Insanely Cheap Gaming Build?

[SingingThroughTheStorm]

So I decided to jump on a recent Motherboard deal (No frills H61) and I am looking to build a bang for you buck gaming PC.
The goal is too be as cheap as possible, without sacrificing new parts and the ability to play games.
I have no problem waiting for deals (1-2Months max though), and I am willing to do rebates of $10 or more.

What LGA1155 CPU + GPU combo is best in the ultra low budget catergory?
Right now I think the G620 and 6670 are in the lead for $/Performance.
Looking at their benchmarks I must admit I am impressed with both items.

This will not be a build for myself, but more of a just for fun build I will sell for little to no profit in the near future.
My goal is 720P with AA on the newest games. Not a ton of AA, but at least a little.

 

[willze7]

i3 is pretty good if you're looking to build a budget pc. AMD is also an option, but only if the i3 isn't cheap enough.

 

[SingingThroughTheStorm]

i3 doesn't seem to offer a huge performance boost in gaming to quantify paying the $60 more for it over the G620. AMD doesn't offer much here either in most games because the Phenom's per clock performance is pretty much crap and is much more expensive than the G620

 

[willze7]

The i3 (2100 or 2120) is a much better processor. Pentium was good in its day, but now, the i3 with better technologies and a higher clock speed is the way to go. But on the other hand the i3 is best paired with a faster gpu (maybe 560ti). I'm not sure how cheap you want this computer to be. If your budget is only $250 then by all means go with the pentium and 6670, but if you were more in the $500-$600 range then go with the i3 and a faster gpu. Also what games were you planning on playing because the pentium could never handle games like Battlefield 3 or crysis

 

[SingingThroughTheStorm]

I think you misunderstood. This PC is being built isn't really being built for myself, but something I am just building to see how cheap I can eek out a build that can still perform favorably in most new games. My actual computer runs a i3 and 6850, so I am by no means bashing the i3 (it is a great budget performer).


It seems the G620 can handle most games (not 60FPS, but at least 30 average) according to reviews and Tom's charts:
http://media.bestofmicro.com/X/G/323908/original/Battlefield3.png

 

[willze7]

What ever you say, but idk what graphics card those computers had. I understand you are tying to make it as cheap as possible, but I just don't think the Pentium can handle it. On my old pc laptop I have a slightly slower Pentium with a 750mb GPU that can barely handle Battlefield 2 on lowest settings.

 

[adgjlsfhk]

If you can wait, I would get a trinity apu. From Tom's Hardware's article on them, they look like the go-to for low price gaming builds.

 

[willze7]

That's not a bad idea. I know most AMD laptops use A series and they're not too bad.

 

[quilciri]

The i3 (2100 or 2120) is a much better processor. Pentium was good in its day, but now, the i3 with better technologies and a higher clock speed is the way to go. But on the other hand the i3 is best paired with a faster gpu (maybe 560ti). I'm not sure how cheap you want this computer to be. If your budget is only $250 then by all means go with the pentium and 6670, but if you were more in the $500-$600 range then go with the i3 and a faster gpu. Also what games were you planning on playing because the pentium could never handle games like Battlefield 3 or crysis

You do know the pentium G series are sandy bridge processors, right? They're very good bang for the buck.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-2.html

It turns out that the budget-oriented Sandy Bridge-based Pentium family performs very well in games. Specifically, Intel's $75 Pentium G630 beat the FX-4100, -6100, and -8120 in our recent sub-$200 CPU gaming comparison. In fact, it finished right on par with the Phenom II X4 955.

Tom's only uses stock performance in their CPU rankings, and mentions that when overclocked, the 4100 pulls up alongside the 2100, but the g620 can be had for half the price of the 4100.

 

[quilciri]

If you live near a microcenter, here's a beast for just over $500. You'll be able to max every game in existence @720p on this rig.

$45 ($35 after mail in)
COOLER MASTER GX 450W RS450-ACAAD3-US 450W ATX12V v2.31 80 PLUS BRONZE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171060

$50
Pentium G620 LGA 1155
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0367906

$55
ASRock H61M-DGS LGA 1155 Intel H61
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157315

$23
Crucial Ballistix sport 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0382074

$200
SAPPHIRE 11188-22-20G Radeon HD 6950 2GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102987

$18
ASUS 24X DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

$75
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769

$40
Rosewill Blackbone Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147023

total $506 before rebats and shipping.

 

[SingingThroughTheStorm]

If you live near a microcenter, here's a beast for just over $500. You'll be able to max every game in existence @720p on this rig.

$45 ($35 after mail in)
COOLER MASTER GX 450W RS450-ACAAD3-US 450W ATX12V v2.31 80 PLUS BRONZE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171060

$50
Pentium G620 LGA 1155
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0367906

$55
ASRock H61M-DGS LGA 1155 Intel H61
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157315

$23
Crucial Ballistix sport 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0382074

$200
SAPPHIRE 11188-22-20G Radeon HD 6950 2GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102987

$18
ASUS 24X DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

$75
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769

$40
Rosewill Blackbone Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147023

total $506 before rebats and shipping.

Very nice build. Thanks for reaffirming my belief in the G620.

The goal is even cheaper while maintaining good performance.
After rebate, the H61 LGA1155 Mobo is $15 (No Tax and free shipping as well)

 

[quilciri]

Lol, ok. Super cheap it is. This one can play any game @720 on medium settings or better at great framerates.

*dunno how i missed that you already have an H61 mobo. Sorry. I'll leave that bit out now

$40
Diablotek Elite Mid Tower ATX Computer Case with 450 Watt Power Supply
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0356586

$50
Pentium G620 LGA 1155
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0367906

$23
Crucial Ballistix sport 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0382074

$69
Galaxy GeForce GTS 250 1 GB
http://www.amazon.com/Galaxy-GeForce-Express-Graphics-25SGF6HX1RUV/dp/B003RH09AY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337802087&sr=8-1

$16
Samsung 22X DVD±RW Burner
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0382892

$50
Western Digital Caviar Blue 160GB 7,200RPM
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0375685

$248 before shipping.

The GTS 250 has a 20-30% performance lead on the 6670. The "downside" is it's only a directX 10.1 card. I use quotes because at this level, you won't want to turn on too many DX11 features like depth of field, as it will destroy game performance.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

P.S. upgrading is also really cheap and fairly easy with both builds.

You could update the BIOS to support ivy bridge, drop in an S series processor and a radeon 7850, and the system would have the same power consumption as it does now (~300w under full cpu and gpu loads)

 

[SingingThroughTheStorm]

I don't have a MicroCenter near me, but if I went to Microcenter I would have to pay tax.
I can't really bring myself to buy a DiabloTek PSU though. I am not actually seeing anything on the
G620 that makes it worth $20 more than the G530. In benchmarks (gaming) it doesn't seem like it will make a difference.

I am still waiting to see if there are any good deals though, so nothing is decided. Here is a current parts list:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151244

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125403

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371003

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231396

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146075


One reason I want to go with the 6670 is because it is only $40 after rebate, which is pretty cheap.
I have looked at the OCed performance of a 6670 and must admit it looks like it can have a performance increase of above %10.

Newegg runs coupons for NZXT cases, as well as various other parts when you purchase one piece of hardware, so I am looking to still go much cheaper than this. Current build cost is $304.93, but about $280 after MIR.

 

[quilciri]

Okedoke. Let me adjust a few things to what you're going for.


psu
If you want to buy a seperate PSU, i strongly recommend an 80 plus. Here's a good one for $25 after MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026

case
If you can find a coupon that makes the NZXT case cheaper than $40, go for it. Otherwise, Rosewill (Newegg's house brand) will give you better bang for your buck at $40.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147023&Tpk=rosewill%20blackbone

It has 2 more front usb ports than the NZXT, a front e-SATA port, and 2 120mm fans vs. 1 in the NZXT.

ram
You can get DDR 1600 with heatsinks for cheaper.
$24
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148419

While the speed won't make any difference now, the heatsinks certainly will. Should you decide to upgrade to an ivy bridge processor later, the 1600 over 1333 will come in handy then.

video
That's a fantastic deal on the 6670, but I'm worried it won't be up to snuff at the resolution and settings you want. While it's a decent overclocker, so is the 250, and I know firsthand what that card can do, I bought one for my gf's machine, and slightly overclocked, it's running metro 2033 on 4xmsaa and 4xAF at 1600x900 at around 45 fps with DoF off. (just in case you weren't aware, metro 2033 is one of the most system-crushing games out there)

Also, shipping is free on the gts 250 from amazon.

 

[quilciri]

Here's a rosewill case for $30 with the same front ports as the NZXT, and a 120mm front and 80mm rear fan.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147123

 

[SingingThroughTheStorm]

Here's a rosewill case for $30 with the same front ports as the NZXT, and a 120mm front and 80mm rear fan.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147123

Looks okay. No painted interior or cable management though, and I have to pay $5 shipping on the Rosewill bringing it to $35.

 

[quilciri]

Looks okay. No painted interior or cable management though, and I have to pay $5 shipping on the Rosewill bringing it to $35.

The $40 rosewill case is much better. You seem to be looking for rock-bottom cost, though.

All the cases on newegg at $30 or under charge shipping, $5 is the cheapest. There *are* some $16 cases there (at $10 shipping), but you'll likely have to buy a case fan as well (~$4 for a cheap one).

 

[SingingThroughTheStorm]

So I wanted to see how cheap of a case I could go for without waiting for a deal and I came up with this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0029V0G48/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=

It doesn't come with a case fan (like you said), but it supports 80MM and 90MM Fans. So I could purchase this along side it for $3 (no shipping because I have ShopRunner): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150007

That is still only $15 cheaper than the NZXT Source, and a measly $5 than the Rosewill.
Now that the RoseWill has free shipping on that case, I am leaning towards purchasing it at this time.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147123

 

[quilciri]

Oh, one more thing to consider. If you want the most performance per $ for your initial investment, I still recommend the 250, but if cost-to-own is a factor for you, then the power savings of the 6670 might outweigh it's performance handicap.

The gts 250 uses 110w at idle, and 190w at full load, while the 6670 uses 10w and 61w, respectively, So for every 10 hours your PC is on, the 6670 will save you at least 1 kwh of electricity over the 250. You'll have to look at your power bill to determine how much they charge you per kwh, it varies by a lot across the U.S.

If power is expensive where you are, that'll make a big difference. If it's relatively cheap, it won't matter so much.

For instance, where I am, it's $0.063 per kwh, and i'd guess my machine is on for about 50 hours a week, 50 weeks out of the year (2 for vacation )

The 6670 would save me $0.063/kwh * (50 * 100wh) * 50/year = $15.75 per year over the 250 (approximately).

Now if only there were a practical way to convert case heat back into electricity.....

Have fun!