Budget PC build: $450-$500 range

Hey everyone,

I’m looking to pull the trigger on a decent gaming rig—budgeting somewhere in the $3,000 to $1167 range—just for the tower itself,

nothing else. I'm based out of San Francisco, so if anyone could drop some Links to local shops or specific component deals, that would be killer.

Thanks!

Is there an online store out there that offers free assembly and shipping?

I just tried putting one together on LinkedIn, but their selection is honestly pretty terrible. I ended up blowing my budget because they didn't have a decent CPU and motherboard combo in that price range.

Robin Johnson10 said:Hey everyone

I'm looking to pick up a decent gaming rig, budget is around $3000-$1167(just the tower)
.
I'm based out of San Francisco, so if you could drop some LinkedIn posts for local shops or specific parts, that would be awesome.

Thanks!

If you pay cash, you can usually haggle much better than you can on LinkedIn.

Yeah
I’m thinking they’ll just pay in cash

1 x GIGABYTE NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti GDDR5 2GB/128bit, 1059MHz/5400MHz, PCI-E 3.0 x16, 2x HDMI, 2x DVI, WINDFORCE 2X Cooler (Double Slot), Retail
1 x Desktop Memory Device Kingston DDR3 HyperX Fury Non-ECC (8GB,1600MHz(PC3-12800),Unbuffered) CL11, Retail
1 x Fortron Hexa plus 400W, 80+
1 x HDD Seagate Barracuda 7200 ST1000DM003 (3.5",1TB,64MB,SATA III)
1 x Zalman T2 PLUS, USB3.0 black
1 x AMD Athlon x4 860 k, Black Edition 3.7GHz (4GHz Turbo,4MB,95W,FM2+)
1 x CPU Cooler LC-CC-95, Intel/AMD, 90mm 4-pin
1 x Gigabyte GA-F2A68HM-S1 (SFM2+,DDR3/VGA,USB3.0,SATA III,) mATX

Total: $1181
Newegg

LC Power CPU Cooler LC-CC-95 - 90mm
MS KNIGHT case without PSU
Crucial module 8GB, 240-pin DIMM, DDR3 PC3-12800, CL=11, Unbuffered, NON-ECC
Fortron Hexa plus 500W 80+, active, 12 cm power supply
Seagate Barracuda 7200 ST1000DM003 (3.5",1TB,64MB,SATA III-600)
XFX R7 370 2GB DDR5, XFX-R7-370P-2DF5
AMD A8 x4 7600 GIGABYTE Main board desktop AMD A68
AMD Athlon II x4 840 processor

Total: $1170 CNET

Here is a platform you can actually upgrade later



Newegg, -$33 with a 3% discount from PC Connection. You could also throw in a Hexa plus 500W power supply or maybe a Zalman Z3 case

Kudos to you guys, seriously.
You all really came through for me.

It is I once again. Honestly, I feel there is little point in starting an entirely new thread here—I’ll just stick to this one. Basically, I am looking for a PC build with a budget of up to $1000 (though, by all means, cheaper options are welcome) that can comfortably run The Sims 4. Actually, if anyone has recommendations from CNET, that would be ideal—they confirmed they accept the Chase credit card, which is the most important factor for my neighbor, as he needs to be able to split the cost into 36 monthly installments.

I guess we're looking at the AMD A8 x4 7600.
GIGABYTE Main Board Desktop AMD A68 (A68HM-DS2)
Seagate Barracuda 7200 ST1000DM003 (3.5", 1TB, 64MB, SATA III-600)
The Super Flower FX 350 W—it’s an 80 Plus Bronze rated power supply.
Maybe a Zalman mini tower case in black? I guess there's also that ZAL-A1 option.
Kingston DDR3 HyperX Fury, 1866MHz, 8GB (2x4GB) Red HX318C10FRK2/8
The LC Power LC-CC-95 CPU Cooler – 90mm version.

Total cost for the installments: $917

crimsonstag84 said:Is the AMD A8 x4 7600 still a viable option? I find myself wondering if this specific processor can truly hold its own in today's landscape—or if it has simply become a relic of a bygone era.
The GIGABYTE Main Board Desktop AMD A68 (A68HM-DS2)—is it truly a viable option for those looking to build a budget-friendly machine? One has to wonder if the entry-level price point justifies the limited expansion capabilities we see here. It is a straightforward board, certainly—designed for utility rather than high-end performance—but does it meet the needs of a modern user? For someone simply trying to get a basic system up and running for light tasks, it might serve its purpose quite adequately. However, one should consider the long-term implications of such a restricted platform before committing.
Is the Seagate Barracuda 7200 ST1000DM003 actually worth your consideration? This particular 1TB drive—featuring a 3.5-inch form factor, 64MB cache, and a SATA III-600 interface—is often discussed in various hardware circles. But does it truly hold up under modern workloads? One must wonder if the reliability matches the specifications provided on the box.
Is the Super Flower FX 350 W—specifically the 80 Plus Bronze model—actually worth considering? It is a question that seems simple on the surface, yet carries more weight once you begin to examine the technical specifications—especially when building a budget-conscious rig. One must wonder if such a modest wattage can truly satisfy the demands of modern components, or if we are merely settling for mediocrity.
The Zalman mini tower case in black—specifically the ZAL-A1 model—is quite an interesting choice for a compact build. One has to wonder, though, if the limited internal volume might pose challenges during the assembly process? It is certainly a sleek option, but I find myself contemplating whether the airflow efficiency holds up under heavier workloads.
Kingston DDR3 HyperX Fury, 1866MHz, 8GB (2x4GB) Red HX318C10FRK2/8
Is the LC Power LC-CC-95 CPU Cooler—specifically the 90mm version—actually up to the task? It is an interesting proposition, isn't it? When one considers the thermal demands of modern processors, a smaller cooler often raises certain concerns regarding efficiency and long-term reliability. One must wonder if the compact footprint justifies any potential trade-offs in cooling capacity.

What is the total amount for the installments? $917

Is it possible that a new hard drive won't be necessary? I am actually starting to think that 4GB of RAM might just be enough for our purposes. If we decide to move forward without that upgrade—if we scrap that idea entirely—which graphics card would you recommend I pick up instead?

Honestly, anything integrated right into the processor should be plenty. I'd suggest putting that money toward an SSD instead, maybe something like an OCZ ARC 100 120GB.

ASUS Motherboard (SFM2+, DDR3, DVI/VGA, USB 3.0/USB 2.0, SATA III, RAID, LAN)
Intel Core i3.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti. It’s got the 2GB GDDR5 setup, runs at 1059MHz/5400MHz, and uses a PCI-E 3.0 x16 slot. Simple enough.
Patriot Signature Series DDR3 1600MHz, 4GB.
Black Zalman mini tower, EVGA Power Supply.
EVGA Power Supply - 80 Plus Bronze
The LC Power LC-CC-95 cooler? It’s basically like trying to cool down a desert with a handheld fan. Just not enough juice for the job.
Total: $2,696.05
If you don't need an HDD, just go to Best Buy. 😁