Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Your question
Solved

$500 Mini ITX Build [Budget Gaming]

Tags:
  • Amazon
  • Systems
Last response: in Systems
Share
May 11, 2014 8:50:44 AM

With the exception of a lack of mobo, I am ready to pull the trigger and buy it this morning, unless anyone has some suggestions for improvement.

Please read my post before suggesting parts based on my pcpartspicker list, as my needs are specific. tl;dr? then the bolded parts are your friend.

CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($67.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Superclocked Video Card ($150.98 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 250D Mini ITX Tower Case ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($52.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $421.94
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3HWrF

I did not pick a motherboard because I'm clueless as to which brands to buy and which to avoid these days.
I already have the hard drive, OS, keyboard/mouse/display.
I know Amazon can be more expensive and not have every part, but I really enjoy using their service, and I already have prime for quick shipping.

Concerns: available on AMAZON.com, budget, frame rates, heat, SFF
First off, I primarily buy AAA titles on Xbox One so that my wife and I don't have to buy a copy for each of our PCs. This build is mostly for older titles like WoW, TF2, last gen first person shooters, plus some of the more obscure titles on Steam that you just can't get on Xbox One. So while frame rates is OF COURSE a factor, it's only one of my concerns.

This PC will be side by side with another desk/pc in a smaller room with 3 full sized windows, located in South Florida. Heat is an issue as my current PC with a GTX470 (fermi) already warms the room. I will be adding a room fan to help, but it's still important. Part of the reason I chose the 750 ti for it's low power consumption and heat production.

Notes on my decisions:
While I understand that it's silly to have a $90 case with a $60 processor and $150 graphics card, I really like the way it looks, and dislike all of the more budget friendly mini itx cases that I have found. Plus, it can be used in future builds.

I chose the intel haswell pentium because the the barebottom price/good performance for my use, and I don't want to get an X4 and OC it, both for the heat and fan noise. Budget is a concern here and if I'm not happy with the performance, I can shove an enthusiast chip my mobo in the future.

I am pretty lost when it comes to motherboards. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... seemed not bad because the price and the fact that it does have usb3.0 internal for my 250d header, but it's not available on amazon.

Thanks for reading. I look forward to your comments.

More about : 500 mini itx build budget gaming

Best solution

May 11, 2014 9:03:27 AM

fyi, even if mini ITX case, 250D is still considered big
why not go for small and cheap CM 130

and i5 cpu
Share
May 11, 2014 10:14:58 AM

AMD Radeon said:
fyi, even if mini ITX case, 250D is still considered big
why not go for small and cheap CM 130

and i5 cpu


Thanks. I don't want to drop $200 on an i5 because the pc won't be used enough. Budget is really important.

Earlier I was against the cm 130 but $40 less is a big deal. I'll see if she likes it.

The hardest part for me right now, is mobo. I'm totally lost.

Also, is a blower type cooled graphics card important in mini itx, or will the 750ti with it's simple fan not run the case too hot?
m
0
l
Related resources
May 11, 2014 10:19:15 AM

The motherboard you linked is fine. A 750Ti will be fine in that case as long you got some fan moving through the case.
m
0
l
May 11, 2014 10:23:22 AM

Suztera said:
The motherboard you linked is fine. A 750Ti will be fine in that case as long you got some fan moving through the case.


Thanks.

By the way, I see in your signature that you also have a recent pentium. How does it game for you? Are you happy with it?
m
0
l
May 11, 2014 10:27:36 AM

Slackjaw2014 said:
Suztera said:
The motherboard you linked is fine. A 750Ti will be fine in that case as long you got some fan moving through the case.


Thanks.

By the way, I see in your signature that you also have a recent pentium. How does it game for you? Are you happy with it?


For the games i play it is fine. I don't really play cpu intensive games much. I have tried BF4 with mantle and i can play at high settings reaching 60fps. But it is bottlenecking my card.
m
0
l
May 11, 2014 10:32:40 AM

Suztera said:
Slackjaw2014 said:
Suztera said:
The motherboard you linked is fine. A 750Ti will be fine in that case as long you got some fan moving through the case.


Thanks.

By the way, I see in your signature that you also have a recent pentium. How does it game for you? Are you happy with it?


For the games i play it is fine. I don't really play cpu intensive games much. I have tried BF4 with mantle and i can play at high settings reaching 60fps. But it is bottlenecking my card.


Wow. I checked out the frames on that card compared to the 750 on tom's and yours blows it out of the water for $50 more.

How are the temps..?
m
0
l
May 11, 2014 10:49:21 AM

Slackjaw2014 said:
Suztera said:
Slackjaw2014 said:
Suztera said:
The motherboard you linked is fine. A 750Ti will be fine in that case as long you got some fan moving through the case.


Thanks.

By the way, I see in your signature that you also have a recent pentium. How does it game for you? Are you happy with it?


For the games i play it is fine. I don't really play cpu intensive games much. I have tried BF4 with mantle and i can play at high settings reaching 60fps. But it is bottlenecking my card.


Wow. I checked out the frames on that card compared to the 750 on tom's and yours blows it out of the water for $50 more.

How are the temps..?


Idle 20-22C
The hardest i pushed the card is 1120 clock speed which was enough for me anyway. Temps highest was 65C on benchmarking gaming less than that if it is not gpu intensive
m
0
l
!