There's been quite a few threads asking about building or buying PC gaming parts on a budget so I figure it'd be a good thing to have one with a list of suggested parts in the first post. I intend to update this first post semi-regularly both with any new parts which come along or with further suggestions from anyone else. Hopefully it can then be linked to whenever someone doesn't find it on search (or doesn't bother to search in the first place).
The conditions for a budget PC are obviously a bit arbitrary so here are a few different options at differing price-points for use as a guide.
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New updated suggestions (March 2012):
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AMD light gamer
AMD isn't really in a good position at the moment. They are difficult to recommend at any price-point. This system is designed to be a basic, cheap all-rounder. Gaming will be at the lower end and is usually only acceptable at lower resolution and/or lower detail settings. That said, it will get you started at a reasonably low cost and you can drop in a better card at a later date when you get more money. This system will be replaced by a much stronger FM2-based one when they become available later and so is largely a placeholder until then. There is limited upgradeability and it doesn't come highly recommended.
Gigabyte FM1 motherboard £43
AMD A8 3850 cpu £98
4GB RAM £17
500 GB hard drive £60
Generic case £10
DVD drive £12
450W PSU £20
Total £260
Intel budget upgrader
This Intel system designed to be upgraded over time (primarily the cpu and graphics card). The motherboard will accept the Intel i5 2500k which is a great cpu.
Motherboard (Sandybridge) £67
Intel i3 2100 Sandybridge £89
AMD 6850 £108
4GB RAM £22
500 GB hard drive £60
Generic case £10
DVD drive £12
450W PSU £20
Total £388
It should be noted that the power supplies in each of these computers is not from a "good" name. I haven't had any problems with them but that is not to say that you won't. A blown PSU can destroy other bits in your computer so if you have a bit more money have a look at the links below and choose a better option.
The AMD system is quite low level (as you should expect from the price). You could drop a good graphics card in there at a later date and boost the performance enormously but as this socket is being replaced in the summer, this system (as is) will only suit someone who really wants a PC system now but doesn't have much money. If you have a bit more money than £260, but can't afford the £390 for the Intel system, you could exchange the A8 3850 for an AthlonII 631 saving £40 and adding the 6850 from the Intel system. This will be a massive upgrade that will play most games smoothly (though rarely at the top settings) and may be a better option for £330. For another £25 or so add in a 6870 instead and you will match the Intel system on occasion for a few pounds cheaper. There is no real upgrade path for the CPU so realistically you should wait until FM2 or get the Intel system.
The Intel i3 is a fine budget CPU that destroys the budget AMD offerings. It also costs more though so people at the absolute bottom of the market may have to cut corners elsewhere to get one. If you can afford it, get it. It uses less power for more performance and it is upgradeable to i5 2500k on this motherboard. If you are not buying right now, keep an eye out for deals on the 6850/6870 (or even the 560Ti) as there could be movement in the coming months with the new generation arrivals.
In general, to improve the i3 system (assuming you've already picked up a more suitable PSU):
(1) get a better graphics card (6870/560Ti/7850)
(2) more RAM (just because it is cheap)
(3) get an i5 from the start
For both systems, an additional SSD as a boot drive will add a lot of smoothness/responsiveness and a very quick boot time but games will fill it up quite quickly (and will only improve the loading times rather than the game itself). It is one of the best system upgrades that you can do though, so strongly consider it if it is affordable.
Another consideration for a budget PC is energy consumption. You can save quite a bit each year on energy costs and the i3 is far superior (especially at idle) in this respect. You could also consider getting a 7750 instead of a 6850 as it will still game reasonably well but uses less power (again especially at idle).
==================================
Useful sites:
Hardware Revolution. Posted by Dirtbox a while back. Very good information across a range of needs.
Falcon Guide. Posted by FutileResistor somewhere. Another name for the The Logical Increments guide. Gives various options depending on your budget.
(both of these site are US centric but the info holds true regardless)
Lifehacker's First-Timers Guide. Posted by LockeTribal which he used (along with a previous version of this post) to build his first computer.
Edited by grey_matters at 14:48:29 05-03-2012
The conditions for a budget PC are obviously a bit arbitrary so here are a few different options at differing price-points for use as a guide.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New updated suggestions (March 2012):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMD light gamer
AMD isn't really in a good position at the moment. They are difficult to recommend at any price-point. This system is designed to be a basic, cheap all-rounder. Gaming will be at the lower end and is usually only acceptable at lower resolution and/or lower detail settings. That said, it will get you started at a reasonably low cost and you can drop in a better card at a later date when you get more money. This system will be replaced by a much stronger FM2-based one when they become available later and so is largely a placeholder until then. There is limited upgradeability and it doesn't come highly recommended.
Gigabyte FM1 motherboard £43
AMD A8 3850 cpu £98
4GB RAM £17
500 GB hard drive £60
Generic case £10
DVD drive £12
450W PSU £20
Total £260
Intel budget upgrader
This Intel system designed to be upgraded over time (primarily the cpu and graphics card). The motherboard will accept the Intel i5 2500k which is a great cpu.
Motherboard (Sandybridge) £67
Intel i3 2100 Sandybridge £89
AMD 6850 £108
4GB RAM £22
500 GB hard drive £60
Generic case £10
DVD drive £12
450W PSU £20
Total £388
It should be noted that the power supplies in each of these computers is not from a "good" name. I haven't had any problems with them but that is not to say that you won't. A blown PSU can destroy other bits in your computer so if you have a bit more money have a look at the links below and choose a better option.
The AMD system is quite low level (as you should expect from the price). You could drop a good graphics card in there at a later date and boost the performance enormously but as this socket is being replaced in the summer, this system (as is) will only suit someone who really wants a PC system now but doesn't have much money. If you have a bit more money than £260, but can't afford the £390 for the Intel system, you could exchange the A8 3850 for an AthlonII 631 saving £40 and adding the 6850 from the Intel system. This will be a massive upgrade that will play most games smoothly (though rarely at the top settings) and may be a better option for £330. For another £25 or so add in a 6870 instead and you will match the Intel system on occasion for a few pounds cheaper. There is no real upgrade path for the CPU so realistically you should wait until FM2 or get the Intel system.
The Intel i3 is a fine budget CPU that destroys the budget AMD offerings. It also costs more though so people at the absolute bottom of the market may have to cut corners elsewhere to get one. If you can afford it, get it. It uses less power for more performance and it is upgradeable to i5 2500k on this motherboard. If you are not buying right now, keep an eye out for deals on the 6850/6870 (or even the 560Ti) as there could be movement in the coming months with the new generation arrivals.
In general, to improve the i3 system (assuming you've already picked up a more suitable PSU):
(1) get a better graphics card (6870/560Ti/7850)
(2) more RAM (just because it is cheap)
(3) get an i5 from the start
For both systems, an additional SSD as a boot drive will add a lot of smoothness/responsiveness and a very quick boot time but games will fill it up quite quickly (and will only improve the loading times rather than the game itself). It is one of the best system upgrades that you can do though, so strongly consider it if it is affordable.
Another consideration for a budget PC is energy consumption. You can save quite a bit each year on energy costs and the i3 is far superior (especially at idle) in this respect. You could also consider getting a 7750 instead of a 6850 as it will still game reasonably well but uses less power (again especially at idle).
==================================
Useful sites:
Hardware Revolution. Posted by Dirtbox a while back. Very good information across a range of needs.
Falcon Guide. Posted by FutileResistor somewhere. Another name for the The Logical Increments guide. Gives various options depending on your budget.
(both of these site are US centric but the info holds true regardless)
Lifehacker's First-Timers Guide. Posted by LockeTribal which he used (along with a previous version of this post) to build his first computer.
Edited by grey_matters at 14:48:29 05-03-2012
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