If you're looking to build a $400-$500 PC

[gamerdude21]

This is a decent idea. My brother built a similar rig, and he plays a lot of newer games on high settings with it, including Skyrim with mods. The A10 5800k is definitely a very good APU(CPU + GPU) for the price. The built in GPU is a Radeon 7660D, which is good enough to run most games on mid to high settings. Decent enough rig to run PCSX2 or Wii games on Dolphin.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Biostar A55MD2 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($55.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Apex PC-389-C ATX Mid Tower Case ($38.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill 350W ATX Power Supply ($32.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $436.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-17 01:16 EDT-0400)

Another positive is you aren't buying OEM junk with Windows 8 pre-loaded.



The PC part picker is useful for finding deals, so occasionally you can get better deals on specific parts. But you might have to look around. Also, there is no point in using the microcenter price if there isn't one anywhere near you. but they frequently got great deals, especially on combos for mid to higher end stuff. Combo deals are something else you might want to check out. You could get a better quality part for about the same price or a little cheaper than without it.

For closer to $500 you could build a rig similar to this which is quite a bit better than the above rig. And you could play mid to max setting @ 1080p for a lot of games:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ZXND
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ZXND/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ZXND/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Apex SK-393-C ATX Mid Tower Case ($32.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ TigerDirect)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $501.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-25 17:10 EDT-0400)

[Kool Aid Man]

I just started learning about building computers and found this list very useful. Will the upcoming Intel Haswell GT3e graphics be more powerful than the AMD A-series?

[gamerdude21]

I just started learning about building computers and found this list very useful. Will the upcoming Intel Haswell GT3e graphics be more powerful than the AMD A-series?

AMD APUs will likely be better for integrated graphics. Honestly if you want to play games @ 1080p you're probably gonna need a dedicated GPU. Although the APU graphics are fine for 720p, which is the resolution my brother plays games at. Also with the APU, its recommended you use at least DDR3 1866 mhz ram, because APUs benefit a whole lot more from the faster ram. Most OEM builds got DDR3 1333 ram put in with the APUs, or even worse.

Also, you can sometimes pick up used GPUs from the last gen for a good price, which can still be really good. For example, awhile back I picked up a Radeon 6990 for $300 from a local guy on craigs list. It was great for me because I can tri-crossfire it with my 6970 (flashed up 6950) . He is one of those freaks who upgrades every time there is a new part.

I'd make them prove those parts work though before buying used. Like the guy I bought my 6990 from, I made him stress test it in front of me before I bought it. If they try to make excuses, then don't buy it.

[garrendesares]

for those of us that have consoles (ps3, ps2), what would you recomend for installing them on the pc?