$500 Gaming PC (2015)
Note: Prices change often, so I will try to update it as much as possible if there is any significant change in price.
Each year, the leading computer hardware manufacturers unveil their groundbreaking, top tier graphics cards and CPUs, but what does this mean for those can't afford these top of the line, high performance beasts? Prices. As these new models are released, you get to benefit from significant price drops of the more affordable, yet powerful hardware. This build is a beast of a machine for the price, and would have been significantly more only a year ago. I personally have built this PC for others, and it performs extremely well for its price range, able to play the latest titles at high graphics settings, most above 60 fps. Complete PCPartPicker list here.
CPU:
The AMD FX-6300 is a great, budget processor. Boasting 6 cores, it will handle multi tasking no-problem, and help crank out those frames in cpu-intensive games. These also overclock very well after purchasing an aftermarket cooler, something I highly reccomend as an affordable upgrade. Bonus: This build has several red components, and everything is relatively color-neutral, so it won't look too shabby either.
Buy it here
Graphics Card:
This year, for a very affordable $159, you can pick yourself up an Nvidia GTX 660. Based on the Kepler architecture, it is a one of the most popular, mid ranged cards and can run any decently optimized game you throw at it. I have had lots of previous experience with this card, and paired with the FX-6300, it could crank out a 60 fps+ on Battlefield 4, high settings, without anti aliasing. The Asus Direct CU II cooler is excellent, keeping it at a silent ~60℃ playing games. It is a personal favourite as a value card, and is a steal for its current price.
Buy it here
CPU Cooler:
To keep the price as close to $500 as possible, we will be using the stock CPU cooler. If you would like a quieter PC, (it will be the loudest component in this build) want to overclock, or just want better temperatures, I highly recommend upgrading to an aftermarket cooler. For $30, you cannot go wrong with the ever so popular Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo. It has amazing performance for its price, and is an overall great cooler. Don't believe me? Read the reviews.
Buy it here
Motherboard:
The Biostar TA-970 has no fancy plethora of features, like others marketed as "gaming" motherboards, but it does do one thing well; offer a solid, basic motherboard at a low price. Bonus: It also doesn't look to bad, and will complimentt he rest of the red components in this build.
Buy it here
RAM:
The ram sticks are the A-Data XPG V1. 8GB in a 2x 4gb configuration. There isn't much to say other than it offers good performance for the price, and for such cheap ram, it comes in a variety of colors and will look great on your motherboard.
Buy it here
Storage:
You can't go wrong with WD's Blue 1TB HD. It is the #1 best seller for internal hard drives on Amazon, and leaves you with plenty of space and good speeds.
Buy it here
Case and PSU:
Corsair is well known for their quality cases, and with the new Spec series of cases, have entered budget cases. The Spec-01 is a great all around case, and offers great value for its build quality, and looks great with a side panel window to show off your sexy new hardware. The Antec VP-450 power supply leaves you with plenty of extra wattage for later upgrades, great quality and reliability.
Buy the case here
Buy the PSU here
The Total Price: $507.92
View the list here on PCPartPicker
Buy an OS cheap here
What is PCPartpicker?
PCPartPicker allows you to create your own builds, giving you the price and cheapest retailer to buy them from. it also automatically checks for incompatibilities and is a great resource for creating parts lists. pcpartpicker.com
Each year, the leading computer hardware manufacturers unveil their groundbreaking, top tier graphics cards and CPUs, but what does this mean for those can't afford these top of the line, high performance beasts? Prices. As these new models are released, you get to benefit from significant price drops of the more affordable, yet powerful hardware. This build is a beast of a machine for the price, and would have been significantly more only a year ago. I personally have built this PC for others, and it performs extremely well for its price range, able to play the latest titles at high graphics settings, most above 60 fps. Complete PCPartPicker list here.
CPU:
The AMD FX-6300 is a great, budget processor. Boasting 6 cores, it will handle multi tasking no-problem, and help crank out those frames in cpu-intensive games. These also overclock very well after purchasing an aftermarket cooler, something I highly reccomend as an affordable upgrade. Bonus: This build has several red components, and everything is relatively color-neutral, so it won't look too shabby either.
Buy it here
Graphics Card:
This year, for a very affordable $159, you can pick yourself up an Nvidia GTX 660. Based on the Kepler architecture, it is a one of the most popular, mid ranged cards and can run any decently optimized game you throw at it. I have had lots of previous experience with this card, and paired with the FX-6300, it could crank out a 60 fps+ on Battlefield 4, high settings, without anti aliasing. The Asus Direct CU II cooler is excellent, keeping it at a silent ~60℃ playing games. It is a personal favourite as a value card, and is a steal for its current price.
Buy it here
CPU Cooler:
To keep the price as close to $500 as possible, we will be using the stock CPU cooler. If you would like a quieter PC, (it will be the loudest component in this build) want to overclock, or just want better temperatures, I highly recommend upgrading to an aftermarket cooler. For $30, you cannot go wrong with the ever so popular Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo. It has amazing performance for its price, and is an overall great cooler. Don't believe me? Read the reviews.
Buy it here
Motherboard:
The Biostar TA-970 has no fancy plethora of features, like others marketed as "gaming" motherboards, but it does do one thing well; offer a solid, basic motherboard at a low price. Bonus: It also doesn't look to bad, and will complimentt he rest of the red components in this build.
Buy it here
RAM:
The ram sticks are the A-Data XPG V1. 8GB in a 2x 4gb configuration. There isn't much to say other than it offers good performance for the price, and for such cheap ram, it comes in a variety of colors and will look great on your motherboard.
Buy it here
Storage:
You can't go wrong with WD's Blue 1TB HD. It is the #1 best seller for internal hard drives on Amazon, and leaves you with plenty of space and good speeds.
Buy it here
Case and PSU:
Corsair is well known for their quality cases, and with the new Spec series of cases, have entered budget cases. The Spec-01 is a great all around case, and offers great value for its build quality, and looks great with a side panel window to show off your sexy new hardware. The Antec VP-450 power supply leaves you with plenty of extra wattage for later upgrades, great quality and reliability.
Buy the case here
Buy the PSU here
The Total Price: $507.92
View the list here on PCPartPicker
Buy an OS cheap here
What is PCPartpicker?
PCPartPicker allows you to create your own builds, giving you the price and cheapest retailer to buy them from. it also automatically checks for incompatibilities and is a great resource for creating parts lists. pcpartpicker.com
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