Attention Low-End/Midrange Gaming System Builders

[Ken g6]

Ironically I think the deals were better two weeks ago, and I expect them to be better again in three or four weeks.

 

[Ken g6]

Did I mention that I updated the $1000 build? HTTP://pcpartpicker.com/p/CFptxr

 

[crashtech]

Ken, do you think the inclusion of a larger ~500GB SSD might now make a viable alternative to the SSD-HDD combo that has been standard for so long now? 500GB would be enough for many but not all users, but then again the same could be said for the 1.25GB capacity of the current midrange offering. As far as I have seen, most people do pretty well with half a terabyte, as least for a while. I've recently used the Sandisk X400 in a few things with good results; the 512GB version is $118 at Newegg.

 

[007ELmO]

deleted

 

[Ken g6]

Ken, do you think the inclusion of a larger ~500GB SSD might now make a viable alternative to the SSD-HDD combo that has been standard for so long now? 500GB would be enough for many but not all users, but then again the same could be said for the 1.25GB capacity of the current midrange offering. As far as I have seen, most people do pretty well with half a terabyte, as least for a while. I've recently used the Sandisk X400 in a few things with good results; the 512GB version is $118 at Newegg.

Hm. I have a half-terabyte SSD myself. I personally want more. It's a somewhat tough call.

The fact that a Samsung .5TB drive is ~$155 makes me prefer the current configuration. Aside from Samsung, it seems like all the SSD makers are in a race to the bottom, with performance being sacrificed to get there. Sandisk is one of the lesser offenders. But hard drive space is really cheap, and in many cases more reliable than SSD storage. It's also good for backups.

 

[Ken g6]

Just a little tweak to the $500 build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tN26M8

 

[007ELmO]

Just a little tweak to the $500 build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tN26M8

What types of games do you expect the $500 build to run? Thinking of building a 4 player LAN, resolution 1920x1080 would be good enough.

 

[Ken g6]

I'm sure the $500 build can play lots of games - just not at ultra high settings. Probably anything where the minimum CPU is an i5-2400 or lower.

 

[Ken g6]

Two new builds:

$1000: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/Ztjdnn
$500: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/68nxFd

 

[Ken g6]

Just a minor tweak to the $500 build.

 

[Ken g6]

I couldn't wait to post a build with a 1070 for ~$1000! http://pcpartpicker.com/list/cvHbvV

 

[Ken g6]

Just some small tweaks this weekend:

$1000: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/wpqVnn
$500: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/YKGZLD

 

[Ken g6]

Two new builds:

$1000: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/Mh6RGf
$500: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/XQx6XH

 

[andersonviola]

Hi,

I am looking to build my parents a decent everyday computer, no gaming or video editing etc. Not much storage will be needed so I will be using a SSD.

Using your $500 build, would there be any complications from omitting the video card and using the integrated graphics? Would I scale back the PSU? Anything else I should be aware of?

Thanks,
Marc

 

[Ken g6]

Using your $500 build, would there be any complications from omitting the video card and using the integrated graphics?

Nope.

Would I scale back the PSU?

Maybe a little. But you don't have to.

 

[andersonviola]

Nope.

Maybe a little. But you don't have to.

Thanks!

 

[Ken g6]

New builds:

$1000: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/wbfP3F
$500: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/GnJfHN

 

[Ken g6]

I cut back the hard drive to allow for a better PSU on the $1000 build: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/gygmqk

 

[lehtv]

Hey Ken, why does the build have to be precisely $1000? I'm just thinking that instead of making compromises on arbitrary grounds, it might be better to just suggest whatever components are the best bang for buck, even if it means going over budget. Some weeks you might settle for a $950 build, other weeks a $1050 build might make more sense. In any case, anyone's $1000 budget has enough leeway to allow for $10 extra on a hard disk that offers much better price per GB.

 

[crashtech]

$1000 has been the traditional target, but maybe +-5% could be acceptable, with notes that point out the reason for the deviation.

 

[lehtv]

Yeah 5% is not a big deal for most people. That affords a $100 maximum deviation between builds, which is more than enough for ensuring you can always pick all the best bang-for-buck parts.

 

[Ken g6]

Hm. 5% sounds interesting. I'd been aiming for a 1% variation. I guess sometimes I also apply my low-end build mindset to the midrange build. I'll think about it. Thanks!

 

[Ken g6]

A new angle on the $1000 build: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/Jzh6sJ

Edit: Not in terms of price variation, though.

 

[Ken g6]

I just refreshed both builds this week.

 

[Ken g6]

Two new builds:

$1000: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/hPMPnn
$500: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/hMRf9W