Looking for a Good Gaming Desktop Under $650

[James Crockett]

As the title implies, I'm looking to buy a good gaming desktop. Honestly, the only thing I'm concerned with it playing is Skyrim. For the tower alone, I can only afford up to $650. I am about to go to college, and I want to make sure I get something good. I have read so many threads on this forum, but I feel that it is better I just ask directly. When it comes to building my own, I know it's not that difficult, but I'd really prefer not to. I have looked on eBay for custom built desktops that seem good at first, but later turn out to be crap when I research their parts. If anyone could find one on eBay or Amazon that will run Skyrim great, I would be extremely grateful. I want Skyrim to be able to run with great graphics and mods that may enhance them or other game play aspects further. All I've ever played Skyrim on is my Xbox 360, and I need a good desktop for college anyways. It's probably painfully obvious that this is a first for me. I'm trying to learn all I can.

Here is a link to one desktop I've thought of getting: http://m.ebay.com/itm/371065997899?nav=WATCHING_ACTIVE

I've entertained the idea of building my own, but I don't want to screw it up. I don't even know where to get the frame for the tower or the parts other than online. Again, I'd rather just buy one, so please help me on that front first. Thank you.

A laptop would also work out great, but I didn't mention it due to my belief that it's next to impossible to find one in that price range that will run Skyrim great.

 

[AMD Radeon]

it doesnt have any Graphic card. cant play skyrim

i believe, you should build yourself a gaming PC with that budget

 

[SethJPC]

It also uses a Logisys PSU: A ticking time bomb.

On other websites I've seen a better buys for that price. However as before mentioned you will get much better performance if you build one yourself, believe me its not as difficult as you'd think. We can even give you a partlist and where to but them from if you want?

 

[James Crockett]

Alright. @Seth or anyone else: I'm willing to go the path of building my own, but I'll really need some help, this being my first time. I've read that it is like putting Legos together, but I do not know how true that is. A list of the parts would be great. As I said, I'm looking to get the best I can for my price range. I want Skyrim to play really well, as it will be all I plan to play. I may get more money from my family as a graduation gift, but I do not expect it. I would even sell my Xbox if I honestly thought I would get over $200 for it and the games. Thanks.

Also, is the suggestion Redheat gave good?

Is it possible for me to take a part list to a website and have them make it for me?

 

[SethJPC]

Alright. @Seth or anyone else: I'm willing to go the path of building my own, but I'll really need some help, this being my first time. I've read that it is like putting Legos together, but I do not know how true that is. A list of the parts would be great. As I said, I'm looking to get the best I can for my price range. I want Skyrim to play really well, as it will be all I plan to play. I may get more money from my family as a graduation gift, but I do not expect it. I would even sell my Xbox if I honestly thought I would get over $200 for it and the games. Thanks.

Also, is the suggestion Redheat gave good?

Is it possible for me to take a part list to a website and have them make it for me?

Do you require a keyboard and mouse and windows (OS)?

No the PC Redheat suggested is over you budget and you can build much better than that junk.

 

[James Crockett]

I have a keyboard and mouse from a previous desktop. I do, however, need a Windows OS. I never had to buy one before. As I said, I may be able to pull together some more money...maybe.

 

[SethJPC]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3Oj4E

This includes Windows 8.1 , however it is slightly over the budget ($40):

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3Oj4E
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3Oj4E/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3Oj4E/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 Pro3 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V2 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($66.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 270X 2GB TurboDuo Video Card ($177.01 @ NCIX US)
Case: Enermax OSTROG ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($98.25 @ OutletPC)
Total: $687.18
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-21 13:27 EDT-0400)

I could change the GPU for a cheaper one but this is a good deal.

 

[James Crockett]

I'm more than willing to go with this. One question though: how well will this play Skyrim, or do you know?

 

[SethJPC]

I'm more than willing to go with this. One question though: how well will this play Skyrim, or do you know?

This system can run Skyrim at ultra settings on 1080p, it says so on the skyrim wiki thing.

Also for future reference use this website to check how well your system will run a game:

http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/cyri

 

[James Crockett]

Thank you, Seth. Now, I order all of these parts, get them, and then put them together? How? Haha.

I order it all online, right?

 

[SethJPC]

Thank you, Seth. Now, I order all of these parts, get them, and then put them together? How? Haha.

There are a number of building tutorials, I used this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls

Ordering the parts is simple. Go to this link and you shall find the partlist and websites to get from:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3OkjP

 

[James Crockett]

Thank you very much for your help. The base total says $757, so I'll have to pay that and then mail in the reabates. I have a decent monitor now, but I may buy another one in the $100-150 price range.