Evolution.

[TheSLSAMG]

Evolution.

 

Why the name? It's what this build stands for. At the heart beats an Intel Pentium G3258. Clocked at 3.2GHz, this dual-core CPU is not what one would expect at the heart of a gaming system. It's seemingly archaic. I mean, it's a Pentium! Dual cores can't game! Or so we all thought. When it came out, the G3258 was an awesome CPU for the money. Some time has passed, and it's legitimacy as a gaming option has been questioned by new games with new requirements. However, it still stands as a good option for low budget users and it stands as a fine option for me, especially given the $100 price tag for it and a Z97 PC Mate from Micro Center.

 

It started out as something simple. I was at Micro Center because my sister's HDD had died, so my dad was buying her a new one. While there, she ended up getting a new case as well. Meanwhile, my dad asks me if I wanted anything while we were there. My eyes light up and I ask for a Pentium and the board, and I got it! I got home, put it together as a full rig and ran it with my GTX 770. It ran fine, albeit with hiccups in a few games here and there, but nothing extreme. But I knew it couldn't be a main rig. It got rebuilt into a Word-processing machine and sat in my basement for a long time until finally, a few weeks ago I felt a spark. I wanted something more of it.

 

I had been planning since late 2013 to make a mid-range dual-GPU rig. It was supposed to be an Athlon X4 750K with dual HD 7770 1GB GHz Editions. A bit of time passed by and new stuff came out, and then it became an i3 4130 and dual HD 7850s. I then traded the HD 7850 for a 660 Ti with @tiny voices, and it then became an i5 2500K with dual GTX 660 Tis. I then sold the i5 and motherboard to get a GTX 970, and the entire project went on the back burner. But I still wanted to do this so badly. I thought about it for a while, and then it dawned on me. I have an NVIDIA Shield and a Nexus 7 2013 that I barely use. They sit around and gather dust when they could be my dream secondary machine. I got my ass onto http://www.reddit.com/r/hardwareswap and sold them for a 2GB R9 270X Gaming 2G from MSI and $155, which is a little less than I wanted but overall okay. I intend on getting back to there in a few days and getting another for $90, completing the circle.

 

So when people make G3258 machines, they tend to pair them with either high end GPUs (like the 290/X or the GTX 970) or mid end GPUs (GTX 750 Ti, R9 270/X.) So, it should be no suprise that I'm pairing up my system with an R9 270X. But I'm not. I'm pairing it up with two. Many will question my reasoning, and to which I say "BECAUSE!" But seriously? I give a few reasons. My first is simple. I like the appearance of multi-GPU configurations. My second is as well. They're damn cheap. At $90/card, it's a damn good deal for a pretty powerful card, where they're performing almost as well as GTX 670s for ~$60 less (used). And last but not least, I want to bring the Pentium to it's knees.

 

It's a gaming rig, so 8GB RAM should be suitable for now, and by the time I need 16GB I will also need a quad-core.

 

Now to the drives, it's a simple and cheap story here. I had some old laptops with broken parts. The HDDs were working. I got a 750GB and a 500GB. RAID 0 makes this 1TB. Faster speeds for higher chance of failure is something I will take on a secondary PC.

 

The PSU is from my main rig, a Cooler Master Silent Pro M 700W. Nothing special, but it works and will supply enough power when overclocked. My main rig is running a pretty low end unit, but I plan to replace it as fast as possible.

 

The case is variable. As it stands, it will sit in my Corsair C70 that I used for Project Mil-Spec. But it's damaged and battle-scarred as the result of a nasty fall, so I will be replacing it soon as well. That's where you guys and girls come in. What should I replace it with for $45 USD incl. S&H? For now, this log ends with no pictures as nothing is really ready yet. The Pentium PC is sitting at the end of my desk, but it's 3:30AM. Expect more from me in the afternoon on Monday.

[TheSLSAMG]

Alright, update time. So, I decided to become less lazy and take a couple of pictures. It's nothing special, but something to start with. The missing items at the moment are the GPUs, cooler and a new case. However, thanks to Newegg and refunding me 15% on my GTX 970, my case budget has expanded to $96 with shipping. So with that, what should I buy?

 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($50.00) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($30.00) 

Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($50.00) 

Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($55.00) 

Storage: Seagate Momentus Thin 500GB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($0.00) 

Storage: Hitachi  750GB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($0.00) 

Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270X 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card (2-Way CrossFire)  ($90.00) 

Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270X 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card (2-Way CrossFire)  ($90.00) 

Case: Corsair Vengeance C70 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($139.99) 

Power Supply: Cooler Master Silent Pro M 700W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply 

Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer  ($15.00) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit)  ($0.00) 

Total: $519.99

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-16 03:46 EST-0500

 

2/17/15, another update:

 

 I decided on the Fractal Design Define R4 (no window) as my case. Newegg had it on sale for $79.99, and I can't resist a good sale.

 

[TheSLSAMG]

Reserved.

[UltraNeonGaming]

Following!

[Deletive]

This is going to be awesome. Following  

[alby800]

subbed cause of samsung galaxy s wag

 

idk what that means but I am subbed

[ERSCreeper]

Following of course.

[rambi36]

Interesting

[JoaoPRSousa]

Hype!

[TheSLSAMG]

Alright, first albeit small update has been posted.

[ATX]

"A couple images," he said...

 

 

Just two images...  :angry:

 

--

 

Also do you want banners?   
http://linustechtips.com/main/user/68881-rumikarimu/

[TheSLSAMG]

"A couple images," he said...

 

 

Just two images...  :angry:

 

--

 

Also do you want banners?   

http://linustechtips.com/main/user/68881-rumikarimu/

There isn't too much going on with it, but I promise I will have more pictures when more becomes available

 

As for banners, if you want, why not?

[ATX]

There isn't too much going on with it, but I promise I will have more pictures when more becomes available

 

As for banners, if you want, why not?

 

Erm you're going to want to read my profile, and fill out a request first.

[MLG Doge]

Le me see the fabulous wall o' text

Le me hyped for amazing pictures

Le me suicidal after potato pictures

 

 

Cant wait for more TAKE MY FOLLOW.

[TheSLSAMG]

Le me see the fabulous wall o' text

Le me hyped for amazing pictures

Le me suicidal after potato pictures

 

 

Cant wait for more TAKE MY FOLLOW.

I will be taking better pictures, the M8 just has a terrible camera.

 

Erm you're going to want to read my profile, and fill out a request first.

Sorry, it's been a while, forgot about the process. Just filled out the request, thanks.

[DildorTheDecent]

Couple = two

Case dismissed.

[TheSLSAMG]

-nothing to see here-

[TheSLSAMG]

Finally, after much heartache looking for a second card, I found one. So, on their way to me is an R9 270X Gaming 2G and an R9 270 Gaming 2G.

[rambi36]

Finally, after much heartache looking for a second card, I found one. So, on their way to me is an R9 270X Gaming 2G and an R9 270 Gaming 2G.

Yay!

[alby800]

Finally, after much heartache looking for a second card, I found one. So, on their way to me is an R9 270X Gaming 2G and an R9 270 Gaming 2G.

HIPE!!!