DISCLAIMER

This is just an example of a lower-end gaming build that I’d like to recommend based on my acquired building experience and knowledge of a range of PCs, including enthusiast/gaming-oriented systems. Just a bit of background about me - I have been a regular community member on Overclock.net and HardOCP since 2008. In this article, I will explain my thought process behind them as well as going over some general information regarding them. I have two more builds for those who are would like to spend more, particularly for those with higher budgets to work with, so please refer to them if this applies to you. Please be advised that this setup is strictly aimed at those who have a tight budget, yet desire a reasonably decent system for gaming that tries not to ‘cut any corners’ by still having some of the more slightly higher-end components. Hence, there are definitely cheaper options available, but this is as cost-effective as I could personally put it without sacrificing on hardware quality and performance greatly. Note that I am in no way affiliated or work with any of the above companies. Please note that this may not be the only ‘one’ answer to your needs, as everybody’s budgets and requirements can vary, therefore changes may be made. As mentioned, this is for the more budget-friendly calibre of PCs, yet still includes some mid-end components as I feel that the build quality and even the appropriate brands should not be jeopardized. As a result, there are a number of alternatives that can be chosen as well should you decide to spend a little bit more or less. All of these choices will be explained throughout the article, since I do like to take other options into consideration too. Furthermore, I presume you or somebody else will be able to assemble and set up the system afterwards, as we are purchasing all of the components individually. Lastly, I have not included the OS, Monitor and any other additional peripherals that one may need, so once again, these will need to be bought separately.

CPU – Intel Core i5-3470

First, I’d like to cover some background information and history about our chosen processor. The Intel Core i5-3470 was released in spring 2012 and belongs to Intel’s 3rd generation of their Intel Core processors, codenamed the Ivy Bridge family. Assuming stock speeds for all of the mentioned CPUs, it is approximately 10%-15% faster than its predecessor, also known as the Sandy Bridge family (i5/i7-2xxx series, i.e. 2500k/i7-2600k). All in all, this makes it significantly faster than their first generation of Intel Core processors, known as the Intel Core i5-650/750/760 and i7-860/870/920/930/940/950 that was released in the year 2008-2009. Thanks to the technological advances in its internal architecture design, it also uses a lot less power, whilst still being more powerful than its predecessors. This is because it is based on a 22nm fabrication, whereas the previous gen was based on a 34nm and 45nm design. What does this mean may you ask? It means the actual chip itself within the metal casing is of that size, and ultimately, means that it can fit in a lot more transistors and other micro-parts than it could before. I chose the i5-3470 CPU due to several reasons which I would strongly recommend in all of my setups. As with all i5 series of Intel’s Core processors, they are aimed to be more affordable, delivering the best bang for the buck for gamers and most everyday users, since they offer great performance in most games as well as good power for CPU intensive tasks such as video encoding, mass image manipulation, rendering and 3D modelling. Note that this is where the dual-core i3 CPUs come in to play for those on tighter budgets, as they target audience that may not be using their PCs for more demanding tasks such as full HD gaming on the latest titles at the highest settings. The i5-3470 is a processor that also has limited overclocking options. This does not necessarily make it a far inferior CPU for those who are on a budget, as it still able to reach a solid speed of 3.6Ghz via Intel Turbo Boost, a built-in feature that automatically raises the processor’s clock speeds during gaming or intensive work applications. It is just slightly slower than the i5-3570k in terms of performance, and this is strictly because of the lower base clock – there are no other differences if you exclude the unlocked overclocking feature. Therefore, the i5-3470 was my choice as it is based on the same, powerful 22nm architecture and I felt that it wouldn’t be as practical if we were to get the i5-3570k instead, since we would also need to spend money on a CPU cooler and even a ‘stronger’ motherboard in terms of stronger power circuitry, design and even chipset and VRM cooling. Also, specifically, when it comes to World of Warcraft, it should perform incredibly well, as the game has always favoured the latest generation of Intel Core processors over any of AMD’s offerings as of late 2012. This was another contributing factor as to why I chose this processor and I have included some benchmarks to illustrate this. Please note that the i7-3770k is still based on the same Ivy Bridge architecture as that of the i5-3470, and that the article is also set to run at stock speeds. See here for more information. You are, of course, still free to choose the i5-3570k should you desire additional processing power via overclocking, but expect your budget to be stretched. Other faster options are also explained and may be chosen in my other setups that support higher budgets.

RAM – Corsair Vengeance Blue 8GB (2x 4GB)

I chose this memory for all of my example setups due to several reasons. First, it is backed by Corsair, renowned for their high quality control, customer support and the reputed brand they are. Secondly, with memory prices falling gradually, 8GB has become the norm, since it is more than enough for most people. Stepping down to 4GB plus a lower frequency speed will net a small saving, but I would strongly advise against it since 8GB is starting to become more beneficial for a lot of games, both new and old. The differences are not substantial and may be minor for some, but in terms of price to performance, it is worth it and will be more future ready. For example, 64bit WoW offers a slight performance boost over its 32bit version. If you regularly do video encoding, rendering, mass image editing or any professional media work, then 8GB will also prove valuable. Alternatives include the RipjawsX or RipjawsZ memory series G.Skill, a company who specialize in memory-based products only (including SSDs), but their products were not present on CZC at the time of writing this article. Nonetheless, the Corsair Vengeance Blue would be equally as good, and are by no means inferior in any context as you should notice almost no performance difference between them. This is because your system will largely be dependent on the CPU and, for games or accelerated processing, the GPU. On a sidenote, Corsair’s Vengeance Blue and Black used the same memory chips - it is only the colour of the heatsink that is different, so they are interchangeable. Note that more memory has little to no effect on a game’s FPS or performance nowadays (unless you’re stepping up from an ancient 1GB amount, but you’d probably need an entire overhaul if it’s that bad). 8GB is the sweet spot for just about anyone. Also, please ensure that the Windows you install is a 64bit version, as 32bit systems are unable to support more than 4GB of RAM! (you can always reinstall windows with the correct version at any time should you be willing to do this).

Motherboard – Asus P8Z77-M

This motherboard was chosen because it natively supports all of the processors that belong to the Ivy Bridge family, as well as being the suitable micro-ATX form factor for our chosen case. It will also fit in the other two alternatives that I have mentioned. Note that there is little to no performance difference in terms of a micro-ATX motherboard and a standard ATX sized motherboard, assuming the same CPU, memory and all other hardware used. Do not let the size differences deter you, as performance should not take a hit. The motherboard still offers all the expected features that are also present on the higher-end motherboards, such as USB 3.0, SATA 6G, PCI-Express 3.0, an interactive BIOS that enables you to use your mouse and even Intel Gigabit LAN. Although not everyone will utilize all these features, they are now more commonly found, so they should be a bit more future-ready should such devices become used. It is also worth mentioning about an advantage of UEFI BIOS, as this is a new type of BIOS that allows the user to use his mouse to navigate through the pages and scroll down on any given options. It’s also worth mentioning that it is a lot more user-friendly, as there is more use of colour and even images. An alternative motherboard that I’d like to recommend, which is roughly equally as good and packed with the stated features would be the Gigabyte GA-Z77M-D3H.

Case – Fractal Design CORE 1000

When it comes to cases, some see it as a subjective matter just like how ‘beauty is in the eyes of the beholder’. It may just be an enclosure, but the looks and styles of a case can be a big factor. As a result, there isn’t always one single right answer, and so I have also pointed out some other alternatives which should fit our budget nicely. For starters, there are commonly 3 types of cases, and they include micro ATX, mid ATX and E or AL ATX. ATX is a form factor, a size standard. Mini-ATX is also a size, but can be restrictive in the amount of hardware that they can support. In my setup, the one I chose is of micro-ATX sized, as I have the same sized motherboard on our list. Now that the size and compatibility is sorted, we may want to think about other features in a case. First and foremost, the CORE 1000’s spacious interior should easily allow it to accommodate wide graphics cards, and our GTX 560 is not an exception. Although there is little cable management tools, there should still be enough clearance and space to work with inside, since we have not included an aftermarket CPU cooler. If you are willing to spend a bit more on a case, then I would consider the Fractal Design CORE 3000. It is a fair step-up from the 1000 and although build quality is the same, you should be able to manage your cables much easier. Otherwise, if you are not too bothered and do not think the additional cost is justifiable; the CORE 1000 should prove more than adequate. In addition, you may also want to have a look at the Bitfenix Shinobi.

Graphics Card – Sapphire AMD HD 7850 2GB

For starters, I’d like to cover some of the basics and give you a brief insight about just what’s underneath modern-day graphics cards, as I feel it is important for new buyers or even experienced users to be made aware of it. Note that a GPU is actually a chip, much like a bigger variant of a CPU, but housed in a bigger casing, with its own power circuitry and all the other components that let it run when it is installed. Vendors like Asus, MSI, Gigabyte, and Sapphire only design this ‘housing’ in order to accommodate and allow the chip itself to work and run smoothly as possible. These manufacturers may also have a number of other goals that they want to achieve with their designs, which may be distinctive to other vendors. For example, some emphasize the importance of a good fan design to ensure that the graphics card is kept running at a lower temperature in order to prolong the card’s lifespan, whilst perhaps being able to produce less noise at the same time. Some also feature custom, more powerful power circuitry to withstand stress and more intensive working operation should the user also desire to overclock the graphics card, as it is the same act than that of doing it to a CPU – forcing it to run at higher frequencies than it should. Such graphics cards would be of non-reference design, as the vendor are going for custom PCB which would make it more of their signature kind. So when it comes to the brand (vendor) of the video card, it does matter greatly, since certain vendors have different warranty and policies regarding customer service and returns. For example, MSI deal with customer warranty via serial number, so you do not necessarily need the original receipt, as there will be a sticker printed on the back of the graphics card that has a serial number on it. This not only applies to MSI, but also to Asus. Because of this, it may be wise to make yourself aware of how a vendor’s warranty policy works by checking their website. This is because should you decide to sell the card in the future or even buy a used one, you will know for certain that you’re still in good hands, assuming the covering period has not expired yet as it will be down to a label that is already on the card itself. On a personal note, I see this as a big advantage as not every vendor does warranty via serial number, since I may be left stranded should I lose my receipt and their policy is strictly based on that. In this case, MSI is my brand of choice when it comes to such video cards, as they also make reasonably aftermarket cooling, that I see as one of the best (coupled with Gigabyte, ASUS and Sapphire if it is an AMD card since they only produce those). For our system, I chose a Sapphire AMD HD 7850 for several reasons. First, AMD have recently announced a price reduction in several of their latest gen cards, including the HD 7850. You can read more information about this here. This was done in response to NVIDIA’s release of their GTX 660TI, as it surpasses AMD’s own 7850, 7870 and even the 7950 in certain games. The result is that AMD wanted to be competitive, since not everyone would be willing to spend as much on a GTX 660TI. On a sidenote, they will also be bundling a free game ontop of the price cut for further added value which would be great for our lineup. As the GTX 660TI and higher series of cards were too expensive for our more budget friendly setup, it would be wise to take advantage of this opportunity and go with a 78XX series card from AMD. The HD7850 is faster than NVIDIA’s previous GTX 560, 560TI and even the GTX 570 to an extent (when heavily overclocked). It is also a step up from the 6850, 6870 and even the 6950 in some areas. If you would like even more performance, a 7870 would also be a good choice, thanks to, once again, the latest price cuts allowing it to be a bit more affordable for those who wouldn’t mind spending some more. I would recommend this one if you feel that you’d like to have even more muscle: http://www.czc.cz/sapphire-hd-7870-ghz-edition-2gb-gddr5/104836/produkt All in all, the 7850 runs very power efficient and tends to overclock well, with certain non-reference models having a base core clock of 1000mhz. The vendor I chose is also amongst one of the most reputed and popular ones, and features a non-reference cooler to help the card run at much lower temperatures. We also have 2GB of video RAM would also be beneficial for those who run at large resolutions or multi-monitors, particularly in certain games such as a heavy-modded Skyrim. Here are also some benchmarks regarding our card (note that overclocking these series of cards tends to gain a good performance boost and this is reflected from the 2nd review): http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7870-review-benchmark,3148-16.html http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Powercolor/HD_7850_PCS_Plus/23.html

PSU (Power Supply Unit) – Seasonic S12-620W

A power supply is one of the most important (or if not the most important) component of any PC, particularly if the system is of high calibre and technical standards. This is because it becomes the beating heart of the PC, fuelling all the components the required power to keep everything up and running for the countless number of hours that pass by. As with our entry-level gaming system and the mid-range lineup, this model was chosen for several reasons. First, Seasonic are known for their high build quality of power supplies, and from that we can learn of their high reliability, stability and the expected performance. It is worth mentioning that Seasonic are also the OEM manufacturer for a number of other companies, including Corsair, so the fact that such a company chose Seasonic speaks for itself in terms of Corsair’s preferences. Many of Corsair’s PSUs are also made by Seasonic, such as their gold-plus rated AX series. For our more budget-oriented build, 620W might sound like a matter of overkill as well and some could argue that we could spend a lot less. For instance, we could safely step down to 500W and save some money in the process, but I decided to go against it. This is because I feel that one should have additional headroom when it comes to power requirements, but you are of course, free to choose an alternative one such as the S12-520W also from Seasonic. For instance, should the user ever purchase another GPU or a more powerful one, our S12-620W will be able to handle it without a problem as we have more power to work with. Furthermore, this particular PSU is also Bronze rated in the 80 PLUS certification chart, which is another nice addition since it means it is up to 85% efficient. A PSU will only use as much power as the components require, so a 620W PSU isn’t going to be instantly using up 620W from the wall socket if the PC doesn’t need that much juice. In this case, we simply just have a lot of headroom to work with, which is great for future-proofing your build should you ever get a more power-hungry GPU.