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Discussion Se7enSins Build-Off #1: Console Crusher

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Monopolyman

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Scenario
You are building a mid-level PC with a wallet-friendly budget that isn't too far from what console gamers would spend on their console. Your budget is low, but you can assume you already have the basic accessories and peripherals needed to game.

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Voting starts Friday, April 3rd

Only use this thread for submissions, and do not edit you post after you have submitted it.

For more information, the rules, and discussion visit the main thread.

denz denz Selena Gomez Sanctorum Sanctorum Chazay Chazay Chaos Sniping_Guy117
 
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iGLaDOS

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($104.95 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($25.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($96.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 64GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($42.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital RE3 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($36.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 4GB Dual-X Video Card ($167.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Antec ISK600 Mini ITX Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($26.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $597.36
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-24 09:13 EDT-0400

To begin, OP stated that basic peripherals and accessories are assumed to be owned already, hence why I have no mouse, keyboard, or monitor. We all know there are unorthodox ways of getting an OS, but I didn't include one just because there are so many people with broken laptops that you could ask for and take the windows key from it. That's how I have windows 7 on the pc I'm currently using and will be how I have windows 8 on my current project. There are programs that can be used to put an OS installer on a usb drive, so I didn't include an optical drive, but that is something that can easily be added to the build later down the line.

Since this build is something to buy instead of a console, I have many features you would find with a console like built in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, small form factor, relatively quiet, etc. I included an SSD of course, primarily for he OS and some other things, but the games will probably go on the 500GB HDD I included. Of course, both of the drives can be upgraded down the line, if you so choose. I made sure this case would support the heatsink I added to the build, and it does.

One of the things I look for in builds is reliability. There's a difference between a budget PC and a cheap PC. Since consoles are pretty reliable, I also wanted this pc to be reliable. Having said that, all the parts I chose had either a 4 or 5 star rating on pcpartpicker. All parts are from well-known named brands. I made sure I went with an 80+ rated psu too.

I could've gone with AMD and probably squeezed a few bucks off of the build, but I personally prefer Intel for plenty of reasons including efficiency, reliability, lower temps, etc. This was a fun little experiment and a great idea of a series to start, imo. Any critiques and what not shouldn't be posted in this thread, but I would love to hear them so just PM me.
 
The_Notorious_BIG

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-DGS R2.0 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($47.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.49 @ Directron)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB Tri-X Video Card ($219.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($62.49 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($61.49 @ Newegg)
Total: $600.40
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-24 12:09 EDT-0400



Because this budget was so tight, I would assume that getting the most important thing out of the way first. And that important part is the Video Card. I went with a 280x, seeing as its a damn good Card, with 3GB of RAM, so you can even do higher resolutions than 1080p with some good fps. The CPU (I believe) is enough for gaming... And with the cost of this CPU, it allocates me more money towards the GPU. You don't need no 8 core monster for gaming...

Everything else from this build is something that you'd expect in every computer of today's standards. E.g 8GB of RAM (G Skill 1600mhz) and a 1 TB Hardrive(WD Caviar Blue 1TB). With the Corsair PSU. They are one of the best PSU makers out there Imo.The Motherboard is just about what you'd expect for $47. It's nothing special, does the job...

The CPU Cooler (Hyper 212) as well all know is one of the best coolers for the price and a lot of reviews of this processor say that you can overclock this CPU to some insane levels. So hopefully the 212 can keep it cool while its running at some crazy frequencies.

I went with that case because it allows a lot of flexibility and headroom for future upgrades (you can remove some HDD cages for longer gpus... etc)

ty
 
Sanctorum

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($173.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ECS Z97-PK (V1.0) Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($66.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Xtreem Dark Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.98 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 285 2GB WINDFORCE 2X Video Card ($172.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($43.98 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $602.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-24 12:54 EDT-0400



Since it's a console replacement, I tried to focus on raw power. Most people could manage a little under $3 over. Nice came with lots of room for components and upgradability, and great airflow. For an extra $50 or so, you could grab a 4690k and overclock if wanted, and the motherboard allows for upgradability to a Broadwell i5/i7. An actual good PSU that's not going to fail very soon and will last for upgrades as well. 550W Capstone unit will run any single card rig with ease, can easily upgrade to a 390(x) once released.
 
Chazay

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Do I win?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($93.95 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus M5A78L-M/USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.98 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 290 4GB DirectCU II Video Card ($259.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($22.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $596.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-24 16:18 EDT-0400


Went with the 6300 because it is "6" cores so it will work with the games that are now listing quad cores as a basic requirement(see GTA V). Everything else is pretty much cookie cutter. Amazing deals on a lot of the parts made the R9 290 fit the budget.
 
denz

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4350 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($133.00 @ Directron)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Fury Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($35.95 @ Directron)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.98 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 285 2GB TurboDuo Video Card ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Case: HEC Vigilance MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($23.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $542.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-24 18:25 EDT-0400



How do we decide a winner?
 
Sin

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PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/gJGjCJ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/gJGjCJ/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($93.95 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($17.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($46.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.98 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 290 4GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($269.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($22.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $592.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-24 19:44 EDT-0400
 
Cosmic Owl

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PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/rVyxjX
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/rVyxjX/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.49 @ Directron)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB FTW ACX Video Card ($139.98 @ NCIX US)
Case: EVGA Hadron Mini ITX Tower Case w/500W Power Supply ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $533.42
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-24 20:19 EDT-0400


The Pentium will give buyers a chance to get their foot into the 1150 socket, so they can upgrade to another CPU later. The 750ti is a good GPU, and isn't too expensive. The buyer can simply upgrade later, when they need more power. The Hadron is a good case, but it also comes with a built in 500w gold rated PSU, which will leave room for expansion later. An SSD and a better cooler can easily be added later if/when the buyer decides to upgrade.
 
Houstonruss

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Permlink: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/dQvZD3
CPU
Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor
From parametric selection (show)
$64.99
Motherboard
MSI H81M-E33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard

$45.60
Memory
G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory

$54.99
Storage
Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive

$99.99
Video Card
PowerColor Radeon R9 290 4GB PCS+ Video Card

$249.99

Case RAIDMAX Element ATX-101B Black/Grey Steel / Plastic Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case $39.99
Power Supply
Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply

$34.99 Buy
Total: $590.54

My opinions:
The SSD is subjective; Some people want more storage. I recommend the sheer performance of SSD's .
1150 Pentiums are bangin' Yo. Great overclocking for the $_$!
I chose an ITX Mobo And Case (case was on newegg not pcpp) because tiny&stompin' rigs are great without much compromise.
The PSU might seem underpowered but I know it will suffice.
Dual channel ram for a slight performance boost.
 
Monopolyman

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How does voting work?
To be quite honest, I've been so busy lately and this completely slipped my mind. I'll have voting setup tomorrow and inform everyone.

My apologies.
 
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