Alright, yesterday, Bronx made me (err, I volunteered to), build a $400 PC that could decently play Battlefield 3. Heres what I came up with:

CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 555 3.2GHz - $90
Motherboard: MSI GF615M-P31 - $50
GPU: Visiontek 900300 Radeon HD 5770 - $130
RAM: 2GB Kingston KHX1600C9D3B1/2G HyperX - $19
Stock Cooling
Case: Raygo R12-40835 (+450W PSU) - $50
HDD:320GB Western Digital WD3200AAKS Caviar Blue - $45
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST - $21

Total: $405

I got all the prices from www.tigerdirect.com and although this PC might not last long, its a great temporary BF3 rig.

You can get an idea of its performance off of this video I found on youtube, with a person who used a PC with similar specs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPuaumxY9p8

Building on a budget guide coming soon! Suggestions and improvements welcome too.

You could probably go for a 120GB drive for $10 cheaper if you don't need the space. And if you already have a case/PSU, there goes another $50. Would probably put that savings towards more memory or better CPU. GFx isn't all that bad either. I don't see DX12 coming out anytime soon so, it should last a while.

Intel > AMD

Intel CPUs are also a lot more expensive, and this AMD is good enough. The cheapest Intel processor is $130. Motherboards are more expensive too.

@Trister This is assuming that you already have a good enough PSU, and for some, who may be upgrading from last gen hardware, the PSU they have is insufficient, but good point.

I asume you got monitor, mouse, keyboard and other accesories already but did you inlcude the OS or you gonna run it on linux or something?

OS piracy ftw. Thats the only option for a budget budget PC.

Once again bronx cheaping out xD

Hey, Endrane, be glad at least I persuaded him into getting one. If it weren't for me begging him in a PM to get a comp that can run BF3 he might not have one. Let's just cherish the moment. Even if it is bronx cheaping out again.

wth quack I said a whole computer for $250

supersceptile wrote:

OS piracy ftw. Thats the only option for a budget budget PC.

Yes alot of money can be saved there

weras4213 wrote:

supersceptile wrote:

OS piracy ftw. Thats the only option for a budget budget PC.

Yes alot of money can be saved there

As also if we got rid of the Motherboard, RAM, and Video

AMD is cheaper and more powerful for gaming.

go for phenom II X4 - 4 cores thats a 'must have'
and 4gb ram maybe corsair

The RAM isn't hard to upgrade, just add $21 for 4GB of Corsair memory. The CPU on the other hand...

$100 more will get you a pc that can play bf3 at 1920x1080

http://snpr.cm/v01Mja.png

Cmdr. Michael wrote:

Hey, Endrane, be glad at least I persuaded him into getting one. If it weren't for me begging him in a PM to get a comp that can run BF3 he might not have one. Let's just cherish the moment. Even if it is bronx cheaping out again.

k

Endrane he posted that like 2 weeks ago.

Ugh michael, I probably won't be able to get one right away for release. Maybe 2 months after release or something (if it releases Oct. 25)

ooooh c'mon bronx -_-

Invest in a decent one that lasts for a while.

That way you will save more money on the long run.

Invested 700 bux in pc parts. hoping it will hold for a good 5-10 years (it's on year 3 now)

Okay....gimme the money

thebronxbomber wrote:

Okay....gimme the money

duck you

A gaming machine only last 2 to 3 years before it needs an upgrade to play the latest games.

Rhydian wrote:

A gaming of only last 2 to 3 years before it needs an upgrade to play the latest games.

I give you your own room in vent and this is what you tell me

thebronxbomber wrote:

Rhydian wrote:

A gaming of only last 2 to 3 years before it needs an upgrade to play the latest games.

I give you your own room in vent and this is what you tell me

dammit, typed that on a phone and made no sense lol.

Rhydian wrote:

A gaming machine only last 2 to 3 years before it needs an upgrade to play the latest games.

I'm not sure if troll or serious. ( )

Sure, you won't play smooth but new games do work on 2-3year old game pc on pretty high settings.

Tommy wrote:

Rhydian wrote:

A gaming machine only last 2 to 3 years before it needs an upgrade to play the latest games.

I'm not sure if troll or serious. ( )

Sure, you won't play smooth but new games do work on 2-3year old game pc on pretty high settings.

Not the games I play...

It really is 2/3 years per upgrade.