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General discussion

Another noob needing help building a BUDGET gaming computer.

by nickthenoob Aug 3, 2009 6:04AM PDT

I want to be able to play semi-new pc games, without having to shell out a couple thousand dollars for a top of the line gaming pc. So I'm going to build my own. The problem is I'm a tad short on cash.(namely $400) AND I'm a total noob( I've read a few articles, so I know that I am going to need CPU, Motherboard, Graphics card, ram, ect. but as far as everything else...I'm lost). Now I know that 400 might not be enough to build anything worth a crap,much less a gaming pc. But if any of you guys have built gaming computers cheaply then I would greatly appreciate it if you could post them. I know I am going to need more cash, so you don't have to try to think of a build that is less than 400. Right now I'm just trying to learn realistically the costs of these things, and what kind of compatible parts I should use. Thanks!

Discussion is locked

4 Posts
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Let's say no way.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Aug 3, 2009 6:33AM PDT

But what do you have now that we could tweak up?

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Probably not
by nickthenoob Aug 3, 2009 10:27AM PDT

Unfortunately I don't have anything that I could upgrade...I have an old notebook, and thats it. Thats why I want to build. Then I could have a platform to play games on. The old notebook barely plays half life 2 with everything on low.

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What about this?
by nickthenoob Aug 3, 2009 10:51AM PDT
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Maybe possible
by damasta55r Aug 5, 2009 2:30PM PDT

Antec sonata III Case with 500W PSU- $110 on amazon (Can find cheaper cases or psu separately on newegg)

4gb DDR-800-$50 many to choose from
1TB sataII drive- $90 many to choose from
1 DVD Burner Drive- $30 many to choose from
1 Intel e5200-$66 at newegg or amazon
1 Gigabyte g31m-ES2L lga 775 Motherboard-$55 on amazon
1 gigabyte GV-R485ZL-512H Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card -$90 After rebate

Total: $500

You could probably shave off ~$100 by looking for a deal on a graphics card for ~$60 and looking for case and psu to total <$60 and maybe getting a chepaer motherboard for ~40.

Roger

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