Budget gaming pc

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SY573M

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Budget gaming pc has been updated **

Hi all
Firstly great site and very helpful.

I have a few questions about a budget gaming pc id like to buy, I have a PS3 so I'm not worried about the newest games on the best graphics settings, basically id like to buy a budget gaming pc that wont slow down when I'm running a lot of processes.

I have searched the site and found a few useful threads that I have taken note of, but I'm looking for a few answers.

1. Should I go with amd or intel ?
(I'd prefer quad core and the ability to overclock but probably won't overclock)

2. Should I go with ati or nvidia ? must have HDMI though
(game wise I'm not too worried, for example id like to run GTA: episodes from liberty city on full tilt, bear in mind id add quite a few mods to the game so I don't want slow downs, id also like to run the orange box full tilt as well as Portal 2, and then old school Hitman Blood money full tilt too, that would be easy though) and overclockable too but probably won't. I guess I'm looking at a ddr5 card ??

3. Motherboard not too worried mainly just should I go with usb 3.0 compatibility ?

4. If I go with nvidia for graphics is the 3d package worth it ?

5.I'm going for a full hd 24 inch monitor but I need one that will work with my ps3

6. And lastly I don't want a underpowered pc so what psu should I go for oh and I would like it to bee reasonably quiet ?

I have a month to work out the best budget rig for me so ill go through as many answers as I get to work the best deal and budget rig I can thanks for any help on this

Sorry yes minus the monitor I'm looking at about 4 to 6k max, and I already have a ps3 so Like I said earlier I'm not too worried about the newest games....
 
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we cant give any reasonable recommendations unless you provide a budget amount.
 
I would rather buy an XBox than attempt to ruin the experience of games on a budget rig. Talking from experience and reason why I decided to rather get a PS3 than replace my 7yr old machine with a budget PC.
 
cbrunsdonza said:
I would rather buy an XBox than attempt to ruin the experience of games on a budget rig. Talking from experience and reason why I decided to rather get a PS3 than replace my 7yr old machine with a budget PC.
Click to expand...

+1

Especially if you're used to & want to play fast, action 3D games etc, you need a decent PC. That budget is not going to work. Just a midrange graphics card alone is about 2-3 thousand. Motherboard at least R1500. CPU another 1000 if you go for a really cheap one. PSU not much under a grand for a good one. Can't see it being worth it. You'll end up being disappointed & go back to TV-games.
 
I did not ask for criticism
I asked for help with a choice if anyone read my post I said I have a ps3 so I play my good games on that but I want a better comp than I have at the moment one that can play some of my older games just close this thread
I asked for a choice in products not people telling me its a bad choice I have a crappy laptop that cant play games so I want a faster system that can play a few games oh and btw my crap laptop played hl2 with high settings but I'm not worried about a crazy super gaming pc just one that can play some of my older games
If you can recommend a good card that will run gta episodes from liberty city at reasonably high setting that's what I want or portal 2 on medium settings
 
SY573M said:
I did not ask for criticism
I asked for help with a choice if anyone read my post I said I have a ps3 so I play my good games on that but I want a better comp than I have at the moment one that can play some of my older games just close this thread
I asked for a choice in products not people telling me its a bad choice I have a crappy laptop that cant play games so I want a faster system that can play a few games oh and btw my crap laptop played hl2 with high settings but I'm not worried about a crazy super gaming pc just one that can play some of my older games
If you can recommend a good card that will run gta episodes from liberty city at reasonably high setting that's what I want or portal 2 on medium settings
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What are you looking to spend?
 
See u've provided a 4-6k budget.

* Get ATI Radeon 6850
for example
Get http://www.prophecy.co.za/club3d-radeon-hd6850-gddr5-256bit-pcie-p-86945.html
R2029.88
(f** nvidia they sux them balls)

*Case who cares get the cheapest OEM thing R300 max

*Get a cheap a$$ motherboard with DDR3, what do u wanna do with usb3 charge a high speed vibrator?
Foxconn H55MX-V Socket LGA1156 R 581 incl
http://www.pcint.co.za/components.php

* 4GB DDR3 R400 done what more do u want?

* Get a Gigabyte PSU 700-1000 R700 computer mania

* Take a DVD writer/player from some old pc R(Free)

* HDD 1TB-7200RPM 32MB Cache SATA II (Seagate) R 524 incl. (enough for casual porn use aswell as games)

* CPU i5 R1500 pc int

You've spend 6034.88 or less if you have a dealer account somewhere.
Now grab a beer and play every game out there on high and chill, why u stressin? ;)
Also i did all the work for you so pay me!

If you want cheaper skimp on everything except GPU and RAM
 
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With a gaming PC, you don't want to skimp on the cooling of the case, the PSU & the GPU. The GPU is very important in the gaming PC, especially if you want to play games at 1920x1080.
If you skimp on the case & its cooling, then you will decrease the lifespan of your components, and the same goes for a cheap PSU. The effects of a cheap PSU is frightening - so rather stay away from a Gigabyte Odin PSU. Rather get a decent Antec/Corsair PSU. The effects of 70% vs 80% eff PSU on your electricity bill is quite low, but if the PSU doesn't have power factor correction and has a low efficiency, then it could drastically change the required UPS (uninterruptable power supply) size. It's best if you can get reviews on the specific PSU before you go out and buy it. If you can't find a review for that brand & PSU series (better if you can get for the specific model though), then I'd suggest that you avoid it at all costs.
There are some games that requires a decent CPU too, like CoD:BO and BF:BC2.

PCInt.co.za has amazing prices on CPU's and motherboards, but I really won't buy a case, PSU or graphics card from them.

I'd recommend the following:
GPU: HD 6850 ~ R1800 (from WootWare)
RAM: 2x 2GB DDR3 1333MHz ~ R450
CPU: Intel Core i5 2300 ~ R1500 / Intel Core i3 540 ~ R1000
M/B: Intel H67 chipset ~ R1000 / Cheap H55 chipset ~ R600 - R800
HDD: 1TB ~ R550
PSU: Antec/Corsair 450-550W ~ R600-R700
Case: Coolermaster RC 310/ Elite 430 ~R340 / R430
^^ These prices incl VAT, but excl shipping. You can find these components at either PCInt/WootWare/Prophecy Shop (and most likely at other online PC shops too).
The performance difference between this Sandy Bridge i5 and the older generation i3 540 is immense, but in most games you might not even notice the difference, especially at 1920x1080 resolutions.

A decent 450W PSU is more than enough for an HD 6850 + Intel Core i5/AMD X4-X6 CPU, while allowing for overclocking too.
 
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I like my builds rough and hillbilly they have more character that way. Like a black case with a old dirty white dvd rom. Never had any component failure due to cooling seeing as my cases are always open, matter of fact i dont even know where the side panels are. Also take a case from some old pc. They look run-in and they are FREE very nice and more desirable i feel

Sent from my HTC Desire
 
Vegeta said:
I like my builds rough and hillbilly they have more character that way. Like a black case with a old dirty white dvd rom. Never had any component failure due to cooling seeing as my cases are always open, matter of fact i dont even know where the side panels are. Also take a case from some old pc. They look run-in and they are FREE very nice and more desirable i feel

Sent from my HTC Desire
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Corsair CX430 at R450 would do it. Anything else is overkill, especially "700 - 1000"...

Case is important. Don't buy OEM cr@p. Get at the minimum a Cooler Master Elite 310.
 
PostmanPot said:
Corsair CX430 at R450 would do it. Anything else is overkill, especially "700 - 1000"...
Case is important. Don't buy OEM cr@p. Get at the minimum a Cooler Master Elite 310.
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Agreed the Corsair is perfect for his build.
Get the Cooler Master and throw away the side panels... or just build the darn PC on the table without any case, if its gonna stay there why not? Maybe use the motherboard box as the bottom. Done it plenty of times works great or maybe put a plastic crate over it if you don't want anyone to fiddle, stick the crate down with some tape. Cases don't increase fps!
 
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Vegeta said:
Agreed the Corsair is perfect for his build.
Get the Cooler Master and throw away the side panels... or just build the darn PC on the table without any case, if its gonna stay there why not? Maybe use the motherboard box as the bottom. Done it plenty of times works great or maybe put a plastic crate over it if you don't want anyone to fiddle, stick the crate down with some tape.
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I believe in side panels, helps create the negative pressure so fresh air flows over motherboard/other parts' components and hot air leaves. I could be wrong. :) :p
 
PostmanPot said:
I believe in side panels, helps create the negative pressure so fresh air flows over motherboard/other parts' components and hot air leaves. I could be wrong. :) :p
Click to expand...
Fine let him have his girly trimmings :D
 
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