budget gaming desktop?

So im looking to buy a desktop for myself this summer and i want it to handle pc games without lag or overheating. So does anyone use or know of a desktop computer or gaming desktop thats for around $300 and $400 that wouldn't overheat and lag? would it be better to build my own, buy used, or new. im really on a tight budget and need something like this. And also does anyone know of a way i can cool down my laptop so it doesent overheat and lag? I already have a descent cooling fan for it but it still doesent cut it. any help and/or suggestions is definitely appreciated.

-MUCK

I'd keep saving until you're up to 500-600, because I don't think you'll get the value out of anything you buy for that cheap, even at that point you might consider something like iBuyPower or CyberPower unless you are on the questionable side of ethics when it comes to obtaining your version of Windows. I won't say you can't get something for that cheap that would be an upgrade, especially depending what you have in your area, and if Ragnar see this and wants to chime in, all power to him.

Personally I run off of an i3 550, GT 240 and it's rare I'll go over 4GB of RAM without heavily multi-tasking, and I get decent performance on low settings in most games that aren't too intensive (Battlefield 3/4, DayZ because of optimization, The Witcher 2, Skyrim without tons of tweaks to name a few I get bad frame rates in). I know there are places near me that are computer recycle centers that sell old parts, otherwise there's places like craigslist or ebay. Just takes a bit more research.

I'd say it's only going to get worse in the coming year or two when it comes to newer game performance, considering the launch of new consoles with better hardware.

you are always better to build your own, save a little longer and and get what you want, then you will reap the benefits later. check new egg.com regularly for sales, if you create an account they will email you the daily or weekly sales on a regular basis. Good luck. ;-)

Ive kinda figured out a plan and since im not gonna me making very much money this summer, im thinking about getting something cheaper like a Chromebook and then gradually buying parts for a gaming pc and building my own when i get the money to. What does anyone think?

-MUCK

If you do build one keep in mind that technology is always changing so get a motherboard and components that will allow you to be able to upgrade to a better processor etc later on down the road.

Yes i plan to. Thank you CroW

if you have a tower pc already all you will need is a couple of components mother board chipset vid card, maybe a power supply. you can make do with your hard drive and memory, although memory is pretty cheap anyway. just depends on what you need .

My family has one there thinking about replacing and if they do, that's probably what i'm gonna do.
I'm not sure what all it needs, but i'm thinking all it needs is a vid card. A friend of my dad's said to install a good vid card with a big fan(to keep it cool) and then it shouldn't lag and handle most games i throw at it. He said that there is a really good one i can buy for like $160. Does anyone have a suggestion for a good vid card that's maybe a bit cheaper?

you can snag some pretty good deals at http://pcpartpicker.com/

Thank u CroW. I havent decided what route im going to take but i hope i will be able to afford one of em .