @ NCIX US) 

Total: $502.56

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-01 18:16 EST-0500)

[Tmh85]

For 500 dollars go for an AMD APU

[SAV1OUR]

 

hows this

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

 

CPU:  Intel Core i3-4330 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($132.97 @ OutletPC) 

Motherboard:  Asus H81M-K Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($52.99 @ Newegg) 

Memory:  Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($66.99 @ Microcenter) 

Storage:  Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.66 @ OutletPC) 

Case:  Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($59.99 @ Microcenter) 

Power Supply:  Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($19.99 @ Microcenter) 

Optical Drive:  Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer  ($19.98 @ OutletPC) 

Operating System:  Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit)  ($89.99 @ NCIX US) 

Total: $502.56

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-01 18:16 EST-0500)

 

what is he going to be playing? i would go with amds new apus 

[Milesgaming]

Go for ADMs apu instead, better value for the money in that pricepoint

[cjeffcoatjr]

Edits: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2Lyj8

[cjeffcoatjr]

what is he going to be playing? i would go with amds new apus 

No, he could get a dedicated CPU+GPU at this price point

[themaniac]

For 500 dollars go for an AMD APU

well i want the ability to upgrade the computer to an i5 later on when necissary and the integrated graphics should be enough for minecraft tactical intervention and maybe skyrim on the lowest settings 

[themaniac]

what is he going to be playing? i would go with amds new apus 

minecraft tactical intervention and maybe skyrim and i want the ability to upgrade to an i5

[SAV1OUR]

minecraft tactical intervention and maybe skyrim and i want the ability to upgrade to an i5

well he isnt going to be playing skyrim on the set up you linked you might just have to give in if he wants to play it now and go with the new apus 

[themaniac]

well he isnt going to be playing skyrim on the set up you linked you might just have to give in if he wants to play it now and go with the new apus 

on the lowest settings he can i check on game debate it enough and thats only if i can get it to download the computer without using my steam account heres the link to it http://www.game-debate.com/games/index.php?g_id=625&game=The+Elder+Scrolls+V&p_make=Intel&p_deriv=Core+i3-4330+3.5GHz&gc_make=Intel&gc_deriv=Intel+HD+Graphics+4600+Desktop&ram=8&checkSubmit=#systemRequirements

[danejesse1]

I would really recommend to go with an APU, if you do make sure to have fast ram.  You can't get a gaming computer for $500 if you go w/ intel.

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2LyvB

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2LyvB/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2LyvB/benchmarks/

 

CPU: AMD A10-7700K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($159.99 @ Amazon) 

Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88X EXTREME4+ ATX FM2+ Motherboard  ($84.99 @ Newegg) 

Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory  ($76.50 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.66 @ OutletPC) 

Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($59.99 @ Microcenter) 

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($19.99 @ Microcenter) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit)  ($89.99 @ NCIX US) 

Total: $551.11

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-01 18:26 EST-0500)

[venturizhou]

Do you guys have a copy of Windows form an older computer? It eats so much into your budget. 

If not I think this build which comes in at 21 cents over budget  will game much better. 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

 

CPU:  AMD Athlon II X4 750K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($79.98 @ OutletPC) 

Motherboard:  ASRock FM2A88M-HD+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard  ($69.99 @ Microcenter) 

Memory:  A-Data XPG V1.0 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($32.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage:  Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($47.92 @ Amazon) 

Video Card:  Asus Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card  ($95.38 @ Newegg) 

Case:  Rosewill Line-M MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($38.99 @ Staples) 

Power Supply:  Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($19.99 @ Microcenter) 

Optical Drive:  LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer  ($14.99 @ Newegg) 

Operating System:  Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM (64-bit)  ($99.98 @ Best Buy) 

Total: $500.21

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-01 18:35 EST-0500)

[themaniac]

 

I would really recommend to go with an APU, if you do make sure to have fast ram.  You can't get a gaming computer for $500 if you go w/ intel.

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2LyvB

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2LyvB/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2LyvB/benchmarks/

 

CPU: AMD A10-7700K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($159.99 @ Amazon) 

Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88X EXTREME4+ ATX FM2+ Motherboard  ($84.99 @ Newegg) 

Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory  ($76.50 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.66 @ OutletPC) 

Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($59.99 @ Microcenter) 

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($19.99 @ Microcenter) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit)  ($89.99 @ NCIX US) 

Total: $551.11

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-01 18:26 EST-0500)

 

well intel is just fine and with only minecraft and tactical intervention it will be just fine and even intel hd graphics 2000 is good enough to play those two but not skyrim and skyrim is only if i can get it to install without using my steam account and if i can't he can just play it on the xbox 360

[dizmo]

The i3 actually benches better than the A8/A10 cpu's.

[themaniac]

Do you guys have a copy of Windows form an older computer? It eats so much into your budget. 

no 

[danejesse1]

I just saw that you really wanted to go with intel.  I managed to get a Radeon HD 7770 by sacrificing the OS.  I would really recommend going with an AMD build and replacing the mobo when you get an i5.

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2LyJc

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2LyJc/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2LyJc/benchmarks/

 

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($99.99 @ Microcenter) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($69.99 @ Amazon) 

Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory  ($72.25 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.66 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card  ($100.66 @ Newegg) 

Case: NZXT Source 220 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($46.98 @ Best Buy) 

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($19.99 @ Microcenter) 

Total: $469.52

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-01 18:33 EST-0500)

[themaniac]

The i3 actually benches better than the A8/A10 cpu's.

yeah the only thing it falls behind in is the integrated graphics but the intel hd graphics 4600 is just fine

[danejesse1]

whoops, dont know the sniper ram got in there.  I added the os

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2LyQK

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2LyQK/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2LyQK/benchmarks/

 

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($99.99 @ Microcenter) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($69.99 @ Amazon) 

Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($66.99 @ Microcenter) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.66 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card  ($100.66 @ Newegg) 

Case: NZXT Source 220 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($46.98 @ Best Buy) 

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($19.99 @ Microcenter) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit)  ($89.99 @ NCIX US) 

Total: $554.25

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-01 18:37 EST-0500)

[dizmo]

yeah the only thing it falls behind in is the integrated graphics but the intel hd graphics 4600 is just fine

Actually even the integrated graphics of the 3220 perform better than the a10-5800k and a8-5600k

They didn't have benches to compare the higher end ones...but honestly at that price you're close to i5 territory anyway.

 

You'll be fine with 4600 HD for now. Hell I'm running 4000 HD and can still play most things, just not at insane quality.

[venturizhou]

Actually even the integrated graphics of the 3220 perform better than the a10-5800k and a8-5600k

They didn't have benches to compare the higher end ones...but honestly at that price you're close to i5 territory anyway.

 

You'll be fine with 4600 HD for now. Hell I'm running 4000 HD and can still play most things, just not at insane quality.

Where have you seen these results? I'm curious. Because from what I have read the 8670D destroys the HD 4600. 

[themaniac]

 

I just saw that you really wanted to go with intel.  I managed to get a Radeon HD 7770 by sacrificing the OS.  I would really recommend going with an AMD build and replacing the mobo when you get an i5.

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2LyJc

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2LyJc/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2LyJc/benchmarks/

 

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($99.99 @ Microcenter) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($69.99 @ Amazon) 

Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory  ($72.25 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.66 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card  ($100.66 @ Newegg) 

Case: NZXT Source 220 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($46.98 @ Best Buy) 

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($19.99 @ Microcenter) 

Total: $469.52

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-01 18:33 EST-0500)

 

well he won't need the graphics card right away but when i have enough i will get a graphics card why did you choose that motherboard and not the motherboard i choose and why did you choose that fast ram i'm pretty sure you don't need fast ram for intel integrated graphics 

[venturizhou]

well he won't need the graphics card right away but when i have enough i will get a graphics card why did you choose that motherboard and not the motherboard i choose and why did you choose that fast ram i'm pretty sure you don't need fast ram for intel integrated graphics 

Because it's basically the same price as much slower ram, the cheapest 2x4gb kit on PCPartPicker was like $68. Is there any reason you are resistant to using AMD CPUs for a budget build. 

[danejesse1]

this article says that "Richland maintains a 17 - 50% GPU performance advantage (~30% on average) over Intel's HD 4600 (Haswell GT2)."  The AMD build I posted above has better R7 graphics since the A10 7700K is a Kaveri APU.

 

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7032/amds-richland-vs-intels-haswell-gpu-on-the-desktop-radeon-hd-8670d-hd-4600/6

[themaniac]

Because it's basically the same price as much slower ram, the cheapest 2x4gb kit on PCPartPicker was like $68. Is there any reason you are resistant to using AMD CPUs for a budget build. 

well the main reason is because i will be able to upgrade to an i5 for him without having to get rid of the motherboard and he will be able to play more cpu intensive games with somewhat better fps

[dizmo]

Where have you seen these results? I'm curious. Because from what I have read the 8670D destroys the HD 4600. 

I was thinking more the previous generations of APU.

The 8670 chips iirc are pretty pricey at ~ $160 aren't they?

If you cross into the $600 price range for a system I'd think a 6300/R270 would be a better combo.