So Im trying to make a cheap gaming pc for buds.

[DwarfAdigginAhole]

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/nmYB4q

I have two buds just coming into PC gaming and they want to build their first rig. However, I made one thing and they were not satisfied because 1600$ was too much for them. I limited some things and I think I have made something fairly cheap and worthwhile. Is there anything else I could change to make the build a bit cheaper without sacrificing too much performance?

 

[Avet]

Appart from going used, or finding some massive deal i don't see anything that could go down. This looks like a decent build.

 

[Excalabur50]

AMD cpu's don't get that hot so I'd drop the H55 and put a 212 on it if it doesn't have a stock cooler and get faster ram as Ryzen loves quicker ram.
Apart from that you've picked a solid build for them.

 

[Davva2004]

I feel your pain.


People who aren't into PC gaming think it's cheap as chips because they can get a console for £200.


Typical conversation:
"I want a PC, can you build me one? Just for usual stuff like YouTube, Netflix, internet etc."
"Easy, it'll be about £400."
"Oh cool, that's great. Oh and I want to game on it, I like playing Black Ops."
"Ah, okay, add a grand."


This is when the swearing starts, and I end up telling them to buy a damn console then.

 

[NeverBackDown]

I feel your pain.


People who aren't into PC gaming think it's cheap as chips because they can get a console for £200.


Typical conversation:
"I want a PC, can you build me one? Just for usual stuff like YouTube, Netflix, internet etc."
"Easy, it'll be about £400."
"Oh cool, that's great. Oh and I want to game on it, I like playing Black Ops."
"Ah, okay, add a grand."


This is when the swearing starts, and I end up telling them to buy a damn console then.

Probably build the same pc to run black ops for that money anyway at that same price.

 

[Damien c]

If they are only looking to play the likes of Fortnite or don't mind not running games maxed out then, this is what I would look at putting together for someone who wanted a cheap as chips machine.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/w7W2TB

It may not be great but it will be a start and if they find it starts to struggle later down the line, then you can always sell the parts that are being upgraded to recoup some of the cost of upgrading.

 

[Avet]

Bryan from Tech YES City has awesome videos on how to build dirt cheep used PCs for good 1080p/60FPS game play in one, or two specific games in mind.

If you are on a tight budget, and really need to skimp on components i always recommend going used. You will get insane value for your money if you can hunt down some deals.

 

[RobM]

Good solid build save to the AIO its not needed as the stock coolers are very capable of even cooling a modest overclock.
I know you wanted to make it cheaper for them so removing the AIO shaves off $50
Go season 80 gold semi modular to shave another $15
However I think it would be a mistake to not run with ryzens refresh and a few changes to the build brings it in about the same cost for much more performance and function.
2600 with the 450 chipset grants better cpu performance and boost and also provides SenseMI technology for the drive config, essentially making the system things it has a much larger ssd than it really has oh and 3200 ram is pretty much a must with ryzen these days due to the boost it gives to performance.

You could shave a bit more off by going lower end on the case after all its only a box to house the bits in.
So better cpu, better mobo, better ram, better drive config for similar outlay.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/br4RHh

Might be worth waiting now as blackfriday and cyber monday not far off

 

[looz]

Small AIOs are pointless unless you're building inside a small case, an air cooler is cheaper, quieter, more reliable and performs similarly.

Actually, as a CLC 280 owner, I'm not sure if the larger ones have a point either except for allowing smaller cases...

 

[Wraith]

I reckon we should do an OC3D budget aimed build for the masses and see if it "can run Crysis", also press on the cost of building a rig compared to pre built and include the upgrade processes and how to recoup costs with older hardware.

As has been said by Davva I too have these conversations on a weekly basis with friends and family and it always ends the same.

Them: "Can you build me a PC for some office work and web browsing"
Me: "Sure I say, whats your budget?"
Them: "Oh what do reckon a few hundred?"
Me: "OK but don't expect anything mind blowing, it'll do the job though"
Them: "Alright here's £400, by the way the kids want to play Fortnite and Tomb Raider too"
Me: "Best make it £1000 then"


..........."WTF!"

It's a never ending cycle, as the majority don't quite understand the field we are enthusiast in.

 

[Warchild]

I reckon we should do an OC3D budget aimed build for the masses and see if it "can run Crysis", also press on the cost of building a rig compared to pre built and include the upgrade processes and how to recoup costs with older hardware.

As has been said by Davva I too have these conversations on a weekly basis with friends and family and it always ends the same.

Them: "Can you build me a PC for some office work and web browsing"
Me: "Sure I say, whats your budget?"
Them: "Oh what do reckon a few hundred?"
Me: "OK but don't expect anything mind blowing, it'll do the job though"
Them: "Alright here's £400, by the way the kids want to play Fortnite and Tomb Raider too"
Me: "Best make it £1000 then"


..........."WTF!"

It's a never ending cycle, as the majority don't quite understand the field we are enthusiast in.

popular routine are the budget/mainstream/high end/enthusiasts and it allows people to aim at budget options but also take some potential upgrades from the mainstream list and so on.