Is it possible to build a gaming PC under $500?

[MarceyPooh]

Hi! I wanted to know if it's possible to build a PC for under $500 specifically for gaming? I mainly want to be able to play Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. I don't really have any preferences as to what parts are used. I just want one that will be good enough for that game. I don't have an OS yet, so I need suggestions as to what OS is good to use. This would be my first PC build, so any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Ron Burgundy]

No, not really. The recommended gpu is 660 or greater and thats like half your budget right there. 700 is reasonable

 

[MarceyPooh]

If I bumped my budget up to $700, what would be some good parts to use for the build?

 

[Obnoxious]

I've been trying to work towards your $500 budget for quite some time, and I have come up with this. The cost of Windows 7 unfortunately takes a decent chunk out of your budget, which I could have spent more on the CPU/GPU. I've unfortunately gone over your budget by a shy more than $10.

It'll easily run Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, but I doubt you'll be able to run it at full graphics; it's the CPU which is handicapping the system. If you save up more funds in the future, the CPU should be your first upgrade.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($56.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-DGS R2.0 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($48.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 560 1GB Video Card ($99.95 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Cooler Master SickleFlow 69.7 CFM 120mm Fan ($7.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $510.25
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-18 19:49 EDT-0400

Also yes you need that additional fan, the case only comes supplied with one fan for intake. You'll need the additional one for exhaust. Personally I'm fond of that build, considering it's around $500 and Intel. The build above can always be upgraded later as a result of going with Intel.

Unfortunately you just posted that you've increased your budget to $700. You can do so much more with $700, I'll start working on a new build for you new budget.

All the best.

 

[coolcole01]

at about 670 bucks this would be a beast of a little system
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/h2nCFT
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/h2nCFT/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($114.97 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus M5A78L-M LX PLUS Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 2GB Dual-X Video Card ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill REDBONE ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($94.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $669.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-18 19:56 EDT-0400

 

[MarceyPooh]

That's awesome! I don't mind if I have to run it on low settings, but medium would be more preferable. I'd really hate to have to go all the way up to $700, but if I don't have to do any upgrades to it anytime soon I'd be okay with it. Thank you for the help!

 

[coolcole01]

at the 670 buck build your looking at high for sure some ultra

 

[MarceyPooh]

Would it be better if I were to just buy a PC already built around $600-$700 or would it be best to stick with building one?

 

[coolcole01]

if you buy a prebuilt one for that price it will be garbage compared to the self built one

 

[Ron Burgundy]

99% of the time its cheaper to build it

 

[MarceyPooh]

I really am liking that build you suggested coolcole01. Would it be hard to assemble? I'm all very new to this.. Sorry for the noobish questions..

 

[coolcole01]

its no problem there are many tutorials on line all you really need is a phillips screw driver and a static bracelet for static electric about 2 hours time and your good to go

 

[MarceyPooh]

Wow. I didn't know it was that easy! I took a computer repair class and we never got to do this kind of stuff because it was "too advanced" for the class.

 

[coolcole01]

just take your time and you will be fine if it was hard none of us could do it. feel free to ask any questions you might have when you decide what you want.

 

[MarceyPooh]

Alrighty! Thank you so much!!

 

[Ron Burgundy]

If you can read and use a screwdriver you will be fine

 

[Zircoben]

I've been trying to work towards your $500 budget for quite some time, and I have come up with this. The cost of Windows 7 unfortunately takes a decent chunk out of your budget, which I could have spent more on the CPU/GPU. I've unfortunately gone over your budget by a shy more than $10.

It'll easily run Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, but I doubt you'll be able to run it at full graphics; it's the CPU which is handicapping the system. If you save up more funds in the future, the CPU should be your first upgrade.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($56.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-DGS R2.0 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($48.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 560 1GB Video Card ($99.95 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Cooler Master SickleFlow 69.7 CFM 120mm Fan ($7.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $510.25
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-18 19:49 EDT-0400

Also yes you need that additional fan, the case only comes supplied with one fan for intake. You'll need the additional one for exhaust. Personally I'm fond of that build, considering it's around $500 and Intel. The build above can always be upgraded later as a result of going with Intel.

Unfortunately you just posted that you've increased your budget to $700. You can do so much more with $700, I'll start working on a new build for you new budget.

All the best.

Marceypooh, Intel will give you the best performance and upgrade path. This guy ^^^^ has everything good right here, maybe besides the graphics card, a GTX 750 would be better at the same price.

 

[Zircoben]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-E33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Avexir Core series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.92 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 270X 2GB TurboDuo Video Card ($149.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $661.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-18 20:20 EDT-0400

This is a good budget build. The CPU will be ready for high end gaming for years to come, unlike anything from AMD. The graphics card will be able to game very well at 1080P, max settings, and 1440p should go pretty well too.

Hope that helps!

 

[MarceyPooh]

I thought Intel Pentium wasn't as good as AMD? So many decisions lol.

 

[Obnoxious]

With your budget being $700, I think you'd go far with the build below. To be honest, I didn't want to spend your entire $700 budget although I did upgrade your RAM from 4GB to 8GB. I have also managed to squeeze in an i5 too with the Nvidia GTX 750 Ti.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-DGS R2.0 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($48.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Fury Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($139.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($48.91 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Cooler Master SickleFlow 69.7 CFM 120mm Fan ($7.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $699.21
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-18 20:17 EDT-0400

I apologise for spending your entire budget; if that's a problem, I can reduce the RAM back to 4GB saving you exactly 32 bucks, where the total cost would be: $667.21. To be honest, the game you want to play only requires 4GB at maximum. If you want to save even more, I can replace the Intel i5 with an i3, where the total cost would be: $599.71.

If you want your 8GB RAM reduced to 4GB, and an i3 instead of an i5; the total would be $599.71. Let me know if you'd prefer it at that, and I'll reply back with a PCPartPicker list.

All the best.

 

[MarceyPooh]

Obnoxious, I'd really like to stay close to the $599 price as much as possible. Would an i3 be good enough to handle the game? Thanks!

 

[coolcole01]

no intel is better i5/i7 but truth be told at that level there is not a lot of difference they will give you almost exactly the same performance

 

[coolcole01]

try to at least get a quad core just for the future

 

[MarceyPooh]

Also, I guess I do have one preference when it comes to this build. I would like to have an optical drive in it for sure. I know lots of people are downloading everything now and rarely use their optical drives still, but I know I would use it.

 

[MarceyPooh]

Yeah, I'm liking the i5 the most, but I know it'll bump my budget up a lot instead of going with the i3 or something else. I just want to be able to experience this game with no problems. Final Fantasy is my game!