Entry Level Gaming Rig on a Tight Budget

gskill

Reputable
Sep 26, 2014
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I am planning to build a decent gaming rig, here are the components:

CPU/Mobo Combo: Intel Core i3-4160 + Biostar H81mhv3
GPU: HIS R9 270 iPower IceQ X2 Boost
RAM: Apotop Memory 4gb DDR3-1600Mhz x2
HDD: Toshiba DT01ACA100 1TB SATA
PSU: FSP Raider 550watts APFC 80plus-silver
Chassis: Cougar Spike

Here are my questions:
1. Are these components compatible?
2. Is the GPU ok or should I just get the GTX 750 Ti?
3. Is Biostar Mobo quality one or should I get another brand?
4. Overall, can this setup play most modern games on a mid to high settings on a 1680 X 1050 resolution?

Please advise, Thanks!
 
Solution
Here are the parts for the i3:

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.60GHz -₱5,200.00
Motherboard: Asus H81M-D PLUS -₱2,750.00
Ram: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB Single 1600 CL9 -₱3,500.00
HDD: Toshiba DT01ACA100 1TB SATA -₱2,550
PSU: FSP Raider 550watts APFC 80 Plus Silver -₱2,300
Chassis: Cougar Spike or Xigmatek Echo Mid Tower Case -₱1,400.00
GPU: HIS R9 270 iPower IceQ X2 Boost -₱7,800

Total: ₱25,500

It is a bit over the budget, but the quality and reliability of Asus is worth it.


This is the G3258 Build:

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.20GHz -₱3,300.00
Motherboard: Asus H81M-D PLUS -₱2,750.00
Ram: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB Single 1600 CL9 -₱3,500.00
HDD: Toshiba DT01ACA100 1TB SATA -₱2,550
PSU: FSP Raider 550watts APFC 80 Plus Silver...
1. The motherboard may need a BIOS update before it has the ability to function with the i3. I can't seem to find information on the memory however.

2. The GPU is solid choice compared to other cards in its class. It will perform better than the 750 Ti.

3. Biostar isn't very renowned in terms of quality or support. Perhaps you should opt for a reputable brand such as Asus or Gigabyte.

4. I believe the system will do well at that resolution although it depends on the frame rates you seek. It should be able to hit 30 fps on some of the more demanding games at those settings.

Providing us with a budget would be most helpful indeed.
 
I'm from the Philippines, my budget is around $500ish or PHP25,000, let me break it down on the current setup:

CPU/Mobo Combo: Intel Core i3-4160 + Biostar H81mhv3 - $163 or PHP7,350
GPU: HIS R9 270 iPower IceQ X2 Boost - $173 or PHP7,800
RAM: Apotop Memory 4gb DDR3-1600Mhz x2 - $77 or PHP3,500
HDD: Toshiba DT01ACA100 1TB SATA - $56 or PHP2,550
PSU: FSP Raider 550watts APFC 80plus-silver - $51 or PHP2,300
Chassis: Cougar Spike - $31 or PHP1,400
Running Total: $553 or PHP24,900

This is just for the CPU, I will not be needing any peripherals as I already have them.
 
If you would care to overclock the Intel Pentium G3258 would also be a good choice, it would free up some room in the budget for something such as the R9 280. When overclocked the G3258 can match the i3 in terms of performance in games, but if you need the extra processing power for other programs I would give the nod to the i3. If you would please supply me with the preferred place to purchase your items, I would be delighted to assist you in creating a build.
 


Thanks man! yeah build me components for both i3-4160 and g3258 (OC capable mobo and after sales cpu cooler), the only demanding that will be done on this pc is light to moderate gaming, the rest will be surfing and movies.
 
Here are the parts for the i3:

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.60GHz -₱5,200.00
Motherboard: Asus H81M-D PLUS -₱2,750.00
Ram: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB Single 1600 CL9 -₱3,500.00
HDD: Toshiba DT01ACA100 1TB SATA -₱2,550
PSU: FSP Raider 550watts APFC 80 Plus Silver -₱2,300
Chassis: Cougar Spike or Xigmatek Echo Mid Tower Case -₱1,400.00
GPU: HIS R9 270 iPower IceQ X2 Boost -₱7,800

Total: ₱25,500

It is a bit over the budget, but the quality and reliability of Asus is worth it.


This is the G3258 Build:

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.20GHz -₱3,300.00
Motherboard: Asus H81M-D PLUS -₱2,750.00
Ram: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB Single 1600 CL9 -₱3,500.00
HDD: Toshiba DT01ACA100 1TB SATA -₱2,550
PSU: FSP Raider 550watts APFC 80 Plus Silver -₱2,300
Chassis: Cougar Spike or Xigmatek Echo Mid Tower Case -₱1,400.00
GPU: R9 270x or R9 280

Total: ₱15800 plus the GPU

Sorry, I couldn't find a good priced GPU,I am not exactly situated in the Philippines myself. I am sure you could find one. If you do be sure it is a model up from the R9 270 so you are able to receive some performance gains.

The processors are good choices. the i3 will do well given its 2 strong cores with hyper-threading and G3258 is amazing when overclocked. If you would like the most overclocking potential, factoring in the cost of a CPU cooler for the G3258 with the money saved should help.

The stock CPU cooler is alright if you are doing a mild overclock for the G3258, but there are limits. The stock cooler should be perfect for the i3 as you won't be able to overclock.

The HDD drive is alright quality wise.

The PSU comes from a manufacturing company that is reputable.

The chassis is something of your preference, you could exchange it for a Mid Tower such as the echo so you will have the option to upgrade to a full ATX motherboard later on.

Let me know your thoughts.

 
Solution
I would recommend the i3 build, You will have the CPU horsepower needed for modern games while having a nicely priced R9 270 that can be overclocked to reach the performance of the R9 270x. Prices for the higher cards aren't very reasonable and to overclock the G3258 to i3 performance levels will require a decent CPU Cooler which will bring the price to about the same.

G3258 Build with CPU Cooler: ₱17280 plus GPU
i3: ₱17700 plus GPU

A ₱420 difference.

The i3 is the better option at this point, but do tell me you thoughts.
 


Will be going for the i3, thanks man!