Build a gaming pc for $500

[chamnaplong]

If you want to play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 with High settings while specular map is enabled, then this is the build you want to go for:

CPU: Intel Core i3-2120 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor $109.99
CPU cooler: Zalman CNPS7000C-AlCu Ball Bearing CPU Cooler $18.98
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H61M-DS2 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard $54.99
Memory: PNY Optima 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory $18.98
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive $59.98
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card $129.99
Case: Antec Three Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case $46.98
Power Supply: Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 500W ATX12V Power Supply $39.24
Optical: Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer $18.99

Total: $498.12

This is cheap but it performs nicely with 2010 - 2011 video games

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Couple of suggestions: Get 2x2GB to use dual channel; twice memory bandwidth.

No point in CPU cooler as you aren't OCing.

PSU cannot deliver full wattage IIRC, and is low quality explosion waiting to happen.

That 7770 is overpriced. Can be gotten for around $100.

From my clipboard:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-2120 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H61M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Pareema 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($18.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($189.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 311 (Blue) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $497.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-17 02:52 EST-0500)