Budget computer for games September. The cheapest computer. Building a budget PC for gamers. Cooling per processor

When assembling an inexpensive gaming computer, we set ourselves two main goals: in terms of hardware, it should not contain any “junk” and the configuration should leave room for upgrades. We managed to cope with both.

A motherboard with DDR4 support belongs to the modern generation of technology and you can install more powerful Intel Skylake processors on it at your discretion. However, the presented i3-6100 with two cores operating at a clock frequency of 3.2 GHz is quite suitable for games. And a solid-state drive is an ideal solution for quickly loading data.

Electricity is supplied to the system through a 430-watt Seasonic power supply. Despite the fact that all system components require just over 100 Watts, we chose this one, since other branded power supplies with lower performance are no cheaper.

Palit GeForce GTX 750 Ti Kalm X

Silent power

The highlight of this computer is the Palit Geforce GTX 750 Ti Kalm X. Although this video card is not excellent in graphics processing (it works at the level of the initial GTX 950), it does have one “ace up its sleeve”. Its cooling system is completely passive. Since the SSD does not make a sound, the loudest element in the system is the processor cooling fan. Thus, the computer we assembled will protect even the most sensitive ears.

What is missing?

The computer we assembled is like an inexpensive car: it provides everything necessary that is expected of it, but it does not have any options that increase comfort. But there is potential for modernization. For example, someone who would not like to connect to the Internet via cable will need to purchase a Wi-Fi adapter.

In addition, this PC does not have Bluetooth, digital audio outputs or optical drives. However, the current Windows 10 operating system can be installed from a flash drive, and thanks to the proliferation of digital platforms such as Steam and Uplay, you can download almost all the games you need.

Test results

Computers that you build yourself often have more power than those purchased ready-made. Since all the components proposed by the CHIP editors are suitable for the Mini format case, we will compare performance with representatives of our rating. The results are amazing: the PC we assembled outperforms the competition.

The leader in performance in our rating is the MSI Cubi, which costs 27,000 rubles. In the PCMark 8 benchmark, the PC we built scored 3500 points, while the performance of the MSI Cubi was only 2000 points. And in Futuremark's very demanding Fire Strike test, our PC was almost eight times more powerful.

In addition, we tested the computer with two more gaming benchmarks. In DiRT Rally, the system reached 26 FPS at 1080p on “Ultra” graphics settings, in Ashes of the Singularity under DirectX 12 - an average of 15 frames per second. Of course, you can’t achieve extreme speed in Full HD, but if you tweak some of the settings a little lower, this PC will give a head start to modern game consoles - including a larger selection of games and a more affordable price.

The power of the PC we assembled looks very convincing in the practical test of the game “The Witcher 3”: rich in graphics, it runs at a stable frequency of about 30 frames/sec at settings from medium to high. In addition, the PC version of the game has a clear graphical advantage over the console version.

CHIP Editorial Opinion

We literally fell in love with this computer. CHIP-PC is an interesting gaming base that leaves all possibilities open for upgrading. Instead of a Midi tower, you can take an even more compact Mini format case, and then it will become a very convenient and affordable computer. And also - it is very quiet! When we turned it on for the first time, we panicked a little, thinking that the PC was broken. But on the contrary - it works even better than expected.

1.

CPU

: Intel Core i3-4030U

Test results: PCMark 8 Creative

: 1.853 points.

Test results: 3DMark Firestrike

: 500 points.

Overall rating: 81.3

Price/quality ratio: 100

Article updated: 01/03/2019. The information provided is relevant for the entire year 2019.

It's time to change the assembly, because the previous one lasted a whole year! Yes, a lot has changed during this time, prices jumped up and down, but now we are ready for changes. I warn everyone right away: most likely, you will not meet the given budget, but this article will help you buy the most suitable hardware for your money. It will be ready when you have additional funds.

It would seem, what can you buy for 15 thousand rubles? In fact, even now it is possible to assemble a configuration for this modest amount. Let's go through each component in order and choose the most optimal ones. Let’s immediately make a reservation that we will only talk about the system unit without a monitor and other peripherals. They will have to be added separately, but with us every ruble counts. The system will definitely run GS GO, Dota 2, HotS and Fortnite without any problems with good FPS. You can even play GTA 5 and PUBG, Destiny 2, Tom Clancy and other modern games. And if you add a video card (I don’t write about it in the article because I don’t have enough money), then you won’t have any problems at all.

Let's make a shopping list, at the same time it will play the role of content - navigation through the article:

There is much more choice here, so it’s dizzying, but in fact, if you choose the minimum, there won’t be many options left. For an Intel processor on the LGA 1151v2 socket, we can take the H310 chipset. This is a budget option that will cover all your requirements. There is support for all modern interfaces, such as USB 3.1, PCI-E x16 version 3.0, SATA 6 Gb/s and so on. The chipset is quite recent, but has already been tested; it is advisable to periodically update the BIOS, because useful fixes may be released that will reduce power consumption and optimize the already stable operation. You can take another one with the same socket. You most likely won't notice any significant differences. The main thing is to look at the processor socket, we have it Coffee Lake (LGA 1151v2), respectively, the motherboard should have the same one. It is very important!

RAM

Video card

HDD

power unit

Frame

Final assembly

Congratulations! We just assembled a gaming computer for 15,000 rubles! To be honest, I didn’t fully believe in it myself, but, as you can see, everything is real, you just have to want it. So, for ease of reading, as well as for those who missed all the material that I presented above, I am posting the final assembly with links to Yandex Market.

That's all, dear readers. Now you can build your own computer, even with a modest budget. This could be, for example, a child’s first computer, on which he can not only do his homework, but also play a little modern games. By the way, read why games can slow down. The second option for using a computer for 15 thousand rubles could be an office. To work in such configurations as I gave above, it will be enough. If you like to play CS Go or Dota 2, Fortnite, PUBG, then this system, as I already said, is quite suitable, even though it does not have a video card. Nobody plays these two games at maximum settings anyway, since additional details only distract and interfere with concentration.

If you still have questions, ask them in the comments, we’ll look at them together.

To help you get the most out of your Build It Yourself computer, we'll first give you some basic DIY tips and then introduce you to some good parts.

1. Before purchasing components, decide what you need a computer for?

For an office PC, no expensive processors like Core i7 are needed. At the same time, the weak Celeron has nothing to do with a gaming computer.

2. Make sure all components are fundamentally compatible with each other

It is necessary to ensure that the combinations of motherboard and processor sockets are correct. You also need to select a suitable type of RAM (DDR3 or DDR4) and a power supply of sufficient power.

3. Decide on a maximum budget

This way you can control all expenses. However, you can't save on everything. For example, buying a power supply that is too cheap may result in unnecessary additional costs in the future.

Choosing a CPU: which processor is right?

Intel Core i5: recommended for gamers

The processor is the central data processing unit on every personal computer. That is why choosing it correctly is very important. In principle, the following information should be adhered to.

Intel's models called Pentium, Celeron, Atom and Core i3 are more suitable for office PCs and those computers that are used as multimedia centers. Most Core i5 and all Core-i7 are a good base for powerful gaming machines. At AMD, most CPUs labeled FX and APUs labeled A10 are designed for complex tasks, and APUs of the initial A4, A6 and A8 series will serve well in entry-level and mid-level computers.

A good compromise between performance and price is provided by the Intel Core i5-6600 CPU, which costs about 17 thousand rubles. This processor will feel good when solving highly demanding tasks and in gaming PCs, but for working with Word and similar programs, this choice will perhaps become redundant.

Graphics Card: A must for gamers

Radeon R9 390: very good value for money to enter the Hi-End segment

Video card - yes or no? First of all, we note that AMD APUs and Intel CPUs have a built-in graphics subsystem. The capabilities of these GPUs, as a rule, are quite sufficient for simple tasks and working with office programs. If you only want to type text and click on Internet links on your PC, you don't need a separate graphics card.

For players, a video card is required. In principle, you have a choice between models from AMD and Nvidia. Depending on your personal preferences, you can rely on our rating of video cards. All cards with at least 60 points in the performance score column are stable enough to play comfortably. Even for those who are very limited in funds, for less than 8 thousand rubles. you will be able to choose a good video card.

In terms of price-quality ratio, the Radeon R9 390 is seriously ahead of all competitors. At a price of about 25 thousand rubles. it provides a serious performance boost. It is manufactured on Hawaii architecture and has 8 GB of graphics memory. It has no problem running Full-HD games at the highest detail, and even some modern 4K games can run at over 30 frames per second.

Motherboard, SSD, RAM, etc.: it's all about the right combination

Along with the CPU and GPU, RAM and storage are very important for storing the system and data. Typically, 4 GB of RAM and a 3.5-inch hard drive with a capacity of 500 GB to 1 TB are sufficient for work.

A solid state drive (Solid State Disk, abbreviated SSD) significantly speeds up the system. Therefore, if you still have about 6 thousand rubles, an additional SSD such as the Samsung 850 Evo with a capacity of 250 GB is our absolute recommendation for all user groups.

Players need more serious components. 8 GB of DDR3 or DDR4 RAM and a 2 TB hard drive are the best choice for a gaming or just a high-performance computer.

DDR4 RAM has been found on some motherboards for quite some time. One of its main advantages is its high speed. However, we must take into account that DDR4 is compatible with Intel processors starting from the sixth generation - Skylake. At the same time, there are motherboards for Skylake processors, but with support only for the DDR3 standard. In this case, you need to be especially careful when selecting components: both the processor and DDR memory must match the motherboard.

Otherwise, a motherboard's hardware is much more important than its pure performance. Representatives of the Hi-End class such as the Intel Z170 make sense to purchase only for players who want to get the most out of their computer. In most other cases, it is much more important to pay attention to the number of USB ports, slots and connectors, as well as the size of the board itself. Network and sound modules are available on most manufactured models.

Power supplies with a power of more than 500 W are needed only by gamers who use one or two separate powerful video cards - everyone else would be much better off paying attention to the manufacturer’s brand. The importance of choosing the right power supply cannot be underestimated, since cheap NoName units can lead to dangerous failures of the entire system.

Having a DVD drive should not be treated with disdain, even if the role of optical discs is now greatly diminished. When choosing a case, you should consider appearance, size and functionality. There are many very cheap cases available to suit any need. However, be sure to pay attention to the fact that all the components you purchase find their place in it, and that the various connectors on the front side (USB, audio, card reader) fit the motherboard.

And finally, Windows 10 (64 bit) is the best choice in terms of operating system.

12.12.2016

If you last changed your computer at the end of 2012 or earlier and the time has come to update the hardware, you will be unpleasantly surprised by the fact that not a single market will deceive the economy; all components are imported and have risen in price by double.

And if under the old course for 20 thousand rubles it was possible to assemble a very decent computer for all household tasks, not excluding games, today the simplest typewriter will barely fit into this budget only for office tasks.

Our original

Three budgets: up to 31,500 thousand rubles. or $500, up to 47 thousand or $750 and up to 63 thousand or $1,000

Accessories: We are assembling everything from scratch; there are no old but usable power supplies and cases at hand

Environment: We have a simple home 60 Hz FullHD monitor, the necessary peripherals, and the ability to read and follow one of the dozens of detailed instructions for assembling a PC on the Internet. If you are not like that, add to each option ~1,000 rubles ($15/400 hryvnia), which, on average, the workshop will charge you for assembly, ~5,000 – 7,000 ($100/2,500 hryvnia) – monitor, ~1 000 – 1,500 ($20/500 hryvnia) – keyboard and mouse.

Tasks: internet, office, YouTube, cinema, games

Store and prices: random store on Yandex.Market, prices at the rate of 1 USD = 63 rubles / 26 hryvnia, in your case, prices for all components (or their analogues) may differ up or down by 10-15% if you order everything separately By finding the best prices for each piece of hardware, you can further save on the time spent.

Time: prices are current as of December 12, 2016, you should not write angry comments if you came across this note at the end of 2019 and the numbers did not quite match.

Generally: we are a simple user with a screwdriver, a small amount of money and a big desire for a gift for the New Year

Option No. 1 – before$500/31,500 rubles/13,000 hryvnia

There is nothing to be done, it will be an option of continuous compromises. For this money you cannot build a powerful gaming computer, which, in addition to a browser and an office, will allow you not to worry about graphics settings sliders for the next three years.

This is a computer for the Internet, movies, tanks and new games at medium and lower settings.

CPU: Intel® Core™ i3-6100 | 3.7GHz – 7,179 rubles;

CPU Cooling:

Motherboard: ASRock H110M-DGS | mATX – 3,154 rubles;

Video card: nVidia GTX 1050 | 2048Mb | GDDR5 | Zotac – 8,234 rubles;

RAM: 8Gb 2400MHz Crucial | DDRIV – 3,184 rubles;

HDD:

Power unit: 400W Zalman ZM400-LE II – 2,041 rubles;

Frame:

Total: 29,934 rubles / $465 / 12,090 hryvnia

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A dual-core, four-threaded, high-frequency processor of the latest generation based on the Skylake core, a minimum motherboard for the 1151 chipset, a tower cooler with heat pipes, the latest generation of budget nVidia video cards, the minimum amount of RAM required by the end of 2016, a decent hard drive from Seagate, a power supply from a reliable manufacturer and a budget case.

This configuration will allow you to play all modern games (even at settings far from maximum) in FullHD resolution, watch videos in 4K, not to mention the Internet and office programs.

Why notAMDFX? For the same money, a system built on an eight-coreFX 8300 will be much more powerful.

Firstly, not for all tasks. Yes, in the synthetic test the FX outperforms not only the i3, but also some i5s. But your daily activity is not running benchmarks, it is, in addition to the Internet, mainly killing monsters. Game manufacturers by default assume that you have Intel and tailor their creations for it. If your main activity is, say, video editing, then yes, you should look towards AMD FX with a minimum budget, but this article is not for you.

Secondly, the FX line processors are hopelessly outdated. In practice, this means that if today there is still a large selection of motherboards on the AM3+ socket and DDRIII memory modules, then in two years this is guaranteed to not be the case. And if at the end of 2018 (time will fly by quickly) your motherboard burns out or you want to add another memory stick, you’re heading straight to flea markets like Avito, trying to find a decent option.

There is nothing newer than the line of Intel Skylake processors, the LGA 1151 socket for them and the DDRIV standard on the market at the end of 2016. Memory modules, processors, motherboards - all this will be in stock in stores for another 3-4 years, guaranteed. Change the processor to a more powerful one (i5/i7), replace a burnt-out board, add RAM - without any questions, at any time and cheaper than today (in dollars, anyway).

Why not save money by purchasing a case with a power supply?

Because saving $10-15 (at best) is not worth burning down the system (at a minimum) or the apartment (at a maximum).

Why not save money by purchasing a boxed processor with a cooler?

You will save $3, maximum $5, but instead of a normal cooling system with heat pipes, you will get an aluminum blank with a roaring fan, decide for yourself.

What else can you save on here?

For the stated tasks - nothing.

8 GB of memory - not enough?

For today, the minimum is enough; you can always buy an additional die and install it from your next paycheck.

Isn't it better to takei3 6300/6320 – are they more powerful and have more cache memory?

They cost on average ~9,000 rubles ($140, 2,700 hryvnia), the difference with the minimum i5 6400, which has honest 4 cores, is about 20%, this is unreasonable.

And whereSSD for the system and main programs?

If you are ready to build with a budget of $465, add $50-70 per piece, which will give a mere percentage increase in productivity in real tasks - you are welcome.

Why not1050Ti?

This is a very strange card, costing noticeably more than the 1050, not much superior to it in performance, but only slightly cheaper than the 1060 by 3GB, significantly inferior to it.

Option No. 2 – up to $750/47,000 rubles/19,500 hryvnia

CPU: Intel® Core™ i5-6400 | 2.7GHz – 11,500 rubles;

CPU Cooling: Deepcool Gammaxx 200T – 844 rubles;

Motherboard:

Video card:

RAM: 16Gb 2400MHz Crucial | DDRIV – 5,935 rubles;

HDD: 1.0Tb Seagate BarraCuda | SATA-III | 7,200 rpm – 3,205 rubles;

Power unit:

Frame: Zalman ZM-T2 Plus – 2,093 rubles;

Total: 46,142 rubles / $732 / 19,032 hryvnia

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An excellent configuration that will run all modern games in FullHD at close to ultra and ultra settings, not to mention simpler tasks. A big plus is scalability, we leave three free slots for RAM (if you want 64 GB - save up and buy dies), you can plug a good sound card into this motherboard, wait for the price of the i7 6700 to drop and insert it, the power supply will freely pull out a much more powerful one video card if you decide to fork out for it.

Why 1060 for 3 and not 6 GB?

1060 by 3 GB now looks like the best offer in terms of price/performance ratio. The 6 GB version is not particularly superior to it in any way, but it costs not $10, but $70 more, while the next level (1070) is a completely different class of devices and twice the price tag.

Why is the youngesti5?

Because the price of the older i5 is approaching the i7.

1 TB at the end of 2016 – not enough?

It won't be enough - buy more later, it's inexpensive.

Option No. 3 – up to $1,000/63,000 rubles/26,000 hryvnia

CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-6700 | 3.4GHz – 19,390 rubles;

CPU Cooling: Deepcool Gammaxx 200T – 844 rubles;

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B150M-D3H | mATX – 4,896 rubles;

Video card: nVidia GTX 1060 | 3096 Mb | GDDR5 | Palit – 14,067 rubles;

RAM: 32Gb (2x16Gb) 2133MHz Crucial | DDRIV – 10,758 rubles;

HDD: 2.0Tb Seagate BarraCuda | SATA-III | 7,200 rpm – 4,609 rubles;

SSD: 120Gb SSD Kingston – 3,058 rubles;

Power unit: 550W Corsair VS550 – 3,602 rubles;

Frame: Zalman ZM-T2 Plus – 2,093 rubles;

Total: 62,237 rubles / $988 / 25,500 hryvnia.

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In fact, this is a “pumping” of the previous build. We installed a top-end processor for socket 1151, added RAM (now it will be enough for years to come), installed an SSD for the system (and main applications), and a twice as large hard drive.

With such a system, you won’t have to familiarize yourself with the assortment of computer stores for the next three to four years. It is guaranteed to cope with all everyday tasks.

Why noti7 6700k?

Because without overclocking, an additional payment of $30-40 makes no sense. For serious overclocking, you need a motherboard with a z170 chipset (+$30), a very good air or, better yet, liquid cooling system (+$50-100), to “unleash” all the capabilities of the overclocked processor in games you will have to buy a 1070-level video card (+$200- 220), such a system requires a more powerful power supply (+$50 for a good option) - in total, at least $300, i.e., 30% of the build budget. And this does not take into account the fact that you can enjoy a hundred or more FPS only on an appropriate monitor, which costs not $100.

Is the power supply weak?

Quite sufficient.

Summary

We have presented you with three assemblies that, in our opinion, are good in terms of price/quality ratio; the last option is already at home at the author of this material and is waiting for a free minute to assemble.

These are simple home configurations that do not pretend to be used for any professional tasks, such as video editing, 3D rendering and engineering calculations. Ultimately, if your tasks go beyond simple home use, you know better than us what components you need.

Modern powerful solutions for game lovers are not affordable for everyone. Corporations that produce PC components make super-profits, but they don't care about the average user. Therefore, the question of assembling a gaming or simply powerful computer for adequate money arises. Who wants to feed a pack of unscrupulous world-class producers? So, our question can be formulated something like this: “How to build the cheapest computer for gaming without sacrificing too much performance?” This is exactly what we will talk about.

What is it for?

First of all, you should look at the cost of components for any PC, and you can easily answer this question. Your hair will stand on end when you find out how many percentages manufacturers mark up on their products. The record holders in this regard are Apple. When the cost of iPhones is $216, they sell them for $900. What is the markup percentage? Manufacturers of computer components do the same. The cheapest computer, assembled from components from well-known brands, will cost about 25,000 rubles. And this is a basic configuration PC.

That is why the question of assembling a PC on your own using the cheapest components arises. They are exactly the same in quality, but there is no increase in price “for the brand”. And if there is no difference, then why pay more? The cheapest computer components behave no worse than their “pedigree” counterparts. So let's talk about selecting the “right” components.

Component #1: Motherboard

This is the basis of any computer. His alpha and omega. It is she who decides what your PC will be capable of. Saving on a motherboard is bad form. But even here you can find cheaper options. For example, a board from MSI called H110M Pro VD. It costs about 3,500 rubles, but has all the characteristics expected of a gaming motherboard. Support for high-speed SATA interface and modern video cards is present. The cheapest computer deserves a much more modest base. But why not take this one if finances allow?

There is another good option, but it will cost a little more. The motherboard is from the same company, but with improved characteristics. More powerful components can be placed on its base. True, it will cost more. So in terms of savings, it’s better to stick with the first option. The best one will work perfectly with this motherboard.

Component #2: Processor

Another important element of any course is to use “stones” from Intel. They are more productive and reliable. But products from AMD are much cheaper. As a compromise, you can choose Intel Skylake. This is a processor from the latest generation of Intel. So it works as expected. It will cost approximately 3,500 rubles. Quite a normal device for the money. The cheapest computer could have been equipped with something simpler.

In the camp of analogues from AMD, oddly enough, there is no adequate replacement for this “Intel”. All comparable models are either an order of magnitude weaker, or, having comparable power, are much more expensive. Therefore, Intel is the most preferable option, based on practicality considerations.

Component #3: RAM

There is much more variety here. But we need a cheap and productive product. You need to install at least one 8 GB stick. For games you can't do less. And even better - two 8 RAMs - that's something. The Kingston HX421C14FB can be considered as a RAM. One 8 GB stick will cost you 3,600 rubles (approximately). So it’s quite possible to take two at once. It is important that both strips are from the same manufacturer. Otherwise, conflicts may occur.

RAM greatly affects the performance of the entire system as a whole. That's why there's never too much here. For games, it is very important to have a decent number of gigabytes in RAM, because all textures are loaded there.

Component #4: Video Card

It is impossible to imagine a gaming PC without a discrete graphics card. Typically, the graphics adapter is the most expensive component of a computer. But you can save money here too. For example, an ASUS Radeon R7 360 with two gigabytes of RAM will cost approximately 8,000 rubles. With such a card you can easily play all modern games. The path is not even at maximum settings.

If you don't want to pay for a video chip, then the selected processor has a built-in graphics chip that can handle some games like Dota or CS Go. But you shouldn’t count on good performance and beautiful graphics in this case.

Other components

The remaining components of a PC do not have such a strong impact on its price and performance. So here you can find your way around. Moreover, the remaining components are usually presented in a very wide range.

Conclusion

So, the above computer configuration (including the components that we ignored) will cost somewhere around 15-20 thousand rubles. Now you know how much the cheapest gaming PC costs, and don't let manufacturers and retailers fool you. Collect everything yourself and you will always be in the black.