Assembling a gaming computer for $500 for 2017
Intel Core i3 Skylake i3-6098P BOX
Until the release of AMD Zen, Intel Core i3 processors remain almost no alternative to low-cost quad-cores (albeit half of the cores are virtual) with the possibility of a subsequent upgrade to a more powerful chip (i5 or i7, including the upcoming 7000 series). If you are building a PC without a discrete graphics card, then the Core i3-6100 with a powerful integrated HD 530 graphics accelerator is the best option. But if you still buy a separate graphics card, then it is wiser to choose the cheaper Core i3-6098P.
Unlike previous Intel processors with the “P” suffix, which were completely devoid of integrated graphics, the new Core i3-6098P still has it, albeit a low-power HD 510 (borrowed from Pentium and Celeron, twice as weak as the HD 530). This allows you to do without a discrete video card for a short time, for example, in the event of a breakdown and subsequent warranty repair.
Otherwise, the Core i3-6098P is in no way inferior to the 6100: the core architecture is the same as Skylake, the memory cache is the same 3 MB, DDR4, DDR3L and unofficially DDR3 memory is supported (it works without problems). Only the frequency is 100 MHz lower (3.6 vs. 3.7 GHz), but this is a negligible difference. As a result, due to its moderate cost, it is the 6098P that is currently the best option for a gaming PC with a low-cost (GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, Radeon RX 460) and even a mainstream video card (GTX 1060, RX 470 and 480).
ASRock is traditionally referred to as the second tier of motherboard manufacturers, but that hasn't been the case for a long time. After it was bought by Pegatron, the reliability of ASRock motherboards has grown significantly, and this brand has always pleased with innovations and low prices. And this applies not only to solutions based on the older overclocker Intel Z170 chipset, but also to low-cost models based on the H110, such as the ASRock H110M-DGS, the most affordable motherboard for Skylake processors and DDR4 memory in domestic retail.
The main advantage of ASRock low-cost motherboards compared to other brands is the presence of an additional heatsink on the CPU power mosfets. Due to the observance of the temperature limit, the processor, whether it be even the top energy-hungry Core i5-6600K or i7-6700K, is able to work for a long time at the maximum Turbo Boost frequency. Whereas on motherboards without a heatsink, mosfets can overheat and forcibly reduce the processor frequency to the nominal one.
In addition, ASRock H110M-DGS can be praised for the reasonable placement of PCI-E slots. The short x1 slot for sound, network and video recording cards is located above the long x16. Otherwise, it would be covered even by a typical two-slot video card, not to mention three-slot ones. The H110M-DGS should be blamed for only one video output - digital DVI. But the sale is still full of low-cost monitors with VGA-connection. But if you have a monitor with a digital video interface and if you do not plan to overclock the processor, then you can safely take the ASRock H110M-DGS.
Crucial Value DDR4 1x8Gb CT8G4DFD8213
The Crucial brand is owned by Micron Technology, one of the few manufacturers of memory that has its own semiconductor fabs. Thanks to this, Crucial RAM modules are cheaper than those brands that have to buy memory chips on the side.
The Value DDR4 series is the simplest and most affordable in the Crucial lineup. It does not have any ultra-high frequencies (minimum 2133, maximum 2400 MHz), nor the metal radiators required to conquer these ultra-high frequencies. However, the difference in the performance of DDR4 memory with a frequency of 2133 and, say, 3000 MHz, even in processor-dependent professional applications, is minimal, and in games it does not exist at all.
Both individual Crucial Value DDR4 memory modules with a volume of 4, 8 or 16 GB are available for sale, as well as ready-made sets of two or four modules (up to 64 GB in total). For a multimedia and inexpensive gaming PC, 8 GB is optimal, and for an advanced gaming PC, 16 GB. Using a pair of memory modules (dual-channel mode) will give a 10% performance boost.
Gigabyte Radeon RX 460 GV-RX460WF2OC-4GD
The older version of the Radeon RX 460 video card with 4 GB of memory costs a little more than the younger two-gig one ($160 versus $140), but it also provides the player with completely different opportunities. There are more and more computer games that even at FullHD resolution consume more than 2 GB of video memory every year: GTA V, Assassin's Creed Syndicate, Doom 2016 and others.
It is in demanding video memory games that the four-gig RX 460 significantly outperforms not only its younger two-gig sister, but also the competing GeForce GTX 950 (the price is the same - $160). Although NVIDIA's junior 900-series video card has a more productive GPU than the RX 460, it is equipped with strictly 2 GB of memory (4 GB is already a privilege of the much more expensive GTX 960). As a result, the RX 460 with 4 GB can be called the optimal solution for 1080p resolution and at least medium graphics settings in games.
The specific Gigabyte WindForce RX 460 model is an inexpensive and compact (less than 20 cm long) video card with a pleasant bonus in the form of a small factory overclock. The printed circuit board is a reference one (made according to ready-made AMD drawings), and the cooling system is the simplest two-fan one (the radiator is just a piece of aluminium). You should not hope for additional manual overclocking - without an additional power connector, the frequencies will run into a power limit.
Kingston SSDNow UV400 SUV400S37/240G 240 GB
A 1TB HDD and a 240GB SSD cost about the same now. And given the fast unlimited Internet (games, music and movies can be deleted without a drop of doubt and then downloaded again), the best choice now is a small-capacity, but reactively fast SSD. Compared to the HDD, it speeds up absolutely everything: loading the operating system, launching programs, opening files, and even friezes and FPS drops in games can be eliminated. Moreover, for the vast majority of users, even a low-cost SSD with a SATA interface and TLC-type memory, such as the Kingston SSDNow UV400, will be enough.
The Kingston SSDNow UV400 is based on a smart Marvell 88SS1074 controller, Toshiba TLC 15nm flash memory (labeled as Kingston, but we recognized it right away) and Nanya DDR3 cache. Considering the relatively fast wear of TLC memory (only 1000 rewrite cycles, see the article “How to choose an SSD drive for a desktop PC and laptop?” ), the controller is entrusted with the critical task of analyzing and sorting data, followed by cleaning up software junk to extend the life of the SSD. The Marvell processor copes with this task perfectly.
The smallest files (up to 256 MB) are placed in the first SSD buffer, which consists of RAM, for faster processing. Larger files (up to 4 GB) are placed in the second buffer - a virtual RAID array from flash memory. That's why files up to 4 GB are recorded at speeds up to 490 MB/s, while larger files are recorded at only 100 MB/s. Given the specifics of TLC memory, we can recommend the Kingston SSDNow UV400 to those who are looking for the cheapest SSD, but do not plan to operate it around the clock.
For a modern low-cost and even mid-range gaming PC, theoretically, an honest 350-400 W power supply is enough, of which at least 300 W should be output along the + 12V line (see the article “How to choose a power supply for a computer?”). But so that the circuitry does not wear out too quickly, it is better not to load the PSU to full and take a model with a margin - 500 watts. And if you also want the PSU fan to rotate quietly, then the first candidate for purchase is the Chieftec Eco GPE-500S.
In idle, the 12cm Chieftec Eco GPE-500S fan spins very quietly (650 rpm). The noise of the motor is not audible, but we can distinguish a slight whistle of air passing through the openings of the ventilation grill in the shape of a honeycomb (not the best solution for blowing, as it quickly becomes clogged with dust). However, there are no absolutely silent PSUs in this price category - this is already a privilege of models of the older segment.
On the +12 V line, the Chieftec Eco GPE-500S delivers as much as 450 of the total 500 watts, but it is equipped with only one 8-pin video card power connector (models up to 175 watts are supported). Fortunately, with the help of a special adapter (sold separately), you can make an additional 6-pin connector from two Molex and in this way power a video card with a power consumption of up to 250 watts. The Eco GPE-500S has not been officially certified for energy efficiency, but according to the manufacturer, which is confirmed by tests on reputable hardware sites, its efficiency is a solid 85 percent (comparable to the 80 PLUS Bronze certification). Conclusion: the Chieftec Eco GPE-500S is enough power for a gaming PC with one, even a flagship video card, with the exception of the outdated power-hungry Radeon R9 390, 390X, Fury and Fury X.
Inexpensive gaming computers are most often assembled on the basis of mid-sized MicroATX motherboards (see the article “How to choose a motherboard for a computer?”), so you shouldn’t overpay for a full-sized ATX case, because it won’t fit under every table. The main thing is that the cooling of the MicroATX case is well thought out, as is done with the Deepcool Smarter LED.
At a low price, Smarter LED is equipped with as many as two 12-cm fans, luminous blue - front for intake, rear for exhaust. There is room for a third 12cm propeller on the side panel, but that's probably overkill. By comparison, most other low-cost cases come with just one 8 or 9 cm fan (more noise, less airflow) or don't come with one at all.
Among other things, the Deepcool Smarter LED has a 2.5-inch SSD mount and a USB 3.0 port on the interface panel (both of which are rare in low-cost cases). The only drawback is that the power supply is mounted on top, which draws in some of the hot air from the processor and video card. So top-end gaming PCs in such a case are not worth assembling, but otherwise a solid, and even nice-looking solution.
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