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!

 

[coolcole01]

you can get a dvd burner for 15 bucks usually

 

[coolcole01]

its actually a very easy game to run on current hardware

 

[MarceyPooh]

Everybody makes it out to be this game that requires a $1000 PC at the least.

 

[Obnoxious]

For less than $700, I'd go with Zircoben's build. Personally I'd go with Intel for new builds and would not go down AMD's route; they've been focusing more on APU's as of late, therefore upgrading is limited. In addition the i5-4440 is somewhat better than the FX-6300.

If you want the build which is a shy less than $600 at $599.71, here it is. It features an i3 and 4GB RAM. You're free to change the case if you desire, or any other component. It should still run Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn towards the high graphical setting IMO.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($112.49 @ 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: 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 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Cooler Master SickleFlow 69.7 CFM 120mm Fan ($7.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $599.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-18 20:54 EDT-0400

UPDATE: Revised with Windows 8.1 as the OS.

All the best.

 

[coolcole01]

nope not even close

 

[MarceyPooh]

Hmm.. I really liked Windows 7, but I've never used Windows 8 before. Are they very alike or something?

 

[coolcole01]

they are so similar it really does not matter most people like 7 but 8 is fine but as far as gaming almost no difference

 

[MarceyPooh]

I think I might just go with 8 then just because it's newer lol. I know this is the least important question of all when it comes to building this, but do they have any purple cases? I've never come across one before, but surely one's out there somewhere. Inexpensive of course.

 

[coolcole01]

I build a lot of pc's and can tell you that both intel and amd are fine as for upgrading later by the time your ready(this pc should last at least through the ps4 era) the cpu's available will have nothing to do with what you buy today.

 

[MarceyPooh]

As long as I don't have to upgrade it within like 2 years I'm happy

 

[coolcole01]

i have seen like one but yes they exist kupo

 

[Zircoben]

For less than $700, I'd go with Zircoben's build. Personally I'd go with Intel for new builds and would not go down AMD's route; they've been focusing more on APU's as of late, therefore upgrading is limited. In addition the i5-4440 is somewhat better than the FX-6300.

If you want the build which is a shy less than $600 at $599.71, here it is. It features an i3 and 4GB RAM. You're free to change the case if you desire, or any other component. It should still run Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn towards the high graphical setting IMO.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($112.49 @ 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 @ 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: $599.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-18 20:36 EDT-0400

P.S. Would you prefer Windows 7 or 8? Both can be had for the same price.

All the best.

This is an excellent build. The i3 is a capable CPU, and even though it is a dual core, some games are starting to use hyperthreading (BF4 for example), so it will start to act as a quad core. Overall, it is a far better CPU than the FX-6300, unless you are editing video or some occasional gaming instances.

Get Windows 8.1. It is getting updates that are making it better and better. As a desktop OS, it is excellent. I don't even touch the new interface.

Purple cases don't really exist. If you want one, get a black box without any windows or anything, and heck, spraypaint it. It'll stink for awhile, but as long as you don't pour it into any screw holes or anything, it should be good.

 

[logainofhades]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($74.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Best Buy)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-DGS R2.0 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($48.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: Avexir Core series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Enthusiast Edition Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H22 ATX Mid Tower Case ($33.03 @ Mwave)
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)
Total: $598.26
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-18 20:55 EDT-0400

 

[MarceyPooh]

Ah ha! Now you're speaking my language! Lol

 

[MarceyPooh]

So, that build would also be able to handle BF4 possibly? Of course FFXIV wouldn't be the only game I'd be playing on it, but it'd be the main one. And spray painting it isn't a bad idea!

 

[MarceyPooh]

Logainhades, eh.. Intel Pentium. But heck, what do I know? I've never built one. I just really like the i3,i5, and i7.

 

[Zircoben]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($74.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Best Buy)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-DGS R2.0 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($48.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: Avexir Core series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Enthusiast Edition Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H22 ATX Mid Tower Case ($33.03 @ Mwave)
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)
Total: $598.26
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-18 20:55 EDT-0400

Hmm whats the point of the cooler and the overclock able Pentium if it doesn't have a Z97 motherboard?

 

[Zircoben]

So, that build would also be able to handle BF4 possibly? Of course FFXIV wouldn't be the only game I'd be playing on it, but it'd be the main one. And spray painting it isn't a bad idea!

Pretty well, yeah!

 

[coolcole01]

bf4 is a pretty intense game and really likes threads at least 4cores/threads you should be golden

 

[MarceyPooh]

I'm really leaning towards that last build that Obnoxious showed me. I like that price and all.. Just as long as I can play some upcoming games on it without having to upgrade it any time soon.

 

[MarceyPooh]

I'm thinking about getting Wolfenstein when I build this PC. Someone told me that game is also demanding?

 

[coolcole01]

spend a little more on a better gpu and your good to go like a r9 270x

 

[MarceyPooh]

Alrighty

 

[Zircoben]

Yep, Obnoxious's build is a great build. The 750 Ti is a good GPU for 1080p, but getting an R9 270X for another $30-60 will get you another step above that, which will help.

Going with Intel also gives you an upgrade path. If you want to upgrade to a better CPU later, a couple years from now you can buy an i7 and plug it in and get a significant increase in performance. An upgrade like that just doesn't exist on the AMD side.

Have fun!

 

[MarceyPooh]

Thank you all for everything!