Building a PC, Is This Alright?

Ben Soto

Ben Soto

Professional Salt Shaker
Rig #3!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($174.89 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper T2 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($12.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($67.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Mushkin ECO2 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 380 4GB Video Card ($188.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Wireless Network Adapter: Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($29.89 @ OutletPC)
Other: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit ($46.44)
Other: Seagate 1TB drive ($32.21)
Total: $648.26
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-25 11:30 EST-0500

Once more; will F4 run on this rig? Considering how beefy I managed to get this computer, I wouldn't be surprised if it could record F4.

Also, do I need anything for assembly?
 
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Did you pick the cheapest component available across the board? You'll need a Phillips head screw driver for assembly, probably a tube of thermal paste, too. Will it run Fallout 4? Probably not very well? I hope there are at least some fans in your case for good circulation with that CPU cooler.
 
Yeah you might want to save up more cash before deciding what to pick especially if you plan to use that rig for a lot of gaming. As for running Fallout 4? It's already a shitty optimized game even on my rig(getting a 980 TI next month though so maybe it'll run better for me?) but with those specs you'll be lucky to run on low-ish settings.
 
I tried to get it under $500. It's currently at $592.

I'm looking for a rig that isn't going to break the bank but, at the same time, isn't going to be a slouch, either. Last night, I saw someone's rig with a AMD FX-6300 3.5ghz six-core CPU and a Radeon R9 380 4gb along with 8gb of RAM for $730 dollars.

Do you think that'll do anything good?

EDIT: Also, does 16g of RAM really make that much of a difference, or is 8g perfectly fine, because upgrading to 16g is really expensive.
 
Nice video. I've created a list based on that video that swaps out the 8gb ram for 16, and swaps out the GPU for a different brand R9 270x. Right now, it's at 509 without a disk drive or Wi-Fi adapter. Anything I can swap out to give me more bang for my buck while keeping the price under 550?
 
Actually, I run Fallout 4 with a 660Ti .. so a GTX 760 would suffice.
Fallout 4 isn't graphically that great so bumping up the settings makes only for a very slight difference. IMO.
I didn't see much improvement (for me) other than an FPS drop on ultra. Textures remain the same and 'styling' of the game doesn't change that far off. So, you'll be fine.
 
I'm not using a GTX 760 anymore, I'm getting a Radeon R9 270x. Is that sufficient along with a Athelon X4 860k CPU?

Also, I'm editing the OP to reflect my current wishlist.
 
Your build is now a pretty nice AMD/ATI build.

I would never build a new computer without an SSD in it, if nothing else just put a 60GB SSD in to put the OS and your most demanding applications on. It will cut loading times by a huge amount. Would probably cost you about $50. Guess 60GB might not be enough for some of the bloatier games in addition to 25GB Win7, though? 80GB might be safer.
 
I assume that the $450 budget build should be able to run Fallout: New Vegas (with mods) fairly well? Been meaning to get a proper gaming PC to replace the laptop I've been playing games on for several years now.
 
Earth said:
I assume that the $450 budget build should be able to run Fallout: New Vegas (with mods) fairly well? Been meaning to get a proper gaming PC to replace the laptop I've been playing games on for several years now.
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Absolutely it will.
 
16Gb of RAM are exaggerated. 8 is enough for any modern game, I would invest that money in better video card.
 
I just ordered parts for an upgrade myself, and I went back and forth between something very similar to your set-up or one level above. I went for the more expensive choice, since I thought that a socket 1151 and ddr4 memory MB is a bit more future proof. For that price you have there, I say it looks good though.

The only thing I'm a bit uncertain of is the micro-ATX MB and case - have you made sure that the video card will fit in there? I have no experience with anything other than ATX and huge video cards that make even a full tower feel cramped.
 
I know absolutely jack-squat about cases and motherboards. Do you know of a similarily priced alternative to what I currently have?
 
Well from my experience with cases, a medium sized case works alright but when I got ahold of my first huge video card it barely fit in there. Then I upgraded to a large sized case(only paid around $100 for it a little over a year ago and there's enough space for everything I need and I have no trouble fitting my huge ass video card in there. My advice would be get a ATX motherboard and maybe a large sized tower if you're dealing with a huge video card.
 
yours is just same as mine, in fact almost duplicate except the motherboard part. i could run fallout 4 on high setting and got 60fps. though, i installed some of texture mod that enchanced performance
 
Your rig#3 looks great, and I'm sure it will play Fallout4 fullhd, 60fps, max settings.

I'm not familiar with those memory modules.
If you didn't do that already, don't forget to check your motherboard's official support page for "CPU Support" and "Memory/Device Support". As contrary to popular belief, motherboards don't support every single memory model.


I just bought a budget gaming PC for my 12yearold brother.
It plays EVERY . single . game . on max (as in maximum) settings with stable 60 FPS. Including Fallout4, of course.

https://pcpartpicker.com/user/d3st88/saved/BdmwrH
Please note that pcpartpicker didn't list my CHIEFTEC GPS-600A8 600W PSU and my SHARKOON VG4-W chassis, so the list doesn't contain a chassis or a PSU.

All in all, the config cost me a bit more than 600 USD.

You might want to choose a different motherboard, as this one needs you to update its bios, and is a bit tiny, and I wouldn't recommend it to people who just started out building PCs. The emphasis is on the CPU and the VGA.

A few tips:
1.) @Earth Do NOT be too cheap when building a computer for gaming. Long loading times, shitty framerate, not being able to alt tab, damaging hardware with a shitty PSU is just going to make you wish that you put a bit more into your gaming rig.

That being said. An awesome rig can be built from 600-700 USD that can play every game with max settings. You only need to put in more money for 4k gaming, or if you want to stream, or whatever.

I'm tight on money myself, but if you can, cut down on money you spend on your vices, if you spend any on I dunno, chips, cigarettes, beer, nuka cola, whatever, and invest that 600something dollars into a better gaming rig. Sure a 450$ PC will play new Vegas, but a 650$ will play Fallout4 on Max settings 1920x1080, 60 FPS.

2.) Don't be an Intel fanboy. While Intel makes the best performing CPUs, they are also VASTLY more expensive. My build has an Athlon 860k CPU which costs half its Intel equivalent in performance.

3.) Most modern games are not that CPU dependent. The soul of your config will be your VGA.

4.) 8 GB Ram is more than enough for every single game out there, and it won't change for years. 16 GB Ram has no place in a budget gaming rig.

5.) SSDs are really handy. The above rig boots Win7 64bit in a few seconds. Game (like Fallout4) load times are significantly faster from SSDs than from HDDs. It's highly recommended that you invest into a 120GB SSD for your budget rig.

6.) If you are tight on money, you can pirate Windows7 and buy it next month or later when you have the money.
 
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