Guys i need some ideas on a budget gaming PC im going to build for a friend, and the reason this is difficult is because he wants it for 400 dollars, and here's the catch: the budget should include a monitor( yes, you read that right) so i managed to get him a 17" 1400x900 monitor for 30 dollars, so i have 370 dollars left for the actual build. this is what i have come up with so far(i have added TAX to all parts from pcandparts):

CPU : 3.1 GHz - G3240 3M/LGA1150 $64.00

MOBO: Asus H81M-C (DDR3) (LGA1150) Link $74.00

RAM: 4GB DDR3 1333mhz RAM $34.00

GPU: MSI N740-2GD5 GeForce GT 740 2GB DDR5 Link Now in stock $118.00

HDD: 1TB WD10EZEX 7200RPM SATAIII 64MB $64.00

PSU: FSP HEXA+ 400W $50

ODD: LG DVDRW 24X $22.00

CASE: my old ThermalTake Versa G1 (free, i need to get rid of it anyway since it is taking up a lot of space in my small bedroom and he is a close friend of mine)

Monitor: LG Flatron 17" LCD

Total: $456

as you can see we are $56 over budget(even with free case and only 4gb ram!), so i need some solutions from you guys, like if you can find some place with cheaper prices (highly unlikely) or if you have anything for sale that i could use!
I have an Nvidia GT 520, if he's not into extreme gaming, or at least with ultra graphics.
Name your price.
that's too low end man, sorry, modern games won't run on lowest settings with that card
well, i have to try! he said it's okay if the parts are used so hopefully i can get him something decent
@Anthony2000

Good Build for a USD 400 Budget even if you are over by +65 USD - But for me a minimum budget PC should include a GTX 750 Ti - otherwise I wont call it a "gaming" PC since gaming on low end graphic fidelity is a "trash" experience ... getting a PS4 is much worth. You will be in dilemma dude and what he is willing to play ?
i think it will be more then enough for him since he likes PC-exclusive strategy games (C&C , C&C GENERALS, old total war titles...) which do not tend to be very graphically demanding and some casual games in addition to some PC-exclusive classic first person shooters (CounterStrike, TeamFortress 2 ...) and he doesn't want to buy a PS4 since the games he likes are not available on the PS4. it's definitely a low end PC , but it will let him max out his favorite games at 60fps and give him the ability to play modern games at low settings 30 fps. in the end, he just wants the most powerful PC he can get for 400 dollars, and i told him i would build him one since anything he buys prebuilt (be it laptop or desktop) isn't going to come close to the performance of a PC that i would custom build him.
Anthony2000 wroteold strategy games (C&C , C&C GENERALS, old total war titles...) (CounterStrike, ...)
I like him already! Hit me up with his number.

But yes I would recommend a GTX 750Ti as well, this GPU is cheap, badass and can run any game on at-least Med settings with 60+FPS.
Johnaudi wrote
Anthony2000 wroteold strategy games (C&C , C&C GENERALS, old total war titles...) (CounterStrike, ...)
I like him already! Hit me up with his number.

But yes I would recommend a GTX 750Ti as well, this GPU is cheap, badass and can run any game on at-least Med settings with 60+FPS.
LOL i will ask him if he is willing to up his budget a notch , but im more worried about that dual core CPU more than the GPU
I've started liking your friend the second you said strategy games.
Die_Kapitan wroteI've started liking your friend the second you said strategy games.
hahaha yh we often organize little lan parties(2-3 people max) and just play generals or total war... hahaha
Anthony2000 wrote
Die_Kapitan wroteI've started liking your friend the second you said strategy games.
hahaha yh we often organize little lan parties(2-3 people max) and just play generals or total war... hahaha
Same over here with generals and CS! (Usually 3-5 people)

Keep it mind if he gets a PC instead of a laptop this is going to affect your parties.
Johnaudi wrote
Anthony2000 wrote
Die_Kapitan wroteI've started liking your friend the second you said strategy games.
hahaha yh we often organize little lan parties(2-3 people max) and just play generals or total war... hahaha
Same over here with generals and CS! (Usually 3-5 people)

Keep it mind if he gets a PC instead of a laptop this is going to affect your parties.
yes i know that, but a 400 dollar laptop is a no go zone for gaming so what can you do eh...
If you organize lots of LANs and he's down to upgrades later, his third upgrade should be a Scout 2 or a shrink to Mini-ITX.
great build, however the GPU is too under powered, i suggest waiting till the person has enough money to upgrade to the 750ti even for basic games. 750 will give him a good 2 years worth of gaming, even on new titles. and its defiantly worth the extra 80$ dollars.

if you want to save money, ditch the ODD.
he needs the ODD since he has a lot of hard copy games on cds and the reason i did not go with a 500 gb hdd was because its only $7 cheaper, i could do it and save $7, but i think i should spend an extra $7 and double the storage space
haidcar wrote, i suggest waiting till the person has enough money to upgrade to the 750ti even for basic games.
It is the unpopular opinion, but i think it is true. an extra 100$ in the budget can make wonders (specially for GPU)
NAM wrote
haidcar wrote, i suggest waiting till the person has enough money to upgrade to the 750ti even for basic games.
It is the unpopular opinion, but i think it is true. an extra 100$ in the budget can make wonders (specially for GPU)
good news! he upped his budget to ~ 650-ish dollars, so i updated the specs:

3.6 GHz - i3-4160 3M/LGA1150 $117.00
8GB RAM $57
Asus H81M-C (DDR3) (LGA1150) Link $68.00
MSI N750 TF 2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 750 2GB DDR5 Gaming Twinfrozr Link Now in stock $164.00
1TB WD10EZEX 7200RPM SATAIII 64MB $59.00 \
LG GH24NS95-24X DVDRW - Dual Layer SATA Black $23.00
Corsair CMPSU-VS450 450W PSU Link $55.00
my ThermalTake Versa G1 for free
Benq VL2040Z 19.5" LED $86.00
total + VAT = $691

overbudget lol