$500 Budget Gaming PC

[Deringer]

I'm back again. I finally scraped together some cash after the new tires fiasco a few months back.

I've been crunching numbers for the past few weeks and just can't seem to get a decent Core i gaming build in for around $500. Yes, I know, that's not a lot to work with, but I'm hoping someone can work some magic on the boards here. I was looking at an i5-2400 and a P67 mobo, but understand that it might not be possible.

To make it a little easier, I already have a Case (Antec 300), Win7-64, a Mouse and Keyboard and a brand new shiny 27" monitor.

So, can anyone suggest parts for the rest at around $500. As usual, I'd like to do all my ordering through NewEgg.

Thanks in advance!

[jdeb]

499.94

MSI P67S-C43 (B3)
Newegg.com - MSI P67S-C43 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core i5-2300
Newegg.com - Intel Core i5-2300 Sandy Bridge 2.8GHz (3.1GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52300

Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
Newegg.com - Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model CT2KIT25664BA1339

ASUS CuCore Series EAH5770
Newegg.com - ASUS CuCore Series EAH5770 CuCore/2DI/1GD5 Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKX
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKX 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner 24X
Newegg.com - Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model AD-7260S-0B - CD / DVD Burners

[Deringer]

Thanks jdeb, I have most of the same parts in my temporary wishlist on NewEgg right now. You didn't include a PSU however.

To get it to an i5-2400, a WD Black and a PSU, I'm going to have to increase my budget to at least $600, aren't I?

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by Deringer Thanks jdeb, I have most of the same parts in my temporary wishlist on NewEgg right now. You didn't include a PSU however. To get it to an i5-2400, a WD Black and a PSU, I'm going to have to increase my budget to at least $600, aren't I?

yes. I did not put a power supply because I assumed you had one in the case.

You do not want to skimp on the power supply.

Antec EarthWatts EA-500D Green
Newegg.com - Antec EarthWatts EA-500D Green 500W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

[glc]

You can still get a PSU and keep it down to 500 bucks if you drop to an i3-2100 CPU.

[Khalil]

I like what jdeb suggested but if you swap out that motherboard and processor for these:
Newegg.com - ASUS P7P55 LX LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard
Newegg.com - Intel Core i3-540 Clarkdale 3.06GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80616I3540
and get this Video Card:
Newegg.com - ASUS EAH6870 DC/2DI2S/1GD5 Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
You will have a much better gaming rig, so do you want the better processor or the better gaming rig?

[Deringer]

Thanks for the reply.

I understand the better gaming computer vs. better processor argument and I did read your other posts where you stated the P67s were too unstable for your liking and that's why you made the suggestion you did. I just need to think it over before stepping backwards technology-wise.

Thanks again!

[Khalil]

You can still go with the newer technology if you can stretch a bit over $500 and get this motherboard Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
and this CPU Newegg.com - Intel Core i3-2100 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz 2 x 256KB L2 Cache 3MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I32100 and still get the 6870 I recomended. The 5770 is ok but it is 128 bit and will not give you all the eye candy in games!

[Deringer]

First, a big thank you to everyone on this site who made recommendations and gave me sound PC building advice. You guys are providing an awesome service and you don't get thanked enough.

I built my new PC yesterday with the following parts:

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor

ASUS M5A97 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6950 1GB

Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN 650W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333

HITACHI Deskstar 1.5TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

LITE-ON DVD Burner

Antec Three Hundred Illusion

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit

I'm pleased to say that everything is working perfectly and being able to play RIFT on Ultra was mind blowing.

Thank you all again!

-Mark

[Khalil]

Glad we could help Mark!

[MattVizzle]

I was browsing through the forums and I also need a $500 gaming rig, well actually just to play WoW arenas occassionally but when I play I would like it to run flawless.

My question is could I just copy the above build or are there newer or better parts I could get for $500 or under?

[glc]

Matt, please start a new thread for advice for your build. Thank you!

[MattVizzle]

Yes sir.