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Looking For A Powerful 300 Dollar Gaming PC

Fanjawi's Avatar Fanjawi4/16/14 12:42 pm
1 emeralds 1.7k 72
4/18/2014 4:09 pm
DrStrad's Avatar DrStrad
Hey guys.

I decided to not go for a laptop, and instead get a PC. I want a powerful PC that I will use daily, and can handle programs like Photoshop and can play games. Games like Skyrim, ect. My budget is 300 dollars, so hopefully you can find something good for the price.

Oh, and don't tell me to buy something and then upgade it to support my needs, I don't feel like doing that.

So yeah, thanks, hope you have a good day.
Posted by Fanjawi's Avatar
Fanjawi
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1
04/18/2014 1:54 am
Level 8 : Apprentice Prince
triger545
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I got the following for about $900

Processor: AMD A10-5700 @ 3.7GHz (Can go higher with more power)
RAM: 10GB DDR3 @ 1600MHz
Power Supply: 600W COOLMAX
Motherboard: MSI 2AE0 (Don't recommend this one)
Video Card: AMD R9 270x (About $350 now, watch out)
Hard Drive: 1TB (not sure which brand. Recommend a SSD)
OS: Windows 8
1
04/18/2014 12:32 am
Level 21 : Expert Dragonborn
Fanjawi
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I know it's a laptop, but how about the Dell Inspiron 15?
1
04/18/2014 1:21 am
Level 29 : Expert Engineer
DrStrad
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I can't recommend a laptop to anyone unless they need a portable PC. you can build a PC that has much more value for the money.
1
04/18/2014 1:25 am
Level 21 : Expert Dragonborn
Fanjawi
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What if someone doesn't want to build a PC? xD
1
04/18/2014 4:09 pm
Level 29 : Expert Engineer
DrStrad
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Why wouldn't you want to build one? It's easy, rewarding, only takes a few hours, and it will last longer than a prebuilt.
1
04/18/2014 10:01 am
Level 26 : Expert Princess
Randomness3333
Randomness3333's Avatar
What if someone wants to willingly waste their money on a product that doesn't meet their needs? Basically what you are asking for is impossible with this budget. You have to go up to at least 400$ but 500$ would be much more ideal. Those are the prices if you build it yourself, buying a prebuilt will add a hundred or more to the price to get the same performance.
triger545I got the following for about $900

Processor: AMD A10-5700 @ 3.7GHz (Can go higher with more power)
RAM: 10GB DDR3 @ 1600MHz
Power Supply: 600W COOLMAX
Motherboard: MSI 2AE0 (Don't recommend this one)
Video Card: AMD R9 270x (About $350 now, watch out)
Hard Drive: 1TB (not sure which brand. Recommend a SSD)
OS: Windows 8

How is recommending this horrible computer going to help the OP who has a 300$ budget?
1
04/16/2014 9:44 pm
Level 12 : Journeyman Network
Seghas
Seghas's Avatar
Agree, but I was struggling to get within the budget anyway.
1
04/16/2014 8:29 pm
Level 12 : Journeyman Network
Seghas
Seghas's Avatar
If you're fine with Linux, and you honestly can't save up more, this might work.
Click to reveal
pcpartpicker.com/p/3t3nc
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus A55BM-E Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Blu 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.99 @ Best Buy)
Memory: Patriot Signature 2GB (1 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($37.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $300.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-16 20:20 EDT-0400)


However, I recommend spending $500 or more. At $550, there's this, a more powerful system that will fulfill most expectations. Add optical drive and wifi adapter if ya want.
Click to reveal
pcpartpicker.com/p/3t3DJ
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI 760GM-P34(FX) Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($53.66 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 1GB Video Card ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($37.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ Micro Center)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $551.57
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-16 20:28 EDT-0400)
1
04/16/2014 8:47 pm
Level 29 : Expert Engineer
DrStrad
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Only problem with the Linux build is that you can double HDD space with only a few dollars more.
1
04/16/2014 6:57 pm
Level 29 : Expert Engineer
DrStrad
DrStrad's Avatar
You can make a computer at $300, but why not save double that and make a computer thats 6 times better.
1
04/16/2014 5:53 pm
Level 22 : Expert Crafter
Killertoad
Killertoad's Avatar
I love how many closet PC pro's we have here on PMC... You will not get a "gaming" computer for under at least $500. (Plus another $100 for keyboards, mouses, monitors). The best thing to do is let your money grow, and wait till you have about doubled it. Toward the end of this year, a lot of Nvidia's cards should drop in price, so that'd help a lot as well.
1
04/16/2014 5:59 pm
Level 51 : Grandmaster Ladybug
McJackson3180
McJackson3180's Avatar
HOPEFULLY THE GTX TIRAN Z KINDA DROPS THE PRICE BY 500 OR MORE DOLLARS
1
04/16/2014 6:07 pm
Level 22 : Expert Crafter
Killertoad
Killertoad's Avatar
lol dood the Titan z is only 3k y cant u afford tht u poor ppl
1
04/18/2014 1:45 am
Level 51 : Grandmaster Ladybug
McJackson3180
McJackson3180's Avatar
wow dood suhc a gud priec man!!1!1!111!1!1
1
04/16/2014 5:52 pm
Level 25 : Expert Taco
Manifest
Manifest's Avatar
gl finding a $300 pc..
1
04/16/2014 5:50 pm
Level 51 : Grandmaster Ladybug
McJackson3180
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Powerful.. 300 dollar.. Gaming pc??
1
04/16/2014 5:47 pm
Level 21 : Expert Dragonborn
Dabeasty
Dabeasty's Avatar
The title of this post is an oxymoron...
1
04/16/2014 5:44 pm
Level 36 : Artisan Taco
Rice
Rice's Avatar
VizrtriPCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-6800K 4.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI FM2-A55M-E33 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($54.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: A-Data Gaming Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 160GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($29.95 @ Amazon)
Case: Apex SK-393-C ATX Mid Tower Case ($25.94 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($48.99 @ Mac Mall)
Total: $319.83
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-16 17:45 EDT-0400)


Id spend the extra 20$ and get a 1tb hdd. 160 GB wont last you long AT ALL.
1
04/16/2014 5:26 pm
Level 1 : New Miner
CraterePC
CraterePC's Avatar
^ you just gained my respect.
1
04/16/2014 5:17 pm
Level 1 : New Miner
CraterePC
CraterePC's Avatar
You don't need $650 for a good build. A minimum of $450.
However, for $300, an APU, 4gb Ddr3-1866 ram if possible, and matching components.
1
04/16/2014 5:08 pm
Level 3 : Apprentice Miner
Vizrtri
Vizrtri's Avatar
[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3sWLv) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3sWLv/by_merchant/) / [Benchmarks](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3sWLv/benchmarks/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [AMD A10-6800K 4.1GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/amd-cpu-ad680kwohlbox) | $129.99 @ Amazon
**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-mas ... 212e20pkr2) | $29.98 @ OutletPC
**Motherboard** | [MSI FM2-A55M-E33 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-fm2a55me33) | $54.98 @ SuperBiiz
**Memory** | [A-Data Gaming Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/a-data-mem ... 600gb2g92g) |-
**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Blue 160GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-di ... wd1600aajs) | $29.95 @ Amazon
**Case** | [Apex SK-393-C ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/apex-case-sk393c) | $25.94 @ NCIX US
**Power Supply** | [Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-po ... psu430cxv2) | $48.99 @ Mac Mall
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $319.83
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-16 17:07 EDT-0400 |
1
04/16/2014 5:30 pm
Level 65 : High Grandmaster Programmer
fillpant
fillpant's Avatar
nice thats a budget build, i dont know if it will support high def games though it sounds more likely to a office desctop with a bit higher specs.
1
04/16/2014 4:18 pm
Level 12 : Journeyman Goblin
JimJam Warrior
JimJam Warrior's Avatar
I am clue less on what all this RAM Buisness is... My advice is... Buy a good laptop!

XD
1
04/16/2014 4:12 pm
Level 40 : Master Fox
sviat
sviat's Avatar
This> https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc ... _web#gid=0

plays all game on 1080p, you can change some parts if this is too much money for you, but in your currency $ things cost less.
1
04/16/2014 4:09 pm
Level 1 : New Miner
Rast
Rast's Avatar
See what people don't understand about integrated graphics is that it relies on your system ram so with enough of it the integrated graphics especially from amd which do beat intels will do actually pretty well for the lower end games he mentioned
1
04/16/2014 4:21 pm
Level 25 : Expert Toast
Shadow_Anndroid
Shadow_Anndroid's Avatar
I understand perfectly. What people don't understand about RAM is that it doesn't make all the difference, but it does make a lot of it.. You could have a 1.5GHz single core CPU and 8 GB of RAM. It will run like ice on thin metal when everything's freed up, but if your CPU gets completely(like maxed out 101% clock wake time(yes, I've had this XD)) used by something, everything stops. It won't matter how much RAM you have. Even if you have an ungodly amount of RAM, your processor can only do so much at a time. Same thing with your GPU.
Think of it like this. You have a 1000HP diesel engine in your truck, but your truck only weighs 2000 pounds. If you can't get that power to the ground, you're not going anywhere.
1
04/16/2014 4:04 pm
Level 1 : New Miner
Rast
Rast's Avatar
The integrated graphics will do fine
1
04/16/2014 4:07 pm
Level 25 : Expert Toast
Shadow_Anndroid
Shadow_Anndroid's Avatar
If you're playing MC, sure they will. It'll be playable, but not spectacular. If you're playing any high-end steam game, it's better to save up that 70 bucks or so. My graphics card happily plays just about anything, given there's no other games running. The Ubuntu launcher also bogs it down some (autohide ftw).
1
04/16/2014 3:58 pm
Level 1 : New Miner
Rast
Rast's Avatar
Here is a build I was able to come up with that will suit your needs
*No one complain about the integrated graphics because they are decent and the 8gigs of ram will cover for it at the settings he wants to play at well needs to for his price range*

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A55M-HD2 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Kingston XMP Blu Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: Apex SK-393-C ATX Mid Tower Case ($25.94 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $302.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-16 15:57 EDT-0400)
1
04/16/2014 4:01 pm
Level 25 : Expert Toast
Shadow_Anndroid
Shadow_Anndroid's Avatar
This. But if you're just playing minecraft, get a GT630. I got mine for $65. Well worth its price.
1
04/16/2014 2:56 pm
Level 21 : Expert Dragonborn
Fanjawi
Fanjawi's Avatar
I mean, there must be atleast one good PC to play games smoothly for the price
._ .
1
04/16/2014 3:49 pm
Level 29 : Expert Engineer
DrStrad
DrStrad's Avatar
About 600 is the threshold for worth the money.
1
04/16/2014 3:35 pm
Level 8 : Apprentice Nerd
Lancet13
Lancet13's Avatar
$300 Gaming computer is impossible. I don't even think there's a desktop for $300 that has a video card in it, unless you look at a really old desktop that is probably discontinued by now.

Computers are expensive. My current rig costed me about $1,100, and I can run anything in 1080p maxed out.

I have another smaller computer that costed me $600, and it can run a few things in 720p on medium.
1
04/16/2014 2:08 pm
Level 21 : Expert Dragonborn
Fanjawi
Fanjawi's Avatar
Thing is, I don't know how to build a PC. And knowing myself, I will spend the whole day trying just to get it wrong xD

So if I ever buy a PC, I guess it needs to be together already
And well, since everyone is recommending me to either build or buy a really, really expensive PC which might take me like a year to get a decent one, I think I have no other choice than to survive with my crappy PC and just not play xD
1
04/16/2014 2:19 pm
Level 47 : Master Procrastinator
Uncle Seamus
Uncle Seamus's Avatar
Tech Stores can put them together but idk of any major ones.
1
04/16/2014 2:13 pm
Level 29 : Expert Engineer
DrStrad
DrStrad's Avatar
It's extremely easy, just like putting legos together.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls
1
04/16/2014 2:05 pm
Level 71 : Legendary Nerd
Irish
Irish's Avatar
My PC cost £750 (No VAT) but it can't run EVERYTHING, But it is pretty good.
1
04/16/2014 2:03 pm
Level 20 : Expert Artist
Littlesushibox
Littlesushibox's Avatar
300$ Is gonna buy nutting. My gaming computer cost 11,000kr (1100$) and it's still not super good and skyrim crashes occasionally, can't play on highest def.
1
04/16/2014 1:55 pm
Level 43 : Master Modder
akvarista11
akvarista11's Avatar
Ok Hello dude for 300$ you can't get nothing really :/ But for 420$ you can get this http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3sDnP i run MC with Shaders Fancy Far 50-60 fps and Battlefield 4 1920x1080 on High with 30 fps It's pretty decent build and if you ever decide to upgrade you will have plenty of place
1
04/16/2014 4:00 pm
Level 6 : Apprentice Miner
Strum355
Strum355's Avatar
7750 with shaders far fancy 50-60fps? i highly doubt it, ive got a 650 ti which is higher spec than the 7750 and i cant get that. And with only 4gb of ram i doubt it even more.
1
04/16/2014 1:40 pm
Level 26 : Expert Dragonborn
JtechMCPE
JtechMCPE's Avatar
This pre-built computer is ~$500 and is pretty good for gaming. I get over 100 fps with it in Minecraft and usually over 60 fps in Gmod. I know your budget is $300, but if you can scrape together another $200 consider this PC. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/pavilion-desktop-8gb-memory-2tb-hard-drive/1682356.p?id=1219060353967&skuId=1682356&st=categoryid$pcmcat212600050008&cp=1&lp=2#tab=overview
1
04/16/2014 1:48 pm
Level 29 : Expert Engineer
DrStrad
DrStrad's Avatar
An increase of only $150 yields much better results, and a quite good video card.

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Spbach/saved/4nLn

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI 970A-G46 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($69.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($149.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($37.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($43.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $645.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-16 13:58 EDT-0400)
1
04/16/2014 1:18 pm
Level 21 : Expert Dragonborn
Fanjawi
Fanjawi's Avatar
Why are PC's so dang expensive? Jeeeez ._ .
1
04/16/2014 1:33 pm
Level 8 : Apprentice Nerd
Lancet13
Lancet13's Avatar
PCs vary in price due to how much the parts have to offer. Let's talk about processors for a moment to give a firm example. Since I'm an Intel enthusiast, we're going to compare Intel processors.

Intel Celeron G1820 (Cheapest)
Intel Celeron is the weakest processor of the bunch. Simple dual core processor running at 2.7GHz. At a cheap price of $50, it's pretty good for any basic computing needs.


Intel i3-4330 (Cheap)
Intel i3 is the a slightly better processor of than the Celeron. Simple dual core processor running at 3.5GHz. Supports Intel Hyper Threading (for 2 extra virtual cores). At an alright price of $140, it's pretty good for any basic computing needs, plus some light gaming with games such as Minecraft or anything that came out 4 or more years ago that doesn't require processor heavy rendering.


Intel i5-4670K (Good)
Intel i5 is the a slightly better processor of than the i3. The "K" in the name means the processor can be overclocked. As overclocking can make the processor run faster, You should only attempt overclocking if you know what your doing. Better quad core processor running at 3.4GHz. It has a turbo boost frequency of 3.8ghz that activates when booting heavy applications. At an alright price of $240, it's pretty good for heavy gaming.


Intel i7-4770K (Epic)
Intel i7 is the a slightly better processor of than the i5. The "K" in the name means the processor can be overclocked.Better quad core processor running at 3.5GHz. It also supports hyperthreading (for 4 extra virtual cores, making it an 8-core) It has a turbo boost frequency of 3.9Ghz. At a heftyprice of $340, it's solid for heavy gaming, but is better used in 3D rendering or server operations.


This listing is only the processor as well. You still need to buy the motherboard and other components. Also, you need to buy specific motherboards with specific chipsets to use the overclocking features.

So with this being said, the motto "You get what you pay for" really counts here. The more you pay, the better hardware you can get.

and with $300, you don't get a gaming desktop. You get a desktop.
1
04/16/2014 1:19 pm
Level 23 : Expert Modder
some1epic123
some1epic123's Avatar
You could look into what I suggested on the first page.
1
04/16/2014 1:27 pm
Level 21 : Expert Dragonborn
Fanjawi
Fanjawi's Avatar
Woh, that looks awesome! I'm guessing I need to build that? :/
1
04/16/2014 1:38 pm
Level 17 : Journeyman Network
CaptainRavenAndre
CaptainRavenAndre's Avatar
I find that build looking pretty bullshit. First of all that build doesn't have a separate graphics card and i know who bad those inbuilt are.

Second of all building a pc for $350 and expecting it to run the latest games is not really what is gonna happen. Next generation games will probably come out next year and will most likely need OVER 4 gb ram and will most certainly require a graphics card.

AMD cpu's are good but not in the length of time. Because they run at large volt rates they will become much hotter and eventually break much faster.

Buying a micro motherboard means no upgrades for later at all. Which means you are stuck with 4gb of ram so if you ever want to upgrade which i know you will. It will not work.

No offense but in my opinion i recommend you save up for something better.

-Andre
1
04/16/2014 1:39 pm
Level 23 : Expert Modder
some1epic123
some1epic123's Avatar
He only wants to play games like Skyrim at lowest settings, and this has an APU which
should be good enough for low budget builds.
1
04/16/2014 1:37 pm
Level 23 : Expert Modder
some1epic123
some1epic123's Avatar
Yes, but building a PC is fun and easy. I don't remember where
the best ones are, but there are lots of great tutorials on YouTube (such as NewEgg's).
1
04/16/2014 1:09 pm
Level 52 : Grandmaster Architect
DustyDesigns
DustyDesigns's Avatar
I'm sorry, the words $300 and powerful are not made to be in the same sentence
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