Best Steam Machine Build: Under $600

Vortel · Nov 2, 2015

Are we allowed to use this type of chassis?
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-NUC5i7RYH-Barebone-System-BOXNUC5I7RYH/dp/B00WAS1FX6/ref=pd_sim_147_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=21fFwWl5QwL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0NZFHAB1E1WQGN984WP0
or..
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C5K8FRI/ref=psdc_565098_t1_B0093LINVK
or...
http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Barebone-i5-4570R-Graphic-GB-BXi5-4570R/dp/B00HYEU0C8/ref=pd_sim_sbs_147_31?ie=UTF8&dpID=41B%2BhPHtAFL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=13MGXNSQ2BDQZGBQJZTD
or...
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-BOXD54250WYKH1-Core-i5-4250U-Graphics/dp/B00HZDLNWO/ref=pd_sim_147_50?ie=UTF8&dpID=41R8%2BJGxfkL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=000H73C733FQQAXV60D6

_Hi_ · Nov 2, 2015

Tiny Shoe Box

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($128.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-ITX/WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($85.95 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($33.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 380 4GB SOC Video Card ($219.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone Sugo SG13B Mini ITX Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Silverstone Element 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($40.11 @ Amazon)
Total: $598.02
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-02 10:01 EST-0500

Oh yea stock cooler master race XD

*Update*

Amazon Links

Cpu: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J2LIF2S/?tag=pcpapi-20
Mobo: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LET35A8/?tag=pcpapi-20
Ram: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AZGZFGS/?tag=pcpapi-20
Hard Drive: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005T3GRNW/?tag=pcpapi-20
Gpu; http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZGF3TUC/?tag=pcpapi-20
Case: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U8IS89E/?tag=pcpapi-20
Psu: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0025VKQAG/?tag=pcpapi-20

All amazon links provided now.

TechyInAZ · Nov 2, 2015

Vortel :

No. These are builds, so no preconfigured barebones allowed. A PC build is a computer that is built from scratch.

TechyInAZ · Nov 2, 2015

Another Warning: Please ADD the amazon urls to your builds, just using PcPartPicker alone WILL NOT qualify you for approval!!!

_Hi_ · Nov 2, 2015

TechyInAZ :

That's the new ground rule right?

ComputerSecurityGuy · Nov 2, 2015

The Inconceivable:
A Pentium and the GTX 970- in the same case!
CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($68.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: GA-H81N Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($69
.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($20.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: http://www.amazon.com/Asus-TURBO-GTX970-OC-4GD5-ASUS-Graphics-Cards/dp/B00WJOU7DA/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1447079819&sr=1-1&keywords=GTX+970+ASUS+Turbo ] ASUS Graphics Cards TURBO-GTX970-OC-4GD5

[/url] ($308.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 400W ATX Power Supply ($34.69 @ Amazon)
Total: $598.69
Edit: Fixed links to go to Amazon.
Edit: Changed brand of GPU and motherboard to one supporting the Pentium G3258.
The logic behind it:
Normally pairing a GTX 970 with such a low end CPU as the Pentium would be a lousy idea. However Steam games tend not to be threaded or particularly CPU intensive. Thus the difference between a Pentium and an i3 is likely relatively small, and even an i5 or i7 wouldn't show much of a difference in these low-threaded games. However it might very well be hooked up to a relatively high resolution TV as this seems to be aiming for a PC console which will put a lot more load on the GPU.

Barty1884 · Nov 2, 2015

ComputerSecurityGuy :

Curious as the logic behind this one? Seems totally weighted towards the GPU?

Also, you need to post the direct Amazon links.

TechyInAZ · Nov 2, 2015

_Hi_ :

Yes, look at description to see all the rules.

lp231 · Nov 3, 2015

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($116.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($121.44 @ Amazon)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 750GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Club 3D Radeon R9 270 2GB Video Card ($149.00 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone ML07B HTPC Case ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Silverstone 450W 80+ Bronze Certified SFX Power Supply ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $595.39
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-03 14:48 EST-0500

Amazon Links
cpu:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EUUKVXM/?tag=pcpapi-20
m/b:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KL7KY6M/?tag=pcpapi-20
ram:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F902O5A/?tag=pcpapi-20
hdd:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003FG86FC/?tag=pcpapi-20
gpu:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SOXNZWU/?tag=pcpapi-20
case:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K8CIZYS/?tag=pcpapi-20
psu:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003H4QPDC/?tag=pcpapi-20

DIY Steam Machine, equipped with a Intel Core i3, which is a dual core with HT, so it's like a quad core. 8GB of DDR3 1600, with a free slot, so it can upgrade to 16GB. 750GB HDD for those Steam games, R9 270 with 2GB of vram, and ITX board with onboard 802.11ac wireless connectivity as well as support for front panel USB 3.

filippi · Nov 3, 2015

Vapor build.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($116.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-ITX/WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($90.73 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport XT 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Sandisk SSD PLUS 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($70.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card ($189.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone Sugo SG13B Mini ITX Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.29 @ Amazon)
Total: $597.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-03 15:00 EST-0500

- Strong but Low-heat gpu, good matchup cpu, 240GB SSD, high quality psu, console case.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RJ8EKI/?tag=pcpapi-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U8IS89E/?tag=pcpapi-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SD9KZ96/?tag=pcpapi-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S9Q9VS4/?tag=pcpapi-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CWR3HVS/?tag=pcpapi-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LET35A8/?tag=pcpapi-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EUUKVXM/?tag=pcpapi-20

givememetal · Nov 3, 2015

Schweet · Nov 3, 2015

BadActor · Nov 3, 2015

MEH

Build uses included CPU cooler and PSU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($116.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ECS H81H3-I/HDMI (V1.0) Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport XT 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.83 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card ($189.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone SG06B-USB3.0 (Black) Mini ITX Desktop Case w/300W Power Supply ($119.00 @ Amazon)
Wireless Network Adapter: TRENDnet TEW-805UB 802.11a/b/g/n/ac USB 3.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($22.90 @ Amazon)
Total: $587.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-03 22:06 EST-0500

CPU: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EUUKVXM/?tag=pcpapi-20
Motherboard: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H2GTZHE/?tag=pcpapi-20
Memory: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CWR3HVS/?tag=pcpapi-20
Storage: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005T3GRNW/?tag=pcpapi-20
Video Card: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SD9KZ96/?tag=pcpapi-20
Case: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008J0ZOUE/?tag=pcpapi-20
Wireless Adapter: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BKFYJX8/?tag=pcpapi-20

turkey3_scratch · Nov 3, 2015

BadActor :

MEH

BUILD uses included CPU cooler and PSU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($116.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ECS H81H3-I/HDMI (V1.0) Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport XT 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.83 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card ($189.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone SG06B-USB3.0 (Black) Mini ITX Desktop Case w/300W Power Supply ($119.00 @ Amazon)
Wireless Network Adapter: TRENDnet TEW-805UB 802.11a/b/g/n/ac USB 3.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($22.90 @ Amazon)
Total: $587.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-03 22:06 EST-0500

Eek, a come-with-case 300W PSU with a 960? I think you might want to revise it a bit, just my recommendation 😉

BadActor · Nov 3, 2015

turkey3_scratch :

BadActor :

Eek, a come-with-case 300W PSU with a 960? I think you might want to revise it a bit, just my recommendation 😉

I ran the numbers, system only requires 219 watts.

turkey3_scratch · Nov 3, 2015

No, with a stress test the Gigabyte GTX 960 can consume up to 170W of power. Then the CPU added in makes it about 240W for those two parts alone. The 12V rail has 22 amps, which means only 264W for both the graphics card and CPU. Then, if there is load on the 3.3V and 5V rails, that number also decreases. If the temperature of the PSU increases, it loses its ability to deliver as much current, so then wattage goes down more. In the end, you cannot run that system at max load on that power supply. Also, case power supplies are often poor quality, just a warning, I'm not saying anything about this one in particular.

TechyInAZ · Nov 4, 2015

turkey3_scratch :

Agreed, when buying any PSU you want at least roughly 100W give or take of headroom.

BTW...Many of the judges on here know PSUs well, so even if all your parts are great except for the PSU, there is a extremely high chance you will not get picked. Just a quick side note. 😉

Joseph DeGarmo · Nov 4, 2015

The Rock

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($116.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-ITX/WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($92.49 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.95 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.88 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 2GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($189.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($35.96 @ Amazon)
Total: $590.25
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-08 18:14 EST-0500

Darkbreeze · Nov 4, 2015

From: Titillating (Community Manager)

To: Everyone participating in the Gaming build event in any category

RE: price fluctuations

Word from on high is that as long as the initial build is within the price limits, they're fine. No need to make people update it constantly. Don't worry about what the actual final costs come out to be, so long as it is acceptable at the time of posting. Bound to cause some confusion, but less of a hassle.

Keep in mind though:

•Use list prices only: coupons, rebates, bundles or any other limited-time offers will not be accepted.

Also, this does not address magically disappearing inventory that is no longer available through Amazon. Still waiting for clarification on that one.

Also, take your names off your build titles. It's stated in the rules, no member names in the title of the build.

BadActor · Nov 5, 2015

TechyInAZ :

I appreciate your comments. In any build, I tend to use twice as much PSU as required for future upgrades, overclocking, efficiency. etc. The constraints of this budget necessitated my choice. The Gigabyte mini-ITX 960 is rated at 120 watts. The i3-4130 is rated at 54 watts. This still puts it comfortably with this PSU's performance range. This PSU is rated for 300w @ 50C and is a Tomshardware tier 3 rated supply made by FSP. I would have no qualms about using it in this particular build.

BobtheDestructor · Nov 5, 2015

Mini-Cube of Doom

Processor: Intel Core i5-4460 $184.08
Motherboard: ECS Elitegroup Mini ITX H81H3-I $54.99
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport XT 8GB $36.99
Graphics Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 380 2GB $179.99
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar E7K500 500GB $34.00
Case: Silverstone SG13B-Q $40.99
Power Supply: Rosewill ARC M550 550W $54.99
Cooling: Xigmatek 120mm XAF-F1253 $4.99
Networking: UPVEL UA-210WN 150Mbps Wireless N $6.99

Total: $598.01

Darkbreeze · Nov 6, 2015

If the price and link on PCPartpicker are accurate, you can simply use the build code. If you substitute a part from Amazon that is NOT showing up on the PCPP site, has an inaccurate price or any other anomaly, then include a link to the page where you found it on Amazon. Also, as far as prices being "list", this from Joe Pishgar, head honcho:

No, that would not count as limited time offer. If there's no time limit expressed in the discount, at least.
-JP

blazorthon · Nov 6, 2015

Agoraphobia

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($118.49)
Motherboard: Asus H170I-PLUS D3 Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($116.18)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($48.44)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 950 2GB Superclocked+ ACX 2.0 Video Card ($156.06)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 750GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($34.99)
Case: Silverstone ML07B HTPC Case ($60.00)
Power Supply: Silverstone 450W 80+ Bronze Certified SFX Power Supply ($64.99)
Total: $599.15
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-06 20:52 EST-0500

A lot of people are using cubes and towers for cases. Isn't the point of this to be similar in size to a console?

Darkbreeze · Nov 7, 2015

Member Vortel, please stop posting images at the top of your builds. I've PM'd you several times asking that you not do this but have received no replies from you in response to those PMs. This has been previously discussed elsewhere that we don't want these threads cluttered up with giant images, or any images for that matter, of the proposed cases to be used. We all know what the cases look like and if a particular build wins I'm sure the winning build will be provided the necessary artwork to make it shine, if that's how the staff wants to do things. Unless and until then, please don't post any more images, I'm getting tired of removing them.

Nobody else is plastering giant pics of cases on the top of their posts so you'd think that might be a clue. Thanks.

jediTT · Nov 7, 2015

"The Grunt"

•Processor: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.08 @ Amazon)
•Motherboard: ASRock H81M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($67.59 @ Amazon)
•Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($33.99 @ Amazon)
•Graphics Card: Asus GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Amazon)
•Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.34 @ Amazon)
•Case: Silverstone RVZ01B Mini ITX Desktop Case ($84.99 @ Amazon)
•Power Supply: Silverstone 300W 80+ Bronze Certified SFX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Amazon)
•Cooling:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.08 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($67.59 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($33.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.34 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone RVZ01B Mini ITX Desktop Case ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Silverstone 300W 80+ Bronze Certified SFX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $599.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-07 21:18 EST-0500

Best Steam Machine Build: Under $600

Reputable

Reputable

Titan

Titan

Reputable

Admirable

Retired Moderator

Titan

Splendid

Splendid

Distinguished

Reputable

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Titan

Honorable

Retired Mod

Expert

Reputable

Retired Mod

Glorious

Retired Mod

Honorable

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