13 replies to this topic

[Narcissistic Martyr]

So, I'm a grad student and I'm poor. No news there. I do however want to play mwomercs because I'm a TT enthusiest.

Anyways. I have managed to scrape together around $350-400 for a desktop since my laptop won't play the game in all likelyhood. If I was in the beta I'd try it out but a dual core at 2GHz isn't likely to do it.

So, I was looking for a deal on CL and I found this used computer.

Now... the CPU is anemic but the motherboard looks like it can support a newer GPU like an GTX560ti which aren't that unreasonable if bought used ($160-180ish) and can overclock as far as I can tell.

So... I figure that if I can buy it and replace the CPU with a phenom ii x4 965 or get lucky and grab something better off ebay I should have something decent for $400 since I can get a copy of Win 7 x64 from the university for $20.

This of course depends on the power supply in the case which if it's low maybe I can sell the old CPU for $40 or something and maybe negotiate a lower price.

It won't be cutting edge or anything it should do the job and it's only a motherboard+CPU upgrade away from being pretty close to modern so when I scrape some more money together in a year or so I can upgrade to whatever is the best bang for buck at that time.

I also considered purchasing a used workstation with a dual CPU socket motherboard but only one CPU and upgrade the GPU and later add more Xeon CPUs since they seem to be reasonably priced and I do 6-10 solidworks projects a year but I can't really find any in my price range.

I am also open to suggestions on how to get better bang for my rather limited buck but remember I do need everything since I haven't had a desktop in over 6 years. Oh, and I will be going past a microcenter near the end of the month if that helps.

Thanks for your help.

Edited by Narcissistic Martyr, 03 July 2012 - 07:28 AM.

[Barbaric Soul]

You're going to need a video card also. Onboard graphics are not going to be enough for even low settings.

[Grugore]

Check this out. It's 249.00 after rebates and you have to assemble it yourself, but it shouldn't have any problem running any game you might want to play.

http://www.tigerdire...04&Sku=B69-0508

[Narcissistic Martyr]

Barbaric Soul, on 03 July 2012 - 07:30 AM, said:

You're going to need a video card also. Onboard graphics are not going to be enough for even low settings.

I believe I mentioned that in paragraph 4. I'm thinking a used GTX560ti would do the trick.

[Catamount]

You'll want a case with some dissipation capability, the CPU, count on a new PSU, and then your GPU

You'll have $250 left after that CL machine, and I just can't budget that on $250. Even dropping the case only leaves like $80 for the GPU.

You could possibly get a Trinity build at that price point, once it comes out over the next few months. That way you could build a PC without having to buy a dedicated GPU, although others may have more immediate suggestions.

Edited by Catamount, 03 July 2012 - 07:44 AM.

[darknothing]

Barbaric Soul, on 03 July 2012 - 07:30 AM, said:

You're going to need a video card also. Onboard graphics are not going to be enough for even low settings.

Wrong amd has the new fm1 socket processors with 6000 series on bored graphics
It's pretty powerfully and should run the game on hight settings
Also you can crossfire with 6770 or below if you need to!
It's pretty impressive tech.
I just did a build for under 500$

[Barbaric Soul]

darknothing, on 03 July 2012 - 07:51 AM, said:

Wrong amd has the new fm1 socket processors with 6000 series on bored graphics
It's pretty powerfully and should run the game on hight settings
Also you can crossfire with 6770 or below if you need to!
It's pretty impressive tech.
I just did a build for under 500$

That's all fine and dandy, If he was BUILDING A SOCKET FM1 computer.

But the OP does say he's looking at a GTX560ti, so it's a non-issue any way.

[Catamount]

Barbaric Soul, on 03 July 2012 - 08:20 AM, said:

That's all fine and dandy, If he was BUILDING A SOCKET FM1 computer.

But the OP does say he's looking at a GTX560ti, so it's a non-issue any way.

Since he doesn't have a computer, however, I think a 560TI is way out of reach of a $400 budget. If it was just the card and an upgrade or two to an older machine he already had, it'd be one thing, but a while computer built around a GPU that high end just isn't going to happen for that price, imo.

I think that leaves an APU as the best option, especially once Trinity is out. I haven't seen it in stores yet for desktops, but an A10-4600m is probably about the best the OP is going to get on that budget.

Edited by Catamount, 03 July 2012 - 08:33 AM.

[Narcissistic Martyr]

I should go ahead and say that I'll probably not get that PC on CL so I guess I'll take whatever will give me the best bang for my rather limited buck and upgrade as funds become available..

[Vulpesveritas]

For Newegg options;

http://www.newegg.co...e=1436%3A100185
Is what you're looking at,
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16883203773
is your best deal at this price point,
and if you can afford it, adding this:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814102988
or this (cheaper option):
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814131462
will improve your gaming experience.

Keep in mind, as Trinity APUs become available, prices may differ and there may be better options possibly.
And apparently Trinity is available in OEMs, though a bit above your budget;
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16883157362

[Vulpesveritas]

Build your own option;
Case: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811148061
Power supply; http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139026
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813157280
CPU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103727
GPU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814102988
RAM: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820103006
HDD: Reuse laptop harddrive until you can afford a new one. $5 mount for a 3.5" drive bay; http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817997013
OS: use disk on HDD if you have windows 7, otherwise use windows 8 beta.
Total: ~$390 before shipping. Can reduce price further if needed for shipping, but this is your best sub-$400 deal.
Fastest option at this price, and more upgradable of course.

Edited by Vulpesveritas, 03 July 2012 - 09:59 AM.

[Narcissistic Martyr]

I think I can swing that, I do have an old laptop that has useable but small hard drive that I can canibalize for short term use so that helps keep the prices down.

That combined with the 20 mail in rebate on the power supply gets the prices down enough that this is doable though I may wait for a sale on a better graphics card since I have until late August probably before mwomercs goes to open beta and I might be able to scrape another $10 or $20 together by then.

Thank you so much for your help.

Edited by Narcissistic Martyr, 03 July 2012 - 10:36 AM.

[Vulpesveritas]

Narcissistic Martyr, on 03 July 2012 - 10:35 AM, said:

I think I can swing that, I do have an old laptop that has useable but small hard drive that I can canibalize for short term use so that helps keep the prices down.

That combined with the 20 mail in rebate on the power supply gets the prices down enough that this is doable though I may wait for a sale on a better graphics card since I have until late August probably before mwomercs goes to open beta and I might be able to scrape another $10 or $20 together by then.

Thank you so much for your help.

While you can, I would grab the non-graphics card options now, so you can get the promo discount on the CPU, which will increase your budget by ~$20. This will also guarantee what savings you have available by the general sales.
Just my input.

Also, make sure that HDD is a SATA drive, otherwise you will want to find a used one within your budget.

Edited by Vulpesveritas, 03 July 2012 - 10:43 AM.

[Narcissistic Martyr]

Yeah, I'll grab what's on sale now and wait a bit on the rest.