Budget Lan Gaming Rig

[Redstar77]

So I am looking to build a Budget lan rig for around $300-$400 (pure component cost), also note I am in Canada. Now one thing to note is that I already own a graphics card (Club3D R9 270) and a 535 W PSU (Enermax Whisper 2 model I Believe). Now RAM is also not an issue (depending on CPU choice).
Requirements: Needs to be able to play future games and up to Battlefield 4 multi/Battlefront when it comes out. I don't terribly want another i5 but if its cost effective i'll go for it. Also, micro atx/mini itx form factor
Overclocking is not essential

Current Considerations: Athlon 750k (for the potential to upgrade), Core i3 (either Ivy Bridge or Haswell)

Note than I already have 8 GB Kingston HyperX Genesis RAM I can use from my main rig (I've got 16 GB In there)

OS is also not an issue.

Build Plan 1:

Core i3 4150 - 129.99 @ Canada Computers (somehow its $5 cheaper than the 4130)

Gigabyte GA-B85M-HD3 http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_1207_1206_1201&item_id=060887 75 CAD

Case: Cooler Master N200 MATX Case http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=6_113&item_id=060870 49.99 CAD

HDD: Seagate Desktop SSHD http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=15_1086_210_212&item_id=063161 89.99

Graphics: Radeon R9 270

RAM: 8 Gb (2 x 4 GB) Kingston HyperX Genesis 1600 Mhz

PSU: 535 W Enermax Whisper 2

Total: ~340 CAD

Build Plan 2

Core i5 4430 http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=4_1210_65&item_id=060642 $205

Gigabyte GA-B85M-HD3 http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_1207_1206_1201&item_id=060887 75 CAD

Case: Cooler Master N200 MATX Case http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=6_113&item_id=060870 49.99 CAD

HDD: Seagate 500 GB http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=15_1086_210_212&item_id=041042 54.99 CAD

Graphics: Radeon R9 270

RAM: 8 Gb (2 x 4 GB) Kingston HyperX Genesis 1600 Mhz

Total: ~$385


Or build 2 Alternate to bring it more in line with Build 1's costing

Core i5 4430 http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=4_1210_65&item_id=060642 $205

MSI H81M-P33 http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_1207_1206_1201&item_id=065665 54.99


Case: Cooler Master N200 MATX Case http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=6_113&item_id=060870 49.99 CAD

HDD: Seagate 500 GB http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=15_1086_210_212&item_id=041042 54.99 CAD

Graphics: Radeon R9 270

RAM: 8 Gb (2 x 4 GB) Kingston HyperX Genesis 1600 Mhz
Total: 365

This is what I'm looking at right now, how can I optimize this and maybe go MITX

Thank you in advance

PSU: 535 W Enermax Whisper 2

 

[SethJPC]

So your looking at something like this? (with a mini tower):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($198.32 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($77.50 @ Vuugo)
Memory: Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (Purchased For $0.00)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: Club 3D Radeon R9 270 2GB '14Series Video Card (Purchased For $0.00)
Case: Xion XON-560 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Power Supply: Enermax REVOLUTION X't 530W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (Purchased For $0.00)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.79 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $387.59
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-13 12:13 EDT-0400

 

[geofelt]

I love small cases.

May I suggest a build based on the G3258, a $75 part?
Here is what it can do:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/pentium-g3258-b81-cheap-overclocking,3888.html
I put one in a lian li Q08 case:
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=6_631&item_id=031862
It holds any length graphics card and ATX psu.
Mine has an oc of 4.3 with an aftermarket downdraft cooler.
Such a case is relatively small, and made of aluminum making it a bit more transportable.
You will need to find a ITX motherboard that supports G3258 overclocking.
I used a asrock Z87E-ITX that I had previously.