New gaming build 300-400 euro. No, seriously.

chabsey

Ok, I'm not *that* into gaming but I would like to play something like Bioshock Infinite on this build. My monitors (I've 2 so I need dual outputs) aren't HD so 1280 x 800 would suffice in terms of resolution, I'm also not obsessed with getting huge frame rates so anything 30-ish looks smooth enough to me.

With that in mind I was considering the AMD a10-5800k with its built-in GPU, but my previous experience with on chip GPUs isn’t great but then the last build I did was 2008 so maybe they’re much more future proof now? I’d like to be using this in 2-3 years playing latest games at similar modest settings if possible.

So, I’m looking for 4-8 gb RAM, AMD or intel (not too bothered either way), maybe 1TB HDD although this isn’t essential as I’ve got a 500GB sitting around here that I can reuse. No need for a physical DVD /Bluray drive. I’ll need a case (ideally a smaller ATX case, but room enough to upgrade if needs be), presumably a new PSU (think I’ve got a 350W currently). I already have monitors, keyboard etc.


Am I dreamin'?

Monotype

Integrated graphics in the APUs are far advanced over the integrated graphics of old. With that kind of budget, you might just about make it with one of those. There's some decent mATX cases and FM2 boards, so if it's a smallish case that you're looking for, it could be a good way to go.

Do you need Windows? Well you didn't mention it so I'm assuming that you don't.


Item|Price
MSI FM2-A75MA-E35, FM2, mATX|€55.24
Cooler Master N200, mATX-mini-Tower, schwarz, ohne Netzteil|€33.56
WD Caviar Blue 1TB 6Gb's|€56.12
8GB-Kit G.Skill RipJaws-X PC3-17066U CL11|€66.14
Super-Flower Amazon 80Plus 450W|€45.97
AMD A10-5800K Accelerated Processor mit AMD Radeon HD 7660D Grafik|€111.77
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€387.79


That case is out of stock at the moment, so if you are ordering soon, you might like to pick a different one.

chabsey

Thanks, I'll have a read through that (like the blue lit PSU). One question, presume if I go down the AMD integrated GPU route there's nothing to stop me then deciding to add a discrete GPU in afterwards ?

Monotype

No, you can add in any GPU fine. Actually, you can crossfire it with a 7750.

TerrorFirmer

Seeing as you already have a hard drive you can use, I'd probably cut a few corners and also leave the 5800K in favor of an FX and something like a 7770, which would be much stronger for games. Just when you mentioned you wanted something that'll get by for a few years, the 5800k definitely won't cut it graphics wise. Yes you can add a dedicated card later to be fair but its performance as a CPU alone isn't great. I've left it at this price because you said 300-400, but you could easily get a better board if you wanted to overclock, upgrade to a 7790 card and still make your budget of 400. Or, you could add a 64GB SSD for your operating system and some programs, which would make a large difference as well. There's a good few options available to you.

TerrorFirmer

Monotype wrote: »

No, you can add in any GPU fine. Actually, you can crossfire it with a 7750.

Can you pair a 5800k's 7660d with a 7750? I don't think you can.

Monotype

How old is the hard drive though. If it's a few years, the speed could be halved relative to the new one.

Re the crossfire with the 7750: not officially supported but after the release of the 6800K and the drivers, it was possible. I don't think it's officially supported with a 6800K either. Gains are reasonable enough too. Results were posted in forums such as tom's hardware and overclock.net, iirc.

chabsey

The HDD is probably a couple of years old, I like the idea of an SSD boot drive though. My inclination is towards a discrete GPU alright, the onboard solutions in my experience never worked out great but I'd heard good things about the latest AMDs so I thought it might work.

Out of interest would the FX 4300 work instead of the FX 4130 with that suggested build? It's apparently less power hungry and a little more powerful.

UPDATE: damn this internet with all its info. Apparently the FX 4300 isn't that great, but the FX 6300 is. So, combine that with a 64GB SSD boot drive would bring the price to roughly 400. Does that sound like a good build?

Monotype

Definitely go for a 4300 over a 4130, probably just a mistake by TF.
Incidentally, the performance of the 5800K CPU part alone should be near identical to the 4300 when running at the same speeds.

If you were thinking of an SSD, I think that you'd be better off investing more in a better motherboard if you're on Socket AM3+. Something with SATA 6Gbps. I think the Asrock Pro 3 R2 is €62 which has a good variety of features, but eats into the budget a bit.

chabsey

Pushing the boundaries of my budget here but what do people think of the following mix. Main question is, my two monitors have VGA connections, I already have a couple of DVI / VGA converters but on the suggested GPU below there's only one DVI out, can I use the HDMI or MDP to power the second monitor?


Why so much white space computer, why?

Jonny7

As the budget creeps slowly up

****it just get the 800 euro pc and be done with it

lukepaddy2

Drop the SSD if you want to save money and get a better graphics card. Swap the processor to an FX 6300 or to an 8320. You can drop the Ram to 4GB as well and upgrade when needed. I'll do a build shortly

BloodBath

Go for the 6300. It's only a little more expensive than the 4300 for 50% extra cpu power.

A little different but how does this look? You can always add another hdd or ssd later.

Item|Price
AMD FX-6300 Prozessor, Boxed, Sockel AM3+|€101.96
ASRock 970 Pro3 R2.0, AM3+, ATX|€62.51
XFX DD RADEON 7770 1000M 1GB D5 mDP HDMI DVI|€91.93
Sharkoon VS3-Value Chrom, ohne Netzteil|€24.84
Corsair Builder Serie CX430 V3 Non-Modular 80+ Bronze, 430 Watt|€39.90
8GB-Kit G.Skill PC3-10667U CL9|€55.00
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€395.13

Monotype

Your monitors are VGA only?
Even if you pick a different card that has two DVI ports, it's likely that only one output would support analogue. You can use a regular adapter for that.
You're going to need a converter for the other monitor though. I suppose displayport to VGA might be more useful; you could use a third monitor in that case if it supported DVI/HDMI.

You could shave fiver or maybe a tenner from the PSU, by getting the CX430 or the Antec VP350. It would limit your upgrade options though, especially when it comes to connectors for graphics cards.

lukepaddy2

Slightly over budget and no hard drive. The 500GB one you have should be fine for a while till you have more funds to upgrade. I'd alway recommend 500 for a good gaming PC. Definitly get 6300. Went with 4GB of ram, again can upgrade further down the line when you get the funds but 4gb is plenty for now.

Item|Price
AMD FX-6300 Prozessor, Boxed, Sockel AM3+|€101.96
HIS HD 7870 GDDR5 2048MB DVI/HDMI/2xMini DP|€172.19
4GB G.Skill SO-DIMM PC3-8500S CL7-7-7-20|€29.60
Super-Flower Amazon 80Plus 450W|€45.97
Zalman T1 Mini Tower - schwarz, ohne Netzteil|€18.79
Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2, AMD 760G, mATX|€38.22
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€425.72

Monotype

That laptop RAM there lukepaddy, but good point - you don't really need 8GB.

Actually, what if you went with something like BloodBath has there, but cut the RAM down to 4GB. That would free up about €25 for you. Then got an entry SSD (e.g., this 64GB Sandisk for €50 or the ultra for €6 dearer). That would bring you up to in or around €420 including delivery.

Serephucus

Slightly cheaper Intel alternative. I haven't been able to find clear gaming benchmarks between the Pentium and 6300 (though obviously the 6300 has the edge in threaded applications) but I'd think it would fair slightly better.

Item|Price
Intel Pentium G2130 Box, LGA1155|€73.23
ASRock H61M-DGS, Sockel 1155, mATX|€38.38
Zalman T2 Mini Tower - schwarz, ohne Netzteil|€18.69
4GB G.Skill PC3-10667U CL9|€28.85
Corsair VS Serie VS350, Non-Modular, 80+|€37.20
HIS HD 7870 GDDR5 2048MB DVI/HDMI/2xMini DP|€172.19
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€387.53

Gumbi

http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/13339890/art/sapphire-technology/radeon-hd-7870-ghz-editio.html

Cheaper AND better 7870.

chabsey

Ok, that new suggested GPU seems like overkill for my modest gaming needs, it's nearly double the price and I'm not sure I can justify it. There was a suggestion of dropping Bloodbath's config RAM so it would be something like this:


Item|Price
AMD FX-6300 Prozessor, Boxed, Sockel AM3+|€101.96
ASRock 970 Pro3 R2.0, AM3+, ATX|€62.51
XFX DD RADEON 7770 1000M 1GB D5 mDP HDMI DVI|€91.93
Sharkoon VS3-Value Chrom, ohne Netzteil|€24.84
Corsair Builder Serie CX430 V3 Non-Modular 80+ Bronze, 430 Watt|€39.90
4GB G.Skill PC3-10667U CL9-9-9-24|€29.39
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€369.52

What do people think of that build? Would that GPU play something like Bioshock infinite on medium settings and be ok for the next couple of years for similar levels of gaming?

Monotype

That RAM is out of stock. Here's some slightly faster stuff.
http://www.hardwareversand.de/1600+Low+Voltage/66623/4GB+G.Skill+RipJaws+PC3-12800U+CL9.article

Yes, that should be able to do as you ask. You might want to bring the PSU back to the amazon if you thought that you were going to upgrade higher along the GPU line in the future (reason being 2 PCI-E connectors instead of 1 but you only need one for the 7770). If you think that you'll stick with that for the next couple of years, then you can leave it as a 9770 or whatever midrange card comes along will probably only need a single connector as well.

chabsey

Looks like I'll go for that so. One last question, that Sharkoon case has nice audio jacks and usb3 ports at the front, these are something I've never hooked up before. Can that motherboard support connecting these to the front? it'll be something I'll use all the time for the headphones and putting in thumb drives etc.

Monotype

The Asrock 970 R2 supports USB 3 front panel connector, hence one of the reasons for recommending it. Audio jacks at the front are standard in all boards.

BloodBath

You can save a bit on your order by following this as well.

Maybe upgrade the psu to the amazon as mentioned. It will serve you better in future.

chabsey

BloodBath wrote: »

You can save a bit on your order by following this as well.

Maybe upgrade the psu to the amazon as mentioned. It will serve you better in future.

Nice one, thanks all.

chabsey

Just getting around to freeing the funds to buy this system and the mobo is out of stock, any suggested alternatives?

UPDATE: Going to go for this: http://www.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?adp=0&aid=63771

chabsey

Guys

Eventually ordered and got the parts today, in the end I went for the originally suggested mobo: ASRock 970 Pro3 R2.0, AM3+, ATX.

Now I've it built, it's powering on but there's no POST, nothing on screen (monitors don't even appear to know they're connected). I've tried reseating the CPU, removing all RAM (no beeps), removing all HDDs and the GPU, still no beeps. Fans turn and I can heard the HHD spinning up when it's connected but I'm getting no POST.

It occurred to me that maybe the case has no speaker. is that likely?


Worst case scenario how to isolate what I need to return to Hardwareversand and how do I go about it? THanks.

Gumbi

chabsey wrote: »

Guys

Eventually ordered and got the parts today, in the end I went for the originally suggested mobo: ASRock 970 Pro3 R2.0, AM3+, ATX.

Now I've it built, it's powering on but there's no POST, nothing on screen (monitors don't even appear to know they're connected). I've tried reseating the CPU, removing all RAM (no beeps), removing all HDDs and the GPU, still no beeps. Fans turn and I can heard the HHD spinning up when it's connected but I'm getting no POST.

It occurred to me that maybe the case has no speaker. is that likely?


Worst case scenario how to isolate what I need to return to Hardwareversand and how do I go about it? THanks.

Have you connected the HDMI cable to the motherboard or graphics card slot?

chabsey

Gumbi wrote: »

Have you connected the HDMI cable to the motherboard or graphics card slot?

To the GPU initially, since removing the GPU I haven't tried connecting it to the mobo directly...will try that now and update in a few mins.

chabsey

Realise why I hadn't tried that before, there's no HDMI or VGA or any video connector on the mobo. Still getting no beeps or any noise at all bar fans whirring.

Read this thread http://superuser.com/questions/631444/installed-new-mobo-pc-wont-post and the person's PSU was to blame.

My PC does as his did, powers up but no beep and nothing on screen. I don't have another PSU to test with though so how can I rule that out as the cause?