Budget X-Mas Build

[MachoCyclone]

I am about to buy the parts to build my wife and kids their own computer. It will mainly be used for school work, internet, Facebook, Youtube, and also playing games like Star Trek Online, Guild Wars, Mass Effect Series, Spore, and Sims. So, not any real new games. The whole build comes right in at $500. I already have a keyborad, mouse, and monitor sitting unused in the closet.

 

I would like to the groups thoughts on this build:

 

Intel Pentium G3258 Dual Core Processor. I have read that this cpu can be OC to 4.3gHz with no problem.

 

Corsair Hydro Seris H50 CPU Cooler. I figure that with such a high OC that I would be better off with this than an air cooler.

 

Gigabyte GA-Z97M-DS3H Motherboard. This was the recommend MB to go with the CPU and to OC to 4.3gHz

 

PowerColor Radeon R9 270 2GB, I read that this card can be slightly OC'd to the 270x specs without having to spend the extra $70 on the 270x version.

 

Klevv 8GB (2x 4GB) of Ram. I know the MB can take more and faster ram, but that can be upgraded later if needed.

 

EVGA 120-G1-0650- XR Power Supply 650WATT Full Modular. Probably overkill on the power supply, but this is the smallest I was willing to go with the OC plan.

 

Thermaltake Core V21 MATX Case

 

Thanks for the input.

 

 

[MecCz]

leave the stock cooler for the CPU and grab a 400Watt PSU

Altough if you consider a CPU upgrade than leave the Z-Board - if not take a H-Board that will safe another few bucks

 

Edit:

i overread the part that you want to OC the Pentium. In this case leave the Z-Board

 

@ 4 GHz the G3258 would be at 55-60 C° with a Aircooler so here take what you want - stock is quite fine

[SwiftXShadow]

I am about to buy the parts to build my wife and kids their own computer. It will mainly be used for school work, internet, Facebook, Youtube, and also playing games like Star Trek Online, Guild Wars, Mass Effect Series, Spore, and Sims. So, not any real new games. The whole build comes right in at $500. I already have a keyborad, mouse, and monitor sitting unused in the closet.

 

I would like to the groups thoughts on this build:

 

Intel Pentium G3258 Dual Core Processor. I have read that this cpu can be OC to 4.3gHz with no problem.

 

Corsair Hydro Seris H50 CPU Cooler. I figure that with such a high OC that I would be better off with this than an air cooler.

 

Gigabyte GA-Z97M-DS3H Motherboard. This was the recommend MB to go with the CPU and to OC to 4.3gHz

 

PowerColor Radeon R9 270 2GB, I read that this card can be slightly OC'd to the 270x specs without having to spend the extra $70 on the 270x version.

 

Klevv 8GB (2x 4GB) of Ram. I know the MB can take more and faster ram, but that can be upgraded later if needed.

 

EVGA 120-G1-0650- XR Power Supply 650WATT Full Modular. Probably overkill on the power supply, but this is the smallest I was willing to go with the OC plan.

 

Thermaltake Core V21 MATX Case

 

Thanks for the input.

Lol we talking about sims 1? and Guild wars 1?

 

If we are talking about guild wars 2 and Sims 3 or 4. Then your going to need a better video card and probably CPU

[MecCz]

Lol we talking about sims 1? and Guild wars 1?

 

If we are talking about guild wars 2 and Sims 3 or 4. Then your going to need a better video card and probably CPU

No the G3258 is very powerful little dwarf!

GPU is quite good - F4 will run on very low with this machine

[SwiftXShadow]

No the G3258 is very powerful little dwarf!

GPU is quite good - F4 will run on very low with this machine

Guild wars 2 and even more so sims 3 are quite demanding

 

Most people do no accept 1024x768 resolution, low settings 20-30 FPS gaming.

[KamiKatze]

I would either cancel the liquid cooler and put the money into an i3, or additionally scrape sone money off motherboard and PSU, maybe add another 50 bucks and go straight for the i5. It would be well worth it in demanding titles.

[dizmo]

An AMD CPU might be a better choice for this build.

2 cores is awfully limiting.

[MachoCyclone]

Yeah, its is GW1. My son plays STO and Mass Effect and the wife plays GW1, and Sims3. The wife tried GW2, but she didn't like it and went back to GW1. The daughter likes play around on Spore.

 

While this isn't a i7 processor, it doesn't take much searching to find that this is a very capable chip for the price. Linus even has a video where he overclocked this chip to 4.7gHz with 1.365v.  Also, with it being a LGA1150 socket, can be upgraded in the future if I so desire. There is also another video with this chip paired with a GTX 750 and running BF4 at very similar frame rates as the i7 4790K paired with the same GPU.

 

Yeah, I could have also save another $60 by keeping the stock cooler, but I have never been on for running on the stock cpu cooler. While the Hydro might be overkill for this cpu; I know the cpu will stay nice and cool with the OC.

 

As far as the video card goes, I believe that this is a very capable budget minded GPU and like in my OP, I plan to OC this card to the 270x speeds instead of spending an extra $70 on the 270x.

 

Why would I spend more for an i3 or i5 when this cpu can out perform the i3 and keep up with a stock i7?

[MachoCyclone]

An AMD CPU might be a better choice for this build.

2 cores is awfully limiting.

 

I thought about the AMD APU series and setting up crossfire with a 240 or 250 gpu, but then I found the G3258 with an OC and with a 270 gpu will give better bang for my buck.

[vSyNd1c4t3]

Get this instead...

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($174.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($69.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport XT 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 950 2GB OC Edition Video Card  ($146.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1100 MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($50.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $507.73
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-09 09:49 EST-0500

 

Edit:

Also, follow your own topics, and make sure to "quote" or @ (someone's name) if you are responding to them, so they get a notification.

 

If the above budget is too tight, there's also this.

 

Same as above, but with a 370 and it's $27 cheaper.

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Y8cqCJ

[MachoCyclone]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I got some more researching to do on this budget build.

 

@dizmo mentioned AMD processors. I haven't personally used one in a build, but I gave it search on Newegg and came out with a $400 Build could possibly fill the needs of the family computer. If I add a CyroRig C7 air cooler to the build, it is $430, which is still not a bad budget price.

 

@vSyNd1c4t3, thanks for the build idea. I do prefer a full modular PSU, but that is easy enough to change for little to no change in price.

 

I have some more thinking and researching to do on this and will post the final specs that I choose for this build. I gotta admit, it is kinda of fun trying to build a budget "gaming" computer.

 

I have to admit, I kinda want to see if this little "miracle" chip lives up to all the hype for myself.

[MecCz]

Guild wars 2 and even more so sims 3 are quite demanding

 

Most people do no accept 1024x768 resolution, low settings 20-30 FPS gaming.

 

Not every Game is the same and diverse on the usage of CPU or GPU but no need for 1024x768...    1080p will work on pretty much every game

 

 

Note:

the 750ti is "weaker" than a r9 270

[MachoCyclone]

I don't know how to embed video in a post, but found this video Putting the G3258 against the AMD Athlon 860K. 

 

Interesting results.

[dizmo]

I thought about the AMD APU series and setting up crossfire with a 240 or 250 gpu, but then I found the G3258 with an OC and with a 270 gpu will give better bang for my buck.

 

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I got some more researching to do on this budget build.

 

@dizmo mentioned AMD processors. I haven't personally used one in a build, but I gave it search on Newegg and came out with a $400 Build could possibly fill the needs of the family computer. If I add a CyroRig C7 air cooler to the build, it is $430, which is still not a bad budget price.

 

@vSyNd1c4t3, thanks for the build idea. I do prefer a full modular PSU, but that is easy enough to change for little to no change in price.

 

I have some more thinking and researching to do on this and will post the final specs that I choose for this build. I gotta admit, it is kinda of fun trying to build a budget "gaming" computer.

 

I have to admit, I kinda want to see if this little "miracle" chip lives up to all the hype for myself.

The only thing to consider about the G3258 is that not all games will run on it; some will straight up refuse to even load.

The Athlon is definitely better than an APU, avoid that at all costs. The price of pairing one with a discrete card just doesn't make sense.

[MachoCyclone]

The only thing to consider about the G3258 is that not all games will run on it; some will straight up refuse to even load.

The Athlon is definitely better than an APU, avoid that at all costs. The price of pairing one with a discrete card just doesn't make sense.

 

I realize that about using the G3258. That part don't really concern me as I know that the few games the wife and kids play will work with that chip.

[kameshss]

I would choose an i3, that hyper threading will help in gaming and other Windows Program tasks.

[MachoCyclone]

Thanks for replies and suggestions everyone. Since this is going to mainly used by the wife and kids with light gaming. I went with the G3258. After seeing a lot of videos and OCing guides for this chip, I am very confident that this chip will fill the needs quite nicely for now. Being that it is a LGA1150 socket, the whole setup can be upgraded with better parts at later date. I also will have to update the bios on the MB before the OC. It will run it at stock, but requires the bios update to OC. This was fun searching and putting these parts together.

 

Here is the final parts list:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($71.98 @ Newegg) 

CPU Cooler: CRYORIG M9i 48.4 CFM CPU Cooler  ($25.99 @ Newegg) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H-A Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($56.98 @ Newegg) 

Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1333 Memory  ($69.99 @ Newegg) 

Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 270 2GB TurboDuo Video Card  ($89.99 @ Newegg) 

Case: Cougar Spike MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($42.98 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: Corsair CSM 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($49.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $392.90

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-10 06:34 EST-0500

 

As stated before, I already have hard drives, keyboard, mouse, monitor, and OS at the house. Also, just to consolidate shipping, I went with Newegg for everything because all the parts were basically the same price from all the sellers listed on PCPartPicker.

 

I also saved $15 on getting a CPU/MB combo that I didn't know about til PCPartPicker showed me. Not a bad deal at all and I feel it is a lot of bang for buck.