Building Budget Gaming Computer

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BarkingPup

Member
Budget: Maximum $300-ish

Already have an HDD and OS plus peripherals. If I can I would like to use some of the old cases I have kicking around (ye ol' tan ones). I also have a CRT monitor so the Card doesn't need HD capability.

I don't play high-tech games but I do like my Sims. Sims 2 was a stretch for my laptop, and Sims 3 didn't work at all. I do some video editing and play Sims 3 mostly. Being able to watch Youtube Videos in decent quality would be nice, too.

What I have so far:

Motherboard:
Gigabyte GA-F2A55M

CPU:
AMD A6-5400K

RAM:
Mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3

PSU:
Corsair 430W

I need some suggestions for a Video Card that won't break the bank but will provide decent graphics. Also, I have no idea how to check if some of it will fit in my old cases (should I get out the measuring tape)?
 
spirit

spirit

Moderator
Staff member
Maybe check out the Radeon R7 line (240, 250 or 260). See which one you can afford. Don't expect amazing performance though, because they're relatively low-mid range, but they should be enough to play The Sims 2/3.
 
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BarkingPup

Member
spirit said:
Maybe check out the Radeon R7 line (240, 250 or 260). See which one you can afford. Don't expect amazing performance though, because they're relatively low-mid range, but they should be enough to play The Sims 2/3.
Click to expand...

Low range nowadays is a hundred times better than my current laptop. A mid-range computer is, really, all I want.

For comparison the laptop is an Acer Aspire 5100 bought in 2007. Specs are 1.60 gigahertz AMD Turion 64 X2, 4 GB RAM (Vista OS so less detected), ATI Radeon Xpress 1100. :( It's the highest performer in my collection. Everything else is older.
 
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daisymtc

Active Member
You may need to consider other online retailer. The shipping cost to CA look expensive to me.

Mobo - get something with FM2/FM2+ such that you can upgrade CPU in future.

RAM - personally would go for single stick of 4 GB, such that you got a spare RAM slot for upgrade in future.
 
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BarkingPup

Member
Shipping is always expensive for Canada. That's actually really, really cheap in comparison. So far Newegg.ca has the best selection and prices. Is there somewhere else?

BTW, the $300-ish budget doesn't include the shipping. Just the parts.

Hmmmm, I'll have to take a look. I'm pretty noob to the new tech. I've been working with the old stuff for too long.
 
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BarkingPup

Member
Thanks! ncix.ca has some really cheap prices and I didn't even know it existed! Before I go crazy in building a computer, is the only way to know if stuff will fit in my current cases to measure? Or will it fit regardless, especially with less parts stuffed in it?
 
spirit

spirit

Moderator
Staff member
If you can tell us what form factor the case is (eg mATX or ATX) then that will us what size board your case can support.

If need be, just stick a photo of the case on here. We'll probably be identify the form factor just by looking at the photo.
 
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BarkingPup

Member
According to Wikipedia:

One is 17" tall and has 7 PCI/AGP slots and 3 front slots (floppy is separate). About 7" wide if that helps. So can fit ATX?

The second one is 16.5" high with 7 AGP/PCI slots and 4 front slots with one for floppy. Over 7.5" wide. So a Minitower but may fit an ATX Mobo?

The third is 19.5" high with 7 AGP/PCI slots and 3/4 front slots with a floppy. About 7.5" wide. Pretty big so fit an ATX?

If that isn't enough info I can take pics instead. The first has no stickers or defining marks. The second has a sticker stating "Geared by MSI". The third a sticker "GNW Personal Computers". But otherwise they're classic beige boxes.
 
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BarkingPup

Member
Ummmmm. Windows chose 1024x768 60 Hertz and 32-bit automatically. But it always chooses the lowest. How exactly do you find out? Tinkering?

Just tried it out. Set it at 100 Hertz (keeping it there, much nicer). It goes up to the highest... what is it, 1600x1200 at 100 Hertz no problem. Or do I have to change the Mode on my Graphics card to get the proper rate?
 
PCunicorn

PCunicorn

Active Member
What's so funny?

OP, you can save a fair bit by going used. And just tell us the parts, having to individually click links is a PITA and most aren't even working for me.
 
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BarkingPup

Member
Where would I find them used? I need cheapest shipping as well. Canada shipping is evil.

CPU AMD A6-5400K APU Dual Core Processor Socket FM2 3.6GHZ 1MB 65W Retail Box

Mobo for some reason I can't get the page but Gigabyte F2A88XM-D3H mATX FM2+ A88X DDR3 2PCI-E16 PCI-E1 PCI CrossFire SATA3 HDMI USB3 Motherboard

PSU Corsair CX Series CX500M 500W ATX 12V 80 Plus Bronze Modular Power Supply

RAM Kingston KVR16N11S8/4 4GB DDR3 1600MHz 240PIN DIMM Unbuff CL11 1.5V Gold Memory

GPU XFX Radeon R7 260X 1075MHZ 1GB 6.4GHZ GDDR5 2xDVI HDMI DisplayPort PCI-E Video Card
 
PCunicorn

PCunicorn

Active Member
eBay.

The build looks good. See if you can get a A8 on eBay for a similar price to that A6, also look for RAM too. And, you might try for a 660 used also.

Though, I would get a 650Ti Boost over a 260X if you can't get a 660 and the 650 isn't much more. It's about 15 percent better.
 
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BarkingPup

Member
Hmm. Shipping one item on Ebay equals all the shipping combined for my components from NCIX.ca. Plus if I save money on the component... I make that up in shipping. Canadian eBay is, honestly, a joke. The only reason I head there is a specific bird cage seller and to find old computer parts that I can't buy elsewhere.

The only problem with a 660 is I'd have to change my Mobo. I want to option to upgrade when I have more money and Crossfire/SLI is the easiest GPU upgrade. The Mobo doesn't support SLI.

Just looked up a Geforce 660 and unless I can find one used on Kijiji there is no way that's going on my build. Eeeexpensive.

EDIT: I have two Geforce 560ti's on Kijiji. But... that's not a better card than the r7 260x is it?
 
PCunicorn

PCunicorn

Active Member
A 560Ti will be slightly better (10 percent, maybe a little more), not worth giving up a warranty on the 260X for.Also, no you wouldn't need to change your board for a 660. Why would you think that?

Also what's your PC case?
 
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BarkingPup

Member
I thought SLI and Crossfire were different things and set up on different Mobo's?

Here's my post about the cases I have:

According to Wikipedia:

One is 17" tall and has 7 PCI/AGP slots and 3 front slots (floppy is separate). About 7" wide if that helps. So can fit ATX?

The second one is 16.5" high with 7 AGP/PCI slots and 4 front slots with one for floppy. Over 7.5" wide. So a Minitower but may fit an ATX Mobo?

The third is 19.5" high with 7 AGP/PCI slots and 3/4 front slots with a floppy. About 7.5" wide. Pretty big so fit an ATX?

If that isn't enough info I can take pics instead. The first has no stickers or defining marks. The second has a sticker stating "Geared by MSI". The third a sticker "GNW Personal Computers". But otherwise they're classic beige boxes.
Click to expand...

I think I'm okay for a range of different sizes? Besides super tiny Mobo's or weird configuration PSU's.
 
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