Need help finding a PC

[bkelly]

So I’m currently using a pc that is great but isn’t really meant for games like Beam and such. I’m looking for a solid PC that can run stuff like Beam without much lag and other stuff such as Steam/RoR. I’m not really sure about computers and don’t want to jump in and waste hundreds of dollars on something that won’t work. So, in short:

Can run a heavy game like Beam and other smaller games

Lower in price ($150-$250; maybe a little higher). I understand this price range may be a little too small, but keep in mind I’m not really wanting to buy a heavy-end gaming pc. Beam is the heaviest program I think I’ll be running 

Im ok with playing games on lower graphics settings, so it doesn’t have to be the best computer, just something reliable that won’t cost me $1000.

Good amount of ram

Storage space isn’t a huge concern as I have an external hard drive

Id prefer not to build one but my options are open

Thanks in advance

[Jon Cannon]

The real issue with BeamNG is the lack of optimization. Unfortunately, you will not find a new computer that gives you a playable experience at $150-$250. If we are talking something brand new, this is the minimum of what I would consider playable (as in 30fps or a bit more), and you would definitely want to build it yourself, as there are many easy tutorials and anything prebuilt at this price-point is going to be a piece of trash. https://pcpartpicker.com/list/s8LnsJ 

The other option would be to hunt ebay or craigslist for something used but typically people overestimate the worth of their machines, especially stuff that is labelled "gaming". Something like an Optiplex with an i5 would be possible but you would be required to buy a dedicated graphics card to put in it which would be something similar to the card in the pcpartpicker list. The issue with this is obviously having to trust someone that you don't know and since it's used, you wont get any kind of warantee if something's wrong. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Optiplex-9020-SFF-Windows-7-PRO-Intel-Core-i5-4590-8GB-500GB/112751814266?hash=item1a4088267a:g:JyQAAOSwY4pZZ8yL

I typically wouldn't go for the second option since PC "refurb" scammers are everywhere, but if you are feeling lucky or willing to take the risk, it can be a great reward. 

 

[bkelly]

Thanks Jon for the help and the list, it really helped me gather some parts.

So I think I'll build one, because it will save me a little more money compared to a pre-built one. Here's the parts (I looked primarily at Amazon):

Case: ROSEWILL ATX Case , Mid Tower Case with Blue LED Fan / Gaming Case for PC with Side Window Panel & 3 Fans Pre-Installed , Computer Case 2 x USB3.0 Port - NAUTILUS (May downgrade) - $45.08 

Cooler Fan: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Fan - $30.99

Processor: Intel BX80662G4400 Pentium Processor G4400 3.3 GHz FCLGA1151 (I wanted to go the i5 route but this is a budget build and I think Pentium will have to do)  - $63.69

Power: EVGA 430 W1, 80+ WHITE 430W, 3 Year Warranty, Power Supply 100-W1-0430-KR, Black - $42.73

Ram: Crucial 8GB Single DDR4 2133 MT/s (PC4-17000) SR x8 Unbuffered DIMM 288-Pin Memory - CT8G4DFS8213 - $85.49

GPU:  EVGA GeForce GT 730 2GB GDDR5 64bit DVI/HDMI/VGA Low Profile Graphics Card 02G-P3-3733-KR - $76.99

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200 500 GB 7200RPM SATA 3Gb/s 16MB Cache 3.5 Inch Internal Hard Drive ST3500418AS-Bare Drive - $39.99

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-H110M-A LGA1151 Intel H110 Micro ATX DDR4 Motherboard - $39.99

Optical Drive: Asus - DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD WriterAsus - DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer - $19.99

So right now I'm at a total of $444.94, with some of these pieces being on sale (plus a $25 Amazon gift card would put this around $420). Let me know if I should add anything necessary or take anything away or look for a cheaper option. I didn't want to go over $500 so this is pretty good for me.

Going through pcpartspicker has me at $409.19 (without the cooler). Here's that list, practically the same: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/

[Jon Cannon]

You don't need the Hyper 212. The stock cooler that comes with the pentium will be more than enough since you're not overclocking. 

If you're going through Amazon only I would do this 400 watt corsair supply instead of the 430 EVGA supply since under load the estimated wattage is at the max around 220. https://www.amazon.com/Corsair-VS400-Active-Certified-Supply/dp/B01MYNN9PL/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1515982698&sr=1-2&keywords=computer+power+supply&refinements=p_36%3A2500-3500

Since you're going through Amazon I would change the Barracuda out for this WD Caviar Blue since it's the same price but runs at SATA 6gb/s speeds, you will notice a difference in speed. https://www.amazon.com/Blue-500GB-Desktop-Hard-Drive/dp/B00461G3MS/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1515983111&sr=8-8&keywords=500gb+hard+drive

So that's around $38 you've saved, plus the $25 gift card, $63. I would get rid of the GT 730 and at minimum go with a 750ti or 1050, but 1050s are cheaper and more readily available. Because of the recent re-surge of crypto currency mining, GPU prices aren't very good. But trust me, you definitely don't want to go with a 730 or 1030 for gaming. 

Another option would be to bump the pentium up to something like an i3 6100 which would be about $40 increase, as well as a 1050ti which would be about a $30-50 increase from the 1050. That would give you a decent boost in performance, but it would be more pricey obviously.

If you wanted just to stick with the pentium and 1050 route, I would get this 1050, great deal for current market prices and it prob won't last long: https://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Geforce-GDDR5-Graphic-GV-N1050OC-2GD/dp/B01MG0733A/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1515983681&sr=1-2&keywords=gtx+1050

If you want to step up to an i3 and 1050 ti, I would do this i3: https://www.amazon.com/Intel-i3-6100-Cache-Processor-BX80662I36100/dp/B015VPX2EO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1515983891&sr=8-1&keywords=i3+6100

As I was typing this, there was a 1050 ti on amazon for $170 which is a steal currently, but as I was typing someone bought it. If you are willing to branch out from Amazon from something, this 1050 ti from other retailers has been in the $180 to $190 range which is probably as good as you will do if you wanted to go that route. https://pcpartpicker.com/product/ttQRsY/msi-geforce-gtx-1050-ti-4gb-video-card-gtx-1050-ti-4g-oc

 

[bkelly]

Thanks Jon for all the help!

Okay, so I've swapped the Barracuda out with the WD one, replaced the video card with the GTX 1050, changed the power supply, and removed the cooler:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/gDHZ4C

Through Amazon this is a total of $434.22 (includes $25 gift card).

 

[Jon Cannon]

You're also going to need Windows, which you can buy from Microsoft on a CD for $70 or $80, or you can do this: 

If you use this option you will still need to buy a Windows product key  that matches the bit version as well as the type (Home, Pro, etc. but Home is the cheapest, so you want to download Home from the downloader as well as buy a Home product key) As well as you want to make sure you download the 64 bit version. 

[Jon Cannon]

If you need any help putting it together, don't be afraid to ask. 

[bkelly]

23 minutes ago, Jon Cannon said:

If you need any help putting it together, don't be afraid to ask. 

I wont, you guys on here are pretty good at this stuff.