Compact Gaming Rig

[Josey Wales]

I am trying to build myself another rig for gaming - the idea here is to replace my use of a console for a PC, but to place it near and use it with my TV (more on this below).

My budget is under $600, but this is negotiable depending on whether my appetite is bigger than my budget. So far these are the parts I have picked over the past few days for starters.http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005HNHRA6

Main Components
MSI 760GM-P23 Motherboard (AM3+ CPU Socket Type, DDR3 2-Slot RAM)
AMD Phenom II X6 2.7GHz (AM3 Socket)
CORSAIR 8GB DDR3 RAM (2x4GB 240-pin)
CORSAIR 500 Watt Modular Power Supply

Sub Components (optional or relative)
ASUS CD/DVD RW and Blu-Ray Reader Optical Drive
SANDISK 120GB SSD
HP Wireless Keyboard

The important things I would like some help on is, 1. Would all of the main components jive together? and 2. I still need a GFX card, would a 500 watt PSU support moderate gaming?

By moderate gaming let me explain my situation. I am not a hardcore gamer but above casual. I want this rig to be able to Crysis 1, even if it needs to be overclocked - ONLY because I am using and have always used in recent years Crysis as a sort of benchmark for GFX cards.

To be more specific game I would play or would need the ability to run the engines of are games like Aion, Tera, Diablo 3, Portal, Elder Scrolls, etc. A lot of more casual and smaller gaming as well but I wouldn't worry about those benchmarks.

The only other caveat is this, I want to essentially replace my use of gaming consoles - that is why I'm opting for a Blu-Ray reader as well since my PS3 has that luxury and I don't want to give that up. I need to get a case that will fit all the parts and have enough space and airflow for a moderate GFX Card.

So... I know thats a lot to take in but, any and all ideas and feedback will be muchly appreciated.

 

[FrozenIpaq]

I absolutely hate configuring budget builds!

A few things:

If you are going with a cheaper processor (an older AMD AM3 processor), you'll need a AM3+ motherboard. As a result you are limited to PCI Express 2.0 x16 which is a generation behind in terms of current graphics cards - not really a problem but it just limits your expand-ability in the future if you wanted to upgrade the GPU. The parts you have selected will work together.

Any reason why you are going for a SSD in your build though? Could get a lot more storage for a lot cheaper and save money in the process. I guess if you are shutting down your computer completely each time you are done using it that might make the most sense - but otherwsie a standard HDD using the sleep function will work just fine.

Also you say you want a "compact" build - well that would be fine if you didn't necessarily want to game on it (Diablo 3, Elder Scrolls). As a result you're looking to get a larger case. I looked at some HTPC cases that would fit more in the living room setting / decor.

Here's a build I configured. http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=19299891

If someone else could go over the build that would be good as well (but it all should be compatible in that list)

 

[x3sphere]

If you want to stick with Micro ATX this case is a good one, fits even a GTX670: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112316

Will 120GB be enough space? I used to have an 80GB SSD and pretty much filled it just with a few apps and Windows (mostly because with all the updates installed, it can take up to 20-30GB).

You can find deals for 256GB SSDs around the $150 mark, which is far better bang for your buck. But if you don't need that kind of space, then not worth it.

 

[Josey Wales]

The case can wait - Im buying parts piece-by-piece to cross-check with other parts that I have already that might be broken.

As far as storage goes, its optional and more of a placeholder item. I have a HHD here to work with but in the future I definitely want a SSD standard, the reasoning is simple - reliability (maybe thats subjective but I trust non-moving parts more than I trust moving parts), noise level and reduced heat factor. Realistically I would love to have something closer to 256GB for a storage unit.

As a result you are limited to PCI Express 2.0 x16 which is a generation behind in terms of current graphics cards

Can you explain this more?

 

[LocutusEstBorg]

Get a 660Ti.

 

[FrozenIpaq]

Get a 660Ti.

Was going to put that in the build but then he would have to upgrade his CPU and Mobo to take full advantage of it (I did do up a build with a 660 Ti already). If he had a slightly bigger budget of around $800 I could see a 660 Ti being put in but for a budget build it's a little too pricey.

EDIT: Well I guess he could put a 660 Ti with PCI-E 2.0 and he'll be fine - it's just a bit too much for his budget though ($120 more)

As a result you are limited to PCI Express 2.0 x16 which is a generation behind in terms of current graphics cards

Can you explain this more?

In regards to PCI-E 2.0 it actually won't matter much in our case now that I think about it. PCI-E just has lower bandwidth throughput but for anything other than a high-end GPU it shouldn't be limited. You can get a PCI-E 3.0 card and put it in a PCI-E 2.0 slot, it's just there's less bandwidth available (although from what I just read the performance won't be impacted on a card like the 660ti - although that's all word of mouth, I didn't see any numbers)

 

[Josey Wales]

Thanks for the help everyone, I think I have a handle on this now