Cheap gaming rig

Camycam2ers · Sep 1, 2014

Just put together a build I'm planning on making this Christmas, I'm also guessing there will probably be lots of good deals so that'll lower price a bit (or raise it). I Just want some tips or suggestions that won't change the price range that much
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/dnRZXL

dav_jw · Sep 1, 2014

I don't see much I'd change, this is a solid build. One thing though: it seems that those cheap Hitachi drives on Amazon aren't new at all (read the reviews and Q/A), some reported getting drives from 2009. You probably won't have any warranty on them (other than the seller's).

Andrei_316 · Sep 1, 2014

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($188.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock B85M Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($66.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Comrade ATX Mid Tower Case ($35.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Gateway KX2153 Abd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $770.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-01 17:38 EDT-0400

Get Windows 8 through online, you save more.. or even ask a friend they probably have Windows 7/8

Andrei_316 · Sep 1, 2014

dav_jw :

Its not very solid build, his PSU can be changed for better performance and a better life span and his ram could be better when you put 10 more bucks

aakarshan · Sep 1, 2014

Camycam2ers :

Wait for the AMD R9 285 to come out.It will surely worth the wait.And get a 'K' version CPU it will help you in long run.And add it to above earlier told rig.

dav_jw · Sep 1, 2014

Andrei_316 :

Lifetime warrantied RAM from GSkill, I don't see a problem there. Flashy heatsinks won't increase life span, you know...
As for the PSU, I don't think there are much better options in the same price range. It's basic and nothing fancy, yes, but it could be much worse and not much better.

corcorand82 · Sep 1, 2014

MOBO: Ok but wont alow for much expandability
PSU: I have the same one

CPU: Mid range, will play most games with the right GPU on high settings
GPU: Pretty killer. I have a 270x and it runs ghosts, bf4 at 40fps on medium. this should be pretty decent
RAM: 8GB may not be enough for what you want, but I would stick with this for starters and ge another 4/8gb if you feel you need it.

The changes I would make:

Get a full atx motherboard that allows 2 or 3 way crossfire and 32GB of ram. the MOBO you proposed will not allow for many future upgrades. this brings me to your
PSU. This PSU is not going to allow for another r9 280. if you want to crossfire or SLI, then you will want at least 600 watts (Unfortunately this is the power limit for PDXlan).
Assuming you understand the concept behind the refresh rate of monitors, your monitor will not allow for games to be played above 60fps. If this is fine by you, so be it, but if you are a "hardcore" gamer and plan on playing on 120fps in the future (not that this build could do that given your hardware choices) then get a 75 or 120hz monitor. Just a thought.

UIts a pretty solid build! It is definitely worth the 850$, but there are some changes you could make to save yourself some butthurt in the future. If y6ou cheap out on parts, you will eventually want to get it replaced in the future.

Hope I made some sense, and cheers to the master gaming platform!

Camycam2ers · Sep 1, 2014

I don't plan on using crossfire, just upgrading the gpu in the future, I don't plan on overcloking so getting the k version is pointless, I do plan on getting a better psu but this is just a foundation starter computer, also I could just turn v-sync off for higher than 60fps...right?

dav_jw · Sep 1, 2014

Without Crossfire or overclocking, I doubt you'll ever need more than 500W for a single card and that CPU. There's no harm in getting a better PSU for longevity, if your budget allows it.

If you don't want/need frame rates above 60hz, then yeah, vsync (and/or frame capping implemented in some games) will work.

epicninja · Sep 1, 2014

Camycam2ers :

The monitor refresh rate is independent of game refresh rate. Even if your game is running at 1000 fps the monitor will only display 60 of them. What vsync does is it makes your graphics card put out frames at the rate they are being displayed on the screen so you don't get tearing, which happens when the gpu sends multiple frames to load while the monitor is loading one. However it causes input lag. Sidetrack aside, your monitors refresh rate is locked as is, unless you oc (not recommended). You can get some cheap 120hz monitors, but you'll have to pay more than your current monitor.

corcorand82 · Sep 1, 2014

epicninja :

You're absolutely right. If he only plans on playing under 60fps (which is totally understandable), his monitor will be fine. Its completely a matter of personal opinion. Like for me, I need a 75hz monitor to be just fine, but 120hz is not much different from 75hz.

corcorand82 · Sep 1, 2014

Camycam2ers :

If this is, as you say, a "foundation starter computer", I would get a motherboard that supports 32 (or more) gbs of ram. Ultimately this motherboard will be a huge bottleneck In your system.
You can always replace your motherboard in the future, but that requires going to Microsoft to relicense your win8, and its a pain in the butt. not to mention you have to reinstall all your hardware, drivers, refresh windows, ect.
tl,dr the only thing wrong with your computer is the motherboard

Camycam2ers · Sep 1, 2014

Any suggestions for sub $90 motherboards that are not utter shit?

Camycam2ers · Sep 1, 2014

Alright, I changed the MOBO, how is the build now?
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Camycam2/saved/rtRYcf

epicninja · Sep 1, 2014

By the way, by Christmas intel's new cpus called broadwell will be out. Even if you don't get them, haswell (the current CPUs) will drop in price. So you may be able to get a better CPU for the same price (or save money to put elsewhere)

logainofhades · Sep 2, 2014

I made some changes. This would be a better system.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($188.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($88.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda ES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($50.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($199.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: BitFenix Comrade ATX Mid Tower Case ($35.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($45.57 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Gateway KX2153 Abd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $786.49
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-02 01:45 EDT-0400

corcorand82 · Sep 2, 2014

Camycam2ers :

Honestly I would not spend less than 90$ on a ATX motherboard.
The ASrock mobo seems fine, I am not sure how their QC is or their customer service .

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