Thoughts on low-end gaming build?

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Assassin0706

Assassin0706

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Dec 30, 2013
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CCPU:AMD Athlon X4 860K @ 3.7GHZ
CPU Cooler:Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
MOBO:Asus A88X-Plus
GPU: Sapphire HD 7770 1GB OC
RAM: 8GB DDR3 1333
PSU: CORSAIR CX600W
Case: Thermaltake Commander MS-I ID
 
Solution
anoori9000
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($108.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($61.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Fury Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Case: DIYPC MA08-BK MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($35.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $291.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-18 21:01 EDT-0400
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Assassin0706

Assassin0706

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Its a card I've had for a few years now, and would rather put it to use instead of throwing it away. I already have 4gb of ram, the hard drive, and the case. I'd like to spend less than $300 for the rest of the parts. I'll look into probably an evga psu.
 
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anoori9000

anoori9000

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($108.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($61.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Fury Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Case: DIYPC MA08-BK MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($35.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $291.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-18 21:01 EDT-0400
 
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Solution
Assassin0706

Assassin0706

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I've already got a case and 4 GB of ddr3 1333. So another 4 of 1866 would be pointless. I'd also prefer a quad core clocked as high as possible. I think the 860k is my best bet for the price. If i were to get intel id atleast get a 4th generation i5. I'd also prefer a full atx board. The PSU seems solid and I'll see about a 650watt model to save some money. Sorry I'm so picky. This build is for my fiance and she only really plays wow and final fantasy.
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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i3-4160 or i3-4170.

Those are by far your best choice. Don't be fooled into thinking the 860K is better for gaming because it has more physical cores.

I had a great link before but it showed the i3-4160 (or similar) beating the FX-6300 in every single game sometimes up to 40% or so.

You're talking about an i5 but don't have the budget. The BEST value you can get for gaming is the i3-4160.

Other:
1) More than 4GB is not pointless. If on a tight budget it's okay for most games but you'll definitely have major memory issues for some games and in the future it will only get worse.

2) Recommend a 2GB video card at GTX750Ti level or better if possible (after rebate can get one for $110USD after rebate).
 
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Assassin0706

Assassin0706

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I am NOT buying a new GPU. I already have a decent one. I wasn't saying more than 4gb is pointless. I'm saying 4 at one speed and 4 at another is pointless. It'll all be running at 1333 anyway. I want a fast, 4 core processor and less than $100 for 28nm 3.7GHZ 4core processor is a great deal. If I had more money I would go Intel. I want to spend as little money as possible. The CPU is cheap, and performs better than the 6300 in single core performance. Most games only use 3 cores anyways, so double that at a lower speed is pointless.
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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I've been trying to explain how CPU's work for gaming but I don't seem to be getting through.

Intel's latest dual-core CPU's with hyperthreading are beating (on average) every CPU AMD makes.

Yes, you can overclock but if the same Intel CPU was getting say 20% higher frame rates in a game you'd have to overclock by slightly higher than 20% to match that.

The 860K already runs at 4GHz Turbo. If you overclocked that by 20% you're at 4.8GHz which may not even be possible.

Plus the i3 can get away with the stock cooler, but if you overclock with AMD you'll have to buy a better cooler.

As for "not playing new games" that makes the Intel a better choice on average as well since older games tend to be less threaded so fewer, faster cores are better.

WOW as far as I can tell will definitely work better on the i3-4160. It doesn't benefit much beyond three cores (which is pretty good actually). I found a recent Draenor benchmark but unfortunately it just compared scaling on an FX-8350 but it provided enough info to prove the i3-4160 would work slightly better.

(My rough estimate is 15% average higher frame rate on i3-4160 and with a higher LOW FPS so slightly less stutter in CPU complex scenarios)

Older benchmarks aren't much use as the game code uses more cores slightly better now than a few years ago.
 
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Assassin0706

Assassin0706

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My whole reason for choosing amd is because it's cheaper. I'm trying to build this on a very VERY tight budget. The board I chose is good and cheap, as is the processor. I'm not paying $30 more for an extra 5 frames per second. To me, it just isn't worth it at this point. As I said, if I had the money I'd go Intel all the way, but I don't. I'm using spare parts I've had for years, and upgrading from a single core Pentium 4 and 1gb DDR RAM. All I want is something that can play games at medium- high settings as well as be cheap and be responsive when not gaming. This is more of an every day computer than a Gaming computer. With how much I make every week, it'll be 3 or 4 months before I'm able to afford these parts. I need the cheapest, but best performing parts available. From what I've seen, that means AMD.
 
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anoori9000

anoori9000

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You know, maybe you should give enough details before you go trying to correct people when they have NO way of knowing what you want. also listen to what people are saying.

the i3 only has 2 cores, yes, but the hyperthreading makes the OS see it having 4. we are telling you the i3 is better,

I dont see whats wrong with this build:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($108.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($61.98 @ Newegg)
Case: DIYPC MA08-BK MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($35.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $261.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-18 22:29 EDT-0400

Why do you need a full ATX board? You don't. Its cheaper this way.
 
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Assassin0706

Assassin0706

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I'm not trying to get upset with anyone. I know I've been a dick, but I'm really freaking stressed right now. I'm sorry for my lack of patience and rising temper. The things that are wrong with that, are 1. I already have a case, and don't want to buy a different one. 2. I'd prefer a cheaper power supply. I don't need 750 watt. 3. The mobo and CPU I picked are cheaper. All I want is something cheap that still performs well.
I believe I have selected the best for the price.
The CPU I picked costs $69.95. The mobo costs 56.98. RAM costs 24.99. The 500 watt PSU I chose costs 54.99. Total cost:$209.91 I would go smaller, but the case I already have can only fit atx. I would follow most of these suggestions if I had the money. They really are great suggestions, but this way is cheaper.
 
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anoori9000

anoori9000

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You never said you had a case. Any ATX case will fit mATX, you just have to make sure the standoffs are correct. The reason for the OVERKILL power supply is because it is currently the cheapest good quality one out there... at least from what trust.

So from my knowledge you have:
Case
RAM
HDD
GPU

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($108.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($61.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CSM 450W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $195.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-18 23:44 EDT-0400

There. Cheapy PSU, but its ok for this build i guess.

I don't get why money is an issue here if you said under $300. This is under $300 and will work perfectly.
 
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anoori9000

anoori9000

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Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

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I consider "light" gaming to be part of "general use". I don't think the OP's fiance is going to notice any difference between the I3 and the 860K. If the OP can get his AMD upgrades cheaper than Intel upgrades, why is anyone trying to convince him of anything. Pat him on the back and send him on his merry way.

-Wolf sends
 
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Assassin0706

Assassin0706

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Dec 30, 2013
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Thanks wolfshadw. Anoori9000 i would use the mobo and processor you recommended, but my case doesn't have adjustable standoffs. They're a part of the case and can't be moved to new positions. The case I have is a midtower atx from a prebuilt HP I dissected a few years back. I thought I had mentioned I already had a case but apparently not. Sorry for the confusion. I've done my research well, and will keep looking for the best deal possible. I said my budget was under $300 but wanted as cheap as possible. Thanks for all the help.
 
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anoori9000

anoori9000

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Alright, here is my final suggestion unless you have other details to add:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($108.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($69.89 @ OutletPC)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $218.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-19 12:38 EDT-0400



This is your build, with a different PSU. All the PSUs in your original, my build, and this one below, are kinda junky. But they will be OK for this build.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($69.95 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus A88X-PLUS ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($56.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($44.00 @ Newegg)
Total: $170.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-19 12:37 EDT-0400
 
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