Reddit reviews Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz Processor EU80570PJ0806M OEM TRAY

Minimum specs require a GTX 460 card. That's a $50 card. Here's a CPU that substantially exceeds the minimum processor requirements, for $20 including shipping.

If you already own a desktop PC, it's probably good enough to run the game as is. Almost certainly so if you add in a $50 graphics card.

If you don't own a PC already, here's a $350 pre-built computer that should run the game just fine (you can add in the $50 graphics card yourself if you want—it's super easy). If you're willing to build it yourself, you could probably put something similar together for $50 less. Throw in a cheap monitor ($80) or just hook it up to your TV, and you've got yourself a competent low-mid range gaming computer.

high end cpu with low core count (2 or 4)

ex: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019NKGR4/ref=psdc_229189_t4_B000LRMR26

what about the e8400 ? it's $22.90 and can easily overclock to 3.6 or more.

That and a $60-$70 SSD should keep you well below the $100 budget :)

About the GPU, I'm not sure you'll be able to find something significantly better than your card at $100 or so, at least not new.
I know used AMD cards can go pretty cheap nowadays so it's worth looking into.


Also, I almost forgot, while the cpu + ssd upgrade should be pretty safe, if you do upgrade your gpu, make sure your psu can handle it.
I know mine limited my options :(

I have this keyboard/mouse combo: http://www.amazon.com/CM-Storm-Devastator-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B00DKXXAAQ/
The keyboard is nice. can also come in green or red if you want. the mouse died on me once, but I opened it up to look for any faults, didnt see anything wrong, closed it, and it has been magically working since.


You don't necessarily have to upgrade the motherboard. socket 775 processors are dirt cheap now: http://www.amazon.com/Intel-E8400-3-0GHz-Processor-EU80570PJ0806M/dp/B0019NKGR4/


But then again it looks like you'll have to stick with it for a few years cause I dont remember anything at all from when I was 3. I know I got a gameboy color for my 4th birthday bundled with pokemon yellow. The party was at mcdonalds too. fun times

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0019NKGR4/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1483552357&sr=1-2&refinements=p_36%3A1253503011&pi=AC_SX200_SY289_FMwebp_QL65&dpPl=1&dpID=31Y3ryGpQbL&ref=plSrch

PSU = Power supply. It'll either be at the top or bottom of your tower, you plug the AC power into it.

From this chart, you should be able to pop in that 7850 as well, uses ~130W at load.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radeon_HD_7000_Series#Radeon_HD_7800

And in Anand's review from the card's launch has a total system load of 289W.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5625/amd-radeon-hd-7870-ghz-edition-radeon-hd-7850-review-rounding-out-southern-islands/17

In Anand's review, he was testing using an i7 3960X, a much higher wattage CPU then you have. So I'm fairly sure you have some head room there.


I did not thoroughly check on the exact supported CPUs of your Inspiron 560, but this CPU is a fairly safe bet and would be a nice bump from that Pentium Dual Core.

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-E8400-3-0GHz-Processor-EU80570PJ0806M/dp/B0019NKGR4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382678814&sr=8-1&keywords=Core+2+Duo

Now, L4D2 requires a C2D E4600/NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS 128 MB or ATi Radeon X1600 128 MB for the reccommended requirements. With those upgrades, I would think you be able to handily run L4D2, but its not a game I own so I can't adequately gauge how the game runs.

That processor is literally $10 on Amazon.

Trash PC but here is a new and shiny CPU... https://www.amazon.com/Intel-E8400-3-0GHz-Processor-EU80570PJ0806M/dp/B0019NKGR4/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1496338222&sr=1-1&keywords=Cpu&refinements=p_36%3A1253503011