Low Budget Mini-ITX gaming PC

[idk710]

Since I already have a laptop, I wouldn't like a full on gaming PC. So that is why I would like to ask what is the best way to go. I just want a machine that is quite small yet can play games moderately well. (Kind of similar to an Alienware Alpha). An example is I play ArmA 3 alot so I would like to see anything around 20 FPS on high settings in Multiplayer (Since ArmA 3 isn't well optimized that much, I can't tell if my ambitions are too high or too low). My budget is probably anything under £400. I'm 14 and I can't convince my parents to go higher. So I know I won't get the best gaming performance but I would like too get somewhere. Another requirement I would like is if there is a VGA output. You don't need to include a monitor or keyboard, just the main essentials.

Thank you very much for listening.

 

[Felix England]

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/jmgdRB

You may be able to skimp on the CPU a bit and change the graphics card to an NVIDIA card

 

[James Mason]

[strike]Does it have to be mini-itx? there's a cost increase going that small. You also shouldn't be playing multiplayer on high if you think 20 fps is acceptable. You'll need to use your laptop to make a USB drive install for windows though, it's not that hard.

This is a mini-itx version though:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3450 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($60.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($58.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: *G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($21.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: *Seagate Barracuda 250GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($19.95 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GT 730 1GB Video Card ($62.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 110 Mini ITX Tower Case ($38.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: *Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($38.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($97.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $400.78
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-10-21 16:42 EDT-0400[/strike]

thought it was $ for some reason.

 

[xxHAPPYxx]

IDk710 I'm in the same position as u but I'm 13 and have been saving for a year. Got 900 now. Just do all your reaserch and gl

 

[idk710]

Thank you for the answers. The reason I asked was simply to hear what people will actually say about this. I have doe some research but i wanted to be certain. You guys are definitely smarter than me in this. I made a mistake when I got my laptop. I didn't do any research in what you need and I paid the price for it. (Actually for the price of my laptop, I' surprised by the performance). Anyway thank you for your answers.

 

[idk710]

Actually would the Pentium G3258 be any good?

 

[jjb8675309]

Pentium G3258 is an excellent budget gamer and (usually) very overclockable.

 

[jjb8675309]

You could probably get a steal of a deal on a used 1155 setup these days (2500k or 2600k) just have to poke around and find one.

 

[idk710]

One more thing I'd like to know is since it is an ITX motherboard, what would be the restrictions on the GPU for example? Are there certain components that won't be able to run on it?

 

[idk710]

Would this layout be alright for now? I can upgrade over time.

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/xq4JLk

 

[xxHAPPYxx]

Looks pretty good you could probably get a Motherboard for a lot less than that I'm doing a £900 build and using a £40 motherboard. Then the extra money can get u a GTX 950. The GTX 750Ti is a great GPU for the price

 

[idk710]

As far as I can tell, I'm using this motherboard since it already comes with a built in wireless adapter and it can be overclocked. This actually might sound like a really dumb question but when I get the CPU, will I get the stock cooler with it (and because of that, I heard I don't need to add thermal paste)?

 

[logainofhades]

Don't need the USB wifi adapter, and the CX 500 is not a very good power supply. Not a fan of that pentium either. It will fall flat on its face, with any kind of real multitasking. I would do something more like this. Price is about the same, without any mail in rebates included.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor (£95.30 @ Novatech)
Motherboard: ASRock H170M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard (£88.84 @ More Computers)
Memory: Kingston 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory (£36.77 @ Ebuyer)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£35.98 @ CCL Computers)
Video Card: Palit GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB StormX OC Video Card (£85.05 @ Ebuyer)
Case: Zalman M1 Mini ITX Tower Case (£29.99 @ Novatech)
Power Supply: SeaSonic ECO 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply (£39.34 @ CCL Computers)
Total: £411.27
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-10-30 14:39 GMT+0000

 

[xxHAPPYxx]

I with 2x4 GB ram sticks for duel channeling and login is right that cooler ain't very good especially in a light box. The CPU comes with fan and the fan has pre applied paste on the bottom

 

[logainofhades]

I did single slot, to leave the option open for 16gb later. For gaming, dual channel vs single channel, the penalty isn't as horrible, as it is in office type applications. In gaming, the GPU is doing most of the work.

 

[idk710]

I've been seeing what I can change but now I see that the MSI motherboard I'm getting is not compatible with some coolers becasue of where the CPU socket is. I'm sorry for the constant questions but I want to make sure there are no mistakes so what CPU cooler should I go for?

 

[logainofhades]

You don't need a special cooler, for an i3. The stock cooler is sufficient. The pentium is not that great of a chip. It is more of a plaything for enthusiasts to overclock, or a placeholder for a better CPU later.

 

[xxHAPPYxx]

idk710 the questions are fine thats why we're here to help

 

[idk710]

Thank you very much guys

 

[xxHAPPYxx]

Trust me I'm the same age as you and building a £900 gaming beast with a MSI GTX970 I know how you feel I was a noob 2

 

[idk710]

Since Black Friday and Cyber Monday will be coming next month, I might see if I could upgrade the CPU to i5 4430 or 4460 (possibly) Would the extra money be worth it when playing would there be a significant difference?

 

[xxHAPPYxx]

Don't know the difference between them but the i5 4460 is a beast for games

 

[idk710]

It seems I'll be trying to end up getting the i5 4460. So my final questions would be (hopefully) is what power supply should I get and are you sure I should keep the stock cooler since I really don't want to have any regrets?

 

[xxHAPPYxx]

If your case surported ATX size POwer surplus I would go with the XFX TS 550watt. Good but pricey PSU

 

[idk710]

Would the Arctic Cooling Alpine 11 Pro Rev. 2 be a good choice even?