• Welcome to TechPowerUp Forums, Guest! Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.

Looking to build a temporary low end gaming computer

goodguys9

New Member
Joined
May 9, 2012
Messages
8 (0.00/day)
I want a low end gaming computer that will last me just this year or so until I buy a much stronger one. I only want to play low end games on this one too, like League of Legends and similar games. This is the best build I could get, cheap and would run what I want. I have absolutely no experience in this though. Do you have suggestions? Will this build work? Will it do what I want? Is there a better/cheaper build to do what I want? Thanks!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($88.88 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Crucial 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($20.99 @ Amazon)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($100.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 550 Ti 1GB Video Card ($122.61 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Cooler Master 460W ATX12V Power Supply ($21.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $518.41
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-05-08 21:56 EDT-0400)
 

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman
Joined
Jul 2, 2007
Messages
40,435 (6.61/day)
Location
Republic of Texas (True Patriot)
System Name PCGOD
Processor AMD FX 8350@ 5.0GHz
Motherboard Asus TUF 990FX Sabertooth R2 2901 Bios
Cooling Scythe Ashura, 2×BitFenix 230mm Spectre Pro LED (Blue,Green), 2x BitFenix 140mm Spectre Pro LED
Memory 16 GB Gskill Ripjaws X 2133 (2400 OC, 10-10-12-20-20, 1T, 1.65V)
Video Card(s) AMD Radeon 290 Sapphire Vapor-X
Storage Samsung 840 Pro 256GB, WD Velociraptor 1TB
Display(s) NEC Multisync LCD 1700V (Display Port Adapter)
Case AeroCool Xpredator Evil Blue Edition
Audio Device(s) Creative Labs Sound Blaster ZxR
Power Supply Seasonic 1250 XM2 Series (XP3)
Mouse Roccat Kone XTD
Keyboard Roccat Ryos MK Pro
Software Windows 7 Pro 64
why not save the money then instead of waste it because you will have diminishing returns on it.

If you were to build a machine id get the best money could buy now which would allow for CPU/Ram/Videocard Upgrades

also what Region do you live in
 

goodguys9

New Member
Joined
May 9, 2012
Messages
8 (0.00/day)
I don't want to save it because I REALLY want to play games now. My current computer is 10 years old. It can't play flash games! So yeah, I want at least a low end one now, and I have a pretty nice job and no real expenses so might as well. :p

As for my region, I live in Canada.
 

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman
Joined
Jul 2, 2007
Messages
40,435 (6.61/day)
Location
Republic of Texas (True Patriot)
System Name PCGOD
Processor AMD FX 8350@ 5.0GHz
Motherboard Asus TUF 990FX Sabertooth R2 2901 Bios
Cooling Scythe Ashura, 2×BitFenix 230mm Spectre Pro LED (Blue,Green), 2x BitFenix 140mm Spectre Pro LED
Memory 16 GB Gskill Ripjaws X 2133 (2400 OC, 10-10-12-20-20, 1T, 1.65V)
Video Card(s) AMD Radeon 290 Sapphire Vapor-X
Storage Samsung 840 Pro 256GB, WD Velociraptor 1TB
Display(s) NEC Multisync LCD 1700V (Display Port Adapter)
Case AeroCool Xpredator Evil Blue Edition
Audio Device(s) Creative Labs Sound Blaster ZxR
Power Supply Seasonic 1250 XM2 Series (XP3)
Mouse Roccat Kone XTD
Keyboard Roccat Ryos MK Pro
Software Windows 7 Pro 64
I don't want to save it because I REALLY want to play games now. My current computer is 10 years old. It can't play flash games! So yeah, I want at least a low end one now, and I have a pretty nice job and no real expenses so might as well. :p

As for my region, I live in Canada.

ok the money you said thats in CAD right?
 

goodguys9

New Member
Joined
May 9, 2012
Messages
8 (0.00/day)
No, that was american actually, woops. CAD is 16 cents more ($518.57). The conversion rate is essentially on par atm. :p
 

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman
Joined
Jul 2, 2007
Messages
40,435 (6.61/day)
Location
Republic of Texas (True Patriot)
System Name PCGOD
Processor AMD FX 8350@ 5.0GHz
Motherboard Asus TUF 990FX Sabertooth R2 2901 Bios
Cooling Scythe Ashura, 2×BitFenix 230mm Spectre Pro LED (Blue,Green), 2x BitFenix 140mm Spectre Pro LED
Memory 16 GB Gskill Ripjaws X 2133 (2400 OC, 10-10-12-20-20, 1T, 1.65V)
Video Card(s) AMD Radeon 290 Sapphire Vapor-X
Storage Samsung 840 Pro 256GB, WD Velociraptor 1TB
Display(s) NEC Multisync LCD 1700V (Display Port Adapter)
Case AeroCool Xpredator Evil Blue Edition
Audio Device(s) Creative Labs Sound Blaster ZxR
Power Supply Seasonic 1250 XM2 Series (XP3)
Mouse Roccat Kone XTD
Keyboard Roccat Ryos MK Pro
Software Windows 7 Pro 64
No, that was american actually, woops. CAD is 16 cents more ($518.57). The conversion rate is essentially on par atm. :p

Now Do you overclock at all?
 

Yo_Wattup

New Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2012
Messages
788 (0.18/day)
Location
Brisbane, Australia
System Name Desktop/Gamer/Digital Audio Wokstation ||| HTPC
Processor 2500k @ 4.65ghz ||| AMD A8 @ 3.6ghz
Motherboard ASUS P8Z68-V Pro
Cooling Noctua NH-D14 with single Blue Antec Tri-Cool 120mm ||| Stock
Memory 16GB G.Skill Ripjaws X 1600 @1900mhz 8-9-9-24 ||| 8GB G.Skill 1600 CL9
Video Card(s) 2x HIS HD6950 2GB Crossfire, 6970 clocks ||| HD6550D
Storage 120GB Intel 320 series SSD + 2TB storage ||| 1TB Seagate
Display(s) 32" Sony Bravia LCD 1080p ||| 50" Hitachi Plasma 1080p
Case Raidmax Raptor modded to 7 fans ||| A compact HP Case
Audio Device(s) Firewire audio interface + two 9" studio monitors, 450 REAL watts ||| onboard
Power Supply Corsair TX 750W ||| generic 400W
Software Win 7 Ultimate + Win 8 consumer preview||| Win 7 Pro
Benchmark Scores Never drops below 60fps Battlefield 3 everything on max, fov 90. :D
Get an i3 sandy bridge system. You can get an i3 2100 for about $80-$100 depending on where you are and its better for gaming than a Phenom 2.
 

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman
Joined
Jul 2, 2007
Messages
40,435 (6.61/day)
Location
Republic of Texas (True Patriot)
System Name PCGOD
Processor AMD FX 8350@ 5.0GHz
Motherboard Asus TUF 990FX Sabertooth R2 2901 Bios
Cooling Scythe Ashura, 2×BitFenix 230mm Spectre Pro LED (Blue,Green), 2x BitFenix 140mm Spectre Pro LED
Memory 16 GB Gskill Ripjaws X 2133 (2400 OC, 10-10-12-20-20, 1T, 1.65V)
Video Card(s) AMD Radeon 290 Sapphire Vapor-X
Storage Samsung 840 Pro 256GB, WD Velociraptor 1TB
Display(s) NEC Multisync LCD 1700V (Display Port Adapter)
Case AeroCool Xpredator Evil Blue Edition
Audio Device(s) Creative Labs Sound Blaster ZxR
Power Supply Seasonic 1250 XM2 Series (XP3)
Mouse Roccat Kone XTD
Keyboard Roccat Ryos MK Pro
Software Windows 7 Pro 64
Get an i3 sandy bridge system. You can get an i3 2100 for about $80-$100 depending on where you are and its better for gaming than a Phenom 2.

he will be selling the system shortly and the Phenom 2 is power enough for gaming.
 
Joined
Aug 11, 2011
Messages
4,355 (0.94/day)
Location
Mexico
System Name Dell-y Driver
Processor Core i5-10400
Motherboard Asrock H410M-HVS
Cooling Intel 95w stock cooler
Memory 2x8 A-DATA 2999Mhz DDR4
Video Card(s) UHD 630
Storage 1TB WD Green M.2 - 4TB Seagate Barracuda
Display(s) Asus PA248 1920x1200 IPS
Case Dell Vostro 270S case
Audio Device(s) Onboard
Power Supply Dell 220w
Software Windows 10 64bit
Get an i3 sandy bridge system. You can get an i3 2100 for about $80-$100 depending on where you are and its better for gaming than a Phenom 2.

seconded
 
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Messages
2,665 (0.47/day)
System Name Dire Wolf IV
Processor Intel Core i9 14900K
Motherboard Asus ROG STRIX Z790-I GAMING WIFI
Cooling Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280
Memory 2x24GB Corsair DDR5 6667
Video Card(s) NVIDIA RTX4080 FE
Storage AORUS Gen4 7300 1TB + Western Digital SN750 500GB
Display(s) Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED, 3440x1440, 165hz)
Case Corsair Airflow 2000D
Power Supply Corsair SF1000L
Mouse Razer Deathadder Essential
Keyboard Chuangquan CQ84
Software Windows 11 Professional
Isn't this one of the cases where a system be built around an AMD APU and just have a video card thrown in later when extra funds become available becomes a pretty viable alternative? Especially since the A8-3870K is just a tiny bit more expensive than that Phenom, avoids the need of a video card if the current gaming goal is low end and provides the same CPU performance?

APU:
AMD A8-3870K Unlocked Llano 3.0GHz Socket FM1 100W...
 
Joined
Nov 13, 2007
Messages
10,209 (1.71/day)
Location
Austin Texas
Processor 13700KF Undervolted @ 5.6/ 5.5, 4.8Ghz Ring 200W PL1
Motherboard MSI 690-I PRO
Cooling Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 w/ Arctic P12 Fans
Memory 48 GB DDR5 7600 MHZ CL36
Video Card(s) RTX 4090 FE
Storage 2x 2TB WDC SN850, 1TB Samsung 960 prr
Display(s) Alienware 32" 4k 240hz OLED
Case SLIGER S620
Audio Device(s) Yes
Power Supply Corsair SF750
Mouse Xlite V2
Keyboard RoyalAxe
Software Windows 11
Benchmark Scores They're pretty good, nothing crazy.
the phenom is a waste of cash. get the sandybridge.
 

theonedub

habe fidem
Joined
Apr 30, 2009
Messages
8,025 (1.47/day)
Location
Northern CA, USA
System Name Erakith || AsRock NUCS
Processor AMD ThreadRipper 2990WX ES (32c/64t 3.5ghz@1.02v) || Intel i7 1360P Raptor Lake-P
Motherboard MSI X399 MEG Creation || AsRock OE
Cooling EK Supremacy TR4 Full Nickel, D5 w/ EK Top, 2X EK-CoolStream XTX 360 & Photon 270 Res || OE
Memory 32GB (4x8GB) Corsair Vengeance PRO RGB DDR4 3000|| 2x16GB Corsair DDR4
Video Card(s) Vega 64 EK FC|| Intel Iris Xe
Storage 250gb WD Black NVMe & (2) 2TB Intel 660p NVMe || 2TB Corsair MP600 Pro
Display(s) 34" Dell Ultrasharp U3415W
Case CaseLabs Merlin SM8 || Aluminum Unibody
Power Supply Corsair HX1000
Mouse Corsair Harpoon Wireless RGB
Keyboard Corsair Strafe RGB w/ Cherry MX Silent
Software Windows 10 Pro x64 || WIndows 11 Pro x64
Benchmark Scores WCG & F@H Only
I would take a 6850 over a 550ti, that 550ti is pretty weak and for that price you could get better (the 6850 has been on sale recently for the same price).
 

goodguys9

New Member
Joined
May 9, 2012
Messages
8 (0.00/day)
Now Do you overclock at all?

No, I don't plan to because I don't know how. I could learn, but I assume you're asking because if I am I would need a CPU cooler. Since I'm going for price I don't want to get anything more expensive.

Get an i3 sandy bridge system. You can get an i3 2100 for about $80-$100 depending on where you are and its better for gaming than a Phenom 2.

An intel CPU wouldn't be compatible with my current build (I'm using a site to put the build together and when i went to change it/check it out, it said it wasn't compatible).

I would take a 6850 over a 550ti, that 550ti is pretty weak and for that price you could get better (the 6850 has been on sale recently for the same price).

From the reading I've done the 550ti is actually a slightly better option, and the 6850 is slightly more expensive. Why do you say the 6850 is better?
 
Joined
Mar 7, 2007
Messages
3,842 (0.62/day)
Location
Maryland
System Name HAL
Processor Core i9 13900k @5.8-6.1
Motherboard Z790 Arous master
Cooling EKWB Quantum Velocity V2 & (2) 360 Corsair XR7 Rads push/pull
Memory 2x 32GB (64GB) Gskill trident 6000 CL30 @28 1T
Video Card(s) RTX 4090 Gigagbyte gaming OC @ +200/1300
Storage (M2's) 2x Samsung 980 pro 2TB, 1xWD Black 2TB, 1x SK Hynix Platinum P41 2TB
Display(s) 65" LG OLED 120HZ
Case Lian Li dyanmic Evo11 with distro plate
Power Supply Thermaltake 1350
Software Microsoft Windows 11 x64
I'd be scouring the buy/sell/trade forum, if I were you.
 

brandonwh64

Addicted to Bacon and StarCrunches!!!
Joined
Sep 6, 2009
Messages
19,542 (3.68/day)
Use newegg.ca

I3-2100/2120 with a Cheap H61 board and 2x2GB DDR3 1333mhz (around 200$ or so) then find a used 5770/5830/GTX 460 (all can be had under 100$ in some instances) Then pickup that Corsair 430W you listed in your OP

I say you may have around 350$-400$ in a stout build. I have a 2120 as a cruncher and it is quite powerful and beats AMD quads in gaming.
 

goodguys9

New Member
Joined
May 9, 2012
Messages
8 (0.00/day)
Use newegg.ca

I3-2100/2120 with a Cheap H61 board and 2x2GB DDR3 1333mhz (around 200$ or so) then find a used 5770/5830/GTX 460 (all can be had under 100$ in some instances) Then pickup that Corsair 430W you listed in your OP

I say you may have around 350$-400$ in a stout build. I have a 2120 as a cruncher and it is quite powerful and beats AMD quads in gaming.


I can't use newegg , they only ship to the U.S. Also, you didn't include the HDD in your price (which would bump it another $100), The Case price (another $50) and an optical drive. I think your system would be more expensive than my current build in the end. Also, I've heard that generally going too cheap with the motherboard is a bad idea.

Could you maybe explain the build a bit better/link to parts? I might just not be understanding what you mean.

EDIT: Woop, didn't realize there was a newegg.ca Sorry. :p
 

JrRacinFan

Served 5k and counting ...
Joined
Mar 17, 2007
Messages
20,073 (3.23/day)
Location
Youngstown, OH
System Name Dual Build Streamer
Processor Ryzen 7900x3d : Ryzen 4600G
Motherboard AsRock B650E Steel Legend : Giga B450i Aorus
Cooling Custom Water 1x420 : Stock
Memory 32GB T-Force Deltas : 16GB Dominator Platinums
Video Card(s) PowerColor 7900 XTX Liquid Devil: iGPU
Storage 20+ TB
Display(s) Sammy 49" 5k Ultrawide
Case Custom White Painted Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2
Audio Device(s) Onboard : Onboard
Power Supply EVGA 1200W P2
Mouse Corsair M65 RGB Elite White
Keyboard Hyperx Origins 65
Software Windows 10
Use newegg.ca

I3-2100/2120 with a Cheap H61 board and 2x2GB DDR3 1333mhz (around 200$ or so) then find a used 5770/5830/GTX 460 (all can be had under 100$ in some instances) Then pickup that Corsair 430W you listed in your OP

I say you may have around 350$-400$ in a stout build. I have a 2120 as a cruncher and it is quite powerful and beats AMD quads in gaming.

2nd'd (is that a word?) It even beats out my old 655k @ 3.8Ghz by about a 15% margin, with 460 SLI.

One moment, will do a build.

Ram $23 AMIR
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=40072&vpn=TW3X4G1333C9A&manufacture=Corsair
CPU
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=59192&vpn=BX80623I32120&manufacture=Intel
Board
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=66933&vpn=GA-H61M-DS2&manufacture=Gigabyte&promoid=1360
http://img.techpowerup.org/120509/Capture068.jpg $209 AMIR

HDD
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
GPU
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121633
http://img.techpowerup.org/120509/Capture069.jpg $219

Case & PSU
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6430030&CatId=1509

Comes out to be about $475 & find an optical drive of your choice. Also, needed to add, you can't go by the pricing on PCPartPicker for your locale as they assume you are building in the States, which makes their prices null.

So as you can see if you look around and do some shopping you got a board that's ALOT better a CPU that can handle multi gpu. Also you may not have to do it AS A TEMPORARY SOLUTION!
 
Last edited:

Fourstaff

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Nov 29, 2009
Messages
10,020 (1.91/day)
Location
Home
System Name Orange! // ItchyHands
Processor 3570K // 10400F
Motherboard ASRock z77 Extreme4 // TUF Gaming B460M-Plus
Cooling Stock // Stock
Memory 2x4Gb 1600Mhz CL9 Corsair XMS3 // 2x8Gb 3200 Mhz XPG D41
Video Card(s) Sapphire Nitro+ RX 570 // Asus TUF RTX 2070
Storage Samsung 840 250Gb // SX8200 480GB
Display(s) LG 22EA53VQ // Philips 275M QHD
Case NZXT Phantom 410 Black/Orange // Tecware Forge M
Power Supply Corsair CXM500w // CM MWE 600w
Use i3 2100 or 2120, then you don't need to upgrade for the next 3-4 years if we are still playing console ports. :)

Also, get 2x2gb ram, dual channel should be noticeably better.
 

brandonwh64

Addicted to Bacon and StarCrunches!!!
Joined
Sep 6, 2009
Messages
19,542 (3.68/day)
This may help

Total is actually 480$ with MIR

 

JrRacinFan

Served 5k and counting ...
Joined
Mar 17, 2007
Messages
20,073 (3.23/day)
Location
Youngstown, OH
System Name Dual Build Streamer
Processor Ryzen 7900x3d : Ryzen 4600G
Motherboard AsRock B650E Steel Legend : Giga B450i Aorus
Cooling Custom Water 1x420 : Stock
Memory 32GB T-Force Deltas : 16GB Dominator Platinums
Video Card(s) PowerColor 7900 XTX Liquid Devil: iGPU
Storage 20+ TB
Display(s) Sammy 49" 5k Ultrawide
Case Custom White Painted Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2
Audio Device(s) Onboard : Onboard
Power Supply EVGA 1200W P2
Mouse Corsair M65 RGB Elite White
Keyboard Hyperx Origins 65
Software Windows 10
Brandon, look at my build above. It has twice the board you have in yours.

EDIT:
DUH! I need to read. It's ADD for $199 not a COMBO for $199. In that case you got a better build, B. :eek:
 

brandonwh64

Addicted to Bacon and StarCrunches!!!
Joined
Sep 6, 2009
Messages
19,542 (3.68/day)
Brandon, look at my build above. It has twice the board you have in yours.

EDIT:
DUH! I need to read. It's ADD for $199 not a COMBO for $199. In that case you got a better build, B. :eek:

There is no PSU with that case and using two companys for the build my increase shipping prices?

Also how does the 7750 hold up to other GPUs? also the 2120 you posted is 20$ more than mine
 

cadaveca

My name is Dave
Joined
Apr 10, 2006
Messages
17,232 (2.63/day)
I can't use newegg , they only ship to the U.S.

Newegg.ca will ship up here, no problem, but you'll get dinged for taxes and duty when the stuff crosses the border.

Depending on what games you plan to play, an APU will be faster then that Phenom II 965. Most notibly in Codemasters titles, where the APUs are about 25% faster, thanks to the better memory bandwidth they offer.

You say you got a good job, and some money, don't waste time on the cheap-ass rig, just build a good one. ;) Budget $1500, and you'll get a killer rig that will last for several years, rather than getting one that is almost obsolete already.
 

JrRacinFan

Served 5k and counting ...
Joined
Mar 17, 2007
Messages
20,073 (3.23/day)
Location
Youngstown, OH
System Name Dual Build Streamer
Processor Ryzen 7900x3d : Ryzen 4600G
Motherboard AsRock B650E Steel Legend : Giga B450i Aorus
Cooling Custom Water 1x420 : Stock
Memory 32GB T-Force Deltas : 16GB Dominator Platinums
Video Card(s) PowerColor 7900 XTX Liquid Devil: iGPU
Storage 20+ TB
Display(s) Sammy 49" 5k Ultrawide
Case Custom White Painted Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2
Audio Device(s) Onboard : Onboard
Power Supply EVGA 1200W P2
Mouse Corsair M65 RGB Elite White
Keyboard Hyperx Origins 65
Software Windows 10
There is no PSU with that case and using two companys for the build my increase shipping prices?

Also how does the 7750 hold up to other GPUs? also the 2120 you posted is 20$ more than mine

I really need to learn how to read today. Also, I thought I picked a 7770 .... :ohwell:

EDIT:

I meant to link this one
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150598

As you can also see, 430W may even be doable for 7770 crossfire.
http://www.legitreviews.com/images/reviews/1854/power-consumption.jpg
 
Last edited:

theonedub

habe fidem
Joined
Apr 30, 2009
Messages
8,025 (1.47/day)
Location
Northern CA, USA
System Name Erakith || AsRock NUCS
Processor AMD ThreadRipper 2990WX ES (32c/64t 3.5ghz@1.02v) || Intel i7 1360P Raptor Lake-P
Motherboard MSI X399 MEG Creation || AsRock OE
Cooling EK Supremacy TR4 Full Nickel, D5 w/ EK Top, 2X EK-CoolStream XTX 360 & Photon 270 Res || OE
Memory 32GB (4x8GB) Corsair Vengeance PRO RGB DDR4 3000|| 2x16GB Corsair DDR4
Video Card(s) Vega 64 EK FC|| Intel Iris Xe
Storage 250gb WD Black NVMe & (2) 2TB Intel 660p NVMe || 2TB Corsair MP600 Pro
Display(s) 34" Dell Ultrasharp U3415W
Case CaseLabs Merlin SM8 || Aluminum Unibody
Power Supply Corsair HX1000
Mouse Corsair Harpoon Wireless RGB
Keyboard Corsair Strafe RGB w/ Cherry MX Silent
Software Windows 10 Pro x64 || WIndows 11 Pro x64
Benchmark Scores WCG & F@H Only
From the reading I've done the 550ti is actually a slightly better option, and the 6850 is slightly more expensive. Why do you say the 6850 is better?

Where have you read the 550ti is better than the 6850? Just looking at the TPU Review the 500ti is 20% slower than the 6850 overall.
 
Joined
Mar 13, 2012
Messages
396 (0.09/day)
Location
USA
Yeah GPU wise you'd be better of with a 6850 or 7770. In every review I've read the 6850 and 7770 are faster than the 550t by 10-25% in all but a couple of Nvidia branded titles.
And a Phenom II is fine, but get an AM3+ mobo for future CPU upgrades.
 
Top