Build me a PC

[Scuba_Steve]

Right so it's time for the PC fanboy club to prove themselves... I keep getting told you can build a PC to match a console at a console price, lets see if that's true.
Rules are simple - you don't need to incl the case, keyboard/mouse or screen, it must meet or exceed the performance of a PS4, 1080 is fine & it must be under 550$ so whatcha got???

[The End]

You'll be hardpressed to find something decent for $550 or less.

Here is an example of a complete system I was looking at building a month or so ago from Computer Lounge in Auckland.

http://i.imgur.com/XX4H7wE.png

[TheDemonLord]

Right so it's time for the PC fanboy club to prove themselves... I keep getting told you can build a PC to match a console at a console price, lets see if that's true.
Rules are simple - you don't need to incl the case, keyboard/mouse or screen, it must meet or exceed the performance of a PS4, 1080 is fine & it must be under 550$ so whatcha got???

Does your case have a PSU - if so what Wattage (or at least what model)

That will determine what we can play with - $550 NZD might be a bit of a stretch, but I reckon I can get pretty close to the ball park for a PC that will play games at similar FPS to Console

[5ive]

You can, but it's not worth it as it won't play any decent PC games :facepalm:

Consoles suffer from capped/lower framerates, and smaller players in multiplayer online games.

The sentiment is that you can actually build a PC that will blow a console out of the water CPU/GPU wise, without spending that much money. Especially when you factor in the cost of games/periphials.

[Scuba_Steve]

No PSU, I have nothing.
I just keep getting told that I should go back to PC gaming as you can build a PC for the same price as a console
(I used to game PC & Console and waste money on vehicles & paintball... needless to say this all cost LOTS of cash moneys so I dropped PC gaming awhile back to save some)
So far I'm not seeing this price equality, seems from what I'm looking we're talking at-least 2x the price to get equivalent. But thought I'd throw it out there to see if I'm looking wrong but so far still seems we're talking 1-1.5k for a PC (guess it's still cheaper than the 2-3k it used to be)

[bogan]

Get 8 beaglebones and raid them together...

[5ive]

So far I'm not seeing this price equality, seems from what I'm looking we're talking at-least 2x the price to get equivalent.

That's because you're comparing apples to oranges.

May as well compare a smartphone to a laptop.

[Akzle]

steam os, geexbox.
Eat your heart out.

[TheDemonLord]

No PSU, I have nothing.
I just keep getting told that I should go back to PC gaming as you can build a PC for the same price as a console
(I used to game PC & Console and waste money on vehicles & paintball... needless to say this all cost LOTS of cash moneys so I dropped PC gaming awhile back to save some)
So far I'm not seeing this price equality, seems from what I'm looking we're talking at-least 2x the price to get equivalent. But thought I'd throw it out there to see if I'm looking wrong but so far still seems we're talking 1-1.5k for a PC (guess it's still cheaper than the 2-3k it used to be)

I'm going to say this as a very proud and staunch PC gamer:

Getting a gaming PC for the SAME price as a Console is very difficult (can be done if using second hand parts), although if you assume you have a Case, a PSU, Monitor, Kb/Mouse - then I reckon I get a setup that will play games at Console quality and get pretty close to $550 (would be cheaper if I didn't go for an SSD):

312260

but that said - for a small increase in price ($2-300) you can go from a rig that will play at Console quality to a rig that will be good for gaming

[bogan]

It's just NZ pricing anyways init? go to newegg or whatevs and see what a console equivalent costs.


I'm going to say this as a very proud and staunch PC gamer:

I'm going to say this as a member of the #pcmasterrace to the OP, a console peasant.

You don't buy a gaming PC to do console peasantry on different hardware; you buy one to pull yourself out of the juvenile slums of xbox live and playstation what-ever-the-fuck-it-is-called. To scoff when somebody calls 1080p 'high definition', to click on heads as opposed to vaguely moving a stick until the playbox clicks on the head for you.

[Erelyes]

Right so it's time for the PC fanboy club to prove themselves... I keep getting told you can build a PC to match a console at a console price, lets see if that's true.

Anyone claiming that doesn't understand economies of scale.

You can't even get an NUC for that much with RAM/drive included*. Let alone something with dedicated gfx.

However you can buy a PC for say $1100 which I reckon would approximately double the gaming performance of a console and do a whole bunch of other stuff to boot.

*Except a Celeron which is shit.

[TheDemonLord]

It's just NZ pricing anyways init? go to newegg or whatevs and see what a console equivalent costs.



I'm going to say this as a member of the #pcmasterrace to the OP, a console peasant.

You don't buy a gaming PC to do console peasantry on different hardware; you buy one to pull yourself out of the juvenile slums of xbox live and playstation what-ever-the-fuck-it-is-called. To scoff when somebody calls 1080p 'high definition', to click on heads as opposed to vaguely moving a stick until the playbox clicks on the head for you.

Well, yes - but that wasn't the challenge.

Now bring forth Mine Keyboard! The Peasants are in need of repressing!

[Erelyes]

Well, yes - but that wasn't the challenge.

Now bring forth Mine Keyboard! The Peasants are in need of repressing!

Then let them eat 60fps

[bogan]

Well, yes - but that wasn't the challenge.

Now bring forth Mine Keyboard! The Peasants are in need of repressing!

Of course sir, and what colors would you like to complement your represive mood today?

http://i.imgur.com/i0jOJyq.gif

[Scuba_Steve]

I'm going to say this as a very proud and staunch PC gamer:

Getting a gaming PC for the SAME price as a Console is very difficult (can be done if using second hand parts), although if you assume you have a Case, a PSU, Monitor, Kb/Mouse - then I reckon I get a setup that will play games at Console quality and get pretty close to $550 (would be cheaper if I didn't go for an SSD):

312260

but that said - for a small increase in price ($2-300) you can go from a rig that will play at Console quality to a rig that will be good for gaming

GFX card would still be severly lacking in that build, but does confirm it can't be done. Cheers
Think the closest has been 'The Ends' build which is what I was expecting




I'm going to say this as a member of the #pcmasterrace to the OP, a console peasant.


Ignorant fool, the "PC master race" is nothing but snobby peasants. True gaming gods like I used to be are not restricted in choice of games due to system restriction... We play what we like!




*Except a Celeron which is shit.

Do they still sell them??? They were shit the day they entered the market

[bogan]

Ignorant fool, the "PC master race" is nothing but snobby peasants. True gaming gods like I used to be are not restricted in choice of games due to system restriction... We play what we like!

Snobby, absolutely, peasants, certainly not. The pcmasterrace also plays what it likes, you really think people spending upwards of 5k on a system wouldn't play consoles for console exclusives if they were up to the standard? Nay, consoles are simply for peasants, and those with peasant tastes. You have a long, long way to ascend...

Seriously though, what is your budget? we can help you select some of the good shit.

[Zedder]

Ignorant fool, the "PC master race" is nothing but snobby peasants. True gaming gods like I used to be are not restricted in choice of games due to system restriction... We play what we like!

Silence non PC scum or you shall incur our wrath!

[Gremlin]

You can blow $550 on a graphics card (and more). How long is a piece of string.

You want to compare computers to consoles, why, I'm not entirely certain. Try running *insert name of some software* on a console...

Simple thing... you want top notch gaming performance, buy a PC (and spend more than $550). You're an average gamer, want to play a little bit, watch movies and don't want to spend big $$$, buy a console.

Horses for courses. The number one reason for continually upgrading computers is gaming.

[Scuba_Steve]

Snobby, absolutely, peasants, certainly not. The pcmasterrace also plays what it likes, you really think people spending upwards of 5k on a system wouldn't play consoles for console exclusives if they were up to the standard? Nay, consoles are simply for peasants, and those with peasant tastes. You have a long, long way to ascend...

Seriously though, what is your budget? we can help you select some of the good shit.

Consoles are for all gamers; those who shun are merely fools :p & as for ascension I was once a gaming God until I relinquished the position to save some cash moneys; but back then no game was beyond my play from Mario to God of War to Age of Empires it was all at my command.

But back to the question I'd say anything post 1500 would be hard to get past the wife ((in-fact she'll be pushing low as she can (not a geek or a gamer, she's happy with an iPad & teh interwebs)). Kinda thinking GTX 970 might be a good way to head? but haven't really looked into much more than that



Silence non PC scum or you shall incur our wrath!

I own 8 of the fucking things still (& that's after selling 2 of them), so maybee you should step back in line over zealous one



You can blow $550 on a graphics card (and more). How long is a piece of string.

You want to compare computers to consoles, why, I'm not entirely certain. Try running *insert name of some software* on a console...

Simple thing... you want top notch gaming performance, buy a PC (and spend more than $550). You're an average gamer, want to play a little bit, watch movies and don't want to spend big $$$, buy a console.

Horses for courses. The number one reason for continually upgrading computers is gaming.

It was simply cause I keep getting told you can build for the same price, which we've proved you can't.
As you say horses for courses, most the reason for me to bring PC's back in is simply because, while I like the easy no hassle alot of the time, there's still the fact I like fucking with things & while doing shit like converting a PS2 to run on 12v is fun & all, the HW mods on consoles is somewhat limited overall...

[bogan]

Consoles are for all gamers; those who shun are merely fools :p & as for ascension I was once a gaming God until I relinquished the position to save some cash moneys; but back then no game was beyond my play from Mario to God of War to Age of Empires it was all at my command.

But back to the question I'd say anything post 1500 would be hard to get past the wife ((in-fact she'll be pushing low as she can (not a geek or a gamer, she's happy with an iPad & teh interwebs)). Kinda thinking GTX 970 might be a good way to head? but haven't really looked into much more than that

Shunnnnnn, shunnnn the peasants. Gaming has changed a lot since you descended... if you manage to ascend you will see :yes:

1500 including peripherals or excluding? 960-strix is a good starting point for a build on the gpu front, got 970 if you have spare, but I doubt you will.

[Scuba_Steve]

Shunnnnnn, shunnnn the peasants. Gaming has changed a lot since you descended... if you manage to ascend you will see :yes:

1500 including peripherals or excluding? 960-strix is a good starting point for a build on the gpu front, got 970 if you have spare, but I doubt you will.

excluding I still have "gaming" keyboard & mouse, I have monitor not top of line but decent high mid (well was couple years back anyways), & case I've got too (no PSU)

[Zedder]

I own 8 of the fucking things still (& that's after selling 2 of them), so maybee you should step back in line over zealous one

Well ya didn't tell us that did ya. Watch ya language too..........fucker.

[bogan]

excluding I still have "gaming" keyboard & mouse, I have monitor not top of line but decent high mid (well was couple years back anyways), & case I've got too (no PSU)

http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/KrpKQ7 would be my bare essentials build, look into that mobo and upgrade if needed would be first point. If your case is a bit outdated I'd look at that next, then move on to gpu, then ram. Cooler is just a guess selected for price.

[Scuba_Steve]

http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/KrpKQ7 would be my bare essentials build, look into that mobo and upgrade if needed would be first point. If your case is a bit outdated I'd look at that next, then move on to gpu, then ram. Cooler is just a guess selected for price.

430w PSU enough in this day & age??? I seem to remembering shit needing 600w+ back when I was dropping interest
Looks decent start tho.

[bogan]

Yeh, plenty for a low device count single gpu setup. Shrinking of pretty much all the tech, and more efficient power modules make computers way less power hungry than they used to be; extremely less so when not under load. To put that in perspective, I have an LED reading lamp powered by an old PC psu, which is around 5x as loud as my current PC at idle/downloading etc.

I would recommend a modular power supply (not sure if that one was or not).

[pete376403]

Asus Strix gtx980 needs 300w all on its own. And $1299 to make it yours.

[bogan]

Asus Strix gtx980 needs 300w all on its own. And $1299 to make it yours.

Down to 900ish now, and I picked mine up soon after release for 1050, not sure who you buy through... 300W sounds high when you compare it to CPU wattages, big fucking card though I guess.

[Scuba_Steve]

Asus Strix gtx980 needs 300w all on its own. And $1299 to make it yours.

hmm, doesn't seem expensive enough... Thinking a few Titan Z's might be the better money pit

[bogan]

hmm, doesn't seem expensive enough... Thinking a few Titan Z's might be the better money pit

980 outperforms the Z, by a similar margin to how the X outperforms the 980. Don't think the Titans do a non-reference design either...

[Scuba_Steve]

980 outperforms the Z, by a similar margin to how the X outperforms the 980. Don't think the Titans do a non-reference design either...

da hell is the point of the Titan then if it gets out performed by peasant cards???

[bogan]

da hell is the point of the Titan then if it gets out performed by peasant cards???

To be the best out of box solution at the time. Remember the Z was a 700 series card. It's also why the nonreference/reference distinction is important, the pcmasterrace tends to go for top teir Ti series card (980 Ti out imminently) with nonreference designs and add waterblocks or utilise well designed 3rd party coolers in SLI until the needs are greatly exceeded.

[TheDemonLord]

GFX card would still be severly lacking in that build, but does confirm it can't be done. Cheers
Think the closest has been 'The Ends' build which is what I was expecting

The GFX would perform adequately for a console gaming experience - IMO it can't be done, but for you can get very VERY close to doing it (as I said, if you buy second hand, it can be done) and for a small increase in price you can build a system that will outperform a console quite noticeably.

But I digress - I need a 2nd R9 280x Toxic but I cannot has.

[bogan]

The GFX would perform adequately for a console gaming experience - IMO it can't be done, but for you can get very VERY close to doing it (as I said, if you buy second hand, it can be done) and for a small increase in price you can build a system that will outperform a console quite noticeably.

But I digress - I need a 2nd R9 280x Toxic but I cannot has.

What screen you got? I find a single top end gpu ok for 1440p 60hz...

[Scuba_Steve]

hmm... Still seems a complete waste of 4k
Going back to the PSU, is corsair any good???
I see the name thrown round a bit for PSU's lately but is this just brand loyalty/fanboyism from their RAM???
I've just seen a writeup on the RM series (which I believe is superior to their CX series?) showing how compared to their competition they use cheaper [shittier] components. They did go onto state that this wasn't gonna blow up in your face or anything but at the price point the quality is sub-par

[bogan]

hmm... Still seems a complete waste of 4k
Going back to the PSU, is corsair any good???
I see the name thrown round a bit for PSU's lately but is this just brand loyalty/fanboyism from their RAM???
I've just seen a writeup on the RM series (which I believe is superior to their CX series?) showing how compared to their competition they use cheaper [shittier] components. They did go onto state that this wasn't gonna blow up in your face or anything but at the price point the quality is sub-par

It's pretty hard not to get fanboyism in pc components, cos there is just so much choice. Corsair has been doing a lot more than ram for a long time now too.

You get both sides of that argument too, people who swear by blackcaps or platinum caps or whatever else they are up to, and others who find lower teir stuff to be plenty good enough. You might find that the lower teir wattage supplies use the same components but with far less load on them, extending that mtbf...

[TheDemonLord]

hmm... Still seems a complete waste of 4k
Going back to the PSU, is corsair any good???
I see the name thrown round a bit for PSU's lately but is this just brand loyalty/fanboyism from their RAM???
I've just seen a writeup on the RM series (which I believe is superior to their CX series?) showing how compared to their competition they use cheaper [shittier] components. They did go onto state that this wasn't gonna blow up in your face or anything but at the price point the quality is sub-par

I think my last 3 PSUs have been Corsairs - I swear by them.

I ran a 620w Corsair Modular PSU for ages - I think I got close to maxing it out when I had my i7 Rig running at 4Ghz - never had any power issues with it.

[TheDemonLord]

What screen you got? I find a single top end gpu ok for 1440p 60hz...

My screen is ancient - I just want my larger E-Penis back from running a cross fire setup :laugh::laugh::laugh:

[Erelyes]

Going back to the PSU, is corsair any good???

Thing is, Corsair don't make the PSU. It's made by someone else that chucks a Corsair sticker on it.

Even further, The HX series might be made by one company, the TX by another, and so on.

I'm even aware of a situation where the 850w was made by one company and the 650w in the same 'series', by another.

Quality will vary based on the company and based on the amount of money Corsair is paying for the PSUs.

Bottom line, read newegg/similar reviews, for that specific PSU you're getting. And you get what you pay for.


T(as I said, if you buy second hand, it can be done)

Yeah but that's not apples with apples. If we're talking 2nd hand consoles as well, GLHF

[Gremlin]

I think I saw somewhere that Corsair quality had gone down hill a little, I think I've got an 850w, seems to have been OK for a few years.

Otherwise, you go for the likes of FSP, which most won't have heard of. They're the ones manufacturing the PSUs as OEM.

[Scuba_Steve]

I think I saw somewhere that Corsair quality had gone down hill a little, I think I've got an 850w, seems to have been OK for a few years.

Otherwise, you go for the likes of FSP, which most won't have heard of. They're the ones manufacturing the PSUs as OEM.

So FSP are worth looking at then??? Cause their prices definitely seem to be

[Gremlin]

So FSP are worth looking at then??? Cause their prices definitely seem to be
Haven't had any issues so far, been using them for a few months (no heavy application yet tho and we don't go under 550w and silver rating or better). A while back the Acbel distributor couldn't get their shit together and supply sucked, so nice to have another reliable OEM manufacturer.

Bear in mind opinions are like arseholes, everyone has one. Also, while most spend $$$ on the CPU and memory etc... the PSU is the most critical component as a bad one will kill those nice components...

[TheDemonLord]

Also, while most spend $$$ on the CPU and memory etc... the PSU is the most critical component as a bad one will kill those nice components...

As a wise Overclocker once said:

You want to power $2,500 worth of components on a $50 PSU?

[Scuba_Steve]

As a wise Overclocker once said:

You want to power $2,500 worth of components on a $50 PSU?

Hey if that 50$ PSU is exactly the same as the 150$ PSU just without brand name logo slapped on front, then yes I'm quite happy to :yes:

[imdying]

I keep getting told you can build a PC to match a console at a console price, lets see if that's true.Include 10 games is probably key to that theory. Steam, Humble Bundle, indeed PCs have consoles fucked.

[Latte]

Hey if that 50$ PSU is exactly the same as the 150$ PSU just without brand name logo slapped on front, then yes I'm quite happy to :yes:

This - do some googling and quite often the same PSU is sold by multiple companies under different brands, and price points. Delta, CWT, Seasonic etc.

[TheDemonLord]

This - do some googling and quite often the same PSU is sold by multiple companies under different brands, and price points. Delta, CWT, Seasonic etc.

Until your El Cheapo PSU (made using the rejected components used in the higher priced PSU) has a power surge and fries your entire rig

[bogan]

Until your El Cheapo PSU (made using the rejected components used in the higher priced PSU) has a power surge and fries your entire rig

Yup, cpu chip binning is so prevalent they have different product designators (and price points ofc) for em. Would not surprise me at all if PSUs get binned before branding as well.

[Scuba_Steve]

Include 10 games is probably key to that theory. Steam, Humble Bundle, indeed PCs have consoles fucked.

PS+, Games with Gold, Flash Sales etc all effectively the same shit (Nintendo's still expensive tho)



Until your El Cheapo PSU (made using the rejected components used in the higher priced PSU) has a power surge and fries your entire rig

Bit of research needed then... But as it is the Corsair RX series already uses the "el cheapo" components apparently & people seem alright with them.

[imdying]

PS+, Games with Gold, Flash Sales etc all effectively the same shit (Nintendo's still expensive tho)I went for a look, and the first page I went to (PS3, GTA4) said Unable to find page (https://store.playstation.com/#!/en-nz/error/undefined). Ain't got time for that sort of rubbish, I'll stick with Steam :lol:

[TheDemonLord]

Bit of research needed then... But as it is the Corsair RX series already uses the "el cheapo" components apparently & people seem alright with them.

I'm an HXi Man myself

[Scuba_Steve]

I'm an HXi Man myself

Good choice it seems, apparently that series does not use the "el cheapo" components & is decently quiet to boot

[TheDemonLord]

Good choice it seems, apparently that series does not use the "el cheapo" components & is decently quiet to boot

It is certainly is.

[Scuba_Steve]

Any suggestions on SSD brand? or more importantly any brands to steer clear of???
I care more for reliability than speed but the latter is still appreciated

[bogan]

Any suggestions on SSD brand? or more importantly any brands to steer clear of???
I care more for reliability than speed but the latter is still appreciated

Got a samsung Evo series one a few months back, they seemed to have a pretty good rep. Also corsair and OCZ.

[TheDemonLord]

Any suggestions on SSD brand? or more importantly any brands to steer clear of???
I care more for reliability than speed but the latter is still appreciated

Intel are what I use - it is also what we use in our SSD Hyper-V hosts in our DC (for work)

[Erelyes]

Mushkin Chronos and Crucial MX200 are good too. +1 on Samsung.

I have a Corsair Force 3 in the old PC. Not as fast as other offerings and once I RMA'ed one, the second has been reliable... Don't get me wrong, Corsair SSDs are still good, but I'd pick one of the above first.

One tip, don't go too small. Due to the nature of how they work, larger capacity SSDs are actually a bit faster. I would consider 240gb a minimum in this day and age. And you should be looking around the $200-220 mark shipped.

[bogan]

Mushkin Chronos and Crucial MX200 are good too. +1 on Samsung.

I have a Corsair Force 3 in the old PC. Not as fast as other offerings and once I RMA'ed one, the second has been reliable... Don't get me wrong, Corsair SSDs are still good, but I'd pick one of the above first.

One tip, don't go too small. Due to the nature of how they work, larger capacity SSDs are actually a bit faster. I would consider 240gb a minimum in this day and age. And you should be looking around the $200-220 mark shipped.

Just be aware of how much of them goes into error correction or whatever. I got a 70gig one to clone a 64gig drive and it didn't have the space as the useable giggage was only around 60. Since replaced it with a larger one anyway, so if anyone wants a 60gig SSD...

[Gremlin]

Granted I haven't used a recent OCZ SSD, but having enough issues in the past I won't touch them now.

Crucial seem alright, Intel perform well (there are different ranges), used the odd Samsung Evo recently due to Crucial supply lacking. Not enough to say how they are...

[Scuba_Steve]

Sweet cheers guys, gives something to go on

[TheDemonLord]

Just be aware of how much of them goes into error correction or whatever. I got a 70gig one to clone a 64gig drive and it didn't have the space as the useable giggage was only around 60. Since replaced it with a larger one anyway, so if anyone wants a 60gig SSD...

How much and what brand?

[bogan]

How much and what brand?

Kingston, 40bung inc p&p

[TheDemonLord]

Kingston, 40bung inc p&p

PM me - am interested - will need to check if my boot drive is 60 or 80 Gb, if 60 then I forsee a RAID 0 array for my OS and most played games in my future.

[Gremlin]

if 60 then I forsee a RAID 0 array for my OS and most played games in my future.
You probably know this, but you'll double your chance of a failure in 0 config.

[TheDemonLord]

You probably know this, but you'll double your chance of a failure in 0 config.

of course - but seeing as I don't store any important data per se on C:\ - so windows install, and then Steam/Origin folders for my regularly played games - with all data saved to either Steam Cloud or the Battlelog then I'm not worried about dropping a RAID array since it isn't Data that I would 'loose'

I'll just re-direct my Documents and profile to one of my non-raided drives.

That said - I need to get me a couple of 3 Tb drives to move stuff of some of my other drives.

[Tazz]

http://www.cheatsheet.com/technology/cheap-gaming-pc-builds-to-rival-ps4-and-xbox-one.html/?a=viewall

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonevangelho/2015/02/07/build-a-compact-1080p-gaming-pc-for-400-benchmarks-included/