Cheap gaming rig suggestions

[Rambusted]

I am going to be replacing my sons very old pc(core 2 6400, 4870) this Christmas. I was considering using the amd x4 Richland due to it having 4 cores and over clocking coupled with the 80$ price tag. The Core i3 is a consideration but pricier and fewer cores. He is currently using a 1280 x 1024 screen but I also have a 24in 1080p if the 6870 I am sticking in there can handle it. I am Not going to spend $$ on an i5 either, want to keep the price on the cpu below 120.

 

[frozentundra123456]

I am going to be replacing my sons very old pc(core 2 6400, 4870) this Christmas. I was considering using the amd x4 Richland due to it having 4 cores and over clocking coupled with the 80$ price tag. The Core i3 is a consideration but pricier and fewer cores. He is currently using a 1280 x 1024 screen but I also have a 24in 1080p if the 6870 I am sticking in there can handle it. I am Not going to spend $$ on an i5 either, want to keep the price on the cpu below 120.

You would do better to post in the general hardware section, give a budget, and get a full build recommendation. But in general I would not recommend an apu in the desktop. Either get an FX6300 or spend the extra for an i5. My personal feeling is that considering the cost of an entire system, buying games, etc, that an i5 is definitely worth it. But if you are adamant about the price, an FX 6300 is the best choice.

 

[Rambusted]

The Athlon x4 is not an apu as I already have an hd6870 I don't need the on chip graphics. For 80 dollars I was wondering if those 2 could combine for a decent gaming experience.

 

[SPBHM]

an i3 4130 is a better gaming CPU than any richland.
but you should get an i5 4570 + H81 motherboard... it's a big jump from the i3 and Richland, the price difference overall is not huge...

if you can't go any higher, the 760K when overclocked is good for its price but still no as fast as the 4130 for gaming.

 

[frozentundra123456]

The Athlon x4 is not an apu as I already have an hd6870 I don't need the on chip graphics. For 80 dollars I was wondering if those 2 could combine for a decent gaming experience.

OK, when you said richland, I just thought apu. The athlon X4 is a decent choice for a cheap system.

 

[sm625]

I would recommend a FX6300 since that is the best ~$100 chip you can buy. But I would really like to know if steamroller is coming to AM3+ otherwise you have no good upgrade path. Also it doesnt appear to be on sale at the moment but it usually is.

 

[beginner99]

The Athlon x4 is not an apu as I already have an hd6870 I don't need the on chip graphics. For 80 dollars I was wondering if those 2 could combine for a decent gaming experience.

I doubt you get good framerates at 1080p. Sure not in modern games. But in general depends on the games. For shooters high FPS is very important also for RTS like SC2. if he only play single-player type games or round-based strategy, then it's less important.

Also if what games does he play? if it is SC2, then I sure woudl go with intel because that will have a huge effect! If he is more into BF, go with the FX6300.

 

[Agenesis]

Buy one of those hex core l5639 xeons for $70, find a 1366 mobo from $80 to $120 and you'll have yourself a pretty modern gaming system.

Overclocked it performs 80% of a 3930k, at stock it'll have a slightly slower IPC than a Haswell i5, but cost $150 less. You cannot get a better price performance than that.