First homebuild: a budget gaming pc. Please advise if it will be OK?

[adam_46]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/t2jR7P

Hi, could you please tell us if this is a good setup for a budget gaming pc.

We're using the hardisk and case from our current very old system (the Antec NSK4400 case has an inbuilt 380W PSU but we intend to put in a better PSU).

pcpartpicker says that "The Corsair Vengeance Pro 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory operating voltage of 1.65V exceeds the Intel Haswell Refresh CPU recommended maximum of 1.5V+5% (1.575V). This memory module may run at a reduced clock rate to meet the 1.5V voltage recommendation, or may require running at a voltage greater than the Intel recommended maximum." We're a bit puzzled as Custom PC recomends this combination of memory and CPU(?).

Is the PSU good enough at 500W? Any better choice or component list we can use please? The price seems to be about £390 on ebuyer.

Just to check a small point: Can we plug the front USB in the case onto the motherboard like our old system?

Thanks

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Some adjustments to reduce the cost.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($72.25 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Trident X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($41.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 960 4GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: BenQ GL2250HM 60Hz 21.5" Monitor
Total: $414.21
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-28 13:08 EST-0500

I have two G3258s and have overclocked both of them on the stock cooler at safe temperatures. Add an aftermarket cooler, only if it proves necessary, and I'd go with the CRYORIG H7

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($59.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($30.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($72.25 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Trident X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($41.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 960 4GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: BenQ GL2250HM 60Hz 21.5" Monitor
Total: $445.20
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-28 13:10 EST-0500

The motherboard is inexpensive but intended for overclocking that particular chip. If you have plans later to upgrade to an i5 4690K or i7 4790K then neither this, nor the motherboard you selected, is good enough.


500W is plenty, even 450 would be enough. The PSU I have selected is cheaper and better. You don't need that power, but it will last for years and can be used in another system. Your PartPicker prices are in Dollars. If you are in the UK, the recommendation would be a little different.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor (£51.36 @ Aria PC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97P-D3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£61.99 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: Kingston Savage 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory (£36.98 @ Dabs)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 960 4GB Video Card (£148.74 @ Aria PC)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£41.99 @ Aria PC)
Total: £341.06
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-28 18:22 GMT+0000



The memory will work on that board and with the G3258. I use 2400Mhz Trident X and XMP to run the memory.

 

[Tradesman1]

I wouldn't count on the 3258 to be able to run 2400 sticks (at least not at 2400), 1866 or maybe 2133 would be a better fit.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

It does run those sticks at 2400. I did it over the summer. I was surprised.

G3258 memory, GPU and overclocking http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2706290/g3258-memory-overclocking-project-reults.html

i5 4690K memory, overclocking, and GPU data http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2719471/4690k-memory-overclocking-project-results.html

G3258 4130 4690K comparison http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2761496/4130-4ghz-memory-testing-pentium-comparison-results.html

Haswells vs synthetic benchmarks, G3258, i3 4130, 4690K, Xeon 1231v3 http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2791401/xeon-1231v3-haswells-synthetic-benchmarks-science-fair.html

I duplicated some of the results on my ASRock Z97E ITX/ac board too.

I would choose not to overclock and use the money saved for an i3 4170 system instead. It will be a much better budget gaming system.

 

[Tradesman1]

That typoe thing depends on the individual CPU and the skills of the builder/user...similar to my 8370 running 32GB of 2400, have run into few that have been able to do it and seen numerous threads here where people couldn't get the 3258 to run 2133. Many think the silicaon lottery is a myth, but Asus did some interesting testing awhile back as to the SL and OC potential:

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2013/06/01/intel_haswell_i74770k_ipc_overclocking_review/6#.VlZjl3arRD_

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Well. I have two G3258s and neither of them are spectacular, with 4.2 and 4.5Ghz maximum overclocks, stock cooled. I'm not sure I'm that skilled. I was able to run both my G3258s, an i3 4130, a 4460, a 4590, and this Xeon too. Maybe it is my ASRock Z97 motherboards? Maybe I have an unusually good memory kit, although both my 16Gb and 8Gb kits both worked.