Need a gaming computer for $400

lucasbytegenius

lucasbytegenius

Well-Known Member
Well, my mom wants to buy this crappy machine at WalMart: http://www.walmart.com/ip/eMachines-1TB-PV.NCW02.001/16608491
...for me, to play games on and do my schoolwork and all that fun.
Since I don't like the thing and I know you could probably build something better yourself for that price, could someone come up with a list of parts that would make a decent gaming computer for $400? Thanks.

The games I plan on running are TF2 and other Valve games, Minecraft, AOE3, AOEO, and possibly other games as I find them.

Thanks.
 
$400 is cutting it...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128521
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103652
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161378
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827100067
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026

Total: $498

That is not including the OS. Can you salvage a hard drive from an old computer? Prices are crazy high right now.

You may benefit from getting an APU from AMD, the CPUs with decent graphics inside. Can you get anymore money than that? Maybe contribute a little from yourself?

APU MoBo and CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103994 - $120 with promo code
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128518

That would cut out about $65 from the build.
 
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Alright, well I have several hard drives here, so that won't be an issue. I could settle for 4 GB of RAM as well, and I'll find a cheaper case. Thanks :)
 
lucasbytegenius said:
Alright, well I have several hard drives here, so that won't be an issue. I could settle for 4 GB of RAM as well, and I'll find a cheaper case. Thanks :)
Click to expand...

If you go with the build Claptonman suggested, be sure you note that the AMD CPU listed is OEM, and you'll need to buy an aftermarket cooler.

The build he suggested is actually very close to something I am building now, minus the video card, slightly different mobo, and different case. Good build.

Also, I noticed that the computer you posted a link to comes with a monitor. Is that something you need as part of the $400?
 
for the ram part you mentioned, i think all 4gb's are around 20 or more so i'd def spend 10 bucks to double up on it.
 
lucasbytegenius said:
Alright, well I have several hard drives here, so that won't be an issue. I could settle for 4 GB of RAM as well, and I'll find a cheaper case. Thanks :)
Click to expand...

Like Jonny said, RAM is dirt cheap right now.

Here's the cheapest 4GB of 1600 RAM:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148419

And here's the one I listed:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

$3 difference. :)

Its a pretty cheap case as is. Just find one with cable management.
 
wow! feel entitled much? :rolleyes:

why don't you put all the money you're going to spend on games and put it towards a better machine?
or better yet, get a job and buy your own computer!

if i was your mom, i wouldn't buy you a damned thing.
 
actually, looks to me like the system your mom wants to buy your is more than capable of running any of those games at or near max settings. the AOE games are nearly a decade old now, and minecraft hardly has demanding system requirements. the only one you might not be able to max settings on would be TF2, but that's not extremely graphically demanding either. instead of insulting your mom buy sticking your nose up at what she's offering to give you, why don't you take a look at if you even need more.
 
claptonman said:
Like Jonny said, RAM is dirt cheap right now.

Here's the cheapest 4GB of 1600 RAM:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148419

And here's the one I listed:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

$3 difference. :)

Its a pretty cheap case as is. Just find one with cable management.
Click to expand...
Oh, I see, thanks :)
zombine210 said:
wow! feel entitled much? :rolleyes:

why don't you put all the money you're going to spend on games and put it towards a better machine?
or better yet, get a job and buy your own computer!

if i was your mom, i wouldn't buy you a damned thing.
Click to expand...
Excuse me? I have already bought all my games over the past year or so.
Also, my mom is preventing my from getting a job due to education. Stupid I know, but if I could get a job, I would, and I would get myself a better machine with my own money.
You really need to mind your own business, buddy, and stay with the topic.
jd10013 said:
actually, looks to me like the system your mom wants to buy your is more than capable of running any of those games at or near max settings. the AOE games are nearly a decade old now, and minecraft hardly has demanding system requirements. the only one you might not be able to max settings on would be TF2, but that's not extremely graphically demanding either. instead of insulting your mom buy sticking your nose up at what she's offering to give you, why don't you take a look at if you even need more.
Click to expand...

I don't like the GPU, but it looks like it has a PCIe slot. The problem is I don't want to be stuck with a slim for a while, I've heard horror tales of trying to upgrade them.
And AOE3 is certainly not a decade old, and AOEO was released in August.

Also, mind your own business as well, buddy. My mom is not offended at all and is perfectly fine with it as long as it meets the budget. Stay on topic.
 
Unbelievable :(

Hi Lucas. Hi Lucas' mom:)
A new pc for christmas, wtg !
Here's a little input for your thread. I'm hoping rebates will be ok to consider.
Still a nice board. Altho AM3, there's an AM3+ bios if you go there at some point. Has x8/x8 and the 4290 for back-up or as is. I think the listed games are good with 4290 (and you'll know more about your games that than me) but it seems like you want dedicated right now.
ASUS M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 AM3 AMD 890GX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
Another possible consideration.
MSI 970A-G45 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

PCP&C 600w. 46-12v amps, 80+ Bronze, Modular. Promo + rebate on the ps and vc.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.788688
Here it is with an A II x3.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.788688

Obviously I only looked at NE but it's not the only store in town. And NE doesn't have any AMD cpu's on one of their usual sales atm, which could save around $15.

These have free shipping. Maybe you already have one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007589%2050001077&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=5%7C27-136-240%5E27-136-240-TS%2C27-118-067%5Eicn_ironegg_overlay%23%2C27-106-333%5E27-106-333-TS%2C27-151-252%5E27-151-252-TS

EDIT:
$412
MSI 970A-G45 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

AMD Phenom II X4 960T Zosma 3.0GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor HD96ZTWFGRBOX + AS5

SAPPHIRE 100328L Radeon HD 6770 1GB GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card + PS

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm ...
 
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