System Builder Marathon, Q3 2013: $350 Bonus Entry-Level PC

So a $350 PC has better performance than an Xbox 360, and a $400 PC blows it clear out of the water. Cost of operating system not withstanding. I realize this console generation is nearly ancient history by now, but I still find that interesting, and perhaps because it's not ancient history yet.

Note of reference: BF3 plays at 720p @ 30 FPS at about medium'ish settings on 360/PS3.

11609414 said:

Nice choice in parts. However, those wanting to cheat can pickup a 750K with 7770 within $20-30 of the price of the APU for overall improved gaming performance. It is interesting what $40-50 can accomplish in these low budget builds :)

That must be a pretty big cheat. ;) But that pairing sure stymies the 6800K's appeal doesn't it.

You are so right, $40-50 more does wonders. We could make a fun poor man's marathon out of exploring that alone.$400/450/500 gaming faceoff? :D

11609551 said:

So a $350 PC has better performance than an Xbox 360, and a $400 PC blows it clear out of the water. Cost of operating system not withstanding. I realize this console generation is nearly ancient history by now, but I still find that interesting, and perhaps because it's not ancient history yet.

Note of reference: BF3 plays at 720p @ 30 FPS at about medium'ish settings on 360/PS3.

You're using 2012-2013 components to compare against a 2005 console.

750K HD7750 4GB RAM and you have much better computer (overall and gaming) for the same price.

750K vs A10-5800K (CPU wise)
The same (except 750K no graphics to cool)

7750 vs 7660D
512 vs 384 shaders
GDDR5 vs DDR3
800Mhz vs 800Mhz

Did you even consider this or did you go into this budget with your heart set on an APU?

11609701 said:

750K HD7750 4GB RAM and you have much better computer (overall and gaming) for the same price.

750K vs A10-5800K (CPU wise)
The same (except 750K no graphics to cool)

7750 vs 7660D
512 vs 384 shaders
GDDR5 vs DDR3
800Mhz vs 800Mhz

Did you even consider this or did you go into this budget with your heart set on an APU?

That's an easy answer. The math simply didn't (and still doesn't) add up.

The cheapest 7750 was $85, the 750K was also $85. That's $170 when the 5800K was $110 with a promo code anyone buying one would have used to save instantly before checking out. The goal was $325 factoring that promotional instant savings.

And as mentioned in the text on page one, a 4GB mem kit saved only $10, meaning 750K+7750 was still $50 over, which is huge on a $325 budget.

Although, I knew before order time playing by the rules we'd call this a $350 PC. Hope that all makes sense.

The current APU costs $130. And the memory costs $50. Total: $180.
Now if you place an Athlon X4 750K 3,4Ghz for $80 or an Ivybridge Pentium G2120 3,1Ghz $70, using a HD 7770 for $90 and for memory 4GB (2 x 2GB) for $35 it will be total: Intel: $195 ($15 more) and AMD:$205 ($25 more).

Now for $15/$25 you can have double or more performance on games. Why to go with an APU???

edit: I actually read the article and didn't read all the comments.
But even if you choose not to go with 7750, according to Tom's hierrarchy chart the 6670 (even the DDR3 version) is still two tiers faster. And I can't remember even prvious month the 6670DDR3 to cost more than $60 (maybe less with some AR) So a 750K or a G2120 (or a bit lower) will still offer better performance at almost same price (the pentium will be the same price) with 4GB RAM.