May be useful: how to build a computer yourself.
Autumn is traditionally considered to be a blessed time for the release of computer games. In November were presented to the PC releases of Fallout 4, Star Wars: Battlefront, Call of Duty: Black Ops III, Star Craft II: Legacy of the Void and Assassin’s Creed Syndicate. In early December came the third part of the franchise and Just Cause Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege. It is unfortunate that in recent times the developers “throw” frankly raw foods, but let’s hope that all the necessary work on optimization will be held in the shortest possible time. As you can see, to play on new year’s holidays there. I hope your computer is ready. If not, then there is reason to think.
Compared to the previous month below the platform has not changed. Unfortunately, the sellers still inflate the cost of the item has been added, and Intel motherboards for the socket LGA1151. Therefore, as before, entry-level systems are based on time-tested Haswell chips. Actually, there is no tragedy here. You can see full tests on our website. However, if possible I always try to configure the most modern build. This is my principled position.
PC of the month — December 2015
Starting the build — up to 30,000 rubles
Starting system costing up to 30 000 rubles will allow the user to play games up to 1080p resolution. In some cases it is necessary to cancel effects such as antialiasing, but also need to set the overall low/medium graphics quality settings.
Starting build
Processor
AMD Athlon X4 860K, 4 core, 3,7 (4,0) GHz, 4 MB L2.
5600 rubles.
Intel Pentium G3460, core 2, 3.5 GHz, 3 MB L3.
5200 rubles.
Motherboard
AMD A68H
Examples:
- ASUS A68HM-K;
- GIGABYTE GA-F2A68HM-S1.
3300 rubles.
Intel H81 Express
Examples:
- ASUS H81M-K;
- MSI H81M-E33.
3300 rubles.
RAM
2x 4 GB DDR3-1600.
3500 rubles.
Video card
AMD Radeon HD 7870, 1000 MHz, 2 GB GDDR5.
9200 rubles.
Drive
HDD, 1TB, 7200 rpm.
3800 rubles.
CPU cooler
Example:
- Deepcool ICE EDGE MINI FS V2.0.
700 RUB.
Case
Examples:
- ACCORD P-25B;
- 3Cott 1811.
1400 RUB.
The power supply
Examples:
- Chieftec GPS-450 450A8 W;
- AeroCool Kcas 500W;
- Zalman ZM500-LE 500W.
2500 rubles.
Total
AMD — 30 000 rubles.
Intel — 29 600 rubles.
May be useful: how to choose a CPU for a gaming computer.
Pessimists contend, they want the same money to collect more appetizing Assembly. Optimists rejoice that after a month of the considered configurations has risen slightly. Please note that all prices on computer parts taken from the resource “Yandex.Market”, and it displayed the average for the Moscow region. Compared to the previous month, the starting Assembly is somewhat modified. Store clogged with new products, so slightly cheaper video card Radeon HD 7870 with 2 GB VRAM. Yes, a 3D accelerator is old, but he’s still capable of delivering a decent level of FPS in modern games. For example, it is at least not inferior to more modern models Radeon R7 370, for its graphics processor is equipped with a large number of stream processors and texture units. You see, there is a possibility that to find Radeon HD 7870 to the shop of your city will fail. In this case, you have the choice between: Radeon HD 7850, Radeon R7 260X or GeForce GTX 750 Ti.
It is possible to take a Pentium processor on the architecture of the item has been added. At the time of writing, on sale there were five relevant models. However, they are considerably more expensive solutions of the past generation, so that in coordinates price-to-performance chip, the Pentium G3460 looks better. Once again I repeat: in the case of the starting Assembly in the games platform on Athlon X4 860K looks better. Modern games have more and more requirements for CPU resources.
Last month, we published a comparative test of the hard drives of 1-2 TB. Unfortunately, to integrate into the build cost up to 50 000 rubles inclusive solid state drive does not work. I don’t want to skimp on other components.
Now let’s consider the options for the Assembly cheaper and more expensive configurations. As for the AMD platform, in the absence of the necessary amount of money for a place Athlon X4 860K and Athlon X4 840 begs (4400 rbl.). About the graphics card of lower rank and the prices I wrote above. Plus here good fit adapters-level Radeon R7 360/260X or GeForce GTX 750 (8000 RUB). To improve AMD-Assembly in two ways. To take a more expensive motherboard on the chipset A88X (for example, ASUS A88XM-PLUS, 5500 rbl.) and overclock the Athlon X4 860K to 4.5 GHz. To do this, however, will need to buy a more efficient cooler. For example, Deepcool GAMMAXX 300 (1400 rbl.). The second method is more productive. Take the AMD FX-8320E (8500 RUR) and a cheap motherboard, AMD 760G logic (for example, ASUS M5A78L-M/USB3, 4000 rubles). Well, Radeon R7 370 with 4 GB of video memory or GeForce GTX 950 (13 000 rubles).
As for Intel, “to degrade” here is nothing special. Except instead of Pentium take Celeron G1850 (3000 rubles). But improving the system is essential. Get at least Core i3-4170 (8900 rbl.). The presence of Hyper-Threading is very useful in games.
Base Assembly — up to 50 000 rubles
Basic system cost up to 50 000 rubles will allow the user to play games up to 1080p resolution. In Full HD in most cases, you can treat yourself even with maximum graphics quality settings.
Base Assembly
Processor
AMD FX-8300, 8 core, 3,3 (4,2) GHz, 8 MB L3.
10 600 RUB.
Intel Core i5-4460, 4 cores, 3,2 (3,4) GHz, 6 MB L3.
14 100 rbl.
Motherboard
AMD 970
Examples:
- ASUS M5A97 R2.0;
- GIGABYTE GA-970A-UD3P;
- MSI 970A-G46;
- ASRock 970m graphics Pro3.
5500 RUB.
Intel ® B85 Expr
ess
Examples:
- MSI B85M-G43;
- ASUS B85M-G;
- GIGABYTE GA-B85M-D3H-A.
4500 rubles.
RAM
2x 4 GB DDR3-1600.
3500 rubles.
Video card
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960, 1126 (1178) MHz, 4 GB GDDR5;
AMD Radeon R9 380, 970 MHz, 4 GB GDDR5.
17 500 rubles.
Drive
HDD, 1TB, 7200 rpm.
3800 rubles.
CPU cooler
Examples:
- Zalman CNPS10X Performa — AMD;
- Deepcool GAMMAXX 200 — for Intel.
2500/900 RUB.
Case
Examples:
- Zalman Z1;
- Cooler Master K280;
- AeroCool Aero-500.
3000 RUB.
The power supply
Example:
- AeroCool Kcas 600W;
- Zalman ZM600 printers-GLX.
3500 rubles.
Total
AMD 49 900 rubles.
Intel — 50 800 RUB.
May be useful: how to build a computer from technically obsolete hardware.
Like I said, in November, AMD unveiled a new graphics card — Radeon R9 380X. The adapter behaves well in games in Full HD resolution and under certain circumstances, capable of feats in the CPU. However, the level of performance of new items is not much different from previously released Radeon R9 280X and Radeon HD 7970. But instead of the 3GB it comes with 4 GB of VRAM and is significantly ahead of the GeForce GTX 960. But the difference between the Radeon R9 380 and Radeon R9 380X is negligible. Therefore, in the coordinate system of price/performance the younger the model looks better. That’s what I based the configuration of the base Assembly.
Regular readers of “Computer of the month” will easily catch up with me on the fact that earlier games in Full HD resolution I was advised graphics card 2 GB of memory. Well, November’s “groped” clearly showed that such volume is not enough now. Most of the games at maximum graphics quality settings using 2 – and 4-fold aliasing modes already in Full HD resolution “eats” up to three gigabytes of video memory. Therefore, 4 GB “brains” — this is the minimum necessary to date.
With regard to the configuration of the platforms in General, they are compared with the previous month has not changed. There was a slight increase in prices, so Intel had to choose a cheaper motherboard. Even given this fact I do not quite managed to get into the designated amount. The item has been added to this price category continues to roads, and profit from the use of the new 14-nm “stone” in games not so much.
Reduce the cost of the presented platform is easy. For AMD is the FX-8300 and can take the FX-8320E (8600 rubles). He calmly overclocked to 4.2-4.5 GHz. For Intel in terms of cost logical solution would be abandoning the Core i5 in favor of the Core i3-4170 (8900 rbl.). But I highly recommend not to do it. Finally, for both platforms, you can get a cheaper adapter. For example, the GeForce GTX 950 (13 000 rubles). He’s a little bit behind the GeForce GTX 960. However, sales there are models with 2GB of memory.
Optimal build — up to 75,000 rubles
Optimal system cost up to 75 000 rubles will allow the user to play games up to 1440p resolutions with max graphic settings.
Optimal build
Processor
AMD FX-8350, 8 core, 4,0 (4,2) GHz, 8 MB L3.
14 100 rbl.
Intel Core i5-6500, 4 cores, 3,2 (3,6) GHz, 6 MB L3.
15 900 RUB.
Motherboard
AMD 970
Examples:
- MSI 970 GAMING;
- MSI 970A SLI Krait Edition;
- ASUS M5A97 EVO R2.0.
7200 rubles.
Intel B150/H170 Express
Examples:
- MSI GAMING B150 M3;
- ASRock H170 Pro4S;
- ASUS H170-PRO.
8000 rubles.
RAM
2x 8 GB DDR3-1866 for AMD;
2x 8 GB DDR4-2133 — Intel.
6500/7300 RUB.
Video card
AMD Radeon R9 390, 1000 MHz, 8 GB GDDR5;
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970, 1050 (1178) MHz, 4 GB GDDR5.
25 500 rubles.
Drive
SSD, 240-256 GB;
HDD, 1TB, 5400-7200 rpm.
6300+3800 rubles.
CPU cooler
Examples:
- Thermalright Macho Rev. A — for AMD;
- Deepcool GAMMAXX 300 Intel.
3400/1400 RUB.
Case
Examples:
- Zalman Z1;
- Cooler Master K280;
- AeroCool Aero-500.
3000 RUB.
The power supply
Example:
- AeroCool Kcas 600W;
- Zalman ZM600 printers-GLX.
3500 rubles.
Total
AMD — 73 300 rubles.
Intel — 74 700 roubles.
May be useful: how to choose SSD.
The optimal Assembly — the Assembly with CPU the item has been added. Immediately say, that to collect a similar performance system to Haswell will come out somewhat cheaper. For example, you can purchase the Core i5-4460 and motherboard chipset B85/H97 Express (6000 rubles).
Since I started with maneuvers, and in the AMD system, in the name of saving, instead of the FX-8350 can set the FX-8300 or FX-8320E, provided that the chip is overclocked to 4.2-4.5 GHz. For these needs, and picked a powerful cooler which is a Thermalright Macho. Anyway, as you can see, when the system configuration on the AMD platform I have budget left 1700 rbl. This money can be invested, for example, to buy a hard disk with a larger volume.
In General, compared to the previous month optimal build has not changed. The composition of the main components was the same.
Advanced Assembly — up to 100 000 rubles
The advanced system will allow the user to play games up to 1440p resolutions with max graphic settings.
Advanced Assembly
Processor
AMD FX-8350, 8 core, 4,0 (4,2) GHz, 8 MB L3.
14 100 rbl.
Intel Core i5-6600K, 4 cores, 3.5 (and 3.9) GHz, 6 MB L3.
21 200 rubles.
Motherboard
AMD 990FX
Examples:
- ASUS SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0;
- ASRock 990FX Extreme6;
- GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD5.
11 500 RUB.
Intel Z170 Express
Examples:
- ASUS Z170-A;
- Z170 MSI KRAIT GAMING;
- ASRock Pro4 Z170;
- GIGABYTE GA-Z170X-Gaming 3.
11 000 rubles.
RAM
2x 8 GB DDR3-1866 for AMD;
2x 8 GB DDR4-2133 — Intel.
6500/7300 RUB.
Video card
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980, 1126 MHz, 4 GB GDDR5.
39 000 RUB.
Drive
SSD, 240-256 GB;
HDD, 1TB, 5400-7200 rpm.
8000/6300+3800 rubles.
CPU cooler
Examples:
- Thermalright Macho Rev. A.
3400 rubles.
Case
Examples:
- Zalman Z1;
- Cooler Master K280.
3000 RUB.
The power supply
Example:
- Chieftec APS-750CB 750W;
- AeroCool Hero 775 Watts.
5500 RUB.
Total
AMD — 94 800 rubles.
Intel — 100 500 rubles.
May be useful: how to choose a motherboard.
In advanced build there is a huge difference in price between AMD and Intel. This led to the fact that the platform is “red” easily fit into the designated budget, and the Intel does not. Specifically customize the configuration based on AMD claimed up to 100 000 don’t see the point. In which case the user will decide what to add to the system. Of course, instead of the FX-8350 can take FX-8370 (15 800 rbl.) or even a FX-9590 (18 000 rubles), but a similar frequency and are easily achieved through acceleration. FX-8350 can take and 5 GHz on air. Only have to invest in more efficient cooler or a maintenance-free water cooling. If to disperse the soul does not lie and wants to have a 100% stable system, these processors take note.
In all assemblies, I try to consider alternatives. Here and here for less money you can collect comparative performance system. For example, to buy Core i5-4690K (18 700 rubles), motherboard, Z97 Express (9000 rubles) and RAM DDR3-1600 (6500 rubles).
Now about the improvement of the assemblies. Between the GeForce GTX 980 and GeForce GTX 980 Ti is a price gap in a size 14 500 rubles. It is on this amount of money need to fork out if there is a desire to increase the performance of advanced build in the games. The second option is the Radeon R9 Fury (43 000 rubles). Yes, this 3D accelerator is not always faster than GeForce GTX 980, but often it’s little, but ahead of its competitor. Whether it is to pay 4000 rubles — a question disputable, of course.
Extreme build — to 150 000 roubles
Build cost up to 150,000 rubles will allow the user to play modern computer games up to a resolution of 2160p. In the CPU you can treat yourself to highest quality graphics. Ultra HD will have to choose the parameters, as the load on the graphics subsystem increases drastically.
Extreme build
Processor
Intel Core i7-5820K, 6 cores, 3,3 (3,6) GHz, 15 MB L3.
32 000 rubles.
Motherboard
Intel X99 Express
Examples:
- ASUS X99-A;
- MSI X99A SLI PLUS;
- MSI X99A RAIDER.
17 000 rubles.
RAM
4x 4 GB DDR4-2133.
7500 rubles.
Video card
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti, 1000 MHz, 6 GB GDDR5.
53 500 rubles.
Drive
SSD, 500-512 GB;
HDD, 1TB, 5400-7200 rpm.
13 500+3800 rubles.
CPU cooler
Examples:
- Deepcool ASSASSIN II;
- ZALMAN CNPS12X.
4500 rubles.
Case
Examples:
- Fractal Design Core 3300;
- Thermaltake Commander G42 Window.
5500 RUB.
The power supply
Examples:
- RM850i Corsair 850 W;
- Sea Sonic Electronics X-850 850 Watts;
- Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 850 Watts.
12 000 RUB.
Total
149 300 rubles.
May be useful: how to choose a power supply.
Actually, I’m somewhat alarming tendencies. The resource intensity of modern games growing and growing, but the proportional improvement in the quality of graphics are not observed. Annoying idea that purchased today for $ 40,000 video card with 4 GB VRAM tomorrow will turn into a pumpkin. I have AMD Radeon R9 390/390X with 8GB. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti and GeForce GTX TITAN X. Accelerators “red” refer to the initial level Hi-end solutions “green” — to top-pretopology. For the same reason, I see no reason to put arrays of graphics cards in CrossFire/SLI — the performance of the two chips will still run into the gap between the memory capacity. Plus there has been an unpleasant trend: for the optimization of games for CrossFire/SLI stupidly sacrificed. So, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate does not matter very much works with neskolkimi GeForce’AMI. But this game was developed with the assistance of NVIDIA! In the newly released Just Cause 3 engine is also not able to work with multiple GPUs.
But I digress. Last time sparked an interesting discussion on the subject that the extreme assemblies are preferred. Opponents insisted on a Core i7-6700K (33 000 rubles), as it is more modern, better dispersed, and by default operates at a very high clock frequency. A grain of truth in this statement, undoubtedly, is. Take note of this. Only in this situation, Core i7-5820K still looks better. First, at the moment it is cheaper (if you believe average price “Yandex.Market”) than the Core i7-6700K. I agree, the price the item has been added on top of inadequate. For example, Core i7-4790K (27 500 rubles) is significantly cheaper. Therefore, when choosing the LGA1151 platform all savings will amount to buying a cheaper motherboard (11 000 rubles). Secondly, more and more computer games will use more and more CPU threads. For example, the newly released Fallout 4 can use up to 16 threads. But this game is built on the engine from TES V: Skyrim, which previously did not respond to the increase in processor cores in the system. Therefore, we can safely say that the following game publisher Bethesda will be optimized under a large number of streams “of the stone”. Once we buy a pricey build, then let it be considered modern as long as possible. Single point: the Core i7-5820K runs at a rather low frequency. It would be nice to increase it to 4.2-4.5 GHz.