Low Budget Micro Gaming PC

[Djinni]

Looking to build a new machine (or get a laptop) for the girlfriend. potentially I may end up with 2 of these, just one of them without the graphics card.
So I need to try and reduce the cost a little

Here's what I have so far:

Case: Fractal Design Node 304 - £30.18 http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009PIEMUC/
PSU: Fractal Design Integra R2 500W - £44.58 - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009O8CEBC/
Motherboard: ASUS Z97I-PLUS Intel Z97 (Socket 1150) Motherboard - £116.99 http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/c...z97i-plus.html
RAM: HyperX FURY Series 4GB DDR3 1333MHz CL9 DIMM Memory Module - £28.99 - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00J8E9316/
CPU: Intel Core i3 4160 - £83.99 - http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/c...646i34160.html
SSD: Crucial M500 240GB - £77.99 - http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/c...0m500ssd1.html
GPU: EVGA NVIDIA GTX 750Ti SC - £116.06 - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00IGQ4Z3S
Monitor: LG 22MP55HQ - £99.99 - http://www.amazon.co.uk/LG-22MP55HQ-...dp/B00HYZXT02/
Peripherals: Redragon® CENTROPHORUS Gaming PC Multimedia Keyboard and Mouse set - £19.97 - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Redragon%C2%.../dp/B00K0N50KW


Subtotal (8 items): £618.74

(Don't need an OS for either machine, and storage for anything that doesn't need to be on the SSD can be done on the network drive)

I'm not overly sure about the keyboard and mouse. But its cheap enough and given the limited usage I'm not worried about having to replace it within a year or so.


Main usage is for playing World of Warcraft, Starcraft2 Diablo3. (Yeah my girlfriends starting to be a real blizzard fan, I just need to get her off her century old laptop with missing keys and broken mousepad.)

I haven't really got a budget yet.. although I was trying to keep it as close as possible to the 300 mark, as you can see, I failed pretty miserably... even picking out what I believed to be cheap basic parts.

[Afrospinach]

well you can try looking at mATX for more options, once you are going for a full sized GPU and ATX psu they kind of define your dimensions, not the MB so you don't save *that* much space with ITX.

[Deleted]

a few options (300quid won't happen, last being the best):

1)micro (haswell refresh)
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor (£85.97 @ Ebuyer)
Motherboard: MSI H97M-E35 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£57.89 @ CCL Computers)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£58.27 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (£74.39 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 270 2GB Double Dissipation Video Card (£107.12 @ Scan.co.uk)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case (£30.36 @ CCL Computers)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£35.09 @ Aria PC)
Total: £449.09
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-20 11:44 BST+0100

2)micro (haswell)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor (£78.79 @ Aria PC)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-HDS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£36.74 @ Ebuyer)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£58.27 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (£74.39 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 270 2GB Double Dissipation Video Card (£107.12 @ Scan.co.uk)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case (£30.36 @ CCL Computers)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£35.09 @ Aria PC)
Total: £420.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-20 11:47 BST+0100

3) mini (haswell refresh)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor (£85.97 @ Ebuyer)
Motherboard: MSI H81I Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard (£46.57 @ Scan.co.uk)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£58.27 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (£74.39 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 2GB Dual-X Video Card (£119.00 @ Amazon UK)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case (£33.28 @ CCL Computers)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£35.09 @ Aria PC)
Total: £452.57
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-20 11:50 BST+0100

[Djinni]

well you can try looking at mATX for more options, once you are going for a full sized GPU and ATX psu they kind of define your dimensions, not the MB so you don't save *that* much space with ITX.

The case specifically says it can take an ATX power supply less than 160mm and still support a 170mm Graphics card.

I've been looking at other PSU's anyway to be honest. This one doesn't seem to review very well..

[Deleted]

Dunno where you have been reading reviews but this is a good one. Its also 150mm long.

The elite 120 can take up to 343mm long gpu and N200 can take even longer psu/gpu.

those are solid builds. You won't get ''more'' out of a build like this from spending more.

- - - Updated - - -

btw, in case you don't know, this is a seasonic oem psu...

[Djinni]

btw, in case you don't know, this is a seasonic oem psu...

Which? the Fractal or the XFX?

[Saphyron]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant


CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor (£85.97 @ Ebuyer)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£62.99 @ Ebuyer)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory (£59.79 @ Ebuyer)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (£55.00 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card (£103.99 @ Amazon UK)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case (£30.36 @ CCL Computers)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£39.55 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £437.65
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-20 12:26 BST+0100

Kostattoo builds is pretty good.
Mine differs a little bit but not too shabby either.

Basicly mine is towards brands I like to use.

[Deleted]

Which? the Fractal or the XFX?

the xfx one

[Djinni]

Personally I would prefer to stick to Novatech and Amazon. even if it ends up costing £50 more... just because the customer service is second to none. So in the event anything does happen I wont have a problem dealing with un-trained, useless customer service reps.

[Raphtheone]

If you're in between Fractals Node 304 and CM's 120 Advanced, I suggest the Node 304. Highly biased fanboyism aside (never had any issues with any Fractal products while I've only had problems with every single CM product), the Node is slightly smaller, 3 included fans (2x 92mm + 1x 140mm vs CM's 1x 80mm + 1x 120mm), it's notably less noisy(!), and 2 USB3 ports on the front vs CM's 1. Things that probably won't matter that much to you is better CPU cooler height clearance and more room for internal HDD's. Build quality also speaks (immensely) in the Node's favor.

Only reason (other than watercooling potential) is ODD support. If you intent to add an internal at a later stage, the 120 is probably a better path. But if you don't intend to add one, or you can live with an external one, I recommend the Node 304.

[Djinni]

If you're in between Fractals Node 304 and CM's 120 Advanced, I suggest the Node 304. Highly biased fanboyism aside (never had any issues with any Fractal products while I've only had problems with every single CM product), the Node is slightly smaller, 3 included fans (2x 92mm + 1x 140mm vs CM's 1x 80mm + 1x 120mm), it's notably less noisy(!), and 2 USB3 ports on the front vs CM's 1. Things that probably won't matter that much to you is better CPU cooler height clearance and more room for internal HDD's. Build quality also speaks (immensely) in the Node's favor.

Only reason (other than watercooling potential) is ODD support. If you intent to add an internal at a later stage, the 120 is probably a better path. But if you don't intend to add one, or you can live with an external one, I recommend the Node 304.

No plans to add anything to it. No plans for overclocking. (only reason to use a 3rd party cooler would be to reduce the noise) No plans for it having an ODD at all (Anything I need to load can be done from the other machine in the same room over the network.)
I'm actually really pleased with my Define R4, build quality is so much better than any other case I've had and so much easier to work with.

Although I am kinda stuck if the GPU wont fit...
The EVGA 750ti I was looking at is listed 6.7in - 170.18mm. Compared to the 270 at: 228mm.
Think I'd go with the 750ti for that.. + less power consumption.

The other PSU option I can see is:
FSP 300-60GHS Mini ITX 80 PLUS® Bronze Power Supply -
£33.18 - http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/c...60ghs(85).html

[Raphtheone]

The GPU will fit. The Node 304 has 3 HDD carriages, the 170mm GPU length is with them in place. Since only 1 of them is in the way for the GPU, if you remove it, the case supports a GPU up to ~310mm, assuming a <=160mm PSU.

And regarding PSU's, your system is (2x~65)+<~20W = <150W. Assuming a decent build quality, you can pretty much grab the cheapest PSU you can find, regardless of wattage. In the last post a 300W PSU. I don't recommend a 80mm fan in a ATX sized PSU, not when you can get a 120mm "for free". The wattage isn't a problem though.

In a micro gaming PC, you'll want an efficient PSU. Heat is a very powerful enemy, and there's little space to remove it. A 65W CPU and the 750 Ti are good, reliable choices in this type of build (I can't think of a better GPU, unsure if there are better alternatives for the CPU). Generally speaking when it comes to PSU's, I prefer Corsair and Fractal Design (and stay away from Cooler Master, their "silent" PSUs are fucking low noise vacuum cleaners, and yes, the F-word is appropriately used here).

Have a look at the Corsair CX 430. Since you won't go above 50% load it will stay both cool and silent. It has good fan speed regulation, and napkin math says you can expect 82-85% efficiency, converting some 9-32W into heat that is easily dissipated.

When I built my brothers previous gaming computer (3350P + 660 iirc), we went for the CX 430. He cheaped out on a proper CPU cooling solution (I suggested the Hyper 212+, now replaced by the 212 Evo), but the only thing you can hear is the infernal stock CPU cooler when he's gaming. Considering your lower watt CPU, I would recommend at least a TX3, if you're as allergic to sound as I am. It's a smaller version of the 212 Evo, but with the lower heat output from your CPU it should manage the job adequately, at the very least lowering noise levels. If money is tight, you should skip the third party CPU cooler.

Slightly off topic, I have to revise my previous statement of having failed experiences with all CM products. I've had nothing but pleasant experiences with the 212+, 212 Evo, as well as with the CM Elite 430 (though there are a few caveats I have with that case; they're minor). Other than that, my statement still stands. But, a disclaimer, it's one individuals experiences we're talking about here, it's highly subjective. But it's enough that I can't recommend CM products in good faith (especially their PSU's).

[Djinni]

+ 30.18 Case: Fractal Design Node 304 - www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009PIEMUC/
+ 35.99 PSU: Corsair Builder Series CXM 430W - hwww.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-Builder-Series-Modular-Certified/dp/B00ALYP208/
+ 56.99 Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81N - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gigabyte-GA-.../dp/B00H7OHW8A
+ 28.99 RAM: HyperX FURY Series 4GB DDR3 1333MHz CL9 DIMM Memory Module - www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00J8E9316
+ 83.99 CPU: Intel Core i3 4160 - http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/c...646i34160.html
+ 77.99 SSD: Crucial M500 240GB - http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/c...0m500ssd1.html
+ 116.06 GPU: EVGA NVIDIA GTX 750Ti SC - www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00IGQ4Z3S
---------------
+ 430.19


+ 99.99 Monitor: LG 22MP55HQ - http://www.amazon.co.uk/LG-22MP55HQ-...dp/B00HYZXT02/
+ 19.97 Peripherals: Redragon® CENTROPHORUS Gaming PC Multimedia Keyboard and Mouse set - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Redragon%C2%.../dp/B00K0N50KW
---------------
+ 119.96


Total
+ 430.19
+ 119.96
---------------
+ 550.15

[Raphtheone]

Why does novatech state that the 4160 is 65W when every other source I can find (intel included) stating it's a 54W CPU?

[Deleted]

Why does novatech state that the 4160 is 65W when every other source I can find (intel included) stating it's a 54W CPU?

Because typos?

Not a big deal either way

[Djinni]

If that's the only problem anyone can find with the build. Then it sure looks good to me!

[Deleted]

For comparison tho to the mini build i linked you, you have: Half and slower ram. Half ssd storage, less reliable psu, and half the gpu performance. Doesn't look to worth it in any way, what am i missing?

[Raphtheone]

I have some concern for the RAM as well. I tried finding 1600Mhz RAM on the amazon site, but it's a mess there (DDR2 showing up when filtering only for DDR3, searching for 240-pins and not all 240-pins show up, etc), so I skipped a RAM suggestion. There has to be similarly priced (or cheaper) 1600Mhz RAM somewhere, surely?

Also, Kostattoo's suggestion on the 270x, might be worth looking into. It's a stronger card for a similar price. It draws 180W though, compared to the 65W of the 750 Ti. An open cooler means it'll spread the heat around the case. I suppose that's where the Node 304's fans comes in handy. Since both the 750 Ti and the 270x have third party coolers, this will most likely be non-accurate information, but the 270x's 51dbA vs the 750 Ti's 38dbA at load, for the reference cards, no idea about the Sapphire and EVGA version, according to Anandtech. They also report on furmark, but since it's synthetic it's a bit irrelevant (39dbA vs ~56dbA).

Might also be worth mentioning that the CPU will choke way before the 750 Ti in both WoW and SC2, no idea about D3 (don't play it anymore). But for pure gaming points, and "future proofing" in case you'll pick up a more demanding game in the future, the 270x is the logical choice.

While I don't recommend, I'm tempted to say that I played WoW (and Sc2) for a long while with a 240GT. I'm assuming there's a 740 around, which is generations ahead in performance (obviously). If you're really tight on money, cards like that can be had for like 50-70€ or something. But like I said, I don't recommend it, it's a low settings at low fps type of card. But if your Quality of Life bar is at or around the "survival" area, it might be worth considering. But I don't recommend it, just wanted to give a heads up that you don't have to spend hundred(s) of €/$/£ for a GPU unless you're really into graphical fidelity, and/or can't afford it.

Other suggestions is this (appearantly used) 560 Ti for £80. Middleground between the 750 Ti and the 270x. I'm assuming Amazon still offers the standard guarantees etc. The 560 Ti is already overkill for WoW, and handles SC2 on max without problems (used to have one, and it's going into my mini-itx build I have planned actually).

Other suggestions from a quick search, depending on how much you're willing to pay for graphic fidelity:
Zotac 750 £83.07
Gigabyte 750 Ti (DDR) £103.99
Gigabyte 750 Ti (GDDR5) £106.99
MSI 660 (GDDR5) £109.99
Gigabyte 660 Ti £120.00
Pny 760 (DDR3) £138.00

I don't have that much experience with AMD manufacturers (the one and only AMD GPU I bought blew up), but this Powercolor 270x is ~£10 cheaper than the Sapphire one.

[Djinni]

For comparison tho to the mini build i linked you, you have: Half and slower ram. Half ssd storage, less reliable psu, and half the gpu performance. Doesn't look to worth it in any way, what am i missing?

Ok, I see your point of view about the PSU.. but doesn't look that "less" reliable to me... but what do I know I can only go by the reviews on Hardware Secrets and jonnyGURU and how much the cost from each retailer eats into my bottom line.
I can't see that she'll use that much RAM just by playing 1 game at a time on Win 8.1 Pro
Not sure I see the half ssd storage... if you've found a 512GB SSD for under £80 I'd sure like to know about it.
Graphics, I wouldn't know how the amd variants compare to the nvidia ones, in my experience the ATI ones have never quite matched up. And the only AMD one I've had (a 7870) lasted less than a month before it burned out. So my choice is naturally with the nvidia one (its also a better size for the case) But if you really believe that the 270x is going to give double the performance then I'll give it another look.


Revised build:

+ 37.98 Case: Cooler Master Coolermaster Elite 120 Advanced - http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/c...120a-kkn1.html
+ 31.99 PSU: EVGA 500W White 80 Plus - http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/c...1-0500-kr.html
+ 30.18 Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81N - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gigabyte-GA-.../dp/B00H7OHW8A
+ 58.27 RAM: G.Skill RipjawsX 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 - http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/c...l9d-8gbxl.html
+ 83.99 CPU: Intel Core i3 4160 - http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/c...646i34160.html
+ 77.99 SSD: Crucial M500 240GB - http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/c...0m500ssd1.html
+ 119.00 GPU: Sapphire Dual-X Radeon R9 270X - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FL8H49Q
---------------
+ 439.40


+ 99.99 Monitor: LG 22MP55HQ - http://www.amazon.co.uk/LG-22MP55HQ-...dp/B00HYZXT02/
+ 19.97 Peripherals: Redragon® CENTROPHORUS Gaming PC Multimedia Keyboard and Mouse set - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Redragon%C2%.../dp/B00K0N50KW
---------------
+ 119.96


Total
+ 439.40
+ 119.96
---------------
+ 559.36



I changed the RAM but I'm still thinking about 4gb instead of 8 to be honest although I do see you point that in the long run 8 will be better. (I only buy things on amazon from trusted etailers or from amazon themselves. Also certainly not paying £10 for delivery from an unknown 3rd party when I have amazon prime and also get free delivery from Novatech)

Looks like the case price went up... so switched it for the CM elite 120, although I'm still looking, I haven't ever found CM cases to be all that good.

[MMKing]

I'm personally running a Bifenix prodigy Mitx version.
To save space i have:
I have removed all the 3.5 inch HDD trays.
Removed the single 5.25 inch disk drive space, i run an external DVD disc drive when required.
Bought a 14CM long PSU, standard size is 16CM but you get longer when going 1KW+

This allows me to fit:
GPU: MSI 7970 lightning.
A single SSD has space next to the PSU.
A non-modular PSU, even with a short PSU there is very little room. If given the choice go for fully modular + 14CM but favor 14CM over modular if you must.
A custom watercooled CPU: 1 120x255x30mm radiator, pump+reservoir at the bottom front where the HDDs usually sit.
Fans: 200mm in the front, 140mm at the back and 2 120x25mm attached to the radiator at the top.

So it's very roomy, somewhere between traditional Mitx cases that fits GPUs and the smaller M-atx ones.

Some pictures here:
http://www.bitfenix.com/global/es/pr...assis/prodigy/

About your PSU, intel has rated it ''not haswell'' ready. Meaning that it may not be able to run your computer at standby where haswell CPUs use extremely little power which some PSUs are incapable of delivering.