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    Sunnywootxp's Avatar
    Sunnywootxp Posts: 103, Reputation: -2
    Junior Member
     
    #1

    May 14, 2008, 09:11 PM
    For $500 how can I build the best PC for gaming?
    Hi everyone

    I only have $500 right now so I want to build a PC can anybody list down all the items that need to build a good PC for $500 and also for gaming...

    Thanks a lot!
    friend4u178's Avatar
    friend4u178 Posts: 3,349, Reputation: 1584
    Ultra Member
     
    #2

    May 14, 2008, 09:24 PM
    This link may be helpful.

    Good luck!

    Build a PC
    KnowkOnWood's Avatar
    KnowkOnWood Posts: 22, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #3

    May 15, 2008, 01:50 PM
    Also I found that the website newegg is a good source for buying good hardware for a good price
    Scorch76's Avatar
    Scorch76 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #4

    May 15, 2008, 02:19 PM
    For $500 you will be hardpressed to build an adequate gaming rig. Motherboard,Processor,Video Card and memory will easily eat up that $500.
    Another good site to research parts is ZipZoomFly
    vingogly's Avatar
    vingogly Posts: 718, Reputation: 105
    Senior Member
     
    #5

    May 15, 2008, 03:38 PM
    The only way you're going to build a halfway decent gaming machine for that cheap is to use surplus or reconditioned parts. And that means getting what was state-of-the art a few years ago. If you Google "used pc parts" you'll find a lot of places that sell used parts (most will come from recycled PCs, I suspect).

    The other possibility is to go to auctions and search classified ads/Craig's list for PCs and equipment people are giving away cheap. You might get a decent dell or something that you can "soup up" with more RAM, a used graphics card, etc. that way. A lot of companies will sell older PCs for as low as 25USD when they upgrade their systems. Again, you're going to be getting technology from 3-5 years ago.
    Scleros's Avatar
    Scleros Posts: 2,165, Reputation: 262
    Hardware Expert
     
    #6

    May 15, 2008, 04:46 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Sunnywootxp
    i only have $500 right now...can anybody list down all the items that need to build...
    PC gaming is not for the budget conscious. Have you considered a Xbox?

    Minimum components for an all-new computer with couple year service life:
    MicroATX Chassis/Case
    MicroATX Motherboard - AMD or Intel processor compatible, with PCI-Express x16 slot, and SATA drive interface
    Processor (+heatsink) - AMD or Intel, compatible with motherboard, dual core or better, faster = better
    RAM - 1 GB for Windows XP, 2 GB for Windows Vista, compatible with motherboard
    ATX Power Supply - 300 Watt or larger, connectors compatible with motherboard
    SATA Hard Drive - prefer higher RPMs and larger cache vs. capacity
    SATA DVD-Rom Drive
    Video Adapter - PCI-Express x16, 512 MB minimum
    Floppy Drive?
    Mouse
    Keyboard
    Windows XP/Vista License (to be legal)
    LCD Monitor - 17" or larger, 4ms or under

    Comments:
    1. Gaming taxes whole system, you can't really cut corners too many places.
    2. Focus $ on video card, motherboard, and power supply, save elsewhere.
    3. I've had good success with Kingston ValueRAM, Intel and Tyan motherboards, and Intel processors.
    4. I've had various stability and reliability issues with Biostar and Asus motherboards.
    5. I've had a Gigabyte motherboard catch on fire when a capacitor failed.
    6. If you purchase processor and processor heat sink separately, don't skimp $ on heatsink.
    vingogly's Avatar
    vingogly Posts: 718, Reputation: 105
    Senior Member
     
    #7

    May 15, 2008, 05:57 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Scleros
    PC gaming is not for the budget conscious. Have you considered a Xbox?
    I use my Mac for office suite apps related to consulting work and my entrepreneurial ventures, and for work & entertainment on the internet. What games I have there are low-tech games for filling in when I'm bored. It made more sense to me to buy a PS2 for high-powered video games (if I were really into gaming, I'd probably get an Xbox and upgrade to a PS 3). That's in my budget; a high-end Windows gaming PC is not. But then, if I were "serious" about gaming I'd probably find a way to buy a high-end system and make it a priority.

    I think the suggestion to buy an Xbox rather than cobbling together a second-rate gaming box for a few hundred bucks is a great one!
    Sunnywootxp's Avatar
    Sunnywootxp Posts: 103, Reputation: -2
    Junior Member
     
    #8

    May 17, 2008, 05:08 PM
    [QUOTE=Scleros]PC gaming is not for the budget conscious. Have you considered a Xbox?

    I want a xbox but I don't play TV games that much but I rather have Wii instead of Xbox or PS3, Wii feels like I am actually in the game feeling the control of it :)
    Handyman2007's Avatar
    Handyman2007 Posts: 988, Reputation: 73
    Senior Member
     
    #9

    May 17, 2008, 08:46 PM
    Try Web Site Temporarily Down

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