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New budget gaming computer

JimOfAllTrades

Master Poster
JimOfAllTrades
Joined
Aug 29, 2011
Messages
2,134
I'm looking for a budget gaming computer. I'd like to stick to around $500, if possible. I realize I may be up in the night, but that's why I'm here to ask.

I want to get a new system for my son. I think a desktop system as opposed to a laptop, only because it used to be the case you always got more functionally for a given price in a desktop. But if that's not the case, laptop is fine. I have a half decent monitor, but it's VGA input. In fact I have a couple of those if having two monitors is useful for gaming and a budget computer can drive two. I also have a slightly larger one (24" I think) that's HDMI, but I'd rather use the VGA monitor(s) for this if possible. He also a 35" or 40" TV with an HDMI input if that can be used.

I know a budget system isn't going to play all the latest games at 120 FPS (or whatever is considered fast these days). But right now he can't play much of anything except one the old MMORPGS that just has a free server left over from its heyday.

So, any suggestions, or is $500 just not going to do it?


Possibly irrelevant note: I've built over a hundred PCs from parts, but it's been well over a decade since I've done any more than replace a hard drive or reseat a memory module. And it's been over 30 years since I played any video game more complicated than King's Quest. So I'm completely ignorant of what is needed, or even available, for a system that can play modern games. But I think I'm still familiar with at least most the jargon.
 
$500 will get you something that works. Ideally, you pick components in a way that you can upgrade later.

Check Reddit. They have multiple threads where people discuss this ad infinitum.
A very quick search got me this, which look okay at first glance:

Loading…

pcpartpicker.com

I suggest you look some more. search terms are variations of "buildpc"
 
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I'll look at that, thanks.

eta: I don't have any problem building the system, but that list is probably a little out of my budget. That total listed ($535) doesn't include the SSD, case, or power supply. They're going to be probably another $250 to $300.

Also, I'd need to add a WiFi card, but they're cheap. I guess I don't need anything extra for sound? I'm assuming the CPU/GPU take care of that and mix it into the DisplayPort output?

And it looks like Displayport is the preferred output now. If I'm remembering correctly I can get a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter for a few bucks. Are they ok to use?

However, if those parts would make a decent starter game system, it gives me something to compare against. So it may be quite helpful. And who knows, maybe I can squeeze out an extra $300. But I'd still be interested to see if there's anything worth having closer to the $500 mark.

Thanks again.
 
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Yes. I got my recent upgrade card from eBay when I switched to 11 I sold the old card on eBay to cover some of the cost.

I got my replacement motherboard and processor from eBay as well, again selling the old one to cover part of the cost.
 
Maybe name a game you're thinking of and see what the hive mind would recommend as being able to handle that?

Maybe ask around if anyone is throwing out a dead desktop - likely the case and probably the PSU is still good. Whether the PSU will deliver the power for your graphics card may be an issue.
 
What pixel resolution are the monitors you want to use, that will help define what you need, no need for 4K game playing on a 1920x1080 monitor?
 
I'll check around for used video cards, that's a good idea. Since I'm not looking for the latest and greatest I can maybe find somebody upgrading and get a deal on something a few years old.

Unfortunately I don't know what game to use as a target to play because I'm not at all familiar with games in the last several decades. I wasn't going to ask him because then he'd want to know why and I'm trying to make this a surprise. However, I can talk to his cousin who he games with all the time. And I can try to feel him out about what he might want while, you know, acting casually. :)

The monitors I've got are older so they're not going to particularly high res. I've got a 22" in 16x9 ratio that I think is 1920x1080. I've a couple of 17" 4x3 ratio that are probably 1024x768 but may be 1280x1024. And his TV is a 35" or 40" that says 4K on it.

Oh, and I've remembered I've got a couple of 750 watt power supplies that are about 8 years old but never been used (new old stock, as they say). Is it likely one from that time would work with a new system?

Thanks everyone!
 
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My game pc is far behind the cutting edge and mainly gets used for nodding skyrim so it's running 3d cad and art applications like Blender, Nifskope and Skyrim Creation Kit.
Butut will run Skyrim at 2k resolution with all the graphics options maxed out and about 150 mids running.I aim for around 60 fps
 
Wudang said:
Maybe name a game you're thinking of and see what the hive mind would recommend as being able to handle that?

Maybe ask around if anyone is throwing out a dead desktop - likely the case and probably the PSU is still good. Whether the PSU will deliver the power for your graphics card may be an issue.
Click to expand...

I would like to reinforce this.

When I did my last upgrade, I specifically had to upgrade the power supply to provide enough power for the GPU.

I suspect that the graphics card cost more than $500 though...
 
Andy_Ross said:
My game pc is far behind the cutting edge and mainly gets used for nodding skyrim so it's running 3d cad and art applications like Blender, Nifskope and Skyrim Creation Kit.
Butut will run Skyrim at 2k resolution with all the graphics options maxed out and about 150 mids running.I aim for around 60 fps
Click to expand...

About where does skyrim fit on the "level of equipment needed to run" scale? I've heard of it but never seen it.

Any chance you could take a look at this list of equipment The Great Zaganza posted and see how it compares to what you have?
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/BNGxpK

Or maybe post the specs of your system?

That could give me a kind a ruler to see what level of equipment would be required to run skyrim, and from that possibly extrapolate to other games. (I'm a demanding old bugger, ain't I? :) )
 
JimOfAllTrades said:
Oh, and I've remembered I've got a couple of 750 watt power supplies that are about 8 years old but never been used (new old stock, as they say). Is it likely one from that time would work with a new system?

Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...
Some budget models only had a couple of SATA power connectors, but if you use M.2 for storage, then that's not likely to be a big deal.

You may need an adapter if using one of the newer generation cards with 16-pin power socket instead of the old 6/8-pin affairs.

And it might be wise to invest in a PSU tester to check the voltages.
 
commandlinegamer said:
Some budget models only had a couple of SATA power connectors, but if you use M.2 for storage, then that's not likely to be a big deal.

You may need an adapter if using one of the newer generation cards with 16-pin power socket instead of the old 6/8-pin affairs.

And it might be wise to invest in a PSU tester to check the voltages.
Click to expand...
I'll have to dig them out but as I recall they had at least four SATA connectors, the standard 24 pin motherboard connector with the extra four pin connector, even a couple of old IDE drive power connectors, plus a couple of others I think must have been the 6/8 pin video card connector but I never used on the boxes I was servicing.

Is the 750 watt rating probably ok for a newer system? How much do the video cards use?
 
Since it looks like you are going to be full HD for resolution then the Radeon RX 7600 XT will be fine for running most games, even quite modern ones, should be able to get a good second hand one for around $200. Pair it with a Ryzen 5 5600 or intel core i5-12400f about $80 and 16GB of RAM, and a budget mother board around $50. If you want to give it some additional upgrade headroom, go for the Ryzen CPU and motherboard, AMD kept the same chip set for many generations of its CPUs so you'd be able to drop in a much more powerful CPU without a change to your motherboard, and since they are more efficient than Intel faster CPUs you'll be able to keep the same PSU.
 
Darat said:
Since it looks like you are going to be full HD for resolution then the Radeon RX 7600 XT will be fine for running most games, even quite modern ones, should be able to get a good second hand one for around $200. Pair it with a Ryzen 5 5600 or intel core i5-12400f about $80 and 16GB of RAM, and a budget mother board around $50. If you want to give it some additional upgrade headroom, go for the Ryzen CPU and motherboard, AMD kept the same chip set for many generations of its CPUs so you'd be able to drop in a much more powerful CPU without a change to your motherboard, and since they are more efficient than Intel faster CPUs you'll be able to keep the same PSU.
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Excellent info, thank you very much!
 
Mongrel said:
Zachs Tech Turf has a $550 build on his website, his You Tube channel also has a number of copyable builds using some second hand & Aliexpress components that'll get you more FPS if you're comfortable doing that
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Yeah that's a good suggestion - but I would up the GPU. And why are cases more expensive in the UK in sterling than dollars in the USA - that's annoying.
 
And why do many cases have transparent side? Who want to see the fans spin around? And I see cases that have LEDs on the cables (and other places?). This makes no sense to me. I want the box to be quiet and as unobtrusive as possible. In operation I'm interested in what's on the screen, not flashing lights in box.
 
JimOfAllTrades said:
I'd like to stick to around $500, if possible.
Click to expand...

Why not just get a console? What games do you want to play?

You will absolutely not be able to build any kind of gaming PC that would compete with the newest PS5 or Xbox for that price.

You can get a PS5 where I live for $400-500 and you will not be able to build a gaming PC that will outperform it or even be on par with it for that price.
 
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JimOfAllTrades said:
And why do many cases have transparent side? Who want to see the fans spin around?
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One reason is so you can see when the fans aren't spinning, and can take corrective action immediately. I had some problem fans in my previous computer and being able to keep an eye on them was extremely helpful.
 
Dad_SB_83 said:
Why not just get a console? What games do you want to play?

You will absolutely not be able to build any kind of gaming PC that would compete with the newest PS5 or Xbox for that price.

You can get a PS5 where I live for $400-500 and you will not be able to build a gaming PC that will outperform it for that price.
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My son has a PS4, and he has mentioned a couple of times he has been wanting to switch to a gaming PC. He seems to think it gives more options, such as playing a game with someone else if they don't have the same console.

So I'm just looking at what he mentioned as a preferred choice. But I'm beginning to think it's going to be closer to $800 to get something in a performance range that won't be obsolete very quickly. However some of the suggestions here, along with some second-hand parts are looking very interesting.
 
TragicMonkey said:
One reason is so you can see when the fans aren't spinning, and can take corrective action immediately. I had some problem fans in my previous computer and being able to keep an eye on them was extremely helpful.
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Ok I'll buy that, I guess. But still it seems very distracting. I guess being an old IBM guy, I'm used to the beige or black box. :)
 
JimOfAllTrades said:
And why do many cases have transparent side? Who want to see the fans spin around? And I see cases that have LEDs on the cables (and other places?). This makes no sense to me. I want the box to be quiet and as unobtrusive as possible. In operation I'm interested in what's on the screen, not flashing lights in box.
Click to expand...
My don has a largely transparent case filled with glowing fans, leds on cables, illuminated ram and other such delights.
It sits on his desktop so everyone can see it.
His mouse and keyboard also have flashing snd swirling LED arrays.
 
Andy_Ross said:
My don has a largely transparent case filled with glowing fans, leds on cables, illuminated ram and other such delights.
It sits on his desktop so everyone can see it.
His mouse and keyboard also have flashing snd swirling LED arrays.
Click to expand...
Yep - just like the onion in its day, this is what is fashionable these days with the youngsters. I took the piss so much about my nephews new PC because every component, water cooler, fans, memory modules you name it had LEDs that he's switched them all off.
 
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Darat said:
Yeah that's a good suggestion - but I would up the GPU. And why are cases more expensive in the UK in sterling than dollars in the USA - that's annoying.
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It's fine for the components listed and while there's some upgrade paths AM4 is a, mostly, dead platform.
If Jim can dig up the extra cash then a higher rated PSU would be something to grab but it's one of the issues with working on a tight budget
 
Darat said:
Yep - just like the onion in its day, this is what is fashionable these days with the youngsters. I took the piss so much about my nephews new PC because every component, water cooler, fans, memory modules you name it had LEDs that he's switched them all off.
Click to expand...
Ehhh, they can look good if you take the time to set them up properly but most people just seem to leave them on the "Unicorn vomit" setting.
 
JimOfAllTrades said:
And why do many cases have transparent side? Who want to see the fans spin around? And I see cases that have LEDs on the cables (and other places?). This makes no sense to me. I want the box to be quiet and as unobtrusive as possible. In operation I'm interested in what's on the screen, not flashing lights in box.
Click to expand...
Search "gaming pc" on Amazon. Look at all the glitz trying to attract your eyeballs. It's like cars that have low profile tyres, booming exhausts, cool airfoils etc hiding the fact the engine design goes back to 1950.
 
This is my "budget gaming computer":

www.dell.com

Dell Tower Plus Desktop PC | Dell USA

Shop the Dell Tower Plus featuring powerful performance for creation, multi-tasking and gaming with expandability in an elegant design.
www.dell.com

It's a standard Dell desktop, not one of their specialized gaming systems. But the CPU is water-cooled, and I sprung for a higher-end graphics card. It's fast. It runs quietly, except when I'm playing anything with modern high-end graphics. Then its fans start howling like jet engines. Total cost ~$2k.

In my mind, this represents probably the minimum viable configuration for a modern gaming PC. I paid a premium to have the vendor source and assemble all the components for me, rather than spend my time tracking down discounts on each of them. If your discount-fu is strong, and your time is free, you can probably get something close to this for less than I paid.

However, I'm not sure building a budget gaming PC for someone else is a great idea. If it's not up to snuff, then it's just a white elephant they can't actually use but have to pretend to appreciate because it's a gift. The only way I see it working is if you were in a PC repair or assembly business, and had a lot of high-end components lying around at wholesale or used prices. Then you could consider eating the parts cost and donating your labor, as a gift, but still give your son a high-end gaming system.

I think going the budget DIY route is much more satisfying when it's your own project for yourself. When you know how much PC you want, and you know whether you'll be satisfied with however much PC you can assemble on your budget. Since this is for someone else, I think a better gift would be to work with them to build a PC that fits their specs and their budget - gifting some parts from your budget to round out or level up the build.
 
how much less than 2k?

We might have different definitions of 'budget'
 
Andy_Ross said:
how much less than 2k?
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1.5k less, according to the OP.
Andy_Ross said:
We might have different definitions of 'budget'
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I think we've all got a pretty good idea of what "budget" means. The trouble seems to be the definition of "gaming computer".

Modern AAA games aren't designed to run on budget rigs. And sweet rigs *cost*, in any industry.
 
Wudang said:
Search "gaming pc" on Amazon. Look at all the glitz trying to attract your eyeballs. It's like cars that have low profile tyres, booming exhausts, cool airfoils etc hiding the fact the engine design goes back to 1950.
Click to expand...
Andy_Ross said:
My don has a largely transparent case filled with glowing fans, leds on cables, illuminated ram and other such delights.
It sits on his desktop so everyone can see it.
His mouse and keyboard also have flashing snd swirling LED arrays.
Click to expand...

I know, I've seen some real carnival rigs. I don't have any problem pulling the covers off few months to check for dust bunnies so I may look for a case that is just black.

I am looking at stepping up the video card depending on what I can find, probably used. ATM I'm still looking at a bunch of the stuff linked in the thread, it's been very helpful. Thanks, all other suggestions appreciated!
 
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