$400 Gaming PC

[choondo]

Here is a link that was reccomended to me to build:http/www.forbes.com/sites/jasonevangelho/2015/02/07/build-a-compact-1080p-gaming-pc-for-400-benchmarks-included/


Could someone please tell me if there are parts that are the same price that are better? Also please tell me if there is a already built PC for $400 that is better than this. Finally, is making a PC a fun experience? Thank You!

 

[entropy4money]

Don't build that. Since you're on a budget go for AMD processors not for that crappy dual-core intel. I couldn't build something below $400, but this is $436 + PSU which would go up to about 468 - 470 and it is much much better. Making a PC is a great experience, but make sure you know what you're doing or you can damage your components.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($85.50 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($32.30 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($159.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: HEC Vigilance MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($25.20 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($19.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $436.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

 

[Sandstorm3000]

I'd say go with the build above, great build. Still though, the intel pentium G series are beasts and they will beat the FX-6300 in every single core (or dual core supported) benchmark or game that there is.

 

[ceresia]

Don't build that. Since you're on a budget go for AMD processors not for that crappy dual-core intel. I couldn't build something below $400, but this is $436 + PSU which would go up to about 468 - 470 and it is much much better. Making a PC is a great experience, but make sure you know what you're doing or you can damage your components.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($85.50 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($32.30 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($159.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: HEC Vigilance MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($25.20 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($19.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $436.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Where is the PSU?

Don't even go with a optical drive on a mini build, in all honesty you will most likely never use it, I have a portable USB2.0 dvd burner I use and never look back.

 

[entropy4money]

I'd say go with the build above, great build. Still though, the intel pentium G series are beasts and they will beat the FX-6300 in every single core (or dual core supported) benchmark or game that there is.

I always support intel over AMD, they're much better. And I actually hate AMD. However, by experience, AMD is the best when there's a tight budget. I don't have time right now to do some research to see which processor is better, as in this case, the intel might actually be better than the AMD. You will have to read some reviews around choondo and check it out. If you decide to go with intel the build you provided is fine, but I would suggest you upgrade the video card to the R9 270.

good luck

 

[entropy4money]

Don't build that. Since you're on a budget go for AMD processors not for that crappy dual-core intel. I couldn't build something below $400, but this is $436 + PSU which would go up to about 468 - 470 and it is much much better. Making a PC is a great experience, but make sure you know what you're doing or you can damage your components.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($85.50 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($32.30 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($159.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: HEC Vigilance MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($25.20 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($19.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $436.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Where is the PSU?

Don't even go with a optical drive on a mini build, in all honesty you will most likely never use it, I have a portable USB2.0 dvd burner I use and never look back.

True, you won't need an optical drive and can save some money there. I didn't add a PSU, I said he/she would have to get one. I suggest getting something like this:

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438016&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC-_-pla-_-Power+Supplies-_-N82E16817438016&gclid=CjwKEAjwp_uqBRClvrrXmsbPog4SJACK4gIPCa_TPmvaQC1Y9evivdAwhW3Y9WOWCGKWmKzueq3N0RoCIUvw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[ceresia]

Here is a link that was reccomended to me to build:http/www.forbes.com/sites/jasonevangelho/2015/02/07/build-a-compact-1080p-gaming-pc-for-400-benchmarks-included/


Could someone please tell me if there are parts that are the same price that are better? Also please tell me if there is a already built PC for $400 that is better than this. Finally, is making a PC a fun experience? Thank You!

This article cracks me up, Newegg states that a 500W+ PSU is required for the card, but they recommend a bronze 430W.....

Cutting it a tad close there...

I just farted around on Newegg, and without price checking amazon and Microcenter I came up with:

AMD Quad Core
4GB 1866 Ripjaw memory
EVGA nVidia GTX 750 - No extra power is required
Rosewill case in a combo deal with motherboard and such, its a Mini-ITX build with a 250W PSU
128GB Adata SSD / 1TB WD Blue HDD

The parts aren't great at all, but at a $400 price point it works, as mine came in at $375.

In all honesty when someone comes to me asking for a 3-400 dollar rig I recommend a used Dell or something equivilent with a Core 2 Quad or something capable of a Core 2 Quad and a PCI-E slot, I can build a gaming machine that has 8GB of memory and a Core 2 Quad for roughly 100-150, add a decent video card for $150 and you have a $300 gaming rig that will last a couple years.

If they really want new then shop around, I constantly see deals at Newegg and Microcenter that have a free Mobo with a processor. You can grab a quad core for under or around $100 and then build from there.

 

[ceresia]

I always support intel over AMD, they're much better. And I actually hate AMD. However, by experience, AMD is the best when there's a tight budget. I don't have time right now to do some research to see which processor is better, as in this case, the intel might actually be better than the AMD. You will have to read some reviews around choondo and check it out. If you decide to go with intel the build you provided is fine, but I would suggest you upgrade the video card to the R9 270.

good luck

Video card for sure, but I wouldn't think of not building around a better proc, dual core you are going to see a lot of limitations:

http/www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2306227/intel-pentium-g3258-athlon-860k.html

 

[Tchota]

buy intel, it will give you better gaming performance and far better possibility to upgrade your system later without having to change motherboard.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($99.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-GAMING 3 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($55.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Mushkin Stealth 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.60 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 265 1GB Core Edition Video Card ($118.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H21 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.70 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($29.70 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $409.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-22 16:50 EDT-0400

I would recommend you:

1 - to buy a GTX 960 (it will give you great gaming performance: http/pcpartpicker.com/p/qxG3nQ )

2 - to buy 8gb ram (http/pcpartpicker.com/part/team-memory-tdrd38g1600hc901), but you can buy it later;

 

[ceresia]

buy intel, it will give you better gaming performance and far better possibility to upgrade your system later without having to change motherboard.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($99.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-GAMING 3 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($55.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Mushkin Stealth 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.60 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 265 1GB Core Edition Video Card ($118.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H21 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.70 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($29.70 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $409.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-22 16:50 EDT-0400

I would recommend you:

1 - to buy a GTX 960 (it will give you great gaming performance: http/pcpartpicker.com/p/qxG3nQ )

2 - to buy 8gb ram (http/pcpartpicker.com/part/team-memory-tdrd38g1600hc901), but you can buy it later;

How is Team memory? Never used this brand before, I know previously using Mushkin I would never go back.

But agree with the 960 and 8+GB, the sad thing is that both are going to significantly lower his other parts if he wants to stay under budget

 

[choondo]

+entropy4money Thank You! The build looks good except I am more familiar with Intel so is there and Intel processor I could use instead? Also any ideas for already built PC's? Is building a PC fun?

 

[Tchota]

team is a very good brand, I have 2x2gb ddr3 1333mhz and they have been working very well for at least 5 years.

But for 1 or two dollars more OP can go with other brands, the important is to have 1600mhz and cas9

About GPU, he would need to increase his budget, or buy it later (and use the iGPU), its a side option, but the R7 265 also have decent gaming performance (better than an GTX 750 ti, for example)

8gb should be a goal, but he can postpone it too another time, since his system will work with only 4gb. He could even go with a 8gb tick later (staying with a total of 12gb ram)

 

[choondo]

Don't build that. Since you're on a budget go for AMD processors not for that crappy dual-core intel. I couldn't build something below $400, but this is $436 + PSU which would go up to about 468 - 470 and it is much much better. Making a PC is a great experience, but make sure you know what you're doing or you can damage your components.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($85.50 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($32.30 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($159.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: HEC Vigilance MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($25.20 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($19.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $436.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Thank You! The build looks good except I am more familiar with Intel so is there and Intel processor I could use instead? Also any ideas for already built PC's? Is building a PC fun?

 

[Tchota]

It can be fun, for example when you turn it on and no image and 30 mn later you find out that you didn't plug a simple cable. And it will make you understand better how your computer works and after you do it you will be better prepared of any future upgrade or to remove parts so you can clean them change thermal paste, etc.

Here a example of the best pre build you can get for 400$:

http/www.bestbuy.com/site/syber-vapor-a-desktop-amd-athlon-x4-4gb-memory-500gb-hard-drive-black/9787131.p?id=1219435621081&skuId=9787131 (dont know what PSU it has)

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227595R (this one comes with OS, mouse and keyboard, but have worst GPU than the R7 265, the PSU might have poor quality, and its an open box, so stuffs might be missing and warranty is non existent - 30 days)

See a worst PC but cost more than 100$ more (without os) than the build I suggested:

http/www.bestbuy.com/site/cyberpowerpc-gamer-xtreme-desktop-intel-core-i3-8gb-memory-1tb-hard-drive-black-red/7356058.p?id=1219267042660&skuId=7356058

 

[choondo]

It can be fun, for example when you turn it on and no image and 30 mn later you find out that you didn't plug a simple cable. And it will make you understand better how your computer works and after you do it you will be better prepared of any future upgrade or to remove parts so you can clean them change thermal paste, etc.

Here a example of the best pre build you can get for 400$:

http/www.bestbuy.com/site/syber-vapor-a-desktop-amd-athlon-x4-4gb-memory-500gb-hard-drive-black/9787131.p?id=1219435621081&skuId=9787131 (dont know what PSU it has)

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227595R (this one comes with OS, mouse and keyboard, but have worst GPU than the R7 265, the PSU might have poor quality, and its an open box, so stuffs might be missing and warranty is non existent - 30 days)

See a worst PC but cost more than 100$ more (without os) than the build I suggested:

http/www.bestbuy.com/site/cyberpowerpc-gamer-xtreme-desktop-intel-core-i3-8gb-memory-1tb-hard-drive-black-red/7356058.p?id=1219267042660&skuId=7356058

What I am afraid of when I build is it will not work and I might have trouble plugging in tiny cords. I also will most likely get stuck on the installation of an OS, also it cost $100 for an OS.

 

[Tchota]

the only hard cables to connect are the ones that connect the case to the motherboard, but if you find that task to be impossible you can buy one of this: http/www.amazon.com/Asus-ASUS-12G05100030C-Q-CONNECTOR-KIT/dp/B00IAZMFBE

But in fact you just have to connect those cables to the motherboard before you put the motherboard inside your case, and you wont find any problems connecting them.Installing an OS is very easy.

http/pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-wn700615

 

[Tchota]

can you check if you have a microcenter store where you can go to at www.microcenter.com, plz

 

[Tchota]

Cheapest build (AMD)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($70.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88X PRO3+ ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($57.60 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Mushkin Stealth 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.60 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 265 1GB Core Edition Video Card ($118.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H21 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.70 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($29.70 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($83.70 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $466.27
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-22 22:00 EDT-0400

Cheapest Intel (better option):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($99.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-E34 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($45.00 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Mushkin Stealth 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.60 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 265 1GB Core Edition Video Card ($118.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H21 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.70 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($29.70 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($83.70 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $482.63
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-22 22:07 EDT-0400

 

[choondo]

the only hard cables to connect are the ones that connect the case to the motherboard, but if you find that task to be impossible you can buy one of this: http/www.amazon.com/Asus-ASUS-12G05100030C-Q-CONNECTOR-KIT/dp/B00IAZMFBE

But in fact you just have to connect those cables to the motherboard before you put the motherboard inside your case, and you wont find any problems connecting them.Installing an OS is very easy.


http/pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-wn700615

Is it possible to get Windows 8.1 for free?

 

[Sandstorm3000]

I build you this Intel / nvidia build.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($62.10 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($42.99 @ Directron)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.60 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card ($169.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Azza SIRIUS ATX Mid Tower Case ($25.50 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($21.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $424.15
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-23 08:46 EDT-0400

The CPU isn't to bad considering its price and performance ratio, also in the future you could either upgrade it or oc it.