Budget Gaming Build

[ChuckleBrother]

Not at all my style but my buddy at work wants a budget, $800 is the rough cap, gaming machine. i5 is an option though it breaks the bank by about $100, so I want a weigh in: is it even worth it or would I be better off setting him up with a higher clocked dual core?

On that note, recommend some hardware please, I'm way out of the loop

[jcmaz]

AMD 720
Gigabyte 770T
Some DDR3 Ram
NZXT Gamma/Beta/ YOUR CHOICE
Random DVD Drive
WD 640 Black
Video card depends on Resolution

[Raserei408]

Originally Posted by jcmaz

AMD 720
Gigabyte 770T
Some DDR3 Ram
NZXT Gamma/Beta/ YOUR CHOICE
Random DVD Drive
WD 640 Black
Video card depends on Resolution

Looks solid, though I'd recommend a 790X motherboard, maybe the MA790X-UD4P or the M4A79XTD EVO. Also, I might swap the HDD for a 1TB Barracuda 7200.12 (they fixed the firmware issues in the .11s). Also, you forgot the PSU. I'd say either the Corsair TX750 or the TX650 depending on the GPU (650 for 5770 or less, 750 for 5850 or more. I'll assume you're using a 5xxx card). Not that the 650 couldn't handle more, it just doesn't have the appropriate connections for Xfiring.

[Bond007]

Originally Posted by jcmaz

AMD 720
Gigabyte 770T
Some DDR3 Ram
NZXT Gamma/Beta/ YOUR CHOICE
Random DVD Drive
WD 640 Black
Video card depends on Resolution

Agreed that that would work. If you want a gaming computer for under $800 then AMD is the way to go. The 770 MOB are great as long as you don't or won't have a need to crossfire, then go for the 790X. If you want a backup onboard graphics, then go for a 785g board. X3 720 or x2 550 are great bang for buck for gaming. Grab an HD 4890 if you want FPS for low cost.

[kfcheung]

go with the core 2 quad setup if u can still find it cheap. But the prices on intel quads are rising =_=

[Raserei408]

Originally Posted by kfcheung

go with the core 2 quad setup if u can still find it cheap. But the prices on intel quads are rising =_=

With all due respect (and I can say this because I have a C2Q) that's a terrible idea.

LGA 775 is on its last legs in the enthusiast sector, but AMD is surprisingly backward- and forward-compatible, so even when AM3 is dead it will likely support AM4 and/or AM4 will support it. Basically, needing a new CPU won't mean a whole new system.

Originally Posted by Bond007

Grab an HD 4890 if you want FPS for low cost.

This depends on the resolution of course, but I'd recommend a 5770 over a 4890. It's a bit slower (only about as good as a 4870) but it's still good and generally $20-$40 cheaper.

[Bond007]

Originally Posted by Raserei408

This depends on the resolution of course, but I'd recommend a 5770 over a 4890. It's a bit slower (only about as good as a 4870) but it's still good and generally $20-$40 cheaper.

Agreed. The 5770 is slower, but has advantages in power consumption, DX11,etc. You can get 4890 pretty cheap when on sale now though and they will give higher FPS. Depends if you want the mid range newer technology or the top of the last gen (that still isn't old by any means) technology.

[ChuckleBrother]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I was looking at the 4890 since they seem to most in supply and would be roughly the same power afaik. I must admit to knowing nothing about AMD, what would be a good dual-core to go with? He wants but doesn't really NEED a quad, I'd rather get him bang for buck than flash without substance.

[jcmaz]

Without a doubt the best AMD dual core is the 550BE, but it is the same price the the 620 Quad...

[Bond007]

AMD chips are pretty linear for what you get per dollar in the low end, so just go through the athlon II/ phenom II line till you find the price you want. Obviously the more you spend the more you get. Phenom II generally are better for gaming because they have l3 cache and the athlon II don't. x2 550 and x3 720 are probably the most popular lower budget gaming CPUs. If you want your computer for other tasks where more cores is better you could go to a athlon II x4 620 or 630. They are slightly worse in games, but faster in CPU heavy tasks.