Personal computing discussed
Moderators: renee, JustAnEngineer
superjawes wrote:Here's the thing about $400 (and cheaper) PCs...if you're building your own, it might actually be cheaper to get one from HP or Dell (and you get tech support).
The issue is that you have to slap an extra $100 on top of whatever you're building in order to get Windows. This one from HP should play Diablo, has Windows, and is a slim form. It's right at that $400 mark, but it should illustrate my point. That's a system built, small, and loaded with Windows.
Regardless, take a peek at the latest TR System Guide. The editor's here explain why they chose particular components for a build, and if you read the comments, some Gerbils actually had the conversation about getting a sub-Econobox build.
BobbinThreadbare wrote:Crap, I forgot about a Windows license.
Still that HP has integrated graphics. Awful even for mostly casual gaming.
Airmantharp wrote:Even HD3000 can play Diablo 3- I'd think that HD4000 and AMD's IGP solutions would fare even better. Integrated is pretty much a given whether you're paying for Windows or buying pre-built at $400.
Airmantharp wrote:Even HD3000 can play Diablo 3- I'd think that HD4000 and AMD's IGP solutions would fare even better. Integrated is pretty much a given whether you're paying for Windows or buying pre-built at $400.
DPete27 wrote:
[edit] Forgot about a Windows licence. If you're a college student or know one, most colleges offer Windows 7 for like $30. Maybe you can make a $30 exception to your budget?
superjawes wrote:Here's the thing about $400 (and cheaper) PCs...if you're building your own, it might actually be cheaper to get one from HP or Dell (and you get tech support).
The issue is that you have to slap an extra $100 on top of whatever you're building in order to get Windows. This one from HP should play Diablo, has Windows, and is a slim form. It's right at that $400 mark, but it should illustrate my point. That's a system built, small, and loaded with Windows.
Regardless, take a peek at the latest TR System Guide. The editor's here explain why they chose particular components for a build, and if you read the comments, some Gerbils actually had the conversation about getting a sub-Econobox build.
kumori wrote:I'd recommend this build:
CPU: Intel Core i3-2120 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H61M/U3S3 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($73.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($22.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($46.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec 380W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($42.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $378.90
I'd really recommend getting a GPU. Diablo isn't that demanding of a game and so you can max it out @1920x1080 with even a modest graphics card like a HD 6770 or a GTX 460 both of which can be had for slightly over $100.
BobbinThreadbare wrote:This is doable if you plan to recycle the monitor from your current system.
$125 - GPU Radeon 7770 Link
$25 - RAM 4GB Link
$70 - CPU Athlon II X3 Link
$50 - Motherboard Biostar AM3+ Link
That leaves ~$130 for harddrive and case/psu. Which is tight, but still doable. It's going to boil down to how nice of a case you want to work with and how much harddrive space you need. For this price it's going to be annoying and small. If you go up to ~550 then you can get a reasonable Antec and a reasonably sized harddrive. Case aesthetics also come down to personal preference, which is why I haven't suggested one. Also, I'm assuming if you need a DVD drive you can pull it out of the hp.
superjawes wrote:BobbinThreadbare wrote:Crap, I forgot about a Windows license.
Still that HP has integrated graphics. Awful even for mostly casual gaming.
An alternative challenger appears!
But yeah, my main point was that a Windows license can inflate your build cost quickly, and since HP and Dell offer it basically for free, the value of a self-built PC isn't as great at this price point.
Alternatively, though, is that Pavilion and option to scrap? That would even give you a case and HDD in addition to the DVD drive, and if you can do a power calculation, you miiiiiight even be able to skip the PSU. You would probably still need to wipe the hard drive and do a clean Windows install (since the HP license is probably OEM), but it could go a long way in getting something to casually work (at least until you could save up an get an Econobox or better).
EDIT: side note before we go too far, OP, please define what you mean by "adequately" playing Diablo 3. How many frames do you want per second? Resolution? Texture detail?
cynan wrote:For a light general purpose use PC, $400 is doable (see HP system above). The bad news with the HP linked above is that there is no room for future upgrades if you want to, say, upgrade the video card in future. For a gaming PC, $400 is a tough nut to crack. If you don't have to buy a Windows license, it makes things easier, but you'll still be forced to make many compromises, most importantly in the graphics department, which is arguably the most expensive component in a budget gaming PC. Even $500 is a much easier budget to abide.
The build to which you linked might get you playing Diablo 3, but just barely. However, for around $450, you can take the "Econobox" from the TR Summer guide and pair it down a bit. Just looking quickly at newegg, the minimum I'd recommend for a gaming PC is something like:
Motherboard: ASRock H77M $75
CPU:Intel Pentium 640 $79
RAM: 8gb ddr3 $40
Graphics: HD 7770 $110 (after MIR)
HDD: 500GB Caviar Blue $65
Case: Rosewill $30
PSU: Rosewill 450W $35
Total: $434. If you can swing a little extra, I'd recommend something like this and you may be able to shave a few dollars more off shopping around (do you live near a Microcenter? They apparenlty have good combo deals on motherboard/cpus). Unfortunately, if you don't count the mail in rebate for the video card and add shipping, your getting close to $500. Instead of buying a new DVD drive (if you need one) could you use the one from your old HP?
Blazex wrote:it might be easier to check around the major manufacturer's outlet centers on their websites, or scour craigslist for a reasonable looking computer.
buying a used/refurb at least allows you to bypass paying $99 for the windows license.
anywho... check around, make sure you find what you like and enjoy the computer.
likely on the computer you might need to replace the power supply if you do intend to get a graphics card, oem psu could be a mystery on how much total power/amps it outputs or has left available.
quickly looking around though, you can score a refurb/used computer on the outlets, with tech from around 2-3 years ago for under $400, they appear around the athlon ii or core i3/i5 series usually.
HP Outlet page
Dell Outlet Page
both the sites can be their own kind of special for navigating really.
good luck hunting
[SDG]Mantis wrote:Do you have a monitor, keyboard, mouse that you already plan to use? Those are items that will eat significantly into a $400 budget too.
clone wrote:CPU / MOBO:
AMD X3 450 cpu $69.99 at Newegg.com
GIGABYTE GA-78LMT-S2P AM3+ $59.99 at Newegg.com
MEMORY:
8gb G.skill value series ram $39.99 at Newegg.com
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5 $64.99 at Newegg.com
VIDEO:
Gigabyte HD 6670 $69.99 at Newegg.com
CASE / POWER:
GIGABYTE GZ-F3HEB Black SECC Steel / ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $19.99 at Newegg.com
Antec VP-450 450W ATX 12V v2.3 Power Supply $37.99 at Newegg.com
OPTICAL DRIVE:
Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer $16.99 at.... you guessed it Newegg.com
total price before MIR/IR/taxes/shipping $382.92 at Newegg.com
p.s. their is room to play if you want to move money from one part to another.... if I was buiding on your budget this is what I'd start with and then I'd look at the motherboard as the potential source for more coin to be invested for future proofing.
p.s.s. does anyone know if their is a big difference between the i3 and the Intel G8 and G6 series dual cores?.... the cache is the same with lower clock rates along with lower prices, was considering an Intel cpu / mobo option but can't find any reviews on the Intel G series dual cores which could be a better starting point for the op given the option to use an 1155 mobo and upgrade the cpu in the future vs going with the AMD cpu and mobo which while amazing on price doesn't offer that route nearly so impressively.
DPete27 wrote:Please post your current system specs including a picture of the inside of your case (if possible). Maybe we can give you enough of a gaming boost (probably a new graphics card) to get you by until you have a more robust budget.
This also because it sounds like you're new to building computers? I feel that starting small and upgrading a few components here and there is better for learning than just diving in head first to a complete system build...unless you have a knowledgeable friend. It gives you time to digest and take in new knowledge (by reading TR of course!!).
Otherwise you could look at companies like Cyberpower or Ibuypower for a pre-built configuration that uses good quality aftermarket components to use as a base for future upgrades.
clone wrote:p.s.s. does anyone know if their is a big difference between the i3 and the Intel G8 and G6 series dual cores?.... the cache is the same with lower clock rates along with lower prices, was considering an Intel cpu / mobo option but can't find any reviews on the Intel G series dual cores...
cynan wrote:Not any more that I know of. The university I'm affiliated with offers Win 7 for $99. The best price for students was back when MS offered the Ultimate Steal promotions (Which was $30 for students in the US), but those haven't been running for a while.
I would really like to keep it under $400 however if I absolutely must go up to $500 than I suppose I could make an exception.