Gaming build - Best bang for as little buck as possible

scorpion_ie · 20-01-2014 10:27am #1

Ok, I've decided to hold off on my main Gaming rig build until after the z97 and ddr4 boards drop later this year but I could do with a rig to play on till then. Cheap as possible I'll be giving it over to my son when I build my own. Still want an SSD in there and a dx11 graphics card.

1. What is your budget? [As little as possible]

2. What will be the main purpose of the computer? [Gaming (Civ5, Sim City, Europa universalis, WOW, etc.) and Internet]

3. Do you need a copy of Windows? NO, have 8.1

4. Can you use any parts from an old computer?
Yes - DVD drive & 1TB Hard drive.

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? 1080p

6. Do you need any of these peripherals? No

7. Are you willing to try overclocking? Yes

8. How can you pay. Cash, transfer, Laser/credit card or PayPal

9. When are you purchasing? Feb 2014

10. If you need help building it, where are you based? No help needed... I hope 8-)

Serephucus · 20-01-2014 11:25am

Z97 doesn't sound like it'll be any great improvement over Z87. Same as before - a few more USB 3.0 ports, more SATA... That's about it.

Honestly, I'd say just build your ideal system now, maybe get a cheap GPU to tide you over until Maxwell launches.

Luck100 · 20-01-2014 11:56am

Agree with Serephucus. DDR4 sounds nice but ram speed has very little impact on gaming (unless you're using integrated graphics, but you're not going to be doing that on any decent build).

scorpion_ie · 20-01-2014 4:19pm

Really have kinda set my heart on a haswell E CPU along with the ddr4 and z97 later on this year and as I mentioned the one I build now will be going to my kid when I build my own.

EoinHef · 20-01-2014 7:59pm

The games you listed arent that gpu heavy, could probably pair an fx-6300 with something like a 7770-7790 and have system that should give reasonable performance at 1080p in those games to get you through. What size ssd are you looking for? With a budget build a 64gb could do the job for OS

TerrorFirmer · 21-01-2014 1:43am

If you'll be giving the whole build over to your son once you build your own, then maybe take a look at an AM2 build with one of the newer am2 CPUs. The new APU's with the 8670D are decent and will play all those games effortlessly at 1080p, as well as other demanding mainstream FPS/RTS decently at 720p. I spec'd an AM2 6800 build earlier, came to just over 300.

scorpion_ie · 21-01-2014 4:07pm

Cool, That might do the trick, will it run civ 5 and shogun2/Rome 2 at full?

What was the spec?

yawhat! · 21-01-2014 6:14pm

Gaming build - Best bang for as little buck as possible

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