Gaming Computer for $500

[Seventh]

Any thoughts with this build?

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/nbnTqs

CPU: Intel G3258
Motherboard: Asus H81-C
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
PSU: Seasonic M12II-620 EVO 620W 80Plus Bronze Fully Modular
GPU: Zotac GTX 960 2GB 128Bit DDR5

 

[Bossyfins]

https://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1550bbefx

Use this PSU. 550 is enough.

 

[Seventh]

I am planning to upgrade the CPU and the motherboard to i5 4690k and Asrock z97 extreme 4, do you think the PSU and the video card are compatible?

 

[HWlover]

Build it around Haswell i3 - http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/cpu/#s=11&k=24&sort=a7 , you won't be able to play some games on G3258, you can go cheaper on everything else(still can get 960 for $200, though http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvn960wf2oc2gd ).

 

[Bossyfins]

All the parts will be fine with the 550. If you want some added peace of mind, you can go with a 650 watt PSU

 

[HWlover]

You can actually buy PSU for $20 right now - https://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cx430

960 consumes only 150w at max.

 

[Bossyfins]

Dont buy that PSU. the CX series of PSUs are no good. I mean you can use them for like HTPCs, but for gaming, go with XFX, EVGA, Antec, CoolerMaster V series, or seasonic.

 

[Seventh]

Build it around Haswell i3 - http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/cpu/#s=11&k=24&sort=a7 , you won't be able to play some games on G3258, you can go cheaper on everything else(still can get 960 for $200, though http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvn960wf2oc2gd ).

You can actually buy PSU for $20 right now - https://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cx430

960 consumes only 150w at max.

I will try to stretch out a little on my budget, probably will get the i3 4160 and go for a less expensive PSU. Btw, with i3 4160 and GTX 960, what games can i play with it? Thanks!

 

[Seventh]

Dont buy that PSU. the CX series of PSUs are no good. I mean you can use them for like HTPCs, but for gaming, go with XFX, EVGA, Antec, CoolerMaster V series, or seasonic.

Yeah, I will get what you recommended

 

[HWlover]

I will try to stretch out a little on my budget, probably will get the i3 4160 and go for a less expensive PSU. Btw, with i3 4160 and GTX 960, what games can i play with it? Thanks!

Any, not maxed out, of course, because of the gpu limitations, but cpu-wise, you should meet min. playble fps in any game.
Also, try to go for 4330($132)/4360($142), if you can, get that 1mb of extra cache.

"Dont buy that PSU. the CX series of PSUs are no good. I mean you can use them for like HTPCs, but for gaming, go with XFX, EVGA, Antec, CoolerMaster V series, or seasonic."

He won't overload it with this kind of hardware, no overclock(can still clock card a bit), so what is wrong with it? There still be some room left.

 

[Bossyfins]

Its not that he isn't stressing the PSU a lot, its the build quality. If you look at all the people who have had problems with their PC and have a CS, or CX series PSU from Corsair... about 80% of the time, its the PSU's fault. Don't fall into the curse like I did. Burnt a heft xeon using a cx600m...

Oh intel gods, wahy u do dis. poor xeon

 

[Seventh]

Its not that he isn't stressing the PSU a lot, its the build quality. If you look at all the people who have had problems with their PC and have a CS, or CX series PSU from Corsair... about 80% of the time, its the PSU's fault. Don't fall into the curse like I did. Burnt a heft xeon using a cx600m...

Oh intel gods, wahy u do dis. poor xeon

I read reviews about the CS or CX series PSU from corsair and a lot of them are avoiding it for building a gaming computer, i am planning to upgrade my cpu in the future so XFX or Seaconic PSU will be my best of choice and i think for now i will make it with my $500 budget. My question now is the GTX 960 compatible with i5 4690k?

 

[Bossyfins]

Indeed! You can pretty much pair the i5 with any GPU at this moment.

 

[HWlover]

Its not that he isn't stressing the PSU a lot, its the build quality. If you look at all the people who have had problems with their PC and have a CS, or CX series PSU from Corsair... about 80% of the time, its the PSU's fault. Don't fall into the curse like I did. Burnt a heft xeon using a cx600m...

Oh intel gods, wahy u do dis. poor xeon

Oh, never heard of such problems, hm.

Well, there is an EVGA one for the very same price - http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-100w10430kr
+$8 for 500W http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-100w10500kr
+18 for 600w http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-100b10600kr

"My question now is the GTX 960 compatible with i5 4690k?"

Yep, it's just a better cpu(overclockable).

 

[Seventh]

Thanks a lot guys!

 

[Bossyfins]

No problem! Enjoy your time when building your PC!