Build Me A $350-$400 Rig

R

Rukus.

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I'm looking to get a computer as soon as possible that can play all Source Engine games at modest resolutions at medium settings while getting about 70fps average. Once again my budget is $350-$400 without a monitor, keyboard, or mouse. I wanted a build that can get all my source engine needs done in preparation for Tactical Intervention and Portal 2, so the budget is very low.

Also, full tower case please, I want room to expand.
 
Tactical Intervention isn't on the source engine, doesn't have anything to do with source engine or counter strike, so not sure how it will run.


Not sure what the min requirements will look like for portal 2 either.
 
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Cut Chem!st said:
Tactical Intervention isn't on the source engine, doesn't have anything to do with source engine or counter strike, so not sure how it will run.


Not sure what the min requirements will look like for portal 2 either.
Click to expand...

Actually, it is on the source engine.


Lets take HL2: EP2 as our model, since its more visually taxing than Portal or TF2.

Minimum

1.7 GHz Processor, 512MB RAM, DirectX? 8.1 level Graphics Card (Requires support for SSE), Windows? Vista/XP/2000, Mouse, Keyboard, Internet Connection

Recommended

Pentium 4 processor (3.0GHz, or better), 1GB RAM, DirectX? 9 level Graphics Card, Windows? Vista/XP/2000, Mouse, Keyboard, Internet Connection
 
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Rukus. said:
Actually, it is on the source engine.


Lets take HL2: EP2 as our model, since its more visually taxing than Portal or TF2.

Minimum

1.7 GHz Processor, 512MB RAM, DirectX? 8.1 level Graphics Card (Requires support for SSE), Windows? Vista/XP/2000, Mouse, Keyboard, Internet Connection

Recommended

Pentium 4 processor (3.0GHz, or better), 1GB RAM, DirectX? 9 level Graphics Card, Windows? Vista/XP/2000, Mouse, Keyboard, Internet Connection
Click to expand...
Hm, didn't realize they let him use the source engine to make his game. Anyways, tf2 actually has higher requirements that those recommended, those recommended are really old and won't play anything (they had them listed the same for tf2 but they've changed over time a lot).

Portal 2 is going to be a lot more taxing though, with dynamic lighting etc.

I'd put up a build but I don't have any time, I know phobus or someone will once they get on/see the thread.
 
I see someone posting my name. >.>
I think you need to be more realistic, or at least be more specific with what you mean by 'a modest resolution'.
But even then, you still need to be more realistic. That budget is waaaaay too low for what you're asking for.
 
At that budget, you'd get a low-end dual core, a crappy GPU, low powered PSU, a small(er) case, a mATX motherboard, and a small Hard Drive.

You should save your pennies. $400 is not enough to build a computer that will do what you're asking for it to do. You need about $600-800 to pull that off.
 
My work Machine was built for about $530 at Microcenter. This was TRYING to be as budget as possible myself and could have maybe got away with $500. This is not including my GPU which would take my total to right around $600. If i had to pay for my OS the total would have come to $700. You will need more cash, and maybe find some deals on refurbs or open boxes

Core i3 530 @ 4.2
ASUS H55-M PRO
WD500 blue
Sony DVDRW
Antec 300 case
CM 212 + cpu cooler
4gb OCZ gold RAM
EVGA 8800GTS 512
Win7 Ultimate
 
I didn't even read the price when I typed my response, yeah 400$ is almost impossible for what your trying to accomplish.

800-900$ is what you should be aiming for, it will get you what you want and more, and will last for a lot longer
 
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Best I could do given the amount.


Case: $49.98 - COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119106

PSU: $55.98 - Rosewill RP600V2-S-SL 600W ATX12V v2.01 SLI Ready Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182032

CPU: $58.99 - AMD Athlon II X2 245 Regor 2.9GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103687

M/B: $67.55 - ASRock M3A770DE AM3 AMD 770 ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157176

MEM: $67.98 - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231185

HDD: $44.99 - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD2500AAJS 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136113

Optical Drive - $19.99 - LITE-ON Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106276

Video Card - $95.97 ($80.97 w/ $15 MIR)- POWERCOLOR AX5670 512MD5-H Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) 512MB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131334

Total: $461.43 ($446.43 w/ MIR)

You won't get a full tower on that budget bro, it's impossible to my knowledge. Plus you can get a mid tower and have plenty of room for expansion.

I would definitely suggest saving a couple hundred dollars and adding it to the budget. Otherwise, be on the lookout for some deals at your local Microcenter or Frys.
 
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drop the case, then it is just the right price......

You can run your pc without a case
 
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