That case looks nice. Cool dude! Have you tested it out yet? Is it out performing your last rig?

Its a very nice case to work in. Tons of room and airflow. I havent really ran any benchmarks on it or stress tested it yet. But ive been running Every game ive played in the last 24 hrs on ultra settings and no real issues, having steady temps for what the card is.

So I'm curious...I haven't been big into PC gaming since I was younger and it was a lot more simple lol.

I'd like to get back into it because there's a shit ton of PC games I want to play...but I'm a complete noob and the options seem overwhelming now.

So basically, is it possible nowadays to build or buy a $400-$600 rig that will ease me back into it?? I'm not looking for a graphically tour de force or anything and honestly I have a lot more interest in smaller indie games, MOBAs, MMOs, RTS', etc.

I know I can always upgrade and improve...just looking for my first step in.

yes.

Do you already have a monitor? Keyboard? mouse?

I have access to all that stuff from my job, can get quality leftover stuff from there.

OK, how about an OS key?

Are you competent enough to load windows from USB? If so, no need for an optical drive.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2LJGpg

can go cheaper, but this will play everything at 1080p at high or max settings, and includes a nice GPU, SSD, and most of all, a bangin processor.

Cool will def check that out...thanks for the help!

Another good source for Windows : https://www.reddit.com/r/microsoftsoftwareswap/

Yes this. I've bought multiple OS keys here from some guy named Sean or 5ean.

Same, and win 7 keys can now be used as direct installation keys for win10

Do what i did and find a cheap business class PC off craigslist. I scored an I5 machine for $200. Pick up a case, RAM, power supply and a video card. You can salvage the Mobo, Processor, RAM, Optical Drive, HD, fans and OS from the donor computer.

Everything will slap together in 30 minutes and now you have a nice gaming machine for $500 or less.

I built a similar machine for work using all new parts rather than a donor computer. The main differences being my work machine has a stronger video card, boots from an SSD instead of a HDD and is liquid cooled (Using that cheap Corsair system). It also cost about $700 more to build.

Are these OEM keys or retail keys?

BTW, Ill be building a new computer soon. Probably in January after Christmas.

Tell me what you think -



CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($273.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X41 106.1 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($159.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($77.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 390 8GB Video Card ($319.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT H440 (Matte Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($108.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1215.79
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-15 14:31 EST-0500

I actually like your case selection. I can't stand the vast majority of cases as they're often garish and look like they were made for a 12 year old. I prefer sleek and understated.

Only thing i would suggest is maybe picking up a 1TB HDD for storage to go with your SSD? I like to keep my SSD clean and use it only to boot the OS and software, while keeping most of my files on the HDD. I think you can pick up a decent 1TB HDD for anywhere between $25-$50.

This is the case i used for my work build. I freaking love this thing. I have the black version for my home build.

http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Chassi...dow/design.htm

Im not a fan of this build for what he's trying to do. The video card is overboard, you can save money by going with an AMD instead of an Intel and the case is ugly as shit.

I already have a 1TB hard drive I bought this summer. It's currently in my computer now. I'll switch it over when I build the new one.

Yeah, going back over it, i still like my method the best, Jerm. I just checked on Craigslist and you can find Slim form factor Business class PC's for $200-$250 all day long, with 3.4GHZ I5's.

They may not be 4460's, but a 3.4GHZ I5, along with every other salvagable part including the OS for $200 is nothing to sneeze at, especially on a budget build. Going that route, you can easily put together a $1,000 PC for $500.

Search CL, find one of those machines, call the guy up and find out exactly which model I5 is in it. Most likely, the processor will be worth almost $200 new, as most I5's seem to fall in that $150-$250 range.

You simply can't beat $200 for an I5, RAM, MoBO, OS, HDD and an Optical drive. And then just buy yourself a PSU, Video Card, Case and some more RAM and throw the rest away.

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/sys/5340254213.html $250
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/sys/5344210987.html $250
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/sys/5349378163.html $150 (older processor)

Just do your due diligence and find out exactly what's in the machine. If you take your time and look thoroughly you can find a diamond in the rough. And with the free Windows 10 upgrades for the OS, you'll be golden.

:clap: Awesome, thanks for the advice!!

Yup, NP, and just as a point of reference, i built my home computer using the method i described and slapped in one of these

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Dual-Link.../dp/B009KUT3D6

Along with another stick of RAM (8gigs) and a Corsair PSU and a nice case (that i linked above) it plays World of Warcraft (you mentioned you want to play MMOS and MOBAS) on Ultra @ 70-120 FPS depending on the environment. I've also played Watch Dogs, Heroes of the Storm, and all 3 BioShock games as well as several others and it runs smooth and doesn't bat an eye.

It may not be as sexy as some of the the builds these guys are doing, or my work PC, but it does its job well and i spent next to nothing on it.

You can always be burned if you buy things from craigslist.

Test if first. CL vs Newegg....at least with CL you can have them turn it on and then look at the system to make sure what they said is in it...is in it...and working.

Newegg will just be DOA.

case is cheap and that i5 is a lot better than even an 8350.

that video card is not overboard for 1080p high/ultra settings. Will not run the most graphically demanding games on ultra, why not just build the thing right?

There's tons of cards that will run 1080 @ High/Ultra for half the price. Remember, he's not asking about the most graphically demanding games @ their highest resolutions. He's asking about a budget friendly rig that will play MMO's/MOBA's. And he's acknowleding that he'll be doing upgrades as he moves along.

He asked for a $500-$600 build, and you gave him one that rings in at nearly $800, and that doesn't even include an OS.

It's like when my customers call me looking to buy performance parts for their classic Ford. In order to give my customer the best service/product, we determine the best Cost/Performance ratio, and listen to what the customer will actually do with the car, vs what he thinks he needs/will do with the car.

Sometimes a customer will call me thinking that he needs to invest in a $3,000 14", 6-Piston brake kit while running a skimpy brake Master Cylinder, when the performance he's looking for can be had with a 12" 4-piston kit and a better Brake booster/master combo, and it'll end up costing him less. We may not make as much money, but the customer will walk away with the results he wanted and he'll be appreciative of the support and information.

That's how i view it at least....

Also guys, I couldnt find the thread for some reason. But what are your handles on Steam? I would like to add you guys if you don't mind having another friend :D

BuckinGaming

All wrong. Any lower GPU is basically going to be 2GB of VRAM.. not gonna cut it for modern games at 1080p.

MMOs are some of the most graphically demanding games out there, ****, even MY rig cant play BDO, Archeage, or other modern MMOs at ultra settings. You put him in a AMD rig with a shitty bargain basement gpu and hes going to be getting 30 fps on medium settings in games he thought he might be able to play. And be pissed off

WOW was made in 2003.. thats a bad benchmark.


Some of the newest MOBAs arent going to run at high/ultra on anything less than a 380. You go out and buy an AMD FX 6300 or 8350, and you have NO upgrade path. None. They are SO far behind in performance its not even funny. At least in the 4XXX series you can have a processor that doesnt already belong in the parts bin in my garage~ At least with the processor I picked, not only do you have an upgrade path, you have a processor that will still be useful years down the road, where the FX series processors are already falling way.. way behind.

And my build was 701 when I built it, prices may have changed, so for 100 bucks more, you get about 100% better value. I would call that smart money. OSes are free if you can snag a key from work, or about 20 bucks if you dont buy retail. VALUE IS KING, and the line is very thin when you are talking gaming PC's. Best to spend a tiny bit extra now, then be disappointed and wanting to upgrade next year, (and you cant because your on a AMD 970 chipset, with nothing ot upgrade too) when you could have been set for 3+ years.

And really.. if you want the best VALUE, then just keep an eye on

www.reddit.com/r/hardwareswap and buy some used parts (especially GPU)

most components you will buy (especially GPUs) will be under warranty still, and PC components have a low failure rate, new or used.

I bought a used 780 about 2 years ago, that failed after about 6 months. Still had 3 + years of EVGA warranty left, and they switched it and my other 780 out for 970s becuase they where out of 780s.

I mean ****, there is a 4670k and 8gb of ram going for 210 bucks on there at this very moment. dat value~

****, even better. If he just wants to play WoW, forget the GPU entirely and use the onboard video on the intel processor (amd FX series dont have onboard video :P) and retain the upgrade path that is possible with the build I made (4790k + sli or crossfire dual GPus possible)

damn im good

Yeah i completely disagree with you. I have no idea why your computer can't run Archeage on Ultra. My wife's computer runs that shit on medium settings and she doesn't even have a graphics card. I run it on Ultra using a computer exactly as i described to Jerm, so that seems silly. You're sitting there telling me what a computer like that can and can't do on a certain game...a game that i have installed and have first hand experience playing with a machine exactly like that i described to Jerm. My experience tells me completely different so you'll never convince me otherwise.

You're completely wrong, 30 FPS on medium settings? That's just a ridiculous assumption.

And to brush off WoW and say something silly like, "That was from 2003" is also ignorant, considering it gets graphical updates and system requirements every xpac. Graphically, WoD is nothing like Vanilla, and Legion will be even more demanding.

Intel Onboard graphics to run WoW on ultra? You serious? Now your just throwing shit at the wall. The MINIMUM system requirements is Intel's HD3000, even the 4000 isn't going to get you anywhere close to Ultra. What in the world are you talking about.

4670K and 8gb of Ram for 210 bucks is an amazing deal

wow can be run with any piece of shit. it couldnt bust a pimple on Archeage or BDOs ass.

Once again, WoW is a shitty benchmark. He didnt say he wants to play WoW, he wants to play MMOs, and they are all coming out graphically intensive.

AS I said, 100 bucks over what he wants tos pend and he has a clear upgrade path that includes SLI/Xfire, beefier/newer processor, and more ram.


You go wth an AMD 970 chipset and you have nowhere to go except more of the same and shitty single thread performance.. to save 60 or 80 bucks? yuk.

Didnt say ultra.. and we are talking about being able to play shitty games and save money int his instance.. not to mention, the 4460 integrated gpu is intel 4600, and is plenty for playing WoW (and other LOW graphically intensive games) on medium/high settings while saving a couple dollars to go to a discrete GPU down the road, with a powerful upgrade path.

http://media.bestofmicro.com/J/N/386...al/wow-avg.png

Also I think you and I have different ideas of what 'running; something is.

Running something is constant 60fps, no dips, no bullshit.

And I also like who you are mad I suggested an i5 while you are suggesting the same exact thing. You want him to save money by going used, and im OK with that, but that doesnt make the NEW build i put forth any less viable.

Recycling a shitty office PC DOES have it merits, but if you want a true upgrade path, you need a viable motherboard.

Yes, WoW can be ran on any PoS, but certainly not on Ultra with a decent frame rate. You keep talking out of your ass with that WoW thing. It's not 2003 anymore. And the same $500 PC that i run WoW with also runs LoL, Heroes and Archage...on Ultra. I haven't tried it on Final Fantasy yet.

Here, instead of talking about it, I'll simply show you what to expect with my suggested Budget method.

This is a 3.4GHZ I5 from a business class PC, i'll get the exact model when i get home. 8 Gigs of Ram and iirc, an EVGA 650 T.I. The monitor is a Samsung 24" 1080 Monitor.

I am playing WoW in a 20 man raid environment at maximum settings while running recording software, Spotify and Mumble (VoIP) in the background. In this video im getting about 40+ FPS. At the start of the encounter, it dips down to 35+ FPS because i had just tabbed in and hit record, you'll see the FPS start climb as it settles in. Generally, w/o recording, it scoots along at 60 FPS+ in a raid, and hangs out in 80+ in standard solo stuff.

No need to talk about it anymore, here is a budget computer done for $500 for you to see in action.

And yes, it plays Archage on Ultra as well. This is what 40 FPS looks like when gaming. If i were to tell you it were 60FPS, you wouldn't even be able to tell the difference.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uCP5xAXIMto" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

i've been suggesting an I5 for the longest....i said if you're going NEW, then an AMD is an option.

My work computer has a 8350 in it. I didn't buy it for gaming, i agree i woulda gone with a high end I5 or I7 for that. However, this computer with an 8350 is no slouch either and out performs my home PC. If i ever install recording software and have the time to game on it real fast, I'll prove it.

And no one is mad, calm your tits. Fact is, he asked for a $500 build and you you gave him an $800 build. That's waaay overshooting the requested budget.

he asked for a 600 dollar build and I gave him a 700 dollar one that has far more VALUE by spending a couple extra bucks.

So wow can be played on ultra with a 650ti.. like I said.. piece of shit not comparable to modern MMOs. ANd yes i can 100% absolutely tell the difference. I live eat sleep breathe PC performance~

Oh, as for upgrade path, recycled office PC has none unless its a 4x series, and it will be a more expensive upgrade path down the road because you will have to do your motherboard too, so yes its less money up front, but less performance, less value, and more on the back end.

Doing it right the first time, even if you have to spend an extra hundred bucks is the way to go.

$500-$600, and you gave him nearly an $800 Build with about $55 in mail in rebates...and no OS.

Anyway, im not here to argue with you about this.

Jerm, and anyone following along, i posted a video of what to expect with my $500 budget build. If that's acceptable to you, great. If not, then by all means spend the extra cash. But at least you have something to look at rather than just a bunch of theory-crafting.

Yes, you can absolutely put something together stronger than this for more money if that's your goal. If it's not, my post above ^^^^ is an example of what you'd get.

If you can find better parts for a better PC at the same cost, fantastic.

$600 means $600 and, 701 is not 800 dollars. And mail in rebates are how you get cheap shit when you build PCs.

Dont half ass two things my friend, whole ass one thing.

So can Archage....and?

Maybe it won't play a 2015 release title on Ultra....but we're talking about a $500 build ffs. We're talking about going as cheap as a gaming machine can get, and you're putting this lofty requirement on it when that's not what he's asking for.

As far as upgrading goes, yes the MoBO MIGHT need upgrading in the future depending on your desires. Which is why you do your due diligence and find out what's inside before you buy.

And when you're ready to do all that...guess what...it's not a budget build anymore.

$600 is the high end of a requested $500-$600 build, no idea where you got the 701 from as your build was something like $775...cash in hand with no OS..and a "we'll pay you back later" rebate.

It's ok man, there's other ways to skin a cat and you don't need to overshoot a build to prove your knowledge.

Just fit what he's requesting and stop trying to give extra shit that isn't needed that costs more $$$.

Sure an $800 build can do this and that....but why go cheap when you can do a $1,000 build?

We can keep rationalizing it like that all day long, but that's not what was requested.

It's like when people ask my customers, "How come you only bought the 6 Cyl when you coulda had the 8?" ......Uhhh...because the 6 was all he could afford at the time?

lol archeage cannot be played on ultra with a 650ti :(

Not putting the requirement on it, I said that the 701 dollar build I made WILL do this shit to start with, and has a clear upgrade path.

VALUE VALUE VALUE.

You can get double the performance for 15% more money. Why wouldnt you do that?

Cheaper does not automatically mean better EVEN when talking about a tier 0 gaming PC.

701 after rebates. Prices on PC part picker change constantly so it may have went back up a couple bucks.

Not to mention, you are talking about using USED parts or dropping even more performance to fit under the budget.

I recommend using used parts for my build too, can likely get it to close to 500.

Alright, I'll re-install that shit game and prove it to you. You're dead wrong man, LMAO.

Look, i believe you that you know your shit, but that doesn't mean you're right about everything. Had i not played Archage on ultra myself, i'd be inclined to believe you. But there's nothing you can say to convince me otherwise as i've actually DONE it. Lol.

Then you should do that. If you can build something better with used parts than what i posted, that would probably help Jerm substantially, since the name of the game is to build the best $500-$600 PC money can buy.

Like you said, you found a slick processor and RAM for $210. Where to find that kinda stuff is good info.

https://pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/

here ya go, browsing r/hardwareswap and ONLY getting the processor and GPU, and you have a similar build for 500 bucks. Those 2 prices are current, shipped prices posted within the last day. COuld do even better if you where patient.

Compared to my last build, it has a 500w psu (the 600w went back up) and a 280x instead of a 380 (roughly same GPU power) and you can spend another 100 bucks in a month to crossfire it.

Its a lot easier with used parts~

LMAO yeah that sums up how i feel right now.

oh and once again https://www.reddit.com/r/microsoftsoftwareswap/ $20 OS

Your just mad cause im Kip

lol

Whoever was asking in the first place, ignore the last 50 posts in this thread. Just buy a $3000 PC like me and you'll be set for a whole year at least before you need to upgrade.

I have had great luck with that on ebay. I have bought many coming off lease for my parents or the family business. The windows key alone is worth it. I have only had one DOA so far but it was an easy return with ebays guarantee. I am not sure if it would work as well for what your saying but i wouldnt be surprised.

all in one pc for the 14 year old...
 

he wants a desktop, but wouldnt use half of it. its for gaming, more so steam. i cant justify a 1200 desktop.

advice on this product:

http://www.arc.com.au/product/57884

http://www.arc.com.au/image.php?12939/208/image.jpg

.. whats he going to game on it? Solitaire? That thing is going to be a turd on any game. And when I mean a turd, I mean a frustratingly slow POS on games that it can run, which will be a far shorter list than games that wouldnt even begin to run on it.

Its a laptop in a media center case.

For that money you could build an actually decent desktop.

aussie dollars.

that said, this was the type of info i was looking for. had never seen a product like this. to boot, it was adverted as a gaming 'console'. cheers

Oh hell no. Its a mobile processor/ram/motherboard etc.. as I said, essentially a laptop in a form factor desktop case.

And Aussie dollars yea everything is way overpriced there even when looking at conversion rate.

we have built our last three desktops (all from arc pc's), all work great, and i am probably overblowing the 1200, but i know it wont be cheap. just happened to notice this product under the all in one settings.

am just getting hung up on the fact we need a new roof and everyone thinks they need a new pc or phone. sooner or later im gonna throw the gauntlet down. probably about a week after the last kid moves out. if i have to stop drinking my beers just to get a new roof, im gonna be pissed (ya see that :D).

sorry for the requote, but a mate of ours came by, same guy that helps us build our pc's (i have backed off custom builds the last three years as all i do pc wise is basics) and he said the same thing: that product is shit.

that said, hes got some retread parts hes going to help us build the boy a pc, without leapfrogging the older brothers pc tech.

Thats the spirit!

okay, so just got back from penrith, and arc computers :D

ended up getting a complete build for 800 bucks. our pc friend bundled the pieces we needed on paper, and off we went.

this satisfies all requirements: this is our boys birthday/christmas gift. i am happy his pc is not better than the older boys, and was under a 1000. if you want, i can post the component list later. plus while i was down there, i got me my bags of hickory chunks. so its a win win. :D

Good deal man, now both you and him can shitpost with the best of them!

I just upgraded my rig with an 1080 MSI seahawk took out the 660 ti .Running gears of war 4 with all the candy turned up this weekend, (The game came with the card).Cant wait to play bf 1 next week.

http://www.guru3d.com/index.php?ct=a...=file&id=23155

Congrats on the new baby!

Indeed it is a beast mode card , thx . I got a new monitor too Running games at 100 HZ is a lot more fluid and satisfying than 60Hz was. Just got back to the PC master race after a long xbox one run.

nice, whats it paired with?

I5, Velociraptor hard drive ssd combo, 16 g patriot memory .

well duh

Congrats, man. Enjoy the hell out of it. :D

My PSU died last week, only to get one DOA upon RMA today. Thanks EVGA. Just had to get that off of my chest.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO im in the first stages of planning a new build.. going to do this in jan/feb

The 7700k is not out yet, but I plan to use that as my processor, which will raise the price about 40 bucks. Depending on how GPU prices go, I might do a couple of 1080s. Rest of the stuff should remain basically the same.

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/gcxL4C

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($328.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ Corsair)
Motherboard: ASRock Z170 Extreme6+ ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($184.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($175.90 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial MX300 525GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial MX300 525GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 1080 8GB ROG STRIX Video Card ($638.89 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair Air 540 ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair RMx 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1828.72
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-17 21:49 EST-0500


Any critiques?

Ballin

That's a great build, bro.

No HDD for media?

Also, is the Strix premium worth it? It may be, I actually don't know. I'm asking, not questioning. :)

Also, you may want to look at a full tower by NZXT. They make them cheap but the drop in quality is actually pretty minimal. Great bang for the buck.

Overall, considering everything you're getting, this an amazing deal.

I built a 6600K/1070 tower back in July (actually have the same MB as you have listed) with a recycled PS from my existing tower and it was like $1250. Considering how much more beastly yours will be + liquid cooling, the value is undeniable. Great build, IMO.

If i go full tower it will be the 700D. Not having anything gaudy and I hate my HAF X.

the ROG strix has a higher clock speed for a couple dollars more than comparable cards. I would also look at EVGA FTW cards and more. I mean Im talking like 10 bucks more and i wont OC the GPU.

Processor on the other hand we gonna get as nasty as possible and I am using the sandy bridge-e version of the old extreme 6 already and they are just the best. Love my ASRock

As for HDD.. I dont store really anything on my PCs. I have gigabit internet and just leave everything in cloud storage and use it and delete it as needed.

My current PC has half as much SSD space and the HDD sits with somewhere around 100gb space used out of 1tb.. I just dont use HDD space I dunno lol.

If I need it, I can add an HDD no problem.

I have the Source 530. It's not sleek by any means and it's sure as **** not gaudy, I hate that shit too. I'm more of a utilitarian type of guy anyway. Cable management was a breeze, it's roomy as **** and was super easy to work with. It's not extremely quiet but they do put rubber in places that matter to reduce the decibels as much possible. I also use pretty silent fans with it so it's never an issue for me.

Anyway, it's just a case. Not a big deal.

I OCed my 6600K to 4.3 with ****ing ease. And it's all air cooled too. Never gets hot. But then again, I don't think I do anything CPU heavy to push it anyway.

Yea I have been looking at the leaked 7700k stuff.. im thinking im gonna try for 5.0~