$500 gaming build with Intel Pentium G3258

Trang Do

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Hey there people. I'm in the market for a new pc. Just a little back story. I currently own a 5 year old Toshiba Satellite L655 that has the first gen. Intel Core i3 M370 and its really starting to show its age. I recently started playing League of Legends and I can only play it on its lowest settings with 40~50 fps. If I put the graphics settings any higher the fps really starts to suffer. I also tried playing another MOBA called Dawngate and before the game even runs a warning sign pops up telling me that my laptop is not graphically suitable for it. That's when I realized just how badly my laptop needs an upgrade.

I've been reading about the release of the Intel Pentium G3258 and it looks like a really good CPU to learn overclocking on as it's really cheap and Microcenter is having a special sale where the CPU with a MSI Z97 Pc Mate mobo is only $99.99 with tax. I thought that it would be a great opportunity to pick it up. I threw build together and I checked ebay for some prices as well because I'm perfectly okay with getting some lightly used components for a huge price difference from their new counterparts.

I would really like a pc that could play league and dawngate at their highest settings possible at 1080p while still streaming Pandora from Chrome in the back all for around $500~$550, but of course if the price can be lowered that would be great. I would like to be able to do some CAD work as well and some video rendering if possible. I would also like to be able to upgrade the system over the years so upgrading the CPU down the line would be something I'm interested in. I am open to any suggestions as I know my build is far from perfect. Should I opt for a cheaper graphics card? Does the case seem like a good idea? This pc will need to be portable. Is the pentium G3258 a bad idea? Most of the prices were found on ebay. I also won't be needing the OS or any periferals.


TLDR; Does this build look like it would play LoL on max settings at 1080p while streaming music, do some CAD work, render some videos, and look future proof?

Here is the build: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/TaDoey/saved/tDkgXL

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qFdH7P) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qFdH7P/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646g3258) | $60.00
**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr2) | $24.99 @ Newegg
**Motherboard** | [MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-z97pcmate) | $40.00
**Memory** | [A-Data Premier Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1333 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/a-data-memory-ad3u1333w8g92) | $50.00
**Storage** | [Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/kingston-internal-hard-drive-sv300s37a120g) | $40.00
**Video Card** | [MSI Radeon R9 280X 3GB TWIN FROZR Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-r9280xgaming3g) | $160.00
**Case** | [Cooler Master HAF XB EVO ATX Desktop Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-case-rc902xbkkn2) | $79.99 @ Micro Center
**Power Supply** | [Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cx600m) | $44.99 @ Newegg
**Wireless Network Adapter** | [TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/tp-link-wireless-network-card-tlwdn4800) | $34.99 @ Micro Center
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $534.96
 
Solution
i got the g3258 from newegg on july 4th in a combo with a Gigabyte h81m-ds2v mobo for $71 for all (i know i am lucky). I also have an MSI 280x i got on a trade for some computer parts on craigslist. So far I am happy, i OC the g3258 to 3.8 and this thing is blazing fast for a dual core. I play Ghost Recon Phantoms and I am able to max settings @ 1050p (1680x1050). The mobo can OC even though is not a Z mobo so i am happy. I have an AMD 750k quad but it seems slow compared to the pentium and is a lot hotter. My Pentium idles around 32C-35C. I am sure i can upgrade later on to an i5, i7 or Xeon (site show them as supported)
It would be able to play LoL maxed I'd imagine, but adding in music would probably bog it down slightly. Maybe a little performance hit, not a very big one.

As for CAD/Rendering, you'd be better off going with something with more cores. Going with an AMD fx 6300 would do better in those regards probably.

But seeing as how you're getting everything for those prices. It'd do pretty alright I guess. The SSD might as well be a 1TB hard drive or something.

The CX series have lower quality capacitors. It'll work, but the CX series have had a higher chance of failing as far as I'm aware.
But with those specs and the pentium, I'd imagine the 600w would still do alright.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1550sxxb9 <<< This is a bit more ideal if you can extend the budget a bit. But if you cant, the CX will work.
 

Asusprime

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i got the g3258 from newegg on july 4th in a combo with a Gigabyte h81m-ds2v mobo for $71 for all (i know i am lucky). I also have an MSI 280x i got on a trade for some computer parts on craigslist. So far I am happy, i OC the g3258 to 3.8 and this thing is blazing fast for a dual core. I play Ghost Recon Phantoms and I am able to max settings @ 1050p (1680x1050). The mobo can OC even though is not a Z mobo so i am happy. I have an AMD 750k quad but it seems slow compared to the pentium and is a lot hotter. My Pentium idles around 32C-35C. I am sure i can upgrade later on to an i5, i7 or Xeon (site show them as supported)
 
Solution

Trang Do

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Jul 11, 2014
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Knowing that the G3258 can be oc'ed without a Z mobo is really helpful. It opens up more options as to what mobo I can get. I won't be buying these components right away and may wait for cyber Monday or black friday, just for those crazy sales. Or I may just accumulate the parts over the year whenever possible.

Thanks for the responses I think I've found my answer.