I MAY build a budget gaming PC for my son for Christmas. So I am trying to figure out what I am going to do... I have some components that I could reuse, or I could buy something new. I currently have : Phenom II 965 Some Mobo.. not sure the brand, I think Asus. ATI 5850 GPU 8GB Gskill memory that I had issues with.. should probably replace it. If I used these I need a PS, case, HDD and probably memory. OR... I could build a new machine with a Core i3 or an AMD processor and maybe a nvidia 750... or R7 or R9, 4GB RAM, cheap mobo... I trying to stay under $500 if possible.... just not sure which way to go yet. Less money is better as this is basically going to play Minecraft, maybe Assetto Corsa, maybe a few other games.. not trying to run things on high.
I have most of a comp left over from my last build, not sure exactly what's in there but there's at least a case and PS. I'll check it out when I get home and let you know what it's got and see if you're interested.
If I were to build something, I was thinking about this: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/bVKWK8 Thanks Skwi, appreciate the help.
If I were to use my existing components I would do this: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/4gMLbv I think I would rather have the nvidia 750 since it is such a massive upgrade over the 5850. I am not saving much money using my components since I have to buy a larger case. I think it may make more sense just to get the guild above. The pentium is just a hair slower then the Phenom II,
Considering that Windows is tied to the MB when you activate it (at least AFAIK it still is), I'd go with something newer than the Phenom just for upgrade potential. Your kid can always save up his pennies for a better video card. Upgrading from the Phenom to a newer CPU/MB would come with an extra 100$ penalty just because you'd have to buy a new copy of windows. Now, if you already have a copy of windows that was activated on the Phenom MB, then that would swing things back the other way. Unless it's WinXP or something (not likely with a Phenom II). Yay variables! Isn't computer building on a budget fun?
Yeah, I'd go with the best CPU/MB you can squeeze into your budget without totally gimping the system with the GPU then. I think you're on the right track with the GTX750. Looks like they just had a price drop.
Went back and re did some things and found some cheaper components and came up with this: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RnXxVn about 515 (getting the OS on Amazon) That gets me a decent processor, 4GB RAM and a nvidia 750 card. I think that will be more than enough for a gaming machine for him.
You're doing it wrong! You need to follow the Uncle Chop Chops 3 point plan: Hand kid your current PC Spend millions on new PC for yourself Attempt and fail to justify actions with wife
Well... I do not have a wife. But I cannot justify spending as much as I did on my current rig again right now... I wish I could though.
$500 really can build you a pretty damn good middling PC from scratch, long as you're not looking to cut the bleeding edge on any one part of it. Depending on the mobo you currently have you might be able to squeeze a bit more out of that money, but I wouldn't recommend going with a Celeron for gaming.
For what you're looking for (and perhaps with school in mind) you could also look into getting a laptop for $400-$500 that would probably work for Minecraft, light gaming, schoolwork... Though for wrangling kids a desktop probably makes it easier to keep an eye on him while he's surfing the net and so forth. And nothing really beats that "I made this for you" feel to building his rig from parts.
unless you can get lucky and get a year or so older model that was 'hot stuff' before it sat on a shelf for a year.
