Need ideas for a $600 gaming rig for a friend

[MblaZe7run]

Alright, I'll be very honest. I'm too lazy to research another build that will end up being sub-par. I have a friend who wants as good of a rig as he can get. He currently has nothing but a mouse, but wants to replace that as it is kind of crummy. Cables for the monitor should not be included, since they are 1) cheap, and 2) usually included with the monitor. If you can fit an SSD boot drive and HDD storage drive in the budget, that would be awesome.

 

He is a huge LoL player, and an avid Cookie Clicker fan, but wants to get into triple A titles and various Steam games. He would prefer as many games be playable at high to ultra graphics, with a resolution of 1080p at 60 frames.

 

Thanks guys! (I'll likely end up doing a build, but not at the moment. Will add a pcpartpicker link as an edit if I do.)

 

 

EDIT 1: PLEASE NOTE, ALL PERIPHERALS ARE REQUIRED. MONITOR, KEYBOARD, MOUSE, ODD, SPEAKERS, AND POSSIBLY A HEADSET.

[Guest Philosophy]

Well I know where you can get one... JK. Anyways, 600 dollars should get you a pretty decent 1080p mechine. So I will edit a PCPartPicker list it may be a minuet want to get it perfect. 

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/NPvRbv

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

 

CPU: Intel Core i3-4360 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($157.98 @ Newegg) 

Motherboard: MSI H97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($87.98 @ Newegg) 

Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($53.10 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($54.99 @ Amazon) 

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280 3GB DUAL-X Video Card  ($162.98 @ Newegg) 

Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($79.99 @ Amazon) 

Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($34.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $632.01

 

A Cheaper case will bring down the price, I just like the corsair XXXR series

[MblaZe7run]

Well I know where you can get one... JK. Anyways, 600 dollars should get you a pretty decent 1080p mechine. So I will edit a PCPartPicker list it may be a minuet want to get it perfect. 

Lol, I'd gladly go that route if it were my money, but it isn't, lol. I'm having some trouble putting one together because I can't get out of the mindset of having the best of the best.. So far, I have the G3258, Hyper 212 EVO so we can squeeze some more jiggahertz out of it, and a WD Black drive (no particular reason other than I personally prefer their Black or RE drives). Hardest part for me will be GPU and monitor, plus decent peripherals, mouse, etc. This is definitely a challenge for me, even if it shouldn't be.

[Megazero]

At this price point... I wont suggest Intel i3, dual core isnt good.

I'd say something like this is better (I actually build 1 for my friend like this)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($137.95 @ SuperBiiz)

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-D3P ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($72.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.98 @ Newegg)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.99 @ NCIX US)

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280 3GB DUAL-X Video Card ($162.98 @ Newegg)

Case: Thermaltake Versa H22 Window ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.87 @ Mwave)

Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Essential 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Directron)

Total: $585.75

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-15 16:56 EDT-0400

[No Nrg]

Best I could think of with this budget, no room for SSD without compromising other areas

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($178.89 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($71.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($56.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($47.98 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280X 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card  ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($45.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $626.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-15 16:57 EDT-0400

[MblaZe7run]

At this price point... I wont suggest Intel i3, dual core isnt good.

I'd say something like this is better (I actually build 1 for my friend like this)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($137.95 @ SuperBiiz)

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-D3P ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($72.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.98 @ Newegg)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.99 @ NCIX US)

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280 3GB DUAL-X Video Card ($162.98 @ Newegg)

Case: Thermaltake Versa H22 Window ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.87 @ Mwave)

Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Essential 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Directron)

Total: $585.75

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-15 16:56 EDT-0400

It is a wonderful build, but he needs a monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers, and optical drive as well.. That's where it becomes a challenge to meed the requirements in my opinion.

[MblaZe7run]

Best I could think of with this budget, no room for SSD without compromising other areas

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($178.89 @ SuperBiiz)

Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($71.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($56.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($47.98 @ NCIX US)

Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280X 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card  ($189.99 @ Newegg)

Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($45.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($34.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $626.82

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-15 16:57 EDT-0400

As I just said before, ALL peripherals are required. Monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc. Thanks for the submission though, I do appreciate it, believe it or not

[Megazero]

It is a wonderful build, but he needs a monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers, and optical drive as well.. That's where it becomes a challenge to meed the requirements in my opinion.

Oh... Have you consider the 2nd hand path?

[Guest Philosophy]

At this price point... I wont suggest Intel i3, dual core isnt good.

I'd say something like this is better (I actually build 1 for my friend like this)

I really think i3 is the way to go because, A its per core performance (Even as good as an I5) is much better than the the 83XX line and Hyper-threading allows it to function as well as an 8320. For 1080p gaming an i3 is really all that is needed right now. An i5 would be perfect but not for this budget. 

[Guest Philosophy]

Best I could think of with this budget, no room for SSD without compromising other areas

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($178.89 @ SuperBiiz)

Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($71.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($56.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($47.98 @ NCIX US)

Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280X 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card  ($189.99 @ Newegg)

Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($45.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($34.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $626.82

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-15 16:57 EDT-0400

This is a good build, What is the survival rate of that AsRock board? I am picky when it comes to Mobos

[No Nrg]

As I just said before, ALL peripherals are required. Monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc. Thanks for the submission though, I do appreciate it, believe it or not

That will be tough, I'm starting over then. Don't expect much with that limit

[No Nrg]

This is a good build, What is the survival rate of that AsRock board? I am picky when it comes to Mobos

AsRock isn't bad for that price point, but I wouldn't buy it unless I really had to budget like this

[MblaZe7run]

That will be tough, I'm starting over then. Don't expect much with that limit

Yeah. The client/friend has access to the full range of peripherals, but is too full of himself/stubborn to ask to borrow them until he has the money to buy them. I've got a CPU, motherboard, cooler, RAM, HDD, and GPU in my current list, and I'm already at $420, with the most expensive part being the GPU at $120 after rebate.

[grayblizzard]

Are you planning on upgrading later or no

[MblaZe7run]

Are you planning on upgrading later or no

Not really sure if he cares about upgrading or not. He is by no means an enthusiast like most of us forums members, he's just a user. He couldn't tell the RAM from the video card. Myself and a mutual friend will be assembling and testing (I'll assemble, mutual friend will test/load with software/modify software). Fortunately, he already has a Windows license, so that is not needed.. lol.

[No Nrg]

OK, here's what I got. I had to get creative and use NewEgg Combos and deals to get the price down (assuming you take advantage of these deals). I am still $50 over budget though. I also wouldn't expect miracles from this system. At best it will match or slightly exceed the performance of the current gen PS4 and Xbone

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor  ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard  ($45.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($53.10 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($47.98 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($139.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1100 MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($24.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($54.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer  ($12.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer G246HLAbd 60Hz 24.0" Monitor  ($127.58 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse  ($27.87 @ Amazon)
Speakers: Cyber Acoustics CA3001RB 14W 2.1ch Speakers  ($23.99 @ B&H)
Total: $651.45
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-15 17:28 EDT-0400

[MblaZe7run]

OK, here's what I got. I had to get creative and use NewEgg Combos and deals to get the price down (assuming you take advantage of these deals). I am still $50 over budget though. I also wouldn't expect miracles from this system. At best it will match or slightly exceed the performance of the current gen PS4 and Xbone

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor  ($99.99 @ Newegg)

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard  ($45.98 @ Newegg)

Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($53.10 @ Newegg)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($47.98 @ NCIX US)

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($139.99 @ Micro Center)

Case: Fractal Design Core 1100 MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($24.99 @ NCIX US)

Power Supply: SeaSonic 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($54.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer  ($12.99 @ Newegg)

Monitor: Acer G246HLAbd 60Hz 24.0" Monitor  ($127.58 @ Newegg)

Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse  ($27.87 @ Amazon)

Speakers: Cyber Acoustics CA3001RB 14W 2.1ch Speakers  ($23.99 @ B&H)

Total: $651.45

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-15 17:28 EDT-0400

Looks great for what we have to work with. I know I haven't gotten anything near that so far. I'm hoping he will accept going over on peripherals and man up by asking to borrow some things temporarily, thus shaving some off the price.

[grayblizzard]

Since you don't need is this is the best build I can do

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/L9Xff7

[grayblizzard]

Hope you like it

[TheElt]

This is as good as I can come out with, and just got thrown over budget by the DVD drive

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/vbGkP6

Since he's just a user, 4 cores for compatibility in games that need more than 2 cores to run, trades CPU power vs the FX 6300 for a better GPU (But at stock it's not too far off). Case is something 'Gamer' looking so he can show it off.

[stconquest]

What?  He doesn't need an operating system?

[MblaZe7run]

What?  He doesn't need an operating system?

He has a license. We have the ISO file. All set there.

[No Nrg]

Looks great for what we have to work with. I know I haven't gotten anything near that so far. I'm hoping he will accept going over on peripherals and man up by asking to borrow some things temporarily, thus shaving some off the price.

Being able to drop the monitor as an example would allow for an upgrade to the CPU/motherboard or GPU or add an SSD. I would go that route personally. When I built my rig below I spent my whole budget of $1600 on just the system, no monitor included. This allowed me to maximize my system potential.

 

I used a 10 year old 1280x1024 TN monitor for 3 months and saved for a monitor. Now that I have everything I'm glad I did it that way.

[MblaZe7run]

Being able to drop the monitor as an example would allow for an upgrade to the CPU/motherboard or GPU or add an SSD. I would go that route personally. Whhen I built my rig below I spend my whole budget of $1600 on just the system, no monitor included. This allowed me to maximize my system potential.

 

I used a 10 year old 1280x1024 TN monitor for 3 months and saved for a monitor. Now that I have everything I'm glad I did it that way.

That's exactly what I did. I had two 17" hand-me-down TN monitors for almost a year. It was terrible, but it got me buy. Occasionally, I would hook up the 15" CRT too, just to feel like a badass with 3 monitors.. lol

[stconquest]

No SSD, sorry.

 

I picked a Pentium to get you started.  It will be great for LoL, and many other games but it has it's limits.  This build gives you an upgrade path to an i5 or i7 later on down the road.  You would have to update the bios on the motherboard and then you are good to go with any Haswell Refresh CPU.

 

You could grab 8GB of RAM which would put you very near(or over) the $600 budget.  I only dropped in 4GB as RAM is so easy to upgrade.

 

$584

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($58.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-GAMING 3 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($46.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($29.23 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($47.98 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 270 2GB TurboDuo Video Card  ($132.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H21 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($32.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply  ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer  ($12.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer H226HQLbid 60Hz 21.5" Monitor  ($116.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse  ($27.87 @ Amazon)
Speakers: Logitech S120 2.3W 2ch Speakers  ($7.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $534.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-15 17:59 EDT-0400