191 replies to this topic

[Goose]

Well: Someone deiced to liquidate their GTX 660s. ~$15 was taken out of the CPU, and memory was trimmed, to match.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Rosewill RCX-ZAIO-92 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G41 PC Mate ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($65.66 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-2000 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital RE3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($87.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $541.58
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Base Total: $601.42
Promo Discounts: -$10.00
Mail-in Rebates: -$60.00
Shipping: $10.16
Total: $541.58

And the obligatory intricate details on the PSU Quest:

Spoiler

[ninjitsu]

I don't see the gtx 660 for $87.99, it shows up as $199 from ncix. If the gtx 660 was $88 I was gonna buy it like right now.

[Goose]

Best laid mice of Plain Men, and all that.

With the video card back up ~$40, I seen no reason to skimp in the memory or CPU.

Do note if trying to mix and match this system with the last, you need to match this PSU with this video card.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($198.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Rosewill RCX-ZAIO-92 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G41 PC Mate ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($65.66 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($76.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital RE3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 270 2GB TurboDuo Video Card ($139.20 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Micro Center)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $659.30
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Base Total: $753.92
Promo Discounts: -$29.28
Mail-in Rebates: -$75.00
Shipping: $9.66
Total: $659.30

Note the change in PSU:

Spoiler

[DocBach]

http://www.tigerdire...16146&CatId=332

Tigerdirect has a bundle for $479, with rebates makes it $399 with the following:

AMD FX8350
Gigabyte 990FX-UD3 motherboard
8GB PNY XLR RAM
1TB WD HDD
SolidGear 650w PSU
Cougar Case
2x Kingwin LED 120mm Fans

Add a GTX750 for $100, and you got a pretty nice machine for ~$500 after rebates.

[Goose]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($210.00 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($25.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G41 PC Mate ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($76.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital RE3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.93 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Diamond Radeon R9 270X 2GB Video Card ($169.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($62.00 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Cooler Master Megaflow 110.0 CFM 200mm Fan ($7.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Cooler Master Megaflow 110.0 CFM 200mm Fan ($7.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $744.35
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Base Total: $838.86
Promo Discounts: -$21.48
Mail-in Rebates: -$78.00
Shipping: $4.97
Total: $744.35

I can't tell if the "deal" between the CPU and it's cooler is showing up or not.

Small premiums on the CPU and grafics cards this time around, fallowed up with a case and some fans, for once.

There was an extra half'n amp on the 12V rail the caused the PSU to move up ~$14:

Spoiler

Edited by Goose, 17 July 2014 - 03:02 PM.

[Gerhardt Jorgensson]

While this is a nice build, I am not sure it exactly qualifies as an under $500 build as the thread would imply.

[Goose]

Yeah: Get over that.

I don't believe we've seen a duel core prove it was worth a new purchase for MW:O, nor do we have a particularly firm grip on good ratios of CPU to GPU; It's not even clear if we've found the minimum GHz on any given Intel chip to remove the ca_thread0affinity bottleneck. There is basically zero reporting on the triple module core AMDs at this point.

The point of the tread is to play MW:O; Replacing whole parts later, so one can play the game well, is still more expensive then paying the extra ~$150 now to do so immediately.

[Flapdrol]

I'm now running a Pentium G3258 on the asrock H81 pro btc (could get it really cheap, would actually recommend H81M-hds)

Many mobo manufacturers enabled overclocking on their cheap boards, overclocked mine to 4.5 GHz.

In a brawl mechwarrior online is not able to properly multithread (saw ~50% load on my old i5-750 quad), the Pentium is a great cpu for this game.

cpu, mobo, 8GB ram will only cost about 200 dollar, of course overclock is semi mandatory

[Goose]

Flapdrol, on 19 July 2014 - 05:19 AM, said:

In a brawl mechwarrior online is not able to properly multithread (saw ~50% load on my old i5-750 quad), the Pentium is a great cpu for this game.

Wat

Actually, I would like to hear more, but this ain't the thread …

Edited by Goose, 19 July 2014 - 10:30 AM.

[CocoaJin]

Please keep these going, I'm in the process of "incepting" the idea in my wife's mind to let me get a new rig after mine died almost 2yrs ago. But money is tight and the baby that has come since makes my wife white knuckle every dime that comes in the house.

Once I get another major repair on my car completed, I think I'll be able to slowly put something way to grab one...and this $500-600 price range is right up my alley. All I want is a rig that can run MWO well. My biggest concern is getting the most out of the CPU for the purchase price. How many cores is MWO optimized to run on? I don't want to have a bunch of idle cores and reduced clock speeds compared to a CPU with fewer cores.

[ninjitsu]

Cooler Master HAF 912 - High Air Flow Mid Tower Computer Case http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811119233 $60

Western Digital WD Blue WD10EZEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive Bare Drive - OEM - $60 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822236339

ADATA XPG V2 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 - $76 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820211768

XFX Core Edition R7-250A-CLF4 Radeon R7 250 2GB 128-Bit DDR3 - $90 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814150713

Cooler Master Hyper TX3 - CPU Cooler - $20 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835103064

Intel Pentium G3258 Haswell Dual-Core 3.2GHz LGA 1150 Desktop Processor, MSI B85M GAMING LGA 1150 Intel B85 COMBO - $110 http://www.newegg.co...t=Combo.1754227

CORSAIR CX series CX600 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply - $65
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139028


Price with shipping:$501.71

Price after mail in rebates: $451.71

[DocBach]

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zbKbTW) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker....TW/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker....u-fd8320frhkbox) | $144.98 @ OutletPC
**Motherboard** | [Asus M5A78L-M/USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker....ard-m5a78lmusb3) | $56.79 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [Kingston Blu Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker....y-khx16c9b1rk28) | $71.88 @ NCIX US
**Storage** | [Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker....ive-st1000dm003) | $49.99 @ Amazon
**Video Card** | [EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card](http://pcpartpicker....ard-02gp43751kr) | $129.99 @ NCIX US
**Case** | [Logisys CS369BK ATX Mid Tower Case w/480W Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker....ys-case-cs369bk) | $40.68 @ NCIX US
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $494.31

Sub-$500 without rebates -- eight core CPU and a GTX750ti GPU with 8GB of RAM. Won't handle MWO on all the highest settings, but definitely will be playable for those with a restricted budget.

[ninjitsu]

DocBach, on 21 July 2014 - 07:31 AM, said:

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zbKbTW) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker....TW/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker....u-fd8320frhkbox) | $144.98 @ OutletPC
**Motherboard** | [Asus M5A78L-M/USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker....ard-m5a78lmusb3) | $56.79 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [Kingston Blu Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker....y-khx16c9b1rk28) | $71.88 @ NCIX US
**Storage** | [Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker....ive-st1000dm003) | $49.99 @ Amazon
**Video Card** | [EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card](http://pcpartpicker....ard-02gp43751kr) | $129.99 @ NCIX US
**Case** | [Logisys CS369BK ATX Mid Tower Case w/480W Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker....ys-case-cs369bk) | $40.68 @ NCIX US
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $494.31

Sub-$500 without rebates -- eight core CPU and a GTX750ti GPU with 8GB of RAM. Won't handle MWO on all the highest settings, but definitely will be playable for those with a restricted budget.

That motherboard is super crappy and should not be used for a 125 watt CPU!! While it says that the 8320 is supported, in actuality it will not be able to handle the heat generated from the CPU's power draw. Also, the 760g chipset is utterly ancient. This board has tons of bad reviews! I know we're trying to come up with cheap computer parts here, but make sure they're actually worth buying before suggesting them

[DocBach]

I used two of these motherboards with an FX8320 in a full size case (budget build for my nephew) and FX8350 in an mATX build I made for my cousin (went with this board because mATX boards for AM3+ are restricted to 760G chipsets and this was the best bang for the buck and one of the only mATX AMD boards with USB3 support) - no problems with heat or voltage running at stock clocks. Both builds have been playing for longer than a year with no problems.

Since the point of this build is to be sub-$500, I wasn't concerned about more recent chipsets that allowed for quicker PCI-E interfaces or SATA connections.

[Goose]

You don't buy a PSU without a review, which this "free case" model is missing; The word-of-mouth I'm seeing is "avoid."

Then, when one tries to track down the PSU, you figure out a 12V rail of 16A is Maid of Fail.

Spoiler

[DocBach]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($144.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($43.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Blu Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($71.88 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $490.81
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-07-21 17:39 EDT-0400

Straddling a little over $500 before rebates, but deals from Newegg drop it under $500 with rebates with a bronze rated PSU. Plenty of reviews saying the motherboard works well with the 8-core FX series as long as there is no or conservative overclocking.

If one is comfortable stretching their budget another $14, they can get the 8350 on sale at Amazon for $159.

[Goose]

[Odins Fist]

DocBach, on 21 July 2014 - 01:40 PM, said:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($144.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($43.99 @ Newegg)

I'm not sure I would run a FX-series 8 core CPU on that and try any sort of overclock.

The GIGABYTE GA-78LMT-USB3 AM3+ AMD 760G + SB710 HDMI USB 3.0 Micro ATX is stated on Gigabyte's website as having a 4+1 phase power delivery.

I would pair it with the FX-6350 (6) core, but not the FX-8320 (8) core, once you put that 8 core under any substantial load you might have issues, and if you overclock about 500 to 600MHZ, I can almost guarantee you will see a hot VRM, and it will definately lower the lifetime of that particular Mobo.

I watched a friend bork a Micro ATX Mobo with 4+1 phase power trying to overclock a Phenom II 960t (4) core, and then LITERALLY smoke it trying to unlock it to 5 and 6 cores. By smoke I mean it really sent the Mobo up in smoke. The Phenom II x4 960t was within supported CPUs and wattage, but a 600MHZ OC killed it.

Is that GIGABYTE GA-78LMT-USB3 a better Mobo..?? I think so..
Do I think it will handle an 8 core FX-CPU..?? Yes if it is a system put together for a Grandma that only opens e-mails, YouTube and plays Club Pogo games at Stock speeds.

Do I think it will have power delivery issues if used as a gaming rig..??
Very Possible, especially if you shoot for a OC to 4.0 to 4.2GHZ (which is as low as I personally would run that CPU for MWO).

Once you OC a FX-series 8 core CPU, even 500MHZ there is a noticeable increase in power usage, and it looks the the GIGABYTE GA-78LMT-USB3 max supported rating is 125 watts.

I would run a FX-6350 6 core at most on that Mobo.

I'm not saying it won't do the job at stock, but I do NOT run any Mobo with only a 4+1 phase power design, I have seen terrible things happen..

Edited by Odins Fist, 21 July 2014 - 03:03 PM.

[Zechs Deluca]

my laptop has an APU and I can play the game just fine on low settings.

AMD A4-4300M APU with Radeon HD Graphics 2.5 GHz
8 Gigs Ram
(Dxdiag says I have AMD Radeon HD 7420G chip type 4gig vid card)

it isnt the best for gaming but it works.

[Goose]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($159.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($116.90 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-2000 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Toshiba Product Series:DT01ACA 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R7 260X 2GB Video Card ($105.38 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($62.00 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $632.21
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-07-21 19:02 EDT-0400

Base Total: $684.81
Promo Discounts: -$12.99
Mail-in Rebates: -$45.00
Shipping: $5.39
Total: $632.21

'Bout right?

Spoiler