Super low-cost, but effective build. Does one exist?

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1

So, I've only just found teksyndicate on Youtube today, and was watching through the Pc Configs, but one thing that I really noticed. Almost all framerates were taken on Medium or High settings.

Now, I don't play games for the fancey graphics, I would much prefer to get decent framerate than look at people being blown to pieces on Ultra settings. Infact, I try to avoid high settings all-together due to the fact that my laptop sucks ( Acer 5551; Dual Core AMD Athlon P320 2.1Ghz. 3GB RAM. ATI Mobility Radeon Hd 4250 1Gb)  and I would really love to upgrade to an actual desktop, the problem of course being money.

I guess, what I am really asking is. Is there any build, any concoction, and hell born demon that can run most modern games at 30-45Fp/s on low settings. I realise this is not very high in some people's eyes, but no kidding, I'm lucky if I get decent Fp/s on Runescape anymore.

Already I have 2 Rigs configed, but I have a feeling I wasn't very cost efficient on one of them. The other, I used the parts from Raze's video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv60r_cS8kw

I am UK based, so I do operate in Pound Sterling and I mainly use Amazon.co.uk for checking part prices. Although I have recently started to like Dabs.co.uk as some of the parts seem priced quite low compared to what I have seen on other sites. Either way, right now both of my rigs that I have planned sit at around £350 - £360, I would like it to be less, if it all possible. 

If some of you kind fellows do chose to help me out, these are the components that I would like to have; 8GB RAM, x4 or x6 Core at 3.1 to 3.5Ghz (Preferably AMD), 750GB HDD, If possible an SSD ( I would not require anything higher than 10-15GB for this due to my lack of games that have stupidly long loading screens).

If at all it helps, I do love to play Supreme Commander: Forged Allianced, so if a rig could be build around that, I have no doubt that it would have no trouble running other games. But, hey. If I knew how to properly build a cost effective Pc that works well, I wouldn't be here right now.

If the cost does go too high or seems a little too expensive for what I am asking from it. Feel free to downgrade some of my prefered parts.

 

2

Welcome good sir, i have a few questions for you if you do not mind.

Do you have any parts at all? A case or OS or monitor etc?

 I managed to build the A10-5800k on logans video for 279 euros without a case or OS using the Dabs site you suggested. If you have a 350 euro budget and you already have a case and os and monitor, we can get you quite a healthy gaming intro system for that price.

3

Sadly I do not have a case or OS, but as any internet user knows, any piece of software can be easily obtained online. Although not always in working order.

 

The case, nothing fancy is needed, really anything that comes with a fan or two, and can fit all the components. So that's just about any Midi case.

4

In fact, only just remembering, one of my friend's dad works for a fairly large company in the IT department, and can easily just get Win7 for free.

5

No monitor either? So you need the entire PC plus the keyboard/mouse and monitor? Since you can get the Windows 7 for free, $350 euros is definitely possible. Let's get you a list together, how small of a monitor are you willing to use?

6

Monitor, I completely forgot about mentioning. I have a relatively small LCD screen in my bedroom with HDMI input. So if a motherboard with HDMI is at all possible, if not, then I'll just ask around some friends and see if they don't need any, probably get one cheaper that way.

 Any, meaning, any old monitors with the usual VGA.

Mouse, I have one, but the wire is pretty short which may be an issue with a desktop ( I like to have plently of slack on my wire )

Keyboard, If I am lucky I can ask my school for one the old ones. They have recently 'upgraded' from the lovely and clackey 2004-ish Dell Keyboard, to some new soft to the press Microsoft ones. Me being one of many who love the old Dell Keyboards, so yeh, if lucky, the school will just give on to me.

So, essentially, it is just the Pc.

7

Here is a list i came up with, i did not choose a case because my style does not match yours.

http://www.dabs.com/products/amd-a10-5800k-3-8ghz-fm2-4mb-100w-black-edition-89K7.html?refs=4294942707&src=3

http://www.dabs.com/products/gigabyte-f2a75m-d3h-amd-fm2-a75-ddr3-matx-8B97.html?refs=486690000&src=3

http://www.dabs.com/products/seagate-1tb-barracuda-sata-6gb-s-64mb-7200rpm-hard-drive-7XD5.html?src=2

http://www.dabs.com/products/patriot-memory-8gb--2-x-4gb--ddr3-1866mhz-viper-3-black-mamba-dimm-cl9-89V1.html?refs=435360000-55270000&src=3

http://www.dabs.com/products/antec-earthwatts-380w-atx-12v-80plus-6N3V.html?src=3

All that you need is a case and maybe some case fans(if the case of your choice does not bring any). I am sure other folks will list their own systems as well or make improvements on my suggested system so please stick around for a day or two so you can get a nice varied options list.

8

Don't worry, I kinda like it here, so no doubt it will be one of the sites I visit everytime I open Chrome.

One question about the motherboard?..Is it able to be plugged in with any USB's that come with a case?..Or will I only be able to use the ones on the back of the case.

9

You can use the ones on the back and the ones on the case as well. It comes with USB3 internal and USB 2 internal so you can plug them into the front panel of your case. If possible get a case with USB 3.0 on the front panel so you can take advantage of it or you can just use the ones on the back of the motherboard if your USB gadgets are very few.

You have 4 USB 2.0's on the back and 2 USB 3.0 as well, that is 6 USB ports to use.

10

Ok thanks.

And I think I may go with this case: http://www.dabs.com/products/best-value-735-case-with-hd-audio---stealthed-dvd-cover-black-816N.html?refs=374310000-368090000-4294963789&src=3

11

Right, this is what I have so far then:

AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz FM2 4MB 100W Black Edition               £95.26


Gigabyte F2A75M-D3H AMD FM2 A75 DDR3 mATX                        £55.84


Seagate 1TB Barracuda SATA 6Gb/s 64MB 7200RPM Hard Drive              £54.99


Patriot Memory 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1866MHz Viper 3 Black Mamba DIMM CL9          £36.72


Antec Earthwatts 380W ATX 12V 80Plus           £36.49


735 Case with HD Audio & Stealthed DVD Cover Black              £20.00

 

Total: £299.20

Parts priced used Dabs.co.uk

12

That case looks pretty nice, does it come with case fans included?

13

There goes the bubble.

14

You can always buy case fans like Kingwin has some fairly cheap 120mm fans that will do the job, just plan ahead for it. You can always buy them later, but buying another case you do not fancy is much worse.

15

Well, this one looks better, and has fans, and more room for anything I may need. with only a £10.99 cost increase:  http://www.dabs.com/products/gigabyte-if233-miditower-usb-3-0-midi-tower-case-86Z3.html?q=Midi%20Case&src=16

16

Right on, that is a solid choice! Is Dabs close to where you live or can you drive there?

17

UK Based, so no doubt delivery costs won't be too bad.

18

Wait, just thought. Does the Thermal paste come in the box with the processor?..Or will I be required to get that seperately.

19

Thermal paste comes with the processor pre applied for you already, with that being said the stock cooling unit will probably be noticeable noise wise. Also the Antec earthwatts 380 will give you almost no room for future upgrades, except maybe a HD6670 or a HD7750 so please be aware of that.

20

Well, I may only ever need a 6670, at most. 

And Noise wise?, well, I usually have my headset on and it blanks out most outside noise, that and I don't really mind noise from a computer. It lets me know that everything is working :P