Budget Gaming PC

[leejunwei]

Hi,

I am looking to purchase, or build my own gaming PC for around SGD800 to SGD1000.

Any recommended set ups?

Thanks!

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Top up a little bit for big gains.

This should max out most games on Full HD.

CPU+MB: Intel Core i5-4460 + ASRock H81M-HDS R2.0 @ $294
RAM: Crucial DDR3-1600 CL11 8GB @ $67
GPU: Zotac GTX 960 2GB Twin Fan OC @ $295
SSD: Transcend SSD370S 256GB @ $101^ (Lazada Singapore)
HDD: Western Digital Blue 1TB @ $69
ODD: Samsung 24X CD/DVD Writer [OEM] @ $21
PSU: FSP Aurum S 500W [80 Plus Gold] @ $89
CASE: Xigmatek Recon @ $45
OS: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit Product Key [OEM] @ $33 (G2A)
Save yourself $100 from a DVD copy. Just download its ISO image file and burn into a thumbdrive/DVD disc.

Total: $1014

Buy others from Tradepac, #05-18.

^Price after Lazada MasterCard Monday 15% discount (Capped at $20)

 

[leejunwei]

Top up a little bit for big gains.

This should max out most games on Full HD.

CPU+MB: Intel Core i5-4460 + ASRock H81M-HDS R2.0 @ $294
RAM: Crucial DDR3-1600 CL11 8GB @ $67
GPU: Zotac GTX 960 2GB Twin Fan OC @ $295
SSD: Transcend SSD370S 256GB @ $101^ (Lazada Singapore)[/URL]
HDD: Western Digital Blue 1TB @ $69
ODD: Samsung 24X CD/DVD Writer [OEM] @ $21
PSU: FSP Aurum S 500W [80 Plus Gold] @ $89
CASE: Xigmatek Recon @ $45
OS:
Save yourself $100 from a DVD copy. Just download its ISO image file and burn into a thumbdrive/DVD disc.

Total: $1014

Buy others from Tradepac, #05-18.

^Price after Lazada MasterCard Monday 15% discount (Capped at $20)

Thanks for your time!

Anyway, if I were to sacrifice the SSD and just purchase the key for Windows itself, is it possible to squeeze in a little more performance for around the same price range?

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Thanks for your time!

Anyway, if I were to sacrifice the SSD and just purchase the key for Windows itself, is it possible to squeeze in a little more performance for around the same price range?

SSD is a bigger upgrade than higher end graphics card.

 

[leejunwei]

SSD is a bigger upgrade than higher end graphics card.

Hmm, but usually games are stored on the HDD instead right? So I don't see how it improves gaming performance :/ (Correct me if I'm wrong, rookie here)

 

[escksu]

Hmm, but usually games are stored on the HDD instead right? So I don't see how it improves gaming performance :/ (Correct me if I'm wrong, rookie here)

It improves your loading times. But it does not improve Frame rates.

SSD is something nice to have but can live without. I am using SSD on my desktop and HDD on my notebook. I only play WOW and star trek online on my notebook and loading time isn't an issue.

IMHO, you can try to get the Powercolor R9 290 turbo Duo OC from CM if its still available, its much faster than GTX960 (not exactly a good card).

 

[jianrong]

Your games saved file is on SSD. So yes it improve loading saves, checkpoint ...

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Hmm, but usually games are stored on the HDD instead right? So I don't see how it improves gaming performance :/ (Correct me if I'm wrong, rookie here)

When we introduce SSD, we are talking about a whole new level of system responsiveness:

Here' something concrete to see the visual differences:

 

[ArcticCheetah]

If you want to squeeze you can omit SSD and DVD Drive

 

[jedi5diah]

you can always upgrade to ssd later...but itz worth it in every way, even the drive itself cries beauty!

on side note, open world games benefits from ssd then just normal loading...

 

[leejunwei]

When we introduce SSD, we are talking about a whole new level of system responsiveness:

Here' something concrete to see the visual differences:

That's really impressive. But I thought since I'm on a budget and I could do without the 3-4 seconds speed boost in loading times, maybe I could squeeze in more fps.

 

[leejunwei]

you can always upgrade to ssd later...but itz worth it in every way, even the drive itself cries beauty!

on side note, open world games benefits from ssd then just normal loading...

Yeah I'm thinking about that too, when I have extra cash lying around. I mean upgrading the rig to include an SSD isn't too hard.

It improves your loading times. But it does not improve Frame rates.

SSD is something nice to have but can live without. I am using SSD on my desktop and HDD on my notebook. I only play WOW and star trek online on my notebook and loading time isn't an issue.

IMHO, you can try to get the Powercolor R9 290 turbo Duo OC from CM if its still available, its much faster than GTX960 (not exactly a good card).

I will take a look at that card. That card is $399, while zotac GTX960 is $319. Quite a jump :/

 

[leejunwei]

So this is my final build after looking around, please tell me what you guys think!
Will the PSU supply enough for the GPU? Will there be any bottlenecking of components or instability?

This is my first time building so really need some help from you bros here!

CPU+MOBO: Intel Core i5-4460 + ASRock H81M-HDS R2.0 @ $327
RAM: 8GB Kingston 12800 1600M CL11 @ $70
GPU: Power Color R9 290 4GB Turbo Duo @ $399 (minimum 750W)
HDD: Western Digital Blue 1TB SATA3 @ $75
ODD: Samsung 24X CD/DVD Writer @ $25
PSU: Seasonic M12II Modular 750W @ $135
CASE: I don't know @ Roughly $60?

Total: $1091
(Yes I decided that I can push my budget up a little)

Prices from PC-Themes, not sure which shop in sls is reputable/cheapest.

 

[-nzy90]

After trying ssd, I feel I'd rather get a better GPU with the money saved from not getting ssd instead if I can only pick one.

Sent from Samsung SM-N910G using GAGT

 

[GrimaH]

What's your monitor res?

 

[leejunwei]

What's your monitor res?

1920 x 1080

 

[leejunwei]

After trying ssd, I feel I'd rather get a better GPU with the money saved from not getting ssd instead if I can only pick one.

Yeah that's why I'm passing the ssd right now. I'll probably upgrade after a period of time. Then, lower end ssd prices would have dropped abit already.

 

[leejunwei]

Hi, a friend of mine actually helped me arrange and build everything! HAHA
Here are the final specs >>

 

[Xaser74]

Confirmed ok

 

[zero_88]

Hi, a friend of mine actually helped me arrange and build everything! HAHA
Here are the final specs >>

how much you spend?