build a gaming pc that can run skyrim for < $350?

Hey everybody i know we have some knowledgeable PC guys in this forum and i wanted to present you with a challenge.I am low on money but have been reading around and learning about building a rig. I don't expect a blazing fast pc that will rape bf3 on ultra settings, but would it be possible to go super frugal and build a rig for < 350(not including OS monitor/ keyboard/ mouse)? i have read some forums about people doing this but most of them are old and some of the offers they used are no longer active.I am continuing to read up about this stuff and do my own research, but was wandering if i could get some suggestions how to go about it.I am setting the benchmark for skyrim at around normal settings because i am not going to be buying a lot of new games constantly.

Thanks

 

You will have no new hardware and will need to buy almost an entire pc, rather than just an upgrade or two when you want a more powerful rig. That is an incredibly small budget and I accept the challenge of building one. I just can't do it now cuz I have shit to do, so when I get a chance I'll throw one together..

For starters, this is what I threw together in less than 3 minutes

proc:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116408

mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186202

ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148474

GPU:
http://shop.amd.com/us/All/Detail/GraphicCard/GV R545SC-1GI

That there ends up being about $180..

But I took no time building it. I'll make changes and add other parts later. The gpu can probably be better, I just want to get the rest built so I know how much cash I have to work with.

Anyway, like I said. It's not the best, it's not finished, but it's a very good start for that low of a budget.

 

I know you said you're not finished, but the mobo and cpu you listed are different sockets. pie4muh, you'd probably be much happier with the finished product if you could add another $50-75, maybe $100, and get a sandy bridge i3.

 

I have done some looking around and although its a little over my initial budget i am thinking

Ram-Corsair Vengeance 4GB DDR3 -$25

psu-Cooler Master Elite Series 460 Watts -$40

GPU- a used xfx radeon hd 4850-$50 (150 new)


mobo- asus m4a87td/usb3-$105

cpu- amd athlon II x4 quad core 2.8ghz-$90



case- just click here-25


hdd- a used western caviar blue 160gb-$36

cpu cooler-COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO-40



Is it ok to buy the GPU used? its a 100 dollar difference. also my mobo seams high is there anything i could substitute for it? i most likely will not overclock for a while


THanks

 

Don't get that cpu. Get http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.841789 It's $5 more, http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/105?vs=289 there's a benchmark comparing them, it does much better in games.

 

wow im glad you showed me that i will definatly switch

 

Yeah, sorry. I changed the proc out from a gulftown and forgot to change the mobo.. Hopefully you got the general idea though



Throw this motherboard in instead. Now you get 2 extra ram slots and pci slots.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157256

 

Yea buy the used GPU, just make sure it still works.