Can a $500 PC run 3?

[USCH]

My friend needs a new PC, he like me knows 100% squat about pc's. He wanted to go to best buy and saw some low cost PC's, now I know most won't run it. But can anyone tell me what the the lowest cost PC could be from a box store?

Or also another route that he doesn't need to build it himself.

[Bizman]

Basically a low cost PC won't run AH3 for the simple reason that the video card won't be up to the task. Other components are quite likely to do it. Then again, adding a higher end video card would need a suitable power supply, too.

There's companies that sell tailored PC's aimed for gaming. Also your local builder shop is a very good alternative for a self built, sometimes even better. Don't ever trust the hype of any shop marketing "PC's getting your games to another level" since that usually means you'd be able to play solitaire without hiccups.

My best advice is to find alternatives and send the details here for evaluation before buying anything. This community knows more about PC's than I'll ever learn!

[Gman]

Find a decent used PC that will accept either a 750ti/950, or preferably a decent used PC that has a PSU that has external PCI E power connector capability, and get a 1060 or something along that lines.  $500 is possible, I find decent PCs here in Canada in the used sections for 250 CDN all the time, so factor in a reasonably new and powerful GPU like a 1060, and 500 USD is in sight for sure.

[jimbo71]

For that kind of $ getting a lightly used  gaming tower off craigslist would get you more bang for your buck.

[The Fugitive]

Only way to get a computer for $500 to run AH3 is to build it yourself. Hunting, picking and choosing carefully it can be done. However for those who dont want to build, you have to pay someone to build it.

Places like http://www.digitalstorm.com/vanquish-5.asp have moved on to the 10 series video cards so they no longer have the $700 box they use to have. Just under $1000 is the cheap one now. But they build it, install windows, update it and test it all before they ship it to you. Pretty much plug and play from there.

[Gman]

Can you put up a $500 build with new parts that will play AH3 decently?  PcpartPicker build type deal.  I don't think it can be done, unless you get the OS for free.  This one was as close as I could find, but it's $550, and no OS, which is nearly another $100.

http://www.xtremegaminerd.com/build-a-500-killer-gaming-pc/

Still, it's close, and pretty impressive that you can get a 1060, which will run right up there with the 980 GPU that was pretty fast just last year, for mid 600s.  Probably better than a used system with a new GPU, in fact FAR better really if you can swing the extra 150 bucks.

I agree re a used system, that's what I originally suggested - a good used tower, with a GPU upgrade if needed.  If you spend time hunting on kijiji or Craigslist or whatever is popular in your area, you'll be surprised the deals you can find. 

[Vulcan]

You could knock the GPU down to a 950 or 960, save $100 on that gman.

[BaldEagl]

Generally speaking $700's been about the minimum for several years with $1000 being ideal for a decent gaming rig and that's without peripherals (keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc.) but does include the operating system and that's building it yourself.  Pre-built add $200 or so.

[Bizman]

Conclusion: A new $500 PC won't play AH3 at an enjoyable level, but a few years old gaming computer for the same price will, especially if the video card can be upgraded to a high end model. Kanth showed a great example of beefing up an old workhorse with a brand new card: http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,373202.msg5078804.html#msg5078804. The entire "My Rig" thread is good reading for getting ideas of a working setup.

[flyndung]

https://pcpartpicker.com/ build one and see

[USCH]

Thanks guys it looks like he has made a good choice.

[icepac]

At least 170 bucks of the 500 need to be the video card......likely closer to 200 bucks.

[Brooke]

I'm playing AH3 just fine with a $109 graphics card (GTX 750 Ti).

I run default, but with the environment-map slider at none, and get about 60 fps.

[BOBO]

Any luck?

[flyndung]

i have a R9-270 (75.00) and a R9-270x (90.00) i am looking to get rid of .. the 270 does take 1 PCI-e power and the 270x takes 2