Best Gaming PC under $400

[Zane619]

For this Christmas, I am planning to get a new laptop/desktop, all though I prefer a laptop, I will make a desktop exception if it's really good, and I don't mind building it, as I know you can get a more powerful PC building it then getting it pre-built... and the maximum I want to spend is $400, no more... I really don't wanna go over that limit, but if it's really good then I might bypass the limit a little bit.

 

[A_Goat]

THIS is your best option for the $400 gaming budget.
^Click

Enjoy.

 

[Zane619]

Woops, accidently clicked that as "The Solution to my answer" I thought that was the link... and real funny, I don't want a Xbox One console, I need a new PC.

 

[A_Goat]

Woops, accidently clicked that as "The Solution to my answer" I thought that was the link... and real funny, I don't want a Xbox One console, I need a new PC.

I saw it in my notifications and I was like... L0L NO WAY!
But seriously, unless you have half the parts laying around your house... you're going to have to bump up that budget.
A $400 budget desktop (If you already have access to an OS) could run games like skyrim, CS, etc (low settings).

The problem with that budget is an operating system is $60-120. And any monitor worth buying is over $100.... that's half your budget right there.

 

[Lars Riisnaes]

Unfortunately, you're really going to struggle with finding anything matching what you want for under $400 for a number of reasons:

• 
  ■There are extremely few options for building your own laptop for any price, least of all under $400.
  ■Any prebuilt laptop for under $400 will likely be close to unusable for new games.
  ■For a desktop system, it will be almost impossible to include a monitor, operating system (Windows) mouse and keyboard in addition to the PC itself for under $400.
  ■Even if you already have the necessary peripherals and an OS license, the most powerful computer you could hope to build for $400 would struggle even with games a few years old. Many newer games would be almost (if not entirely) unplayable.

Sorry

 

[Zane619]

Well... after seeing some posts on here, I was thinking I should just get new drivers for my laptop... I can tell you the specs I have.
Nvidia 310m
8GB of Ram
Intel Core i5 CPU M 480 @ 2.67GHz
64 bit-operating system

I don't know how much this laptop is, but what's the best things to upgrade? still at the $400 budget.

 

[envy14tpe]

Would you need to buy a monitor?

 

[Zane619]

If it's possible to upgrade my laptop, then no, otherwise I think I have a monitor somewhere in my house... if anyone suggests I should still get a new desktop.

 

[envy14tpe]

If it's possible to upgrade my laptop, then no, otherwise I think I have a monitor somewhere in my house... if anyone suggests I should still get a new desktop.

If you have a monitor then you can get a desktop for $400 easily, but it would be 720p like your laptop; however you could play games at higher settings.

 

[Zane619]

That's a relief, well... what's the stuff I should get if I already have a monitor?

 

[RazerZ]

What games do you play and at what graphic settings are you looking to play them at?

 

[Zane619]

APB Reloaded and infestation survivor stories are my two favorite games, but my laptop started to not be able to handle them, so to be honest... I don't care about the settings I can play them at... but if you need something to calculate up to... I say at least medium settings?

 

[RazerZ]

Do you need the operating system included in the price?

 

[envy14tpe]

At $400 you want to get a APU which is a CPU and GPU all in one. To utilize it, you need 2133 or 2400MHz RAM. It does make a difference in gaming compared to 1600MHz. The build listed will let you play on 720p at very high settings and great fps.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A10-7850K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($134.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus A88XM-A Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($59.82 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Team Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($50.49 @ OutletPC)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($32.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $374.26

 

[Zane619]

I have a operating system in my laptop, is it possible I can bring it out of my laptop and into the desktop? otherwise, yeah I need a operating system included in the price.

 

[Zane619]

@envy
That sounds really promising, thanks for the build! I'll buy that, thanks everyone for bearing with me and giving your help 😀

 

[envy14tpe]

@envy
That sounds really promising, thanks for the build! I'll buy that, thanks everyone for bearing with me and giving your help 😀

The system I listed has room to grow. You can always add a discrete GPU in the future if you ever want to play 1080p at high settings. Also, you could add a better cpu cooler to overclock. (500W gives room to grow) Point is. These components can last you a long time and will definitely be better at gaming then a laptop.

I had an average gaming laptop and sold it. For the same price as the laptop I got a killer desktop system that is much better in every way possible.

 

[RazerZ]

I have a operating system in my laptop, is it possible I can bring it out of my laptop and into the desktop? otherwise, yeah I need a operating system included in the price.

If it has Windows 7 you can't since the serial key is tied to the motherboard. If it has Windows 8 then there's a chance it could work.

From a mod at the Microsoft community forums:

" Yes, you can move the Windows 8 license to the new computer, you might need to reactivate by telephone:
1. Press Windows key + X then clickRun, then type: slui.exe 4
2. Next press the 'ENTER' key
3. Select your 'Country' from the list.
4. Choose the 'Phone Activation' option.
5. Stay on the phone (do not select/press any options) and wait for a person to help you with activation.
6. Explain your problem clearly to the support person."

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-windows_install/can-i-transfer-my-windows-8-license-from-my-old/92262d87-f0f3-40ba-9673-c4bd91802578

 

[Zane619]

@envy
Thanks man, I'll take note of that.
@RazerZ
Damn, well it's all good, I'll still buy the computer then get the OS sometime later, thanks for the help.

 

[envy14tpe]

Here is another build that is intended for easy. No overclocking of CPU and a discrete GPU that will play games well on 900p and Med/High on 1080p.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4360 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H81 Pro BTC ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($51.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R7 260X 2GB Video Card ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($31.98 @ OutletPC)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $437.42