How to Build Ultimate Gaming PC for 500$

Economic crisis hit everyone, including video gamers. Building a high-end machine is always a costly process. Practically, you need hundreds of dollars to built custom PC that is capable to play some of the most recent games.
But, in this article, we’ll show you that building ultimate gaming PC for just 500$ is really possible.

For this custom build we chose Phenom Agena Quad processor that is much cheaper than Intel equivalent, but that provides very good performance even in demanding processes such as newest video games.
All prices are taken from Newegg, as one of the cheapest online stores, but it’s possible to find some of these components for even better prices.
Also, we didn’t include peripheral components, such as speakers, headphones and monitors, because that depends on taste of each gamer.

Ok, let’s begin. First we have to choose a home for this Phenom processor.


Motherboard

Our pick was Asus M2N68 motherboard with AM2/AM2+ socket, which is ideal for Phenom. Also, one trick we did here is that we chose Micro ATX MoBo, which saved around 70 bucks in start. Besides acceptable price of 55$, this motherboard also has great specifications and performance. It is based on 64-bit architecture, and already has sound card with 5.1 channel surround.

If you like to check other specifications and price check on other sites, its full name would be: ASUS M2N68-AM AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 7050PV Micro ATX AMD
Newegg link for price check: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131342


*Current System Price: 55$


CPU

Like I said, this gaming system will use Phenom Quad processor. The one we picked is AMD Phenom 9600 Agena 2.3GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 2MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 95W Quad-Core Processor for 95$.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103244

Black Edition that we linked runs at only 95 Watts for reduced heat and improved performance. This Phenom X4 series is a great series for gamers, capable to run new video games without any problems.


*Current System Price: 150$


Memory

We’ll go with 4 GB of RAM memory. Since our MoBo has two slots for 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM, we’ll put two modules and use dual-channel. Corsair is of course leader in gaming memory.
We picked this model of RAM: CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel for 45$.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184

This 4 GB kit comes in 2 sticks, which allows us to run the memory in Dual Channel Mode for improved performance.


*Current System Price: 195$


Video Card

For great gaming experience, we must choose proper video card. Since our MoBo has one PCI-Express slot, our pick will be GeForce 9800GT working on PCI-E.
We chose MSI, as reliable manufacturer, and considering the fact that their card got very good ratings, and showed great performance in video games.
Model for our PC is MSI N9800GT-T2D512-OC V2 GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card for 115$.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127406


You may check this GF 9800GT made by Sparkle as weaker alternative: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187061


*Current System Price: 310$


Storage

500GB is more than enough to store all data of one average user. Western Digital’s Caviar SE16 is perfect choice. It is fast, quiet and what is most important, it’s reliable.
Model we picked is Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA

On Newegg this HDD costs 65$: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

But we found it much cheaper on dell.com for 56$.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=A0957553&cs=19&c=us&l=en&dgc=SS&cid=39715&lid=1003769


*Current System Price: 366$


DVD Drive

If 500GB HDD is not enough for you, you’ll need reliable and fast burner to store all your backups. The winner is Samsung Black DVD burner with LightScribe technology.
It costs 26$: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151173

Despite being cheap it’s efficient DVD burner that will not let you down.


*Current System Price: 392$


Power Supply

To run all these components, you need mighty PSU. Our choice, and another customer winner is Rosewill 600W PSU.
Model we chose is RP600V2-S-SL-S 600W ATX12V v2.01 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Power Supply for 60$.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182062

This power supply delivers 600 watts, which is more than enough to run all components above. It’s also quiet and consistent, with a cool blue lighted fan.


*Current System Price: 452$


Case

Ok, we have to wrap up all we have so far. We need a case that supports micro ATX MoBos, in the same time being efficient in providing optimum ventilation for all components. Made of high-quality aluminum, Cooler Master Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW is best choice.

We found it for 50$: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068

This Cooler Master case has great ventilation, can be set up with almost no tools It is designed for easy assembly, cleaning, quick maintenance and upgrades. It also has space for additional drives and equipment if you would like.


*Final System Price: 502$


As you can see, we’ve set up this machine for $502. Keep in mind that Newegg also offers rebates. So if you buy your components there you can get $45 rebate for MSI video card and Corsair memory, which drops the total price to just $457. 

This is a great deal for a high end gaming PC, which is capable to run every game well on high settings. Of course, it’s possible to find some of these components for even smaller price on the web, but we’re satisfied with the price we got here.

As you can see, you don’t have to ‘spit’ hundreds to have decent gaming PC. All you need is little imagination, especially in these hard times.