Gaming PC for €600

Cathalog · 27-11-2013 5:18pm #1

1. What is your budget? [€600]

2. What will be the main purpose of the computer? [Gaming - BF4]

3. Do you need a copy of Windows? [No]

4. Can you use any parts from an old computer? [No]

5. Do you need a monitor? [No]

5b. If no, what resolution is your current monitor and do you plan to upgrade in the near future? [1920x1080] [Yes - but that's a few years away yet]

6. Do you need any of these peripherals? [Wireless Card]

7. Are you willing to try overclocking? [Yes - I'm thinking that I'd like an unlocked processor that I could overclock in future if it's starting to fall behind. (Let me know if this is a good/bad idea - I do realise that an i5-K could be squeezing the budget a bit) I'd also be willing to overclock a GPU in the future.]

8. How can you pay? [Bank Transfer/Credit Card]

9. When are you purchasing? [Within a month]

10. If you need help building it, where are you based? [No help required]

Just some extra info,
- I've been following a few threads here recently, and it seems that the VTX3D PowerColor HD 7870 from pixmania is a given, despite the poor cooler. (Can the cooler be upgraded in futute, though, if I plan on OCing?)
- I don't think I'll bother with an SSD for now, and might look into it as an upgrade in the near future.
- A WD Caviar Blue 1TB will probably do the job for now, but would it be worth investing a little bit more in a Hybrid Drive?

Thanks in advance for the suggestions!

Cathalog · 08-12-2013 3:50pm

Ok so I just want to bump this topic with a preliminary build that I came u with. Want to say thanks to BloodBath - I grabbed one of his builds from another thread and tweaked it a bit. Also, I'm willing to stretch my original €600 budget a bit, if needs be.

Type|Item|Price
CPU|AMD FX-8320 Prozessor, Boxed, Sockel AM3+|€132.02
Mobo|Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3, AMD 760G, mATX|€47.78
RAM|8GB-Kit G.Skill PC3-12800U CL11-11-11-28|€64.69
HDD|WD Blue 1TB 6Gb's|€51.27
PSU|Sharkoon WPM500|€46.11
GPU|Graphics Card - need help here (See below)|€??.??
WiFi|ASUS PCE-N15|€14.90
Case|Zalman Z11 Plus Midi Tower - schwarz, ohne Netzteil|€60.25
|Shipping|€18.99
|Total (without Graphics Card)|€436.01

I've a few questions about my build. Keep in mind that I'm trying to build a PC that will be relatively cheap to upgrade in the future.

Is everything above compatible?

The mobo lacks a 2nd PCIe 16x slot - and no SLI/CrossFire. I was thinking that, in the future when my graphics card starts to lag behind a bit, buying a second-hand card of the same type and running in SLI/X-fire would be a reasonable upgrade, rather than replacing the card altogether. This is assuming SLI/X-fire will become more efficient in future.

The mobo's PCIe 16x slot is 2.0. Should I consider going for a 3.0 mobo?

Cooling. Do I need an intake/exhaust fan? I don't plan on overclocking until the future, so no need to worry about extra heat just yet.

As for Graphics Cards, I'm really stuck for choice.
My budget seems to allow for either a 7870, r9 270x or a GTX 760.
The GTX 760 seems to be the better card. But on the other hand, AMD's Mantle API could mean that developers could better optimise their games for AMD cards. Any suggestions?

SterlingArcher · 08-12-2013 4:08pm

Cathalog wrote: »

Ok so I just want to bump this topic with a preliminary build that I came u with. Want to say thanks to BloodBath - I grabbed one of his builds from another thread and tweaked it a bit. Also, I'm willing to stretch my original €600 budget a bit, if needs be.

Type|Item|Price
CPU|AMD FX-8320 Prozessor, Boxed, Sockel AM3+|€132.02
Mobo|Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3, AMD 760G, mATX|€47.78
RAM|8GB-Kit G.Skill PC3-12800U CL11-11-11-28|€64.69
HDD|WD Blue 1TB 6Gb's|€51.27
PSU|Sharkoon WPM500|€46.11
GPU|Graphics Card - need help here (See below)|€??.??
WiFi|ASUS PCE-N15|€14.90
Case|Zalman Z11 Plus Midi Tower - schwarz, ohne Netzteil|€60.25
|Shipping|€18.99
|Total (without Graphics Card)|€436.01

I've a few questions about my build. Keep in mind that I'm trying to build a PC that will be relatively cheap to upgrade in the future.

Is everything above compatible?

The mobo lacks a 2nd PCIe 16x slot - and no SLI/CrossFire. I was thinking that, in the future when my graphics card starts to lag behind a bit, buying a second-hand card of the same type and running in SLI/X-fire would be a reasonable upgrade, rather than replacing the card altogether. This is assuming SLI/X-fire will become more efficient in future.

The mobo's PCIe 16x slot is 2.0. Should I consider going for a 3.0 mobo?

Cooling. Do I need an intake/exhaust fan? I don't plan on overclocking until the future, so no need to worry about extra heat just yet.

As for Graphics Cards, I'm really stuck for choice.
My budget seems to allow for either a 7870, r9 270x or a GTX 760.
The GTX 760 seems to be the better card. But on the other hand, AMD's Mantle API could mean that developers could better optimise their games for AMD cards. Any suggestions?

Well if you are going to start worrying about si/crossfire it will completely change your build and push your budget

For starters drop that PSU.

SterlingArcher · 08-12-2013 4:10pm

SterlingArcher wrote: »

Well if you are going to start worrying about si/crossfire it will completely change your build from motherboard to PSU and push your budget

For starters drop that PSU.

either way.

Corsair 500 watt one 50 euro better quality.

Cathalog · 08-12-2013 4:15pm

SterlingArcher wrote: »

Well if you are going to start worrying about si/crossfire it will completely change your build and push your budget

For starters drop that PSU.

Yeah, I forgot about the PSU upgrade - would I be right in saying a 630W would be a minimum?
Besides a mobo and PSU upgrade, would I require any other changes?

Do you reckon that using SLI/crossfire as a means of an upgrade in the future is a worthwhile option though? Or should I just forget about it, and just replace the card altogether.

SterlingArcher wrote: »

either way.

Corsair 500 watt one 50 euro better quality.

Thanks!

SterlingArcher · 08-12-2013 5:12pm

Cathalog wrote: »

Yeah, I forgot about the PSU upgrade - would I be right in saying a 630W would be a minimum?
Besides a mobo and PSU upgrade, would I require any other changes?

Do you reckon that using SLI/crossfire as a means of an upgrade in the future is a worthwhile option though? Or should I just forget about it, and just replace the card altogether.

Thanks!

Mobo and sli/cf capable board. Your talking 120 for a decent board and 70 to 80 PSU.

Yeah 630W min. Your system uses about 200 watt. That is CPU mobo all that. Then add the graphic card watt to that. So most pc with one graphics card only use 400 watts. Specially nowadays with Gpu lower power consumptions.

Crossfire/ sli
depends, for example a gtx 660ti costs around 200 euro, for sli be 400 euro. Getting the same performance as a titan. A card that costs nearly 1000 euro. Most would consider this worthwhile. Saving 600 euro.

SterlingArcher · 08-12-2013 5:18pm

That case the zalman. Would you consider the corsair 200r 50 euro or the corsair 300r same price as zaleman. instead.
Zalman is not a bad case but flimsy and not well made in my opinion.. The corsair be a better quality case.

When are you planning to buy I have noticed significant price increases across the whole. A January buy might yield a better pc. If you can bide your time.

Cathalog · 08-12-2013 8:17pm

Right, so I've been thinking about the SLI/Crossfire a bit more, and I've decided to scrap the idea. I can't justify the extra cost involved now, just for a potential upgrade I'll make in future. I'm not considering going for a very high-end card and it seems as though that's where the benefits of SLI lie.

As for the case, yes I'm open to any suggestions because I haven't looked into airflow and noise dampening very much. That 300r you suggested seems like a good case. Pitty it has such a plain, boring look, though :P

SterlingArcher · 08-12-2013 11:21pm

Cathalog wrote: »

Right, so I've been thinking about the SLI/Crossfire a bit more, and I've decided to scrap the idea. I can't justify the extra cost involved now, just for a potential upgrade I'll make in future. I'm not considering going for a very high-end card and it seems as though that's where the benefits of SLI lie.

As for the case, yes I'm open to any suggestions because I haven't looked into airflow and noise dampening very much. That 300r you suggested seems like a good case. Pitty it has such a plain, boring look, though :P

Haha yeah It's pretty bleh looking but quality made and easy for building with. I spent over a hundred euro on a case blue lights looks wow. In all honesty it sits under my desk and I really don't think my crotch gives a rats that it has blue lights.

My point being you be too busy gaming to care so parts being cool and low noise should be priority.

TerrorFirmer · 09-12-2013 10:08am

The Z11 is a great looking case, especially if you add some extra blue LEDS or cathodes, I'm a sucker for appearances, I had a crossfire setup in mine and it was fine, but I agree its not the best laid out or made case, but its entirely functional and looks the biz at the price point, so don't be put off it entirely.

The problem with the Sharkoon is the quality and not the wattage, a good quality 500w antec/corsair etc and you would be absolutely fine, 630 is definitely not a minimum.

The GTX760 is a good buy but the 270x is a decent card that can be gotten much cheaper, Amazon have one with free delivery for a few cent under €170 for example, which is great value.

Mobo wise I would get a better one, 970 extreme 3 or 4 or something along those lines, you should be looking at at least a mild overclocking ability, which isn't going to happen on a cheap matx board. Plus, crossfire capable boards are very reasonable compared to sli, you will be limited to 16+4x probably on the cheaper boards, but its not as big as deal as is made out to be, I have run Xfire on 16/4x on my last 2 builds and the scaling was fine (think the extreme 4 is 8 and 8, not sure though, extreme 3 is 16 and 4 though!). For crossfire however you'd want a better PSU, for 270x crossfire about 650w high quality anyway, at least.

Also, along with a better board, get a CPU cooler like the Evo 212 if you can, those CPUs run hot, and you'll also want one for overclocking (though this isn't essential off the bat, can be done later, so not a priority).

BeerFear · 09-12-2013 6:33pm

Cathalog · 10-12-2013 6:05pm

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

The Z11 is a great looking case, especially if you add some extra blue LEDS or cathodes, I'm a sucker for appearances, I had a crossfire setup in mine and it was fine, but I agree its not the best laid out or made case, but its entirely functional and looks the biz at the price point, so don't be put off it entirely.

The problem with the Sharkoon is the quality and not the wattage, a good quality 500w antec/corsair etc and you would be absolutely fine, 630 is definitely not a minimum.

The GTX760 is a good buy but the 270x is a decent card that can be gotten much cheaper, Amazon have one with free delivery for a few cent under €170 for example, which is great value.

Mobo wise I would get a better one, 970 extreme 3 or 4 or something along those lines, you should be looking at at least a mild overclocking ability, which isn't going to happen on a cheap matx board. Plus, crossfire capable boards are very reasonable compared to sli, you will be limited to 16+4x probably on the cheaper boards, but its not as big as deal as is made out to be, I have run Xfire on 16/4x on my last 2 builds and the scaling was fine (think the extreme 4 is 8 and 8, not sure though, extreme 3 is 16 and 4 though!). For crossfire however you'd want a better PSU, for 270x crossfire about 650w high quality anyway, at least.

Also, along with a better board, get a CPU cooler like the Evo 212 if you can, those CPUs run hot, and you'll also want one for overclocking (though this isn't essential off the bat, can be done later, so not a priority).

Hi Terror, thanks for all the info!

Yeah I love the look of the case - I'm still considering getting it - I mean, how often do you have to actually open up the case, and start building with it.

Yeah, I see what you mean. I read on the internet that cheaping out on the PSU is a common practice but is not recommended, so I'm going with a Corsair now.

I actually found the 270x with BF4 for about €170 which is a cracking deal. I'm even tempted to go with a 280x including BF4 for around €270. (The budget is really getting stretched now!) It's such a tough decision though..

Thanks for the warning about the mobo. Gonna change that right away, as I do want to overclock. Not gonna bother with Xfire though. Seems like it would be too costly for what it's worth.

Yeah, I'll definitely be looking into a better cooler for the CPU but it's something I'll look at down the line.

Cathalog · 10-12-2013 6:17pm

BeerFear wrote: »

Item|Price
AMD FX-6300 Prozessor, Boxed, Sockel AM3+|€99.47
ZOTAC GeForce GTX 760, 2GB DDR5|€219.44
WD Blue 1TB 6Gb's|€51.27
8GB-Kit G.Skill PC3-10667U CL9|€62.51
BitFenix Merc Alpha|€32.93
Corsair CX Series Modular CX500M, 500W|€59.34
ASRock 970 Pro3 R2.0, AM3+, ATX|€59.03
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€602.98

Wow, what a great build. You managed to get a 760 in there.
However, I want a better processor in order to be more "future-proof". I think having an extra two cores could achieve this as games are starting to be built in a multi-threaded nature. Multitasking would also be improved, which is a big plus! Or am I mad, and games will never see a benefit from being able to run 8 threads simultaneously.

My budget seems to be stretching to 700 - and I think with that, I was thinking of sticking in an r9 280x.

BeerFear · 10-12-2013 6:26pm

Yea you could fit it in. I'd get a better case as well than the one I linked

marco_polo · 10-12-2013 7:06pm

Just a word of warning, I'd be extremely wary of overclocking an 8-core FX processor on a €50 mATX board, it most likely doesn't have any VRM heatsinks at all, so the danger of them popping would be pretty high as they are pretty power hungry beasts.

Gaming PC for €600

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