So you want to game? $500 PC build

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So you want to game? $500 PC build. A $500 PC build What's up everyone, this is Besle with a pre-Black Friday build for all of you guys who don't want to sit ar

A $500 PC build
What's up everyone, this is Besle with a pre-Black Friday build for all of you guys who don't want to sit around and wait for some potential good deals.

This build is intended for all-around gaming, and will pull most games on high or better, of course depending on the resolution in use. You might be able to save some cash on a good Black Friday deal, and this build is mostly intended for people who needs a PC here and now, or just want some inspiration on what to get.

Alright, on to the components.

The CPU
Intel I5 4460
The Intel I5 4460 is hardly a new CPU in my builds, and i've used it plenty times before. It's a great CPU at the price, capable of puling even most AAA titles without breaking a sweat. The main drawback on this model is the lack of overclocking capabilities however, so if you want to overclock your PC, this is not the CPU you want.

Despite lacking overclocking capabilities, the CPU runs fine at a stock speed of 3.2GHZ, with a turbo clock of 3.4ghz when possible.

I haven't chosen a custom cooler for this build, so you'll have to use the stock CPU cooler with this build.

No peripherals, accesories or operative systems have been used in the total price. Note that prices are prone to vary, due to sales and rebates being offered at the time of writing.

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The Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H-A
The chosen motherboard for this build is not a high-end part, and does not offer a lot of features. It comes with a basic Intel B85 chipset, offering support for the chosen CPU and all standard features. It is not possible to run a multi-GPU Setup on this board, and neither is overclocking recommended and hardly possible on this board.
It does come at a low price, and will do fine for our build as we're looking at doing a build that works out of the box, with no need for extensive tweaking and setup.

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The RAM
G.Skill Sniper 1866mhz 2x 4GB
G.Skill is probably best known for having easily affordable RAM, which offer decent overclocking possiblities. In our case overclocking is not really a necessity, and hardly possible, the low price is however more than welcome.

While the RAM is capable of running at 1866mhz, the motherboard is most likely going to limit the speed to 1333mhz or 1600mhz. It should be possible to set the speed manually to 1866mhz however, although it's not officially supported.

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The Storage
Western Digital Blue 1TB 64MB cache
Sadly the budget doesn't allow for an SSD, so i've gone with the second best solution, a sturdy Hard Disk Drive. The chosen HDD is a standard 7200RPM model, and is above average in build quality. It got enough space for any operative system you want, and a bunch of games, porn, and your favourite meme's.

I do recommend upgrading to a SSD, or grabbing a SSD on Black Friday, as there's a world of difference between a HDD and a SSD.

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The Graphics Card
R9 380 2GB XFX Double Dissipation
As this card is currently on sale, this is probably by far the best choice for a gaming GPU currently. Despite running a bit hotter than the Nvidia counterpart, the GTX960, the R9 380 offers great value for the money, and is really bang-for-the-buck.

The biggest drawback of the card, and also of GTX 960, is the limit of 2GB of VRAM which might result in some less than stellar performance if you want to max out all graphics options in the newest games. The card will pull any game on the market without a problem though, although tweaking the graphics might be recommended in some games to get the much needed 60fps.

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The Case
Thermaltake Versa H23
The chosen case for this build is a budget case by Thermaltake. It doesn't offer any exciting features, but does provide basic stuff like a rear exhaust fan, and some basic wiring support to get those pesky cables out of the way.
It does come with a side window and a basic black design, and support both USB2.0 and 3.0 in the front USB ports.

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The Power Supply
Corsair CSM 550w 80+ Gold
Luckily it is currently possible to grab a decent gold PSU, for less than 50 bucks. The CS and CSM series by Corsair is a decent series of power supplies, and offers the same build quality a their reknowned RM series of power supplies. With 550w to go, there's plenty of power for our build which is rated at approx. ~350w during full draw.

The CSM mode i chose for this build is a semi-modular unit, implying you can dismount any unneeded cables, allowing for a much less messy looking case.

Price & Links

Total price: $493.09
If you use Mail-In rebates as well.

Link for the parts: pcpartpicker.com/p/8s6M99

I hope you've enjoyed the build. If not, too ******* bad. You're free to request a different kind of build in the comment section, or through PM.

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Views:	7251
Favorited:	64
Submitted:	11/25/2015

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#1 - besle [OP](11/25/2015) [-]

stickied by besle

Assembling your first Pc basics: /Assembling+your+first+pc+basics/funny-pictures/5478064/

Assembling your first PC components: /channel/pc-building/Assembling+your+first+pc+components/LTkbLYG/

Choosing the right monitor: /channel/pc-building/Choosing+the+right+monitor/xbXbLko/

#2 - aaronsalsa (11/25/2015) [-]

Cool build! Currently have a really boss computer and dont need an upgrade, but its a shared PC so im eyeing peoples builds and how much they pay, and waiting for the right time to jump on the DDR 4 curve.

Also, im in college and im poor as hell so my brother and I scrape together money for each part

Always good to see content like this on FunnyJunk!

#5 to #2 - besle [OP](11/25/2015) [-]

I'd probably suggest the DDR4 jump with either Kabylake or Cannonlake release, currently there's not really any reason to make the jump if you're already on a Sandy Bridge build, or newer. That is if you game of course, plenty of good reasons to upgrade for rendering and workstation machines.

#48 to #5 - verycoolcat (11/26/2015) [-]

Hahaha that is totally wrong. The x99 has been using ddr4 for a while and because of its architecture, out performs the New 6xxx series i7. With an x99 I can minimize fallout and play csgo

#49 to #48 - besle [OP](11/26/2015) [-]

X99 is the extreme series though, that's a bit farfetched comparison considering we're discussing the regular user segmented builds. And that doesn't really have anything to do with DDR4 at all.

#52 to #49 - verycoolcat (11/26/2015) [-]

The x99 uses ddr4 in quad channels rather than dual. The newer systems won't do quad even when ddr4 comes out. It's not only using ddr4 but optimized to get the most or of it.

I'm curious as to how old you are because I've seen numerous posts you've made about building pcs and you only get praised by the mostly computer illiterate.

#58 - mentlgen (11/26/2015) [-]

******* ameri-cucks and your dirt cheap pc part prices...
That would cost around $1000 from my seller ( umart.com.au ) and that's a good price.

Fuuuuck

#59 to #58 - besle [OP](11/26/2015) [-]

I feel with you, i'm from Denmark, with sale taxes hitting 25%.

#12 - crispybomb (11/25/2015) [-]

I'm about as knowledgeable as a 60 year old man when it comes to computer stuff, so could you answer a question for me? How do you tell how good a CPU, graphics card, etc is? I know how to build a pc and all that, I just don't know what parts are good.

#13 to #12 - crispybomb (11/25/2015) [-]

Also, for this $500 build, what's the biggest thing you've got it to run? Like Fallout 4 on high or something like that. Just need an example.

#14 to #13 - anon (11/25/2015) [-]

watching a ten minute video on how to build a computer =/= knowing how to build a computer

#15 to #14 - crispybomb (11/25/2015) [-]

Get out of anon and say that like a man sateava. Don't act like I don't know that's you.

#16 to #15 - sateava (11/26/2015) [-]

sorry, i didnt realize i wasnt logged in

#18 to #16 - crispybomb (11/26/2015) [-]

Sure you didn't.

#17 to #16 - sateava (11/26/2015) [-]

faggot <3

#24 to #12 - alostcanadian (11/26/2015) [-]

bench marking.
CPUs have a few part which matter tho most of em scale with the quality of the chip so u only need to worry about a few.

The first is the number of cores (individual processing units).
Second is the GHz or speed of each core (look at game system requirements for games to see what u need, more is better).
Lastly the benchmark with is a test to see how well the CPU actually works under an intense load.

I would recommend looking at the Ghz and the benchmark since most systems use only 4 cores and having more doesn't mean the game will run any better.

#33 to #12 - besle [OP](11/26/2015) [-]

It depends a lot on underlying technologies, the CPU architecture, core speed, caching and so on. It's a difficult matter, as there's no direct guideline that says which CPU is the fastest, so i always recommend checking for CPU benchmarks and reviews. The benchmarks usually show the static scores in various applications, while reviews point out any flaws the CPU and/or GPU might have.

Also the build i posted should do Fallout 4 just fine, it's a fairly powerful build for the money.

#67 - definitelynotamod (11/27/2015) [-]

This makes me wish i had money. Ah....too bad i dont know jack **** about building computers

#47 - verycoolcat (11/26/2015) [-]

That gigabyte board has been.having major probs lately the r380 clocks the same performance as a 780 gtx. You'll be upgrading in a year or less

#51 to #47 - besle [OP](11/26/2015) [-]

Are you sure it's not the regular DS3H? Can't find anything about the DS3H-A having problems.

And the GTX 780 is still pretty well for a gaming card, considering you're getting a full build for $500.

#53 to #51 - verycoolcat (11/26/2015) [-]

Yes I'm sure. The b85 chipset and gigabyte have been pretty fail with amd cards

#54 to #53 - besle [OP](11/26/2015) [-]

source?

#56 to #54 - verycoolcat (11/26/2015) [-]

You need to login to view this link

#57 to #56 - besle [OP](11/26/2015) [-]

Your google link only shows problems with the HD3, and most of these are cornered around the Revision update they made.

#45 - codeboy (11/26/2015) [-]

If you want it to be complete for the non pirate, you need to add $100 for an operating system at least, also if they don't have access to a direct line to their router, that's another $30 for a wireless adapter that won't **** out for gaming, if they need to read CD's (don't have OS on USB), that's another $20.

#46 to #45 - besle [OP](11/26/2015) [-]

Most people either pirate or already got a key for Windows, USB pens is something pretty much all people already own, and gaming on wireless is not recommendable.

#50 to #46 - codeboy (11/26/2015) [-]

Sorry, but that is very incorrect. I work in retail and part of my job is to walk people through building a PC and 95% of the time, they are in need of an OS and do NOT know how to or want to pirate one. Also on less, but many occasions, they are in need of a wireless adapter because they can not run a patch cable. Regardless of whether or not it is "recommended*".

#55 to #50 - besle [OP](11/26/2015) [-]

People who buy computers in retail are hardly the target group for homebuilt computers though, people who build it themselves usually know their way around most of this stuff after all.

#60 to #55 - codeboy (11/26/2015) [-]

Sorry, but that is also kind of incorrect. The majority of our many customers are IT professionals. Just because you know what you are doing doesn't mean that you have to pirate an OS. I walk them through the newest hardware and what works well together, they are thoroughly educated in the building process. Also, many home builders prefer to get their hardware right away.

#44 - ninjabadger ONLINE (11/26/2015) [-]

My laptop is an absolute tank, so I probably won't be building a PC for a while...

Rendering might take its toll over the years though.

#32 - anon (11/26/2015) [-]

i'll leave this here.
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150733&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=IGNEFL111715&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL111715-_-EMC-111715-Index-_-DesktopGraphicsCards-_-14150733-S1A1B

#31 - mulciber ONLINE (11/26/2015) [-]

Hey, besle, is there a particular reason to use an i5 instead of an i3 when working on a budget computer? The difference could be left out of the sticker price, or added into a SSD.

#34 to #31 - besle [OP](11/26/2015) [-]

A lot of AAA games these days are heavily CPU dependant, getting a SSD doesn't translate directly into more FPS, and with a I5 you got more upgrade potential in the long run.

#61 to #34 - mulciber ONLINE (11/26/2015) [-]

I've never heard of an SSD adding FPS, it's just a quality of life upgrade. Reducing Windows load times, and letting your favorite game(s) load faster is always a plus.

You're definitely right about the CPU dependence increasing, but an i3 in most benchmarks is fine. Only a 2-5 fps gain, for something like a $40 increase.

Better than a G3258 in the end, given games are slowly requiring quad cores.

#28 - anon (11/26/2015) [-]

Hey Besle, love your posts. Coul you recommend a good mobo for Skylake? i was looking at the Asus Hero VIII one. and as for psu? what would you recommend for some single GPU ocing?

#35 to #28 - besle [OP](11/26/2015) [-]

Haven't looked a lot into the various motherboard of Skylake yet, although i do recommend the ROG series from Asus, like the one you're looking at. Expensive motherboard, but usually packed with quality components and lots of features.

For the power supply, i'd suggest a EVGA G2/GS/T2/P2 or a Seasonic X series. Otherwise, you can take a look at this list: www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

#27 - pokemonstheshiz (11/26/2015) [-]

Just a tip, if you're building so you can play things like fallout, Bethesda games and anything made with Unreal Engine run a bit better with Nvidia cards.
I'm guessing you chose the 380 instead to keep it slightly under 500 though

#36 to #27 - besle [OP](11/26/2015) [-]

Well reports are varied at this point with some people experiencing problems with AMD cards in Fallout, and others running it smooth. I guess it's a driver issue, and with the newest release of the Crimson Drive, there might still be hope for Fallout players with this build.

#40 to #36 - pokemonstheshiz (11/26/2015) [-]

But that's still a difference between might(AMD) and does(Nvidia), so I don't know why you'd bank of the former if you had the choice.

#41 to #40 - besle [OP](11/26/2015) [-]

Since the build isn't primarily focused on Fallout, i found no reason to go exclusively Nvidia this time, since the card was on sale. The R9 380 outperforms the equally priced GTX960 in most games, but i couldn't find any GTX960's priced as low as this one,

#42 to #41 - pokemonstheshiz (11/26/2015) [-]

Which, you'll notice, is why my comment said "if you're building so you can play things like fallout, Bethesda games and anything made with Unreal Engine"
More for people looking at this build than for you.

#43 to #42 - besle [OP](11/26/2015) [-]

Don't think the impact is going to be big in Fallout 4
www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/fallout_4_pc_graphics_performance_benchmark_review,7.html

#26 - markhov (11/26/2015) [-]

Anyone got tips on how to upgrade from Win 7 32-bit to 64-bit version for games and such? Is it worth upgrading to Win10 or does it suck as hard as I feel/think?

#37 to #26 - besle [OP](11/26/2015) [-]

Do a full format with a Windows 7 disk or image. Windows 10 is fine so far, haven't encountered any big problems yet.

#62 to #37 - markhov (11/26/2015) [-]

You currently running Win 10?

#63 to #62 - besle [OP](11/26/2015) [-]

Yeah on both my computers actually, only encounted minor problems so far. Biggest problems reside with driver problems, so make sure your PC got supported drivers before upgrading.

#64 to #63 - markhov (11/26/2015) [-]

Alright, thanks for the reply, brah

#65 to #64 - besle [OP](11/26/2015) [-]

You're welcome

#23 - northway (11/26/2015) [-]

I was rly thinking of building a new pc myself, because I can't run fallout 4. I just crashed when i start new game. This one is a good advice, thanks op

#21 - thunderpony (11/26/2015) [-]

I got my components for my first build, can you guys check it out and tell me what you think? Is it better or equal to this $500 build?
www.amazon.ca/gp/registry/wishlist/1VLIICVZT6CRW/r

#22 to #21 - thunderpony (11/26/2015) [-]

Crap. Forgot to add a 1TB HDD and a mid tower case

#29 to #21 - bgr (11/26/2015) [-]

thats not a bad starting point? what games do you usally play?

#66 to #29 - thunderpony (11/27/2015) [-]

To be honest all I have is my laptop so any main/big tittles I play on my console but I use my laptop for a few games off of Steam and MMORPG's.

#69 to #66 - bgr (11/27/2015) [-]

Not to mention , the i5 4690k will def future proof you for some time

#70 to #69 - thunderpony (11/27/2015) [-]

awesome thanks

#68 to #66 - bgr (11/27/2015) [-]

I reeeeallly wouldnt recommend AMD. Save up some more money. the i5 4690k is vastly superior and has dropped to 200 because the new skylake came out. Get that instead

#71 to #68 - thunderpony (11/28/2015) [-]

would the i5 5690K be compatible with the motherboard or should I get a different one?

#73 to #71 - bgr (11/28/2015) [-]

Unless that was a typo and you meant i5 4690k

#74 to #73 - thunderpony (11/28/2015) [-]

yeah I meant i5 4690k

#72 to #71 - bgr (11/28/2015) [-]

Thats the six core one right? No that needs a different motherboard with a different socket.

So i5 4690k uses a lga 1150 socket. So all z97 motherboards
i5 5690k uses an x99 mobo
amd uses AM3 or AM3+ mobos and so on

#38 to #21 - besle [OP](11/26/2015) [-]

CPU wise it's not as strong, but otherwise a decent build.

#20 - thunderpony has deleted their comment [-]

#19 - solarisofcelestia ONLINE (11/26/2015) [-]

Magnificent.

#8 - timbittwo (11/25/2015) [-]

Aw man, your 500 dollar build is bettter than my 2 year old 1200(In Canada) dollar upgrade...

Could I ask a question?
What AMD based quality mother board would you recommend? I know my motherboard is causing me issues with a lot of things, even fresh from the box it was ****** .
I'm kinda thinking about switching right back to Intel which I was happily using before I went with an FX-6300 but then I have to buy a nice Intel processor which all I can really afford at the moment is a motherboard. Is AMD even worth really sticking with anymore?

#9 to #8 - besle [OP](11/25/2015) [-]

Well depends on your usage i guess. Any 970 or 990 chipset would do i believe, as long as you stay with the big brands (MSI, Gigabyte, AsRock, etc).

Currently AMD is hardly a good choice in any situation, unless you're really budget dependent.

#10 to #9 - timbittwo (11/25/2015) [-]

hmm okay.
When is a good time to upgrade graphics cards? How long ago did Radeon release the 300 series? Kinda concerned I might make the same mistake again and buy into a series as it's phasing out. I'm currently using a 280X Toxic

#11 to #10 - besle [OP](11/25/2015) [-]

Well since the 300 series is just a slightly tweaked 200 series, there's no need to switch. New cards should be out mid 2016 or something like that.

#25 to #11 - timbittwo (11/26/2015) [-]

lol I though the 200 series was just tweaks of the previous 7000 or whatever series

#30 to #25 - mulciber ONLINE (11/26/2015) [-]

Teccchhhnically, yes. Some of the cards are rebrands of the 200 series, which included rebranded Radeon 7000's (See R7 270). Still, the cards trade paint against the nVidia equivalents, which if anything shows how well designed the architecture is.

#39 to #30 - besle [OP](11/26/2015) [-]

Well Nvidia have been tweaking their series as well, just like AMD did. While AMD focussed on getting more power out of their cards, Nvidia reduced wattage used while keeping the performance just slightly above the previous generation.

#6 - kapkap ONLINE (11/25/2015) [-]

ive got the standard 2x4gb 1600mhz RAM, if im looking to get more, is there anything i should look out for?

#7 to #6 - besle [OP](11/25/2015) [-]

Well preferably you'd get the exact same RAM, but looking for stuff like CL timings is a good idea as well.

#3 - sinery (11/25/2015) [-]

Actually the RM not RMi series are known to be crap when talking higher end PSUs.
Also for a tight budget build I'd choose a SSD any day.
Mostly because almost everyone has unused HDDs laying around.