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Who can build the cheapest gaming PC?
Hey guys. Long time no see; I want to challenge you to build the most powerful PC at the $300 price range that beats mine.
Here are the specs:
CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($49.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($45.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R7 240 2GB Video Card ($54.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Rosewill FBM-01-450P MicroATX Mini Tower Case w/450W Power Supply
Total: $259.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-01 16:45 EST-0500
Here are the specs:
CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($49.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($45.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R7 240 2GB Video Card ($54.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Rosewill FBM-01-450P MicroATX Mini Tower Case w/450W Power Supply
Total: $259.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-01 16:45 EST-0500
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Under $150 Budget Gaming 8 Core CPU, Motherboard & 16GB RAM from Linus Tech Tips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epIlB49SNTI
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I uploaded a topic about a $500 PC build and I have 8GB 1866MHZ RAM for $40.
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Man, Ram is literally crazy these days. 4 months ago It was 50$ for 8 gb now its down to 30. Almost makes you wanna cry when you see you could have payed 100$ or so less with these lower prices xD
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Yeah, it's insane how RAM cost now. And I've experienced performance on the 750 Ti and it's an huge advancement in performance compared to mine. Good job on the challenge.
Ninja Ty RB, I did use PCPartPicker and those were the lowest prices I saw in PCPP.
Ninja Ty RB, I did use PCPartPicker and those were the lowest prices I saw in PCPP.
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Obviously PC part picker, if you didn't know, has great deals. Check that out
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($32.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($22.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $296.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-01 19:35 EST-0500
My build has a slightly worse processor, although the two have very similar performance when the G3258 isn't overclocked, which in your build it's can't.
The main reason this build is so much better is because the GTX 750 TI far exceeds the performance of the 240. It's not even close. Also, although not related to performance, I personally think the case I chose is a lot better looking, and the power supply is more reliable than the one that comes with that case.
(Side note: WHEN DID RAM BECOME SO CHEAP? When I was shopping for computer parts only a year and a half ago, 8GB of DDR3 RAM would have cost somewhere in the $70-$80 range, and now it's $30??? Just in May I remember a single 4GB stick was about that much. It's crazy!)
CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($32.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($22.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $296.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-01 19:35 EST-0500
My build has a slightly worse processor, although the two have very similar performance when the G3258 isn't overclocked, which in your build it's can't.
The main reason this build is so much better is because the GTX 750 TI far exceeds the performance of the 240. It's not even close. Also, although not related to performance, I personally think the case I chose is a lot better looking, and the power supply is more reliable than the one that comes with that case.
(Side note: WHEN DID RAM BECOME SO CHEAP? When I was shopping for computer parts only a year and a half ago, 8GB of DDR3 RAM would have cost somewhere in the $70-$80 range, and now it's $30??? Just in May I remember a single 4GB stick was about that much. It's crazy!)
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Can you make a build without using mail-in rebates? Without MIRs, that build is over $360.
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Click to reveal
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Pentium G3250 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($56.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($42.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.18 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R7 250 2GB Video Card ($73.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill FBM-02 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 400W ATX Power Supply ($27.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $299.10
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-02 00:56 EST-0500
CPU: Intel Pentium G3250 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($56.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($42.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.18 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R7 250 2GB Video Card ($73.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill FBM-02 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 400W ATX Power Supply ($27.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $299.10
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-02 00:56 EST-0500
Not as good for graphics, but it's decent for $300.
Although I'd like to point out that at such a budget, just for pure gaming performance for this challenge, a build like this would be better, although less practical in real-life situations with low HDD storage and RAM.
Click to reveal
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Pentium G3250 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($56.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($42.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Elite 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 250GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($19.95 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($107.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill FBM-02 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 400W ATX Power Supply ($27.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $293.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-02 01:00 EST-0500
CPU: Intel Pentium G3250 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($56.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($42.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Elite 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 250GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($19.95 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($107.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill FBM-02 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 400W ATX Power Supply ($27.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $293.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-02 01:00 EST-0500
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Yeah, $300 definitely isn't the sweet spot for performance per dollar right now. You have to choose between good gaming hardware or good non-gaming hardware; you can't have both for $300.
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This specs are great for the price.
although the 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive you overpaid.
i got mine for 40$
although the 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive you overpaid.
i got mine for 40$