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#1 Mar 14 2013 at 12:48 AM Rating: Good
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My tax returns seem to be yielding about $324 in refund, instead of my usual payment of around $12. If I were to chip in about $100 to that, how decent of a comp primarily for gaming would I be able to build, assuming I just keep my old monitor?
#2 Mar 14 2013 at 1:11 AM Rating: Excellent
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You could make something that could do decent Medium graphics in most games. I built a system a few years back for around 500 that I just upgraded from.

Invorce wrote:
AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX
Item #: N82E16819103727 $129.99

RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-630SS 630W ATX12V V2.2/ EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Power Supply, Item #: N82E16817152035 $49.99

EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1367-TR GeForce GTX 460 SE (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP
Item #: N82E16814130597
$149.99

BIOSTAR A870U3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
$54.99

G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-8GBNT
Item #: N82E16820231422
$43.99

LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM
$18.99

Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822148767
$39.99

Thermaltake V3 Black Edition VL80001W2Z Black SECC / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811133094

$44.99

Subtotal $532.92


Thats the invoice info from 2 years ago. Its a solid machine. Only game I had issues with really was Planetside 2 and that seems more of an AMD issue then anything. But I was able to play most games at a solid medium with a few highs and get 'acceptable' framerate.

I know the processor I had is cheaper now.

I don't know how much you know about PCs, but If you can salvage more from your old PC the better. I mean case is around 50 dollars for a cheap one. If you dont mind using your old case thats 50 dollars saved, PSU I'm leary about saving your old one but if its decent wattage you may be in luck thats around 50 dollars saved. If you HDD is decent size and Sata 3 you may be able to shave off a few dollars there.

Is Mail in rebates something you want to deal with, if so there is some decent Video card deals out right now in the 150 range.

Let me do a few scourings and toss something up here in a bit or tomorrow.


Edited, Mar 14th 2013 2:12am by BeanX
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#3 Mar 14 2013 at 1:24 AM Rating: Excellent
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Is there any salvageable hardware in your current machine at all? Otherwise you're short for a computer build period, let alone a gaming build. You're looking at at least $80 for a decent motherboard, $100 for a decent processor, $30 for ram, $80 for a power supply assuming you don't have a usable one, $60 for a hard drive, $20 for an optical drive, $30-$90 for a case (and you really don't want to skimp there), and a gaming PC really needs at least a $130ish video card. Thats around $570ish before the $130 operating system for a theoretical computer based on average prices and assuming a $70 case. A decent midrange gaming computer is going to run you closer to $750 before OS.

You can always build one in stages though, get the core components now, wait a month or two and buy parts as funds come available. If you are willing to accept slightly older style components, you can sometimes find "bare bones" kits, such as this one http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7640252&CatId=333 $300 there would get you a lower end case, decent motherboard with room to upograde ram, decent lower end processor, a power supply sufficeint for a gaming video card, and 8GB ram with 2 free slots to expand later. You would still need the video card, hard drive and optical drive at a minimum with that (call it $230 more), but you would save about $100ish. thats again assuming you can aquire the operating system somewhere else (student versions, find an OEM key on ebay in direct violation of microsoft EULA, etc)

The main advantage to picking individual components rather than bundling is you get more control over your end product. I'd go with a quad core CPU and a better case for a starter PC personally (probably a cooler master CM 690 II case) but you have to go with the budget too. If you go with the AMD bundles you can save some more money there, though at the lower cost end there the Intel I3 processors and motherboards are pretty comperable in cost and speed.

You'll need a minimum of a 550 watt Power supply to drive a gaming video card. Check your current PC, it may have one. also make sure it has video card 6 pin PCI express power leads and an 8 pin core voltage lead for the motherboard. Optical drives are cheap, the amount of trouble you will save by going with a new SATA drive over trying to use an old, likely IDE one is worth the $20. Hard drives last 3-5 years on average before failure, if your drive is particularily old, its probably not worth trying to build a new computer around. Your existing video card, depending on age and slot type, etc, might work as a temporary unit until more funds came available to at least get you up and running.

Toss around some budget numbers and look at the various barebones kits out there, and if you want I can put together a component list to fit the budget for you. Newegg, frys, other comptuer chains also may have deals worth checking out.

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#4 Mar 14 2013 at 1:38 AM Rating: Excellent
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One other quick note from BeanX's quote there. hard drive prices literally tripled after the Thailand flooding about a year and a half back now, and they haven't dropped back down very much, so expect to pay about double that for a smaller drive today unless you find a good deal or a coupon.
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#5 Mar 14 2013 at 2:12 AM Rating: Excellent
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I was just about to mention barebones kits, but I noticed they rarely have Video cards. The one Kao Linked + 150 dollar video card would be decent medium ish build.

Ok So a quick Tiger Direct Build, No OS, No CDRom, Before Mail In Rebates:
Screenshot

459.94 (before shipping add about 10-15 dollars) Mail in rebates get you 35 back. This Build also comes with Bioshock Infinite and Tomb Raider.

So Overall you're looking at around 425 ish after rebates and shipping. You would have to salvage your old CDrom, or Put windows on a USB jumpstick (This is what I do now days) and your Old Hard Drive (Im assuming its Sata), and as Kao suggested get a OS, or use the same disk from your old pc (Assuming its not a Dell or Prebuilt)

This machine should run stuff mostly on medium to high graphics game dependant. On a my system with a lesser video card (Geforce 460 SE) I can run Batman: Arkum City 1080p with minimal slow down. You could probably run the 2 games that come with @ around medium also, maybe a few settings to low. WoW at mostly high, with draw distance at medium high and get 30+ FPS in 25 man raids with lots of casting, 50-60 outside flying around.

Edit:Also that case comes in white like that sort of thing.




Edited, Mar 14th 2013 3:16am by BeanX
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#6 Mar 14 2013 at 2:18 AM Rating: Good
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Dread Lörd Kaolian wrote:
Is there any salvageable hardware in your current machine at all?
I have a three, maybe four year old Dell(yeah, yeah, I know). I don't recall the specs, but I'll get them when I get home from work.

Dread Lörd Kaolian wrote:
The main advantage to picking individual components rather than bundling is you get more control over your end product. I'd go with a quad core CPU and a better case for a starter PC personally (probably a cooler master CM 690 II case) but you have to go with the budget too. If you go with the AMD bundles you can save some more money there, though at the lower cost end there the Intel I3 processors and motherboards are pretty comperable in cost and speed.

You'll need a minimum of a 550 watt Power supply to drive a gaming video card. Check your current PC, it may have one. also make sure it has video card 6 pin PCI express power leads and an 8 pin core voltage lead for the motherboard. Optical drives are cheap, the amount of trouble you will save by going with a new SATA drive over trying to use an old, likely IDE one is worth the $20. Hard drives last 3-5 years on average before failure, if your drive is particularily old, its probably not worth trying to build a new computer around. Your existing video card, depending on age and slot type, etc, might work as a temporary unit until more funds came available to at least get you up and running.

I'll get you the exacts of what I have when I get home and see if you think any of it is worth salvaging.
#7 Mar 14 2013 at 2:20 AM Rating: Excellent
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Also If you went with that build you could easily pawn off the 2 game codes for 25 bucks a piece, maybe more if you fight the right person, since they are brand new games. I know I would be interested in buying em for 50 bucks for the set, or so. Just another thing to consider.
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#8 Mar 14 2013 at 2:24 AM Rating: Excellent
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Kao http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767

59.99 -10 for a 500gig 7200 drive. Not a huge difference that invoice didnt show my "Deals" either just my paid price

Edit: Same price at Tiger Direct

Edited, Mar 14th 2013 3:26am by BeanX
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#9 Mar 14 2013 at 2:34 AM Rating: Good
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Right now, my most immediate goal on it being up to playing is FFXIV ARR, so I do have some time. As a downside, unless there's a way to legally use my current comp's windows on a new one, I'm going to be stuck buying that, though I do have a sister who is a student, so I should be able to get a student copy.

Edit: And let's be honest, I'm running Vista right now. Probably time for an upgrade anyway.

Edited, Mar 14th 2013 2:35am by Poldaran
#10 Mar 14 2013 at 2:49 AM Rating: Excellent
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That system will run FF14 ARR no problem, or should, if they havent changed the graphics much since normal FF14. I played in the Beta with my system @ medium high.

If you need an OS, Im not sure how much the "Non Microsoft approved" Windows 7 on Ebays are. Windows 7 Home 64 bit is 99 on new egg, usually student copies are about half that price.

Student prices for the OS look to be around the 30-50 dollar mark. (after a quick google search)

I dont suggest Windows 8 at all.

Edit: 91 dollars on Tiger Direct.

Edited, Mar 14th 2013 3:54am by BeanX
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#11 Mar 14 2013 at 3:04 AM Rating: Good
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That's better than I was expecting. Back in the day, my student copy of XP cost around $80-100.
#12 Mar 14 2013 at 8:30 AM Rating: Good
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Okay, here's what I have in the box.

Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 2600XT
Disk Drive: Can't see it where it's located in the box, but looking up what the device manager called it, it's a Seagate 250 GB 7200RPM.
Power Supply: 350W Smiley: frown
Optical: DVD/CDRW ATA device
Motherboard: Couldn't find anything about what model or anything it was, probably covered by one of the devices in the way.
CPU: Intel Core2 Quad CPU Q6600 @2.40GHz

Miscellanea:
-More dust than is probably healthy.
-Conexant D850 PCI V.92 Modem Smiley: laugh

Edited, Mar 14th 2013 8:30am by Poldaran
#13 Mar 14 2013 at 10:01 AM Rating: Excellent
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The video card has enough horsepower to be useful temporarily and should be PCI express so it will fit. Not something you would want to use long term. THe power supply especially in a dell isn't going to have the cables you need and isn't powerful enough. The hard drive would probably work and is possibly a SATA drive, but given that processor it has to be at least 5 years old so I'd reccommend buying a new one regardless. The optical drive is probably salvagable, but if it isn't SATA, there's no point.
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#14 Mar 14 2013 at 10:50 AM Rating: Good
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Dread Lörd Kaolian wrote:
The optical drive is probably salvagable, but if it isn't SATA, there's no point.
If it says "ATA Device" on the device manager does that mean anything? A quick google search leads me to believe that it probably means it isn't.

Also, realistically, if I were to cannibalize the video card, would that put me somewhere close to budget, and would I be able to run ARR, even at lower settings, until I can get around to upgrading sometime in Q3 or so?

Edited, Mar 14th 2013 10:53am by Poldaran
#15 Mar 14 2013 at 1:55 PM Rating: Good
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An awesome and generous person is offering me a 9800 GTX+ for the cost of shipping. So if we can get the rest of the parts down into budget range(I can go a little above budget if necessary, but not too much more), then I'm in business.

Thanks for all the help so far and in advance for any further help.

Edit: So, at $300 for the Barebones Kao linked(or about 280 for the setup linked by BeanX minus the graphics card), $60 for the Hard Drive BeanX linked, ~25 for a decent SATA DVD reader/burner, that should leave me in the neighborhood of $60 for an OS. Assuming I can find a student version, that should be easy enough. Of course, I'm still looking at shipping for everything, but like I said, I can go a bit over without too much concern, and I already assumed I'd probably have to for the shipping anyway.

Edited, Mar 14th 2013 2:31pm by Poldaran
#16 Mar 14 2013 at 2:38 PM Rating: Excellent
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Grats!
Well, for the build I listed take out the Graphics card and sub in the HDD (49.99 Already Linked), OS(91, Already Linked), CDrom(10-20 Can Link if need be) and your good at the same price.
As for the 9800 GTX+ it was a decent card, Definitely awesome. I would offer you the spare GTX 460SE i have, but until I get confirmation on my student loan to build a new PC, I need to save that for the wifes PC if her laptop dies.

If you need links to each part individually I can do that also. I would recommend Tiger Direct as 1 day shipping with them is like 14 dollars for the entire order, or like 10 dollars for 3 day(YMMV state dependent). Newegg has some free shipping (7 day) but I noticed each part has its own "shipping" cost so orders can get a tad higher.


Edit: Or you could get a student copy to (that would be the cheapest bet)

Edited, Mar 14th 2013 3:42pm by BeanX
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#17 Mar 15 2013 at 12:32 AM Rating: Good
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BeanX the Irrelevant wrote:
Edit: Or you could get a student copy to (that would be the cheapest bet)
I PMed my sister on Facebook, she's gonna see if they have it at the school bookstore at a reasonable price, but if not, I'll find it online.

BeanX the Irrelevant wrote:
I would recommend Tiger Direct as 1 day shipping with them is like 14 dollars for the entire order, or like 10 dollars for 3 day(YMMV state dependent). Newegg has some free shipping (7 day) but I noticed each part has its own "shipping" cost so orders can get a tad higher.
It has been years since I last ordered something from TigerDirect, but is that 14 dollars the entire cost or is that in addition to the base shipping cost?

Also, now that I have some idea of what to get, I have to wait for the return to be deposited(or at least until my first paycheck in April) until I can do any ordering. If anyone sees any deals that might be relevant to me during that time, I would be most appreciative if you'd give me a heads up.
#18 Mar 15 2013 at 12:44 AM Rating: Good
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Ok Well your order has a Case in it so its a bit higher then mine was. But the options i get:

Ground 2-6 day 10.31
Free Ground with some memebership thing
2nd Day 14.96
Overnight 21.53

Im guessing the case adds on a few dollar since its size.

Btw thats the whole order fee.

Edited, Mar 15th 2013 1:46am by BeanX
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#19 Mar 15 2013 at 1:43 AM Rating: Good
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That's not bad at all. I have to ask ever since the time I wasn't paying attention while ordering a wall scroll and ended up paying $24 for regular shipment. Which took over a month.

Because apparently it was coming from China.
#20 Mar 17 2013 at 1:57 AM Rating: Good
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The One and Only Poldaran wrote:
That's not bad at all. I have to ask ever since the time I wasn't paying attention while ordering a wall scroll and ended up paying $24 for regular shipment. Which took over a month.

Because apparently it was coming from China.


Shipping from china shouldn't be that bad, unless I'm misinformed about the wall-scroll bulk.
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#21 Mar 17 2013 at 4:04 AM Rating: Good
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I think the cost came from all the lacquer they used to waterproof it. The cardboard tube was wrapped in three layers of tape, then covered in what smelled like lacquer, then put in a padded envelope.
#22 Mar 18 2013 at 5:28 PM Rating: Good
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Quick thing, I was telling Family and Friends on FB I could build them PCs for around 500 bucks.
Did some more digging around, DO NOT go with the motherboard I linked you. Its only rated for a 95w CPU, The Phenom II X4 is a 125w CPU.

I went with a Biostar Motherboard instead.

And Honestly I trust them more then MSI, My Current system and My last build both had Biostars, never had a problem with them. One thing to consider though, that is an AM3 only board. So Its non upgradable, but in 2 years I highly doubt anything you buy now will be upgradable anymore. Since its looking like The Intel 1155 and AM3+ sockets are starting to faze out here soon, anyway.

Speaking of which, I built her entire system for 440(410 after MIR), Minus Hard drive and case, She sent me the Model Number off her current pc, and I was able to see what parts still work. (It was a Compaq something or other)

Edit The AM3+ version of the board is 10 dollars more

Edited, Mar 18th 2013 6:29pm by BeanX
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#23 Mar 18 2013 at 8:29 PM Rating: Good
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For the record I have personally had zero problems with MSi mainboards, but make sure what you buy is rated high enough for your CPU.
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#24 Mar 19 2013 at 12:26 AM Rating: Good
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BeanX the Irrelevant wrote:
Did some more digging around, DO NOT go with the motherboard I linked you. Its only rated for a 95w CPU, The Phenom II X4 is a 125w CPU.
Glad you caught that. I would have been all lost and confused in a couple weeks. Smiley: laugh
#25 Mar 19 2013 at 12:36 AM Rating: Good
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Yeah sorry about that. Its unusual for a motherboard to be that way. Thats the first in my time seeing it.
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#26 Mar 25 2013 at 7:29 AM Rating: Good
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Through my new job I can get upgrade keys for any of the modern OSs for dirt cheap. Unfortunately, there's not a single standard product, so there's no way I know of to use them on the actual rig...
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