DIY, PS4 or Steam Machine

[devilwahaha]

Thanks for all the feedback bros! Really good info for me to make a decision

Haha, given the doubts over steam machine, i am actually more interested than before to see how it performs in the market. I guess their OS has to be really ground-breaking to be a viable alternative to win-based PCs.

So I will most likely go with a DIY, now need to decide on budget. Will seek your advice again once that is decided.

Cheers!

The beauty of Steam Machine isnt really entirely on their upcoming Steam OS, but the notion of pushing manufacturers to make slim form factor systems that looks like console but with the power of conventional desktops such as this

 

[hlots123]

i got a questn:-
since the linux version of steam games are mostly a separate buy from the windows version... won't tat mean we can't play our windows-bought steam library of games on steamos?

 

[hlots123]

N00b to Steam: platform-inependent purchases? :: Steam for Linux General Discussions

oops, i'm wrong... purchases usually cross-platform if available. dunno why last time i checked on games newly released on linux, was not available for download on my steam client...

 

[devilwahaha]

N00b to Steam: platform-inependent purchases? :: Steam for Linux General Discussions

oops, i'm wrong... purchases usually cross-platform if available. dunno why last time i checked on games newly released on linux, was not available for download on my steam client...

Probably it was not yet available back then. Dota 2 works fine on both my Mac and Windows system.

 

[hlots123]

yah when metro last light came out for linux & i saw user screenshots, it didn't show on my steam client. i thot separate purchase required. i rem it showed 0 games to install - it was around end of 2013.

now i reinstall steam, it's showing a good number of AAA games to install - wah less than 12mths so much difference for linux gaming! will try when got time...

 

[Ark Law]

if diy, I have to send any faulty parts to manufacturer on my own right? that seems like a very troublesome and long process, is it not?

I guess my biggest concern with diy is what to do when problems arise. i think with the internet these days troubleshooting is pretty easy to do. but even then, there is the time and energy required to do it. furthermore, once problem area is identified, the process to remedy it (besides replacing with brand new), seems quite troublesome and long to me.

If that's a worry for you, get a distributor-centric build.

CPU + Mobo: Intel CPU + MSI mamaboard
RAM: G.Skill
GPU: MSI video card
SSD: Intel
HDD: Western Digital
PSU: Seasonic
Casing: Xigmatek/Lian-Li/Sharkoon

Processor and SSD would be covered by Intel onsite warranty. Only the HDD is stands out. The rest is covered by Corbell. So if there's any problem in the future, once you determine that it's not the HDD's fault, you can dump the entire desktop at Corbell

Intel stuff very very very very very very unlikely to go wrong.

Spoiler

Alternatively, Convergent-centric build. But I'm not sure how receptive they are to receiving a whole desktop to troubleshoot/part-replace

CPU + Mobo: Intel CPU + EVGA motherboard
RAM: Crucial/Kingston
GPU: EVGA/Palit/Sapphire
SSD: Intel/Crucial/Plextor
HDD: Western Digital
PSU: Corsair/Antec
Casing: Corsair/Antec

 

[spiderpower100]

yah when metro last light came out for linux & i saw user screenshots, it didn't show on my steam client. i thot separate purchase required. i rem it showed 0 games to install - it was around end of 2013.

now i reinstall steam, it's showing a good number of AAA games to install - wah less than 12mths so much difference for linux gaming! will try when got time...

Haha that's awesome, considering I will definitely try out Steam OS somewhere down the line...

 

[spiderpower100]

If that's a worry for you, get a distributor-centric build.

CPU + Mobo: Intel CPU + MSI mamaboard
RAM: G.Skill
GPU: MSI video card
SSD: Intel
HDD: Western Digital
PSU: Seasonic
Casing: Xigmatek/Lian-Li/Sharkoon

Processor and SSD would be covered by Intel onsite warranty. Only the HDD is stands out. The rest is covered by Corbell. So if there's any problem in the future, once you determine that it's not the HDD's fault, you can dump the entire desktop at Corbell

Intel stuff very very very very very very unlikely to go wrong.

Spoiler

Alternatively, Convergent-centric build. But I'm not sure how receptive they are to receiving a whole desktop to troubleshoot/part-replace

CPU + Mobo: Intel CPU + EVGA motherboard
RAM: Crucial/Kingston
GPU: EVGA/Palit/Sapphire
SSD: Intel/Crucial/Plextor
HDD: Western Digital
PSU: Corsair/Antec
Casing: Corsair/Antec

Thanks Ark Law, good idea! Corbell is friendlier than Convergent?

 

[muddle]

The beauty of Steam Machine isnt really entirely on their upcoming Steam OS, but the notion of pushing manufacturers to make slim form factor systems that looks like console but with the power of conventional desktops such as this

Can be done using itx parts?

 

[devilwahaha]

Can be done using itx parts?

This entire Steam Machine is built using off-the-shelve parts, so yes to your question.

But there's a catch, this Steam Machine uses a chassis design made by Silverstone (silverstone rvz01), so theoretically you can build one by yourself except the Steam Machine version is fully metal (probably aluminium) and looks a lot better than the silverstone's RVZ01 which is fuggly plastic on the outside.

 

[ykgoh]

Thanks Ark Law, good idea! Corbell is friendlier than Convergent?

Possible to do a BL distributor build?

 

[spiderpower100]

Possible to do a BL distributor build?

Can someone tell me the context behind the evil laughs? I am assuming best not to do BL build...

 

[ykgoh]

Can someone tell me the context behind the evil laughs? I am assuming best not to do BL build...

Not say cannot. For one thing, they carry the popular Asus, PowerColor, Leadtek, Logitech and Cooler Master line of products and are priced competitively. If you like their products, by all means go for them.

You only have to deal with a distro for RMA, and most of the time, the products work fine and you never ever have to contact the distro at all. As with all businesses, customer experience varies for different customers. So YMMV.

It is meant as a joke. Don't take it too seriously. I myself would not hesitate to buy something as long as it's priced right and fits my needs.

 

[spiderpower100]

Thanks for all the feedback bros.

I have decided to go with DIY after considering all 3 options.

Now I have 2 questions.

1) So if I wanna play graphics-intensive games like Crysis at High (no need highest) Settings, what minimum framerate should I aim for? 30 or 60? These 2 seem like the common benchmarks but I don't know what is the difference.

2) What is the best budget for DIY in terms of price/performance ratio? So at what price point/range do I get the highest performance per dollar spent? I suspect the lowest and highest price points will not qualify...

 

[hengheng220]

Thanks for all the feedback bros.

I have decided to go with DIY after considering all 3 options.

Now I have 2 questions.

1) So if I wanna play graphics-intensive games like Crysis at High (no need highest) Settings, what minimum framerate should I aim for? 30 or 60? These 2 seem like the common benchmarks but I don't know what is the difference.

2) What is the best budget for DIY in terms of price/performance ratio? So at what price point/range do I get the highest performance per dollar spent? I suspect the lowest and highest price points will not qualify...

I think most comfortable will be at 60 because 30 u will still see abit of jaggyness and as for budget I will say 1.2k is the most comfortable without monitor ofc

 

[ericccc]

Hi, can i use this thread？

i am currenyly would like to build a new decent pc for light gaming example like sims4, dota 2, warcraft, HD movies playback and etc. my concern is only quiet and small size. i got a ps4 already. below are my research from internet, please suggest me and correct me. thanks

Case - Cooler Master Elite 110 $64
PSU - Corsair RM650 $169
CPU Cooler - Corsair Hydro H60 $109
Mobo + CPU - Asus Z97I PLUS + i5 4460 $462
RAM - Corsair Vengeance Pro 1600MHz 8GB $119
GPU - Asus GTX750 $215
Storage - Seagate SSHD 2TB $150
SDC - Creative SB Recon3D USB (PC & PS4, Got it)
Speakers - Creative Roar (Got it)
Monitor - Asus VX238H (Got it)
Earphone (earbuds) - Please suggest
Keyboard & Mouse Set - Please suggest

 

[shadow84]

Hi, can i use this thread？

i am currenyly would like to build a new decent pc for light gaming example like sims4, dota 2, warcraft, HD movies playback and etc. my concern is only quiet and small size. i got a ps4 already. below are my research from internet, please suggest me and correct me. thanks

Case - Cooler Master Elite 110 $64
PSU - Corsair RM650 $169
CPU Cooler - Corsair Hydro H60 $109
Mobo + CPU - Asus Z97I PLUS + i5 4460 $462
RAM - Corsair Vengeance Pro 1600MHz 8GB $119
GPU - Asus GTX750 $215
Storage - Seagate SSHD 2TB $150
SDC - Creative SB Recon3D USB (PC & PS4, got already)
Earphone (earbuds) - Please suggest
Keyboard & Mouse Set - Please suggest

1. You dun need Corsair RM650, Seasonic G650 will do.

2. You dun need AIO cooling since your CPU wun be that hot. Get a decent heatsink will do, or even intel stock heatsink.

3. Vengeance Pro isnt that cheap and not worth its price. Just get kingston value rams or if u wan with heatsink, either vengeance or g.skill.

4. With that price for gpu, i think you can land with a 750ti or maybe 270. Need not be ASUS. Other brands offer better pricing with similar performance

5. No need get SSHD, not worth de. Not even close to SSD performance and yet more ex than normal HDD. Just go for WD purple 2tb at $124 +/-.

 

[ericccc]

1. You dun need Corsair RM650, Seasonic G650 will do.

2. You dun need AIO cooling since your CPU wun be that hot. Get a decent heatsink will do, or even intel stock heatsink.

3. Vengeance Pro isnt that cheap and not worth its price. Just get kingston value rams or if u wan with heatsink, either vengeance or g.skill.

4. With that price for gpu, i think you can land with a 750ti or maybe 270. Need not be ASUS. Other brands offer better pricing with similar performance

5. No need get SSHD, not worth de. Not even close to SSD performance and yet more ex than normal HDD. Just go for WD purple 2tb at $124 +/-.

Thank you very much

1. Is seasonic G650 will be silent than RM650?

2. Is the decent heatsink more silent than a liquid cool? because i saw a heatsink with build into the chassis i picked, it very close to the PSU back side, seems so hot.

3. Ok will do.

4. OK will do, but Asus is better right?

5. will try and see WD purple series.

 

[shadow84]

Thank you very much

1. Is seasonic G650 will be silent than RM650?

2. Is the decent heatsink more silent than a liquid cool? because i saw a heatsink with build into the chassis i picked, it very close to the PSU back side, seems so hot.

3. Ok will do.

4. OK will do, but Asus is better right?

5. will try and see WD purple series.

1. Although G650 does not have the profile whereby the fan will spin when the load is above XX% or so, it does not mean that it will be noisy. You can go take a look at reviews. IMO, its quiet. At least in my fren's build.

2. The heatsink dun produce noise, its the fan that produces. If u wan quiet, go get a normal heatsink whereby your case can accept and get Noctua fans. Silent and efficient and pricey. AIO will be more noisy due to fans cooling the rad as well as the internal pump pushing the liquid throughout the rad.

4. ASUS isnt better, but neither is it the worst. Look for brands not based on popularity but based on customer service given, location of RMA centre. You can take a look at ASUS sub forum to see the complains, as well as for the other distro's sub forum.

5. Purple should be good enough for your needs. You can try blue if u wan, just dun go for green bah.

 

[ericccc]

1. Although G650 does not have the profile whereby the fan will spin when the load is above XX% or so, it does not mean that it will be noisy. You can go take a look at reviews. IMO, its quiet. At least in my fren's build.

2. The heatsink dun produce noise, its the fan that produces. If u wan quiet, go get a normal heatsink whereby your case can accept and get Noctua fans. Silent and efficient and pricey. AIO will be more noisy due to fans cooling the rad as well as the internal pump pushing the liquid throughout the rad.

4. ASUS isnt better, but neither is it the worst. Look for brands not based on popularity but based on customer service given, location of RMA centre. You can take a look at ASUS sub forum to see the complains, as well as for the other distro's sub forum.

5. Purple should be good enough for your needs. You can try blue if u wan, just dun go for green bah.

2. i cant find the noctua brand typs and price at the pricelist.

4. will have to try the Ti version length is enough room for the chassis.