Feedback on Budget Gaming / Media PC

jimaxwell · Aug 17, 2014

I am finally in a position to replace my aged desktop. I've put together a draft of what I think might do the trick, I would love some feedback and/or suggestions for improvement.

I am a very, very casual gamer. I would like to play WoW, but do not need to play on Ultra. I just want to quest and jump in some dungeons periodically. It would be nice to have the horsepower to raid every now and then, but time doesn't really allow for much of that so I don't need a build for raiding. I played Diablo II long ago, and wouldn't mind giving Diablo III a whirl.

I also use utorrent quite a bit to download DMB shows and need a machine that can easily handle the .flac to .mp3 conversion. I would like to watch .mp4 files on my TV so HDMI out would be nice as well as the umph for clear, smooth playback.

Other than this, basic web browsing and youtube watching is about all this machine will do.

An upgrade path would be nice, the first thing I'd like to add is an SSD drive for quick loads.

So, here's my build, what do you think?

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/LoboJim/saved/cZWzK8

EasyLover · Aug 17, 2014

Good build for your requirements. In Intel stick with i3 and that would do the job. You can also consider buying GTX 750Ti.

TopLuca · Aug 17, 2014

I wouldn't go with an APU since you're running a discrete graphics card , the APUs aren't that strong of a processor so instead I went with an i3 and a much stronger GPU in the same price range also I went with a better/cheaper monitor . My build exceeds yours by 9 bucks but you'll see major increase in performance also a good upgrade will be a cheap SSD for around $70 that will increase loading speeds drastically

Build : http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ND8XVn

Feel free to ask any questions

EasyLover · Aug 17, 2014

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($119.03 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-E Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($57.00 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($75.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.92 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 1GB Video Card ($115.26 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone PS08B (Black) MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($36.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)
Monitor: ViewSonic VA2349S 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $632.17
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-17 13:41 EDT-0400

TopLuca · Aug 17, 2014

EasyLover :

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($119.03 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-E Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($57.00 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($75.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.92 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 1GB Video Card ($115.26 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone PS08B (Black) MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($36.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)
Monitor: ViewSonic VA2349S 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $632.17
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-17 13:41 EDT-0400

Why isn't the OS and Optical drive included in the price ? I am just asking

EasyLover · Aug 17, 2014

TopLuca :

EasyLover :

Why isn't the OS and Optical drive included in the price ? I am just asking

Check the OP's build. He has custom added these items. And I just edited his build.

TopLuca · Aug 17, 2014

Ohh I see , thanks for clarifying

EasyLover · Aug 17, 2014

No issue.

jimaxwell · Aug 18, 2014

TopLuca :

EasyLover :

Thanks! I made your suggestions as well as changing the gpu to a GTX 750 Ti. I won't be ordering until my bonus comes in around 8/29, so I'll keep my eye on price changes. (whole rig went up 20 bucks overnite)

What are your thoughts on Win8.1? It's a bit cheaper and and I figure I've got to get used to it at some point.

thanks so much for your help!

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/NDcmNG

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/NDcmNG
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/NDcmNG/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i3-4330 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-HDS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($49.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Kingston Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($75.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone PS08B (Black) MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($36.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VS247H-P 23.6" Monitor ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $724.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-18 12:31 EDT-0400

EasyLover · Aug 18, 2014

Build looks solid there. Win 8.1 is ok as well. Good Luck. Prices will definitely change during this time period.

jimaxwell · Aug 18, 2014

Does that cpu need any type of cooling? Also, can I swap out any other i3 cpu's depending on day of order pricing? i.e. 4130 or others?

thanks so much for your help. I'll be hitting up this forum when it comes to putting it all together.

Can't wait!

j

EasyLover · Aug 18, 2014

No you don't need any aftermarket cooler for this CPU. Stock cooler will do the job. Yes, as long as it is in haswel you can get any i3.

jimaxwell · Aug 25, 2014

If I can get a combo deal with a single stick of 8gb instead of 2 sticks of 4, does that work? It means I'll have an open RAM slot. (which I could add matching RAM to later)

EasyLover · Aug 25, 2014

Yes, it will work

jimaxwell · Aug 29, 2014

I'm working on placing my order and I see that TigerDirect has a 1 day deal on a GIGABYTE Radeon R9 270. I did a little research and see that the R7 265 was rated better than the GTX 750 Ti. Would you recommend this switch?

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvr927oc2gd vs http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-n750ti2gd5oc

Alexdiaz · Aug 29, 2014

Get a Pentium G3220 with a GTX 750 ti

EasyLover · Aug 30, 2014

jimaxwell :

R7 265 has upper hand over 750Ti. It is upto you to decide bet AMD and nVIDIA. Both are good cards. 750Ti is actually best value for its price.

Feedback on Budget Gaming / Media PC

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