May be useful: how to build a computer yourself.
A chain of world events leads to the fact that the domestic currency continues its spectacular dive in search of bottom. Since computer equipment is purchased mainly in US dollars, the ruble value varies along with the course. January is the hardest month of the onset of this column (in April “Computer of the month” will be a year). Now, perhaps, the most unfavorable period to buy the system unit, but to dissuade from it makes no sense. First, there is the need to acquire new equipment. Computers become obsolete and fail. Secondly, it is not necessary to exclude the situation described in one old joke: perhaps, over time we realize that it was still a white stripe.
Iron is more expensive every month. To configure the system becomes more difficult. I therefore took the following decision: from now on, in the emphasis on solely performance. The aim is to offer the readers of configurations that will be considered as relevant and contemporary as long as possible. Therefore, in the Assembly today considered the bet is placed on the speed of the CPU and graphics card. Unfortunately, in some cases, you have to sacrifice the functionality of a motherboard and a potential upgrade path as well as aesthetics, ergonomics, and other criteria inherent in the home gaming computer.
PC of the month — January 2016
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 most cases, have to forego such effects as smoothing and need to set the overall low/medium graphics quality settings.
Starting build
Processor
AMD FX-4300, 4 core, 3,8 (4,0) GHz, 4 MB L3.
5300 rubles.
G3260 Intel Pentium, 2 cores, 3.3 GHz, 3 MB L3.
4700 rubles.
Motherboard
AMD 760G
Examples:
- ASRock 960GM-VGS3 FX;
- ASUS M5A78L-M LX3;
- MSI 760GM-P23 (FX).
3500 rubles.
Intel H81 Express
Examples:
- ASUS H81M-K;
- MSI H81M-E33.
3500 rubles.
RAM
2x 4 GB DDR3-1600.
4000 rubles.
Video card
AMD Radeon HD 7850, 900 MHz, 2 GB GDDR5.
AMD Radeon R7 360, 1050 MHz, 2 GB GDDR5.
8300 rubles.
Drive
HDD, 1TB, 7200 rpm.
4100 rubles.
CPU cooler
Example:
- Deepcool ICE EDGE MINI FS V2.0;
- Deepcool THETA 31 PWM.
800 rubles.
Case
Examples:
- ACCORD P-25B;
- 3Cott 1811.
1500 rubles.
The power supply
Examples:
- Chieftec GPA-500S 500W;
- FSP Group ATX-500PNR 500 W;
- Zalman ZM500-LE 500W.
3000 RUB.
Total
AMD — 30 500 rubles.
Intel — 29 900 rubles.
May be useful: how to build a computer from technically obsolete hardware.
Starting the Assembly — an example configuration in which you have to save on everything. Nothing can be done, because at today’s exchange rate of 30 000 rubles — it’s only $ 400, and the rule of “thousands of dollars” has not been canceled.
What does this savings? If we talk about Intel-system, it is possible to purchase openly dual-core budget CPU Pentium G3260. There are games that simply don’t start with this “stone”. For Example, Far Cry 4. The only plus of this system — the ability over time to set the Quad-core chip generation Haswell processor (e.g. Core i5-4460), and with it a more powerful graphics card of GeForce GTX 960/970. And buy the SSD, the benefit of the boards chipset H81 Express have a pair of SATA 3.0 ports. With the phrase “here and now” in this category looks preferable to AMD platform. In particular, the processor FX-4300 has though weak, but four cores.
Last month, in the starting Assembly has been used in more modern platform FM2+ and AMD Athlon X4 860K. This time the choice fell on the FX-4300. It is cheaper, but the functionality 760G boards on the logic of limping on both legs. Connectors no SATA 3.0. Therefore, the SSD is connected. Disperse there, although the FX chips have an unlocked multiplier. Listed in the table of fees only support 95 watt processors that will eventually replace the FX-4300 on low frequency FX-8300, for example. And that’s it.
In the sale you can still find Radeon HD 7850. For the money — perfect. Not curates scan online flea market. This is often the best way to save. If you find an old Radeon HD 7850 not succeed, you will have to take the video card level Radeon R7 360 or GeForce GTX 750. I chose the AMD solution. Its performance is enough for more or less comfortable gaming in Full HD resolution in GTA V and Fallout 4. With proper luck card overclocked to 1200 MHz on the chip. And then she compares the performance of the stock versions of GeForce GTX 750 Ti and Radeon R7 260X.
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 to even high graphic settings.
Base Assembly
Processor
AMD FX-8320E, 8 core, 3,2 (4,0) GHz, 8 MB L3.
9000 rubles.
Intel Core i5-4460, 4 cores, 3,2 (3,4) GHz, 6 MB L3.
15 000 RUB.
Motherboard
AMD 970
Examples:
- MSI 970A-G43;
- ASRock 970 Pro3 R2.0;
- ASUS M5A97 PLUS.
5500 RUB.
Intel H81 Express
Examples:
- ASUS H81M-K;
- MSI H81M-E33.
3500 rubles.
RAM
2x 4 GB DDR3-1600.
4000 rubles.
Video card
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960, 1126 (1178) MHz, 4 GB GDDR5;
AMD Radeon R9 380, 970 MHz, 4 GB GDDR5.
18 500 rubles.
Drive
HDD, 1 TB, 7200 rpm
4100 rubles.
CPU cooler
Examples:
- Zalman CNPS10X Performa — AMD;
- Deepcool THETA 31 PWM Intel.
2700/800 RUB.
Case
Examples:
- Zalman Z1;
- Thermaltake Versa H21.
3000 RUB.
The power supply
Example:
- Chieftec GPA-500S 500W;
- FSP Group ATX-500PNR 500 W;
- Zalman ZM500-LE 500W.
3000 RUB.
Total
AMD — 49 800 rubles.
Intel — 51 900 rubles.
May be useful: how to choose a CPU for a gaming computer.
The most difficult category. Here I suffered a Frank fiasco, as within stated budget I eventually managed to “cram” into an Assembly and Core i5, and 4-Gigabyte version of the GeForce GTX 960. I have already emphasized that the normal gaming computer must consist of a 4-core CPU and graphics card midrange with 4 GB of VRAM to pull modern games in Full HD resolution on high graphics quality settings. To fit within a predetermined budget, either instead of the Core i5-4460 to take a Core i3 or is a 3D accelerator with 4 GB to purchase a 2-Gigabyte version. Let me remind you that the table shows average prices for “Yandex.Market” (the region of Moscow). Thus, such Assembly can cost both cheaper and more expensive.
Even in 2016 processors the item has been added to the LGA1151 platform are considerably more expensive Haswell Refresh. For example, the cheapest 14-nanometer chetyrekhyadernykh — Core i5-6400 is comparable in price with Core i5-4460, but works at a lower frequency. The new architecture does not save, when compared head-the item has been added appears to be slower. Also noticeably more expensive and motherboards for the socket LGA1151.
As to the build on AMD platform, this month had to abandon CPU FX-8300 in favor of the FX-8320E. No problem. Minus these 95-watt chips is their low clock frequency. Yes, option Turbo Core claimed decent — 4000+ MHz. But in practice, these “stones” almost never work at that speed. Appreciable difference in performance between FX-8320E and FX-8320 confirms my words. Therefore, to balance the configuration would be somewhat podrzavati the CPU. For example, to a stable at 3.7-4.0 GHz without raising the voltage. Motherboard, given by way of example, will cope with this task, but the more they are afraid, unable. In particular, due to the lack of any distinct cooling of the VRM. Definitely need a case with a fan on the back wall, but even better if the airflow guide straight to the North bridge and the power circuit.
Practice shows that the FX-8300 and FX-8320E smartly accelerated to 4.5-4.7 GHz but this would require a higher quality motherboard.
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-8320 8-core 3,5 (4,0) GHz, 8 MB L3.
12 500 rubles.
Intel Core i5-4590, 4 cores, 3,3 (3,7) GHz, 6 MB L3.
16 000 RUB.
Motherboard
AMD 970
Examples:
- ASRock 970 Extreme3 R2.0;
- MSI 970A-G46;
- ASUS M5A97 R2.0.
6700 rubles.
Intel B85/H97 Express
Examples:
- MSI B85-G43;
- ASUS B85-PLUS;
- ASRock H97 Pro4.
6500 RUB.
RAM
2x 8 GB DDR3-1600
7000 rubles.
Video card
AMD Radeon R9 390, 1000 MHz, 8 GB GDDR5;
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970, 1050 (1178) MHz, 4 GB GDDR5.
28 500 rubles.
Drive
SSD 120-128 GB;
HDD, 1TB, 5400-7200 rpm.
4500+4100 rubles.
CPU cooler
Examples:
- Zalman CNPS10X Performa — AMD;
- Deepcool GAMMAXX 300 Intel.
2700/1400 RUB.
Case
Examples:
- Zalman Z3 Plus Black;
- · Fractal Design Core 2300;
- · AeroCool Aero-500.
3500 rubles.
The power supply
Example:
- AeroCool Kcas 600W;
- Zalman ZM600 printers-GLX.
4000 rubles.
Total
AMD — 73 500 rubles.
Intel — 75 500 rubles.
May be useful: how to choose SSD.
That long-awaited build for a thousand dollars. Yet for a thousand dollars. The last time a basic element of the platform was the Intel Core i5-6500. The economy has forced me to revisit the Haswell chip. In terms of performance did not become worse. In terms of functionality and capabilities to further upgrade the January optimal build is noticeably inferior to the December.
The second point. Budget enough to install a cheap SSD volume 120-128 GB. Last month I was able to integrate in an optimal build with an SSD with twice the capacity.
The remaining components are not changed. If the ruble will continue to fall in price, it is likely that in February to integrate in the system the video card of level GeForce GTX 970 or Radeon R9 390 has not come out. Have to settle for the Radeon R9 380X.
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.
15 000 RUB.
Intel Core i5-6600, 4 cores, 3,3 (3,9) GHz, 6 MB L3.
18 500 rubles.
Motherboard
AMD 990FX
Examples:
- ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0;
- MSI 990FXA-GD65.
10 500 RUB.
Intel Z170 Express
Examples:
- ASRock Pro4 Z170;
- GIGABYTE GA-Z170-D3H;
- Z170A MSI-G43 PLUS.
10 000 RUB.
RAM
2x 8 GB DDR3-1866 for AMD;
2x 8 GB DDR4-2133 — Intel.
7000/8000 RUB.
Video card
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980, 1126 MHz, 4 GB GDDR5.
44 000 RUB.
Drive
SSD, 240-256 GB;
HDD, 1TB, 5400-7200 rpm.
6700+4100 rubles.
CPU cooler
Examples:
- Thermalright Macho Rev. A or Scythe Mugen 4 for AMD;
- Deepcool GAMMAXX S40 — for Intel.
3700/1900 RUB.
Case
Examples:
- Zalman Z3 Plus Black;
- · Fractal Design Core 2300;
- · Deepcool Tesseract.
3500 rubles.
The power supply
Example:
- AeroCool Kcas 600W;
- Zalman ZM600 printers-GLX.
4000 rubles.
Total
AMD — 98 500 rubles.
Intel — 100 700 rubles.
May be useful: how to choose a motherboard.
And here is the first and only building on Intel the item has been added! I chose the model Core i5-6600, without the unlocked multiplier. At the end of 2015 for a number of motherboard chipset Z170 Express all the leading manufacturers (ASUS, ASRock, MSI, GIGABYTE, BIOSTAR and Supermicro) has released an updated version of the BIOS. After flashing your card, you can overclock any chip the item has been added by changing the clock generator frequency. Core i5-6600 quietly conquer the mark of 4,0-4,3 GHz. This will require to increase the frequency of BCLK before 121-130 MHz, respectively. With such overclock can handle the absolute majority of motherboards. In the above table shows the devices with 100% probability that dispersed the item has been added to the bus. Such procedures result in automatic disabling of the built in graphic kernel, and functions are dynamic changes in the frequency, C-states and Turbo Boost. Besides decreasing the performance of AVX-instructions.
The AMD system has not changed. Had to rely on a cheaper motherboard, but overclocking with no problems. Overall for an advanced build, I used a cheaper power supply. However, installing even one GeForce GTX 980 was never originally intended.
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.
35 000 rubles.
Motherboard
Intel X99 Express
Examples:
- ASUS X99-A;
- MSI X99A SLI PLUS;
- MSI X99A RAIDER.
18 000.
RAM
4x 4 GB DDR4-2133.
8000 rubles.
Video card
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti, 1000 MHz, 6 GB GDDR5.
58 500 rubles.
Drive
SSD, 240-256 GB;
HDD, 1TB, 5400-7200 rpm.
8000+4100 rubles.
CPU cooler
Examples:
- Deepcool ASSASSIN II;
- ZALMAN CNPS12X.
5000 rubles.
Case
Examples:
- Fractal Design Core 3300;
- Thermaltake Commander G42 Window.
6000 rubles.
The power supply
Examples:
- Cooler Master V650 Semi-Modular 650W;
- Thermaltake Ural 650 Watts.
7500 rubles.
Total
150 100 rubles.
May be useful: how to choose a power supply.
Since that time, a 6 core CPU Core i7-5820K and the GeForce GTX 980 Ti rose significantly. Mind started logical thought: instead of whether to go for the item has been added? For example, on Core i7-6700 and Z170-cost reasonably priced. So will be cheaper. And still be on LGA2011-v3 enabled savings on two components. First, instead of the SSD volume 500-512 GB had to take a lower-capacity SSD. Secondly, my choice fell on the power supply capacity of 650 watts. In December the “Computer of the month” I suggested PSU to 850 watts in the hope that over time the system will be installed another GeForce GTX 980 Ti. As you can see, the extreme performance of the Assembly remained at the same level, but without their original Shine.