Budget Gaming

[amolp]

Hi All,

I would like to ideally buy  (not build myself) a gaming desktop between $400-$600 USD. I'm not a avid gamer but looking to run games like Cities Skyline, Total War series (strategy and simulation). And then some occasional python programming for machine learning. 

What I am looking for is a small form factor which can sit in a open space in a TV table and connect to TV as a monitor. Planning to use wireless keyboard, mouse and headphones  with it. If possible would like it to be upgrade friendly. 

In terms of CPU would like to stick with Intel and Nvidia for GPU.

Or if anyone knows a easy and cost effective way to plug in an external GPU to a 2 years old Lenovo IdeaPad Y410p.

Any recommendations on previous build or order to build would be really nice. 

[Matty2hatty]

you sure you don't want to build?

[dizmo]

Most external video card setups require hardware to be built into the laptop itself. That I've seen at least.

I doubt your laptop could handle City Skylines, IIRC it has a very high CPU requirement.

We could build you a SFF build and you can get NCIX to build it. They charge something like $50 the last time I checked.

You could also do it yourself and save money, both on parts and labor. If you can build a Lego set you can easily assemble a computer.

 

Have you checked out eBay? I just bought a used system for $550. i5, 8gb RAM, GTX 970, SSD, HDD, RGB keyboard, Dell Ultrasharp monitor. Killer deal, and there are sure to be more.

[Streetguru]

2 hours ago, amolp said:

 

Well build it youself, focus is going to want to be on the CPU/RAM over the GPU

 

also I'd get a 360 over a 750ti, performance between the 2 is about the same, but the 360 is going to support DX12 a bit better from the looks of it, also it's a smaller card, so you could get an even smaller case if you wish like the Elite 110

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Bh2fYJ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Bh2fYJ/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($196.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI B150I GAMING PRO AC Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($109.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($49.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 360 2GB Core Edition Video Card  ($100.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($42.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($55.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $614.32
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-03-21 16:29 EDT-0400

[amolp]

20 hours ago, dizmo said:

Most external video card setups require hardware to be built into the laptop itself. That I've seen at least.

I doubt your laptop could handle City Skylines, IIRC it has a very high CPU requirement.

We could build you a SFF build and you can get NCIX to build it. They charge something like $50 the last time I checked.

You could also do it yourself and save money, both on parts and labor. If you can build a Lego set you can easily assemble a computer.

 

Have you checked out eBay? I just bought a used system for $550. i5, 8gb RAM, GTX 970, SSD, HDD, RGB keyboard, Dell Ultrasharp monitor. Killer deal, and there are sure to be more.

Thanks dizmo, I have been watching eBay as well. There is lot of stuff to go through mostly AMDs. The wiring I not completely sure of, but watching some videos and learning.

[amolp]

20 hours ago, Streetguru said:

Well build it youself, focus is going to want to be on the CPU/RAM over the GPU

 

also I'd get a 360 over a 750ti, performance between the 2 is about the same, but the 360 is going to support DX12 a bit better from the looks of it, also it's a smaller card, so you could get an even smaller case if you wish like the Elite 110

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Bh2fYJ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Bh2fYJ/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($196.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI B150I GAMING PRO AC Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($109.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($49.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 360 2GB Core Edition Video Card  ($100.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($42.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($55.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $614.32
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-03-21 16:29 EDT-0400

I was wondering if there is some kind of tool where I try different configurations. Looks pcpartpicker is the one. I have couple of questions though. 

1. Does it ensure.compatibility between parts? Like if the motherboard only supports DDR3, so it wont allow me to choose DDR4.

2. Dour I need any special adapter to connect desktop my TV as monitor for better quality or performance? My TV takes HDMI, would that be enough? 

[Streetguru]

17 minutes ago, amolp said:

 

PC part picker has compatibility filtering which works for the most part, just disable mail in rebate when selecting parts, as mail in rebates will screw with actual pricing.

Otherwise HDMI would be fine ya, but a large 1080p display for the monitor doesn't sound like a fun time.

[amolp]

1 hour ago, Streetguru said:

PC part picker has compatibility filtering which works for the most part, just disable mail in rebate when selecting parts, as mail in rebates will screw with actual pricing.

Otherwise HDMI would be fine ya, but a large 1080p display for the monitor doesn't sound like a fun time.

I know my wife won't allow a separate table for a desktop, trying find a compromise :).  Thanks again

[Streetguru]

2 hours ago, amolp said:

I know my wife won't allow a separate table for a desktop, trying find a compromise :).  Thanks again

Well clearly, the PC set up is going to more important than the wife's happiness

[dizmo]

8 hours ago, amolp said:

Thanks dizmo, I have been watching eBay as well. There is lot of stuff to go through mostly AMDs. The wiring I not completely sure of, but watching some videos and learning.

Yeah, keep an eye out and you'll be able to snag something. TBH I have no idea why the system I got went so cheap. The keyboard alone retails for $200 up here.

 

Wiring is actually incredibly simple. There are specific cables for the motherboard, and then 2 cables for the SSD.

If you get a semi modular power supply you don't even have to worry about the cables you don't need.

It may seem daunting, but once you open it up it all falls right into place. We're always here to help!

5 hours ago, Streetguru said:

PC part picker has compatibility filtering which works for the most part, just disable mail in rebate when selecting parts, as mail in rebates will screw with actual pricing.

Otherwise HDMI would be fine ya, but a large 1080p display for the monitor doesn't sound like a fun time.

Depends on the distance from the TV. If he's sitting on a couch, it'd be perfectly fine.

Mail in rebates are still savings

[Streetguru]

1 minute ago, dizmo said:

Mail in rebates are still savings

I've never known one to actually work out so...

[dizmo]

1 minute ago, Streetguru said:

I've never known one to actually work out so...

Really? I've gotten every one I've ever sent in.

Granted, I forget half the time...but that's the whole reason they exist.

[amolp]

18 hours ago, Streetguru said:

Well clearly, the PC set up is going to more important than the wife's happiness

She just doesn't want an extra table in our apartment, hence the TV as monitor.