Build a gaming desktop for under $600

[Aethora]

Hi I'm new to building desktops and I was looking for a good build for a decent gaming computer. My budget is ideally $600 but I do have a little wiggle room. I have no components ahead of time. I do have a friend of mine who has build his last 2 or 3 desktops and he'll be the one helping me build mine. Would appreciate any advice or builds offered.

 

[James Mason]

Anything besides just a computer you need? monitor, keyboard, mouse, wifi?

The following is great for games like LoL, CSGO and Minecraft. Should play other high end games as well, but at lowered settings.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: *Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($102.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: *ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($67.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: *Mushkin Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: *Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($159.80 @ Newegg)
Case: *Deepcool TESSERACT BF ATX Mid Tower Case ($31.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($38.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: *Lite-On iHDS118-04 DVD/CD Drive ($13.89 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: *Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 OEM (64-bit) ($87.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $588.52
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-22 16:47 EDT-0400

 

[Aethora]

I need a keyboard, monitor, wireless is a plus but not a must as I'll have a hardline available.

 

[Archgaull]

This will play most everything, albeit on medium-low settings. Your main issue will be the dual core CPU holding you back more than the GPU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($42.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Mushkin Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($112.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($35.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($38.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHDS118-04 DVD/CD Drive ($13.89 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 OEM (64-bit) ($87.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: AOC e2250Swdn 60Hz 22.0" Monitor ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech Wireless Combo MK270 Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($12.50 @ Amazon)
Total: $585.09
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-22 19:19 EDT-0400

 

[Aethora]

Anything besides just a computer you need? monitor, keyboard, mouse, wifi?

The following is great for games like LoL, CSGO and Minecraft. Should play other high end games as well, but at lowered settings.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: *Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($102.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: *ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($67.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: *Mushkin Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: *Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($159.80 @ Newegg)
Case: *Deepcool TESSERACT BF ATX Mid Tower Case ($31.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($38.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: *Lite-On iHDS118-04 DVD/CD Drive ($13.89 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: *Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 OEM (64-bit) ($87.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $588.52
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-22 16:47 EDT-0400

I like your build, is an i3 enough? I would also need to add a monitor and keyboard. What are your thoughts on this build?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-4300 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($84.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI 970A-G43 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($59.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk SSD PLUS 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GT 730 2GB Video Card ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Logisys CS369BK ATX Mid Tower Case w/480W Power Supply ($41.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.45 @ OutletPC)
Wired Network Adapter: TP-Link TG-3468 10/100/1000 Mbps PCI-Express x1 Network Adapter ($11.59 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VH238H 23.0" Monitor ($114.99 @ NCIX US)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($26.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $559.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-26 01:26 EDT-0400