$400 Steam Box

[Kazyto]

Just cheaper than the ps4, and can run some games at 60 fps. Small and fast.

Parts:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/gJ7Txr '> http://pcpartpicker.com/p/gJ7Txr

[I need a better name]

does it have the steam logo on it?

[Searinex]

Why not just get a $200 NUC and spend the other $200 on a AC router so you can stream games from your main rig.

[Lotus]

Seems decent enough for general use (although the GPU is lacking). I just bought another ITX PC myself to use for emulation, and as such I greatly valued single-threaded performance and so bought the G3258. It's something to consider, although I will say getting emulators to run on SteamOS in big picture mode with a controller only was a bitch.

[Comessy]

You could make a much better build for $400

[Goodman2265]

prob a better build

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/4668qs

[Searinex]

prob a better build

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/4668qs

Could be even better.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($62.10 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: MSI H81M-E34 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($45.00 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory: Crucial 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($27.45 @ SuperBiiz) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($48.60 @ SuperBiiz) 

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($142.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($49.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $376.13

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-24 22:03 EDT-0400

 

 

Edit: add $25 for cheep case.

[Goodman2265]

 

Could be even better.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($62.10 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: MSI H81M-E34 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($45.00 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory: Crucial 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($27.45 @ SuperBiiz) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($48.60 @ SuperBiiz) 

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($142.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($49.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $376.13

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-24 22:03 EDT-0400

 

 

Edit: add $25 for cheep case.

 

oh sheet thats smexy

http://gaben.tv

[Comessy]

 

Could be even better.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($62.10 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: MSI H81M-E34 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($45.00 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory: Crucial 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($27.45 @ SuperBiiz) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($48.60 @ SuperBiiz) 

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($142.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($49.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $376.13

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-24 22:03 EDT-0400

 

 

Edit: add $25 for cheep case.

 

 

Or EVEN BETTER

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($99.95 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: ECS H81H3-I/HDMI (V1.0) Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($44.99 @ Amazon) 

Memory: Kingston 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($46.80 @ SuperBiiz) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 320GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($27.00 @ Amazon) 

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card  ($109.99 @ Newegg) 

Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($29.99 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($26.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $385.71

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-24 22:06 EDT-0400

[Searinex]

 

 

Or EVEN BETTER

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($99.95 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: ECS H81H3-I/HDMI (V1.0) Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($44.99 @ Amazon) 

Memory: Kingston 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($46.80 @ SuperBiiz) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 320GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($27.00 @ Amazon) 

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card  ($109.99 @ Newegg) 

Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($29.99 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($26.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $385.71

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-24 22:06 EDT-0400

 

Ya, little bit less GPU power, but you got a better CPU.

[Lotus]

If you can re-use an old HDD or SSD, this is what I'd do:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($62.10 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-ITX/WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Team Dark 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card  ($169.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $402.05
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-24 22:09 EDT-0400

 

Oddly enough, with SteamOS it's fairly important to get an NVidia GPU due to AMD's lousy Linux drivers, and IMO a 750ti isn't enough. I also opted for the G3258 as I highly value single-threaded performance because I put a bunch of emulators onto my Steambox. An i3 would do for better general-purpose, but unless you get an i5-4690k, Z chipset board, and aftermarket (and low profile) cooler, nothing beats the G3258 in single-threaded performance which is crucial for emulators.

[Searinex]

If you can re-use an old HDD or SSD, this is what I'd do:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($62.10 @ SuperBiiz)

Motherboard: ASRock H81M-ITX/WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($62.99 @ Amazon)

Memory: Team Dark 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($49.99 @ Newegg)

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card  ($169.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($29.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($26.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $402.05

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-24 22:09 EDT-0400

 

Oddly enough, with SteamOS it's fairly important to get an NVidia GPU due to AMD's lousy Linux drivers, and IMO a 750ti isn't enough. I also opted for the G3258 as I highly value single-threaded performance because I put a bunch of emulators onto my Steambox. An i3 would do for better general-purpose, but unless you get an i5-4690k, Z chipset board, and aftermarket (and low profile) cooler, nothing beats the G3258 in single-threaded performance which is crucial for emulators.

Umm, wouldn't the G3258 be bottle necking the GTX 960?

[Lotus]

Umm, wont the G3258 be bottle necking the GTX 960?

It really depends on the game, and I got the GTX 960 because, unfortunately, it's the only step-up NVidia offers above the 750ti that's current. As I said, the build heavily focuses on single-threaded performance because those are the kinds of games I expect to see played. YMMV.

[Kazyto]

Could be even better.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($62.10 @ SuperBiiz)

Motherboard: MSI H81M-E34 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($45.00 @ SuperBiiz)

Memory: Crucial 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($27.45 @ SuperBiiz)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.60 @ SuperBiiz)

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($142.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $376.13

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-24 22:03 EDT-0400

Edit: add $25 for cheep case.

Has a good GPU but your giving up GHz and memory, making it a beautiful gaming but loses some frames.

[Kazyto]

Or EVEN BETTER

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($99.95 @ SuperBiiz)

Motherboard: ECS H81H3-I/HDMI (V1.0) Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Amazon)

Memory: Kingston 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.80 @ SuperBiiz)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 320GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($27.00 @ Amazon)

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($109.99 @ Newegg)

Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($26.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $385.71

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-24 22:06 EDT-0400

You give up space and cores plus GHz for a little upgrade on the GPU. Not worth it. [emoji51]

[Comessy]

You give up space and cores plus GHz for a little upgrade on the GPU. Not worth it. [emoji51]

 

You must be new here

 

The i3 DESTROYS the 860k in gaming.

 

Also the upgrade on the GPU isn't small at all.

 

And if you need more space, you can upgrade later or get 1tb for $20 more

[Searinex]

--

Was just wondering. Because the I know 750 ti can push the little dual core almost to it's limit.

 

 

Has a good GPU but your giving up GHz and memory, making it a beautiful gaming but loses some frames.

the G3258 is the best dual core out. the next step up is a i3 4160 or 4170.

Also it's a Steam Box / HTPC not the main computer.

[Kazyto]

If you can re-use an old HDD or SSD, this is what I'd do:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($62.10 @ SuperBiiz)

Motherboard: ASRock H81M-ITX/WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($62.99 @ Amazon)

Memory: Team Dark 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card ($169.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($26.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $402.05

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-24 22:09 EDT-0400

Oddly enough, with SteamOS it's fairly important to get an NVidia GPU due to AMD's lousy Linux drivers, and IMO a 750ti isn't enough. I also opted for the G3258 as I highly value single-threaded performance because I put a bunch of emulators onto my Steambox. An i3 would do for better general-purpose, but unless you get an i5-4690k, Z chipset board, and aftermarket (and low profile) cooler, nothing beats the G3258 in single-threaded performance which is crucial for emulators.

One thing I've noticed between all of the changed versions is that you get a crappy CPU. You loses cores so that rules out games like far cry 4. Also more GHz is better, not less. You did find a cheaper ram stick and better graphics card, but now it cost more than one of the best consoles out there, showing that console is better. Which was not what I was aiming for. Also, we all agree on the case and PSU so I picked that right at least.

[Kazyto]

You must be new here

The i3 DESTROYS the 860k in gaming.

Also the upgrade on the GPU isn't small at all.

And if you need more space, you can upgrade later or get 1tb for $20 more

You upgraded the GPU by one series and decreased the Vram by a lot. Also that's a lot of money for a dual core, which gives the lowest frame rates on games, and I understand that the i3 is good on gaming, but with more cores and more GHz for a lesser price, I would stick with my CPU.

But thanks for the feedback! [emoji2]

[Comessy]

You upgraded the GPU by one series and decreased the Vram by a lot. Also that's a lot of money for a dual core, which gives the lowest frame rates on games, and I understand that the i3 is good on gaming, but with more cores and more GHz for a lesser price, I would stick with my CPU.

But thanks for the feedback! [emoji2]

 

I will have you look at these:

 

http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i3-4160-vs-AMD-Athlon-II-X4-860K/2816vs3265

 

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/318165-amd-860k-or-i3-4160/

[Searinex]

You upgraded the GPU by one series and decreased the Vram by a lot. Also that's a lot of money for a dual core, which gives the lowest frame rates on games, and I understand that the i3 is good on gaming, but with more cores and more GHz for a lesser price, I would stick with my CPU.

But thanks for the feedback! [emoji2]

Umm you need to check out benchmarks. Also Steamboxes can stream games like Farcry 4 in 1080p to a dual core from a more powerful PC. the point of the Steambox is to be able to use your PC somewhere else to your home. It only needs to be able to play small indie gaming localy (like shovel knight), stream games, and work as a HTPC for movies / tv.

[Kazyto]

Umm you need to check out benchmarks. Also Steamboxes can stream games like Farcry 4 in 1080p to a dual core from a more powerful PC. the point of the Steambox is to be able to use your PC somewhere else to your home. It only needs to be able to play small indie gaming localy (like shovel knight), stream games, and work as a HTPC for movies / tv.

Just saw the benchmarks. I never new that the i3 was better cause I usually keep my CPU price under $100 and Intel stuff never really goes well with the mother boards I choose. Thanks for the info and feedback. Also I was thinking of the steam box as a replacement to your console, running the same game and smaller, but for a cheaper price.

[grayblizzard]

Or EVEN BETTER

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($99.95 @ SuperBiiz)

Motherboard: ECS H81H3-I/HDMI (V1.0) Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Amazon)

Memory: Kingston 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.80 @ SuperBiiz)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 320GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($27.00 @ Amazon)

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($109.99 @ Newegg)

Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($26.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $385.71

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-24 22:06 EDT-0400

This one is definitely the best

[Searinex]

 

Just saw the benchmarks. I never new that the i3 was better cause I usually keep my CPU price under $100 and Intel stuff never really goes well with the mother boards I choose. Thanks for the info and feedback. Also I was thinking of the steam box as a replacement to your console, running the same game and smaller, but for a cheaper price.

Well, right now you can't get much better then Comessy's build.