Is it possible for a gaming PC to be built for $299 new?

[Aguiluz]

So, what if you only had $299 to build a PC for games, and the graphical capabilities of this $299 gaming PC has to meet or exceed the graphical capabilities of the PS3 in visuals, framerate and resolution? What if also an operating system, case, CD/DVD drive and Keyboard and Mouse must be also included in the $299? (Monitor not included in budget.)

Can it be done with all parts brand new? Just wondering.

 

[bic]

Short answer: No.

Long answer:
Windows 7 Home Premium will take almost half that budget, so you'd probably be stuck with XP if you have a copy. You might have to download the Win7 Enterprise trial from Microsoft and use the rearm trick to extend the 90 day trial.

$300 will buy you a computer, not necessarily a gaming computer, especially when you want to avoid garbage like no-name power supplies and ECS/PC-Chips motherboards.

You're not going to exceed the PS3's graphic abilities for $300, unless you already have a fast computer and want to upgrade it with a $300 video card.

Really you need at least $500 to build a decent PC; much less than that and you're stuck buying outdated rubbish you will most likely have to replace in less than a year (wasting money). $550 will get you an Athlon II x3 and a Radeon HD 4850, for example.

However, any PC will have a far greater game library than the PS3; there's almost a 30 year back catalog to choose from, not even counting emulation.

 

[XCVG]

No, at this point game consoles have a smaller initial investment. HOWEVER, in the long run the PC will be cheaper. Games are cheaper in general, lots of old but still good ones to buy, emulation beats VC any day. Also, online is free on PC, it's not free on XBOX and may not stay free on PS3. If you have a crap TV like me, no point in getting a modern console anyway. Controllers aren't $50 each for PC and there is a wider variety, etc.

Enough of that though, the bottom line is no. However, it will be cheaper in the long run.

My PC cost around 700-800 Canadian dollars, when things cost more and our dollar was really weak. I've purchased lots of games at half the price of the console version, usually on Steam sales. Usually though new games are only $10 cheaper, but they come on sale more often and drop in price quicker- both on Steam and otherwise. I have two controllers I use for emulation, they cost $30 for the wireless rumble one and $20 for the other wired one. These are Logitech controllers, not cheap DealExtreme ones. I paid $30 or $40 for my mouse, but it's a really nice mouse- bottom line here is that you don't need one. I already had the monitor ($150), which I actually prefer to a big screen because I'm nearsighted and no matter what the size a display close to me will always look better (that and my TV sucks). Remember, a PC will do more than even a PS3 in regards to media, productivity, web browsing etc. My favorite part, however, is the flexibility and control. I can make/install mods, configure my controls, even trash my OS if I felt like it. You don't have that freedom with any console, except maybe a modified XBOX. Nope, not even that.

Long pro-PC anti-console rant aside...

 

[Tibia]

Which Logitec controllers are you using? I'm tweaking an older desktop to run my older PC games through my TV, and wireless controllers would be totally wicked.

 

[bassmasta]

Now for the console side of the argument....
Games will generally look and perform better on a PS3 because it is a Heck of a lot easier for the developers. One system to code and squash bugs for, compared to the hundreds of combinations on PC.
I'm no console fanboy though.

Which Logitec controllers are you using? I'm tweaking an older desktop to run my older PC games through my TV, and wireless controllers would be totally wicked.

If you have a 360 controller, you can pick up a wireless adapter from DX for $15 shipped.

 

[J.D]

Which Logitec controllers are you using? I'm tweaking an older desktop to run my older PC games through my TV, and wireless controllers would be totally wicked.

If you have a 360 controller, you can pick up a wireless adapter from DX for $15 shipped.

Woah, I was lookin at one of those for $50, but $15? That's a steal.

 

[Twilight Wolf]

Yeah, but keep in mind that's also from DealExtreme, which means it's only a Chinese clone and it'll take two months to arrive.

I bought a brand-new Xbox 360 Controller for Windows package from Best Buy, which includes the controller, two AA batteries, and the USB wireless adapter, for ~$40. On sale, but still. You could probably find one for that much online if you look around.

 

[bassmasta]

No i dont think it is possible. because gaming pc need high configuration component. like i5 or i7 processor, minimum 3 gb RAM and good graphics card so i think your can not buy it in $299 so increase your budget.

GOOD GRAPHICS CARD? I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF THAT, MR BOT!
/bibin