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Is it possible to get a 300$ gaming tower?

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  • filmoretfilmoret Member EpicPosts: 4,906
    Thank you everyone for the help so far.

    CPU  Athlon X4 845  for 66$   
    GFX  GTX 950    for 120$

    Anyone know a better choice for those prices?
    Are you onto something or just on something?
  • CleffyCleffy Member RarePosts: 6,413
    edited September 2016
    For the GPU get an RX 460. It runs about $8 cheaper and is far faster.
    The Athlon x4 845 will be the minimum you need to run games decently. It's using AMDs current architecture Excavator verse the 880K using Steam roller. This equates to it being competitive verse the higher priced 880K. The 845 also beats the 880K and Intel Core i3 6100 at multi-threaded applications.
  • GdemamiGdemami Member EpicPosts: 12,342
    edited September 2016
    Cleffy said:
    For the GPU get an RX 460. It runs about $8 cheaper and is far faster.
    It is not faster by any stretch... RX 460 is the worst model from the new AMD crop - cost about as much as GTX950 while being at times slower.

    845 does not beat 880k, and definitely not i3...
  • VrikaVrika Member LegendaryPosts: 7,973
    naami said:
    Vrika said:
    filmoret said:
    naami said:
    Would you consider something like this?

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Optiplex-9010-MT-Win-7-Mini-Tower-Quad-Core-3-4-GHz-i5-3570-4GB-250GB-DVDRW-/291822069608?hash=item43f1f36768:g:~AcAAOSwdIFXyp0b

    It comes with Windows 7 and i5-3570 is still a good gaming cpu today. $186.75 + free shipping

    Then all you would need to do is buy a $100-$150 graphics card and you're good to go. Add another 4gb ram if you can.

    Search ebay for i5 dell desktop to see more like these.
    That is very much what I prefer.  The problem was getting a graphics card.  Finding the specs on the MOBO to see what GFX cards are available as well.
    Specs for that computer are available here:
      http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/optiplex_9010_technical_guidebook.pdf

    It looks like that computer has 275W power supply. So even if you managed fit a new GPU to Dell's custom build small form case without causing trouble with overheating, the computer's power supply couldn't supply you with enough power.
    Ah I hadn't considered that. It could be a problem then.
    Correction to my previous post. That power supply could likely support RX 460. I first counted using GTX 950 with power draw of up to 110W. RX 460 draws just enough less power that it might work.

    Or it might not work. The system PSU requirements for RX 460 card on Newegg seem to be either 400W or 350W. It would be very close if 275W PSU could get it to work, and maybe a bit stupid risk to take.
     
  • filmoretfilmoret Member EpicPosts: 4,906
    Vrika said:
    naami said:
    Vrika said:
    filmoret said:
    naami said:
    Would you consider something like this?

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Optiplex-9010-MT-Win-7-Mini-Tower-Quad-Core-3-4-GHz-i5-3570-4GB-250GB-DVDRW-/291822069608?hash=item43f1f36768:g:~AcAAOSwdIFXyp0b

    It comes with Windows 7 and i5-3570 is still a good gaming cpu today. $186.75 + free shipping

    Then all you would need to do is buy a $100-$150 graphics card and you're good to go. Add another 4gb ram if you can.

    Search ebay for i5 dell desktop to see more like these.
    That is very much what I prefer.  The problem was getting a graphics card.  Finding the specs on the MOBO to see what GFX cards are available as well.
    Specs for that computer are available here:
      http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/optiplex_9010_technical_guidebook.pdf

    It looks like that computer has 275W power supply. So even if you managed fit a new GPU to Dell's custom build small form case without causing trouble with overheating, the computer's power supply couldn't supply you with enough power.
    Ah I hadn't considered that. It could be a problem then.
    Correction to my previous post. That power supply could likely support RX 460. I first counted using GTX 950 with power draw of up to 110W. RX 460 draws just enough less power that it might work.

    Or it might not work. The system PSU requirements for RX 460 card on Newegg seem to be either 400W or 350W. It would be very close if 275W PSU could get it to work, and maybe a bit stupid risk to take.
    You are also dealing with one pcie16 slot that isn't 2.0 or even 3.0
    Are you onto something or just on something?
  • filmoretfilmoret Member EpicPosts: 4,906
    Cleffy said:
    For the GPU get an RX 460. It runs about $8 cheaper and is far faster.
    The Athlon x4 845 will be the minimum you need to run games decently. It's using AMDs current architecture Excavator verse the 880K using Steam roller. This equates to it being competitive verse the higher priced 880K. The 845 also beats the 880K and Intel Core i3 6100 at multi-threaded applications.
    I would like to believe that by november maybe they will have benchmarks i can make a comparison.  It does look like I will require a different MOBO for that GPU.
    Are you onto something or just on something?
  • RidelynnRidelynn Member EpicPosts: 7,383
    filmoret said:
    Cleffy said:
    For the GPU get an RX 460. It runs about $8 cheaper and is far faster.
    The Athlon x4 845 will be the minimum you need to run games decently. It's using AMDs current architecture Excavator verse the 880K using Steam roller. This equates to it being competitive verse the higher priced 880K. The 845 also beats the 880K and Intel Core i3 6100 at multi-threaded applications.
    I would like to believe that by november maybe they will have benchmarks i can make a comparison.  It does look like I will require a different MOBO for that GPU.
    Nope, PCI is backwards compatible - it will work in that motherboard. Issue is space in the case and available power from the PSU.
  • filmoretfilmoret Member EpicPosts: 4,906
    Gdemami said:
    Cleffy said:
    For the GPU get an RX 460. It runs about $8 cheaper and is far faster.
    It is not faster by any stretch... RX 460 is the worst model from the new AMD crop - cost about as much as GTX950 while being at times slower.

    845 does not beat 880k, and definitely not i3...
    Only 2 of the i3 processors are faster then the 845 and one of them is equal.  The 845 and 880k have very similar benchmarks.
    Are you onto something or just on something?
  • filmoretfilmoret Member EpicPosts: 4,906
    Ridelynn said:
    filmoret said:
    Cleffy said:
    For the GPU get an RX 460. It runs about $8 cheaper and is far faster.
    The Athlon x4 845 will be the minimum you need to run games decently. It's using AMDs current architecture Excavator verse the 880K using Steam roller. This equates to it being competitive verse the higher priced 880K. The 845 also beats the 880K and Intel Core i3 6100 at multi-threaded applications.
    I would like to believe that by november maybe they will have benchmarks i can make a comparison.  It does look like I will require a different MOBO for that GPU.
    Nope, PCI is backwards compatible - it will work in that motherboard. Issue is space in the case and available power from the PSU.
    Case I have will hold a 12" card.  I noticed the card didn't ask for any power supply.  Maybe because its new they just didn't list it on the specs I was looking at.  But yea if this card ends up with stronger benchmarks and is available in november then I'll grab it.
    Are you onto something or just on something?
  • GdemamiGdemami Member EpicPosts: 12,342
    filmoret said:
    Only 2 of the i3 processors are faster then the 845 and one of them is equal.  The 845 and 880k have very similar benchmarks.
    Not by a long shot.

    i3 Haswell and Skylake are already faster than FX series and Athlons are even slower than that.

    Btw. with 275W PSU, RX 460 should fit in with no issues. It might look like a good deal and to certain extent it is, but:

    1) That OEM licence is unlikely to transfer to anything else. Corporate OEM licences are special cases, they are bound to BIOS.

    2) There is only 30 days of warranty.

    Tough call on that one....
  • filmoretfilmoret Member EpicPosts: 4,906
    BLEH no wonder I can't find anything on the rx 460.  Its not even out yet.  Yea the price is really good but untill we can get some benchmarks I cannot just take a risk like that.
    Are you onto something or just on something?
  • RidelynnRidelynn Member EpicPosts: 7,383
    filmoret said:
    BLEH no wonder I can't find anything on the rx 460.  Its not even out yet.  Yea the price is really good but untill we can get some benchmarks I cannot just take a risk like that.
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125898&cm_re=RX_460-_-14-125-898-_-Product

    That's one of 12 different models available, most of which are in stock.
  • MrMelGibsonMrMelGibson Member EpicPosts: 3,034
    Ozmodan said:
    Ridelynn said:
    Quizzical said:
       I think your best bet is to get a console.  I know you said you have a lot of PC games already.  But the truth is, most of those games(console) will go on sale by the time you get that PC.  Not to mention you won't have to upgrade for at least a good while.  A $300 new tower is going to struggle running higher end games like Battlefront. It will also struggle to run most newer games that come out in a year or two.  So once again you will have to either buy a newer computer or upgrade.  While a new PS4 or X1 will run it no problem.


      My advice is consider this option.  In the long run it will be cheaper.  Good luck to you either way and do let us know what you plan on doing :-)
    One important difference between console and PC is that the business model is totally different.  If you get a PC, the hardware sellers are trying to make money off of selling the hardware.  If you get a console, Microsoft and Sony aren't actually trying to make money by selling the console.  Thus, you get the hardware for a cheaper price.

    You pay for it on the other end, though, as Microsoft and Sony get a cut of all game sales for their consoles.  Thus, games tend to be more expensive on consoles than on PC.  The discounted console price is to get you to buy their console and then later they get money off of you when you buy games.
    While you're right about the hardware priority. I have to disagree with you about expensive software/games.  I really don't think you've considered how cheap used games are for consoles. Not to mention you can trade in your games for others.  Something we cannot do on PC (at least in the US). The consoles also have digital games that go on sale all the time.  In the end i doubt the console will end up costing more than the PC. Afterall, you won't be upgrading your console in two years.
    Used games you are correct - they can be pretty affordable - if your willing to wait and pick it up used. Although the popular games, even used, you may save $5 over the retail price.

    Most console games are $60 US, a few drop lower, but not many. And they don't go on sale terribly often. 

    Compare that to, say, Steam, which discounts all the time, and only a few AAA titles start out in the $60 range - and even those, if you are willing to wait, will drop significantly in price. And the heaps of F2P games on the PC, compared to the... maybe dozen or so? available on the console.

    But, there isn't really a used market for the PC either. 

    As far as upgrading your console in 2 years.... really? Neo? Scorpio? NX? 3DS XL? The last generation of consoles didn't upgrade often, but I think that's very much an exception to the rule - consoles upgrade all the time.
    I'm not really understanding what you're getting at with the new games will be expensive.  New released games on PC also sell for $50-$60 and usually take a few months before they hit a discount.  By that point you will be able to easily buy that game used on console.  You can even rent games from services like Gamefly. Even brand new games.  Definitely can' t do that on PC.  I'm guessing it's something I'm sure you didn't consider.

    As far as the Scorpio and the Xbox's new system.  Both companies have said that they are not necessary upgrades and they will not divide the fanbase.  Both current systems and Scoprio etc. will run the same games.  So I have to say you're very wrong on this subject.  Because there is no need to upgrade to those systems in 2 years.
    A console???  You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but I have to say, telling someone to buy a console is a really silly solution.  As to game prices, just join steam or gog, they both have major discounts all the time so your game price argument falls flat.  The new consoles are a definite upgrade, they are finally realizing they have to make some effort to keep up with the PC.

    The major benefit to the PC, last years graphics card can be easily replaced, you are stuck with whatever the console has.  My PC is 6 years old, but I just replace what I need to keep current, you can't do that with a console.

    Consoles are for the digitally challenged, PC's are for real gamers.  All you have to do is ask the kids, I constantly get bombarded by them to build them PCs because they like that medium far better than the console.

    Sorry to filmoret for going off track, console bigots just irk me.  What you last posted should work fine.  Good luck with your PC build.  Glad you got the better graphics card.
    How in the world is anything I said considered console bigotry?  I don't even own a console,  it was just a suggestion.  But that didn't stop you from acting like a pretentious PC master douche.  I'm also guessing your 6 year old PC wasn't built on a shoestring budget.  Otherwise it wouldn't of even lasted 2 years before upgrading.  But don't let those pesky facts get in the way of your agenda.
  • filmoretfilmoret Member EpicPosts: 4,906
    edited September 2016
    Quizzical said:
    If you want to fit an extremely tight budget, you go with something like this:

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1N83U90726

    That's your CPU and GPU right there.  Sure, the integrated graphics isn't great, but most games will be playable at suitably reduced settings, and that's the sort of sacrifice you have to make to fit an extremely small budget.
    Comparing with this which would be better?

    Athlon X4 845
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1N83Z86709
    Are you onto something or just on something?
  • HyperpsycrowHyperpsycrow Member RarePosts: 954
    Nope and nope..you have 300 $,,that wont even give u a middel range tower..not even a used pv...i payd 1500-2000 ish $ fo rmy gamer rig..with ur 300 $ then you only have enough for the gfx card or the motherboard..300 $ is only for ths PSU now a days....or the keybords and mouse




  • filmoretfilmoret Member EpicPosts: 4,906
    Nope and nope..you have 300 $,,that wont even give u a middel range tower..not even a used pv...i payd 1500-2000 ish $ fo rmy gamer rig..with ur 300 $ then you only have enough for the gfx card or the motherboard..300 $ is only for ths PSU now a days....or the keybords and mouse
    I don't need a Ferrari to mow the grass.
    Are you onto something or just on something?
  • laseritlaserit Member LegendaryPosts: 7,591
    Used is your best bet. Maybe a 5 or 6 year old I7 and update the Graphics card to something more current. Throw it all in a brand new $40 case.

    Keep your eyes open, sounds like you have some time to spare before you have to make a move.


    "Be water my friend" - Bruce Lee

  • Loke666Loke666 Member EpicPosts: 21,441
    filmoret said:
    Nope and nope..you have 300 $,,that wont even give u a middel range tower..not even a used pv...i payd 1500-2000 ish $ fo rmy gamer rig..with ur 300 $ then you only have enough for the gfx card or the motherboard..300 $ is only for ths PSU now a days....or the keybords and mouse
    I don't need a Ferrari to mow the grass.
    Nah, but $300 will give you a Trabant. $500 will give you an Opel or Wolkswagen, thats worth considering.
    $1500+ is a rather huge sum only for the really serious gamer, particularly if you want something that is VR ready. 

    But as a gift for a kid that is way more then he need.filmoret said:
    Thank you everyone for the help so far.
    CPU  Athlon X4 845  for 66$   
    GFX  GTX 950    for 120$
    Anyone know a better choice for those prices?
    Nah, that is about the minimum requirements. But you need a case, hardrive, PSU, Motherboard and memory as well. And OS unless you plan to get an illegally from pirate bay (which of course is morally wrong). You need at least 4 gigs of ram or it will bottleneck your games, preferably 8. 
  • Octagon7711Octagon7711 Member LegendaryPosts: 9,004
    I'm thinking you would have to pay $1000 minimum for a decent low level pc.  Anything else would be running pretty slow in a year or two and you would have to do upgrades a lot sooner.  A $300 to $500 budget would mean searching, Ebay, resale stores, Craig's list, locals who want to sale an old pc in order to buy a new one.  If your budget is $300 get a console and start buying those games. As you can use the console without upgrading for a lot longer.

    $300 pc's are for web browsing and checking emails, imo.  Puts them on the same level as smart cell phones.


    "We all do the best we can based on life experience, point of view, and our ability to believe in ourselves." - Naropa      "We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are."  SR Covey

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