Gaming PC Build for €400

The_Gatsby

I was just wondering if it was possible to build a half decent gaming PC for €400-€500? I know I won't get a high performance machine but atm I am low on cash. Just once it is easily upgradable in the future, I don't mind running on low settings for a while :P I'm pretty new to the area so a lot of things are fairly confusing, especially processors!!! I have googled articles but they are all filled with technical jargon Can somebody please explain (in very simple terms please!) what makes a good processor? I would really appreciate if somebody could help me choosing the right components to get started on my First build. I'm not yet sure if I'll need a version of windows, I'm waiting for a friend to get back to me! also, can probably manage without keyboard, mouse & printer etc. Thanks for any help!

jaykhunter

Hey there! Copy & Paste the text from this post and fill out all of the information, it'll help us get a better idea of how best to proceed!

The_Gatsby

jaykhunter wrote: »

Hey there! Copy & Paste the text from this post and fill out all of the information, it'll help us get a better idea of how best to proceed!

1. What is your budget? [€400-€450]

2. What will be the main purpose of the computer? Gaming, new and old although I don't mind not having 1st rate graphics, just once everything is easily upgradable. Probably will not be playing much online gaming. Mostly strategy games such as SC4 and a couple of flight sims.

3. Do you need a copy of Windows? Yes, probably now that I think about it

4. Can you use any parts from an old computer? Nope

5. Do you need a monitor? Probably not for now

5a. If yes, what size do you need. N/A

5b. If no, what resolution is your current monitor and do you plan to upgrade in the near future? Current is 1024x768

6. Do you need any of these peripherals? Nope

7. Are you willing to try overclocking? I am not sure what this is? Can somebody please explain?

8. How can you pay? Laser

9. When are you purchasing? As soon as I find a decent build

10. If you need help building it, where are you based? Would you recommend I get help? I am based in Leixlip, Kildare. This will be my first build

IRL_Sinister

Lukebray wrote: »

1. What is your budget? [€400-€450]

2. What will be the main purpose of the computer? Gaming, new and old although I don't mind not having 1st rate graphics, just once everything is easily upgradable.
3. Do you need a copy of Windows? Yes, probably now that I think about it

4. Can you use any parts from an old computer? Nope

5. Do you need a monitor? Probably not for now

5a. If yes, what size do you need. N/A

5b. If no, what resolution is your current monitor and do you plan to upgrade in the near future? Current is 1024x768

6. Do you need any of these peripherals? Nope

7. Are you willing to try overclocking? I am not sure what this is? Can somebody please explain?

8. How can you pay? Laser

9. When are you purchasing? As soon as I find a decent build

10. If you need help building it, where are you based? Would you recommend I get help? I am based in Leixlip, Kildare. This will be my first build

You might want to define what type of 'gaming' as that will have a fairly large affect on the budget and what components to get. If you don't know what overclocking is it's best to just ignore it, especially on a first build.

The_Gatsby

IRL_Sinister wrote: »

You might want to define what type of 'gaming' as that will have a fairly large affect on the budget and what components to get. If you don't know what overclocking is it's best to just ignore it, especially on a first build.

Done

Serephucus

Not exactly fantastic, but probably the best you could manage:

Item|Price
Total build cost: €352.55 (inc delivery Free!)
ASRock S1155 Intel H61M DDR3 mATX|€50.01
Samsung 500GB SpinPoint F3 7200rpm 16MB Sata|€72.79
CoolerMaster Elite 360 Mini Tower ATX Case (Black)|€36.28
Corsair 430 Watt CX430 V2 Builder Series 80 Plus Power Supply|€40.50
Kingston 4GB (1 x 4GB) HyperX Blu DDR3 1600MHz DIMM 240-pin CL9|€20.24
Intel Celeron G530 2.4GHz LGA1155 2MB|€43.36
XFX ATI Radeon 6770 HD 850MHz 1GB PCI-Express HDMI|€89.37


And Windows from here:

http://www.software4students.ie/Microsoft_Windows_7_Professional_64_bit_Upgrade_Edition-details.aspx

Should bring you in just under €400.


Oh, and I'm based in Maynooth if you need a hand putting it together.

Edit: Didn't see that you could go up to €450. This will add a fair bit more power in the CPU area - useful for strategy and sim games, though a bit over-budget when you include Windows for €45.

Item|Price
Total build cost: €425.22 (inc delivery Free!)
ASRock S1155 Intel H61M DDR3 mATX|€50.01
Samsung 500GB SpinPoint F3 7200rpm 16MB Sata|€72.79
CoolerMaster Elite 360 Mini Tower ATX Case (Black)|€36.28
Corsair 430 Watt CX430 V2 Builder Series 80 Plus Power Supply|€40.50
Kingston 4GB (1 x 4GB) HyperX Blu DDR3 1600MHz DIMM 240-pin CL9|€20.24
XFX ATI Radeon 6770 HD 850MHz 1GB PCI-Express HDMI|€89.37
Intel Core i3-2120 3.30GHz LGA1155 3MB|€116.03


If you want a bit more GPU power instead (arguably better value in the long-run) and is within budget:

Item|Price
Total build cost: €405.36 (inc delivery Free!)
ASRock S1155 Intel H61M DDR3 mATX|€50.01
Samsung 500GB SpinPoint F3 7200rpm 16MB Sata|€72.79
CoolerMaster Elite 360 Mini Tower ATX Case (Black)|€36.28
Corsair 430 Watt CX430 V2 Builder Series 80 Plus Power Supply|€40.50
Kingston 4GB (1 x 4GB) HyperX Blu DDR3 1600MHz DIMM 240-pin CL9|€20.24
Intel Celeron G530 2.4GHz LGA1155 2MB|€43.36
Best Value VTX3D ATI Radeon 7770 HD 1GHz 1GB PCI-Express 3.0 HDMI|€142.18

FlyingIrishMan

He said he would like easy upgrade options in the future, so maybe try and fit a P67 or Z68 in that build with the amazon 550W PSU?

Serephucus

Well P67/Z68 would double the motherboard cost, and only really helps if you want a huge upgrade processor-wise. Remember, going from a G530 even to an i5 2400 is huge. It's going from a 2.8GB 2/2 dual core to a 3.1(?)GHz 4/8 quad core. The CX430 also lets him upgrade to a 7870 with a molex->6-pin adapter.

The_Gatsby

Brilliant! Thanks for the response! Now I just have to decide which one to go for :P

Better CPU or GPU? Which is more advantageous for gaming?

ShadowHearth

Lukebray wrote: »

Brilliant! Thanks for the response! Now I just have to decide which one to go for :P

Better CPU or GPU? Which is more advantageous for gaming?

depends of the game, but i would go for better GPU if you planning to leave the system in this condition for longer period of time. ( aka when you decide to go for upgrades )

The_Gatsby

Ah ok well I'll probably go for that then Thank you for the help