$265 low budget gaming- will this work?

[jaa228]

So I have been trying to design a low budget, light gaming machine. My budget is $300. Here's what I got.

Specs:

-Pentium G620 (2.6GHz) Dual Core
-ECS H61H2-M2(1.0) LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI Micro ATX Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.915538

-8GB (2x4) GSkill RipJaws DDR3 1066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231308

-250GB WD Caviar Blue HD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136979

-GIGABYTE GV-R667D3-1GI Radeon HD 6670 1GB 128-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125403

-22x Samsung DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151244

-LOGISYS Area 51 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 480W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811148030

The CPU and Mobo cost $109.98 in a combo plus there's a $30 mail in rebate.
Ram is $39.99
HD is $39.99 plus 25% off w/ promo code
Video Card is $64.99 plus there's a $25 mail in rebate; also comes with Dirt 3 download coupon
Case w/ PSU is $39.99
Shipping is $16.76

Total w/ shipping and tax after discounts and rebates:
$263.69

Is this build worth it for the price?

Will this system work well for light gaming like Minecraft or maybe some high end games on med-high settings?

Will it outperform the macbook pro that cost $1200? (i5/Intel HD3000/4GB/500GB) - I've used one of these and it is enough to do what I want.

Finally, can I get anything better for the price?

 

[fpoon]

Man... you must be a god to make a semi-gaming build for $265... Minecraft will be absolutely fine. Although I don't think high end games like BF3 will run on med-high. Problem medium only.

Although, if you have the money, I suggest you get an i3 instead, wayyy better at gaming.

 

[jaa228]

Man... you must be a god to make a semi-gaming build for $265... Minecraft will be absolutely fine. Although I don't think high end games like BF3 will run on med-high. Problem medium only.

Although, if you have the money, I suggest you get an i3 instead, wayyy better at gaming.

Keeping everything the same but going with the i3-2100 raises the price by $50.00. Total would be $313.69.
Is that worth it? Still close to the $300 budget.
...Or should I spend and extra $50 on a better GPU?
I guess it would be important to ask at what point would a Pentium G620 become a bottleneck. For example what kind of GPU?

New CPU/mobo combo would be:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.915534

 

[fpoon]

The i3 will be worth it.
BTW, whats your monitor resolution??

 

[jaa228]

The i3 will be worth it.
BTW, whats your monitor resolution??

I want to hook it up to my 55" tv which is either 720p or 1080p. The Graphics card says it supports 2560 x 1600.

 

[fpoon]

It will support 2560 x 1600 but it will lag at that resolution. If it's 720p, the 6670 will handle BF3 easily even at high (I think), but if it's 1080p, medium will be fine.

Minecraft is a piece of cake for an i3/6670, even with my Westmere i3 and a GT 430 (half the power), it runs like a breeze.

EDIT: If you are going to get the 6670, get Sapphire, it is a better brand.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102988

 

[lycros]

Did you need to buy an OS?

Also the extra 50 should be spent on a GPU upgrade.

Here are some benchmarks of a G20 with a 6670 - http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/pentium-g620-amd-a8-3870k-radeon-hd-6670,3140-6.html

Here are some CPU benchmarks with a wide range of CPUs AMD low and high end and Intel low and high end. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-fx-pentium-apu-benchmark,3120-3.html

 

[jaa228]

Did you need to buy an OS?

Also the extra 50 should be spent on a GPU upgrade.

Here are some benchmarks of a G20 with a 6670 - http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/pentium-g620-amd-a8-3870k-radeon-hd-6670,3140-6.html

Here are some CPU benchmarks with a wide range of CPUs AMD low and high end and Intel low and high end. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-fx-pentium-apu-benchmark,3120-3.html

My budget is my main concern for this build. I already have a fresh copy of Windows 7 and I might install a version of Linux. Originally I was going to go with a A8-3870K overclocked. I found a combo for that and a motherboard for $157. On the other hand the G620 with a motherboard is $90 after discounts and rebates and the 6670 is $40. So it's $27 less in total. Also, it performs better in the benchmark tests http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/pentium-g620-amd-a8-3870k-radeon-hd-6670,3140-6.html. Finally, it draws less power. I admit neither of these setups are ideal for high end gaming but, that's not what I'm going for.

According to the CPU Bencmark tests the G630 isn't far behind the Phenom X4 and it outperforms the Phenom X6 for StarCraft II. Did they just use iGPU for those tests?

 

[dudewitbow]

alternatively, if you never plan to upgrade, and you get an a6 or a8 gpu with the 6670, you could turn on hybrid crossfirex mode

 

[unksol]

I would seriously reconsider that case/PSU combo. cheap case fine. But you can probably find one for 20-30 and pick up a decent PSU for 30. Any 500W PSU that comes with a $40 case is scary. And its really hard to make out in the newegg pics but it looks like the 12V rail is rated for 165W. maybe I'm seeing it wrong

I get the budget. and it may survive. but I'd think yih could sink another 10-15 bucks into the case/PSU and have something reliable

 

[amuffin]

Copy of WINDOWS?

 

[lycros]

For the CPU benchmark they used a 7970

 

[unksol]

Copy of WINDOWS?

FYI

My budget is my main concern for this build. I already have a fresh copy of Windows 7 and I might install a version of Linux.

 

[zooted]

Although the power draw will be very low with the g20+6670. I would have to also suggest looking into a higher quality power supply. Look for one from Antec, Corsair, Seasonic, PC Power & Cooling, XFX...etc. Look for one with a bare minimum of an 80+ certification as well as active PFC.

 

[jerreddredd]

ditto on the PSU, or you will see $265 go up in flames.

here is a good PSU database to check out PSU's

http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page1373.htm

 

[jaa228]

FYI

Yes, at my school all CS majors get certain software for free including Win 7 Pro.

 

[dudewitbow]

Yes, at my school all CS majors get certain software for free including Win 7 Pro.

its good to label that you have a MSDNAA program on the original post so people know that you already have windows.

 

[jaa228]

What about this for PSU and Case

CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 V2 (CMPSU-430CXV2) 430W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - $27 w/ shipping after mail in rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026

If I buy today I can get this case for $30 after mail in rebate and free shipping.
COOLER MASTER Elite 430 RC-430-KWN1 Black Steel / Plastic Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119227

If not, since looks aren't the main concern I could get this for $30
APEX TX-381-C Black Steel Micro ATX Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154094

I doubt this build will get very hot so I don't need a crazy gaming case.

BTW this build definitely won't use more than 350w so I figured if I use a cheap 480w PSU and draw less than 350w it should handle it well... no? The CPU is only 65w and I'm not going to overclock. The video card draws about 50w, so little that there is no PCI-E power connector. Ram 1066 cl7. I might want to overclock that if this mobo allows it.

 

[jaa228]

alternatively, if you never plan to upgrade, and you get an a6 or a8 gpu with the 6670, you could turn on hybrid crossfirex mode

I was thinking about that. Problem is I can't find a 6670 that works with crossfire. Also, I heard it results in flickering for some games. Finally, how can you beat the price on that CPU and Mobo Combo?

 

[zooted]

The truth is you may very well be fine with the psu that comes with the case as the build will sip power. However the psu is the most important foundation for any build as psu issues often take out other components when they blow. So it is always wise to invest in an adequate psu.

The hybrid 6670 crossfire offers a pretty good boost in performance in the games that work well with it. It is buggy and has issues with microstuttering. So I would still go the g20 + 6670 route.

 

[jaa228]

When I read the review everyone who bought that case said the PSU is strong and reliable. But for an extra $10 I can get a different case and a 430w 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC PSU. Seems worth it.