$350 Gaming Computer Build - How does it look?

[kassuba39]

Greetings!

I am in the process in buying parts for my own custom gaming computer. I set a budget at $350 because I'm not super picky about what I have. (It'll still be better than console!) Tell me what you think! Also if I can do something better for $350 please let me know!

CPU:
AMD Athlon II X2 260 Regor 3.2GHz $58.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103873

GPU:
SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6670 1GB $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102988

Mobo:
ASRock 770iCafe AM3+ AMD 770 ATX $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157291

HDD:
Western Digital 250 GB $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136771

RAM:
Kingston 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 $19.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139046

Power Supply:
CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 430W $45.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026

Case:
NZXT Source 210 S210-001 Black $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146075

I also ripped out a DVD/CD Drive as well as a Maxtor 40GB HDD out of an older Gateway of mine. I plan running Windows XP Pro 64x

 

[kassuba39]

Btw it ends up costing $336.97 plus shipping and including the mail in rebates.

 

[tiny voices]

This won't really play games better than a console. The CPU you listed is bottom of the barrel in terms of what you can get away with. Also, the DVD drive and HDD you salvaged are probably IDE and the motherboard won't support it. Look at intel Pentium line or maybe a phenom 2 x4 965 black edition.

 

[kassuba39]

Excuse me but, what's IDE?

 

[whooleo]

Excuse me but, what's IDE?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_Drive_Electronics#IDE_and_ATA-1

 

[tiny voices]

its the interface of older style drives. Modern drives are connected using SATA connectors. Old drives use IDE connections which new motherboards no longer support.

 

[kassuba39]

Ah, it's exactly that! Thank you so much! So both the HDD and the CD/DVD drive won't work then?

 

[tiny voices]

No they won't.

 

[kassuba39]

Or sorry, tiny voices answered that. What would you recommend for the Dvd/cd drive then?

 

[whooleo]

I would change the CPU and mobo to this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116778

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157315

 

[tiny voices]

DVD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

 

[whooleo]

Or sorry, tiny voices answered that. What would you recommend for the Dvd/cd drive then?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136254

 

[whooleo]

Darn you Tiny voices! It's a race then...

 

[tiny voices]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/q1oD

I made you this. Its as good as you will do on your budget. should play games on medium settings just fine.

 

[kassuba39]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/q1oD

I made you this. Its as good as you will do on your budget. should play games on medium settings just fine.

I don't know if this website is crap then but.. according to game-debate.com I can play a game like Skyrim well on the build I already have.

http://www.game-debate.com/gaming-pc/index.php?r_id=127581&cpu=Athlon%20II%20X2%20260&gpu=Radeon%20HD%206670%20Sapphire%201GB%20GDDR5&ram=4GB#gamingPCReport

Is that just a fluke?

... and this Youtube video shows how my graphics card runs Skyrim and to me it looks pretty good! I know that it's with the i3 but does it really make that big of a difference?

 

[kassuba39]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XliaBs5KAuk

 

[Azn Cracker]

^ +1 for the radeon 7770. I think it will be worth the extra money. +1 for the pentium cpu, same price. Better performance.

 

[kassuba39]

DVD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

That looks good! I actually have a buddy that has this exact one and he said he's had no problems with it.

 

[whooleo]

Tiny Voices build is the way to go. It's a lot more powerful then your proposed build.

 

[tiny voices]

The 7770 will be able to handle modern games. The card you listed will struggle on low settings with alot of games. definitely go for the intel + 7770

 

[kassuba39]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/q1oD

I made you this. Its as good as you will do on your budget. should play games on medium settings just fine.

Wow this looks great you sure put a lot of time into this. Thanks for your help and I'll have to put this build into deep consideration!

 

[quilciri]

Also, the DVD drive and HDD you salvaged are probably IDE and the motherboard won't support it.

http://www.amazon.com/HDE-SATA-Drive-Interface-Adapter/dp/B002Y2NI4M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354148716&sr=8-1&keywords=sata+pata+converter

Gj on the build, though.

You *can* re-use your HDD and DVD. Putting the money towards a bit stronger processor is your best bet.

 

[tiny voices]

Wow this looks great you sure put a lot of time into this. Thanks for your help and I'll have to put this build into deep consideration!

No problem man! Always glad to help. That's what I would do for sure.

 

[xFriarx]

I would agree with those above, go with the Intel (it rivals some x3/x4 core AMDs for gaming) and a 7750/7770 if you can swing it. What resolution is your monitor? If you are going to be playing at 1080 then definitely a 7750/7770. Tiny's build looks pretty solid.

 

[quilciri]

You *could* squeeze in a G860 and a 560ti if you re-use the HDD and DVD.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80623g860
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-012p32078kr

good luck!