Need ideas for a entry level gaming build!

[woflz]

Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: I will be purchasing the parts by Christmas

Budget Range: $450-$550

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming & Surfing the web, Video editing and rendering

Are you buying a monitor: No


Parts to Upgrade: N/A

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: msy.com.au or pccasegear.com

Location: City, State/Region, Country - Australia

Parts Preferences: I would like this PC to last me a year or two

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 1280x1024 I'm fine with this outdated resolution ^^

Additional Comments: I would like this to run quietly. I would also like the PC to be able to run and record most games on mid/high settings on my resolution with no problems.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Outdated PC can't handle gaming anymore, its time for an upgrade!

 

[dcointin]

Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: I will be purchasing the parts by Christmas

Budget Range: $450-$550

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming & Surfing the web, Video editing and rendering

Are you buying a monitor: No


Parts to Upgrade: N/A

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: msy.com.au or pccasegear.com

Location: City, State/Region, Country - Australia

Parts Preferences: I would like this PC to last me a year or two

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 1280x1024 I'm fine with this outdated resolution ^^

Additional Comments: I would like this to run quietly. I would also like the PC to be able to run and record most games on mid/high settings on my resolution with no problems.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Outdated PC can't handle gaming anymore, its time for an upgrade!

You may have read this article already, but just in case you hadn't I wanted to link you a build that Tom's put together for a gaming PC at $500:

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

Here's another similar article from AnandTech:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6182/fall-budget-system-buyers-guide/3

I'll leave the rest to the experts!

 

[g-unit1111]

You may have read this article already, but just in case you hadn't I wanted to link you a build that Tom's put together for a gaming PC at $500:

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

Here's another similar article from AnandTech:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6182/fall-budget-system-buyers-guide/3

I'll leave the rest to the experts!

The problem with that Anandtech build is that it uses a really low end video card and a PSU that leaves no room to upgrade. The Tom's build is better but they do cut a lot of corners on CPU and RAM, but then on a $500 budget you have to make sacrifices somewhere.

 

[dcointin]

The problem with that Anandtech build is that it uses a really low end video card and a PSU that leaves no room to upgrade. The Tom's build is better but they do cut a lot of corners on CPU and RAM, but then on a $500 budget you have to make sacrifices somewhere.

I definitely would agree with you there. Tom's ability to work a Radeon 7850 into its build is a huge advantage.