Many of us are avid computer gamers, and we know that most of the modern games is very demanding in terms of hardware. And if today, mid-level gaming systems, that were bought or built around 5 years ago, are still able to provide gaming level comfortable enough with medium graphics settings (sometimes high), then playing at the full thrust with very high or maximum graphics settings no longer works, and even if it does, the pleasure of such gaming can be quite questionable. Not to mention all those new graphics technologies that designed to improve the game rendering, which appeared very recently and even may not be supported by 5 years old graphics card. All this eventually brings us to a single conclusion - if we want to join the fascinating world of modern games and to really enjoy it, we would have to change or upgrade our gaming computer.
However, gaming systems built on the high-end gaming hardware from the eminent manufacturers that can deliver the highest level of comfort in the games, are very expensive - around from $1,500 to $ 2,000 (and this is not the limit - I assure you). Are you ready to spend that much money to replace your system? I think that some of us, might not be able to even afford such expenses in a first place. But solution to this situation exists, and we can share with you some tips on how to built-up a custom gaming system of the mid-budget level in the range of $500 to $1,000, which will allow you to play in many of today's games at a fairly comfortable level of graphics settings.
Let’s review a couple of configurations and see how much it could cost:
However, gaming systems built on the high-end gaming hardware from the eminent manufacturers that can deliver the highest level of comfort in the games, are very expensive - around from $1,500 to $ 2,000 (and this is not the limit - I assure you). Are you ready to spend that much money to replace your system? I think that some of us, might not be able to even afford such expenses in a first place. But solution to this situation exists, and we can share with you some tips on how to built-up a custom gaming system of the mid-budget level in the range of $500 to $1,000, which will allow you to play in many of today's games at a fairly comfortable level of graphics settings.
Let’s review a couple of configurations and see how much it could cost:
Entry-level budget (around $500) custom gaming PC
CPU & Cooler: Intel Pentium G3240 3.1GHz
Dual core, 3Mb L3 Cache with bus speed of 1333MHz, based on 1150 4th Generation “Haswell Refresh” socket. An optimal choice for low-budget gaming system. Low TPD allows using a stock manufacturer heatsink and fun to ensure good protection from overheating even with continuous maximum CPU loads.
Graphics Card: Nvidia GT 730
1Gb GDDR5 with 902MHz core clock and 384 stream processors. Supports resolution up to 4096x2160 and allows plugging up to two displays. Robust entry-level graphic card that designed to deliver a premium multimedia and decent gaming experience.
Power Supply: Corsair 430W CX
With provided power of 430Watts and 32A in 12V rail. This power supply unit equipped with such features as: Voltage/Current/Power over protection, Under Voltage and Short Circuit Protection that will ensure continuous and reliable power supply to your system along with low noise.
RAM: Corsair 4GB XMS3 DDR3
2x2Gb RAM modules that built on DDR III SDRAM technology and features 1600MHz memory speed. Corsair XMS RAM modules are regarded the best in the industry. A lifetime warranty says on its own.
Motherboard: Asus H81M-Plus
With support of Intel’s CPUs Pentium, Core i3-i5-i7 on LGA 1150 socket, this motherboard has a superb performance, durability and ensures future proof for upgrades later down the line. Supports up to 32Gb DDR3 RAM.
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 1TB
Features 7200rpm with 64MB Cache this SATA III (max SDR 210MB/s) hard drive delivers the outmost reliability and fast data transfer.
Sound card: Integrated 5.1/7.1 Channel Audio
Built into the motherboard sound card, which would be enough for most day-to-day musical and FX-sound experiences, delivering clear and vivid sound pictures as in stereo mode, as well as in multichannel mode.
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B5ST 24x DVD/CD Re-Writer
Equipped with SATA interface and featuring wide range of reading/writing speeds and supported media types, this optical drive is everything you might need to store your content and does exactly what it stands for.
Network card: Integrated, 10/100/1000mbps
With data transfer rates up to 1Gbps ensures a reliable connection and faster than wireless connection data transfer within your home wired network. Cooperative play – easy!
Case: Zalman Z1
Having dimensions of 199x432x457, 6 kg weight and pleasant design, this case is probably the best “value for money: offer on the market. Supports a bottom PSU installation, which ensures its effective cooling and case stability. Not to mention to 120 mm front and rear preinstalled fans. Tool free HDD/ODD bays and dust filters on intakes make this case a very attractive choice.
Mid-level (around $1000) budget custom gaming PC
CPU & Cooler: AMD FX-4 4300 Black Edition 3.8Ghz 4 Core with Coolermaster Hyper 103 cooler
Four core, 4Mb L3 Cache with Turbo Speed of 4.0GHz. A very good choice for mid-level systems, especially for gaming. The Cooler Master Hyper 103 is an affordable heatsink, featured with Cooler Master’s exclusive X-Vent and Air-Guide technology that optimizes air flow toward the heatpipes to improve cooling performance. Excellent value for money choice.
Graphics Card: AMD ATI Radeon R9 280 3GB
Having 3Gb GDDR5 RAM and 2048 stream processors onboard, this GPU is designed to deliver unremarkable performance and unmatched image quality, which makes it making it a top choice for gamers who seeks the best “value for money” solutions. Supports resolution up to 4096x2160 and allows plugging up to four displays.
Power Supply: Corsair 750W CX
With provided power of 750 Watt and 62A in 12V rail in ATX form factor, this power supply unit has a features that usually reserved for premium class PSUs. The whole Builder Series are designed for worry-free compatibility for your gaming PC system build or upgrade.
RAM: Corsair 8GB XMS3 DDR3 1600MHz
2x4Gb RAM modules that built on DDR III SDRAM technology and features 1600MHz memory speed. This RAM will ensure that your games run at their full glory.
Motherboard: Gigabyte 970A-DS3P
Supports AMD AM3 and AM3+ multi-core processors including Athlon II, Phenom II and the new FX range. Packed with plenty of features along with CrossFire Ready, its suitable for budget right up to high end AMD Machines.
Case: Zalman Z11 Plus Hellfire Edition
The case supports up to 7 system fans that allows to provide an unrivalled range of options to get rid of the hot air effectively. In combination with outstanding, near to cutting edge design and big pack of essential features, this case provides a brilliant offering.
CPU & Cooler: Intel Pentium G3240 3.1GHz
Dual core, 3Mb L3 Cache with bus speed of 1333MHz, based on 1150 4th Generation “Haswell Refresh” socket. An optimal choice for low-budget gaming system. Low TPD allows using a stock manufacturer heatsink and fun to ensure good protection from overheating even with continuous maximum CPU loads.
Graphics Card: Nvidia GT 730
1Gb GDDR5 with 902MHz core clock and 384 stream processors. Supports resolution up to 4096x2160 and allows plugging up to two displays. Robust entry-level graphic card that designed to deliver a premium multimedia and decent gaming experience.
Power Supply: Corsair 430W CX
With provided power of 430Watts and 32A in 12V rail. This power supply unit equipped with such features as: Voltage/Current/Power over protection, Under Voltage and Short Circuit Protection that will ensure continuous and reliable power supply to your system along with low noise.
RAM: Corsair 4GB XMS3 DDR3
2x2Gb RAM modules that built on DDR III SDRAM technology and features 1600MHz memory speed. Corsair XMS RAM modules are regarded the best in the industry. A lifetime warranty says on its own.
Motherboard: Asus H81M-Plus
With support of Intel’s CPUs Pentium, Core i3-i5-i7 on LGA 1150 socket, this motherboard has a superb performance, durability and ensures future proof for upgrades later down the line. Supports up to 32Gb DDR3 RAM.
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 1TB
Features 7200rpm with 64MB Cache this SATA III (max SDR 210MB/s) hard drive delivers the outmost reliability and fast data transfer.
Sound card: Integrated 5.1/7.1 Channel Audio
Built into the motherboard sound card, which would be enough for most day-to-day musical and FX-sound experiences, delivering clear and vivid sound pictures as in stereo mode, as well as in multichannel mode.
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B5ST 24x DVD/CD Re-Writer
Equipped with SATA interface and featuring wide range of reading/writing speeds and supported media types, this optical drive is everything you might need to store your content and does exactly what it stands for.
Network card: Integrated, 10/100/1000mbps
With data transfer rates up to 1Gbps ensures a reliable connection and faster than wireless connection data transfer within your home wired network. Cooperative play – easy!
Case: Zalman Z1
Having dimensions of 199x432x457, 6 kg weight and pleasant design, this case is probably the best “value for money: offer on the market. Supports a bottom PSU installation, which ensures its effective cooling and case stability. Not to mention to 120 mm front and rear preinstalled fans. Tool free HDD/ODD bays and dust filters on intakes make this case a very attractive choice.
Mid-level (around $1000) budget custom gaming PC
CPU & Cooler: AMD FX-4 4300 Black Edition 3.8Ghz 4 Core with Coolermaster Hyper 103 cooler
Four core, 4Mb L3 Cache with Turbo Speed of 4.0GHz. A very good choice for mid-level systems, especially for gaming. The Cooler Master Hyper 103 is an affordable heatsink, featured with Cooler Master’s exclusive X-Vent and Air-Guide technology that optimizes air flow toward the heatpipes to improve cooling performance. Excellent value for money choice.
Graphics Card: AMD ATI Radeon R9 280 3GB
Having 3Gb GDDR5 RAM and 2048 stream processors onboard, this GPU is designed to deliver unremarkable performance and unmatched image quality, which makes it making it a top choice for gamers who seeks the best “value for money” solutions. Supports resolution up to 4096x2160 and allows plugging up to four displays.
Power Supply: Corsair 750W CX
With provided power of 750 Watt and 62A in 12V rail in ATX form factor, this power supply unit has a features that usually reserved for premium class PSUs. The whole Builder Series are designed for worry-free compatibility for your gaming PC system build or upgrade.
RAM: Corsair 8GB XMS3 DDR3 1600MHz
2x4Gb RAM modules that built on DDR III SDRAM technology and features 1600MHz memory speed. This RAM will ensure that your games run at their full glory.
Motherboard: Gigabyte 970A-DS3P
Supports AMD AM3 and AM3+ multi-core processors including Athlon II, Phenom II and the new FX range. Packed with plenty of features along with CrossFire Ready, its suitable for budget right up to high end AMD Machines.
Case: Zalman Z11 Plus Hellfire Edition
The case supports up to 7 system fans that allows to provide an unrivalled range of options to get rid of the hot air effectively. In combination with outstanding, near to cutting edge design and big pack of essential features, this case provides a brilliant offering.