Need a decent gaming computer for around $500

[Zenben]

Approximate Purchase Date: as soon after christmas as possible

Budget Range: $500 hopefully, pretty firm on this including shipping

System Usage from Most to Least Important: GAMING, word processing/powerpoint, web surfing

Are you buying a monitor: Not at the moment, I have a TV that I plan to hook up with a HDMI to it for now


Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: anything you have used that is reliable. prefer amazon or newegg just because I trust amazon and have seen a lot of people on here use newegg.

Location: Oakland County Michigan, United States

Parts Preferences: None really, I obviously want the best Graphics card possible for this build and I would also prefer if it were possible to include a build that I would be able to upgrade later as I get more $$$

Overclocking: No idea how.

SLI or Crossfire: I think this means using 2 cards? I doubt that will fit in this budget and I don't know how

Your Monitor Resolution: I am not sure. It is a 37 in. TV that is HD compatible and pretty new. I don't care that much about resolution though and if getting a smaller/lower res monitor would make my games experience less lag I would be willing to get one.

Additional Comments: I don't care about doing anything with this pc except gaming and school work. Im planning to build it myself but have no real knowledge of PC's. Should be fun learning.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: I cannot play games for crap on my 4-5 year old Nv52 gateway laptop it lags and overheats if I even type the word "game" in. Just kidding. Kind of

 

[Pingypoker]

Part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G860 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($67.55 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI H61M-P31 (G3) Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($229.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec 350W ATX12V Power Supply ($23.17 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $518.56
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[Zenben]

That looks pretty damn good for the price. I am pretty new at this though so I would like some comments on that build if at all possible. Thanks though I will consider that build

 

[g-unit1111]

That looks pretty damn good for the price. I am pretty new at this though so I would like some comments on that build if at all possible. Thanks though I will consider that build

I wouldn't bother with a G860 as it's a very slow and limiting processor. I'd actually go with the AMD A10-5800K on a sub-$500 build. You get really good integrated graphics and a very overclock friendly processor.

Try this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75 Pro4 ATX FM2 Motherboard ($86.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($70.17 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $473.06
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-09 23:31 EST-0500)

The integrated graphics are really good and can be overclocked, where the G860 can't. The Radeon 7870 is an excellent GPU but that CPU will really bottleneck that card. Plus that power supply will not work with that setup - you will need at least a 500W.

 

[milkshakez7z]

Part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G860 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($67.55 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI H61M-P31 (G3) Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($229.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec 350W ATX12V Power Supply ($23.17 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $518.56
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Excellent build imo. but I would change the HDD and PSU.

 

[djangoringo]

For gaming the Pingypoker is better, but it's flawed that psu is only 350w for such card, only has one pcie 6 pin and it will be on the very, very limit, also the mobo isn't good, here is my suggestion :

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

CPU: Intel Pentium G860 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($67.55 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI B75MA-P45 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($31.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Galaxy GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX12V Power Supply ($31.64 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $502.03
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[Pingypoker]

I wouldn't bother with a G860 as it's a very slow and limiting processor. I'd actually go with the AMD A10-5800K on a sub-$500 build. You get really good integrated graphics and a very overclock friendly processor.

Try this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75 Pro4 ATX FM2 Motherboard ($86.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($70.17 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $473.06
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-09 23:31 EST-0500)

The integrated graphics are really good and can be overclocked, where the G860 can't. The Radeon 7870 is an excellent GPU but that CPU will really bottleneck that card. Plus that power supply will not work with that setup - you will need at least a 500W.

No. No no no no no.

The G860 is not a bad processor. I have no idea where you heard that.

The G860 combined with the Radeon HD 7870 GHz is infinitely better than the A10 5800k.

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

I would take an fx 4100 before the pentium. I know you guys are gonna say how much better the pentium is, but I can't see a dual core with that card vs a quad. I mean at that, get a 7850 and an i3.

 

[djangoringo]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/budget-gaming-do-it-yourself-computer,3364.html

Got good performance with 500$, with the intel pentium g850, the gpu still it is what counts with lower budgets.

The i3 is also a dual core, the fx-4100 is a crappy quadcore.

 

[g-unit1111]

No. No no no no no.

The G860 is not a bad processor. I have no idea where you heard that.

The G860 combined with the Radeon HD 7870 GHz is infinitely better than the A10 5800k.

The numbers don't lie: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/675?vs=404

But that 350W power supply will cripple a 7870, you will need at least 500W.

The i3 is also a dual core, the fx-4100 is a crappy quadcore.

Bulldozer is not that great, Piledriver is a massive improvement. I have an FX-8350 and it's a far better CPU than the initial impression I had was.

 

[Pingypoker]

The numbers don't lie: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/675?vs=404

But that 350W power supply will cripple a 7870, you will need at least 500W.

The i3 is also a dual core, the fx-4100 is a crappy quadcore.

Bulldozer is not that great, Piledriver is a massive improvement. I have an FX-8350 and it's a far better CPU than the initial impression I had was.

He wants this computer for gaming. Did you see the benchmarks for the G850 on games? It gets almost 30 more FPS on some games.

And no, a 350w is just enough for a 7870.

 

[g-unit1111]

He wants this computer for gaming. Did you see the benchmarks for the G850 on games? It gets almost 30 more FPS on some games.

And no, a 350w is just enough for a 7870.

I've seen builds crippled by power supplies with just the bare minimum wattage or too few watts. On multiple occasions. Having more watts than you need doesn't hurt at all, but having too few watts will hurt systems very badly. Just last week I tried to run a Radeon 5800 off a Corsair CX430 and it failed instantly.

 

[Zenben]

If I could afford to get a better power supply, would you all agree on the original build?

 

[djangoringo]

If you want a 7870 ghz edtion, get the MSI Twinfrozr III/OC comes with two games and overclocks better and it's a better brand:


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

CPU: Intel Pentium G860 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($67.55 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI B75MA-P45 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($40.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX12V Power Supply ($31.64 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $548.03
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[Zenben]

For gaming the Pingypoker is better, but it's flawed that psu is only 350w for such card, only has one pcie 6 pin and it will be on the very, very limit, also the mobo isn't good, here is my suggestion :

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

CPU: Intel Pentium G860 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($67.55 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI B75MA-P45 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($31.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Galaxy GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX12V Power Supply ($31.64 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ Outlet PC)


Total: $502.03
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

This build is looking pretty good to me. With a better mobo and psu the performance doesn't seem to be too far behind the 7870 as far as gaming is concerned

 

[Zenben]

If you want a 7870 ghz edtion, get the MSI Twinfrozr III/OC comes with two games and overclocks better and it's a better brand:


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

CPU: Intel Pentium G860 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($67.55 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI B75MA-P45 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($40.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX12V Power Supply ($31.64 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $548.03
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Just saw this. What games does it come with?

 

[djangoringo]

Sleeping dogs and two worlds 2 for the 7870, if going with a 660 gtx you get assassins creed 3.
By the way, there is now a zotac 660 gtx which overclocks like a beast for 179.99$ :

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G860 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($67.55 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI B75MA-P45 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($31.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX12V Power Supply ($31.64 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $489.03
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[peep1988]

http://pcpartpicker.com/b/z99 its 530 after Mir and your getting a gtx 660ti

 

[phillylol]

Oddly enough i just made a post asking a very similar question. http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/375494-31-criticize-budget-build

If you take out the OS it's sub $500 how it compares to the other build im unsure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQtC9YvABEY Here's a video of the some benchmarks i found of the APU+ 6670.