Help me make my gaming build less expensive

derComputer · Jul 28, 2014

I'm a 16 year old kid and I want to build a gaming computer. You can see what I currently have in mind right here: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qsCYmG

Though I should be able to work up 900 dollars, I'd prefer it to be a little bit less expensive. I want this system to last through my college years. Obviously the pentium won't do that for me which is why I went with the Z97 board so I can upgrade my CPU when the time comes. The GPU I'm not so sure, the 280 seemed like a mid-high end card that I can use for a few years but if you guys think I should go with something a little cheaper then upgrade it whenever it becomes necessary I'll trust you guys. For the PSU I really have no idea what's going on; I've heard that a bronze rating is good for budget builds but I'm not sure so if you guys have suggestions please say

. For the case I also really don't know what I should be looking for, I just thought 50 dollars was a good price but if you guys find other cases that will work for my build and are less expensive please inform me

. Also the pentium will be overclocked (do some google searches about the g3258 if you haven't heard about it yet) so don't worry about that. Thanks for reading, and thank you for your suggestions.

EcoMCG · Jul 28, 2014

Spend less on ram. The same specs but one where it cost around 60 - 70 bucks. http://pcpartpicker.com/part/team-memory-tld38g1600hc9dc01

Or if you want to go with 8x1 GB which I do highly recommend since you have more space to upgrade: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/kingston-memory-khx13c9b18

Get a better case with reviews from people that have used the case. Here's a better one with cable management and 2 120MM pre-built fans: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-cc9011051ww

But the build so far is fine.

TheLastof Me · Jul 28, 2014

On a budget, then get a FX series CPU, either the FX 6300 or FX 8350. Will last for years to come for gaming and will be far more than enough for collegiate schoolwork. The FX series was way ahead of its time. Only now are games fully utilizing all of its power. As time goes on, they will perform even better as more apps take full advantage of its power.

derComputer · Jul 28, 2014

TheLastof Me :

I totally agree that getting a CPU with more cores is more future-proof, but this processor is less expensive and in most games that we can play today the full potential of hexa and octa core CPUs is not realized. In benchmark tests of single threaded tasks, an OCed g3258 does better than the AMD processors. Obviously the dual core won't last forever though. Thus I went with the Z97 mobo so I can upgrade my processor in a couple of years once games actually start needing more cores and I have a bit more money to spend.

derComputer · Jul 28, 2014

EcoMCG :

Thanks for helping me out here. I never thought about going with one stick of 8 gb of RAM, but I guess since my build is focused on upgrade-ability I'll definitely consider that. As for the case thanks for pointing me in the right direction; I really don't know what to look for in that department so that helps a lot. Do you agree with my choice in PSU? I'm pretty nervous about the PSU because people say getting a bad one can be detrimental but I really don't know how to distinguish a good PSU from a bad one.

TheLastof Me · Jul 28, 2014

derComputer :

Truth be told, most new games already use all available cores or a percentage of them. The argument about not using more than 2 to 4 applied from like 2011 and backwards. The only game I own that only utilizes two cores is StarCraft 2. All of my other games use 4 to 8. BF3 uses all 8. Tomb Raider uses all 8 also, but only like 10% of all 8 cores where BF3 uses like 50% of all cores. I have a tri-monitor setup and watch my CPU usage while gaming.

Nowadays, it is not about utilizing multiple cores, it is about games being optimized to use ALL of the available resources of a CPU. That is why new titles recommend 4 cores and up. So when the FX 8350 came out 2 years ago, it was literally ahead of its time. There was not much gaming you could do to use all of its resources. Currently however, games are being designed to utilize the power of modern CPUs. With the consoles having 8 AMD cores, the FX series will get better in gaming and other apps as more apps are programmed to use more of the CPUs resources (i.e. cores, cache, etc).

derComputer · Jul 28, 2014

TheLastof Me :

derComputer :

Truth be told, most new games already use all available cores or a percentage of them. The argument about not using more than 2 to 4 applied from like 2011 and backwards. The only game I own that only utilizes two cores is StarCraft 2. All of my other games use 4 to 8. BF3 uses all 8. Tomb Raider uses all 8 also, but only like 10% of all 8 cores where BF3 uses like 50% of all cores. I have a tri-monitor setup and watch my CPU usage while gaming.

Nowadays, it is not about utilizing multiple cores, it is about games being optimized to use ALL of the available resources of a CPU. That is why new titles recommend 4 cores and up. So when the FX 8350 came out 2 years ago, it was literally ahead of its time. There was not much gaming you could do to use all of its resources. Currently however, games are being designed to utilize the power of modern CPUs. With the consoles having 8 AMD cores, the FX series will get better in gaming and other apps as more apps are programmed to use more of the CPUs resources (i.e. cores, cache, etc).

I watched videos on YouTube and read a big thread on the overclock network forum and the performance of the CPU doesn't really concern me, especially considering the cheap price. And if worse comes to worst and the performance of it isn't to my expectations, I can just save a little and plug in a more powerful CPU because of the Z97 chipset motherboard. For a budget build focused on upgrade-ability I personally think this CPU is my best option.

TheLastof Me · Jul 28, 2014

The best way is to do your own research that way you will learn.

Either way, you are NOT going to get the full performance of your 280 with a Pentium. The 1990's are over, so is the Pentium. The 280 is a high end card that you are pairing with a low-end CPU intended only for OEM distributors to put in low cost laptops and desktops to sell in Best Buy for casual PC users. In other words, your build is unbalanced.

Nevertheless, from experience you will be upgrading CPUs sooner than later. But spending more money than you have to and doing re-work is the best teacher in life. Good luck to you!

derComputer · Jul 28, 2014

TheLastof Me :

The 280 is so I don't have to buy a new gpu when I buy a higher end cpu. Also if you do research the pentium, it has an unlocked multiplier. People have been getting 4.6 ghz on just the stock cooler, and when it's overclocked it has performance in the ballpark of i5s and i7s on single threaded tasks. It will be a good cpu to start out with, and by the time I can buy an i5 or i7 chip then the build will really realize it's full potential because then the 280 can actually work with hardware it's designed for. In this way I'll only have to upgrade the cpu and not both the gpu and the cpu.

derComputer · Jul 28, 2014

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/pentium-g3258-overclocking-performance,3849.html

Here are some benchmarks that tomshardware did with this CPU. Obviously it's not going to beat an i7 or even an AMD FX-8xxx but because it can at least put out acceptable frame rates I'm fine with it. It's a great CPU for someone on a budget like me and it leaves me with plenty to work with when I do get a higher end CPU later down the line.

TheLastof Me · Jul 28, 2014

Like I said, experience is the best teacher. It is your build

BTW, the Pentium cannot even compete with an i5 regardless of clock speeds. It is like comparing an NFL player to an high school football star. Yeah the high school player has potential, but the NFL player is a pro. That Pentium is the high school player and the i5 is the NFL player btw.

The Pentium is not even hyper threaded! You literally only have 2 cores and 2 threads to match. From a physics standpoint, the Pentium simply does not have the resources to do any kind of semi-serious gaming. If this CPU had come out like 5 years ago, then it would have been awesome. However, it is not five years ago.

Either way, you will not be able to say that there was not a dissenter when you put this build together. It is bad from a fiscal standpoint to buy a CPU knowing that you are going to buy another in a year or so. The CPU should be the last component upgraded in that it is already the fastest component hands down.

derComputer · Jul 28, 2014

TheLastof Me :

Note that I said in single threaded tasks, not the chip as a whole. They (the pentium and the i5) have the same Haswell architecture, and the pentium will probably have a higher clock speed. So in single threaded tasks (only one core is used) the pentium will be as fast or faster. Same architecture, similar speeds. Your points are all correct, I'm not trying to argue that this is the single greatest CPU ever. For it's purpose as a budget CPU, however, this chip provides serious bang for the buck (remember it's only 70 dollars). It's perfect for a budget gamer, and it's even better for me since I'll upgrade it eventually to a high end CPU. And yes, if my PC sucks hardcore, I will be sure to make a public announcement on this board that says that you were right and I was wrong. But I don't think I will have a problem with that, especially when benchmarks show that it performs very good for a budget CPU.

TheLastof Me · Jul 28, 2014

I don't care about being right or wrong in this regard. It is just that I spent more money by buying things twice because I fully didn't understand performance and how everything all works together.

At the end of the day, it is YOUR money being spent. We are just anonymous posters. If Toms Hardware leads you to buy a crappy CPU because of a review where they shed it in a good light (I have seen reviews that bash CPUs that perform better than that Pentium, but was from a different brand, so it didn't get the same love), they will not suffer from it, you will. I gave you an objective opinion about gaming performance and CPUs.

I don't worry about gaming, I have an FX-8350 OC'd to 4.5GHz with two 270x in Crossfire. However, I would hate to see someone who wants to game spend (waste) money the first time around when it is unnecessary. Either way, its your money. So I hope your new system gives you as many fun hours of playing as mine does.

derComputer · Jul 28, 2014

TheLastof Me :

Ok, I see what you mean. I will buy the Pentium, but if it is bad, then I guess it's good that it's only 70 dollars so it wouldn't be the end of the world. I'd like to thank you for your insight though.

On another note, what are your opinions on the PSU? I'd be willing to spend a little bit more money on it if it means a safer, cleaner system.

boosted1g · Jul 28, 2014

For per bang for buck you can not beat the AMD fx-series. No doubt the higher end i5s performe a moderate amount better, but per $ the AMD beats it out. The pentium will bottleneck the crap out of that 280 gpu and you will be very unhappy with it until you can get another $200 for a i5 cpu.

Look at this build, you have a good cpu that cant be bottlenecked by any gpu < $500, a power supply with enough power for a gpu upgrade. The only sacrafice is going from a 280 to a 270x gpu.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($149.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($22.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Extreme3 ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($102.00 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270X 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Power Supply: Rosewill Hive 650W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer ($12.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $770.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-07-28 18:19 EDT-0400

derComputer · Jul 28, 2014

To be honest I'm surprised at the resistance that you guys are giving me for the Pentium chip. Considering that almost all online reviews I've seen of this chip have managed an overclock to at least 4.5 Ghz and the really slim price tag of 70 dollars I'd figure it would be great for a budget build. I understand that the 280 will be bottlenecked but it's purpose is so I don't have to make an expensive GPU upgrade later on. If you guys are that bothered by it I'd be more than happy to go with a 270x as well if you guys think that it will be able to play games for several years. Here is yet another article detailing the CPU's performance http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2014/06/24/intel-pentium-g3258-review/5. In both of the tested games the OCed Pentium beat out the OCed FX-8350. Obviously it didn't do as well in things like video editing or multitasking, but the only time I plan to have more than one program open is when I occasionally use Skype. And this is when the Pentium chip is over $100 less than the fx 8350. Now, I will say that the overclock they achieved with the chip is probably more than I will get, but even at 4.5 ghz this chip should still shine because of this Haswell chip's significantly improved performance/core and performance/clock cycle over it's AMD counterpart. Is the chip future-proof? No. Will the chip bottleneck my GPU? Most likely. But is it a good option considering it's $70 price? Yes. And when the time comes when I have a little bit more cash I will certainly upgrade my CPU. As it stands though this chip is perfect for my situation.

derComputer · Jul 28, 2014

Another review at http://www.legitreviews.com/intel-pentium-g3258-dual-core-processor-gaming-performance_145873/11 (I'm on the last page with the concluding statements but the review includes benchmarks as well). Essentially reiterates what I've been saying about this chip. It's not going to crush benchmark scores, it's not going to match the performance of an i7, but it does pretty darn good for a $70 chip.

bob hays · Jul 28, 2014

Its ok to go with a pentium for now, but it would be advisable to save $70 by going straight for the i5. Also, I recommend the Asus Z-97 A if you decide to use nvidia instead of AMD because it supports SLI (lower models don't).

Help me make my gaming build less expensive

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