(Super Duper) Cheap Gaming Build

[jpeyton]

As both a favor for a friend, and a proof of concept, I wanted to see how much I could get for around $300 USD (computer only, no software/monitor/mouse/keyboard).

My goal was to balance gaming performance, acoustic performance, and quality/upgradability. Given a $300 budget, this meant scrounging FS/FT classifieds, using coupons, bargaining, and being patient for parts to make themselves available.

I hit my price target, and I discovered that I could have cut even deeper into the budget if I skimped on the case, PSU, and heatsink/fan. But from my personal experience, I've found that cutting corners in those three areas generally results in more noise/heat and less reliability. My own i7-2600 gaming system is running on a Corsair HX520 PSU that I bought 6 years ago; quality parts can save money in the long run.

Without further delay, the parts list (and source/price paid). Keep in mind that some of these prices were private party sales, and thus might not be duplicated in your own dealings:

CPU: Intel Celeron G530 (Newegg, $42)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116409

Motherboard: Biostar H61MGC (Newegg, $40)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138332

Memory: Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 SDRAM (FS/FT, $10)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148262

Hard Drive: Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000 750GB 7200RPM (FS/FT, $40)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822145166

Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 5850 Turbo 1GB (FS/FT, $85)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161332

Case: Antec Sonata II (No PSU) (FS/FT, $30)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129155

Power Supply: PC P&C Silencer Mk II 500W (FS/FT, $35)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703025

Optical Drive: Lite-On 16X DVD/CD Writer (FS/FT, $10)
http://www.videohelp.com/dvdwriters/lite-on-dh-16a6s/2420

Heatsink/Fan: Prolimatech Megahalems Rev. B / Scythe S-Flex 120mm (FS/FT, $40)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835242001
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835185005

Total: $332

I'll update this with pictures and benchmarks soon. I'm most interested in seeing how well the Sandy Bridge Celeron will perform. With Ivy Bridge a few months away, I'll keep my eye open for a Sandy Bridge i5 on FS/FT as a drop-in upgrade.

 

[zodder]

Damn, that's pretty good

 

[VirtualLarry]

CPU: Intel Celeron G530 (Newegg, $42)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116409

I call shens. Lowest price ever was $52, according to:
http://camelegg.com/product/N82E16819116409

 

[jpeyton]

I call shens. Lowest price ever was $52, according to:
http://camelegg.com/product/N82E16819116409

$10 coupon code

 

[janas19]

Since you're benching the Celeron, I subscribed.

You could've saved even more money by not purchasing an aftermarket cooler since G530s can't overclock and the stock hsf is adequate. Also would've chopped the PSU down a hundred watts or so. But all in all very nice.

 

[jpeyton]

Since you're benching the Celeron, I subscribed.

You could've saved even more money by not purchasing an aftermarket cooler since G530s can't overclock and the stock hsf is adequate. Also would've chopped the PSU down a hundred watts or so. But all in all very nice.

An alternative was the Corsair CX430 V2 which is very popular with budget system builders and runs about $35AR:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139026

The Silencer Mk II is just a much stronger unit for the same price. 500W continuous @ 50C (vs. 430W @ 30C), 2x PCI-E (vs. 1; 5850 needs 2), 36A on 12V (vs. 28A). Overpowered for a G530, yes, but I wouldn't feel the need to upgrade if I dropped in an i5/i7 quad and a faster GPU down the road.

The Sonata II actually came with a freebie Antec SmartPower 450W that I chucked; terrible reviews on Newegg for that unit:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103936

The stock heatsink is adequate for cooling, but fan noise under load on stock Intel heatsinks is annoying. Aftermarket heatsinks are much quieter.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Schweet! You sir are a true budget master. All those prices included shipping? Somebody shipped a Sonata II for $30.-?

 

[jpeyton]

Schweet! You sir are a true budget master. All those prices included shipping? Somebody shipped a Sonata II for $30.-?

Yes all prices include shipping, and the Sonata II was local.

I remember when Fry's used to have Sonata IIs for $45AR, so the price isn't that far off. Fry's always used to have blowout deals on Antec cases; not so much anymore.

 

[ElFenix]

what shipping method for the ram and dvdrom? got some that needs moved and looking for cheap ideas as priority would eat up much of that (on top of paypal)

 

[jpeyton]

what shipping method for the ram and dvdrom? got some that needs moved and looking for cheap ideas as priority would eat up much of that (on top of paypal)

DVDRW was local, the RAM shipped first-class mail in bubble-wrap. I've actually shipped RAM myself in an envelope using first-class mail; just encase it in the thicker 5/16" or 1/2" bubble wrap.

 

[mfenn]

Holy crap, you stole that 7K1000D! Nice deals.