Is there such thing as a cheap gaming PC around £500

Fat_Tony

Thanks again for all your info, its been so helpful

Ive just messaged him and got the following back "TF2, Minecraft, Fortnite and CSGO"

We have PS4s, PSVR, Switch and various handhelds so shortage of console gaming. He's autistic and when he spends time on PC's he seems to really relax and chill out (im talking computing rather than games) so I want to encourage and support him as best as possible.

He also uses them for running a youtube channel, minecraft hacks, DS hacks etc

He's always trying out new things and needs a solid base to work from. Now that ive started to get a better understanding, I think the budgets were a bit unrealistic. Im not against buying something to do him until next Christmas.

It was said very early on that Gaming PC is quite a vague term. I recently got my other son a new phone, its not up to the sort of spec I use but was significantly better than anything he has had before so he is delighted with it. I suppose thats what im trying to achieve with this, it doesnt have to be top spec or future proof - just something decent that in a years time he can maybe sell on or dismantle for parts

Goodmane

None of those games are particularly photo-realistic.

Maybe he'd be fine with a used Core 2 quad q6600 cpu with motherboard most popular back then was Gigabyte P35C DS3R and similar.  Add a used gpu like the amd6850. Get a decent case and cooling perhaps and he can put it together with just a bit of help. Add an ssd as soon as you can as that will make all the difference in perceived usability.

Just make sure it stays clean...one of the biggest mistakes people make with PCs is they don't lock them down. or they use anti-virus software which slows the whole thing down ridiculously.

Running as an admin all the time leaves your PC vulnerable and then even the nicest PC runs slowly as it collects viruses and nonsense software.

Take a while to learn how to set it up in standard user mode, so it automatically logs on as standard user on startup. Then whenever the password box pops up, you only put the admin password in if it was something you started. Why Windows doesn't ship like this I'll never know. It's very hard to get develop any PC problems that aren't hardware related when you run like this.

It is way, way more effective than any anti-virus software (assuming you're running from behind a router, not directly connected with a modem in the PC) as it prevents dodgy software from executing in the first place.

Also discourage the use of usb sticks as they often carry viruses from other PCs to yours.

Using this advice i.e. SSD and keeping it free of viruses and malware, can make such a PC a pleasant experience, whilst also working for normal (i.e. not photo-realistic) gaming.

Good luck!

Peter Parker

Just thought I'd give an update on my PC if anyone was interested - I added a GTX1060 and new PSU to the i5 Dell Optiplex 3010 and it was an easy upgrade.

The Dell cost £110 inc delivery from ebay, the 1060 was about £150 from Amazon Warehouse and the PSU was about £27, also Amazon Warehouse. Total cost so far £287.

I've just ordered a 480gb SSD from Amazon for £39.99 which is a time limited deal (two hours remaining as I type I think) so will be interesting to see what that's like, but the reviews seem positive with just one failure as far as I can see. I'll use the existing HDD as storage for games installs etc.

I've not yet installed any real stressing games like Forza 7 but so far it's running quite nicely.

I think the Optiplex SFF internals can be fitted into a larger case, but there is a propriety header for the on/off button and HD lights on the case (sam as my 3010), so you'll have to find which pins do what to be able to connect them to the new case connectors (which are usually two pin connectors - I think there are PDFs online which show that info). otherwise you'll be limited to 1050ti cards which are a bit costly compared to the 970 or 1060 cards that can be had for similar prices and perform better. If I could find one cheap enough I'd do it myself just for fun.

Amazon currently have a 3gb 1060 for £175 and if the 20% discount is still running that will be about £140. The Zotac I got arrived in just it's protective bag but well wrapped within it's box with the PSU which was boxed as new. Drivers were easy to download and install direct from Zotec.

Goodmane

Looks like you are sorted! You could probably find a local computer shop to do the electronics for power and reset button into a new, standard case. I never connect the hdd lights anyway.

Or maybe just move the buttons within the new case, and leave it turned on. My PC is on 24/7. Only the hard drives stop spinning after 20min to further their lifespan...

Fat_Tony

Thanks, that's so helpful as always

I moved away from pcs about 7 years ago as I was so fed up with them slowing down etc but I didn't really know what I was doing.

My son is going to be made to study your posts before Christmas lol

Peter Parker

Yes, for the cost I'm pleased with the result, which is why I don't mind spending a little more on an SSD for it now.

I could do the mods myself - I've built PCs from scratch since the 90s including HTPCs so it's no big deal, but this case suits me just fine for a cheap gaming PC (which was the aim - cheap!). I've got some spare cases including a UVEM and two other HTPC cases that I could use if I needed to. I just wanted to point out the potential problems others may have to deal with if they wanted to re-case the Dell SFF into a larger case so they can use full height graphics cards. If looks didn't matter, there's nothing stopping you fitting a full height GPU (provided it didn't exceed the PSU) and leaving the lid off. Or cut a slot in the lid so it can be refitted with just the GPU poking out (cooling would be interesting - half in, half out of the case). Heath Robinson would be your man for that

This guy did a nice mod with the card inside using a PCI extender:

                               
Found a video for the Heath Robinson mod too

                               
I think the front panel header that contains the on/off switch and HDD lights can be used with the normal two pin connectors that come with new cases by removing the mobo connector shrouding, either using a Dremel or carefully breaking it away, and then the connectors can fit just like on any other motherboard. I'm not sure if the button assembly can be remounted onto the new case in a way that would look 'original', but it shouldn't be too hard (but probably fiddly) to strip the wires down from the header cable and identify them so they could be reterminated inside the case and then connected to the new case connectors. As you say though, HDD light are nice to have but not essential.

If I come across an SFF cheap enough it would be an interesting project, but I've no real use for it unless I could sell it on without a loss.