Entry level gaming PC?

[falconpunch45]

Is it possible to build a decent, entry level gaming PC for under $650? If so, I would really appreciate some suggestions on how to accomplish that.

 

[geofelt]

Short answer: Yes.

Longer answer:

How do you define decent?
Entry level indicates a possibility of future upgrade possibilities.
Here is a post that I made earlier that might help.
Prices vary, but I think it may fit your budget:



For a budget build, I like to recommend that one builds for future expandability.
That means paying a bit more up front for some parts that allow for an easier future upgrade.
Let me start where you might not expect:
1. Buy a good 620w psu. Such a unit will run any future graphics card.
I would normally suggest Seasonic 620w:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
But this EVGA 600w unit is going for a very good price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
2. Buy a Z97 based motherboard. Z97 will allow you to install a overclockable cpu and even offer a future 14nm broadwell upgrade.
You should fine one for about $100.
Here is a M-ATX : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
3. I suggest a G3258. It is a overclockable dual core at a budget price of about $75.
Here is what it can do: http://techreport.com/review/26735/overclocking-intel-p...
In time, you can upgrade to any cpu that you want and market the G3258.
4. The intel stock cooler will do the job up to a point. But, I suggest a $30 tower type cooler like the cm hyper212 with a 120mm fan. It will cool better and be quieter under load.
5. For ram, speed is not important. Buy a 8gb kit of 2 x 4gb DDR3 1.5v ram.
6. Cases are a personal thing. Buy one you love. Most will do the job for <$50.
It would be hard to beat $34 delivered for this Antec GX500 :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
7. The graphics card is the most important component for gaming. My usual rule of thumb is to budget 2x the cpu cost for the graphics card. I like the GTX750ti and EVGA as a brand.
Here is a superclock version:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
You could go stronger in the video card if your budget permits and your games need it.
On the other hand, you could build using the integrated graphics and see how you do.
By deferring on the graphics card, you will get a better idea of what you really need.
Integrated is fine for sims, but not fast action games.
8. Lastly, I will never build again without a SSD for the "C" drive. It makes everything you do so much quicker. 120gb will hold the OS and a handful of games. With 240gb you may never need a hard drive at all. Defer on a hard drive until your ssd approaches 90% full.

-------------good luck------------

 

[TopLuca]

Yes Indeed this a good build , If you like an intel based build aswell I can make you one
Build : PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/sB7Nxr
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/sB7Nxr/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($108.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($18.23 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($83.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($50.40 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280 3GB Dual-X Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Comrade ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $633.55
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

 

[photonboy]

*Specify if the $650 includes the cost of Windows or not. If we assume it DOES then the G3258 is the best CPU.

I'll put together a build that assume Windows 8.1 64-bit is included in the cost, however if I did have the extra $90 I'd just replace the G3258 with an i5-4440 or similar 4-core i5.

$590 build (after MIR): http://pcpartpicker.com/p/24jrRB

I'll leave it there so you can open up this build to discussion if you wish. The G3258 beats the FX-8350 in some games and falls behind in others. You can't directly compare though due to the price difference especially if we consider that buying an FX-8350 would then leave no money for a graphics card.

The FX-6300 is an interesting option as well though it suffers the same weaker per-core performance issue as all AMD CPU's so it's only on well threaded games that this CPU can pull ahead. I'd probably take the price difference, keep the G3258, and put that elsewhere such as better graphics or better motherboard.

You could also sell your G3258 and replace it with an i5-4xxx later if you really wanted to.

 

[falconpunch45]

Yes Indeed this a good build , If you like an intel based build aswell I can make you one
Build : PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/sB7Nxr
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/sB7Nxr/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($108.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($18.23 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($83.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($50.40 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280 3GB Dual-X Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Comrade ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $633.55
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Thanks! I would really appreciate an Intel build as well!

 

[photonboy]

*My Intel build was just posted above...

 

[sukiblr]

Is it possible to build a decent, entry level gaming PC for under $650? If so, I would really appreciate some suggestions on how to accomplish that.

Why dont you try this config:

AMD FX-4300 (4 Core, 4MB L2 + 4MB L3 Cache)
Biostar A88MQ (Hi-Fi sound technology)
Kingston HyperX Blu DDR3 4 GB PC RAM (KHX1600C9AD3B1K2/4G)
WD Caviar Blue 500GB SATA III 6 Gbps HDD
AOC 19.5 inch LED Backlit LCD - e2070Swnl
Sapphire R7 250X 1GB GDDR5
Asus 24X SATA DVD R/W

Should cost you around USD 650..