[SOLVED] HELP: $500-$600 Gaming PC

[Drerunsit]

Hello, everyone. With Black Friday deals ongoing, I wanted to try and build a $500-$600 gaming PC. I have found several articles with recommended builds; however, I have some constraints that need to be factored in:

1. All parts must either be available on Amazon (Prime/free shipping) or from somewhere that does not charge outrageous shipping to APO.
2. Implicit with above, must ship to APO (Ran into issues with this at Newegg)
3. I don’t play very graphic-intensive games. In fact, for the past 2 years, I have only played PUBG. Still, I am broadening my game library and would like to be able to play most games at 1080p/60 FPS.
4. No recommendations needed for keyboard, mouse, or headset. I already know what I want in those areas.
5. I’m set on Corsair 4000D Airflow for the case.

Thanks in advance for your assistance!

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Hey there,

So, in terms of gaming and res - 1080p 60hz is pretty broad. What kind of graphical settings would you play at? This would factor on the choices.

Here are examples of an AMD build and an Intel build. Couple of things to note first though.

1. The AMD build has a great CPU, with a pretty decent iGPU. This means you don't necessarily need a discrete GPU for playability. Although limited to low-med settings at 1080p, the iGPU is sufficient. Won't blow any AAA games out of it, but playable at 1080p.

2. The Intel build, which also has an iGPU is a bit different. The CPU is a great little number, but the iGPU is pants, and doesn't hold a candle to the AMD iGPU. Whilst you may be able to get games to run, they would run badly with that iGPU, so the Intel build kinda needs to have a discreet GPU.

3. Couldn't source all parts from Amazon, so you will have to do some work to find those yourself. But at least you have pointers.

4. 'Gaming PC' is very subjective. What you might pass as gaming may not be another's choice. Also, $500-600 it means slim pickings with trade-offs.

AMD Build:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G 3.9 GHz 6-Core Processor ($123.03 @ B&H)
Motherboard: ASRock B550 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory ($51.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($97.23 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI VENTUS XS OC GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER 6 GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 4000D Airflow ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair RM550x (2021) 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $737.21
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2022-11-26 09:55 EST-0500

Intel Build:


PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i3-12100 3.3 GHz Quad-Core Processor ($129.89 @ B&H)
Motherboard: ASRock Z690 Phantom Gaming 4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($131.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($97.23 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI VENTUS XS OC GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER 6 GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 4000D Airflow ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair RM550x (2021) 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $769.07
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2022-11-26 11:43 EST-0500

Anyway, hope that helps.

There are plenty of really good system builders here, and I'm sure they may also have options for you.

 

[punkncat]

Regarding the APO issue, you might be better off doing the footwork and then asking a relative or friend stateside to handle receiving the hardware and then forwarding on to you. I have not tried to ship anything on Amazon to an APO in some time, but recall it being a huge hassle back when several of our friends were in the sandbox. And that was typically just some sausage and cheese, lol.

 

[Vic 40]

2. The Intel build, which also has an iGPU is a bit different. The CPU is a great little number, but the iGPU is pants,
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i3-12100F 3.3 GHz Quad-Core Processor ($105.98 @ B&H)

The 12100F doesn't have an igpu.

Think as well that around $750 is about the mark for a really cheap gaming build. Might want to look at used if wanting to go lower.

Think the Intel build above can be made abit cheaper with these still good parts,

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/zR3H99/adata-sx8200-1-tb-m2-2280-solid-state-drive-asx8200pnp-1tt-c

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/zDMTwP/thermaltake-toughpower-gf1-pe-650-w-80-gold-certified-fully-modular-atx-power-supply-ps-tpd-0650fnfagu-1

money saved would probably give acces to this gpu,
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/wd...gb-speedster-swft-210-video-card-rx-66xl8lfdq

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

You're right! I didn't mean to select that particular proc. Just didn't catch it I wanted the one with iGPU. Build amended,

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

The 12100F doesn't have an igpu.

Think as well that around $750 is about the mark for a really cheap gaming build. Might want to look at used if wanting to go lower.

Think the Intel build above can be made abit cheaper with these still good parts,

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/zR3H99/adata-sx8200-1-tb-m2-2280-solid-state-drive-asx8200pnp-1tt-c

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/zDMTwP/thermaltake-toughpower-gf1-pe-650-w-80-gold-certified-fully-modular-atx-power-supply-ps-tpd-0650fnfagu-1

money saved would probably give acces to this gpu,
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/wd...gb-speedster-swft-210-video-card-rx-66xl8lfdq

Yes, with savings of about $35 or so, this gives the extra push for the RX. The RX is a good bit faster than the 1660 Super. A good trade off.

 

[Drerunsit]

Thanks to everyone for the great info! I'm going with this one: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/4fXtBj

Sadly, the CPU is no longer available at BH or Newegg, so I will have to wait until it's in stock again. But I will start buying the other parts.

 

[Vic 40]

Looks good to me. 👍

Sadly, the CPU is no longer available at BH or Newegg,

If you can use Newegg get the psu from there as well, that price with the promo is really nice.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Thanks to everyone for the great info! I'm going with this one: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/4fXtBj

Sadly, the CPU is no longer available at BH or Newegg, so I will have to wait until it's in stock again. But I will start buying the other parts.

You're very welcome. Good luck and happy gaming

 

[Drerunsit]

Any recommendations for a different CPU? I want to buy everything now, but the i3-12100F is sold out everywhere.

 

[Vic 40]

Any recommendations for a different CPU? I want to buy everything now, but the i3-12100F is sold out everywhere.

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/qrhFf7/intel-core-i3-12100-33-ghz-quad-core-processor-bx8071512100
same with integrated gpu.