$600 budget gaming rig

#1 SpleenBeGone

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Posted 14 January 2012 - 10:29 AM

Computer gaming is still every popular, and there are lots of great games for it. The problem is that most people think you need to spend thousands on a gaming rig for them. I'm going to prove that wrong and build a great gaming rig for under $600. The recent skyrocket in hard drive prices puts a pinch on this, but it's still doable. Here's the parts list.

Intel i5-2400. Though not as popular as the 2500k, it's still got more than enough power. $189.99
ASRock H61. ASRock normally makes pretty nice stuff, this board should be no exception. $69.99
4GB Crucial RAM basic budget stuff. $18.99
Antec EarthWatts 430w power supply. A great power supply by a great brand, and plenty of power for this build. $59.99
HIS Radeon 6870. Plenty of power at a great price. Perfect for this build. $159.99
Hitachi 500GB HDD. Hard drives are currently much more expensive than normal due to flooding in Thailand. This will be your best bet. $79.99
Lite On CD/DVD burner. Just a cheap, simple, OEM drive, not much to say here. $17.99
Apex 393 case. The most basic of cases, but it'll have to do. $19.99

Total: $616.92
Now, you're thinking "But wait, that's over $600!" They key here is that the Radeon 6870 has a $20 mail in rebate, bringing you back below $600.

As you can see here, it's completely possible to build a decent gaming computer for under $600. With prices going down and technology getting better and better, this will become even more the case in the near future.

#2 krismcguir

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Posted 14 January 2012 - 02:54 PM

Good spec. I was about to build a top end gaming PC, but the price of HDs put a stop to that, I'll wait until hard drive prices are sensible again!

#3 SpleenBeGone

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Posted 14 January 2012 - 03:13 PM

Yeah, the prices are pretty bad right now, but I'm hoping they go down soon. I plan on building a new computer when the Ivy Bridge chips come out in april.

#4 Chukkzy

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Posted 14 January 2012 - 04:27 PM

I built my PC with an AMD Processor and an Asus Mainboard, both costed around 60 to 70 € and its still doing nice stuff. Some games like Sonic Racing have a hickup, though I suspect the internal soundchip and bad optimization doing that so I will get a Soundblaster PCI card some time to see if it sorts it out. Otherwise, I can not complain as most games run nicely in 1080p.

#5 SpleenBeGone

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Posted 14 January 2012 - 04:32 PM

I'm using a core2quad right now. It still runs most things pretty well, but I'm just a fan of making computers.

#6 Chukkzy

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Posted 14 January 2012 - 04:49 PM

Actually I would like to upgrade my (budget) setup in the near future because now I could actually afford a few things I could not back then... but then I have a hard time justifying it to myself. >_> I am raised to be economical lol.

#7 SpleenBeGone

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Posted 14 January 2012 - 04:55 PM

Yeah, I was the same way, but I recently got a pretty good job, so that all went out the window. >.>

If you post your budget when you get ready to buy, I'll help you find the best deals.

#8 Chukkzy

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Posted 14 January 2012 - 05:27 PM

Heh that exactly is my situation right now.

But you can not easily get this out of me.

Actually I would like a new case, for starters... I kinda fell in love with this guy here:
http://www.techfresh...ing-PC-Case.jpg

#9 SpleenBeGone

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Posted 14 January 2012 - 06:46 PM

That's a very nice clean looking case.

#10 LD50

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Posted 15 January 2012 - 08:31 PM

why not spring the extra twenty bucks for the 2500k, though? unlocked and solid numbers.

also, what if they're in need of a psu? >.>

#11 SpleenBeGone

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Posted 15 January 2012 - 08:40 PM

I think the 2500k was closer to $40 more. At least it was when I checked the prices.

The PSU is listed. <.< Antec EarthWatts

#12 LD50

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Posted 15 January 2012 - 08:45 PM

i'm blind, excuse the derp. i'm running off a couple hours sleep and no food still. 430 enough? it'd likely be the first replaced part for upgrades, huh?

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115073
209 bucks. and there's a promo for 15 off.

i linked the wrong damn one. i quit

#13 ThePirateKing

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Posted 17 January 2012 - 06:54 PM

Is that really enough power for that rig?

I got a 730 watt one for a somewhat similar rig, with the intention of eventually buying a second graphics card for it if that ever becomes necessary...

NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRD!!

#14 SpleenBeGone

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Posted 17 January 2012 - 07:03 PM

Yeah. All power supplies are not created equal, honestly. That one has enough amperage on the 12v rails to handle it though, where a cheaper, higher wattage one might not.

It wouldn't handle a second graphics card of that power though, I'm sure.

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