Building a low budget gaming computer for under $370

[kresge97]

Alright well my friend only has $370 and he wants me to build a PC that can play games like Fallout 3 and COD4 in about medium settings.. Here is about what he wants..


Approximate Purchase Date: within the next month


Budget Range: 370 and under

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming and web surfing


Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, OS, and monitor


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.com

Country of Origin: United States


Parts Preferencesoesn't matter


Overclocking: No


SLI or Crossfire: No


Monitor Resolution: umm Im not sure what his monitor is but I know its a standard definition monitor hehe


Additional Comments: He just wants parts that wont break after like 2 months like no cheap PSU's or anything like that

 

[kresge97]

Sorry I accidently posted this twice

 

[jmsellars1]

I didn't think that budget was going to be possible but heres a decent build that should run those games even on max settings (low resolution.)

All prices from www.newegg.com

AMD Phenom II X3 720
Mushkin Enhanced Essentials 4GB (2 x 2GB)
ZOTAC ZT-40503-10L GeForce GTS 450 (Fermi) 1GB
Antec Basiq BP430 430W Continuous Power
APEX TX-381-C Black Steel Micro ATX Tower
Foxconn M61PMP-K AM3 NVIDIA MCP61P Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Seagate Barracuda ST3500413AS 500GB
SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner

Total $373.88 Before $40 of rebates and shipping.

 

[jerreddredd]

This build is very similar to jmsellars1's, but I think he/she went with an OEM CPU so you will need a CPU HSF for that build.
shipping is going to be $19 and a $30 MIR on the build below. Really, there is no way of scaling anything back in either build, we both are slightly over the $370 budget before the MIR. You listed some parts not needed, so is there anything else salvageable from your friend's old computer like the case, or DVD/CD drive? that would save a few $.

I personally would go with a little more on the GPU like a HD 6770 for $25. tell your friend to mow a few yards and wash a few cars
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102940

Some of THG advice on gaming CPU's
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu,2971-2.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu-core-i3-2100-phenom-ii-x6-1075t,2859-8.html

and on the GPU (the 6770 is THG best by at $115)
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card,2964-3.html

The Rig
LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289
Item #: N82E16827106289
$18.99

Xigmatek ASGARD II B/B CPC-T45UC-U01 Black / Black 0.8 mm SECC / Aluminum and Aluminum Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811815004
Item #: N82E16811815004
-$10.00 Instant
$39.99
$29.99

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769
Item #: N82E16822136769
-$5.00 Instant
$44.99
$39.99

BIOSTAR A770E3 AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138179
Item #: N82E16813138179
-$5.00 Instant
$54.99
$49.99

ZOTAC ZT-40503-10L GeForce GTS 450 (Fermi) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500187
Item #: N82E16814500187
-$30.00 Instant
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate
$129.99
$99.99

XIGMATEK NRP-PC Series ACXTNRP-PC402 400W ATX12V Ver.2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817815007
Item #: N82E16817815007
-$25.00 Instant
$59.95
$34.95

G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBNS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231396
Item #: N82E16820231396
$31.99

AMD Athlon II X3 455 Rana 3.3GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX455WFGMBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103911
Item #: N82E16819103911
$82.99
----------
$388.88

 

[kresge97]

Best answer selected by kresge97.